Departure for a half-day dedicated to the discovery of the historic center of Cusco with your English-speaking guide. You will walk through the streets and small squares of the San Blas district. Cusco is a thousand-year-old city full of charm. You will be fascinated by the precision and perfection of the stone constructions, an interesting mix between Inca and colonial architectures. You will meet men and women in their traditional clothes, colorful outfits, who have come for the day from the Sacred Valley to sell their products in the various markets of the city. Visit the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), and the Cathedral which has many paintings and other treasures of goldsmithery, silver and precious stones. Free afternoon in Cusco, navel of the Inca world. Suggestions: Free time in Cusco is generally appreciated for its walking possibilities in the many small cobbled streets of the city. You can also take advantage of this moment to make your last purchases of souvenirs: clothes, jewelry and decoration, the choices are endless in Cusco!

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Cooper Hotel Boutique

Today, take off your traveler cap as you will experience the daily life of a Cusqueño. You will travel early in the morning to the colorful San Pedro Market in Cusco with your guide to do some groceries for lunch. The San Pedro market is symbolic because it is one of the oldest markets in Cusco and its metal structure was designed by Gustave Eiffel. Between the street vendors, the padded petticoats of women in traditional attire, and the visitors flocking from aisle to aisle, you'll quickly feel cramped. The aisles of the market are organized by product: fruits, breads, cheeses, meats, flowers, etc. If possible, take the time to sit on the high stools of the stalls and ask for a fresh juice. You will be able to escape for a moment from the bustle of the market and observe your surroundings more peacefully. It is customary in Peru to have breakfast at the market with a fruit juice, a coffee then a sandwich. Depending on the desire of the day, this one maybe with fresh cheese, avocado, a fried egg or sweet potato. This last combination surprises but remains a great classic of Peruvian breakfasts! Then departure in a private vehicle with your guide to reach the community of Umasbamba, a small village located in the Sacred Valley near the Piuray lagoon. Jose Luis, Trinidad and their 2 children will welcome you to their home. The walls are made of adobe, the smell of wood fires perfumes the air, the chuckling of chickens and the cooing of guinea pigs remind you that city life is now far away. Welcome to the Peruvian countryside, in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will share together a typical Andean lunch: a Pachamanca. This is a pre-Hispanic dish that is cooked underground, and then Trinidad will explain the process of dyeing and weaving wool. Transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Cooper Hotel Boutique

At 8:00 am departure by private vehicle to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First step, Pisac, one of the major sites of the Inca culture with different neighborhoods (administrative, religious, military) dotted in the mountains. You will observe the important terraces intended for agriculture and protecting from erosion. Then, stroll on its colorful artisanal market, one of the largest in the Sacred Valley! Then Ollantaytambo direction. This village is also called "the last living Inca village" because its inhabitants maintain their very old customs and traditions. Then, visit the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and its Cyclopean stones which was the seat of fierce battles between Incas and Spaniards. If time permits, after the visit you can stroll through the cobbled streets of the city.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Las Qolqas EcoResort Ollantaytambo

Train to Aguas Calientes, the stopover village for Machu Picchu. Along the Urubamba river, you will observe that the vegetation intensifies as the kilometers pass. Note 1: train journey of approximately 1h30 to reach Aguas Calientes Note 2: The train company allows passengers to carry a cabin bag of up to 8 kg per person. It will be necessary to leave your "checked" luggage at the deposit of the hotel in the Sacred Valley On your arrival at Aguas Calientes, you will join the shuttles that will take you to the gates of Machu Picchu. Departures, for both ascent and descent, are every 5 minutes and the journey lasts approximately 30 minutes. The curious will be able to appreciate the landscapes while the people sensitive to vertigo will have to be patient during the ascent. Note: 1st shuttle to the citadel: 05:30am / Duration: 30 minutes Last Shuttle to the citadel: 3:30pm / Last Shuttle to Aguas Calientes: 4:45pm Arrival on the site of Machu Picchu, wonder of the world. Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city of the fifteenth century in Peru. Abandoned during the collapse of the Inca empire, the sacred city of the Incas, was forgotten for centuries. It is considered as a masterpiece of the architecture of this civilization. It was unveiled by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. In1983, Machu Picchu was declared UNESCO World Heritage List. On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World by the NewOpenWorld Foundation, an unofficial and commercial organization. Finally the site is part of a whole cultural and natural complex known as the "Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu". At 08h visit to the Machu Picchu site (around 2h30 of visit) At 10h30 ascencion to the Huayna Picchu, 3h around round triip (subject to availability at the time of booking) Together with your english speaking guide, you will start to discover the archaeological complex (around 2:30 hour of visit). In the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Las Qolqas EcoResort Ollantaytambo

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley. First stop at the cultural site of Moray, a former Incan agricultural laboratory. Then, continuation of the excursion to Maras: salt mines in the middle of the Cordillera! Visit of the village of Chinchero and its colonial church. Lunch with Irene and her family in their home. Drive back to Cuzco and transfer to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch