Fleeting Cusco

The adventure begins early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. On board our tourist transport, we leave the city behind and enter the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

The journey of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes will take us to Ollantaytambo, the last living Inca village. During the trip, the landscape changes: golden hills and fertile crop fields that still preserve ancestral techniques, majestic snow-capped mountains that dominate the horizon and crystal clear rivers that wind between the Andean valleys. Before arriving at the train station, and if time permits, we will make a brief stop at a viewpoint, from where you can contemplate the magnitude of the Sacred Valley and capture photographs of this incredible environment.

From Ollantaytambo, we will board the Expedition tourist train, which will take us on a 1 hour and 45 minute journey to Aguas Calientes.

The train ride is one of the most memorable experiences of this tour, following the course of the Urubamba River that descends into the depth of the valley, crossing cloud forests, rugged mountains and ancient Inca terraces, while the landscape progressively changes from the mountains to the jungle eyebrow, with lusher vegetation and more humid air. Thanks to the panoramic windows and the balcony on board, you can enjoy this natural spectacle with an unparalleled view, fully immersing yourself in the majesty of the surroundings.

From Aguas Calientes, we will board the ecological bus that ascends a winding road to the entrance to Machu Picchu. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes and is one more opportunity to observe how the landscape is transformed, surrounded by lush vegetation, imposing mountains and the constant murmur of the Urubamba River that flows to the bottom of the valley.

During the ascent, you will begin to feel the excitement of being closer and closer to one of the wonders of the modern world. The arrival at the archaeological complex is impressive: when you get off the bus, you will be just a few steps away from entering one of the most emblematic sites in Andean history. The entire entry process is accompanied by our guide, who will make sure that you access without any hiccups and start your tour with all the necessary information to live the experience to the fullest.

Upon crossing the entrance, the first visual impact is indescribable: terraces, temples and stone passageways emerge in perfect harmony with the mountain, surrounded by an abyss of green valleys and Andean peaks.

For approximately 3 hours, our professional bilingual guide will take you through the most important sectors of Machu Picchu, where places such as the Temple of the Sun, a sacred enclosure where the Incas paid tribute to the sun, with perfectly carved walls and a strategic location to observe the solstice; the Intihuatana, one of the most mysterious pieces of the citadel, a sculpted stone that functioned as a sundial and astronomical tool; the Sacred Square, the social and political center where ceremonies and meetings of great importance were held; the Temple of the Three Windows, a symbolic structure with impressive precision in the carving of its stones; and the agricultural terraces, an example of Inca ingenuity in land management and microclimates, fundamental for their self-sufficiency.

After the visit, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to have lunch at one of the local restaurants and enjoy the Andean cuisine, tour the artisan market to bring handmade souvenirs by local artisans or relax in the hot springs and recharge your batteries before the return trip.

We will board the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo, enjoying again the scenery of the Sacred Valley. From Ollantaytambo, a tourist transport will take us back to Cusco, where we will arrive in the evening, marking the end of an unforgettable experience in Machu Picchu.

Our first stop is in Chinchero, a town that seems frozen in time. Surrounded by mountains and with one of the most spectacular views of the valley, Chinchero is known for its expert weavers who keep an ancestral tradition alive. We visit the ancient Inca palace, on which the Spaniards built a colonial church with impressive frescoes. This place is a symbol of the merging of two worlds and a testament to the cultural resilience of the Andes.

We continue to Moray, a masterpiece of Inca engineering. From above, its concentric terraces look like a natural amphitheater, but they were actually used as an experimental system of cultivation. Each level has its own microclimate, allowing the Incas to simulate different environmental conditions to domesticate and improve crops. A fascinating example of how this civilization dominated the Andean geography. The green terraces contrast with the reddish earth, creating a breathtaking sight for photography and history lovers.

Just a few minutes from Moray, we find an unusual landscape: the Maras Salt Mines. More than 3,000 stepped pools reflect the sun, forming a spectacle of white and ochre tones that seem to be taken from another world. Since pre-Inca times, this salt has been extracted by hand and is still one of the purest in the world. We watch as workers collect crystallized salt and have the opportunity to taste different varieties, including the famous pink salt from the Andes. The contrast of the salt with the mountains and the blue sky makes this place a perfect setting to capture unique moments.

We pause to enjoy a buffet lunch in a panoramic restaurant, where local gastronomy takes center stage. From nutritious quinoa to giant corn from the Sacred Valley, tender meats and fresh salads, each dish is a reflection of the most authentic Andean ingredients. To help with digestion and altitude, a muña or coca infusion is the perfect complement. While we eat, live music and the view of the mountains create an unparalleled atmosphere.

We head to Ollantaytambo, an Inca citadel that still preserves its original layout. Its cobbled streets, crystal clear water canals and stone houses transport us to the golden age of the empire. We climb the imposing terraces that lead to the Temple of the Sun, a place built with gigantic blocks of red granite assembled with impressive precision. This site was the scene of one of the few Inca victories over the Spanish conquistadors. From the top, the view of the valley is unmatched: the Urubamba River winds through the fields, while the mountains guard the Inca deposits that once supplied the entire empire.

Our last stop is Pisac, an archaeological complex with terraces perfectly carved into the mountain. Its temples, warehouses and viewpoints were key in the agricultural and military strategy of the Incas. Back in the village, we immerse ourselves in the Pisac artisan market, a festival of colors and aromas where merchants exhibit their textiles, ceramics and jewelry in silver. Here, the tradition of barter is still practiced, and it is possible to exchange local products such as grains and fruits for other goods.

Before returning to Cusco, we stop at a viewpoint for a final panoramic view of the Sacred Valley. The golden light of sunset tints the mountains, and the silence is only interrupted by the wind that descends between the Andean peaks.

At the end of the day, we return to the city with the feeling of having traveled not only a valley, but a piece of Inca history that is still alive in every corner of these lands.