Hiking to Maras, Moray, Salt Mines, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu

Hiking to Maras, Moray, Salineras, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu

Cuzco is considered the world heritage legends and myths has been spread throughout Peruvian land ,the Ayar brothers Manco Inca and Mama Ocllo first governors of the inca empire and the transformer of the world Pachacuteq Inca , the battle of brothers between Atawallpa and Wascar, Spanish conquistadores pizarro and almagro.

The ancient Cusco town stands still unbreakable This ancient capital of the Inca Empire it is located at 3300 m above sea level made of stones an exceptional and perfect fit of each rocks each building has importance made by the Incas hand nothing has stopped them they went far in every activity that they have done.

Worth to mention colonial churches, monasteries and convents, the city was made to be the center of the world made to last forever to the date we can admire and worship to the Incas civilization.

• Day 1 – Cusco the Ancient City Tour.
• Day 2 – Walking tour to Saqsaywaman – Tambomachay and Qenqo.
• Day 3 – Chinchero Archeoligical Site and Local Traditional Market -Maras -Moray Terrace circles & Maras Salineras.
• Day 4 – Route of Inka Princess and Kings as Pachacuteq that once walked along this route  to Machu Picchu.
• Day 5 – end of tour 

Maras- Moray- Salineras Hiking Routes in the Sacred Valley of the Inkas 5 Days

Day 1 – Cusco the Ancient City Tour.

Once you get off the airport we will be there waiting for you and take you to your chosen hotel then you will be resting for a little while and get ready for your walking city tour In the afternoon we will pick you up from your hotel and we will start by visiting Cusco Cathedral which is one of the finest Colonial Cathedrals in the Latinamerica . Building has started in 1560 and was completed in 1664.

More than 90 years of sacrifice and effort Situated on the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral owes many treasures, history and mysteries later in the afternoon you will visit Qoricancha from the Quechua word Qori Qancha meaning (Temple of the Sun).one of the most important temples of the Inca Empire, it was built to the Sun the father of the INCAS in the 17th century when Spanish arrived every temple was destroyed to the ground but QORICANCHA has survived and still stands to the eye of the world on the side of Qoricancha you will see a catholic church of Santo Domingo which covers all the Qoricancha construction.

Accommodation . casa andina ,san blas boutique or similar .

Day 2 – Walking tour to Saqsaywaman – Tambomachay and Qenqo

Today is a great day a fantastic sunrise clear and fresh weather we recommend to start with a cup of coca leaves tea as you will get more energy , Your expert guide will tell you all about the sites and start to explain the history of the Incas and their great empire.

Tambomachay. Situated at 3.700 m of sea level a Quechua word ( Tampu machay ) the place where people can rest a short period of time it could also be the bath of the Ñusta ( the Inca princess) it is also believed the sanctuary to the cult of water Next stop will be Puka Pukara Quechua word ( red fortress).

This is an Inca archaeological site it was a military and administrative site it was built to control, provide security and defend the Cusco city, as well as the control of the route to Calca that led to the sacred valley and Machu- picchu The route then goes to the carved rocks of the Temple of the Moon and through the maze of rocks and tunnels of the Temple of the Monkey before arriving at Qenqo is believed to be a multifunctional religious site it was also a place of Andean worldview where nature and the space converges this is also astrological observatory commissioned by people specifically looking for the seasons the wise INKAS, this archaeological site is unique here the carving of many animals can be seen in high relief they were considered secondary gods in the time of the Incas, and consists carved rocks forms like stairs in a zigzag, and a main building similar to a circular amphitheatre where 19 window sills are located as a way of seats.

You then move onto one of the most important Inca sites in South America, the enormous fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Scene of epic battles between Conquistadores and Incas, brave inka warriors protecting the citadel against the Spaniards, an ancient Inca story of Captain Cahuide he remained more than three days fighting and he had killed to one of the pizarro brothers, after having been alone and no one else around, Cahuide bravely threw himself from one of the towers to avoid being killed by the hands of the Spaniards. this cannot fail to impress. While the high towers that once dominated the skyline were long since razed to the ground, the sheer scale of the zigzag stone walls is a sight to behold. Its construction took over seven decades and required the work of approximately 20,000 men.

