Cusco

Arriving in the vibrant cultural city of Cusco, you’ll be transported from the airport to our hotel located in the beautiful historic center. Our staff will be on hand to check you in and ensure you get situated. Once the entire group has arrived, we’ll gather for a tour orientation in the evening and a delicious welcome dinner in the heart of town.

Included Meals: Dinner

Cusco

With so many colorful markets, galleries, cooperatives and intriguing neighborhoods to visit, we’ll embark on a walking tour of this great city. From the historic Plaza de Armas and the colossal Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, to the Golden Temple of the Sun, you’ll enjoy a thorough exploration of this attractive destination with our excellent guide. With a local lunch included and time to interact with all kinds of locals along the way, this is bound to be a fulfilling start to the trip! In the evening, we’ll have a chance to head up to the planetarium to enjoy a couple of hours under the stars. We’ll learn about the Incan civilization and how they were able to monitor seasons and predict weather without any instruments, solely relying on the Earth’s position in the solar system.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Cusco / Pisac / Ollantaytambo

Heading into the majestic Andean Mountains, our journey takes us to the heart of the Sacred Valley. Our first destination is Pisac, a town where Incan architecture and Colonial charm blend seamlessly. Strolling through town, we'll dive into its famous artisan market, bustling with jewelry and overflowing with ceramic and textile crafts. We'll also enjoy a lunch consisting of fresh, regional dishes. Later, we'll journey to Ollantaytambo, a historical town that stands as a testament to Incan ingenuity. We’ll explore the archaeological site that served as a vital rest stop for imperial travelers, with its walls and towers narrating stories of the past. We'll wrap up the day gaining insight into the living art and traditions of the local communities.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Ollantaytambo

Immersing ourselves in the rich traditions of the Quechua community, today we’ll head to a local village in order to understand their celebrated weaving techniques and the vitality of their culture. Our day begins with a warm greeting from the locals in an upper Andean community before we make our way to the cooperative. Here we’ll witness the Andean tradition of weaving, from shearing wool from sheep or alpacas to creating vibrant dyes with local plants, right up to the weaving on the looms where the beautiful textiles come to life. You’ll then have the chance to engage in a hands-on workshop, trying your hand at knitting your own bracelet. We’ll finish up with a hearty homemade meal at a weaver’s home, with some free time to explore and chat with the community members.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Ollantaytambo / Chinchero / Maras / Moray / Yucay

Today we’ll make our way to the village of Chinchero, renowned for its quality textiles and its lively Sunday market. This is where locals, dressed in their vivid traditional clothes, gather to trade everything from fresh produce to handmade goods. We’ll wander among the stalls, pause to watch skilled weavers at their looms, and engage with the artisans, gaining insights into their crafts. Afterwards we’ll move to the ancient Salt Pans of Maras. These pools have been a local source of salt since Incan times. We’ll walk along the edges and watch the water evaporate slowly under the sun, leaving behind the glowing crystals that the locals harvest by hand. We’ll then finish the day with a short visit to Moray, a stunning archaeological site which is testament to Ican ingenuity in agriculture, creating microclimates to grow crops, before heading to Yucay for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Ollantaytambo / Chinchero / Maras / Moray / Yucay

Today we’ll make our way to the village of Chinchero, renowned for its quality textiles and its lively Sunday market. This is where locals, dressed in their vivid traditional clothes, gather to trade everything from fresh produce to handmade goods. We’ll wander among the stalls, pause to watch skilled weavers at their looms, and engage with the artisans, gaining insights into their crafts. Afterwards we’ll move to the ancient Salt Pans of Maras. These pools have been a local source of salt since Incan times. We’ll walk along the edges and watch the water evaporate slowly under the sun, leaving behind the glowing crystals that the locals harvest by hand. We’ll then finish the day with a short visit to Moray, a stunning archaeological site which is testament to Ican ingenuity in agriculture, creating microclimates to grow crops, before heading to Yucay for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Yucay / Machu Picchu / Yucay

Leaving our hotel early in the morning, we’ll catch a train through the Sacred Valley to the small town of Aguas Calientes. The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Upon arrival, we’ll take a bus up to the incredible Machu Picchu ruins where our guide will give us a tour of this fascinating 700 year old Incan site that is one of the New Wonders of the World. After our tour is complete, we’ll head back to Aguas Calientes for a late lunch before taking the train back to Yucay for a good night’s rest at our comfortable hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Yucay / Urubamba / Lamay / Yucay

Today's adventure begins at the Urubamba market, a bustling gathering place for farmers from across Cusco, where each stall showcases the wide variety of fresh ingredients that form the cornerstone of Peruvian cuisine, thanks to the region's diverse climates and elevations. From there, we'll head to the lesser-known, charming village of Lamay to delve into the daily lives of Sacred Valley inhabitants. Wandering its welcoming streets, we'll get a glimpse of the village's historical depth. We’ll also discover the local practice of guinea pig husbandry and stop by a traditional chichería to better understand the significance of this corn beer in the community and its presence in the lives of the farmers.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Yucay / Cusco

Our morning will kick off with a 1.5-hour drive back to Cusco, taking us directly to the lively San Pedro market. Immersed in its colors and aromas, we'll join a private chef to select the freshest ingredients, while also taking the time to engage with the vendors, sharing in the rhythms of their daily life. Then, we'll make our way up to the chef's rooftop kitchen, located on the] 11th-floor, where we will be guided through the preparation of some authentic Peruvian dishes, featuring staples such as quinoa, yellow peppers, and trout. Once our creations are complete, we'll sit down to savor our homemade meal, with the stunning cityscape of Cusco as our backdrop. Afterwards we’ll check into our accommodation, leaving us with some free time to keep exploring the city at your own pace.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Cusco

With our final full day in Peru, you’ll have a chance to create your own experience. Options include heading into town for one last wander through dreamy Cusco, re-energizing with a massage or treatment at our hotel’s excellent spa, or a combination of both. In the evening, we’ll head to one of Cusco’s best eateries for our final dinner together.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Cusco

You'll be picked up at the hotel for your airport transfer according to your flight time.