Special Sacred Valley Full Day USD 50
Situated between the localities of San Salvador and Ollantaytambo, this fertile valley is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, with snowcapped summits that offer wonderful landscapes to the visitor´s eye. On the way, we´ll visit the architectural complexes of Pisaq, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero that are authentic wonders, recognized, worldwide, as jewels of Incan architecture and engineering.
ITINERARY
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 - NOT INCLUDED
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.
RECOMENDATIONS
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.