The stone was dragged from 20 miles away and still today we are not quite sure how they moved the huge megaliths into place. Some of its external walls exceed 30 feet in height and the largest stone weighs over 350 tonnes. From Sacsayhuaman we will head down to Cusco leaving you some time to wander these ancient streets, explore some more of the sites or just sit in a café on the Plaza de Armas and watch the world goes by.

Accommodation . casa andina ,san blas boutique or similar .

Day 3 – Chinchero Archeoligical Site and Local Traditional Market then we move to Maras -Moray Terrace circles & Maras Salineras.

A short drive in our private vehicle takes us out over the high plain to the small town of Chinchero. There is usually a fantastic view of the snow peaks of the Sacred Valley and perhaps even across to Salkantay one of the major mountains traditionally worshipped by the Inkas Situated at 12,300 feet this is home to one of the regions most authentic markets. The local women proudly wear the traditional costumes of the area in a village known for its weaving.

We then head to explore the nearby Inca archeological site before a four hour walk down through a river canyon to maras moray. Maras – Moray Consisting of a series of terraces built in concentric circles, it is thought to have been designed for agricultural experiments.

The terraces offer different amounts of sun and shade depending upon their level and orientation, thus giving a wide range of conditions in which to work out what plants could be grown where. This information could then have been used to determine which crops would thrive at certain altitudes and aspects. We should have fantastic views all day long of the snow peaks across the Urubamba valley such aws Veronica, Pitusiray and Sawasiray.

From here we continue to the small colonial village of Maras where it seems time has stood still before then heading on down to the Salt Pans or Salineras as they are known locally. Salt is still extracted by hand by families that have worked here for generations. It also makes for some beautiful photographs. We then carry on down to the Urubamba River where our private vehicle will be waiting to take us to our hotel in the Sacred Valley.

• Total distance: 7 miles
• Estimated walking time:6 hours including stops
• Maximum altitude point: 3.600
• Accommodation . intiterra urubamba lodge. or similar .

Day 4 – Route of Inka Princesses and Kings as Pachacuteq that once walked along this route Machu Picchu.

Today we have an early start in order to catch the train to Machu Picchu. You will be transferred from your hotel to the train station in Ollantaytambo, depending on the specific service. The vast majority of services depart from Ollantaytambo. This really is one of the classic train journeys of the world, offering unsurpassed scenic views and photographic opportunities. Once we arrived to Aguas Calientes there is a spectacular 20-minute bus journey from the railway station in Aguas Calientes up to the monumental and the unforgettable place in the world.

The name Machu Picchu quechua word Old Mountain and Huayna Picchu which means Young Mountain. Constructed by the Inca Pachacutec in the 15th Century, it was mysteriously abandoned 100 years later during time of the Spanish conquest. It is generally believed that it was never discovered by the Spanish and simply disappeared into the jungle, hidden from western eyes until it was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

He arrived with the help of local people who knew of its existence, and indeed there was actually a family living and farming amongst the ruins. You will enjoy a tour of Machu Picchu led by a qualified English speaking guide before having some free time to explore the site by yourselves. Your guide will lead you on a full exploration of the archeological site staircases, terraces, temples, palaces, towers, fountains and the famous sundial Lovingly restored and fiercely protected Machu Picchu stands today as a testament to the skill and vision of the Inca builders. From simple dwellings through to elaborate astronomically aligned temples, your guide will give you an insight into this remarkable culture that once domin ated most of South America land.

The site itself is vast and once your guide has shown you the highlights we suggest you take your time to wander and explore the quiet corners of this remarkable wonder of the world. In the afternoon, you will head back to Machu Picchu train station for the departure of your train. You will be met off the train and returned to your hotel in Cusco.

Accommodation . casa andina ,san blas boutique or similar .

Day 5– End of tour After breakfast Today we will transfer you to the airport at a pre-arranged time. Or perhaps you would like to add on some.

What is included?

• pick up and transfer from airport to hotel
• all pick ups from all ports or hotels
• entrance tickets to machupicchu
• buses up and down
• Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation . The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before your trip begins.
• Transport: pick up from your hotel in the morning and transportation in a private vehicle to the starting point of the trek.
•  English speaking tour guide ,
• Accommodation:
• Medical kit: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Train tickets: From Cuzco to Aguas Calientes and viceversa . (subject to availability)
• Transport: Private transport from hotel to  train station and viceversa
• 24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.

Not included:

• Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
• Last Day: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal clothing and gear
• Travel insurance
• Tips for our staff
• Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)
• all meals which is not specified
• all entrances to inka sites