Living Cultures

We will pick you up in the Cusco airport and drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In the road we will start our journey in the huge Andean mountain range and descento to the Sacred Valley of the Incas for a better acclimatization and joy. Stop for lunch at La Base Lamay, to try a simple but healthy and tasty local lunch. Ideal for your first day in the Sacred Valley. Short and pleasant walk in the village of Lamay, The Lamay Village Experience. After lunch, we will Join a unique walking experience where we will connect with the locals and learn about traditional activities in Lamay, a little village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will start our walk visiting the church of Lamay, built in the 17th century and filled with plenty of artwork. Then we will walk to Anacleto´s bakery where he will tell us stories and share with us how important is being in charge of the main bakery of Lamay. Then, Abel or Yoni, will share with us all about guinea pig breeding and how a traditional activity has transformed into a business opportunity. Marta or Modesta will demonstrate the process of making the ¨Chicha de Jora¨ a traditional fermented corn drink with plenty of benefits and strong cultural importance. We will be able to try the chicha and for a fresh taste of Lamay. Short drive or walk to your chosen hotel in Lamay or at the Sacred Valley fo 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.

We will leave our hotel and drive toward Ollantaytambo to visit the famous Inca living village and its amazing fortress. Visiting in the morning ensures that we will meet no crowds at this busy attraction. Afterwards, we will head to the high plateaus of the Sacred Valley and visit the picturesque village of Maras, followed by a traditional but gourmet lunch at UNU where exceptional dining meets spectacular views. After lunch, we will visit the circular terraces of Moray, an impressive agricultural experimentation center where ancient inhabitants developed a wide variety of Andean crops. Next, we will head to the ancestral salt mines of Maras, which are still active and managed by the local community. We can walk down to the Vilcanota River, or drive all the way to your hotel or our next destination.

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.