Machu Picchu Tour April 18 – 26, 2024

Arrive at Cusco Airport via Lima, Peru. It is an hour-long flight from Lima to Cusco, Peru with magnificent views of the Andes. This is the beginning of the magic you’ll experience during your journey. Upon arrival in Cusco, you’ll be assisted at the airport and transferred to our hotel, the Casa Andina Premium Cusco. You’ll have time to acclimate to the altitude and there is much to see in Cusco. You can choose to take a short walk to Plaza de Armas, the center of Cusco. Cusco is a city in the Peruvian Andes and once the capital of the Inca Empire. It is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture.

Meal Included: None

We have an opening circle to get to know one another, connect, and set personal intentions for this pilgrimage. We left our daily lives behind to immerse ourselves in this spiritual pilgrimage that brings peace and transformation to every participant.Following our group time, we’ll have breakfast and then visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman up above the hills of Cusco. Admire the magnificence of this ancestral site and connect with the living elements it offers.

After lunch, which is included, we visit Coricancha (spelled Qoricancha or Koricancha, depending on which scholar you read and meaning something like “Golden Enclosure”). It’s common name is Temple of the Sun – an important Inca temple complex located in the capital city of Cusco, Peru and dedicated to Inti, the sun god of the Incas.

We celebrate the beginning of our mystical journey with a special Welcome Dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, we return to the sacred hills above Sacsayhuaman to experience an Incan Shaman where he creates a ritual and offering to Pachamama, mother earth. Afterwards, we visit the temple of the heart of Mother Earth, Kusiyuchayoc, located inside Sacsayhuaman archaeological park. In the afternoon, you have free time to rest, shop, visit a spa, or local museum.

Meal Included: Breakfast

Lunch is in the Sacred Valley, after which we visit Moray, an archaeological site containing unusual Inca ruins consisting of enormous circular terraces, the largest of which is about 98 ft deep. The purpose of these depressions continues to be uncertain, but their depth and orientation with respect to wind and sun creates a temperature difference, at the bottom from the top, as much as 27°F. Next on our itinerary is Maras, known for its incredible salt evaporation ponds. Since pre-Inca times, salt has been obtained in Maras by evaporating salty water from a local subterranean stream. The salty water emerges and is directed into an intricate system of constructed channels, so the salty water gathers in several hundred ancient, terraced salt ponds.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today begins with spiritual practice, followed by breakfast and a sacred trip to Ollantaytambo. This ancient site includes sumptuous constructions, extensive terraces, irrigation and is thought to have been home to Inca nobility. It is one of the remarkable archaeological sites of the Incan empire with functioning aqueducts and ancient burial grounds.

You then get to go on an incredible train ride to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu lay hidden from the world for such a long time because its location is remote and inaccessible. The nearest town is Aguas Calientes, which is in the valley beside the Sacred River (Vilcanota/Urubamba River). There are no roads connecting Aguas Calientes to the outside world, so you get to take a spectacular train along the Sacred River and enjoy gorgeous views of the Andes Mountains. We have lunch together and then plenty of time to relax and explore Aquas Caliente – its handicraft market, restaurants, and shops. We also check-in to the exquisite and magical Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. WATCH THIS VIDEO!

Meal Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Machu Picchu is a 20-minute bus ride to climb the narrow, steep, zigzagging dirt track that connects the two. We rise early, and after breakfast, take the bus transfer to Machu Picchu. The day begins with an approximately 3-hour guided tour at Machu Picchu (watch this 2-min video!). The ruins are usually shrouded in mist in the morning and the sun comes out in the early afternoon. Photos do not do justice to the awe and inspiration you’ll feel as your spirit merges with this iconic site. People who have visited this sanctuary speak of the profound energy that can “drop you to your knees” through the connection with the Oneness of Life. The views of the Andes Mountains are amazing and take your breath away.

You’ll also get a prime glimpse of part of the Machu Picchu National Archaeological Park (SHM-PANM) – one of the places with the greatest biodiversity in Peru, in which there are 24 ecosystems between the Andes and the Amazon, from the humid montane forests at 1,900 meters above sea level to the snowy peaks at more than 6,000 meters above sea level. This extremely rugged geography allows the existence of ideal habitats for wildlife, including 75 species of mammals, 444 birds, 14 amphibians, 24 reptiles and 377 butterflies; in addition to 423 species of orchids and 332 of trees, among which the q’euña , intimpa, cedar, alder, pisonay, unka and tara stand out.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

It’s an entirely FREE day and you get to choose how to spend it. Sleep in, go to the Spa, go on a birdwatching walk, orchid excursion, or spend time in the town of Aquas Calientes where there are natural hot springs, a handmade artisan market, and more.

You can choose to go back to Machu Picchu. However, please note Machu Picchu tickets not included on this day. Tickets must be reserved in advanced. You get to choose other places to explore such as The Sundial, The Temple of Condor, The Temple of the Sun, and can even choose the more advanced Huayna Picchu hike.

Huayna Picchu: For more agile/athletic travelers, there is a difficult hike available, Huayna Picchu, and must be booked in advance. There are cables attached to the rock in many places to help the climber and there are places to step aside to catch your breath and enjoy the view. To reach the very top you must climb through a very narrow tunnel through the rock on your hands and knees. This 1.5-hour hike is very difficult and only for the very fit. The views from the top are breathtaking!

We end our time on this special day with a Farewell Dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Morning spiritual practice followed by breakfast at the hotel. We check out of our hotel in the morning and board the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer back to Cusco to check into the Novatel Cusco Hotel.

We have our final group spiritual practice and connection time followed by breakfast. There is time for last minute shopping and exploration before we transfer to Cusco airport to fly to Lima and back home.