Sacred Valley – Inca Trail KM 104 – Chachabamba 3 Days / 2 Nights USD 550
In the course of this trek, we´ll follow Hiram Bingham´s Route, visiting the main Incan architectural complexes, on Cusco´s High Plateau and in the Sacred Valley, like Chinchero, Moray, Maras´ Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo. That way, hiking along the Inca Trail, we´ll get to Machu Picchu.
OVERVIEW
DAY 1: CUSCO – CHINCHERO – SACRED VALLEY – OLLANTAYTAMBO
ACTIVITIES: Transfer, from Cusco to Chinchero, and confection demonstration of traditional woven textiles, guided visit of Moray´s Incan Agricultural Laboratory, guided visit of Maras´ Salt Mines, and guided visit of Ollantaytambo´s Incan Architectural Complex.
DAY 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – INCA TRAIL – MACHU PICCHU – MACHUPICCHU PUEBLO
ACTIVITIES: Train trip to Km. 104, hike on the Inca Trail, and guided visits of Incan architectural complexes, all the way to the Inti Punku, arrival in the Incan City of Machu Picchu, and ride, on a tourism bus, down to Machupicchu Pueblo.
DAY 3: MACHUPICCHU PUEBLO – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
ACTIVITIES: Guided visit of Machu Picchu, lunch in Machupicchu Pueblo, and train trip to Ollantaytambo.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: CUSCO – CHINCHERO – SACRED VALLEY – OLLANTAYTAMBO
In this program, we´ll get to know the most beautiful sites, on Cusco´s High Plateau and in the Incas´ Sacred Valley.
The picturesque District of Chinchero is located 28 kilometers (17.7 miles) from the city of Cusco. There, we´ll appreciate traditional textile confection works, directly from the hands of its famous women weavers who will give us a demonstration of ancient Incan techniques, still used today, for the elaboration, by hand, of fine woven fabrics, such as the alpaca wool´s dyeing and threading, as well as of the use of the loom, and of the meanings of the designs represented in their works.
After a short stopover, at Chinchero´s Textile Center, we´ll visit its archaeological center and colonial church, in which we´ll be able to appreciate biblical and historical scenes, on mural paintings and canvases, with saints, that made the natives´ evangelization process easier.
Then, we´ll visit the Salt Mines, also known as the ‘Salineras’ of Maras, with around 3,800 shallow pools, fed by a salt water spring, from which families of local inhabitants periodically extract pinkish-grey mineral salt they sell to prestigious hotels and restaurants, given that, due to its high nutritional content, it is in great demand, for the preparation of the most exquisite dishes.
The third site we´ll visit is Moray´s Incan Agricultural Laboratory composed of huge circular and concentric benched terraces that look like amphitheaters developed inside natural depressions, in the ground of Cusco´s High Plateau.
According to scientific studies, in the area, in Incan times, these benched terraces worked as a great agricultural laboratory, with different microclimates.
Afterwards, we´ll have lunch at a nearby restaurant and, in the afternoon, we´ll visit the Fortified Llaqta (Incan multifunctional urban center) of Ollantaytambo that used to be an administrative, military, religious and agricultural center. Finally, we´ll have dinner, and will spend the night at a hostel, in the area.
DAY 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – INCA TRAIL – MACHU PICCHU – MACHUPICCHU PUEBLO
After breakfast, at the hotel, we´ll board the 6:40 a.m. train and, after an hour and a half, we´ll get to Km. 104, where our 11-kilometer (6-mile) hike starts, on the Inca Trail to the Inti Punku (Sun God´s Gate). From there, we´ll be able to take our first pictures of the Incan City of Machu Picchu, and of Mount Wayna Picchu.
All along the trek, we´ll explore the Incan architectural complexes of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, as well as a great waterfall, the subtropical cloud forest, bamboo trees, bromeliads, begonias, orchids, etc. In addition, we´ll observe the Incan architectural complexes of Choquesuysuy and Intipata, in the distance.
Finally, we´ll conclude the hike, in the Incan City of Machu Picchu, to take a bus that will take us down to Machupicchu Pueblo, where we´ll have dinner, and will spend the night at a hostel, with private bathroom and hot shower.
DAY 3: MACHUPICCHU PUEBLO – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
After having enjoyed a delicious breakfast, we´ll board a tourism bus, up to Machu Picchu. There, our guide will show us the Incan City´s main architectural compounds, such as the Temple of the Sun, Royal Tomb, Priest´s House, the Inca´s Residence, the Quarry, the Three Windows´ Temple, the Inti Huatana, the Sacred Rock, the Astronomical Mirrors´ Room and the Condor´s Temple, among other attractions, on the site.
Once the visit over, you´ll take a bus, down to Machupicchu Pueblo, to have lunch and, in the afternoon, you´ll board the train that will take you to Ollantaytambo, where our support staff will transfer you to your hotel, in Cusco, aboard our tourism transportation vehicle.
INCLUDED - NOT INCLUDED
Inlcuded:
- English and Spanish speaking professional guide.
- Partial Tourist Pass for the Sacred Valley.
- Entrance ticket to Maras´ Salt Mines.
- 1 night at a hostel, in Ollantaytambo.
- 1 buffet-lunch, in the Sacred Valley.
- 6:40 a.m. Inca Rail train, from Ollantaytambo to Km. 104.
- Entrance ticket to the Km. 104 Inca Trail.
- 1 box-lunch, on the Inca Trail.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Bus down to Machupicchu Pueblo, and up to Machu Picchu.
- Local guide, in Machu Picchu.
- 2:30 p.m. Inca Rail train, from Machupicchu Pueblo to Ollantaytambo.
- Transfer, from Ollantaytambo´s railway station to the city of Cusco.
- 1 night at a hostel, in Machupicchu Pueblo.
Not included:
- Entrance ticket to Wayna Picchu and Mount Machu Picchu. Coordinate space availability at the moment of booking.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- INDIVIDUAL PRICE: USD$ 600.00
RECOMMENDATIONS
What to bring:
- Hiking shoes.
- Sunblock lotion, hat or cap, and sunglasses.
- 1 full change of clothes per hiking day.
- Personal hygiene kit and towel.
- Original passport or identification document.
- Canteen, to carry water along.
- Impermeable clothes, rain poncho or cape.
- Hiking sticks, with rubber tips.
- Photo/video camera, with extra batteries.
- Light binoculars.
- Flashlight, with extra batteries.
- Extra cash, in Nuevos Soles (PEN).