What we visit: We have slightly several different tours which may include a combination of the following attractions. The Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman were built in the 13th century and are a citadel teplecomplex on a hilltop overlooking the city. Qenko is one of the largest Inca sacred sites  in Cusco, this natural rock formation may have been a site of sacrifices and mummification. The ruins of Pucapucara may have been a military fort and neaby is the Inca water temple of Tambomachay. In the town center, we may go to the cities' Cathedral, initially built in the 16th century in Gothic-Renaissance style, it houses many colonial colonial pieces of religious art. The ancient sun temple of the Koricancha, was the most important sacred shrine of the Inca empire., although it was partly destroyed during the conquest. We may also go to the colourful local market at San Pedro, with its exotic local produce.

What to bring: You will spend much of the tour outdoors, so you will need a sunhat/sunblock and warm layers depending on the weather, showers are more common between November and March. If you bring a rain jacket, then it can be left on the vehicle. We walk around the ruins so you need comfortable walking shoes. The cathedral does not have any specific clothes restrictions, but we would suggest you dress respectfully for the sake of local parishioners.

What we do: There are several fascinating destinations in the Sacred Valley. At Pisaq, we have a colourful handicrafts market and impressive Inca ruins. At Moray, we find intriguing circular terraces which drop 30m (100ft) into a natural crater.  The Inca may have used the sheltered terrain to grow more fragile crops. The salt mine at Maras is not far away, these evaporations ponds  dating to Inca times, make use of a naturally brackish spring to produce salt crystals as the water evaporates under the sun. In Ollantaytambo, we can climb the steps of the ruins to the impressive Inca temples perched on a narrow ridge.

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What to bring: Much of the day is spent outdoors, therefore you need to have a sunhat and sunblock. Mornings can be cold and rainshowers are more frequent between November and March. You can leave extra layers or rain jacket in the vehicle while exploring the attractions. Wear comfortable shoes ready for plenty of walking. You need a little cash in peruvian currency for purchases at the market, try to bring small denomination notes and coins.

Luggage: You can take luggage and leave it in the vehicle while you explore the sites during the excursion. Depending on how long you have in the Sacred Valley, you can choose to store luggage for a couple of days either at the hotel in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley. That allows you to travel to Machu Picchu carrying just the essentials in an overnight bag.

What we do: Travel to Machu Picchu by train and explore the ruins with your guide. We commonly depart the sacred valley in the morning for the 90 minute train journey to Machu Picchu, which takes us from peaks of the Andes to the fertile slopes of the upper Amazon. Upon arrival at the station, we transfer to a shuttle bus which will take us on a narrow zig-zag road up to the mountain-top location of the ruins. We explore the amazing Inca citadel for a few hours, then you might be planning to depart on an afternoon train or spend the night in a nearby hotel in order to have a second chance to explore further the following day.

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What to bring: You will need to show your passport to prove identification as you board the trains and enter the ruins. Located in tropical cloud forest, days tend to quite warm but rain showers are common especially between November and March, so be prepared with extra layers and a jacket. Also take insect repellent for some sandflies and sunhat/sunblock are essential.

Luggage: You will have stored your main cases at the hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. You can board the train with only hand luggage containing the essentials for you short time at Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at the station in Machu Picchu, you can locate staff from your hotel, who will take your luggage to the hotel while you go up to the ruins.

What we do: It is a 60 minute drive from Cusco to the starting point close to the town of Chinchero. Then an undulating ride over the highlands, takes us on dirt trails and through agricultural fields overlooking the Sacred Valley. We eventually reach the Inca terraces of Moray, where we will explore these intriguing circular terraces which drop 30m (100ft) into a natural crater. Then we continue the ride slightly downhill to the salt pans of Maras, where we can see how the local community exploit these natural evaporation ponds used to extract salt.

What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes are best for cycling and to explore the ruins. You’ll need a sun hat and sunblock in fine weather, although during the ride you’ll be wearing a helmet. You should consider bringing a jacket just in case the weather turns cold or if there is a chance of rain. Sunglasses are useful to keep wind and dust out of your eyes.

Luggage: If ending the ride at a hotel in the Sacred Valley, your luggage stays in the support vehicle and will be with you when you arrive at your chosen hotel.

What we do: Take the train to Chachabamba station at KM104, to start a one day hike to Machu Picchu. The route of around 10km (6-miles) takes about 6-7 hours and starts with a gradual ascent of 500m (1600ft.) to reach the beautiful ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Then a relatively flat section takes you to the Sungate, where you get your first distant view of Machu Picchu. Finally a descent into the ruins takes you to a great spot for a photograph. You are going to explore the ruins tomorrow so we can now head to the hotel for a well deserved rest. The following morning, you explore the ruins with your guide, where you learn all about the history of the Amazing lost city of the Incas, before you catch a train back out to the Sacred Valley and Cusco.

