NATURE, CULTURE & FOODS of the sacred valley

We will pick you up from Cusco airport and travel through the Andean mountains toward the Sacred Valley of the Incas, allowing for a gentle descent ideal for acclimatization. Along the way, visit the colorful Pisac artisanal market, known for its traditional crafts. Enjoy a fresh, healthy lunch at La Base Lamay, featuring local flavors. In the afternoon, take part in the Lamay Village Experience, a guided walk through the village. Meet local hosts who share their daily activities, including bread baking, guinea pig farming and the preparation of chicha de jora, a traditional fermented corn drink. Taste this ancestral beverage and connect with the cultural essence of Lamay. Short drive or walk to your chosen hotel in Lamay or at the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

We will spend the day visiting a mountain community in Lamay, where we will learn about local life and customs, while contributing to their sustainable development. Starting at La Base Lamay, we'll head to the community where our hosts will share with us their customs and lifestyle. Our day will take us along the trails to recognize the wild flora, and its medicinal and nutritional properties. We will participate in agricultural labor according to the season, explore the native crops and the ancient farming techniques. After a healthy traditional lunch, the local women will share with us their weaving arts and will talk about their role in their family and the community. In the afternoon, we'll return to Lamay village and drop you off at your hotel.

This full-day experience explores the cultural, agricultural, and gastronomic heritage of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We begin with a visit to the impressive circular terraces of Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory used to experiment with crops and microclimates. We then continue to the Maras salt mines, where local families have harvested salt using ancestral techniques for generations. Afterward, we visit the Alqa Museum, home to a remarkable collection of contemporary Andean art that reflects identity, memory, and living culture. Then enjoy a Food Experience where we share a traditional Andean meal.

This enriching day begins in Yanahuara, at the Ensifera Bird Sanctuary, a unique hotspot for birdwatching in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Surrounded by native flowers and lush gardens, we observe a wide variety of hummingbirds, including the iconic Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera), the Giant Hummingbird, and the dazzling Sparkling Violet-ear. After connecting with Andean biodiversity, we continue to the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo, where we explore its impressive archaeological site, stone terraces and ancient urban design that still shapes local life today. Our journey ends with a traditional Pachamanca experience at El Albergue, where meats, tubers and vegetables are slow-cooked underground using ancestral techniques. This experience blends nature, living culture and Andean gastronomy, offering a deep and authentic connection to the Sacred Valley.

Starting with an early morning pick-up from your hotel, we transfer to Ollantaytambo to board the train to Machu Picchu. Our guide will meet you on your arrival at the train station in Aguas Calenientes (aka Machu Pichu Village) and take you to the bus stop for the 30-minute drive to the archaeological site. After your guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. The guide will drop you at a restaurant for lunch or to the train station for your return to Ollantaytambo. Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco City.

In the morning, we will drive to Sacsayhuaman and neighboring archaeological sites, where we will discover the impressive architecture and learn how the ancient cultures of Cusco integrated their presence with the natural landscape of the Andes. After the visit, we will hike down the ¨Inca Trail¨ to the San Blas bohemian neighborhood, to enjoy a delicious lunch in a traditional restaurant. After lunch, we will start our tour of the city walking through art galleries filled with colonial handicrafts and Andean textiles. Then we will visit the Cathedral, Qoricancha (the Temple of the Sun) and the Plaza de Armas. If time allows we can go to the Pre-Colombian art museum or other iconic places in the city of Cusco. Then back to the hotel.

Last day in Cusco. Today we will have a free morning to enjoy in our hotel or to walk around city of Cusco. Time to get ready to be transferred to the airport and fly back to Lima or to our next destination.