Enjoy an unforgettable stay in your own private villa in heart of the Sacred Valley. The peaceful and serene pastoral setting is ideal for a retreat, a leisurely exploration of the traces of the ancient Inca culture that are eminent throughout the valley - archeological sites, authentic Andean villages, colourful markets are just some of the attractions. More active pusuits include hiking, horseback riding and whitewater rafting. Below is possible itinerary for a 4day / 3night stay. Activities are flexible according to your interest and physical abilities and can be chosen from a menu style list to suit your preferences.

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Day 1: CUSCO AND OLLANTAYTAMBO / THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

Arrival. You will be met by your driver and private bilingual guide at the Cusco airport, the Ollantaytambo train station, or your hotel in Cusco; they will then accompany you in a Land Rover 4x4 (or similar vehicle) to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way, the guide will explain the itinerary and the many activities and excursions you can choose during your stay in the Valley. If you are coming from Cusco, your trip will include a stop at Awanakancha where Andean artisans will demonstrate weaving and dyeing techniques. You can also see many South American camelid species here, including llamas, guanacos, vicuñas and alpacas. You may want to purchase some of the local hand-woven creations exhibited at the Awanakancha shop.

Lunch. You will stop en route to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch in the countryside.

Guided visit of approximately three hours through the Pisac archaeological site (2,972 meters or 9,750 ft a.s.l.), the town of Pisac and its colorful market. The archaeological remains of Pisac, some of the finest Inca ruins in the Valley, are located 30 km. north of Cusco on a hill above the little village of the same name. These Inca citadels offer a vantage point from which you can view the Urubamba plains and the terraces and hillsides east of the Valley. The most important archaeological site in the area include Pisaca, a curving wall, the Intihuatana group of temples, and the military area known as Q'allaqasa. The ascent in your 4x4 takes you to the summit of the archaeological site, from where you descend into the town. If you wish, you can make this pleasant and interesting descent by foot, a hike of one and a half hours, to absorb the energy of the site. The typical market in Pisac presents you with an excellent opportunity to bargain with vendors and admire the bright colors of woven fabrics. It is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Other options for excursions: Maras and Moray, or Chinchero.

Arrival at the Inkaterra Urubamba Villas in the hamlet of Higuspucro, on the outskirts of Urubamba. Your host will receive you at your chosen Villa to familiarize you with the rules, meal times, and suggestions for special services in the Villas and their surroundings. Cocktail on the terrace or in front of the fireplace followed by dinner served in your private dining room.

After dinner, you may choose to rest, walk around the town of Urubamba or enjoy massage services in your room.

Day 2: THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

After rising at the hour that suits you, enjoy a breakfast in your room or on the terrace; it includes a variety of fresh fruit, cereals from the area and other local products. A three-hour excursion through the sites of Maras and Moray (3,028 m. or 9934 ft a. s. l.). In route, you will see some of the best views of the valley.

First, you will stop at the ancient salt mines of Maras, which may be viewed from an old chapel just above it. Then, you will visit the huge circular agricultural terraces at Moray, built by the Incas, in natural sinkholes on a limestone plateau, used as an agricultural laboratory.

Then, continue to Yahuarmaqui, a ceramics workshop, where you will learn about local techniques from a truly experienced artist; you can choose among a variety of raw ceramics to creatively decorate and paint them yourself. After you have finished decorating your piece, the item remains at the workshop for the firing process; it will be delivered to you before your departure.

Other options include Pisac, or Ollantaytambo and the CATCCO Museum (2,800 m. or 9186 ft a.s.l.). Ollantaytambo is considered the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas and is a surviving example of Inca city planning. With extremely well-built stone walls, it was both a temple and a fortress for the Incas. The spectacular steep terraces that guard the Inca complex mark one of the few places where the Conquerors lost a major battle; the location of the temple area at the top of the terracing helped to provide an excellent defense. The stones used in these buildings were brought from a quarry high on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. The complex was still under construction at the time of the conquest and therefore was never completed. The Museum and Cultural Center o Ollantaytambo (CATCCO), located near the gates to the fortress, promotes traditional Ollantaytambo culture and technology, and the Museum Shop offers textile and ceramic products from the surrounding communities.

You can also choose additional excursions (at an extra cost), including river rafting, horseback riding on Peruvian caballos de paso, or biking.

Lunch. Enjoy a picnic lunch while viewing the rows of terraces that line the mountainsides, excellent examples of ancient agricultural technology for soil conservation. The three-course lunch includes dessert, wine and bottled water. You can have lunch at the Tunupa or the Tres Keros Restaurants, or, at an extra cost, at the Hacienda Huayoccari, a private farm that houses a collection of ancient local crafts.

Chinchero and the Nilda Textile Center (3,700 m or 12,139 ft a.s.l.). This three-hour visit takes you to Chinchero, a small Andean village located high on the windswept plains of Anta, 30 km. from Cusco. Chinchero, with its gorgeous views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas - is flanked by the Cordillera Vilcabamba, and the snow-capped peak of Salcantay dominates the western horizon. In Quechua, Chinchero means "the birthplace of the rainbow." The afternoon not only comprises the varied attractions of Inca ruins, a typical Andean village, a colonial church, wonderful mountain views and a colorful market; it also includes a visit to Nilda Callañaupa's Textile Center, 20 minutes from Chinchero. Famous for her handmade textiles, Nilda will demonstrate the ancient art of weaving. Other options for excursions are Maras and Moray, Ollantaytambo or Pisac. Return to the Villa.

Cocktails and dinner, followed by overnight at your own Villa.

Day 3: THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

You can rise when it suits you and enjoy a good breakfast.

Your choice of a full-day excursion or hike:
Willoq (3,696 m. or 12,126 ft. a.s.l.), with a picnic lunch. This guided full-day excursion to the farming community of Willoq, located 12 km. from Ollantaytambo, includes a demonstration of local weaving methods dating back hundreds of years, visit to other communities, also, you can appreciate the traditional lifestyle and work of the indigenous people, whose mother tongue continues to be Quechua, the language of the Incas.

At midday, you will enjoy a picnic lunch in a natural landscape surrounded by mountains ringed by terraces, a fine example of agricultural technology for soil conservation. Huchuy Qosqo and Energy lunch kit (3,500 m. or 11,483 ft a.s.l.). This full-day walk combines archeology and spectacular scenic views of the Ausangate, Pitusiray and Sawasiray snow-covered mountains. The hike starts in the Tauca community at Lake Piuray, near the village of Chinchero. After a gradual climb of about four hours, from 3,650 meters (11,975 ft) up to 4,400 meters (14,436 ft) of altitude, you will reach the flat plain where the archeological site of Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cusco) is located. Huchuy Qosqo's ancient Inca buildings, ceremonial centers and plazas – together with the stream that runs through it, crossing green fields, make it a very special place. This was the home of the Inca Wiracocha; from here he governed, overseeing administrative and economic matters.

After the visit, a descent of about one and a half hours takes you through Lamay and into the Sacred Valley.

A Energy lunch kit is provided during the trek.
Return to Inkaterra Urubamba Villas.
Cocktails and dinner, followed by overnight at your own Villa.

Day 4: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS / MACHU PICCHU OR CUSCO

You can rise according to your plans for the day depending on your train or flight schedule.

If you have the morning free, after breakfast we suggest:
Visit to the Urubamba market and the artisans of the area. You can admire and purchase ceramics, fine handicrafts, weavings, and other products from the Urubamba area, or make a visit to the community project sponsored by Inkaterra Experiences. At the moment you choose, your private transportation will leave you in the Ollantaytambo train station or in the city of Cusco, depending on your travel itinerary.

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.