MACHUPICCHU, CUSCO AND CONDORS

Pick up from the airport or your hotel in Cusco and transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In the afternoon we shall visit the impressive Inka site of Ollantaytambo. Overnight at a hotel in the Sacred Valley. D

By tourist train to Machupicchu. Visit of the spectacular citadel of Machupicchu. In the late afternoon, we return to the Sacred Valley by train. Overnight at a hotel in the Sacred Valley. B & D

Visit of the mysterious Inca site of Moray that most likely was a kind of greenhouse where the Incas adapted crops to higher altitudes. We shall also visit the colonial town of Maras, famous for its stone carved doorways and later the salt pans of Salineras from where we may hike down to the sacred valley (about 1 hour). Full board. Overnight at a hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Full day excursion to the Sacred Valley. We will visit the pottery workshop of Pablo Seminario and later the spectacular Inca ruins of Pisac. A two-hour hike will allow us to fully appreciate this breathtaking site. For groups of four or more people, there is the possibility to visit a performance of traditional dances at the local free school. There will also be enough time to explore the Indian market where you find crafts from all over Peru on display. Return to Cusco in the afternoon. Overnight at Hotel in Cusco. B & L.

A.m. visit of the Korikancha, the main temple of the Incas, as well as the cathedral, full of syncretic icons like the famous painting of the ‘Last Supper’. Finally, you will visit the market of San Pedro where you learn about the plentiful varieties of potatoes, other Andean tubers such as olluco and oca, corn, and typical other local produce. P.m. free to stroll the streets of the charming center of Cusco, famous for its blend of Inca and colonial architecture. Overnight at hotel in Cusco. B & L

A.m. excursion to the local Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo. Tambomachay and Puca Pucará. The afternoon is free to relax, visit museums or go shopping. Or you may opt for a coca reading done by an Andean wise woman. In the evening there will be dinner with live music. Hotel in Cusco. B & D

Today we leave Cusco taking the road west towards Abancay to Limatambo. After a climb on a dirt road, we reach the picturesque highland community of Chonta (3,400 m). A moderate hike of 1 1/2 hours takes us to the rustic viewpoint of Hauacco, affording fabulous views of the Apurimac canyon and with a little luck the sightings of the majestic Andean condor soaring in his natural habitat. On most of our visits, we have sighted up to a dozen birds! In the afternoon we return to Chonta. From here we descend to Limatambo where we spend the night in the cozy Andean Spirit Lodge. Full board.

After an early breakfast, we drive through the scenic town of Mollepata to the foot of the Choquechurco mountain (1 ½ hours) from where a 2-hour uphill hike through beautiful scenery will take us to the little known Inka ruins of the same name, nestled in a magic dwarf forest. We will enjoy a picnic lunch in this area, with views of the snowy peaks of the Humantay and Salkantay. We return to the guesthouse in the afternoon. Overnight at the Andean Spirit Lodge. Full board.

In the morning you will get a guided tour of the Lodge gardens and facilities. Later in the morning we will drive to the Inca site of Tarawasi near Limatambo town. Afterwards we will visit the nearby Hacienda Sondorf, where the resident heirs of the estate will give you a cooking class, preparing a Vegan version of a traditional Andean dish followed by dessert. We return to the Lodge in the afternoon.  Overnight at the Andean Spirit Lodge. Full board.

Free day at the Andean Spirit Lodge. Soak in the peace of the environment or explore the garden trails. The idea is that you relax. Full board.

After breakfast transfer to Cusco. On the way, we will visit the mysterious Inka sites of Killarumiyoq where we will enjoy a picnic lunch. Overnight in hotel in Cusco. B & L

Transfer to the airport. B