Experiencing Local Culture and Traditions in the Sacred Valley Tour
At 8 in the morning we will pick you up in our private tourist vehicle and head east of the city of Cusco. On the way, we visit the Llamas Zoo, where we will see Peru’s local fauna (condor, puma, vicuna, llama, etc.). This animal sanctuary rescues animals with the goal of incorporating them back into their natural habitat.
After the visit, we will move along the winding road toward the Sacred Valley and the archaeological center of Pisac (3350 meters / 10990 feet above sea level). The Inca ruins of PISAC are spectacular. Here we will explore an array of extensive Inca terraces located around the small hills that form the mountain of Pisac. You will find temples, water sources and a grandiose Inca cemetery. After visiting the archaeological center, 30 minutes away, is the town of Pisac. It is home to the famous Pisac market, where artisans offer colorful handcrafts with typical local designs on everything from ceramics and clothing to jewelry and instruments…. souvenir shopping at its best.
Then we continue downstream through the picturesque Urubamba Valley where we will see quaint towns with colonial style homes. In the town of Urubamba we will stop for a delectable lunch prepared with delicious organic vegetables from the Sacred Valley of the Incas (not included).
After a 30-minute trip, we arrive in the village of Ollantaytambo (2,700 meters / 8,860 feet above sea level). This fascinating archaeological center presents a high exposure of works carved in well-polished stones. This sacred area is filled with stone buildings and irrigation channels that will transport you back to the intriguing times of the Incas. Surrounded by terraces and water sources, you will wander cobblestone streets and admire unbelievable construction.
Upon our return to Cusco, we will visit the famous church in the town of Chinchero (3,780 meters / 12,400 feet above sea level). This adobe colonial church has been built upon the foundations of an Inca temple or palace. The beautiful architecture stands out from the colonial era and its wonderful seventeenth century paintings are truly amazing.
