Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Incan ruins, white-sand beaches and vertiginous nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures.

Peru is a magical place which involves one of the richest bio-diversities on Earth & a melting pot of cultures. While Peru inevitably evokes the images of the world wonder Machu Picchu & the Inca Empire, the country is riddled with natural beauty of the great Andes & archaeological sites which are a legacy of even more ancient times when great civilizations bequeathed a legacy of their art, customs & rituals, their wisdom & skills.

Arrive in the dynamic & vibrant capital city Lima, dubbed as the City of Kings, shrouded in history (& sometimes fog), gloriously messy & full of aesthetic delights, its rich culture & stunning attractions.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Lima offers an extraordinary range of emotions, sensations, colors & flavors. Founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, the modern city is a curious mix of the modern mega city with some 'islands of modernity', large but orderly slum areas & colonial architecture in the city center.

In Lima everything is in endless movement & even the past is constantly being rediscovered. It was the seat of the Spanish rule during 300 years & consequently, it has wonderful Churches, Cloisters & Monasteries that are worth a visit.

After Cairo, this sprawling metropolis is the 2^nd driest world capital, rising above a long coastline of crumbling cliffs. To enjoy it, climb on the wave of chaos that spans high-rise condos built alongside pre-Columbian temples & fast Pacific breakers rolling toward noisy traffic jams.

But Lima is also sophisticated, with a civilization that dates back millennia. Stately Museums display sublime pottery; Galleries debut edgy art; solemn religious processions recall the 18^th century & crowded nightclubs dispense tropical beats. Visitors can visit the city’s impressive Cathedral, fly over the ocean, enjoy a photogenic sunset

Lima is a place of converging trends, created by its people & their living culture, where you will find every corner of Peru represented. Hailed as the food capital of Latin America, no visitor can miss Lima’s culinary genius, part of a gastronomic revolution more than 400 years in the making. Best place to try the wonderful Peruvian cuisine at the seafood restaurants which have a huge variety of ingredients from coast, mountain & Amazon regions. The cold sea current in front of Peru's large coast makes the sea very rich in fish & seafood, which have a great taste due to the special plankton they eat.

Balance of the evening at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   

There is only one way to start this ‘particular’ culinary journey: at the local market brimming with color.

Early morning, accompanied by the Tour-guide / Host, you will personally experience the richness of the Peruvian natural resources & discover a huge variety of conventional & exotic fruits, vegetables & seafood.

Peruvian food is the ultimate fusion cuisine, stemming from its geographic & cultural diversity. The Andean highlands provide quinoa, maize & more than 3,000 types of native potatoes. The Amazon region supplies delicious seasonal fruits, more than 20 of which are indigenous & Peru’s 1500 miles of coast line delivers abundant fresh seafood.

Culinary traditions abound & Peru’s gastronomy is widely recognised on the international arena as being first-class. Peru’s capital, is home to many of the world’s best restaurants, recipients of prestigious accolades & awards. Lima is the most cosmopolitan of all Peruvian cities, a vibrant economic hub & home to 3 of the world’s top 50 restaurants.

Visiting a local market, traditional bodegas & artisan eateries that collectively showcase some of the best of Peru’s produce, discover new ingredients & learn more about Lima’s trailblazing gastronomic status by tasting a sample of the extraordinary variety of foods Peru offers.

Get to know the city’s thriving culinary scene starting with a visit to one of Lima’s popular local markets, led by professional chef Ignacio Barrios. Peruse the stalls, learn about exotic fruits, vegetables & other produce that are essential elements of Peruvian cuisine. You can try your hand at bargaining (coached by Ignacio, of course).

Next, proceed to Urban Kitchen to attend a hands-on coaching on how to prepare the most popular Peruvian dish: Ceviche. This class will give you the experience and all the knowledge needed to prepare the best Ceviche & all related dishes such as Tiradito & all the seafood combinations.

Urban Kitchen, started by Ignacio to share his love & passion for Peruvian food with visitors & locals alike. Commence your private cooking lesson by preparing a classic Chilcano cocktail - a refreshing & popular Peruvian drink made with Pisco. Ignacio will share insight into some of the social & cultural aspects of Peru’s rich culinary history as you learn to prepare & cook 4 dishes under his expert guidance, using fresh ingredients.

Thanks to the diversity of Peruvian food products & the influences on cooking traditions, you can choose in advance from several menu options that demonstrate Peru’s international acclaim as a “mecca” of gastronomy. Finally, it is time to appraise the result of your labour as you enjoy a sumptuous Lunch & the experience comes to an end by 12.30 pm & relax for a while before meeting the Tour-guide for a 4 hour sightseeing tour of the city

The Tour-guide knows the heart of Peru as only locals do & is eager to show you what he loves about Lima. You will see the major attractions that appeal to you, but also some off-beat & interesting places that will make your visit to Lima especially memorable.

See classic historical sights, colonial & Inca influenced architecture, residential neighborhoods, beautiful Shrines & Churches & incredible panoramic seascapes.

Lima was the political, administrative, religious & economic capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru & the most important city of the Spanish dominions in South America. Head to the Lima Historical Center, known as the “Ciudad de los Reyes” (City of Kings) in the old side of the city, the seat of the Viceroyalty. The Centre bears witness to the architecture & urban development of a Spanish colonial town of great political, economic & cultural importance.

The evangelization process brought several religious orders by the end of the 16^th century. They gained great recognition which translated into the construction of many Churches & Convents of great sophistication. Also, hospitals, schools & universities including San Marcos was built in 1551. The city’s social & cultural life was organized within these places, thus giving the Historic Centre a Convent image which characterized the urban profile of the city until half of the 20^th century.

Walk the pedestrian street of Jiron de la Union; once the heart of aristocratic city life, it is now lined with cinemas & bargain shoe stores.

Stop at the small Parque del Amor (“Love Park”) in Miraflores, built in a peculiar Gaudi style, protected from the ocean breeze by a colorful wall of Mosaics. Dedicated to all lovers, a monstrously large statue "El Beso" (The Kiss) by sculptor Victor Delfín shows 2 lovers united in an intimate kiss. The Park offers a stunning view over the Bay of Lima & it is really romantic here at sunrise & sunset.

Next, proceed to the upscale residential district of San Isidro to see Huaca Pucllana, an ancient adobe & clay Pyramid, dating from around 500 CE, in a famous ceremonial center built by members of the Lima culture, a Pre-Incan indigenous coastal civilization that lasted in the region from around 100 CE to 650 CE, before the Spaniards arrived.

The Lima culture & their contemporaries were notable for their mastery of irrigation, creating sprawling networks to carry much-needed water from springs & rivers, which allowed them to develop settlements across considerable territory. Huaca Pucllana served partially as an administrative site for the surrounding irrigation zone & spaces were likely used for public meetings, storage & other production related undertakings focused along its eastern side. The other half was a ceremonial sector, containing the 22 meters high Pyramid used for religious rites.

Lima’s 140 square meter UNESCO World Heritage listed Plaza de Armas (or Plaza Mayor), surrounded by palms & ornate canary-yellow buildings, was not only the heart of the 16^th century settlement established by Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru, it was the birthplace of Peru's capital & the center of the Spaniards’ continent-wide empire. In the era of the Viceroys, it served as a market, bullpen & even execution site for the condemned.

Though not one original building remains, at the center of the Plaza is an impressive bronze Fountain erected (on what once was the grounds of the city's gallows) in 1650. Running along 2 sides are arcades with shops: Portal de Escribanos & Portal de Botoneros. The Plaza remains the city's main hub.

Surrounding the Plaza are a number of significant historic landmarks: to the east is the Palacio Arzobispal, built in 1924 in a colonial style & boasting some of the most exquisite Moorish-style balconies in the city. To the northeast is the block-long Palacio de Gobierno (the official residence of Peru's President). At noon, there is a traditional Changing of the Guards there.

Next to the Palacio Arzobispal, is the Lima Cathedral on the plot of land that Francisco Pizarro designated for the city’s first Church in 1535.  Though it retains a baroque facade, the building has been built & rebuilt numerous times. A craze for all things neo-classical in the late 18^th century left much of the interior (& the interiors of many other Lima churches) stripped of its elaborate baroque décor but even then, there is plenty to see. The various Chapels along the nave display more than a dozen Altars carved in every imaginable style & the ornate wood choir, produced by Pedro de Noguera in the early 17^th century, is a masterpiece of rococo sculpture. Note the splendidly carved stalls, the silver covered altars surrounded by fine woodwork, mosaic covered walls bearing the coats of arms of Lima & Pizarro. A Museum, in the rear, features paintings, vestments & an intricate sacristy.

By the Cathedral’s main door is the mosaic-covered Chapel with the remains of Pizarro. The authenticity of the remains came into question in 1977, after workers cleaning out a crypt discovered several bodies & a sealed lead box containing a skull that bore the inscription, ‘Here is the head of the gentleman Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro, who found & conquered the kingdom of Peru’. After a battery of tests in the 1980s, a US forensic scientist concluded that the body previously on display was of an unknown official & that the brutally stabbed & headless body from the crypt was Pizarro’s. The head & body were reunited and transferred to the Chapel, where you can also view the inscribed lead box.

You will also have the opportunity to visit the Church of Santo Domingo, a place which holds the remains of 2 of the major saints of the colony: Santa Rosa de Lima & San Martin de Porres.

The main Plaza is a great place to admire many of the colonial architectural gems whose grandeur is sure to capture your fascination.

Continuing your tour, you will pass by other colonial architectural jewels, such as Torre Tagle Palace, Osambela House, finishing with a short visit to Larco Herrera Archaeological (or Gold) Museum. Depending on the time, you may also visit the Museum of Religious Art.

Just a few minutes from the Plaza, is city’s first fine hotel, the historic Gran Hotel Bolivar, declared a Historical monument with its marked epoch European style elegance depicted in the carpets, furniture, spider glasses & mirrors. Many Hollywood stars, singers, politicians & famous authors including former American President Nixon, Ernest Hemingway, Clark Gable & Mick Jagger, among others, have stayed here.

The sightseeing concludes & return to the hotel & relax for a couple of hours.

Later, meet the Journeys Rep at 06.30 pm & proceed for an exotic culinary experience at the iconic amaZ restaurant that wants to showcase to the world a new type of gastronomy, culture of the Amazon region.

The Amazon Rainforest is one of the natural wonders of the world, containing 10% of the world’s biodiversity. Not only is the wildlife diverse, but the people inhabiting the rainforest are as well. There are over 50 ethnic groups in the Peruvian Amazon, the second largest expanse of tropical forest in the world, and each of these groups has their own way of incorporating the rich products of the rainforest into their cuisine.

Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino has taken it upon himself to connect with these people & conceptualize their Amazon cuisine, which he showcases in his popular Miraflores restaurant, amaZ. Schiaffino may have been trained abroad but his heart belongs to the Amazon. He spent years exploring Peru portion of the immense rainforest, learning techniques from indigenous communities, before opening amaZ in 2012.

