Considered one of the most important oracles of the Andean World, Pachacamac is an old pre-Hispanic site located just outside the city of Lima. Its believed that this archaeological site was the main sanctuary of the Andean coast for more than 1500 years and was inhabited by priests devoted to the worship of the Pachacamac God. Historically Pachamac is a perfect place to learn about Peruvian history and have a better understanding of the pre-Columbian civilizations. This site, which served initially as a ceremonial center for the Lima culture, was later expanded by the Wari before being overtaken by the Ychma and finally occupied by the Incas.

After exploring the archaeological site, its adobe temples, and its museum, we'll drive to Casa Blanca. On this agroecological farm, Carmen and Ulises have developed an exciting agricultural circular system. For example, they breed guinea pigs for their meat but also produce organic fertilizer and biogas. We'll make a tour around the farm to see the different types of products they grow in the area. 

For lunch, we'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Lima Outskirts, then on our way back to Lima Urban area, we'll stop at Morro Solar, where we will have a look at the Lima coastline, which is amazing, and also learn about its importance for Peruvian History. 

Accommodation: Villa Barranco, Boutique Hotel 

  We’ll first meet Vicente Rayo from “Sonidos del Ande” an artisanal project seeking to recover and showcase the traditional process of making musical instruments in clay, exploring the ancestral sounds employed by the Incas and other Pre-hispanic cultures. We’ll join Vicente and her wife Tania for a short walk with their animals (mainly Alpacas and Llamas) and make a nice offering to Mother Earth on a special location next to the river at the back side of the Pisac Archaeological site. This will be a very powerful and spiritual experience where we’ll give thanks to mother earth. From here, we then head towards the community of Viacha, in the higher slopes of the Pisaq archaeological park. Here, Julian and his family will welcome you to the community and invite you to lunch together. Your hosts will show you around their beautiful place and share with you more about their culture and daily activities. Lunch will be served at Julian’s house and then you can try your skills with the Chakitajlla. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Cusco. 

During your time in the Sacred Valley, you will be staying at Las Casitas del Arcoiris. This hotel is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and the spectacular nature of the Andes. Come stay with us and experience Peru and its culture like you never thought you would. By staying here you are helping to create a better future for the communities of the Sacred Valley. They donate our profits to the Niños del Arco Iris Foundation which provides education and health services to more than 160 children from the Sacred Valley and their families.

Before the arrival of Europeans, the Incas traveled with hundreds of llamas around their territory to move several products from one town to another. Today, enjoy a leisurely walk in the picturesque surroundings of Urubamba with the beautiful llamas part of the Llamapack Project. This initiative seeks to value the traditional usage of llamas in herding communities. Your mission today will be to take them out to their grazing spot while you learn all about this noble native animal. After lunch at a nice local restaurant, we'll drive you to Moray, a unique Inca site consisting of circular terraces built upon a natural depression. Afterward, we will visit Maras, an impressive salt-extraction complex composed of thousands of small ponds. Locals have been collecting and selling the salt at the markets of the region since before the Inca times! 

Notes about the llama walk: 

* Trekking distance:  1.5km (1.5 hours hiking) 

* Altitude:  2700 to 2900 m.a.s.l.

Included Activities:  Guided walk with Llamas in the Sacred Valley and visit Maras salt mines-Moray circular terraces.

Optional activities: Only if time permits, visit the colorful Chinchero village for a weaving demonstration.

Transportation: Approx. 25 minutes from your hotel to the point of beginning of the llama walk / 1 hour from Llama point start to Maras-Moray area.

Machu Picchu, here we come! In the morning we’ll enjoy a train journey to Aguas Calientes, a spectacle in itself as we'll be able to appreciate the changing landscape from green fields and eucalyptus forests to lush jungle, always traveling beside the meandering Urubamba River. Upon arriving, we'll take a 30-minute bus up to Machu Picchu, surrounded by an impressive mountain setting. Once here, you'll enjoy your first views of the fantastic scenery while we share with you an introduction to the Inca site before start exploring every corner of the lost Inca citadel. The afternoon is a great time to take our guided tour around the site since many travelers may have left. At the appropriate time, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where your private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel after this long but fun day. 

Notes: 

· Be sure to be at the train station 30 minutes before the train departure.

· Please don't forget to bring your passport since it's required when entering Machu Picchu. 

Included Activities:  Guided excursion to Machu Picchu and train journey back to Cusco.

Optional activities: If time permits, you can visit the local market of Aguas Calientes or a butterfly farm.

Transportation: Approx. 1 1/2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu town by train / 30 minutes from Machu Picchu village to the citadel's entrance / 1 1/2 hours Machu Picchu town to Ollantaytambo by train / 1 1/2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco hotel.

Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel) 

This time we'll have the entire day to explore the city on our own. Cusco is alive, and you can find activities according to your interests. If you would like to take a short walk, you could head uphill to the Cristo Blanco viewpoint or San Cristobal convent, both perfect for watching a beautiful sunset. We could also visit some local museums, several from natural history to art. Take a walk around Cuesta San Blas in search of local workshops and galleries. Some of the most renowned are Hilario Mendivil and Maximo Laura, among many other impressive art proposals. Finally, a night in Cusco is the perfect opportunity to see the stars and constellations. 

Optional afternoon/evening activities: Pisco lessons with tasting, Evening folkloric show, Buffet dinner with live Andean music.

Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel) 

Strap on our walking shoes and get ready for a soft hike around the historical center of Cusco and the surrounding countryside! We begin the tour on the outskirts of Cusco with a visit to Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca fortress overlooking the city. Next, we'll start an easy one-hour descent walk through a small portion of an old Inca road, one of the best-preserved in the area, until arriving at the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas. Our tour will take you not only through the top landmarks in Cusco, such as the Main Square, and the "Koricancha" or Temple of the Sun, but you will also walk into its lively neighborhoods and local markets where you'll discover the true magic of this city. This is the perfect way to get a more authentic feel of this fantastic place and its people. A spot we like to visit, where few others go, is San Francisco Church. It has impressive colonial architecture, catacombs, and excellent rooftop views of the city.

Included Activities:  Visit Koricancha, San Francisco convent & Sacsayhuaman Fortress.

Optional afternoon activity: Take a cooking class or chocolate lessons.

Transportation: Approx. 20 minutes from the city center to Sacsayhuaman Fortress.

Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel)  

It's time to visit the offbeat Rainbow Mountain! Palccoyo Is an extraordinary experience in the Vilcanota Mountain Range and a great alternative to the more visited Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. We will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and drive for about 3 hours to the starting point of our trek. Once here, we'll be able to see the spectacular striated mountains and the snow-capped peaks of Ausangate, as we hike along the area. The hike is short and flat; you only walk about one kilometer to reach the mountain at a lower altitude (4, 700 masl) with marvelous views and few people. After some time at the top, we begin our return hike and then drive back to Cusco, where we should be arriving at around 5 pm. 

Included Activities:  Guided visit to Palccoyo Mountain, box lunch with mountain views 

Optional activities: If time permits, we can visit the church of Checacupe town.

Transportation: Approx. 2 1/2 hours to the hike's point of beginning.

Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel)  

Today we take a beautiful bus ride departing from Cusco heading towards the city of Puno. We will pick you up and drive to the local station to board our tourist bus. On route, we'll pass various small Andean towns, populated with herds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas and with breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains in the background. On the journey, we stop to visit different attractions such as Pukara, La Raya, Racchi, and the famous Andahuaylillas Church baptized as the Sistine Chapel of America. We will enjoy a buffet lunch on route, including Andean and international food. We will be arriving in Puno at 17: 30 hours. 

Today, we will have a full day visiting Lake Titicaca's impressive landscapes and lively communities.
We will pick you up at 7 am and begin our sailing excursion to the floating reed islands of Uros. We will spend some time with the community and learn about the construction of the islands, using reed that grows on the shores of the lake.
Next, we continue our journey to Amantani, where the residents of this island will welcome and invite us to their houses. After having a simple but delicious lunch, we will join a scenic hike through the island.
At night, we can join a local celebration with the villagers before resting in our charming homestay.

Note:
Local villagers don’t speak English, then be ready to use some words in Spanish along with hand gestures. Your English-speaking guide will be with you in case you need assistance.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Family fomestay at Amantani

 Today, after a simple but tasty local breakfast, we depart from Amantani towards Taquile by boat. This is a beautiful Mediterranean-like island, where we'll be able to witness how the Taquileans have kept alive their traditions for centuries. Their colorful clothing and their unique knitted and woven textile handicrafts are spectacular to see. Following, we will have lunch (not included) in a local restaurant with amazing views of Titicaca Lake.  Finally, we'll walk down the stone stairs to the dock, from where we will board our boat back to Puno. We should be arriving at around at 15:30 to Puno. 

After a great time in the Andes, it is now time to continue to Lima. At the coordinated time, we'll head to Juliaca's airport to catch our flight back to Lima and international connecting flights to your next destination. Hopefully, you will be heading home full of happy memories, new friends, and great pictures of your time with us!

Transportation: Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes from Puno hotel to Juliaca airport.