Tour Inca Essence 8 Days to Machu Picchu

Sites to Visit Day 2

We will pick you up from the hotel at 6:00 am and start from the imperial city to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first stop is the lookout Q´orao, where we appreciate a magnificent view. The second stop will be at the Archaeological site of Pisaq, and we´ll also enjoy the beautiful products offered by the traditional market.

PISAQ

Possibly its name comes from a type of bird prevalent in the area known as “Pisaqa.” The colonial Pisaq town is in the lower part of the Sacred Valley. The Pisaq Inca Citadel is situated on the mountain upper side above the well-preserved terracing system.

The enormous Pre-Hispanic Cemetery in the region is to the mountain’s west. That cemetery is known as “Tankanamarka”; “Tankay” to push, “Marka” Spot, which may be translated as “Hurling Spot.” According to some estimations, it must have contained about 10,000 tombs.

In the Inca belief, it was stated that once people died, they began a newer life; therefore, their mummies were kept along with all their goods and necessary food in the cemeteries.

PISAQ MARKET

The lower part of the valley settled after 1572 when the “Indians Reductions” were established, by which the Quechua people were forced to live in villages is located.

That small town was made on the Andean way, with narrow and cobbled stone streets, but its main square and a catholic church imposed on the classical Spanish way.

It is in the town’s main square, where the famous “Indian Market” attracts hundreds of peasants from the surrounding communities who come down from the mountains to perform their trading activities.

Usually, those peasants bring agricultural products to the market, which are sold or bartered for some other products or items strange in their mountain lands, such as candles, matches, clothing, salt, coca leaves, tropical fruits, etc. the colorful typical peasant´s clothing dressed the market are very showy, which are very serious clothing and not occasional customs.

The native hats are also easy to distinguish. They are almost always black and flat, typical on their wearers as they got nearly no influence of western culture and spoke just Quechua language.

However, this market was also adapted to the tourist’s needs, and a vast area of it displays handicrafts or “souvenirs”.

Therefore, nowadays it is possible to find two markets in the same spot: the “Indian” one, and the tourist one.

OLLANTAYTAMBO

The National Archeological Park of Ollantaytambo is located at 3600 m.

Ollantaytambo is a Quechua compound word derived from “Ollanta,” which is a personal name, and “Tambo,” which is a word derived from “Tampu,” referred to a place offering lodging food, and comfort for travelers.

Ollantaytambo was a significant fortified town, built as a “Tampu” and enabled control of the roads toward the “Antisuyo” or jungle land. Many historians protected the excellent Inca capital from attacks from the “Antis” people, who were the Inca’s worst enemy.

The current town is located in the same site where the urban area was in Inca times, which is interesting because it is the only spot in Peru where it is possible to find people currently living in the same buildings the nobility Inca society did in old times. Some of its narrow streets still keep their water channels where pristine water flew for the population use, which run on the middle or side of the road. The streets still retain their Inca name.

To the west of the town, the entrance to the religious area is located, which in the lower part has terraces which were used for two purposes: farming and aqueduct by their southern end; likewise, they were used to stop the erosion of the upper side protecting the most important temples located in that area.

A little higher, the spot of the most crucial temple: the “Temple of the Sun.”

CHINCHERO

It is located on a 3780 m. over a plateau that is cold during the early mornings and at night.

Chinchero was one of the essential Inca towns in the region, where even at present, it is possible to see vestiges of its great past.

At present, the traditions know this town as the “Land of the Rainbow” because the Kutchi (rainbow) is frequently seen in the rainy season.

In Chinchero, a lovely market takes place every Sunday morning, one of the region’s most typical and exciting markets. Over here, it is still possible to see goods bartering. People always exchange tropical products such as fruits, coca leaves, or salt from Maras for other regional products such as potatoes, broad beans, ollucos (golden potatoes), etc.

Also, the artisans of Chinchero make the garments with ancestral techniques, such as the use of the «away» and the «loom,» and use products such as alpaca and sheep wool for their preparation. You will enjoy the explanation of this ancient technique and its demonstration. It is said that the Incas did not have writing, but they did write on their textiles!