Upon arrival, you will take a seat at the bar where the bartender will skillfully prepare 2 colorful cocktails as he elaborates on the diverse ingredients & preparation of the drinks. You will learn about the exotic fruits from the Amazon, such as tumbo (banana passion fruit), camu camu & carambola (star fruit). To accompany your cocktails, you will be treated to a few delectable appetizers before sitting down at your cosy table under a fishing net dome to enjoy an exceptional sumptuous meal prepared with the varied products that Amazon has to offer. Whether you go for grilled giant river snails or paiche river fish crackling, there is a helpful glossary on the menu.

You will be transferred back to the hotel by 10.00 pm.

Overnight.  B L D 

Early morning, you will be met by a Journeys Rep & transferred to Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport for your short flight to Arequipa.

Arrive in Arequipa, the 2^nd largest city in Peru & one of the country’s hidden gem.

On exiting in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? -  Arequipa Alfredo Rodríguez Ballon International Airport, you will be welcomed by a Journeys Rep who will ensure your comfort, transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’. We will request the hotel to allow usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk in case you want to walk out. 

Arequipa is the colonial-era capital of Peru’s Arequipa Region. Guarded by not one but 3 dramatic volcanoes, the city enjoys a resplendent, if seismically precarious setting - earthquakes regularly wrack this region, the last big one causing significant damage in 2001.

If you were limited to only being able to visit one South America location in your lifetime, Arequipa would be able to give you a well-rounded representation of all things Latin America. Even though thousands of tourists flock here, it is still very untouched & authentic, This irresistibly sexy city known as the Ciudad Blanca (White City) is surrounded by some of the wildest terrain in Peru.

Arequipa is dominated by its active, snowy volcanoes, high-altitude deserts, thermal hot springs, salt lakes &, last but not least, the world’s deepest canyons created a fertile valley. Imagine yourself enjoying the warm waters of a thermal pool as you look out towards green mountains crowned with perpetual snows.

Fortunately, the city’s architecture, a formidable ensemble of baroque buildings grafted out of the local white volcanic sillar rock, has so far withstood most of what mother earth has thrown at it. In 2000, the city’s central core earned a well-deserved UNESCO World Heritage listing. The legendary White City, where its noble history can be felt in the air, beneath the eternal watchful gaze of its volcanoes.

Without putting other cities down, it would not be a stretch to say Arequipa could claim the title as the most architecturally beautiful city in the world. Overbearing archways, cobblestone avenues, grand Cathedrals & an enchanting perfectly-designed center Square, all still in impeccable condition, make almost any corner of Arequipa postcard worthy.

One of Its main attractions is the fact that it has probably the nicest weather of Peru with an average of 300 sunny days a year. The city keeps its ancient architectural treasures, but also shows a modern side with many luxurious hotels and casinos. No other place in southern Peru delivers the best of both urban & outdoor life - you can slalom down a sandy volcanic summit & still be back in your colonial Mansion guesthouse in time for a dinner of spicy arequipeno food & all-night dancing in a sizzling-hot nightclub.

Pretty cityscapes aside, Arequipa has played a fundamental role in Peru’s gastronomic renaissance & dining - in communal Picantería eateries (spicy food places) or tastebud-provoking fusion restaurants. Known for its stews & casseroles cooked over fire, Arequipenos are proud of their cuisine & also like it hot. Classic spicy dishes such as rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy red peppers), chupe de camarones (prawn chowder) & ocopa (boiled potato in a creamy, spicy sauce) all hail from here.

The regional culture of Arequipa distinguishes itself from the rest of Peru in many ways. The city is described as a cultural oasis & Arequipenos will proudly promote their city & region, often antagonizing Limenans.

And, Arequipenos are a proud people fond of intellectual debate, especially about their fervent political beliefs, which historically found voice through regular demonstrations in the Plaza de Armas, a stately main Square is flanked on its north by the 17^th century gigantic neoclassical Basilica Cathedral, which houses a Museum displaying religious objects & artwork and other baroque buildings showcasing a blend of European & native building techniques.  The headstrong city has produced one of Latin America’s most influential novelists, Mario Vargas Llosa.

Whatever you are into, you will find it here. The city can function as your one-stop shop to knock a few things off your trip list. A host of Museums for the history buff, adventure sports for the adrenaline junkie, restaurants for the foodie & shopping for the shopaholic.

As you walk the streets, you will see masses of gorgeous traditional crafts, jewelry, trinkets & souvenirs. To be efficient & find it all in one place, visit the Fundo el Fierro artisans’ market just a few blocks north of the Plaza de Armas. It opens up mid-morning & will give you enough enticing items to fill a suitcase.

Arequipa is not known as a party town, yet you are guaranteed to have fun as soon as the sun sets. Casual & traditional Peruvian bars, German beer gardens, relaxing lounges & of course, as everywhere, an Irish bar ensures no matter what you like your Saturday night to entail, you will find it here.

Later in the afternoon - at 02:00 pm -, meet the Tour-guide &proceed on a 4 hour tour of this colonial city.

Start at St Lazarus quarter, where Arequipa was founded. Walk along the picturesque streets lined with flowers & hear about the history of the city from your Tour-guide. Make your way to the Carmen Alto viewpoint, where you will have a fabulous view of the outlying farmland & 3 Volcanoes that surround the city: Misti, Cachani & Pichu Pichu.

After snapping some photos, continue your sightseeing across the Chili River to another colonial district -Yanahuara - famous for its Andalusia-style Church & baroque buildings made from sillar. The area is also known for El Mirador de Yanahuara, a popular viewpoint where you will get a great view of the city surrounded by volcanoes, such as 1,076 meters high Cachani. Sit under the archways & get a view of the city, river & El Misti lurking in the distance.

Next, visit Monasterio de Santa Catalina, a beautiful religious site home to the nuns of the Dominican Second Order, consecrated to Catherine of Siena. As a citadel for women devoted to prayer, charity & the making of delicious desserts to tempt the palate, Santa Catalina is more than a Convent; it is a crucible of secrets that visitors only glimpse as they wander through its buildings; secrets that will remain within the Convent's walls forever.  Wander down the hidden cobblestone passageways amidst the bright colors of the Convent's walls which were only opened to the public after more than 400 years of cloistered religious life. The narrow alleyways & a peaceful Plaza & gardens are reminiscent of ancient Seville or Granada; enjoy the serene atmosphere as you stroll through them.

Next, head to Arequipa’s main Square - Plaza de Armas - to see the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, which has a history that dates back to the 1500s, although the physical structure has been rebuilt many times due to earthquakes and fires. You will then visit the Iglesia de los Jesuita (Church of the Society of Jesus), founded in the 17^th century by Jesuits and known for its cloisters & St Ignacio Dome. Marvel at the icy Inca mummies in the Museo Santury. Evening falls & the magic begins: the Cathedral is illuminated in a gorgeous glow which attracts locals & travelers to sit on the benches & enjoy the few remaining hours of the day. Sunrise too at the city’s most beautiful Square is sheer beauty as the rising sunlight shines through the pink clouds & speckles off the center fountain & the Cathedral.

More than 500 grand colonial-era houses in the historic center takes visitors back to another time, to the earliest beginnings of the fusion between European & Andean traditions, as expressed in Arequipa's vaulted roofs & arches of white stone.

No true South American city is complete without a local market & no trip to Arequipa is complete without a visit to San Camilo Market, probably the most popular authentic market in the city, located only 4 blocks southwest from Plaza de Armas. This Market will allow you to find anything you are looking for, whether necessities you forgot to bring on your travels, or a souvenir to take back home and give you a chance to eat & shop where the Arequipenos do. There are underground food courts, butchers, local spices, fruit stalls & although the city is a couple of hours inland, locals come here for the seafood here as well. But, get ready to plug your nose, because it can get pretty pungent (that is a sign that you are in an authentic local market!)

Lastly, stroll on the street known simply as ‘Mercaderes’ which in an almost European fashion, runs perpendicular to the northeast corner of the Plaza de Armas & offers wanderers the ability to stroll on a pedestrian-only promenade with restaurants, stores, coffee shops & always some entertaining street performances as soon as the sun sets.

The sightseeing ends & you return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to explore on your own (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.   B L D

Very early in the morning, depart on a journey north to the center of the earth - Colca Canyon.

You will drive through Pampas Canahuas, a National Reserve, located at 11,482 feet where you may spot some Vicunas & Alpacas & Llamas and some birds like Flamingoes, Ibis, Andean Goose, Duck & Andean eagle "Kara Kara".  Unlike the Alpacas, Vicunas are wild animals & can still be seen running freely on these high plateaus. The guide will provide information about these shy Andean Camels.

Continue the journey to the Canyon & a little further up, stop at the little restaurant of Viscachani, where you can enjoy a stunning scenery of the Andes & also drink a typical coca tea.

Arrive in Canon Del Colca & Check-in at the hotel.

Canon Del Colca, a river canyon in southern Peru famed as one of the world's deepest, is a well-known trekking destination. It is a habitat for the giant Andean Condor, on view from the Observation point of Cruz del Condor.

The landscape comprises a green valley & remote traditional villages with terraced agriculture that predates the Incas.

The Colca River originates deep within the high rugged Andes at the Condorama Crucero Alto pouring downstream between the tiny mountain villages for more than 200 km before it reaches the 10,725 feet deep Canyon formed by the erosion of volcanic rock caused by the River along the line of a fault on the crust of the earth.

The Canyon was ‘rediscovered’ in 1980 after roads were constructed, by a group of Polish rafters. Since then, the Colca River has become famous among the international Paddlers.

The river & Valley were well-known to the Incas & their predecessors, and the Spaniards laid out townships along the Valley, no doubt planning to use Rio Colca Valley as the route to Cuzco & other Andean locations. They built Churches along the way, notably the one at Coporaque, but for some reason, the towns never grew & the route faded from outside memory

The name Colca refers to small holes in the cliffs in the valley & canyon. These holes were used in Inca & pre-Inca times to store food, such as potatoes & other Andean crops. They were also used as Tombs for important people.

The geography of the Colca Canyon is habitable and Inca & pre-Inca built ‘stepped’ terraces along the less precipitous canyon walls, to cultivate potatoes, maize & other products. The colorful Andean Valley has many small remote towns founded by Spanish conquers on both sides of the Canyon. The Spanish introduced their own standards & changed many ancestral Inca traditions, even religion. Consequently, the Valley & Arequipa region in general, feature many colonial Churches.

What brings increasingly more visitors each year, in addition to the awesome sights, are the Andean Condors which are the biggest birds in the world. The condor population of South America is unfortunately dwindling, but here in Colca Canyon, in the mirador "Cruz del Condor" located among Maca & Cabanaconde's town visitors can see them at fairly close range as they float in majestic flight over the rising Thermals & scan for carrion far below them. 

One of the best-known facts about Colca Canyon is about the animals that live in it. This beautiful Canyon offers one of the most essential ecosystems for a large number of animal species. Among them llamas, guanacos, alpacas & even pumas.

It is not just the vastness and depth of the Colca that make it so fantastical, it is the shifts in its mood. There are more scenery changes along the river Canyon's 100 km passage than there are in most European countries; from the barren steppe of Sibayo, through the ancient terraced farmland of Yanque & Chivay toward the cruising Condors riding warm air currents, into the steep-sided Canyon.

