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10 Day: Community Work–Machu Picchu–Sacred Valley-Cusco

10 Days

23 reviews
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10 Day: Community Work–Machu Picchu–Sacred Valley-Cusco

10 Day: Community Work–Machu Picchu–Sacred Valley-Cusco

10 Days

23 reviews

Overview

Our amazing tour guides will lead you throughout the ancient city, wonder by wonder – special for your own private group! You will learn about ceremonies, how people lived, and how they connected with the Pacha Mama – or “Mother Earth”. Our local guide will give you inside information passed down so that you will get the real story of what happened here.

Machu Picchu is tangible evidence of the urban Inca Empire at the peak of its power and achievement—a citadel of cut stone fit together without mortar so tightly that its cracks still can’t be penetrated by a knife blade. It stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of fauna. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley which is 80 kilometers (50 mi) northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows.

The complex of palaces and plazas, temples and homes may have been built as a ceremonial site, a military stronghold, or a retreat for ruling elites—its dramatic location is certainly well suited for any of those purposes. The ruins lie on a high ridge, surrounded on three sides by the windy, turbulent Urubamba River some 2,000 feet (610 meters) below.

The Inca’s achievements and skills are all the more impressive in light of the knowledge they lacked. When Machu Picchu was built some 500 years ago the Inca had no iron, no steel, and no wheels. Their tremendous effort apparently benefited relatively few people—some experts maintain that fewer than a thousand individuals lived here

Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary structures are the Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows, of which your tour will visit all three – and plenty more!

You will have a full guided tour by your English speaking guide. After that you will have plenty of time on your own to explore and enjoy Machu Picchu, and discover the wonders of the ancient city yourself!

On our trip, we will also be taking part in community service. Rising early, we will be introduced to a local family! We will join a traditional breakfast with the community before our journey for the day begins. We’ll also participate in an Incan ceremony to offer thanks to Pachamama (Mother Earth) for all that she provides and ask for her grace. Then you will plant your tree with a local family. We’ll spend the rest of the day doing community service with the family, helping them go about their daily tasks. This could include anything from shepherding llamas or alpacas to caring for guinea pigs, shearing wool, weaving or farming potatoes and quinoa. You will learn some basic Quechua, the native indigenous language, as you become friends with the family members. At night, you will have the opportunity to either stay in their homes with them – or camp under the stars – your choice!

Later on, we will have a chance to visit a very special ruin site in Ollantaytambo, and see the many temples of pink granite stone and the famous Princess’ Bath. After this, take some time to explore the spaces of Ollantaytambo on your own – the last living Incan city!

You will also have the opportunity to go rafting on the wild Willkamayu River – a unique once in a lifetime experience on this ‘sacred river’ in Quechua! Enjoy the sites and sounds – and thrills! – of your group riding the waves. We will also have the opportunity to take part in a fully personalized city tour of Cuzco – the capital of the region. We will visit the famous local market of San Pedro. There is a huge diversity of products available. We will see the 12 square stones at Inca Roca Palace in Cusco. We will also visit the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun. We will even have the change to enter Sacsayhuaman Temple, Tambomachay and Qenqo – famous sites around Cusco. Within Saqsayhuaman, our guide may even have a special surprise for waiting for us….

Itinerary

Day 1,ARRIVE IN LIMA

Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel.

Day 2, LIMA – CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO

Morning pick up from hotel after breakfast and transfer to airport. (specific time to be arranged)

Fly to the Inca capital city of Cusco.

Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel in Ollantaytambo.

Exchange currency and learn about the day’s activities.

Delicious lunch provided.

Rest at the hotel.

Welcoming ceremony in the afternoon at the hotel with Guide.

Dinner on your own.

Note:

Ollantaytambo is lower than Cusco which is why we begin here to ease your acclimation to the altitude. For your convenience, we provide water and energy bars for all days.

Day 3,COMMUNITY WORK IN THE NATIVE COMMUNITY OF KELKANKA OR OTHER SIMILAR COMMUNITY

Breakfast at the hotel starting at 6:00 a.m.

Pick up at 9:00 a.m. to visit some of the most wonderful native communities where we will see how the Incas lived 600 hundred years ago.

We will be driving for about 2:15 hours to the community of Kelkanka where we will begin our activities with the native people. They will be happy to have us visit with them.

Meeting with the community and discuss possible plans. We will start working on whatever is chosen by you to do in the community such as – Education, Health, Agriculture.(painting, building ovens, etc.)

