Andean Treasures 9 Days

Enjoy a half-day tour of modern and colonial city of Lima, known as the “City of Kings”, where you can start with Love Park in Miraflores for spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, and continue to the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of Lima culture. Visit the main square of Lima, where the Government Palace and Town Hall are located. You will also visit the Cathedral to view the handsome colonial façade. Other major attractions include the Convent of San Francisco, built in the 17th-Century and home to mysterious catacombs.

• Overnight: Lima (Altitude: Sea level)

This day, in the morning you will head to the picturesque town of Chinchero, a small village nestled among Andean peaks at the edge of Lake Piuray, where the remains of palace of Túpac Yupanqui Inka king was, temples, ceremonial squares and, above all, the immense set of terraces and platforms. After this spectacular experience you will continue to see the incredible circular terraces of Moray, which were used as an Incan laboratory to make acclimatization, hybridization and adaptation of their crops. Then we make a stop in the village of Maras, which was once the most prosperous town in the area because of the salt trading. Afterwards we will head to the salt pans of Maras (Salineras) to see and learn about this truly unique place that have been in continuous use since pre-Inkan times. Conclude your day visiting the impressive Ollantaytambo Inka site and town of the same name.

• Overnight: Ollantaytambo town (Altitude: 2,800 m. – 9,186 ft.)

In the morning, you will be transfer to the community village of Patakancha. You will llama hike will be for about 1:30 hours through an ancient Inka trail alongside the Patakancha small river and with breathtaking views, starting at 3,820 m. towards the house of family Quispe Huaman (3,910 m.), where you will have a cultural immersion activity such as farming potatoes, potatoes / dehydration process – chuño / moraya. After a rich cultural experience enjoy a typical Andean lunch prepared by the local family.

Hiking details:

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Total distance: 4 km. / 2.4 mi. – 1:30 hrs. Approx.
• Elevation: Starting Point: 3,800 m. – 12,507 ft. / Highest point: 3,950 m. – 13,035 ft. 
• Overnight: Ollantaytambo town (Altitude: 2,800 m. – 9,186 ft.)

Morning transfer to Ollantaytambo train station for a 1:15 hrs. scenic train journey until km 104 along the rail road, which is starting point of the hike to Machu Picchu. The 6 to 7 hours trek is along an Inka highway, visiting Inka sites, admiring beautiful waterfalls and experiencing the luxuriant vegetation that is home to hundreds of birds and orchid species. Your lunch (box lunch) will be next to the magnificent Wiñay Wayna Inka site, and then explore the site along with its houses, water fountains and farming terraces. Afterwards you head on to the sun gate, a place from where you can have an astonishing view of Machu Picchu Llaqta. After a well rest with awe-inspiring scenery, you will take the final stretch of the royal Inca highway that ends up in the lost city of the Inkas and can take pictures as from postcards. Then take a bus down to Machu Picchu town for your hotel accommodation. Breakfast and lunch included.

Trekking details:

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Total distance: 12km. – 7.4 mi. – 6 hrs.
• Elevation: Starting Point 2,080 m.–6,864 ft. Highest Point 2,700 m.–8,910 ft.
• Overnight: Machu Picchu Town (Altitude: 2,000 m. – 6,600 ft.)

In the morning, after taking a thirty-minute bus ride up a switchback road, you will arrive to the incredible “Lost city of the Inkas”. Your guide will take you on a guided tour and history lesson of this incredible site, contemplating the complicated history and the surprising degree of technology achieved by its builders, the provision of water channels that reveal a deep understanding of hydraulics, and its exceptionally fine stonework. All this magnificent building allows you to go back in time and with the help of your guide revive the existence of those master builders.  After a complete overview of the site, we descend to Machupicchu town for our train ride back to Cusco.

• Overnight: Cusco (Altitude: 3,350 m. / 10,990 ft.)

Start your day visiting the extraordinary Tipón archeological Inka site, in which you can appreciate the incredible hydraulic system of aqueducts and irrigation system. The journey continues towards more south east from Cusco, along the way make a stop at Oropesa town for experiencing how is make the most famous bread in Cusco region – Chuta, a kind of sweat and big size bread. After testing and experiencing this famous town, the next stop is in the pre-Inkan site of Pikillaqta, the largest provincial outpost ever built by the Wari Empire based in Ayacucho. Its 47-hectare, adobe-walled compound might go unnoticed; however, it affords visitors a great opportunity to check out pre-Inka architecture. Afterwards, go to visit the incredible Pisaq Inka site, where you can stroll through the ruins and learn about the history of the Inkas, taking in the tremendous views of the fascinating agricultural terraces that wraps around the mountain and the valley below.  After such a great visit enjoy of the Pisaq market, where you can find the local handy crafts of local artisans. Breakfast included.

• Overnight: Cusco (Altitude: 3,350 m. – 11,055 ft.)

This expedition is particularly special treat to any adventurous traveler, because the landscapes seem like taken out of a dream or a fairy tale. This rainbow mountains provide some of the most wonderful and unique scenery in the world such as breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, the flora and fauna of the place and special rock formation that truly makes it special. This is 2 hours hike with dazzling views of the striped Rainbow Mountains and leave you without words and, better yet, leave you with no regret for having done this Rainbow Mountain hike.

Trekking details:

• Difficulty: moderate to challenging | Meals: Breakfast and lunch
• Elevation: Starting Point: 4,000 m. / Highest point: 4,100 m.
• Walking distance: 6 km. / 3.7 mi. | Time: 4 hrs. Approx.                                   
• Overnight: Cusco City (Altitude: 3,350 m. / 10,999 ft.)

This tour starts early in the morning. Humantay Lake s a beautiful glacial lake located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. The hike to Humantay Lake is challenging but rewarding, with stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys. The trail is well-marked and takes about 1 to 1:30 hours to reach the lake from the end of car ride. Along the way, hikers will encounter a variety of flora and fauna, including Andean condors, llamas, and alpacas. Overall, Humantay Lake is a must-see destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts visiting Peru. It offers a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave visitors in awe of the natural beauty of the Andes Mountains.

Trip details:

• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult | Meals: Breakfast and lunch
• Walking distance: 6 km. / 3.7 mi. | Time: 6 hrs. Approx.
• Elevation: Starting Point: 3,780 m. / 12,474 ft. Highest point: 4,000 m. / 13.123 ft.
• Overnight: Cusco City (Altitude: 3,350 m. / 10,999 ft.)

In the morning or afternoon, your tour starts with the impressive Colonial Cathedral, which contains over 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School in addition to an impressive collection of colonial art, including a depiction of The Last Supper displaying Cuy, or Guinea Pig, as the main course. Continue on to visit the Temple of the Sun, whose walls and floors were allegedly once covered by sheets of solid gold. Afterwards we head to Saqsayhuaman archeological Inka site, located on the northern slope of Cuzco. This impressive site, which consists of individual stones weighing well over 100 tons, took over seven decades to complete. Conclude the day at the Q´enq´o site, a mysterious limestone formation decorated by intricately carved depiction of mythical deities.