Sacred Valley Tour in Peru

Explore the Sacred Valley and the Incan ruins throughout the region. We will begin with a tour of Cusco, this amazing town sits over 11,000 ft and is our base for exploring. Our tour will take us to incredible engineering feats and ancient ruins, the most famous being, Machu Picchu. We will take in the typical tourist sights, as well as some unique places with fewer crowds. Price based on a minimum of 10 participants. Registration closes on May 15, 2023.

Trip Dates: Tuesday, August 29 - Monday, September 4, 2023 (not including travel to/from Cusco)
Cost: $1390 (based on double occupancy)
Steep grade: 3/5 (high altitude)

Tuesday, August 29 - Arrive in Cusco and do a short walking tour around Cusco city. We will visit some of the local neighborhoods including the famous San Pedro Market. 
- Hotel in Cusco

Wednesday, August 30 - City Tour
A half day tour around Cusco to see the Inca sites within the city limits. Our guide will take us to explore 6 sites while giving us facts about the history and culture of these incredible places. We learn more about the Incas and Cusco while enjoying the vibrant environment of this magical city!
- Hotel in Cusco

Thursday, August 31- Sacred Valley
We will start our journey by visiting the town of Chinchero. Chinchero is located over 3,800 meters or 12,450ft (the highest town of the Sacred Valley). We will visit one of the famous textiles centers to see how these bright textiles are made and to give us an opportunity to purchase some of these beautifully handcrafted items. After that, we will visit the Inca site and the small church that belongs to the XVII century.

Next, we will drive to Urubamba district to enjoy a nice buffet lunch (not included). After we enjoy our lunch, we will continue our journey to the town of Ollantaytambo (2,790 meters or 9,153ft) to learn about the Inca site located there. It was the state of the Pachacutec Emperor who conquered the region, built the town and the ceremonial center we will learn more about. The Inca site in Ollantaytambo belongs to the 15th century!

We will head to the train station in Ollantaytambo to board our train which will take us to Aguas Calientes, which sits at the foot of Machu Picchu. We will check into our accommodations and enjoy a nice dinner in town (on your own).
- Hotel in Aguas Caliente

Friday, September 1 - Machu Picchu
The highlight of our trip, Machu Pichhu! We will wake up before the sun rises to catch one of the first buses that will take us up to Machu Picchu. Our guide will take us on a 2 hour tour which will include the history, culture, and fun facts about this magical and ancient place.  You will then have a little time to explore on your own or have the chance to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (these need to be reserved in advance).

We will enjoy lunch back in Aguas Calientes and have a little time to relax before heading to the train to start our journey back to Cusco.
- Hotel in Cusco

Saturday, September 2 - Moray & Maras
We will take the morning train back to Ollantaytambo. Our driver will be waiting for us and we will make the trip to Moray and Maras. These two sites are much less traveled and you are able to truly soak in your surroundings without the large crowds. First, we will visit a very mysterious Inca site, Moray. It is still unclear what this group of terraces was used for and many experts have their hypothesis. Inca terraces were heavily used for agriculture but many experts believe that Moray was not used for agriculture but for experimenting.

After visiting Moray, you will visit the Maras salt mines. This site consists of thousands of individual salt ponds date back to the Incan times. Depending on the time of year you visit, these salt ponds will look vastly different because of the stages of the mining process they are in at that time. You will have the opportunity to purchase some of this locally mined salt which makes for great gifts to bring home!
-Hotel in Cusco

Sunday, September 3 - Perolniyoc Waterfall and Racaypata Inca site
We will head out to the Sacred valley in the morning to hike and explore a beautiful waterfall and Inca site. This is a moderate hike with amazing and breathtaking views!
- Hotel in Cusco

Monday, September 4 - Depart or continue on…
Begin your journey back to the States or continue exploring

Are you interested in this adventure, but want to go in 2024? Click here and get on the list.

Included:
6 nights lodging (double occupancy)
Breakfast at the hotel (when the schedule allows)
Ground transportation
English speaking tour guide
Entry fees
Steep Adventures host

Not included:
International airfare to Cusco
Meals (lunch & dinner)
Tips & Gratuities
Personal expenses

 

Salkantay Trek in Peru

Take the road less traveled on the remote Salkantay Trail ending in Aguas Caliente, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. Experience the beauty of the Andes and the wonder of the ancient ruins left by the Incas. This 37-mile trail will take us past glacier lakes, up a 15,255 ft mountain pass, and on clear nights seeing countless stars and constellations. To provide adequate time to acclimate to the altitude for the high moutain pass, we will spend some time prior to the trek exploring the Sacred Valley, volunteering at an orphanage, and seeing the Rainbow Mountains.

Trip Dates: Wednesday, September 6 - Friday, September 15, 2023 (not including travel to/from Cusco)
Cost: $1850 (based on double occupancy)
Steep grade: 5/5 (must be able to hike up to 10 miles with a backpack and at high elevation)

Wednesday, September 6 - Arrive in Cusco & half-day tour of Incan ruins
- Hotel in Cusco

Thursday, September 7 - Sacred Valley
We will leave the hotel early for a private tour of the Sacred Valley. Chinchero is located over 3,800 meters or 12,450ft (the highest town of the Sacred Valley). We will visit one of the famous textiles centers to see how they are made and to give you an opportunity to purchase some of these beautifully handcrafted textiles. After that, we will visit the Inca site and the small church that belongs to the XVII century.