The highest point here is the “The Lookout Point” of the Andes at the Pass of Patapampa with an altitude of 15911.88 feet, to admire the stunning landscape having in the background the distant volcanoes Ubinas, Mismi, Misti, Ampato, Chachani, Sabancaya (active) & the snow-capped peaks above the Colca Valley, amidst an area strewn with little stone prayer cairns built by the native travelers over the Pass.

The main village of the Colca Canyon, Chivay at an altitude of 11,811 feet is the biggest of about 14 villages in the Colca Valley established by the Viceroy Toledo in the 16^th century, who insisted that the rural converted Indians live close together

Balance of the day is at leisure to explore on your own (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Relax at the hotel or visit the Thermal springs & pools at the La Calera (on your own).

Enjoy lunch in a typical Andean restaurant while the local musicians play the traditional Andean instruments.

It is not surprising that along the volcanic areas of the Andes from Panama to the tip of Patagonia, South America has thousands of hot springs. These thermal springs & geysers are associated with volcanic activity & recently formed, hot, igneous rocks. Some of these Thermal spots have been developed into resort areas, or spas offering services from mineral water baths, mud baths, massages to exfoliating & moisturizing body treatments.

Walk around the village & get to know better the rural life in this corner of Peru.

Overnight.   B L D

Get up early today & meet the Tour-guide in the lobby at dawn.

Drive to the natural lookout point called Mirador Cruz del Condor up high at the top of the Colca Canyon. This famed viewpoint is for many the highlight of their trip to the Canon del Colca & is the best place to see the huge Andean Condor flying majestically,

The Andean Condor is one of the world’s largest flying birds. There is another big-boned flyer named the Kori Bustard, which might be the largest but it is apparently debatable.

A large family of the mighty Condors nests by the rocky outcrop. The Condors are most active around 10.00 am so you have to be in position be then. With a little bit of luck, they can occasionally be seen gliding effortlessly on thermal air currents rising from the canyon, swooping low over onlookers’ heads. The Condors are also less likely to appear on rainy days & recently it has also become more difficult to see the Condors, mostly due to air pollution, including from travelers’ campfires & tour buses.

Some much-hyped travel sights are anticlimactic in the raw light of day, but this is certainly not one of them. Spend an hour or so, observing the beautiful Flight of the Condors as well as depth of the Canyon. It is a mesmerizing scene, heightened by the spectacular 1200 meters drop to the river below & the sight of Nevado Mismi on the other side of the ravine.

You won’t be alone at the lookout & it is quite crowded as you wait to see them. Expect a couple of hundred people for the ‘show’ in season. People would keep getting impatient & moving to another viewpoint but it is probably best to find a spot on the ledge & just wait until the Birds show up. And get ready with the cameras because when you do see the Condors, it is really ‘hard’ to focus on them as they zoom by fast & close.

Return to the village restaurant for Lunch before Checking-out & departing for Puno, passing through picturesque villages.

You will have the best view of the Colca Valley, as you drive along the edge of the Canyon, seeing the ancient terraces still in use by the local farmers, who mainly grow varieties of corn & potatoes.

Stop at some vantage points for photos while the Tour-guide gives you a good insight into the history of Colca Canyon & the general area. Here, you may stumble upon a great rock, where ancient architects carved the terraces, testing (perhaps) which parts of the Canyon were suitable for cultivation. This is a good place also to see the “Colca River” & hanging pre-Inca tombs.

Arrive in Puno by evening & Check-in at the hotel.

Puno is a city in southern Peru on Lake Titicaca, one of South America's largest lakes & the world's highest navigable body of water. According to legend, everything began in Puno when Manco Capac & Mama Ocllo emerged from Lake Titicaca to found the Inca dynasty.

Puno city is the regions’ capital & an almost obligatory stop-off point for a visit to the Lake. Chaotic, dirty & crowded, it is not a beautiful city. On first impressions you might be inclined to leave as quickly as possible, but scratch under the surface and you will find a city of remarkably friendly locals who want you to have a great time & are happy to point you in the right direction.

The town was founded in 1668, near the site of the now-defunct colonial silver mine of Laykakota. Few colonial buildings remain, but the streets are merrily claustrophobic & the markets filled with local women garbed in many-layered dresses & bowler hats. Colourful ice-cream stands, ‘Mamitas’ selling sweets & drinks at their stalls & men with their mobile typewriters offering a typing service to passers-by.  

As a trade (& contraband) hub between Peru, Bolivia & both coasts of South America, Puno is overwhelmingly commercial & forward-looking. Its urban center can feel contaminated & cold. With a regal Plaza, concrete block buildings & crumbling bricks that blend into the hills, the small port town of Puno has its share of both grit & cheer.

Smoke from unvented fires wafts through Puno’s streets, along with jangling waves of traffic, including Moto-taxis & Triciclos (3-wheeled cycles) that edge pedestrians to the narrow slivers of sidewalks. It might at first appear austere, but ancient holidays are marked with riotous celebrations where elaborately costumed processions & brass bands start a frenzy that lasts for days. Visitors are left awestruck by all the Puno region has to offer from majestic sunsets, stunning bucolic landscapes to colourful, friendly locals.

It serves as the jumping-off point to make forays to the majestic Lake Titicaca’s various islands or to surrounding archaeological sites such as Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Sicuani, La Raya & Pukara.

The city is also considered as the ‘Capital folklorica del Peru’ (folkloric capital of Peru) due to the wealth of its artistic & cultural expressions, featuring vibrant music & dance during its traditional festivals - its Virgen de la Candelaria parades are televised across the nation - & the associated drinking is the stuff of legend. Puno is famous for the hospitality of its people & the joyfulness of their festivities & rituals. People are upbeat, cheeky & ready to drop everything if there is a good time to be had.

But it may just capture your heart with its own rackety charm. In Puno, every breath of air you take will make you part of its history & the incredible natural landscapes. Good times aren’t restricted to religious festivals only, though. Some of Peru’s most convivial bars are found in Puno.

Most of its inhabitants are of Andean origin & the city is the melting pot of the Aymara & Quechua culture with a unique mixture of modernity & Andean traditions. Women in traditional clothing live & work next to their modern versions. For a glimpse of its colonial & naval identity, you only have to peruse the spots of old architecture, the colorful traditional dress worn by many inhabitants & scores of young cadets in the streets.

There is not much to see here. One can visit the panoramic viewpoints of the Puma & the Condor statues. The Condor especially has a great view of the bay & the city. In recent years, a few smaller Museums have opened, like the Galindo Gallery with paintings in the Cusco School style, the Paleontological Museum, Totora Museum, Dreyer Museum close to the main Square & the Yavari Boat Museum. Then, there are several llama Farms in the city’s proximity where guests can learn about the history & agricultural llama use.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.  B L D

Today, wake up early, meet the Tour-guide at dawn & embark on a full day excursion to visit the floating islands of the Uros in the Titicaca lake.

In Andean belief, Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun. Set between Peru & Bolivia, it is the largest lake in South America & the highest navigable body of water in the world. Bright days contrast with bitterly cold nights. Enthralling, deep-blue Lake Titicaca is the unifying, long time home of highland cultures steeped in the old ways. Its waters are famously still & brightly reflective. Around it, is Titicaca National Reserve, sheltering rare aquatic wildlife such as giant frogs.

Pre-Inca Pukara, Tiwanaku & Collas all left their mark on the landscape. Today the region is a mix of crumbling Cathedrals, desolate altiplano (Andean plateau) & checkerboard fields backed by rolling hills & high Andean peaks. In this world, crops are still planted & harvested by hand. Campesinos (farmers) wear sandals recycled from truck tires, women work in petticoats & bowler hats, and llamas are tame as pets.

Ancient local mythology tells a tale of the ‘Apus’ or sacred mountains who were offended by mortals when they broke the rules & climbed the peaks where the sacred fire was burning.  The Apus decided to punish them by sending pumas that devoured most of the men. When Wiracocha, the creator God, realized that everyone was dead, he cried for 40 days creating Lake Titicaca with his tears.

Proceed to Puno city dock & depart on a 30 minute sail / ride in the motor boat, through thick reed beds, to reach the main Uros archipelago, one of the main attractions of Lake Titicaca. Visitors fall in love with Lake Titicaca & are left inspired by the people & the sights they see.

You can "experience" the peoples’ houses (they may try to sell traditional handicrafts or souvenirs etc. Although, it is your discretion, we highly recommend that you purchase as you would be getting an original & unique item to take home & also helping the community). Explore your surroundings & take tons of photos. Learning about the history of the Uros people & present day living arrangements is a remarkable experience.

The artificial floating Uros Islands on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, occupy a small corner of the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca at a dizzying altitude of 3810 meters above sea level, 5 km away from the port of Puno. They used to be closer to the middle of the lake, but they moved or were rebuilt closer to the shore following a devastating storm in 1986. There are 42 floating Islands that house anywhere from 2 - 10 families each.

On arrival at one of the Islands, 7 km from Puno, you are welcomed by the Island´s "President" who will offer a detailed explanation about the history, origin, how the islands are built & maintained.

Descendants of one of the most fascinating indigenous ancient groups in the Americas with little known about their mysterious history, the unique indigenous Uru or Uros people are believed to be descended from the earliest inhabitants of Lake Titicaca, an estimated 3,700 years ago. Titicaca, which means puma stone, is according to legend the place from which emerged Viracocha, the Sun God, who in turn sent Manco Capac to found the prosperous Inca culture in Cuzco.

According to a 2011 census, Peru is home to approximately 2,000 Uros people & around 1,200 still live on the floating Islands of Lake Titicaca.

Over time, their integration with the mainland Aymara tribe, through trade & intermarriage, eventually led them to abandon their traditions & native Uru ‘Pukina’ language around 500 years ago. However, ‘some’ original & unique aspects of their original culture are still followed. They have preserved a floating lifestyle for hundreds of years.

Due to political uncertainty in the region & to protect themselves from invading groups, particularly with the arrival of the Incas, the Uros built a mobile floating city in order to evade their enemies - Tiahuanacos, Collas & Incas. If a threat emerged, they could simply move their islands elsewhere in the lake. While this worked for a while, unfortunately both the Incas & Spanish eventually discovered their islands & forced many Uros into slavery.

As they have for generations, the Uros subsist primarily by fishing, bird hunting & gathering bird eggs from the reed beds. They also make beautiful & colorful embroidery & totora crafts & unique vegan jewelry item that you would not find anywhere else, may be even in Puno.

These days unfortunately, the Uros have become extremely commercialized due to tourism & the more touristy parts definitely have a ‘Disneyland’ feel complete with rides in the form of totora reed boats & locals dressed in traditional outfits they wear just for tourists. The additional income through has brought a few modern conveniences to the archipelago, including improved sanitary facilities & solar panels which reduce the risk of fires from open flames. They have embraced modern technology, with most Islanders using cell phones & televisions powered by the solar panels.

Some of the islands further out are more authentic, less touristy than the main section of the Uros offer better insights into how the Uros people have adapted to the difficult living conditions in the middle of the lake.