Community members will teach us how to weave and other local skills in the evening.

Many foods choices are available including vegetarian. All are very safe to eat.

We will stay overnight at the community with the local people – either in tents or in their homes – your choice.

Day 4,ALL DAY ACTIVITY IN THE COMMUNITY OF KELKANKA.

Very important to know is that we will have transportation any time we need it.

Same activity as the first day.

Learn some Quechua – the native language of the Andean people.

Afternoon go back to town in Ollantaytambo.

Dinner on your own.

Day 5,RAFTING WILLKAMAYU RIVER

Breakfast at the hotel starting at 6:00 a.m.

Pickup at 9:00 a.m. and drive to the river (approximately 15 minutes).

View Inca walls and beautiful sacred sites along the river.

While rafting, visit a beautiful Inca bridge, an Inca wall at river’s edge, look at the Andes Mountains beyond, see many birds on the way, admire the rapids in the river, and enjoy nature. (Note: Horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking are available options instead of rafting).

Picnic lunch provided.

Return to your hotel by 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon free.

Dinner on your own.

Day 6,OLLANTAYTAMBO ARCHEAOLOGICAL SITE

Breakfast starting at 6:00 a.m.

Pickup at your hotel at 9:00.a.m. and walk to the archaeological site in Ollantaytambo. Visit the site for approximately 3 hrs. See many temples of pink granite stone and the famous Princess’ Bath.

Lunch together at a restaurant in Ollantaytambo.

We have two options this afternoon: go fishing at the river with a guide or hike the Pinkulluna Mountain, noted for the Incan storage houses there.

Dinner on your own.

Day 7,OLLANTAYTAMBO TO MACHU PICCHU

Breakfast starting at 6:00 a.m.

Train to Machu Picchu in the morning, specific time to be arranged.

Arrive at lunch time or earlier.

Drop luggage at the hotel.

Have lunch and then walk to the waterfalls of Mandor, which has spectacular birds and flowers. This walk along the Sacred River takes about 3.5 hours round trip.

Return to Aguas Calientes. (Machu Picchu Town)

Dinner on your own.

Day 8,MACHU PICCHU RUINS – FULL DAY

Breakfast starting at 4:30 a.m.

Early bus to Machu Picchu leaving around 5:30 a.m. to avoid the crowds and see the sun illuminating the walls of this sacred and magical place.

Explore the ruins for about 4 hours. We can do some meditation with music at this magical place if you wish.

Buffet lunch with a view of the Sacred Mountains.

Afternoon train Back to Ollantaytambo and then to Cusco (hotel).

Dinner on your own.

Day 9,CUSCO CITY TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel starting at 6:00 am.

Morning walk starting at 9:00 am. We will visit the famous local market of San Pedro. There is a huge diversity of products available to see and buy. We will see the 12 square stones at Inca Roca Palace in Cusco. We will also visit the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun.

Lunch on the main square at a typical Peruvian restaurant.

Afternoon visit to Sacsayhuaman Temple, Tambomachay and Qenqo, famous sites around Cusco. We will have a special musical surprise in Saqsayhuaman

Return to hotel by 5:00 pm.

Provided Group Farewell Dinner.

Day 10,RETURN TO LIMA

Breakfast at the hotel starts at 6:00 a.m.

Transfer to the airport (time depends on your flight).

Indian Market and the City tour by bus in Miraflores, Lima.

Lunch at a local Peruvian restaurant.

Transfer to the airport any time according to your connection home.

Included

  • Internal airfares and airport taxes.
  • Private ground transportation.
  • Hotels.
  • All breakfasts and lunches.
  • Dinners at the communities and farewell dinner.
  • Shaman-trained Guide.
  • Entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and Cusco.
  • Train fares.
  • Water and energy bars daily.
  • Bread and Hot Chocolate to share with the children.
  • Snack everyday for the trekking.

No Included

  • International airfares.
  • Dinners.
  • Extra beverages.
  • Gratuitities (bellmen, waiters, guide, drivers)

What to bring

  • Hiking boots, comfortable walking shoes and good sandals.
  • Waterproof Jacket and pants.
  • Thermal clothing for rafting.
  • Windbreaker.
  • Sleeping bag for trekking and communities.
  • Good Camera and extra battery and memory card.
  • Good flash light.
  • 220/ 110V (plug) adaptor.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Sun block, sunglasses, hat.
  • Bottle for water.
  • School supplies to share with the children while visiting communities.

Prices

Number of persons Price per person

Travel Guide

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