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Pisac Ruins (CUS H106)

Visit the Inca archeological remnants of Pisac known as Inca Pisac, which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley. It features an irrigation system, an astronomical observatory, and a solar clock and calendar (Intiwatana). The hillside is lined with agricultural terraces constructed by the Inca and still in use today. With military, religious, and agricultural structures, the site served at least a triple purpose. Besides a country estate, it is thought that Pisac defended the southern entrance to the Sacred Valley, while Choquequirao defended the western entrance and the fortress at Ollantaytambo the northern. (4h)

Pisac Indian Market (CUS H107)

Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside to the colonial village of Pisac. During your visit to the bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the natives for many different types of Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry. (4h.)

Chincheros Indian Market (CUS H108)

Take a trip back in time to the exciting and unspoiled Chincheros Market, where the Indians trade among themselves just as they have done for centuries. (4h.)

Piquillacta and Andahuaylillas (CUS H109)

Travel south of Cusco to Piquillacta. This town, one of the most important civil monuments left by the Incas, is thought to have been a repository for agricultural products or else used for defensive purposes. From there continue south to Andahuaylillas. Here you find the "Sistine Chapel of Peru", a church that is home to golden altars, paintings and many colored ceilings. The chapel is simple and unassuming on the outside, but on the inside you'll find masterpiece after masterpiece. (4h.)

Pisac Indian Market and The Ollantaytambo Fortress (CUS F200)

Chincheros with weaving demostration, Pisac Ruins and Ollantaytambo Fortress (L) (CUS F201)

Departure to the Andean village of Chinchero to visit with Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez. Nilda learned to weave as a child while tending the flocks in the fields of her village. When she was a teenager, Nilda worked with researchers on preserving the traditional themes and techniques of weaving in the Andean community. As an adult, Nilda traveled extensively to the U.S. to organize weaving exhibits and workshops in several universities and the Textile Museum of Washington D.C. Nilda offers an indigenous, multi-faceted perspective on the arts, as well as excellent facilitation and communication skills. She is truly a one of a kind artist. She will be happy to lead a relaxed, fascinating workshop on traditional back strap weaving techniques and a discussion on the role of weaving in a contemporary Andean culture. Nilda is the founder and director of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. This organization is dedicated to preserving ancient textile designs and weaving techniques from all over the Andes. Some designs are more than 2000 years old. Then visit Pisac Ruins and Ollantaytambo Fortress. (L) (9h)

Chincheros & Pisac Markets and The Ollantaytambo Fortress (L)(CUS F202)

Visit Chincheros Market, where the Indians trade among themselves just as they have done for centuries. Continue along the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Urubamba, to visit the Pisac Market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress during the afternoon. (L) (9h.)

Moray, Maras Salt Pools and Authentic Quechua Village (L)(CUS F203)

Morning excursion to the Inca agricultural experimental center of Moray, famous for its sunken amphitheater, made up of four circular terraces, which appear to disappear into the earth like an artificial crater. The site was apparently an Inca agricultural research station designed for experimenting with crops at various altitudes (some of which run down to depths of 100 meters). It is believed that the terraces, built over containing walls filled with fertile earth and watered by complex irrigation systems, enabled the Incas to grow more than 250 plant species.
Continue to the impressive Maras salt pools formed by water emerging from a lake inside a mountain in the Urubamba Valley. An amazing view of evaporating ponds for the extraction of salt. Learn about ancestral techniques, which are still used, in agricultural, irrigation and salt-recollection tasks, as well as in Andean festivals and rites. After lunch, visit an authentic Quechua Village to feel the way of life of the Inca's ancestors. The Inca himself was a noble Quechua. They live off the land and are always wearing their colorful ponchos, see Quechua children scamper about while woman are weaving their family's clothes. (L) (9h)

Pisac ruins, Maras and Ollantaytambo Fortress (L) (CUS F204)

Visit the Pisac ruins, the impressive Maras salt pools formed by water emerging from a lake inside a mountain in the Urubamba Valley. An amazing view of evaporating ponds for the extraction of salt. Learn about ancestral techniques, which are still used, in agricultural, irrigation and salt-recollection tasks, as well as in Andean festivals and rites.
Continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex, the Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a "Living Inca Town" since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs. Lunch is at a beautiful country estate on the shores of the Urubamba River. (L) (9h)

Lunch or dinner at Hacienda Huayocari

The most noticeable aspect of the house is its sensational setting, dominating the Urubamba valley in the midst of the highland crags and vegetation through which the river flows. Above it, on the very mountain top within sight of heaven are two lakes, which seem to seethe on a rainy night. With magnificent views of the Urubamba River, the Casa-Hacienda has the magical ability to make us forget the reality of life. Today's lunch will be a remarkable event.

Visit to Awana Kancha, the living Museum of the Andes

This Living Museum of the Andes showcase the South American Camelids such as llamas, vicuñas, guanacos and alpacas in their native environment. You will also enjoy a spinning and weaving demonstration of ancient techniques on how to make clothing from the wool fibers of these animals. You can also see native flowers and some agricultural terraces from the Inca times.

Fiesta Tours Peru

Cusco Tour Description