The Islands are used as home & trade centers and they also have elaborately designed versions of traditional tightly bundled reed boats & crafts that are used as their means of transportation. Partially edible (tasting like non-sweet sugarcane), the reeds are also used to build other whimsical reed creations, such as Archways & even Swing sets.

Children are able to attend kindergarten & elementary school on Uros. However, older children continuing their education must head to the mainland. If you are lucky, you will catch a glimpse of a ‘school bus’…AKA a boat packed full of kids being dropped back at home. Adorable!

Islanders there continue to live in a relatively traditional fashion & some prefer not to be photographed. The residents of the Uros are known as the “water tribe”, because they must constantly replenish with new layers as the reeds rot from the bottom & the ground is always soft & springy, to create the conditions that ensure the islands stay afloat. The dense roots that the plants develop support the island. The roofs are waterproof & the houses are extremely humid because of the surrounding water. Between 5 & 7 families live on each Island. The small 1 room houses & some of the boats are made with totora, a plant that they also eat & use as medicine.

The most traditional Islands are located further from Puno through a maze of small channels, only accessible by private boat. Always a small tribe, the Uros began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from the aggressive Collas & Incas.

To make an island, the Uros create a sturdy but light base tying together many layers of endemic buoyant Totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. The roots (or reeds) float to the surface of the lake during the rainy season between November & March. Uros men are in charge of collecting the best roots for their Islands. If the roots have too much soil, they will sink.

Above the totora root base, many layers of totora reeds are bundled & stacked. They anchor the Islands in one place with rope & Eucalyptus stakes driven into the bottom of the lake. The Islands are anchored with ropes, stakes & stones that sink to a depth of about 3 meters. Each Island can be maintained for up to 30 years, adding new layers of reeds once a week during the rainy season & once a month during the dry season.

Created entirely with layers of the totora reeds, these islands are world famous for their peaceful beauty & the living tradition of the agrarian cultures dating back to pre-Columbian times.

After spending a couple of hours, move to the bigger Island of Taquile where you will enjoy a typical lunch with fresh fish (trout).

Post lunch, continue to Taquile Island famous for its craft production, particularly for its beautiful Textiles.

A visit to Island of Taquile is like a step back in time to a slower paced world. A place with a typical rustic experience & colorful landscaping and where they still maintain its customs, ritual, religious & folkloric traditions. The Island is narrow at about 1 km wide & 6 to 7 km long. The visit could be exhausting because of the altitude (13,000 ft above sea level). On Taquile, there are numerous pre-Inca & Inca ruins as well as Inca terracing. It’s 2 essential characteristics are its geography, offering a spectacular view from its hills & its standing as a first-rate center of Textile Art listed on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity List, Textile production is the main occupation for most Taquilenos (as men & women on the Island are called).  

Men wear the beautiful finely knitted warm 'chullos' (colourful woven hat with ear flaps) & thick finely woven ‘chumpis’ a ‘calendar’ waistband (belt) which depicts the annual agricultural & cultural activities on the island as they walk around in rubber sandals ('ojotas' in quechua), wearing black pants, white flannel shirts. Women wear colourful layered skirts & the traditional black shawl they wear over their heads with brightly coloured pom-poms on each corner.

There is also a permanent Craft Fair on the Plaza that sells exceptional wool goods which are of very fine quality but are somewhat expensive.

Depending on the time, you may also sail around the Yavari - a British steam ship built in 1861 & transported by ship, train & donkey in 2766 pieces to the shores of Puno in a gruelling 9 year odyssey across the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans & the Andes. It now finds its home on the banks of Lake Titicaca after being lovingly restored by Englishwoman Meriel Larkin.

Spend an hour here before hopping on the boat again to return to the Puno by late afternoon.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for independent discoveries (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.   B L D

Early morning, you will be transferred to the Bus Station to begin your drive to Cusco driving along the picturesque towns & archeological sites such as Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Sicuani, La Raya & Pukara.

On arrival by afternoon at the Cuzco Bus Station, you will be welcomed by a Journeys Rep / Driver & transferred to the hotel.

Check-in & relax.

The altitude Is high in Cusco but Lower in the Valley. At 11,152 feet above sea level, some visitors may have trouble adapting to the altitude while in Cusco especially for those arriving by plane. As Soroche, or mountain sickness, is a reality, it is vital to take it easy for the first day & not eat or drink too much in order to adjust to the high altitude. The city can also boast the highest ultra violet (UV) levels of any place on earth so sunscreen is advised. Rest of the Sacred Valley including the cities of Pisac & Urubamba has a lower altitude of 9,514 feet, so no issues there.

UNESCO World Heritage listed Cusco witnessed the arrival of the Spanish & yet to this day it conserves an ancestral magic which captivates the thousands of visitors who each year form part of its living history. Acknowledged as the historic capital of Peru, it is denoted as the ‘Navel of the Earth’ The city serves as both a base to explore the nearby Inca Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, nestled amongst dramatic Andean panoramas & as a vibrant, exciting attraction in its own right.

The high-flying Andean city of Cuzco (also Cusco, or Qosq’o in the Quechua language) is the uneasy bearer of many grand titles & cosmopolitan Cuzco today thrives with a measure of contradiction. It was once the foremost city of the Inca Empire & is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas as well as the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Every corner offers a piece of history & every story is captivating, mystical & inviting and the stones remain alive because they have survived intact. Merely walking through the streets of the Inca capital, with names like “Ataud” (Coffin), Siete Culebras (7 Serpents) & “Arpías” (Harpies) where time seems to have stopped, one discerns the layers of history & get a glimpse of the richest heritage of any South American city.

Cuzco is a beautiful city with well preserved colonial architecture, evidence of a rich & complex history. Spanish colonial buildings erected directly atop Inca walls line the Square, while the modern tourist nightlife flourishes in their midst. Married to 21^st century hustle, Cuzco can be a bit disconcerting (note the McDonald's set in Inca stones).

The Plazas are thronged with indigenous Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas, - often seen in traditional clothing - & ancient treasures are carefully guarded inside colonial Mansions & Churches. Streets like Calle Hatun Rumiyuq, where the Stone of Twelve Angles can be seen & the picturesque artisan neighbourhood of Barrio de San Blas are especially interesting.

While Cuzco has rapidly developed infrastructure to at least partly cope with the influx of tourism over the last few decades, its historical past retains a powerful grip on the present. Massive Inca-built walls line steep, narrow cobblestone streets & form the foundations of modern buildings. Cusco is full of Museums, walking tours, Churches, monuments & shops by day and thriving nightlife, restaurants & bars by night.

Ornate Cathedrals squat over Inca Temples, massage hawkers ply the narrow cobblestone passages, a rural Andean woman feeds bottled water to her pet llama while the finest Boutiques sell pricey alpaca knits.

Nestled in the mountains & valleys surrounding Cusco are dozens of enticing Inca destinations. Within the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River are the ruins of Pisac & Ollantayatambo, hanging high above the river below.  The city is surrounded by a number of ruins, the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman, the site of the 1536 battle in which dozens of Pizarro's men charged uphill to battle the forces of the Inca, which looks down on Cusco’s red-tiled roofs & the Valley that ultimately leads to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, most famous of all the Inca sights.

Balance of the evening free for independent exploration (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.   B L D   

Acclimatisation complete, you will find a fascinating and vibrant city waiting to explore. The Cusco you see today is built of ancient Inca Temples & monuments, colonial architecture & modern buildings.

But, this being a Culinary journey, we have to start with a Foodie initiation here, too.

History permeates the cuisine of the Peruvian highlands, a region with a greater variety of ingredients & dishes than any other part of Peru. The Peruvian’s indigenous heritage exists most strongly in the chilly heights of the Andean highlands, from Cusco, the former Inca capital, to Huanuco & Cajamarca in the north and to Puno, Lake Titicaca & Arequipa in the south. Here, you will find traditional recipes & cooking methods dating back to pre-Columbian times, many of which remain largely unchanged despite centuries of colonialism & repeated waves of Old World influences.

The experience starts with a visit to a Farm. that adopts organic & sustainable practices, a great way of learning about the diversity of the abundant Sacred Valley. Eating a meal partially sourced from that very Farm’s produce is a truly rewarding (& delicious) way of connecting to this beautiful destination.

Accompanied by the Tour-guide, proceed around 08.00 am to an organic Farm, operated by the charming Hotel El Albergue de Ollantaytambo, in the midst of Inca terracing, offering breathtaking views towards the snow-capped peaks of Mount Veronica & the Ollantaytambo ruins.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Farm which grows an assortment of vegetables such as potatoes, corn & quinoa to be used in the hotel restaurant. You will also sample the local produce, either with a Pachamanca - a traditional meal of meats, potatoes & vegetables cooked in an earthen oven with woodfired stones - or a 3 course menu made with organic ingredients, the majority of which are sourced from the farm or from other local producers.

Come back to the hotel by 01.00 pm & relax.

Later in the afternoon at 02:00 pm, immerse yourself in the grand colonial majesty of Cusco on a 4 hour sightseeing tour of this magnificent city, a blend of Inca & Spanish Cultures.

Wander winding Incan streets to discover the ancient Temple of the Sun, the sacred Convent of Santa Domingo and the colossal Cusco Cathedral. Gain insight into the fascinating history of the city with an interesting & informative Tour-guide as you explore one of Peru’s most treasured places on foot

Begin the tour at the ambient Inglesia de San Cristobal built in the early years of the conquest by the Indian chief Christopher Paulla, lord of Qolqanpata, to show his devotion to Christianity. The Church was erected on the grounds of the first Inca Qollqanpata Palace, which belonged precisely to the first Inca “Manco Capac”, who according to the theory came from the highlands, along with his “Coya” (wife) known as “Mama Ocllo” with the mission to found the Empire of the Incas.

The location of this Palace was strategic, since it was in the mountains- which prevented possible floods, as Cusco was once a lake. It is said that the 11 niches that resemble windows were destined to bury the entire dynasty of the Inca, because they are positioned facing north in connection with the god “Inti” (Sun). Inside the Convent a “Ushnu” stands out, a sacred place for the Incas, where they performed “repayment ceremonies” to the land.

One can appreciate golden works done by great masters. Both the front & the tabernacle are made of solid silver. There are pictures worthy of contemplation; paintings, made in the style of famous European masters (especially of Raphael named “The Divine”), whose distinctive piece is adorned in gold. There are also well-turned railings, golden altarpieces & altars of remarkable fine carving. The huge statue of the patron saint is paraded in a procession on the Holiday of Corpus Christi.

Absorb panoramic views before proceeding to colorful vibrant, not to be missed, San Pedro Market, by Peruvians for Peruvians even though a large percentage of the shops sell souvenirs to tourists. There are juice stands & many local eateries towards the back. Browse artisan treasures & vibrant stalls, perhaps purchasing a special souvenir to take home.

Next, venture to the sacred Sun Temple (El Korikancha or Qoricancha), the central site of worship for the Incas. Like so many other testimonies of fantastic Inca architecture, it was severely devastated by the Conquistadores, the Spanish conquerors, who built their Christian church, Santo Domingo, on top of the ruins. The fairly well preserved site contains both Catholic & Inca heritage with stunning views of the surrounding area. Looking at the outside from Avenida del Sol, there is a perfect view of the Church standing on the Temple & visitors can distinguish the differences between the Inca & the Spanish style of building.

