We begin our day with gentle yoga (all levels!) and a full breakfast at our hotel. Then we hop in our comfortable van and travel 22 miles, 35 km to Pisac, a town known for its ruins with spectacular views, and artisan market.  We hike the upper ruins (still acclimating to the altitude!) and then descend in our van to the town, where we will be treated to a multi-course gourmet picnic with local ingredients, textiles, fresh flowers, and an assortment of beverages. Then we hop back in the van and travel to my favorite town - Ollantaytambo!  We check into our historic hotel, the famous El Albergue.  El Albergue is surrounded by beautiful gardens full of fragrant and colorful flowers, tress, babbling water canals, and hummingbirds.  It also has an organic farm, a coffee roastery and a distillery.  

Free Day!  We begin our day with gentle yoga (optional) on the farm surrounded by views of the Andes, and a full breakfast at our hotel.  Your day is free to relax in in the hotel gardens, explore the ancient town, shop in the market, try the local cuisine, or hike one of the local trails. You are welcome to join me for a short walk to see the Ollantaytambo ruins (optional).  The views are spectacular!  

Optional add-on activities are available! 

El Albergue offers a very special lunch called the Pachamanca on their farm. The Pachamanca, which translates to "earth oven" in the Quechua language, is a traditional Inca meal cooked on hot rocks.  The lunch includes "grilled" chicken, pork, and lamb, Andean potatoes, fava beans, olluco and camote (sweet potato), organic vegetables, a house-made salad, traditional sauces and chicha morada (a local purple corn beverage).  Vegetarian friendly, and most food allergies accommodated.  

Today is a full day of adventure!  You have the choice of two options...

Option 1) Hike the footsteps of the ancient Incas to Machu Picchu! The "Short Inca Trail" is perfect for travelers who enjoy hiking and a challenge.  

The early train takes us to meet our private guides at the entry of the last stretch of the famous Inca Trail. During the seven hour hike, we hike though lush landscapes and stunning mountain vistas, visit the beautiful Inca ruins Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, and arrive finally at the Sun Gate (Intipunku) of Machu Picchu.  After enjoying the sunset we descend the mountain to Aguas Calientes where we check into our hotel and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.  On the second day we enjoy the full tour of Machu Picchu. 

Option 2) Skip the hike! Sleep in, enjoy a relaxing morning and then take the 1.5 hour scenic train ride on the iconic blue Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, the base of Machu Picchu. We meet up with the hikers in our group, check into our hotel and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.  On the second day we enjoy the full tour of Machu Picchu. 

Either option is wonderful! 

After a full breakfast, we travel by bus back to the top of the mountain, and finally enter the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the most renowned archeological site from the Inca Period.  This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from the middle of the 15th century and sits on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley.  After the tour, we have lunch in town, and return to El Albergue hotel in Ollantaytambo.  Dinner on your own in El Albergue restaurant, or in one of the many great restaurants in town.

This is consistently my guests' favorite day!  After breakfast and yoga, we visit the famous Maras Salt Mines, and then drive a short distance to the amazing Mountainview Experience property! 

Spend the day in nature relaxing with the llamas, sipping a cup of hot Muna tea, and gazing at the majestic Andes mountains.  Or opt to go horseback or ATV riding, or ride a bicycle.  Box lunch is provided so you can eat when it suits you.  

Late afternoon we gather for a picnic dinner where we create a watercolor work of art to take home as a remembrance of our day.  Then we spend the night in the cozy cabins. (Yes, they have bathrooms with showers!)  Option to stay in a cabin with a wood fired stove, deck with chairs and hot tub!  The views of the stars and Milky Way are magnificent!  (Check out their Instagram @mountainviewexperience)  

Breakfast at Mountainview Experience.  Then, we take part in a sacred Andean tradition called the Despacho Ceremony with a Q’ero Shaman.  A Despacho is a ceremonial offering thanking the Apus and Pachamama for their guidance. In the spirit of Ayni (meaning reciprocity), it’s about being in harmony with our community, nature, and giving an offering in order to receive; a powerful and lovely way to “dispatch” our prayers to the powers that be. 

After the ceremony, we return to our hotel Antigua Casona in Cusco.  Your day is free to explore the arts district of San Blas, the Plaza d'Armas, take a walking tour, visit Sacsayhuaman or the San Pedro Market! I'm happy to assist you in planning whatever you'd like to do.   Or perhaps you'd like to spend your day in the lovely hotel spa with a massage or other treatment.  Dinner at Antigua Casona. 

We've had so much fun and adventure together, and I'll be sad to see you go!  After breakfast, depart for the airport and your flight home.

Or!  Stay and do a one-day hike with me one of the three Rainbow Mountains!  

This high-altitude hike is an absolute must for all those who love stunning landscapes and gorgeous scenery. We return to Cusco in time for dinner on your own at the hotel or one of the excellent restaurants within walking distance. This hike and the night at the hotel are an optional add-on.