Today we dive right into the beautiful scenery that the Sacred Valley has to offer!  We start the day with morning yoga and then venture to the picturesque town of Chinchero where we begin our moderate downhill hike, perfect for adapting to the altitude of the Andes.  This 3.5 hr trek offers breathtaking views of peaks, valleys and Quechua communities and passes the magnificent Poc Poc Waterfall.  Afterwards, we will have lunch in the town of Urquillos before heading back to our home in Calca for the evening.

This morning we begin our trek to Machu Picchu.  From Ollanta we embark on a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes.  This route is considered one of the best train routes in the world as it passes through beautiful landscapes as well as Andean towns and their fields.  After our private tour of Machu Picchu, we have time to explore the picturesque town of Aguas Calientes and visit its shops and eateries.  

This morning we slow down a bit with morning yoga and a leisurely breakfast. Our tours today will take us to the incredible archeological site of Moray and the world renowned Maras Salt Mines. We'll enjoy a late lunch with a spectacular panoramic view and a special experience with llamas and alpacas before heading back to our house in Calca to rest up for an active day tomorrow...

With breakfast to go, we are out the door early today for a special Shamanic ritual followed by a hike to the stunning Catarata Perolniyoc and ruins. Next, we'll rest and enjoy an authentic culinary experience in the town of Ollanta, the best surviving example of Inca city planning.  After lunch and some time to wander the ancient cobblestone streets and open air markets, our guides will lead us through the majestic ruins of the Ollantaytambo Temple and Fortress. Dinner will be together at our house in Calca.

Today we visit the beautiful alpine lake, La Laguna de Piuray where we dive deeper into Andean culture with Peruvian textile and Pachamanca demonstrations.  Pachamanca is a traditional Peruvian dish cooked underground with hot stones.  While our lunch is cooking, we'll explore the area on stand up paddle board, kayak, or canoe or chill by the water. 

After a week of acclimatizing, today we begin our picturesque trek to Huchuy Qosco, a rarely visited but wonderful archeological park. Also called Little Cusco, the park sits on a plateau at 3650 meters altitude with spectacular views of the Sacred Valley and the Vilcabamba Mountain range. We will follow an Incan trail on this moderately difficult hike, reaching an altitude of 4320 meters before descending to Huchuy Qosco. The whole trek should take 5-6 hours depending on our pace.

After lunch, we'll have time to explore the ruins of this hidden gem and relax with some gentle stretches on the beautiful terraces.  We will enjoy dinner and stay the night in some nearby huts before our descent the next morning.

It's the last day of our core itinerary!

This morning we'll descend from Huchuy Qosco into the Sacred Valley and then back to our house in Calca where hot showers await us. After some downtime at the house, we'll head to the charming village of Pisac for our farewell lunch together.

Those leaving Cusco tonight will catch our shuttle back to the airport. For those adding a night, we'll have extra time to peruse the vibrant shops in Pisac before our sunset tour of the Pisac ruins and dinner back at the house.

* For those leaving Cusco today, we suggest booking your flight to Lima no earlier than 7:00pm

Today we say goodbye to our home in Calca and return to Cusco.  In Cusco, you will have 2 options for morning activities: 

1) Tour two of the most culturally important sites in the Inca Empire: Koricancha- the Golden Temple of the Sun, and the remarkable Sacsayhuaman Fortress.  

2) Leisurely hike to the ruins of Inkilltambo and down into old town Cusco.  Option for some cold water therapy and tension release at a refreshing and powerful waterfall pool on the way!

A second farewell lunch in Cusco marks the end of our 9 day adventure.

* For those leaving Cusco today, we suggest booking your flight to Lima no earlier than 7:00pm

We highly encourage an extra night in Cusco to explore more of this vibrant city.  We will stay at the award-winning Antigua Casona Boutique Hotel.  Located within Cusco's oldest, continuously lived-in neighborhood, Antigua Casona is a beautifully restored Casona offering colonial charm and modern comfort.  The narrow cobble stone streets of the San Blas neighborhood are lined with the remains of Incan architecture and colonial casonas, where artisans, boutiques, and coffee shops now reside.  Full breakfast is included.

After a rejuvenating night at the Casona, the day is yours to experience Cusco on your own or with new friends from our group.  This gem of a city is often overlooked as travelers pass by on their way to Machu Picchu, but it's stunning setting, beautiful architecture, abundance of handcraft and woolen textiles and amazing food scene make it a fantastic destination in an of itself!  Take the day to pamper yourself at the spa or explore the shops and museums of this UNESCO heritage city.