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Between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m., we´ll pick you up at your hotel, aboard a group transportation vehicle, to get to Ollantaytambo´s Railway Station, at 6:10, and board the 6:40 Inca Rail Executive Train, bound to Machupicchu Pueblo, where you and your group will arrive at 8:00 a.m. There, our guide will be waiting for you, with a little light blue flag.

Then, you´ll board a bus that will take you up to Machu Picchu, to enjoy a group guided tour, for about 2 hours, around the Incan City´s main architectural compounds. After some free time, to explore the site, on your own, and take pictures, you´ll get back down to Machupicchu Pueblo, on a bus.

There, you´ll have lunch, before you get to the railway station, at 2:00 p.m., to take the Inca Rail Executive Train, at 2.30, and return to Ollantaytambo. There, our support staff will be awaiting you, and will take you back, as a group, to the city of Cusco.

Included:

• Group transfer, from Cusco to Ollantaytambo´s Railway Station.
• Executive Train (6:40), from Ollantaytambo to Machupicchu Pueblo.
• Executive Train (2:30 p.m.), from Maschupicchu Pueblo to Ollantaytambo.
• Group transfer, from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Entrance ticket to the Incan City of Machu Picchu.

Not included:

• Lunch in Machupicchu Pueblo.
• Tips and personal expenses not included in the program.

Recommendation:

• Daypack.
• Mineral water and snacks.
• Clothes for warm weather, rain and cold, in successive layers.
• Wide-brim hat, sunglasses and sunblock lotion.
• Insect repellent.
• Mountain hiking shoes or sneakers (tennis shoes).
• Photo/video camera and extra batteries.
• Light binoculars.
• Hiking sticks, with rubber tips.

At 8:30 a.m., we´ll pick you up at your hotel, aboard our bus, and we´ll take you, together with the rest of your group, 40 minutes North of the city of Cusco, to the traditional village of Chinchero that still conserves its original Incan layout, and is located in the very important agricultural area of Cusco´s High Plateau. There, the locals produce textiles, using ancestral techniques.

After our visit, we´ll go on, aboard the bus, to get to Moray which is a circular and concentric benched terrace system, built by the Incas who took advantage of natural depressions that benefit from microclimates, for experimental purposes, such as domestication, acclimatization, hybridization and genetic experimentation, with food and medicinal plants proceeding from lower areas.

Then, we´ll visit the ‘Salineras’, or Salt Mines of Maras that have been exploited since pre-Incan times. They are composed of about 3,800 shallow pools that are the property of around 380 local families. The salt water that runs along these pools comes from natural springs that filter from the mountain called ‘Qoripukiu’ (Gold Water Spring). Afterwards, we´ll return to the city of Cusco.

Included:

• Bilingual guide (English and Spanish).
• Tourist transportation service, on a 30-passenger bus.

Not included:

• Partial Tourist Pass: S/. 70.00.
• Entrance ticket to the Salineras: S/. 10.00.
• Tips, personal expenses and purchases.

What to bring:

• Daypack.
• Mineral water and snacks.
• Clothes for warm weather, rain and cold, in successive layers.
• Wide-brim hat, sunglasses and sunblock lotion.
• Mountain hiking shoes or sneakers (tennis shoes).
• Photo/video camera and extra batteries.
• Light binoculars.
• Hiking sticks, with rubber tips.

At 6:30 a.m., we´ll pick you up at your hotel and, on board our group tourism transportation vehicle, we´ll head towards the District of Chinchero, on Cusco´s High Plateau, where we´ll do a short stopover, at a handicraft center, to appreciate beautiful hand-woven fabrics, while the local women weavers give us a demonstration of the hand-woven textiles´ confection process, with the use of ancient Incan techniques. Then, we´ll visit the Incan architectural complex, and the colonial village´s church.

Afterwards, we´ll discover Maras´ Salt Mines, with their salt pools, exploited by local families, since the remote past. Due to its mineral composition, Maras´ salt possesses a special pinkish-grey color, and is the most appreciated by inhabitants of the Sacred Valley and Cusco, as well as by visitors who take care of their health.

The so-impressive Incan Agricultural Laboratory of Moray presents sets of circular and concentric benched terraces, from large to small size, that fill the slopes of natural depressions, in a privileged area of Cusco´s High Plateau, where the Incas used to adapt food and medicinal plant species, on different ecological levels, so that they might prosper, in that region, as well as in others, of their vast territory.

