Explore the magnificent ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, the most important archeological monument in South America. You'll visit fascinating towns and markets of Quechua Indians in Cusco and the Urubamba Valley. Your home in the jungle is a native-style ecolodge designed to provide comfortable accommodations in a lush rainforest habitat. The area is home for giant river otters, monkeys, and an abundance of birds. Local native guides and resident naturalists share their knowledge of ancient Inca history and tropical ecology on hikes through the mountains and protected reserves.
DAY 1 : LIMA
Arrive in Lima. Transfer from hotel to overnight in the modern district of Miraflores at the Hotel Jose Antonio or similar.
DAY 2 : FLY TO CUSCO
Transfer for early morning one-hour flight to Cusco. Arrival in Cuzco you will be welcomed at the airport and escorted to your exceptional family orientated hotel where you will be briefed on all of your travels during your stay in Peru. Afternoon city tour begins at the impressive Colonial Cathedral in Cusco that contains over 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School and several altars. Next you will visit the Temple of the Sun (or the Korikancha) which was the main religious center of the Incas who worshipped the Sun God. According to Spanish chronicles, when the conquistadores first arrived the walls of the Korikancha were thickly gilded in gold. From here you make our way to the outskirts of Cusco in order to the visit the four ruins that lie less than 8 km from the city center; these archaeological sites include Sacsayhuaman- famous for its enormous carved rocks, the ruins of Puca Pucara, Qenqo, and Tambomachay
DAY 3 : URUBAMBA VALLEY
Full day private guided tour through the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the village of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit Quechua villages where highland Indians tend their fields and sell handcrafts in outdoor markets. Overnight in the serene Urubamba Valley at the Inkaterra Villages where you and your family will be shown to your own private residence for the next few days.
DAY 4 : URUBAMBA VALLEY
After enjoying breakfast at the lodge you and your family will be collected for your horse back riding tour to the Salineras, Maras and Moray. Leaving Cusco you cross the Urubamba River and climb a pass to the altiplano. Upon reaching 1000 meters you cross the altiplano and head towards the Salinas, a fascinating system of platforms used since the Inca times to extract salt from a natural mountain spring. Continuing on route you will be led uphill to an altitude of approximately 3700 meters where you will level off to find spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains of Chicon, Veronica, and Mount Salcantay. The horse trail then leads down to Maras, a typical Andean village that is home to a beautiful 400 year colonial old church and has some breathtaking salt mines on its outskirts. Following a brief guide of the salt mines you will be lead onwards to Moray which used to function as an agricultural experimentation laboratory during the times of the Inca. The Inca were great horticulturalists and owing to the experimentation done in Moray we can thank them for a variety of food stuffs we enjoy today. Following a tour around the area you will return to your lodge in the Sacred Valley.
DAY 5 : URUBAMBA VALLEY
After waking up and enjoying breakfast you and your family will be taken to the Sacred Valley's famous Ceramics Seminario to learn all about ceramic making in the region.
Owned and run by renowned sculptor and potter Pablo Seminario and his wife Marilú, the ceramic workshop is located in an enchanting area of the Sacred Valley. A large number of artisans create a number of the ceramics under the guidance of the creative couple at the workshop. Ceramics and sculptures are made from the red clay found in the Sacred Valley and reflect both the artistic talent of Pablo and Marilu as well as the culture of the area. The ceramics include everything from murals and sculptures to vases and totems. A large amount of artistic utilitarian ceramic dinnerware is also produced at the workshop, and much of this is on sale on site. Following a tour around the workshop where you will meet many of the principal characters involved in the ceramic production, you may purchase a few ceramics on site. After the tour you and your family will be returned to your lodge in the Sacred Valley.
DAY 6 : MACHU PICCHU
Transfer to the Ollanta station and ride the train to Machu Picchu. Your guide will assist you with hotel check-in then accompany you on a private, guided tour of the ruins before he returns to Cusco, leaving you free to photograph and explore on your own time. Includes first class reserved train tickets, bus tickets up and down the mountain, lunch and one-time entrance fee. Overnight near the ruins of Machu Picchu in the Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel or similar. [BL]
DAY 7 : MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
Take the early shuttle bus to be among the first to enter Machu Picchu this day. Enjoy the morning on your own to wander, contemplate, and photograph the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of this magnificent citadel. Optional hike up the precipitous Wayna Picchu peak, or up the Inca Trail to the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun). Leisurely mid-afternoon return on the Pullman train back to Cusco arriving by evening. Transfer to overnight at the hotel BLD]
DAY 8 : LEISURE DAY IN CUSCO
Free day in Cusco an opportunity for shopping or visit museums in the city
DAY 9 : CUSCO / LIMA
Transfer from hotel to the Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima and Home.
