Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour

Explore the beautiful Peruvian countryside with a full-day tour of the magical Sacred Valley, home to several royal estates of Incan emperors.

Enjoy personalized attention and a flexible itinerary on this private tour of two Inca sites in the Sacred Valley: Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Learn about the ancient history of the Inca people from a guide's informative commentary throughout the visits. Stop at a local farm to try fresh-grown produce on a farm tour, then refuel with a gourmet picnic lunch. This private tour for just you and your party includes private  transportation from Cusco.

Stop At:   Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo Pick up at 8:30am at your hotel in Ollantaytambo or Cusco by private transport, we will visit the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo, which was the lodging of the Inca emperor Pachacutec and later served as a military checkpoint for the Incas trying to protect the roads to Machu Picchu from the invading Spaniards. Enjoy a guided tour of the terraced ruins, fountains and aqueducts and see storage houses that were used by the Incas to maximize winds to keep crops cool and preserved. We will then have time to wander the streets of one of the oldest towns in Peru, where many 15th century Inca buildings still stand today. Admission Ticket Included

Pass By:   Sacred Valley We will then drive 20 minutes to the town of Yanahuara where we will visit to a farm in the Sacred Valley, where we will tour the farm lands, cut alfalfa to feed the guinea pigs, and see first hand how chicha is made. This will be followed by a private gourmet picnic lunch prepared by our chef and will feature local organic produce, including some of our own crops. Enjoy a leisurely lunch outside while overlooking the Sacred Valley . After lunch, we will go to the local authentic non-tourist market in Urubamba. Here we will see local families selling things such as fruits, vegetables, flowers and natural medicinal plants. Your guide will give your a tour of the market and you can taste Peruvian fruits and foods such as passion fruit, lucuma, and chirimoya. We will also learn about the ingredients needed to make chicha, a corn beer that has been an important part of Peruvian culture since Inca times.

Stop At:   Pisac Then we will drive one hour to the majestic ruins at Pisac where we will visit terraced Inca ruins that are situated high on a mountain. From here, we will climb to the top of the ruins and take in amazing views of the Sacred Valley Your guide will teach you about the religious, astronomical and military functions of the site and see the terraces that allowed the Incas to grow food above 11,000 feet. After visiting the Inca ruins, there will be a chance to hike on a little known, seldom used original Inca trail and through a tunnel that was build by the Incas. One of the largest Inca cemeteries is also located in the ruins at Pisac and we can tour this part of the site as well. We will conclude the tour with a trip to Pisac handicraft market in the town to browse such things such as ceramics, jewelry, and weaving. Arrive at Sacred Valley lodging by private transport. 

Admission Ticket Free

Entrance fees (requires purchase of Boleto Turistico for entrance into Ollantaytambo and Pisac ruins (130 soles-$37 covers entrance to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, multiple museums in Cusco, and Sacsayhuaman or 1/2 ticket: 70 soles--$23 which covers only some of these sites)

Day 3: Machu Picchu Tour

After breakfast, take a train to Machu Picchu, the hidden Inca citadel. This 1 -hour train journey is one of the finest in the world. Much of the path winds along the rushing Vilcanota river and snakes through gorges cut into the bases of massive mountainsides, offering passengers dramatic views of the Andean landscape as the train descends from high altitude plains down through the cloud forest. The foliage dramatically changes as the train approaches the meeting point of the Andes and the Upper Amazon rainforest, providing visitors an intimate view of one of the most spectacular transitions in the world.
The train arrives in Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, which is surrounded by tall granite cliffs and a cloud forest inhabited by orchids and hummingbirds.  Head to hotel to drop off bag.

Next, meet your expert, English-speaking guide for a 2-hour tour of the most important sites in Machu Picchu, including the Intihuatana (Sun Stone), the Sun Temple, and the Room of 3 Windows. Machu Picchu is ranked as one of the “must see” archaeological sites in the world. Royal palaces, temples and astronomical observatories cling to a granite spur some 2,000 feet above the valley floor, affording spectacular views of the cloud-wreathed Andes and the Urubamba River far below.
After your tour, you have the option to explore more of the ruins on your own and capture some final photos.

Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. The next morning, make a second visit to get your fill of the enigmatic citadel and then return to Cusco in the evening.

*Optional: Hike up Huayna Picchu, the peak overlooking the Machu Picchu ruins. This hike is steep and takes about 3 hours round trip to complete, but affords spectacular views of the surrounding Andes and views over the Machu Picchu citadel from above. Numerous Inca burials have been found in cavities on this mountain. Please let your Travel Advisor know if you’d like to add this to your itinerary.

The group will stay at Sanctuary Lodge: "Unwind in the shadow of the Lost City

Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located next to the mystifying Inca citadel. As the only Machu Picchu hotel, you’ll be perfectly positioned to feel the heartbeat of this ancient wonder.

Sit out on the terrace and savor Peruvian cuisine based on produce grown on the Lodge’s own plot. This delightful hideaway is the ideal place to relax after a day packed with adventure."  Rates: $1400+/night

https://www.belmond.com/