Then, we´ll ride down to the Sacred Valley, to visit the Incan Llaqta (Multifunctional urban center) of Ollantaytambo, with its Urban and Sacred Sectors. There, military, administrative, agricultural and religious functions were fulfilled.

Later on, we´ll visit the colonial village of Pisaq, taking a short stroll around its famous Handicraft Market. Then, we´ll go up to Pisaq´s Incan Architectural Complex, from which we´ll be able to observe the beauty of agricultural and contention benched terraces, on the mountain slopes, as well as pre-Incan and Incan buildings, while we enjoy spectacular views of the natural wonders of the valley and mountains that surround it, at dusk.

Finally, our transportation vehicle will take us back to the city of Cusco, in time for a delicious dinner and well-deserved rest.

Included:

• Group tourism transportation vehicle.
• English and Spanish speaking professional tour guide.

Not included:

• Entrance tickets to the places visited.
• Meals.
• Tips and other personal expenses.

What to bring:

• Daypack.
• Clothes for warm weather, rain and cold, in successive layers.
• Wide-brim hat, sunglasses and sunblock lotion.
• Mountain hiking shoes or sneakers (tennis shoes).
• Photo/video camera, and extra batteries.
• Light binoculars.
• Hiking sticks, with rubber tips.

Between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., we´ll pick you up at your hotel, aboard our tourist transportation vehicle and, as a group, we´ll travel to Pisaq´s Incan Architectural Complex, located one hour and a half from the city of Cusco, and 2,850 meters above sea level (m.as.l.), or 9,350 feet above sea level (f.a.s.l.). It is divided into the following sectors: Qantupata, Q´allaqasa, Intihuatana, the Colcas and the Urban Sector.

Its impressive benched terraces were multi-functional, as they served, as much for agriculture, as for gardens and agricultural laboratories, as well as of contention structures, on the mountainous slopes.

Besides, every benched terrace was supplied with glacier water, by means of irrigation canals, and was equipped with salient stair-like rock steps that connected one terrace with the next, as they eased the people´s way, in their farming tasks.

The sector we´ll first visit, with the group, is Q´allaqasa that offers the best panoramic view over the archaeological complex. Then, we´ll go to the so-called ‘Military Area’ and, afterwards, to the Incan Cemetery, where there are over 9,000 graves, some of which have been ransacked by gravediggers (huaqueros). Afterwards, we´ll ride to Urubamba, to enjoy a buffet-lunch, with food for every taste.

In the afternoon, we´ll visit the Fortified Llaqta (Incan multifunctional urban center) of Ollantaytambo, with its megalythic constructions, where administrative, military and religious functions were fulfilled. Then, half an hour away from Ollantaytambo, we´ll visit Chinchero´s Colonial Church and Incan Architectural Complex.

Finally, we´ll have a chance to witness a demonstration of the alpaca wool´s dyeing process, for the hand-weaving of traditional textiles, with designs and symbols that represent diverse aspects of Andean daily life and cosmogony, with fine finishing touches, before returning to the city of Cusco.

Included:

• Group tourism transportation vehicle.
• Professional tour guide.
• Buffet-lunch, in Urubamba.
• Textile weaving demonstration.

No included:

• Tips.
• Other personal expenses and purchases.
• Entrance ticket to Incan Architectural Complex  PEN 70.

What to bring:

• Daypack.
• Mineral water and snacks.
• Clothes for warm weather, rain and cold, in successive layers.
• Wide-brim hat, sunglasses and sunblock lotion.
• Mountain hiking shoes or sneakers (tennis shoes).
• Photo/video camera, and extra batteries.
• Light binoculars.
• Hiking sticks, with rubber tips.

Between 1:30 and 1:40 p.m., our guided visit will start around the fountain, on Cusco´s Main Square (Plaza de Armas), with a light downhill stroll, and the visit of the Qoricancha, or ancient Incan Temple of the Sun, built with highly finished stone blocks which were covered with gold blades, before the invaders´ arrival.

That way, when the Sun would rise, that Temple would shine, as though it were its terrestrial reflection. In its gardens, there were full-size massive gold and silver animals, trees and plants and, inside it, there was the Great Solar Disk that was the representation of Inti, their Sun God.

Once that visit over, a tourism bus will take us to visit the colossal Incan Architectural Complex of Saqsayhuaman, the monolyths of which, of up to 130 tons, were cut and set, block upon block, without any kind of cement between them. Apparently, and apart from its fortified aspect, that monumental complex also served astronomical, sacred and ceremonial functions.