The Qoricancha Temple was the most important Inca Temple in Cusco dedicated to Inti - the Sun God. Spanish colonists then built the Santo Domingo Church on the site, highlight the interesting mix of 2 archaeological styles of Inca stonework & colonial architecture, to show their dominance of the local people. It is also is the starting point of the yearly processions at Inti Raymi, (Sun Festival), in the remembrance of the Inca tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. This procession then moves all the way up to Saxayhuaman.  Legend has it that the Temple was covered in solid gold initially. Admire the architectural precision of the interior before touring the consecrated confines while listening to captivating commentary by the Tour-guide. 

See, too, the Artisan’s Quarters of San Blas, a picturesque area over which an impressive Church reigns supreme. The neighbourhood is undoubtedly one of the most important attractions within Cusco. Its narrow cobbled streets, its colonial houses, its Church with its wooden pulpit, its workshops, its Art Galleries, its coffee shops, its restaurants, its people & its colors are a clear example of our miscegenation. Until the 90s, the main attraction of San Blas were its picturesque streets & artisan workshops. It was common for children from local schools, at least once a year, to visit the workshops of some illustrious artists of Mendivil, Aguayo, Merida & Olave families, as part of their school curriculum.

Walk around historical Plaza de Armas; the Square has Churches, Shops, Restaurants & Bars backing on to it & it is a great place to spend an afternoon except for the persistent hawkers selling cheap souvenirs.

See the pedestrian Hatun Rumiyoc (great rock) street & admire the Inca architecture found along almost the whole length near Plaza de Armas.

The Archbishop’s Palace there is now converted into an Art Museum with a fine collection of colonial art. The ancient Palace was built by Inka Roca, the of the Hanan Cusco dynasty. Its walls were made by fitting green diorite stones of different sizes & shapes, weaved so perfectly that not even a needle can be passed in between.

On the walls of the Palace of Inka Roca, are examples of the Inca, Colonial & Republican architecture and the 3 styles allow us to compare the abilities of the Inka Empire’s stone masons & their particular aesthetic. There are vendors - restaurants, handicraft stores from many different nationalities offering bracelets, necklaces, weavings, rings & other accessories, wood carvers, paintings, etc. lined up along the cobbled street.  Light, as it plays on these walls of perfectly carved stones, creates a different scene with every passing hour.

The sightseeing ends & you are transferred back to the hotel with your newfound cultural knowledge.

Relax for a while before meeting the Journeys rep again to proceed for yet another exciting experience.

Gain an insight into Peru’s national drink & learn how prepare a perfect Pisco, through a tutorial led by an affable barman. You will learn about the history & production of the grape-based spirit & the delightful introductory Tasting session will offer an opportunity to sample 4 different Piscos as half ounce pours as you enjoy the live music

The experience takes you on a sensory voyage from aroma to palate at Cusco’s popular bar, Museo del Pisco. Get behind the bar & whip up your own unique creation using one of the in-house infusions like passion fruit, coca leaf, chili, strawberry, purple corn, Andean mint & many more along with the standard key ingredients like lime, sugar syrup, egg & a whole of shaking with the correct balance!

Come back to the hotel by 10.00 pm & straight to bed after a hectic schedule.

Overnight.   B L D   

Morning, Check-out & depart for the beautiful Río Urubamba Valley, popularly known as El Valle Sagrado (the Sacred Valley). via a narrow road of hairpin turns.  

In the 15^th century 2 Inca leaders, Pachacuti Yupanqui & Tupac Yupanqui built an enormous empire in South America. This incredible empire known as the Tahuantinsuyo Empire, ran the unbelievable distance from the center of Chile, all the way to Southern Colombia. It occupied the entirety of Peru, most of Ecuador & parts of Argentina & Bolivia.

At a mind-blowing 4,000 kilometers from North to South & covered with a road network of 40,000 kilometers, this was one of the biggest empires of South American history. And the center was Cusco, protected by Inca fortresses which had an extraordinary amount of financial & agricultural wealth.

A stunning stretch of landscape dotted with isolated little villages, colonial towns & ruins that sit wedged between an expansive plain & jagged slopes under the tawny skirts of formidable foothills, northwest of Cusco, it was called the Sacred Valley because it contains some of the best land in the region & was not a part of the Empire but the property of the Emperor or Inca himself & it was one of the Incan Empire's main points for the extraction of natural wealth.

Stretching roughly 60 km, the Sacred Valley in Peru's Andean highlands, along with Cusco & the ancient city of Machu Picchu, formed the heart of the Inca Empire.

Known for its imposing Inca ruins, some of the most majestic on the continent, the area was once the Inca center of religious ceremonies, which included enormous Palaces, Estates & Temples hidden in nooks in the beautiful landscapes, all lining the route between Cusco & the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Established, according to legend, by Manco Capac - founder of the Incan civilization - when he was bidden by the gods to walk from Lake Titicaca to the spot where he could plunge his whole golden staff into the ground, fecund Urubamba fitted the bill perfectly.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, envelops a fertile agricultural landscape, punctuated by small Spanish colonial towns like Calca, Yucay, Urubamba & lofty citadels like Pisac & Ollantaytambo which preside over its undulating twists & turns, of Quechua-speaking communities & dotted with the surviving remains of great Inca family estates. The ruins prove, once again, the Inca prowess for stone-masonry & architecture. These towns were used as guards for the borders of the Sacred Valley & helped to prevent attacks from enemies.

El Valle Sagrado flourished as its lands were rich enough to become the center of food production for the Inca people and even today, you can see the incredible innovation that was taken on by the Inca. In Moray, agricultural laboratories were used to experiment with plant life & find the optimum conditions to grow each plant. The Inca’s grew everything from corn, fruits, vegetables, to cocoa plants & avocados. The climate of Urubamba is typical of the Valley & it was the most important area for maize production in the heartland of the Inca Empire. Access through the Valley to tropical areas facilitated the import of products such as coca leaf & chilly peppers to Cuzco.

Making the place so lush & arable is the Valley’s river, the Rio Urubamba, considered one of the crucial pins of the universe by the Incas, who tied it to the behaviors of both the stars & the planets. Labeled “The Sacred River” & upstream as “The House of the Sun”, much of life revolved around it. The Valley wasn’t built just for its agricultural value, but also in the representation of the constellations, highlighting how important the sky was to the Inca’s & the religious significance of the cosmology. The Valley extended up to the Vilcanota & Urubamba Rivers. Vilcanota River, in particular, was sacred to the Incas, as it represented the Milky Way.

Tradition & culture remain important for those living here so you won’t find it difficult to immerse yourself in the history & the beautiful landscapes. Its myriad trekking routes are deservedly gaining in popularity. It is also famous for some high-adrenaline activities, from rafting to trekking to drifting off in a hot-air balloon.  A Photographer’s paradise, panoramic viewpoints abound particularly on the route from Cusco to Urubamba via the town of Chinchero.

The Sacred Valley has endless places to see once you are tired of checking out stone ruins. The quaint village of Chinchero on a high plain with sweeping views of snow-laden peaks, is believed by the Incas to be the mythical birthplace of the ‘Rainbow’. This typical Andean village combines Inca ruins with a colonial Church, some wonderful mountain views & a colorful Sunday market.

The locals work in the fields & speak the main language of the ancient Incan Empire - Quechuan - more popularly known as Runa Simi or “the people’s language”. There is a great display of Inca architecture, ruins, megalithic carved rocks. 

Still resolutely traditional in its habits today, the Andean weavers here continue to weave & sell their wares at the market. The village is famous as a center of Peruvian weaving & is the home of “Interpretation Centre of Andean Textiles”. You can see friendly local ladies dressed in traditional attire, as they go through the production process of spinning & weaving the wool. At a Textile Co-operative, you can watch how they wash, dye & spin the wool & create an ‘alpaca’ jumper right in front of your eyes.  You can sit with them & drink ‘mate de coca’ and also purchase the garments at drastically lower rates than in a bigger city or shop. Ask them what the recipes to the vivid dyes are or what the significance is of the symbolic patterns they have woven for centuries. You can learn about the production of handicrafts still handmade, using traditional techniques

Spend an hour here & drive on to the nearby next-door town of Maras, well known for its Salt evaporation ponds which have been in use since pre-Columbian Inca times, located down a canyon that descends to the Rio Vilcanota & the Sacred Valley. It is interesting to see the full production cycle of the Salt & even purchase some as you leave.

Since pre-Inca times, salt has been obtained in Maras by evaporating salty water from a local sub-terranean stream. The highly salty water emerges at a spring, a natural outlet of the underground stream. The carefully controlled & monitored flow is directed into an intricate system of tiny channels constructed so that the water runs gradually down onto the over 5,000 ancient terraced polygon shaped 4 square meters Ponds.

The altitude of the Ponds slowly decreases, so that the water may flow through the myriad branches of the water-supply channels & be introduced slowly through a notch in one sidewall of each Pond. As water evaporates from the sun-warmed Ponds, the water becomes supersaturated & Salt precipitates as various size crystals onto the inner surfaces of a Pond's earthen walls & on the earthen floor. The Pond's keeper then closes the water-feeder notch & allows the Pond to go dry. Within a few days the water has evaporates & the salt remains. This process is repeated for about a month building up the quantity of salt over time.

Once enough salt has built up, the Keeper carefully scrapes the dry salt from the sides & bottom in layers. The 1^st layer is typically pink or white & is the highest quality, it is used as kitchen (table) salt. The 2^nd layer, usually white, is known as bulk salt & is a lower quality than the first layer, it. The 3^rd layer is typically brown & is used as industrial salt.

The salt mines traditionally have been available to & owned by families wishing to harvest salt. The proper maintenance & the removal of accumulated salt deposits requires close cooperation among the community of users. A co-operative system was established during the time of the Incas, if not earlier & the owners of the Ponds must be members of the community. Families that are new to the community wishing to propitiate a Pond get the one farthest from the community. The size of the Pond assigned to a family depends on the family's size.

Spend an hour here snapping the pictures (tourists are no longer allowed to walk around the Ponds due to contamination) before driving on. Delicately situated inside a red-rock canyon, the Maras salt mines can look white, brown, beige or red depending on the angle and light.

Head to a nearby organic farm to try an ‘organic’ Lunch. Located in the midst of Inca terracing, the Casa Girasol Farm affords impressive views towards the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Veronica & Ollantaytambo ruins.

Responding to the growing interest in alternative ‘Agri-tourism’ & ‘Eco-tourism, the Farm provides the opportunity for travelers to access, learn about, and even participate in local agriculture with farm-stays & guided tours. Retreats & workshops hosted here include alternative farming, yoga, meditation, astrology, NLP, Santo Daime, indigenous & sacred plant medicines, natural healing, essential oil therapies & other areas of interest.

Casa Girasol is dedicated to the ecological balance of planet earth and promotion & education of bio-diversity in everyday life, employing the disciplines of Permaculture & Bio-intensive farming, along with the exclusive use of heirloom seeds (ancient, non-hybrid varieties). The Farm is engaged in the research & production of plant varieties that have the highest concentration of curative properties. This produce is used in detoxification & alternative cancer treatment programs by organizations dedicated to dietary healing disciplines.