MARAS MORAY AND SALT MINING

The archaeological center of Maras consists of agricultural terraces, whose use was for experimentation and acclimatization of crops. These were brought from the jungle and were modified to be able to grow in the South American highlands. As a result, more than three thousand varieties of potato and seven of corn were obtained, as well as the best quality of them.

On the other hand, you can also enjoy the Maras Salt Mines. Located more than 3,000 meters above sea level, there are numerous salt ponds from which excellent quality varieties are obtained and traditions as old as the Tahu. Of course, you can enjoy a tasting.

Legend has it that the salty waters that flow from the mountain are the tears of Ayar Cachi. In Inca mythology, this was one of the four brothers who originated the great empire of the Incas: the God Wiracocha made these brothers come out of a cave to found a great empire. Ayar Cachi threw a stone into a mountain, forming a ravine. Then his brothers, fearing his strength, decided to lock him up in a mountain. Ayar Cachi’s tears were so many that they created this shocking place.

Although the mythological story is exciting, the Salt mines also have a scientific explanation. On the slopes of a hill located above the pools, there is an eye of water, which naturally transports, through a stream, the saltwater to the pools. The owners of the pools, all residents of Maras and Pichingoto who inherited the pools from their relatives, wait for the water in the collections to evaporate and several layers of salt accumulate. This process takes about a month and, after it, the salt crystals are removed, so the pool is filled again.

These pools of different colors, mixed with the mountains that surround them and the sunlight, create a landscape that leaves all those who visit them speechless. You won’t get tired of taking photos from each of its corners!

Sites to Visit DAY 3

On this day the Salkantay Trek begins. You’ll be up nice and early today to be ready for us to pick you up around 4 a.m. You’ll travel in our comfortable transportation with blankets to enjoy a bit more sleep on the drive. After 2 hours, we’ll enjoy a brief stop in Mollepata for an optional breakfast. We’ll then continue to Challacancha, where we’ll start our hike.

First, you’ll meet the cooks and horseman, as well as do a final equipment check. Then, we’ll be on our way. You’ll start with a 3-hour moderate walk to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we’ll be spending our first night. The first section is relatively flat with a slight uphill through a deep valley of glaciers. You’ll notice that a lot of the trail follows a restored Inca water channel, which local farmers still use today.

Once you get Soraypampa, you’ll get settled in at our exclusive Andean Huts, where you will sleep this night. You’ll have a bit of time to rest after enjoying your first lunch in the mountains. Feeling refreshed, it’ll be time to start the hike up to the incredible Humantay Lake (4,200 masl / 13,780 fasl). This round trip takes 3 hours.

The Humantay Lake is the female part of Salkantay, it have a special energy. There aren’t many places in the Andes quite as stunning as turquoise waters glistening against the Humantay glacier. Back at camp, you’ll enjoy a delicious and well-deserved dinner with a beautiful sunset. Then you’ll be able to enjoy a night under the stars, constellations, and comets.

Sites to Visit DAY 4

You’ll be woken up today at the first signs of daylight with an energizing cup of coca tea to get you going. Enjoy a nourishing breakfast before we set off on our trek to the highest point of the route; the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). You’ll be walking 7 km / 4.32 miles over 3 hours. It’s a challenging ascent up the trail of the seven snakes, rightly named due to its winding path.

Once you reach the top, you’ll appreciate the most magnificent view over the surrounding valleys and Salkantay Mountain (6,271 masl/20,574 fasl) sitting right next to you, which is the second-highest in the Cusco. You can also observe Humantay, Tarcahuay and Pumasillo mountains.

After you’ve taken in the views, you’ll start a walk downhill to the lunch spot in Wayraqmachay. Finally, we will continue our trek down the valley with beautiful views; this section of the trail is rocky and grave. Along the way, you get some magical tropical forest and witness that changes quickly from the Andes to the Amazon. This day’s clime becomes much warmer, with unique scenery and native plants.

Today we will camp in Chaullay ( 2,900 masl/ 9,514 fasl). You’ll be served a hearty meal in your Andean hut and take a peaceful night sleeping in the small village.