Next, we visit the town of Ollantaytambo (2,790 meters or 9,153ft). This was the state of the Pachacutec Emperor who conquered the region, built the town and the ceremonial center we will learn more about. The Inca site in Ollantaytambo belongs to the 15th century!

After our visit, we will drive to the Urubamba district to enjoy a nice buffet lunch. We will then continue our journey towards the charming town of Pisac (2,970 meters or 9,744ft). You will have the opportunity to visit a jewelry factory to learn how the products are made and have an opportunity to purchase a piece of the handmade jewelry. After that, we will drive up to the Inca site which sits atop a hill at the entrance to the valley. We will explore and learn about these farming terraces and the surrounding Inca artifacts.
- Hotel in Cusco

Friday, September 8- Andahuaylillas - Volunteering at an orphanage
We will depart the hotel early and drive to Andahuaylillas. We will spend the day interacting with the children of Azul Wasi (a local orphanage). We will enjoy a BBQ in the fresh air surrounded by the magnificent Andes. After a day with the children, we will drive back to Cusco.

Andahuaylillas is a small, quaint town about 30 miles south of Cusco. It sits at approximately 10,262 feet elevation (about 1,000 feet lower than Cusco). The drive from Cusco to Andahuaylillas is serene and beautiful. Passing small towns, lakes and magnificent mountains along the way.
- Hotel in Cusco

Saturday, September 9 - Palccoyo Mountain (Rainbow Mountain)
We will start this full-day tour very early in the morning to beat the crowds. We will be able to take our time and soak in the vibrantly colored scenery as we go. The hike itself is short and gradual but the altitude can pose some challenges as it sits at 16,000 feet or 4900 meters. Palccoyo is part of the Red Valley, so along with the “rainbow mountain” you will be able to witness many peaks filled with different shades of red.
- Hotel in Cusco

Sunday, September 10 - Salkantay Trek begins
We will start our journey from the hotel in Cusco city bright and early in the morning. We will stop in Mollepata for a light breakfast and to use the facilities. After our quick stop, we will head to the starting point of our trek where we will meet our horsemen and their mules and horses. We will hike up to the awe-inspiring Humantay Lake and soak in the breathtaking views of this glacier lake. We will finish our day in Soraypampa which is in the glacier valleys.
-Tent

Monday, September 11 - Salkantay Trek continues
Today we will hike to highest point of the trek; Salkantay Pass (15,255ft/4,650m). The  3 hour ascent to the pass is quite challenging. When we finally reach the top, we will be rewarded with spectacular views. Salkantay mountain is the second highest mountain in the Cusco region and is considered a sacred mountain. We will end our day in Chaullay Village, which sits quite a bit lower than Salkantay Pass at 9,514ft/2,900m.
- Tent

Tuesday, September 12 - Salkantay Trek continues
Today we will hike through the Santa Teresa Valley. We will be able to see serene waterfalls and beautiful wild orchids. We will have the opportunity to visit local coffee farms. You will also be able to taste coffee and buy locally sourced coffee beans to bring home!   The coffee from Santa Teresa is something you do not want to miss. Today you will also have the option to visit the hot springs of Colcalmayo.
- Tent

Wednesday, September 13 - Salkantay Trek final day
Today you will have the opportunity to enjoy a small part of the famous Inca Trail, which adds to the experience on this trek. We will visit the Inca site of Llactapata and learn some of the history. From this Inca Site, we will be able to see Machu Picchu in the distance. We will continue on until we reach the natural waterfall that generates electricity for the region of Cusco. We will end our night in Aguas Calientes, which sits at the foot of Machu Picchu, where we will refuel and enjoy a warm shower at our accommodation for the night.
- Hotel in Aguas Caliente

Thursday, September 14 - Machu Picchu
Today is the day we’ve been waiting for; MACHU PICCHU! We will start our day before the sun rises so we are able to board the first bus that will take us up to enjoy Machu Picchu before the crowds arrive. You will experience a 2 hour guided tour through this incredible ancient city full of history, culture and unknowns. After your guided tour, you will have the opportunity to climb Huaynapiccu or Machupicchu Mountain (additional charge and must be booked in advance as there is a limit of people they allow to climb). We will make our way back to Aguas Calientes to enjoy a nice lunch before our train departs and our journey back to Cusco begins.
- Hotel in Cusco

Friday, September 15 - Depart or continue on…
Begin your journey back to the States or continue exploring

Included:
6 nights hotel lodging (double occupancy) + 3 nights in a tent (double occupancy)
Ground transportation
English speaking tour guide
Entry fees
Steep Adventures host
Tent
Breakfast and meals while hiking

Not included:
International airfare to Cusco
Meals (lunch & dinner - except when hiking)
Tips & Gratuities
Personal expenses
Hiking gear (sleeping bag, pad, hiking poles, etc)

Are you interested in this adventure, but want to go in 2024? Click here and get on the list.

 

Machu Picchu - Inca Trail

Words and pictures will not do justice to the experience of the Inca Trail. It's stepping back in time to catch a glimpse of a culture and people group, advanced beyond modern understanding, while being captivated by the beauty of the Andes, and forming friendships over shared experiences. The journey is not for the faint, it will challenge and leave an indelible mark of appreciation for the road of history others have laid.

Interested in this adventure?