EXPERIENTIAL GLAMPING AND MACHU PICCHU

Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to the selected hotel. At 2:00 p.m. we will pick you up from your hotel to begin our tour, visiting the Archaeological Centre of Sacsayhuaman, a multipurpose place where the Sun, the Moon and the Earth were worshiped, and which was also used as a military fortress and an astrological centre. Later we will arrive at Q’enco, a cult centre related to the fire element. We continue with Puca Pucara, a place used as a supply centre and Inca checkpoint, where wind ceremonies were also held. At the end of the tour, we will arrive at Tambomachay, centre of cult to water and fertility. Finally, we will return to the city, and we will visit San Blas, the neighbourhood of Cusco artisans, where we will be able to visit some of the most recognized galleries in the city such as the Hilario Mendivil gallery, and then, we will arrive at Hatun Rumiyoc street. In this street we will find the Inca Roca Palace, today known as the Archbishop’s Palace, which we will observe from the outside, to finally be able to admire the world-famous Stone of the Twelve Angles. From here, we will continue towards the imposing main square of Cusco, so that our guide can tell us a little about the history of the city and be able to admire the monuments architectural that surround it. Transfer to your hotel and overnight in Cusco.

Breakfast at the hotel. At 08:00 hrs we will pick you up from your hotel to start our excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be at the Taray viewpoint, from where we will have an imposing view of the majestic Valley. From here, we will go to the town of Pisac, where we will visit its artisan market and the popular fair, located between its narrow streets. Then we will go to the Archaeological Complex of Pisac and visit the lower part, where the agricultural area and the pre-Hispanic cemetery are located, considered the largest in America. Following, we will go to our first Glamping, located between a small Andean forest with native plants and nice panoramic views.

Julián and his family will open us his house so that you can learn about the hidden details of the culture of the Andes. Typical lunch included. Then, we will accompany our hosts to collect the different varieties of medicinal plants that grow in the area and we will learn about the healing properties of each one of them. Return to our Glamping. Typical dinner. Overnight.    (B. L. D.)

Breakfast at the Glamping. At 8.30 am we will start our excursion to Chincheros. The Incas believed that in Chincheros born the rainbow and that is reason enough to visit this scenic town. We will visit the archaeological complex, then visit the Colonial Church of the town, from where we will have incredible views of the mountain. Finally, we will visit the small craft market, located in the middle of the narrow streets of the town, where you can find handicrafts that are a true marvel. Then we will head to the town of Maras, reaching the Salineras Mines that capture the underground water of the mountain and condense it into more than 4,000 artesian wells, which since ancient times served as a supply centre for the Inca Empire.

We will continue our tour visiting the archaeological centre of Moray, characterized of its terraces in circular form, more than 30 meters deep, with several rings of concentric terraces, one of each a different microclimate, a living sign of having been a great centre of experimentation and scientific research for agricultural purposes. Throughout the tour we can enjoy the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

After the visit, we will head to our second Glamping, where María and Mario will welcome us to their land and will show us the surroundings of this wonderful place with panoramic views of immense fields of crops and majestic snow-capped mountains.

Once in the Glamping, we will enjoy a delicious Pachamanca, typical food of the Andes, made underground, cooked in the heat of preheated stones.

After some time to rest, we will have a demonstration of the ancestral techniques of dyeing and spinning of the Andean textile artisans. The fibbers used are from alpaca and sheep wool, and the natural dyes are from plants and insects from the area; an art to achieve the characteristic colours of the Andes.

Finally, we will witness one of the most beautiful ancestral rituals that is still practiced today in this part of the Peruvian Andes. We can learn how people of ancient Peru learned to live in perfect harmony with Mother Earth and to be grateful for all the gifts that she offers us. In the Andean worldview, there is a deep belief that when you are grateful you are connecting with the learning of each experience, with everything you have left on the way, but, above all, you are opening the possibility for everything that happens to flow in perfect harmony with the divine plan. We will honour Mother Earth and our brothers, giving thanks and blessing all what we have the fortune to share every day.   (B. L. D.)

Breakfast at the Glamping. At 9:00 a.m. we will say goodbye to María and Mario and leave our camp to go to Ollantaytambo, a still inhabited Inca City that preserves a complex system of irrigation Canals and foundations of the time when much of the village was built. The archaeological site of Ollantaytambo has large groups of terraces, fortresses, squares, canals and the Sun Royal House, a megalithic temple of great mystical value. After the visit, we will have lunch included in a local restaurant.

Next, we will head to our third Glamping, located in Huilloc, a picturesque Andean town that has managed to keep many of the ancestral customs intact, and where Francisca, Juan and their young children will welcome us. After settling in our tent, we will have the opportunity to learn the original methods of one of the most important activities in the Andes. Agriculture is not only part of survival in this area of ​​Peru, but also of our culture. Local people cultivate, care for and harvest their own food, with potatoes being the main crop, with its more than two thousand varieties in the Andes. This afternoon’s activity consists of learning the ancient methods and help with the task that has to be done in the season. Dinner and overnight at the Glamping.   (B. L. D.)

Breakfast at the Glamping. This morning we will have a very special activity. Children are the future of the world, and they are in charge of proudly defending their culture, language and traditions. We will have the opportunity to visit a school in the Huilloc community and see how they are taught from an early age to love who they are, reinforcing their identity. During the activity you will be able to share with the children, learn about their stories, their wishes and, of course, the future vision of their culture. In reciprocity, you will be able to share your own experiences, as well as the characteristics of the culture you come from, generating a mutual cultural exchange and contributing to tolerance and respect for differences. After this unforgettable experience, we will return to our Glamping to have a lunch and say goodbye to the host family. Following, we will return to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we will board our Vistadome train service bound for the town of Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Overnight.     (B. L.)

Breakfast at the hotel. At the arranged time we will begin the excursion to the Sacred City of Machu Picchu declared by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage for Humanity and chosen as one of the new seven wonders of the world.  We will take our bus up to entrance of the Archaeological Centre and we will start the guided tour that lasts approximately 2 hours. During the tour you will find temples, palaces, squares and streets of military and agricultural areas. The beauty of Machu Picchu is exalted by the extraordinary scenery where it is located. Around the citadel, the National Reserve covers an area of 32.500 hectares and includes a constellation of archaeological monuments which, in our opinion, were built as part of the Machu Picchu complex and not in isolation. Finishing the visit, we will have included our lunch at the restaurant of Belmond Sanctuary Lodge hotel. At the indicated time we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes, to board the Vistadome train service back to the city of Cusco. Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.      (B.L.)

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at your leisure to enjoy by your own of the beautiful city of Cusco or ask with an additional payment an optional excursion.      (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel. At the arranged time we will transfer you to the airport to continue with your itinerary.  (B.)

Meals included in the program:    B=BREAKFAST        L=LUNCH         D=DINNER