Terra Quechua Peru Info

Thank you for your interest in our Cultural Highlights of Peru trip. At TERRA QUECHUA PERU we are passionate about off the beaten track experiences as it provides our travelers with the thrill of coming face to face with untouched cultures as well as wilderness regions of great natural beauty. We are also committed to making sure that our range of unique itineraries are well researched, affordable and tailored for the enjoyment of our small groups or individuals - philosophies that have been at our core since 2000 when we began operating adventure holidays. The itineraries will give you the very best travel experience, designed by people with incredible local knowledge who share our vision of authentic exchange and real exploration with a responsible tourism approach. Whether you like your adventures to include trekking, touring, cycling, mountaineering, kayaking or cruising we can make it happen for you. We hope you will join us for a life changing experience.

Sacred Valley of the Incas

Just an hour's drive from Cusco, the Urubamba Valley, or Sacred Valley of the Incas, is a setting of picturesque communities, impressive terraces and many important archaeological sites. Dominated by the imposing peaks of the Vilcanota mountain range, the valley has been the storehouse for agricultural products for the city of Cusco since Inca times, and today is famous for being home to maize cobs with the largest kernels in the world. The valley includes the area between the Inca communities of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Its mild weather and particular geography make it ideal for outdoor sports enthusiasts to practice rafting, mountain bike-riding, hang-gliding and trekking.

Pisac lies 33 kilometers from the city of Cusco by a paved road, and has an old quarter; an archaeological site considered one of the most important in Cusco, and a modern quarter; dating from the colonial period. It also has a Sunday market which attracts thousands of visitors and people from remote communities, dressed in colorful, traditional attire. Every Sunday there is the procession of the varayocs, or mayors, who, at around 9:30 am go to church to attend the traditional Mass held in Quechua.

Ollantaytambo
A typical lnca community located 21 km from Urubamba at 2800 masl, named in honor of the chief Ollanta, who was famous for courting an Inca princess, daughter of Pachactec. One of its best -preserved areas, known as Hanan Huacaypata lies north of the main square and contains 15 estates built with elegantly crafted stone walls. Ollantaytambo also features an extensive archaeological site located on the imposing hillside overlooking the town, containing structures such as the Temple of the Sun, and the Maacaray or Royal Hall, the Incahuatana and the Baos de la Princesa. It also has hotels, restaurants and horses and mountain bikes for hire. A branch road leading from Ollantaytambo to the Malaga mountain pass (4,200 masl), goes through towns such as picturesque Huilloc, home to the renowned wayruros (porters).

Chinchero
This community is located 28 km from Cusco on the paved road to Urubamba. Here lie the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tpac Inca Yupanqui, as well as a beautiful colonial temple built on Inca foundations. Its main attraction, however; is its Sunday market, which was originally dedicated to the barter of products by the people of the valley and the upper areas. Nowadays, the market is a real hub of activity, vibrant with color and movement which fascinates tourists with its range of handicrafts and textiles made in true pre-Columbian style

The tour starts at the impressive Colonial Cathedral in Cusco that contains over 400 paintings from the Cusquenan School, several altars. After that we go to visit the Temple of the Sun, main religious center of the Incas dedicated to the Sun Cult. According to the chroniclers, the walls of this temple were entirely covered with gold.

From here we go by bus the visit the four ruins at less than 8 km from Cusco, including Sacsayhuamán, famous for its enormous carved rocks and Q´enqo y Tambomachay.

Active

• DAY 1 CUSCO CITY TOUR
• DAY 2 FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR
• DAY 3: MACHUPICCHU OVERNIGHT TOUR
• DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU / CUZCO
• DAY 5 TRANSFER OUT

IMPORTANT: For a better service, the company informs you that it has autonomy to change the Hotels mentioned in the itinerary with another one of similar category if therefore sees it by advisable taking into account justifiable availability of spaces or other reasons, if this it is the case you will be notified ahead of time.

Upon arrival to Cusco Airport. Reception and transportation to the Hotel where you will receive an aromatic coca tea to stimulating for the height, will have the free morning to rest and also we suggest you have a light lunch in either your hotel or in one of the surrounded; in the afternoon we will depart on a City tour (entrance to the archaeological centers and museums including) we will visit the Main square, Cathedral, the Koricancha (temple of the sun) and in addition we will make a route bordering archaeological centers like Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, tour finishes 6:30pm approximately at the main square in order you can take dinner in one of the exquisite restaurants in the area, then overnight. (No meals included)

NOTES:

• City tour: from 1.45pm to 6:30pm approx. (Pickup from the hotel starts at 1:15pm)
• Optional Buffet Dinner with Folkloric Show: Adding $30 per person

Breakfast. You will be picked up at 8:15 am. Full day excursion to the Urubamba Valley visiting: the colorful Indian market in Pisac where a mixture of color and tradition will be able appreciated besides will have a good opportunity to try our bargain skills on the free time to interact with the local craftsmen to purchase their hand-made souvenirs. The Valley has a distance of 31 km (19 miles) of Cusco, and an altitude of 2,970 ms (9,700 p), Pisac is located to the entrance of the Sacred Valley and followed by Ollantaytambo, the older town continuously occupied of the American continent. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their channels that have not varied from the time Inca, evoke their ancestral inheritance, lunch in a typical restaurant and then the last visit will be to Chinchero market.

Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. At the end, return to Cusco main square at 6:30pm approx.The night is free for you to eat in a restaurant of your choice; although we always have plenty of suggestions for you should you require them.

Note: Take this tour on market days: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
Bilingual Guided tour on different days.

Early breakfast and pickup to go the train station to depart to Machu Picchu, the trip takes about 4 hours. During the trip we will have an amazing view of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba and the Amazon rainforest providing you a small hint of how much Peru has to offer. Upon arrival to the little town of Aguas Calientes you will have to approach the bus station towards the “Ciudadela of Machu Picchu” (Only 20 minutes ride) to receive a professional guided tour by this Huge Historical Sanctuary follow by some free time to explore the zone on your own and then take your buffet lunch (included), an according time, we will go down to the Aguas Calientes town to relax at the hot springs or just overnight at the select hotel in Aguas Calientes town.

Breakfast and rest of day at leisure by your own (entrance and bus fee to Machu Picchu not included on this day) in the afternoon return to Cusco. Reception at the train station and transfer to the Hotel where it passed the night.

Upon request: You can make a second visit to Machu Picchu and have the chance to know hidden places, such as the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun) or for more adventures can take a hike to the top of Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) to visit the Temple of the Moon and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. Or if you have good physical conditions can take a hike full of adrenaline to the Putukusi Mountain opposite position than Machu Picchu which allows us to have other unforgettable views from this new wonder.

Breakfast and according time, transportation will be provided to go the airport.

END OF THE SERVICE

All hotel and lodge accommodations based on double or single occupancy. All scheduled transportation. All transfers. All scheduled excursions with English-speaking guide services. All entrance fees. Meals as specified in the itinerary.

International and domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of international flights and items of personal nature.