Explore the Farm where you still see farmland being plowed by oxen & enjoy the pristine surroundings of the Andes mountains before sitting down for a carefully prepared, highly nutritious, gourmet meal prepared by the skilled organic Chefs trained in local & international cuisines and in all dietary considerations, vegan, vegetarian, curative & omnivorous. They serve many varieties that have high concentrations of “curative properties” used for juicing, raw food diets & rejuvenation therapies. Casa Girasol is actively engaged in leading edge research into “Foods That Heal”. Their organic gardens feature exclusively heirloom varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs from Europe, North America & Asia, as well as the Sacred Valley.

Post Lunch, depart for your final destination with 1 more stop enroute.

Arrive at Moray, an archaeological site just outside the town of Maras.

Moray was once the Incas’ very own agricultural experiment, consisting of giant holes in the ground where they built vast circular terraces carved into a valley in a way that, in form, looks like an ancient amphitheater that descend deep to a central point.  No one knows how these giant bowls were formed in the ground & since the Inca architects left no written records, it may just remain a mystery.

The prevailing theory used to be that the Incas utilised the different layers as a kind of laboratory to optimize growing conditions for different crops of each species. The fascinating enigmatic stone-walled terraces that descend 10 stories are believed to have been used by the Incas as a place of research to test different agricultural techniques at different elevations & to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops. Each terrace has its own microclimate & was used to test out growing different crops at varying conditions - there is actually a difference of 27° Fahrenheit from top to bottom.

The impressive example of early agricultural practices rooted in empirical thought will leave you astounded at their genius! Bu, it is now thought that the site wouldn't support agriculture without irrigation, of which there is no evidence discovered upto now. Hydrologist investigators think the site may have served as a Temple for Water ceremonies.

Finally, arrive in the busy Urubamba, an unadorned urban center & a transport hub surrounded by bucolic foothills & snowy peaks, by late afternoon.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas snakes through a narrow valley following the Urubamba River. The main hub is the town of Urubamba whose advantage of lower altitude & relative proximity to Machu Picchu make it popular in the tourism context.

While there is little of historical interest, the incredible landscapes & mountains that seem to puncture the narrow valley rising in vertiginous peaks towards the sky & great weather make it a convenient base from which to explore the extraordinary Valley.

High up in the fertile valleys & quite spread out, Urubamba was also used for food production & even today, being famous for its fruit. There are many indigenous communities to be found here still & the town proudly boasts the name “La Perla del Vilcanota” (or “The Pearl of Vilcanota”), all thanks to the jaw-dropping scenery that surrounds it.

Don’t be put off by first appearances. Get off the main drag which is cluttered with touristy restaurants, gas stations & shops and head in towards the heart of this little town. Explore the Plaza de Armas or Main Square & the Market for a taste of local culture.

If like me you love visiting traditional local markets to get that unique insight & a feel into the local culture - difference between a traveler & a tourist - the colourful & real Urubamba Market is definitely worth a visit. Don’t expect alpaca sweaters and Andean instruments here. You can however expect to find an authentic market filled with locals buying their daily supplies. It is a more authentic market experience than other more tourist-driven markets in the Sacred Valley.

Unlike some of the more touristy markets in the region, this is where the locals shop for everything. Colourful fruit & vegetables line up alongside large sacks of flour & gran which teeter beside rows of slaughtered guinea pig, chicken & beef ready for cooking. Household goods also make an appearance in the forms of lengths of rope, plastic buckets, sweeping brushes & various paraphernalia & even alfalfa to feed guinea pigs.

After relaxing for an hour, walk to Ceramicas Seminario, the Studio of the local artists Pablo Seminario & Marilu Behar, both of them now recognized internationally.  

In the 1980s, the Studio began with just Pablo & Marilu. For 12 years, the 2 of them worked by themselves to prepare their materials, develop their tools & sell their pieces on the streets & at Art Fairs in Cusco. They lived an isolated lifestyle because, in those times, the country was in a state of turmoil due to the ongoing terrorism.

Toward the end of the 1990s, their work began to be recognized internationally & their Studio grew exponentially. This era generated what is now known as the Seminario style of ceramic art based on ancient Peruvian cultures, with a contemporary influence & its own creative expression.

Pablo has received numerous awards & recognitions, both in Peru & internationally and his pieces have been acquired by various world Museums, including the MAP (Pre-Colombian Art Museum in Cusco), The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian & the Field Museum of Chicago.

Inside the Studio, you will find showrooms, classrooms & a large, welcoming green space. All decorative & utility products are handmade by local workers who learned the Seminario style from Pablo & Marilu who continue making iconic art pieces.

Interact with Pablo & Marilu, watch a video on their history, enjoy a guided tour of the Studio to learn about the different stages of ceramic making.

Balance of the evening is at leisure to explore on your own.

Overnight.  B L D

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & embark on a full day excursion to explore more in the beautiful El Valle Sagrado.

Drive to Pisac but enroute stop at Museo Inkariy, located on the main road half-way between Urubamba & Pisac,

Without a doubt currently one of the best cultural activities in the Sacred Valley, it is a 10,000 year cultural journey through Peru in an afternoon!

It is the first private-run Peruvian Museum in the Cusco region & is more like a cinematic experience with its audio-visual renderings, than a traditional Museum visit. Museo Inkariy is a giant of a project that has taken 13 years from first planning to finally opening its doors in 2015.

The Museum was entirely conceived, designed & is now run by the Merida family of artists with a vision for the future. Each family member incidently is an artist in their own right, trained in videography, film, sculpture architecture & publicity. The Merida’s family CV is an extraordinary treasure trove of cultural contribution to Peru’s artistic & cultural heritage.

Each member of the family has made this project a reality with Edgar Merida & Nelly Pilares & their 4 children Edilberto, William, Miguel & Paloma involved every step of the way from creating sculptures, painting the scenes, guiding visitors around the Museum & the other thousands of tasks necessary to get a project of this size off the ground! Their vision is to show the world the most important pre-Hispanic Peruvian cultures in an entertaining, modern manner.

The Museum takes visitors into the world of the fascinating pre-Colombian civilizations that came before the Inca. It acknowledges the reality that the Incans built on knowledge developed over millennia of habitation in Peru.

The Museum is divided into 8 different Pavilions each showcasing the most important pre-Hispanic Peruvian cultures including Caral, Chavín, Paracas, Moche, Nasca, Wari, Lambayeque and Chimu & Inca.

Each culture, including the Inca, is showcased in 2 parts on its own building. One is dedicated to history, with key artifacts & succinct overviews in Spanish & English. Elements of each culture including dress, customs, beliefs & art are explained in an ‘ante-room’.

The other section of each Pavilion features a compelling scenario of life-sized figures rendered expertly in action, a la National Geographic, where an iconic scene is recreated from each culture.

The Paracas room recreates a typical burial scene, while the Wari cultural recreation showcases warrior making their weapons.  Statues & Sculptures are very realistic with extreme attention to detail including wrinkles, tattoos & perfectly styled hair!  Even the body types of each character were meticulously researched to represent for example the body type & facial structure of a Wari warrior or an Incan ruler.

A visit here takes the form of a visual, sensorial journey. No lengthy historical explanations or boring guided tours here. Unlike any other Museum, after spending an hour, visitors leave with a deeper knowledge of the huge depth of culture & history in Peru that goes well beyond the fascinating Inca culture. Exhibits are full of music, lighting & effects that will leave all, especially, the kids open-mouthed! There is also some gift shops & a Cafe on-site serving drinks, light snacks & a rustic country-style 3 course lunch

Spend an hour before moving on to Pisac, once the site of a vital Inca road which wound its way through the Sacred Valley to the borders of the eastern jungle, making it an important connecting route for the Inca Empire and the city of Paucartambo, giving Inca Písac a strategic controlling point.

It is not hard to succumb to the charms of sunny Pisac, a bustling & fast-growing colonial village at the base of a spectacular Inca Fortress perched dramatically on a mountain spur, near Cusco, with part Incan & colonial other, famous for hosting the Inca archaeological site of the same name. Its well-preserved ruins - a platform system & its carved stone enclosures, attract thousands of visitors who travel through the Sacred Valley. The sheer size & location of the site also suggests that Pisac was an important defence against any potential invasion of Cusco, which was the capital of the entire Inca empire.

Its pull is universal & recent years have seen an influx of expats & New Age followers in search of an Andean Shangri-la. The local tourism industry has responded by catering to spiritual seekers, offering everything from yoga retreats & cleanses to guided hallucinogenic trips in the charming, hippy town.

The Pisac ruins are among Peru’s most intact ancient sites, and a perfect example of ingenious Inca architecture. The archaeological site, a steep 90 minutes walk, or short drive, above the village, is located east of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba is part of Ollantaytambo & Machu Picchu Cusco archaeological circuit, one of the largest in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

The exact date of construction is unknown, but the ruins are believed to be either a gift to Inca nobility, or a defence against the invasion of Cusco. What is certain is that the site served more than one function. With military, religious & agricultural structures, the site was able to support a whole community, even a small city, of Incas. Another theory for its construction is that Pachacuti, for whom most archaeologists believe Machu Picchu was built, had it constructed to celebrate victory over a local ethnic group called the Cuyos. Since it does not appear to have been inhabited by any pre-Inca civilization, estimations are that it was built no earlier than 1440.

Stretching over 7 kilometres along the edge of a vertiginous mountain peak on a picturesque ridge atop a hill at the entrance to the Valley, the ruins known as Inca Písac made up of 4 sections - Pisaqa, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa, & Kinchiracay are admired for their fine finish. As was customary in Inca architecture, cities were built based on figurative designs of animals & this layout is thought to represent a partridge’s wing (Pisac means “partridge”).   With its elevated position, researchers believed the site served a defensive purpose, protecting the southern end of the Valley.

The Pisac Inca constructions are remarkable for the huge platforms or terraces that surround the mountain, its polished stone structures, fully assembled, are surrounded by Watchtowers & Observation points. The settlement is built on row upon row of fine stone terraces, laid out on a natural balcony. Visitors to the upper sector are rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the Andes mountains. The main Temple of the Sun is built on a huge protruding spur of volcanic rock, carved into a “hitching post for the sun” or Inti. Angles at its base serve to define the changes of season. There are also baths, altars, water fountains & a ceremonial platform whilst above these ruins lie several ancient burial sites, many still unexcavated.

Take the time to pay your respects to the biggest Inca cemetery in South America while you are here. The pre-Hispanic Cemetery, with its caves that once held over 10,000 Tombs of the nobles of the empire, the largest found in this part of the continent. The Incas believe in the afterlife & that is why they wrapped their Mummies with everything that the person used in her life, food, jewels, weapons, etc.

We can see how Incan agronomists resolved the problem of planting on the slopes of the hills. The sweeping terraces on the steep hillside, still in use today, are stunning to look at from afar & are a distinct feature of Inca agriculture that you will find all over the Andean countryside. The Incas would grow their crops along the terraces to sustain their mountain-perched city.

