Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour 3 days

SACRED VALLEY AND MACHU PICCHU TOUR 3 DAYS 

ITINERARY

CHINCHERO – CHINCHERO MARKET – MARAS – MORAY 

At 09:00 am, you are met by your tour guide and driven to the “Sacred Valley of the Incas”, a succession of picturesque Andean towns, agricultural terraces, and many archaeological sites, as well as the world’s most famous white corn cultivated for export. This morning drive to Chinchero where you may enjoy its church and then visit the home of artist and master weaver Nilda Callañaupa. Peruvian textiles, recently believed to be a generation away from extinction, are making a surprising comeback. The revival of the country’s 2,000-year-old weaving techniques is largely due to Nilda Callañaupa, who is working with six mountain villages to resurrect symbolic patterns and avoid the garish chemical dyes and synthetic yarns. You will enjoy a highly educational weaving demonstration; learn about wool spinning, natural dyes, traditional patterns and weaving techniques used in the region of the Andes.

From Nilda’s home you cross the Chinchero pampa (flat land) you take the turning to the town of Maras and the archaeological site of Moray. You begin your tour by visiting the “Agricultural laboratory” of Moray. This consists of circular concentric geological depressions, reinforced by agricultural terracing following the shape of these geological lines. There are considerable temperature differences between these levels, which facilitated the adaptation of plant species in different ecological levels, especially the adaptation of the important Sacred leaf of Mama Coca.

Leave this interesting archeological site to follow to Maras Pampa, where people farm the land and rear cattle and sheep. The Urubamba mountain range and its snow-capped peaks provide a spectacular background for your hike. In the town of Maras you see the fronts of the ancient houses, made from finely worked stone indicative of the economic heights achieved by the town’s population at that time. Continue your walk through spectacular Quechua scenery, to arrive at the Salineras of Maras (Maras Salpans), whose bright white can be seen from a long way away. These salt mines have been exploited for centuries and continue in use (recently elegant bath products and table salt made from Maras Salt have come on the market). At the end of this tour we are going to head to our exclusive restaurant and have lunch. At the end of our tour, we will be back in Cusco City at around 6 pm.

OLLANTAYTAMBO – MACHU PICCHU

At 08:00 am, visit the still-thriving Inca Village of Ollantaytambo set below an ancient Inca fortress and temples with the most amazing views over the valley, you can either just stroll through the quaint streets of the present town or visit the Ollantaytambo ruins. Admire the magnificence of this important Inca site and stroll through the quaint streets of the present Inca village.

Then, we will be transferred to Ollantaytambo station, at 10:32 board the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, enjoy a unique train ride towards the marvelous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Get the most outstanding views of the Urubamba River, which cuts its way through green fields beneath the high peaks of the Andean glaciers. 12:11 Disembark from the train at Aguas Caliente you will have lunch at an exclusive restaurant. From Aguas Calientes, you will climb up a hillside to Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas”. Machu Picchu which means “Old Mountain”, is a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the seven new wonders of the world. In the afternoon when there were almost no people, we spent around 2 hours and part of the afternoon visiting the Sacred Inca citadels, exploring its main temples and hidden corners.

After sightseeing in Machu Picchu, we will board our bus down to the Village of Machu Picchu and check in at your hotel.

MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Today is your second chance to visit Machu Picchu. An early wake-up to admire Machu Picchu in the early morning is recommended before the crowds arrive. This morning you will have an opportunity to visit Machu Picchu on your own and if you have the permits, you can hike the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the afternoon take the bus to return to Aguas Calientes to take the Expedition train at 14:55 board the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo station, at the station you will be received by our representative and drive to your hotel in Cusco.