Ollantaytambo

Food & Gourmet Tours

During this Sacred Valley day tour, Discover the best of Cusco's Sacred Valley on this full-day tour. After getting picked up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning, head to an archaeological zone and textile center located in Chinchero. See how locals dye alpaca wool with natural plants of the region. Visit the archaeological site and see its terracesAfterward, move on to Moray to learn about the history of the Incas and wonder at their mysterious circular terraces. Head to the nearby village of Maras and learn about its history as a center for salt production at the Maras Salt Mines. Admire the unique quilt work of over 3,000 salt ponds spilling into the Sacred Valley. From here, go to Urubamba and to enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo. Marvel at the remarkable Incan architecture built during the Incan Empire's heyday. In addition to the ruins, see an amazing rock formation that represents the Incan god of Wiracocha. Finally, visit the archaeological park of Pisaq, after which you will visit the nearby town to explore the craft market. At the end of the day, get dropped off in downtown Cusco.

During this Sacred Valley day tour, go to the must-visit sites of Cusco and have a chance to try traditional Incan beer. Get picked up from your hotel in Cusco's city center and head to your first stop, Mirador Taray.  Take in the spectacular views of the Andes and the Sacred Valley to prepare for your day of discovery.  Continue to the town of Pisac, the site of a popular market. See how locals dye alpaca wool with natural plants of the region. Visit the archaeological site and see its terraces, Incan cemeteries, and royal buildings.  Afterward, move on to Moray to learn about the history of the Incas and wonder at their mysterious circular terraces. Head to the nearby village of Maras and learn about its history as a center for salt production at the Maras Salt Mines. Admire the unique quilt work of over 3,000 salt ponds spilling into the Sacred Valley. From here, go to Urubamba and enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Continue with a drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo to visit the ruins. Marvel at the remarkable Incan architecture built during the Incan Empire's heyday. In addition to the ruins, see an amazing rock formation that represents the Incan god of Wiracocha. After your time at the ruins, choose to return to Cusco with your guide or to stay in Ollantaytambo so you can continue your personal travels to Machu Picchu.

A private car and professional driver will pick you up from your hotel in the morning in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. On the 1.5-hour drive you will be mesmerized by the change in scenery. While descending in altitude, you will be surrounded by mountainous terrain and traditional Peruvian agricultural landscapes. The driver will drop you off at the Ollantaytambo train station where you will board the train to Aguas Calientes. Marvel at the lush surroundings that make up the area near Machu Picchu. Arriving in Aguas Calientes, the small village located at the base of the famous Inca site, a member of staff will be waiting to lead you to the bus station. After boarding the bus for the short ride up to the sacred citadel, a private guide will meet you to begin your adventure. You will take a journey through the streets of the ancient city with your private guide. After the guided tour, take time to explore the complex at your own pace, snap some photos, and hang out with the resident llamas. When you are ready, you will board the bus once more and make your way back down to Aguas Calientes. After arriving, have lunch or stroll through the markets before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. Once in Ollantaytambo, your private car and driver will transport you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 1: Arrival in Cusco Make your way to Cusco at your own pace and enjoy the rest of the day to walk around town and make the last-minute preparations for your trip. Make your own way to your accommodation and attend your mandatory pre-departure briefing that evening. Get a good night’s sleep ready for your adventure to begin. Day 2: Mountain biking and rafting  Depart from Cusco in the morning and make the journey to Ollantaytambo for breakfast and to pick up some snacks before continuing to the Malaga High Pass. Here, enjoy a 2.5-hour bike ride down through the lush and humid jungle. See Huamanmarca Archaeological site along the way and cruise through fruit plantations and over rivers before arriving in Santa Maria village. From Santa Maria, enjoy a scenic 2.5-hour rafting adventure through class III and IV rapids on the Urubamba River, or alternatively, spend some time exploring the village on your own. Spend the night at a rustic guesthouse in Santa Maria.  Day 3: Trek to Santa Teresa After an early breakfast, begin your day of hiking through the jungle. Observe beautiful pristine landscapes, abundant flora and fauna and friendly locals. Stop for lunch halfway during the trek to relax and refuel. In the afternoon, arrive in the village of Santa Teresa where you may choose to recover in a thermal hot spring. Day 4: Zip-line and trek Fly through the treetops on a 2-hour morning excursion on South America's highest canopy zip-line. Traverse over 2,500 meters of cables with the longest ride covering 400 meters and the highest at 150 meters. Afterward, take an easy 3-hour hike along the train tracks from Santa Teresa to a hydroelectric station for lunch. After lunch, continue for another 3 hours to reach Aguas Calientes (most people hike this portion of the trek but there is an optional train ride from the hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes). In Agua Calientes, pay a visit to one of the many internet cafes, cafes, or shops before retreating to your hotel for the night. Day 5: Machu Picchu and return to Cuzco Catch one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to appreciate the city in the early morning light as the mist dissipates. Enjoy a 2-hour walking tour followed by some free time to explore the city on your own. If time allows, visit the local market and shop until the train whistle blows, signaling your return to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus back to Cuzco arriving around 8:00 pm.