The town has many legends. One of the most narrated is about the Statue that is located at the main Square: it is said that an Inca chief called Huayllapuma had a daughter named Inquill & she had to be married to anyone who can build a bridge over the Vilcanota or Urubamba River, the most sacred River of the entire Valley. Asto Rimac, the brave prince, decided to construct the bridge, with the condition that Inquill will not renege on her word or she will be turned into stone. She went back on her commitment & so she was cursed to turn into a Statue which remains today.

Pisac is also famous for its Mass (Sundays only) which is attended by the indigenous people & 'Mayors' of the neighboring Quechua villages, complete in typical traditional dress & carrying their traditional 'Varayoc' (or staff of office).

Guests enjoy the fabulous colorful Pisac Indian Market (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday only), one of the most famous in the Cusco region, where they have a good opportunity to try their bargaining skills & interact with the local craftsmen to purchase their hand-made souvenirs. Originally held only on Sundays, but due to the increase of tourism in the area during the 20^th century it became increasingly popular to the point that now it is held daily and it was the place of reunion for all artisans of the region to get together and exchange or buy & sell their products. People from the indigenous Quechua communities in surrounding highlands come down with their products, including some very fresh food, raw materials, tomatoes, rice, potatoes & stock up on supplies for the week. It is worth sitting down with the locals for a lunch eating just that, along with trout clearly just pulled from the river.

A large section of the market is dedicated to tourist-oriented souvenir stalls where you can find weavings, jewellery, ponchos, hats, Andean instruments, ceramics, alpaca products & a whole range of other gifts & souvenirs to take home with you. The more unusual products you can buy at the Market include natural powders in a variety of eye-popping colours that can be used as watercolour paint, colourful weavings, hand woven blankets, shawls, alpaca clothing & other handicrafts.

The handicraft market is open every day from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm but visiting on Sunday is a more authentic & colourful experience, when the local Quechua communities set up shop on the main square. Dressed in their colourful clothing, they sit cross-legged with their wares laid out, giving the market an authentic feel.

Leisurely roam through the textiles & souvenir sections of the market enjoying the colorful ambience.

A good part of the charm Pisac had, however, is long gone. The main Plaza is filled to overflowing with a hundred or more stalls selling the same forgettable tourist junk available all over Peru, with more stalls spilling over onto the surrounding streets. The nearby streets are lined with restaurants aimed at foreign tourists, serving standard tourist food - pizza, lasagna, cakes, etc. There are also many vegetarian & vegan options available. As in other places, go where the locals go if you want low prices.

The main Square is a fun place full of color & various handicrafts for sale. The town is known for its Astronomical Observatory.

Spend a couple of hours exploring the ruins, stunning views of the Sacred Valley, the Market & the city and a fascinating insight into Inca history & culture.

Pisac despite being a minor tourism hub in the Sacred Valley, unfortunately has a rather disappointing culinary offering compared to Cusco or Urubamba. There are quite a few cafe-style informal restaurants dotted around the main Square & the 2 main streets but quality varies hugely. But of course, you can trust the Tour-guide to take you to the best one (& most authentic) around.

Post lunch, you will drive to Ollantaytambo village (also called Ollanta) set on the Urubamba River amid snow-capped mountains.

Ollantaytambo is the epitome of ancient Peru making its way in the 21^st century. During the Inca Empire, it was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, who conquered the region & built the town. A finely worked ceremonial center is at the top of the terracing. The main settlement has an orthogonal layout with 4 streets crossed by other 7 parallel streets & at the center the Incas built a large 4 block Plaza.

And at the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru, it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance & was an important religious, agricultural & military center. This site was built just as the Spaniards arrived & evidence of how it was constructed is still visible.

Notable features of the Inca Empire included its monumental architecture, especially stonework, extensive road network reaching all corners of the empire, finely-woven textiles, use of knotted strings (quipu) for record keeping & communication, agricultural innovations & production in a difficult environment.

Due to its strategic location, it served as a defense post for the last Incas who resisted the European invasion facing off against the Spanish conquistadors in 1537. Ollantaytambo was one of the last Inca sites to fall to the Spanish & the narrow streets along with their channels have not varied from the time that Incas evoke their ancestral inheritance.

It is known for the spectacular Ollantaytambo ruins, a massive Inca Fortress with large stone terraces on a hillside. The Fortress complex is attributed to the extensive building program of Inca Pachacuti, the 9^th Inca (1418 -1471/1472) who expanded the territory from the Cusco area to a vast Empire. The Fortress was believed to be constructed to guard the entrance to this part of the valley & protect it from possible invasions of tribes from the jungle lowlands.

The huge, steep terraces that guard Ollantaytambo’s spectacular Inca ruins mark one of the few places where the Spanish conquistadors lost a major battle. Not only were the Spaniards met by spears, arrows & boulders from atop the steep terracing of the commanding Fortress & they beat a retreat through the Urubamba Valley. In a brilliant move, Manco Inca (the Inca leader) flooded the plain below the Fortress through previously prepared channels. With the Spaniards’ horses bogged down in the water, Hernando Pizarro ordered a hasty retreat, chased down by thousands of Manco Inca’s victorious soldiers.

Although well remembered by the Peruvians, the victory was short-lived. Spanish forces soon returned with a quadrupled Cavalry supported by large numbers of indigenous & Spanish foot soldiers in an attempt to capture Manco Inca who had to flee to his jungle stronghold in Vilcabamba.

Dominated by the Inca ruins, the quaint village is the best surviving example of Inca city planning, with narrow cobblestone streets that have been continuously inhabited since the 13^th century. The archaeological site includes a series of superimposed terraces & the complex had a huge Sun Temple & the stunning Princess Baths fountain located on the upper terrace. The Village still celebrates Ollantay Raymi, a festival dedicated to the Inca sun god.

Among other things, you will be intrigued by 6 enormous finely carved pink stones, each weighing some 50 tons. The rock was partially carved in the quarries in the mountainside 6 km away & taken to the bottom of the valley from the opposite bank of the Río Urubamba. Nobody knows how they were transported, since the Incas did not use the wheel. Transporting the huge stone blocks to the site was a stupendous feat.  

The ingenious Incas diverted the entire river channel & moved the massive stones closer to the Fortress, probably, with the help of rollers or rolling stones like wheels, South American camelids, levers, pulleys. Inclined planes, rope fashioned from the fourcroya andina plant & gravity helped transportation crews of hundreds or even thousands of men move the stones. They moved the massive blocks across several kilometers of valley, through a shallow river & up the mountain face to 2,400 meters above sea level, where their buildings still stand.

Climb the magnificent mountain stairway with over 200 terraced steps to see the remarkable Fortress. Marvel at the Temples where both the Sun & Water were worshipped. Take in the views of the Sacred Valley & watch the trains heading to Agua Calientes.

For visitors able to hike, there are other impressive ruins across from the main ruins. The trail begins in the old part of town & climbs steeply to Pinkulluna, the ancient Inkan Storehouses that were built by Inca king Pachacutec to keep a supply of grain in reserve, are worth seeing. High in the mountains, the wind kept the grains aerated & fresh. There is a great view of the Ollantaytambo Archaeological site from the top.

Descending from the ruins you will find yourself amidst market stalls filled with gorgeous hats, scarves & a myriad of other souvenirs & be charmed by Ollanta women selling jewellery on street corners while clutching baby llamas. If you have got room in your suitcase, try a little haggling & purchase a few treasures.

Saunter through the tiny narrow street past adobe stone buildings, gurgling irrigation canals & cascading flowers in the village's old town. Stop for just one minute, step back in time & imagine who has walked across these Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets. Were they here 800 years ago? Did neighbours chat as they walked in these lanes ? As the water trickles past, one thing is certain. Clever engineers, centuries ago, routed water to where it was most needed.

A 15 minute walk from the main Square Plaza de Armas is Puente Inca, the Inca bridge which spans the Rio Urubamba. The walk to the Bridge is more interesting than seeing the actual Bridge. You will get a unique glimpse into life in the village, passing by Iglesia de Ollantaytambo, a modern colonial-style church, through intricate doorways, abandoned railways tracks & Peruvian ladies taking their shortcut across the ancient Bridge back to their homes.

The day ends & you drive back to your hotel in Urubamba.

Relax for a couple of hours before proceeding to Wayra restaurant, inspired by the colors & sounds of the mountains. Enjoy their special BBQ feast with an assortment & presentation of the meats accompanied by the Peruvian pisco.

Come back to the hotel.

Overnight.  B L D

Very early in the morning at 05.00 am, you will be transferred to Urubamba Train Station to board Peru Rail Tren Vistadome departing at 06.50 am for Aguas Calientes.

If you love nature & the countryside, the Vistadome train is exactly what you are looking for - a unique way to travel to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.

Travelling on the 2.30 hour  journey is a unique experience as you enjoy the scenic ‘nature on-route’ views through big panoramic windows, passing through the magical landscape right along the Urubamba River through the Valley into the Cloud Forest, with dramatic canyon walls on either side. Few experiences are more rewarding than settling down into one of its panoramic viewing cars & peering out at the picturesque landscape, from soaring mountain passes to rainforest, deep ravines to Incan stonework as background music plays & an informative audio commentary points out interesting sights along the way. The glass ceiling of the train allows guests to enjoy the unbeatable scenery from all angles. Almost every episode along the way is packed full of nature’s wonders, including wildlife such as condors, llamas, fluorescent frogs & much more. 

Peru Rail, even showcases the authentic culture through a traditional Saqra dance & music presentation on the outbound. During the return journey from Machu Picchu to Cusco, guests enjoy aspects of authentic Andean culture through live music, a beautiful typical dance inspired by the ancient culture of the Andes & even a Fashion Show in your carriage featuring authentic baby alpaca wool collection with the latest exclusive trends in alpaca apparel, all available for sale. Passengers also receive a snack made from local ingredients, so you can get the full Andean experience through our cuisine. The trip also includes non-alcoholic beverages for your onboard refreshment (some items are for sale).

Arrive at the quaint little town of Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), the nearest Railhead / gateway to the famous landmark. 

Aguas Calientes (named for its hot springs), in a deep gorge below the ruins in the Urubamba River Valley, is known for its Thermal Baths. A virtual island, it is cut off from all roads & enclosed by stone cliffs, towering cloud forest & 2 rushing rivers. Despite its gorgeous location, the town has the feel of a gold rush town, with a large itinerant population, slack services that count on one-time customers & an architectural tradition of rebar & unfinished cement.

The town center is full of eateries & shops, anchored by the central Mercado Artesanal, a craft market with merchants pushing the hard sell. Northwest, along the river, are Los Jardines de Mandor, a garden with orchids & birds & Butterfly House, a local conservation project.

You will board a small shuttle bus & drive 89 km to the entrance of the fabulous ruins of the “sacred city” & the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. You will be greeted by an expert, local Guide at the Entrance & commence a 3 hour tour. After the guided tour, you will have the time to wander around the ruins on own.

Shrouded by mist & surrounded by lush vegetation & steep escarpments, the sprawling Inca Citadel lives up to every expectation. The Incas worshiped nature & built many of their structures in harmony with their Andean landscape of grandiose terrain.