What to bring: You will need to show your passport to prove identification as you board the trains and start the hike. Located in tropical cloud forest, days tend to quite warm but rain showers are common, so be prepared with extra layers and a jacket. Also take insect repellent for sandflies and sunhat/sunblock are essential. You will need a small rucksack for water, camera, rain jacket and a light box lunch which we supply.

Luggage: You will have stored your main cases at the hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. You will board the train with only the small rucksack containing the essential items for the days walk. You can coordinate with your guide to have a small overnight bag sent directly to the hotel in Machu Picchu.

What we do:  The classic Inca trail is a 45km/28mile hikemwhich involves camping for three nights before reaching Machu Picchu early on the fourth day. It is a strenuous route which involves two demanding ascents of 1200m/4000ft (day 2) and 600m/2000ft (day 3). The camping is quite basic, with only the bare essentials available, but a team of porters will carry all the camping equipement, food and some of your personal items. The groups guide will give assistance during the hike and provide background information at the Inca ruins you encounter along the way. Bathing facilities on the trek are all but non existent and tolielts are very basic in nature. 

What to bring:  You will have a trek briefing a day or two before the start of the walk, at which you can ask for details about packing. You will leave you main cases in your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, depending which is more convenient. During the walks, porters will help you with most of your trekking gear carried in duffel bags supplied by your trek operator. You should bring a day-sack, which is normally a small rucksack of around 25L, which you carry yourself and contains items which you might need during the days walk. Each operator can give you exact advice at the briefing, but below is a packing list for general use;

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In the duffell carried by porters: Check with your operator to ask ther maximum weight you can give to the porters, but it tends to be around 7kg/15lbs. You should consider packing some of the following;

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• 2-3 T-shirts

• 2-3 hiking pants

• Underwear (one per day)

• Socks (one pair per day)

• 1 Fleece or down jacket

• 1 Rain jacket and perhaps pants

• 1 sun hat of sunny days

• 1 woolly hat for cold night

• Headlamp: essential

• Waterproof gloves

• Comfortable trainers or sandals for camp

• Walking boots for use during the day

• Quick-dry towel

• Small bottle of soap.

• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.

• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

• Handsanitizer

• Wet wipes

• Toothbrush and paste

In the day pack carried yourself: Daypacks can be any size for hiking, although remember that racksacks larger than 25L are not allowed in the ruins at Machu Picchu. If you have a larger rucksack, you would be asked to leave it at a safe storage facility at the entrance gate to the ruins.

• Water: it is commonly supplied in camp at each meal.

• Sunhat

• Rain gear

• Fleece

• Camera

• Handsanitizer

• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste

• Money for souvenirs, drinks & tips

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Small first-aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

What we do: A two hour workshop shows you the process of making chocolate from the cocoa bean to the finished chocolate bar. You’ll prepare cocoa drinks just like the Mayas from ancient Mexico and take home your own customized chocolates.

What to bring: You do not need anything specific, although most of the time is spent standing so wear comfortable shoes.

What we do:  You will have a 4-hour culinary exploration of Cusco as part of a small group. Your experience starts with a visit to the local market, where you’ll have an introduction to a diverse number of exotic ingredients. Then, we will take you to our kitchen studio, located in the center of Cusco, where you’ll have a hands-on class, where you’ll learn to prepare nutritious and healthy dishes using our most representative ingredients under the guidance of our Peruvian Professional Chef. A refreshing drink, a four course tasting menu and, of course, the famous Pisco Sour are all included included. 

What to bring: All you need is a healthy apetite to fully enjoy this activity.

What we do: We offer you the best section of one day rafting in Cusco. The class III-IV Chuquicahuana section is located above Cusco, where the river is cleaner and more fun. You drive ninety minutes to the river where you can put on your wetsuit gear while your guides inflate your raft. You will have a full safety briefing and instruction in the art of white-water rafting. Then you set off for approximately two hours of fun Cusco rafting, making the most of the gentle start to practice technique. The river then flows through a beautiful canyon, filled with fun rapids, torrent ducks and views of the surrounding peaks. Finally you reach the take out point and enjoy a full picnic lunch before returning to your hotel by late afternoon.

What to bring: You will get changed on the river bank before climbing into the raft and your dry clothes will be left on the vehicle. Most people choose to wear swimming gear or shorts under the wetsuit provided by the operator. Sunblock is essential and a waterproof version is preferable. Tie any glasses on using some string or a shoelace. And towel is useful at the end of the rafting, in order to wipe down and get back into your dry clothes.