Peru Highlights

... traditions. The Sacred Valley’s beautiful scenery will take your breath away, but if your passion is culture, traveling through the valley will take you to incredible Inca archaeological sites, filled with history.

Pisac Market & Ollantaytambo – Full Day Tour

After collecting your luggage at Cusco Airport you are met by a representative of Maxim Tours and taken directly to the Sacred Valley. There will be a stop at Awanacancha, a camel farm and weaving center and then you drive through the fertile countryside of the Urubamba Valley to the colonial village of Pisac where a unique Indian Market takes place daily. The variety of products offered is overwhelming, from pottery with reproductions of archaeological pieces, to all kinds of textiles, jewelry and Peruvian handicrafts. During your visit to this bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the artisans and indigenous traders. Grab the items you like, you will hardly see the same one again.

Stop for lunch in one of the country hotels then 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 included. After the tour you are dropped at your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

... 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. (The sequence of this tour may be reversed)

... is reached by a 90 minute train ride from Ollanta Station in the Sacred Valley through the spectacular scenery of the Urubamba Valley. High on jungle-covered hilltops in the midst of the cloud forest, Machu Picchu was not known to the Spanish Conquerors, so much of the ancient city remains – temples, palaces, and astronomical observatories of intricate stonework. Surrounded by verdant landscapes and misty mountain peaks you’ll surely speculate about the true origins of this unique site.

Due to space limitations on the train, baggage is limited to 11lbs per person. You should take only one overnight bag with you to Machu Picchu. Your remaining luggage should be left at your hotel in Cusco or if you are leaving from the Sacred Valley, your local guide will transfer your excess luggage to your hotel in Cusco where it will be waiting when you return from Machu Picchu.

On arrival at the train station, you’ll see personnel from the various hotels standing outside the train. They will transfer your luggage to your hotel while you proceed with your tour. Your guide then accompanies you on the shuttle bus up the mountain where you enjoy a private guided tour of Machu Picchu and lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. Note – Machu Picchu entrance times are limited to 4 hours. Your entrance time and lunch will be booked according to the time of your train.

After your tour you take the bus down to the town. The driver will stop the bus at the entrance to your hotel or nearby, depending upon your hotel location. Just mention the name of the hotel to the driver when you board the bus. The last bus leaves around 6:00pm.

... will explore areas not covered the day before, such as living quarters and recently excavated areas. After the tour you may have some time to explore the bustling town of Machu Picchu with its many cafes, shopping stalls and art galleries. Bus fare, guide and second day entrance fee is included.

Late in the afternoon, you take the bus, exclusively for Hiram Bingham passengers, to the train station in Machu Picchu. Pick up your bag from the fenced-in area before boarding your train. Board your train for the three hour return journey to Cusco (departure time to be advised locally – your guide will have given you boarding time instructions). A cocktail and gastronomic dinner is served enroute.

You will be met at the Cusco Poroy train station and transferred to your hotel by shuttle vehicle where your luggage will also be waiting.

Huayna Picchu Option

Should you opt to hike Huayna Picchu instead of a second day tour of the ruins, please note that the number of hikers is limited to 400 per day and the +-2 hour hike begins at 2 set times – 7:00am & 10:00am (exact times cannot be guaranteed until booked and paid for). If you wish to climb Huanya Picchu, we recommend you make these arrangements ahead of time. Additional entrance fees and costs will apply.

... feel for this enchanting city. Once the center of the Inca civilization, modern Cusco is a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. Next we will head outside of town to visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, often shown on the Nat Geo or Discovery channel. Many of its stones weigh several tons and each fits perfectly into the Inca walls without bolts or nails. It was here in 1985 that Pope John presided over an outdoor mass for over 10,000 people. In addition you will visit 3 other prominent Inca ruins, each of which played an important part in Inca life. The rest of the day is free to explore Cusco on your own.