In a spectacular location, it is the best-known archaeological site on the continent. Completed in approximately 1450 at the height of the Incan empire, Machu Picchu was abandoned less than 100 years later following the Spanish conquest of Peru. This awe-inspiring ancient city was never revealed to the conquering Spaniards & was virtually forgotten until the early part of the 20^th century.

Forgotten for centuries, the site was brought to worldwide attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian.  It has recently come to light that the site may have been discovered & raided several years previously, in 1867 by a German businessman, Augusto Berns.

Today it is considered by many to be the new spiritual center of the world. Like the Mona Lisa or the Pyramids, it has been seared into our collective consciousness, though nothing can diminish the thrill of being here. The government has mandated an upper limit of 5940 people in the complex (including the Inca Trail) daily to control the damage.

The Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial & agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marshes of the Inca Empire.. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca royal family & priests. It was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 & a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

If you are looking at traditional postcard pictures of Machu Picchu, you will surely come across at least a few that show a distinct mountain rising above the ruins. This most recognizable peak is known as Huayna Picchu, soaring almost 1,200 feet above the ruins. Climbing Huayna Picchu is among the top pursuits for the adventurous Machu Picchu visitors. The Incas built terraces here & the airy summit offers a perfect view of the entire complex, which spreads out before the summit like a map

If you look up at Machu Picchu Mountain & then let your eyes follow the ridge down to the first notch, you will see tiny structures in the notch. See Intipunku, consisting of 2 large stones that correspond to the winter & summer solstices and on these dates the Gates are illuminated by laser-like beams of light. In addition to their symbolic importance, the Gates also provide remarkable views of Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu.

You may see the Putukusi Mountain base, which is located 1 mile from Aguas Calientes elevation. Putukusi is a shear cliffed, jungle coated mountain & because of its prime location, it offers one of the best view of the site while providing unsurpassed solitude, something which none of the other 2 ‘climbable’ peaks in the area can provide. On a clear day it is possible to see Machu Picchu with snow-capped Salkantay behind it.  

Gaze at the expansive stone ruins, steep terraces & looming cliffs. The stonework at Machu Picchu is so well engineered that many of the walls are almost perfectly intact since the days of the Incas in the 15^th & 16^th centuries.

Stroll through town Squares & main streets of these amazing ruins. In addition to making group visits to such features as the Sun Gate, there will be ample time to freely climb the delicately carved stone stairways & marvel at the various archeological structures that are so exquisitely embedded in the surrounding landscape. Let your mind connect with this hallowed ground & its rich tapestry of tales & traditions; make observations; let questions fuel discussion at dinner & during bus rides from one Andean site to the next.

The afternoon is quite possibly the best time of the day to explore Machu Picchu Inca Citadel. Not only have the bulk of tourists vacated, but the afternoon sunlight casts its golden rays on one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Enjoy a picnic lunch & continue exploring the ruins on your own. There will be time to fully embrace this magnificent wonder of the world, letting this once in a lifetime experience set in.

Later In the afternoon, hop aboard the bus again to descend back to Aguas Calientes.

Spend time walking around to explore the village & interacting with the friendly before boarding the train at 05.33 pm for the 3.15 hour journey back to Cusco.

On arrival at the Cuzco Poroy Station at 09.52 pm, you will be welcomed by a Journeys rep who will transfer you to the hotel in Cuzco.

Morning, you will be met by the Journeys Rep & transferred to Terminal? - Cusco Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.

Arrive in the dynamic & vibrant capital city Lima, dubbed as the City of Kings, shrouded in history (& sometimes fog), gloriously messy & full of aesthetic delights, its rich culture & stunning attractions.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’. However, we will request the hotel to allow usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk).  

Relax for an hour in the Lobby (or room if we are lucky) before meeting the Tour-guide & proceeding to another exciting Lima experience.

Proceed to Lima’s most important Biohuerto (urban community gardens) which is managed by the National Agrarian University (La Molina). Here, you will discover & learn about native Peruvian crops as well as the recent movement & importance of these urban gardens.

Move to Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas), the original site on which Lima was founded.

Stroll around appreciating Lima’s Central Square before walking to block-long Palacio de Gobierno, a grandiose baroque-style building from 1937 that serves as the residence of Peru’s President. You will also have the opportunity to see the famous Changing of the Guards in the main courtyard.

Out front stands a handsomely uniformed Presidential Guards (think French Foreign Legion, c 1900) that changes every day at noon - a ceremonious affair that involves slow-motion goose -stepping & the sublime sounds of a brass band playing ‘El Condor Pasa’ as a military march.

During the colonial period, the protection of the Viceroy - the alter ego of the King & the Viceregal Palace or La Casa de Pizarro, corresponded to the Corps of the Royal Spanish Infantry. During the Republican period, the protection of the President & the Presidential Palace (formerly the Viceregal Palace) were in charge of the Mounted Infantry Battalions & the Civil Guard of Peru (nowadays known as the Policia Nacional del Peru). Today, the Ceremony is very popular, especially for tourism, which has increased considerably since the 90’s.

This event happens daily & the military uniform may change depending on the type of Regiment in charge during that week & the weather season of the year; on Saturdays, the changing of the guard is carried out by the National Police, so the uniform will be very different. Normally on Sundays, the Ceremony includes the use of horses in the military choreography.

The military staging begins at about 11:45 am with a trumpet musical announcement, then the military choreographies are performed for approximately 15 minutes to the rhythm of live music.

The military Band plays European & Peruvian cantatas depending on who is in charge, they usually combine both types of music; the most played European pieces of music are by Johann Sebastian Bach & Carmina Burana; the Peruvian military marches (Peruvian military songs) have a clear Andean culture influence.

At the end at about 12:15 pm. the Band plays 100% Peruvian (non-military) musical themes, such as most famous Peruvian Marinera (musical composition) worldwide: El Condor Pasa, composed by Daniel Alomía Robles.

* The Changing of the Guard sometimes may not be guaranteed if there are any scheduled strikes, festivities & political events, which may affect the performance of this event; However, be positive, regardless of whether it happens or not, the Plaza de Armas of Lima is a living Museum, so either way you will have a beautiful day.

Next, stroll through El Barrio Chino (Chinatown), spread over 2 blocks in downtown, historic home to Peru’s small but culturally significant Chinese community that has a history that dates to the 1860s. Lima’s Chinatown began when immigrants from China came to work in sugarcane plantations in Peru. The population of Chinese migrants grew & Barrio Chino (China neighborhood) with an interesting mix of cultures, was born. 10% of Peru’s population is of Chinese origin 

The Immigration had a deep impact Peruvian culture, traditions, especially Cuisine. Chinese cooking actually became infused what is now known as Peruvian food. The famous Peruvian dish ‘lomo saltado’ (jumping tenderloin, literally) came from Chinese cooking styles of frying beef in soy sauce. Dishes like ‘chaufa’ are Peruvian fried rice & the name ‘chaufa’ itself comes from ‘chao / chow fan / fun,’ the Chinese (in Mandarin or Cantonese) way to say fried rice. It got shortened to Chaufa, spelled now in Spanish, likely from hear-say.

Lastly, the term ‘Chifa,’ (used for any Chinese eatery in this part of Latin America), came from the Mandarin ‘chi fan’ (meaning "to eat rice"). Eating at a Chifa is a classic you have to try in Lima as it is a fusion of Peruvian & Chinese cuisines.

You will find thousands of Chifa restaurants lining the streets with signs in Chinese, here. An incredible scene with tangy aromas wafting through the air, ducks hanging from the windows & lively groups enjoying their food.

The hardest part is choosing which restaurant to walk in but don’t worry, we have it fixed. The food is, of course, Cantonese-influenced, with shiny glazed meat slices, long fried noodles, open pork dumplings (siu mai) & fried rice & the portions are huge. Pair the meal with a pot of jasmine tea & wash it down with an Inca Cola, just like the locals do.

Post lunch, proceed for another culinary experience to the iconic Tostaduría Bisetti, a famous community hub usually buzzing with locals chatting over a cup of joe & a great spot to get a feel for local Barranco life in the heart of bohemian Lima suburb.

Towards the end of the 50s, Romulo Bisetti, a Peruvian descendant of Italian origin, opened a small coffee roaster. In the municipal Registry of Licenses of the time, the following description can be found: for the operation of a 1^st class coffee roasting facility. 50 years later, Peruvian coffee not only enjoys greater recognition worldwide & the Bisetti brand is now dedicated to developing & offering "specialty coffees" in the Peruvian market. 

These Coffees, due to their flavor characteristics as well as the special climate & soil conditions in which they grow, differ from the conventional coffees in a privileged segment. Every batch, some awarded nationally & internationally, comes directly from farmer co-operatives committed to improving the quality of their product.

They have created a School of Coffee & a Tasting Laboratory, where physical & sensory analysis of coffee is offered both to producers interested in knowing better the quality of their product, as well as to all the people involved in the production chain (Marketers, Baristas, Tasters certified by the Coffee Quality Institute & the general public). This allows sensory evaluation of the different characteristics to compare & contrast Coffees of different origins or origins to develop a better knowledge of each type or variety as well as see "defects" generated throughout the processing - roast, blend, taste - of the grain. Understanding & managing coffee roasting is life-long learning.

You will have the opportunity to attend & observe the Roasting process & attend a class in the School of Coffee. Knowing how to properly prepare a coffee, more than a technique, is an art as a professional Barista, after an intense & exhaustive training in all the variables involved in the extraction of coffee, is well aware. You will have a session with one of the Baristas who explains how they select & taste the coffee.

Coffees include all the usual latte, cappuccino, macchiato, espresso, as well as specialty pisco coffees such as capucholo - a blend of espresso. foamed milk, vanilla, pisco liquor. Herbal teas & fresh pastries & cakes baked in-house are also available. The blends change constantly & ‘blend of the day’ is listed on the board so the aficionados know what they are drinking.

After the Coffee Tasting, walk down to see an ancient adobe Pyramid right in the middle of the city which dates back to around 200 BC. Stroll around colonial Lima passing by te Cathedral, Convent of Santo Domingo, the Main Square & Casa Aliaga, reportedly the oldest home on the Continent - and still family-owned after 17 generations.

* The Tour-guide will leave you here to stroll around on your own or return to the hotel & relax.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions for optional activities & make arrangements).

You may want to check out another of Lima’s many incredible restaurants.

Alas, like all good things, the wonderful experience comes to an end. Time to say good-bye to enchanting Peru & Peruvians & go home.

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

Mountains & beaches to deserts & rain forests and the only capital in South America that faces the sea. Incas ruled here for over 300 years until the Spanish conquered them in 1572 & were one of the largest Empires in the world. Add to this the human-made treasures, buzzing indigenous markets, picturesque colonial towns & vibrant cityscapes. One visit to Lima filled with colonial-era riches, can never be enough. This is just the beginning & in South America there really is no end.  We are sure you will be back in Peru to discover some more.

“Travel is like knowledge. The more you see the more you know you have not seen” - Mark Hertsgaard

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -  Lima - Jorge Chavez International Airport for the flight back home.  B

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