5-Day Glamping Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek Luxury

Salkantay Trek 4 Days

Sites to Visit DAY 5

After breakfast, we will go down to the village of la Playa. We will walk through the valley of Santa Teresa. You’ll enjoy a more leisurely walk with downs in the lush forest and rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations of tropical fruits.

The path you walk will provide you with beautiful views; sometimes, you can interact with the peasants of the area, who will explain the production process of their organic coffee, avocados, passion fruit, etc.

You will also be able to learn more about the valuable product of the coca leaf, which was a leaf highly appreciated by the Incas and the oldest cultures of Peru. At noon we will arrive at the town of Lucmabamba (2,000 masl / 6,562 fasl), where we will spend the night.

In the afternoon, you will have extra time exploring this village and visiting organic coffee farms, especially for those coffee lovers. And see the famous hot spring. At night, you will enjoy your delicious dinner in the Jungle with plenty of wildlife; you will be able to hear the many sounds of nature.

5-Day Glamping Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek Luxury

Sites to Visit DAY 6

Today you will enjoy the first glance of Machu Picchu from Llactapata. After you’ve filled up on fuel at breakfast. This morning you’ll be able to walk along a bit of the original Inca trail to Machu Picchu, and you will see the Inca ruins of Llaqtapata (2,700 masl/ 8,858 fasl). This section is a two-hour uphill climb with fascinating views over the Santa Teresa valley.

Llaqtapata is an Inca archeological site right in front of Machu Picchu. This is the first Inca ruins you will see on the trek, and you will learn about the mysteries of the ancient Peruvian culture. From this natural lookout, you even get to have your first exciting glance of Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. Your guide will fill you in on all the history of the Incas while you take all the photos you want to share of this epic adventure.

Afterward, you’ll walk downhill for 2 hours to the Aobamba valley, our lunch spot before we continue to hydroelectric. Here you have two options:

1. If you consider it is enough walking for today, there is a possibility to take one train ride to the Aguas Calientes town (1 hour), which extra cost is USD 34 per person.
2. If you want to enjoy more adventure and hiking to Aguas Calientes is a flat walk along the side of the train tracks, which takes around 3 hours.

At both options we will meet again at your hotel reception in Aguas Calientes at 5:00 pm, to enjoy our last dinner at a restaurant.

Note: During the rainy season, the hike up to the Llaqtapata isn’t 100% guaranteed due to safety concerns. When there’s frequent heavy rain, this trail can become very dangerous.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days / 4 Nights

Sites to Visit DAY 7

This day is one of the most important as you will have the opportunity to visit the Incas’ fabulous temples and sacred sites. It would help if you got up at 5:00 am and then took the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am.

Our Machu Picchu tickets are authorized to enter the first time at 6:00 am; Within the citadel, you will have a guided tour of the most critical sites for an hour and a half, then you can stay a little longer and explore on your own.

Since the Machu Picchu ticket is valid only for one use, if a person goes out to use the hygienic services, for example, he will not be able to re-enter the sanctuary.

We recommend going down to the town of Aguas Calientes at 11:00 am, since that the 5 hours inside Machu Picchu are enough to know and take all the possible photos. The return train is scheduled at 2:30 pm, bound for the Ollantaytambo station; this trip takes approximately one h 45m. Then you will be picked up by our conductor arriving at your hotel in the city of Cusco at 6:45 pm approx.

Machu Picchu 1 Day Tour

Sites to Visit DAY 8

Rainbow Mountain trek 1 day, just there are in some places in the world, and we have one within Cusco Peru, The Peruvian Rainbow Mountain or Mountain of 7 colors, also known as Vinicunca, is an impressive destination for many, nevertheless, nowadays there are 2 places, Located near the incredible Ausangate Mountain.

Rainbow Mountain Trek 1 day, itself is amazing (4 hrs. Approx round trip.). nevertheless you cand do just in (2 hrs Approx.round trip.)riding horse, We’ll observe llamas and alpacas of the area.  In addition, we’ll pass by many native communities that produce potato and the vista of the Apu Ausangate. the Rainbow mountain Trek 1 Day is just stunning views on the way.

With uninterrupted beauty, you’ll savor this spectacular and unique place. Join us for this unique adventure.

Rainbow Mountain trek 1 day so far is the best alternative trek in Cusco,