The following architectural compound we´ll visit is Qenqo. At first sight, today, one can see the sculpture, destroyed by the Spanish, of a totem, or Apu, with the shape of a phallus, or male genital organ. Furthermore, in the rock, behind it, the surface of which is sculpted with monkeys, there is the Sector for Rites to Fertility and Water.

There is a maze, inside a small tunnel, in which a ceremonial altar stands-out, sculpted in the bedrock. Apparently, the Incan priests would perform ceremonial rites and mummifications there, to conserve their dead, because, to them, those who died went on living, on another level of existence.

Our next visit is Puka Pukara´s Architectural Compound, composed of a fortified construction that gives it a military aspect and, from its upper part, one can appreciate a good view over the whole valley. Some researchers mention that it was an administrative center that controlled the human traffic that got to Cusco, or was leaving the Incan capital city.

Then, we´ll visit Tambomachay, also known as the Temple to the Water Divinity, that was the favorite resting and revitalizing place, for the Incan Ruler, his family, members of Nobility and high dignitaries. Finally, the tour will end, at 6:30 p.m., just a few blocks from Cusco´s Main Square (Plaza de Armas).

Included:

• Tourism bus.
• Bilingual guide (English and Spanish).

Not included:

• Tourist Pass.
• Cash, in Nuevos Soles (PEN), to enter the Qoricancha.
• Tips and any other personal expense.
• Water and a snack.

What to Bring:

• Daypack.
• Mountain hiking shoes or sneakers (tennis shoes).
• Identity documents.
• Extra cash, in Nuevos Soles (PEN).
• Photo/video camera.
• Light binoculars.
• Light and warm clothes.
• Impermeable jacket and/or plastic rain poncho.
• Wide-brim hat and sunglasses.
• Sunblock lotion.

Día 1: Islas de los Uros – Luquina

Este tour empieza a las 6:45 am con el traslado de su hotel al puerto de Puno donde usted abordara el bote a motor que lo llevara primeramente a las islas flotantes de los uros que están localizadas a 25 minutos del puerto de Puno, hay más de 65 pequeñas islas flotantes que viven hoy en día, pero usted visitara dos, durante su visita el guía explicara un poco acerca de la historia y la forma de vida de esta gente que viven en estas islas flotantes por muchos años, usted también tendrá la oportunidad de conversar con la gente de estas islas y visitar sus casas y aprender un poco de su forma de vida, usted disfrutara 1 hora de visita aproximadamente a estas islas flotantes. El tour continuara con una hora de viaje en bote hasta la península de Chucuito. Al sur de la ciudad de Puno, donde está localizada la comunidad de Karina y Luquina, lo notable de este lugar es que la actividad del turismo es totalmente nueva, los habitantes de este lugar están muy dispuestos a recibir visitantes en su comunidad, y definitivamente usted será recibido directamente por las familias, que los llevaran a sus casas donde pasará la noche y donde usted tiene 3 comidas incluidas con las familias. La comunidad de Karina tiene la playa de arena blanca más grande del lago Titicaca y ahí nosotros tenemos para usted, actividades como: Pesca deportiva, paseos en kayak, paseos en bicicleta de montaña, y también tendrá la oportunidad de nadar en las cristalinas aguas del lago Titicaca que están a 10 grados centígrados de temperatura, lo cual será parte de la aventura de este tour.

Día 2: Luquina – Isla Taquile

El segundo día usted tomara otra vez el bote a motor que lo llevara a visitar la isla de TAQUILE donde se encuentran “los mejores tejedores del Perú” esta isla también es un lugar con mucha tradición y costumbres que están mescladas con las de periodo Inca y Colonial, esta visita envuelve una caminata de hora y media durante la cual usted visitara la plaza principal de la isla donde tendrá tiempo libre para poder ver los tejidos en tiendas de artesanía, y también visitara una familia local donde podrá almorzar para luego retornar a la ciudad de Puno.

Nuestro servicio incluye:

• Traslado de su hotel al puerto Principal.
• Embarcación a motor.
• Guía profesional Español/ Ingles.
• Boleto de entradas a las Islas.
• Hospedaje en casa familiar 1 noche
• Alimentación (especifique)

Nuestro servicio no incluye:

• Seguro de vida
• Alimentación (especifique)
• Propinas

Recomendamos llevar:

• Agua mineral y snack
• Medicamento personal
• Casaca abrigadora
• Casaca impermeable (Octubre – Marzo)
• Zapatos cómodos
• Sandalias
• Dinero extra en soles
• Cámara fotográfica
• Crema de sol
• Lentes de sol
• Sombrero de sol