The T’23 International Adventure in Peru features a 11 day / 10 night itinerary which is centered around the heart of the Sacred Valley in the Peruvian Andes. You will spend time in the vibrant city of Cuzco; you will have an opportunity live and work amongst the Huilloc community in a short homestay program; and you will undertake the Salkantay Trek into Machu Picchu – truly one of the most spectacular and mysterious ancient ruins on Earth. Tuck Partners are welcome to join!

Accommodation

Pricing

Before You Go

Peru Overview

After breakfast, you will depart Cuzco and head to the nearby Sacred Valley of the Incas. Today you will explore two of the more impressive archeological complexes in the area – Pisac, and Ollantaytambo.

First we will visit Pisac, a town known for two reasons: the crafts market, established between colonial buildings, and for hosting one of the most impressive complexes of terraces in the valley, considered a masterpiece of agriculture of the Incan Empire. Visit the market, which consists of dozens of stalls displaying and selling products crafted by the residents of the area, and then continue to the archaeological remains, one of the most important of the Sacred Valley.

After Pisac you will have lunch at Alhambra Restaurant.

You will then head to Ollantayambo, which is a great example of typical Incan urban planning, and is still inhabited today. Here, you will find a great archeological complex known as the “Fortress”, which is a bit of a misnomer because the town actually operate as a center for rest and lodging for long distance travelers during the time of the Empire. It is without doubt one of the most monumental works of that era.

Transfer to your hotel to check-in and relax for the rest of the afternoon. Dinner will be hosted at the hotel in the evening.

Today you will continue to explore the Sacred Valley.

You will start your tour in the village of Chinchero, which was one of the most important populations during the Inca Empire. However, it fell victim to the “extirpation of idolatries” action that replaced the traditional deities with Catholic ones in order to transform popular beliefs. In this way, important monuments and buildings completely disappeared.

Next the group will participate in a textile workshop where you will learn traditional weaving techniques from the native weavers, see the manufacturing process, and the final garment. Each garment is a unique result of methodical and meticulous work.

Lunch at Munay Restaurant.

Later, you will visit the archaeological sites of Moray and Maras. Moray archaeological remains consist of mysterious concentric circular terraces that for some investigators would be an agricultural research center. External platforms, more elevated, would be exposed to higher temperatures than the internal, and could simulate the conditions of different ecological floors in the empire. On the other hand, Maras is a surreal sight. It is close to Moray and is an impressive complex of salt exploitation. They are large salt deposits that were used to exchange it for other products with other regions of the empire.

You will enjoy dinner at your hotel.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Huilloc Community – a community co-op near Cuzco which seeks to involve international visitors with local inhabitants in an effort to help build and maintain resources for this economically challenged settlement – the average annual per capita income in this community is $232 USD per year. The Huilloc people in many ways still follow ancient Incan customs and traditions in their day-to-day lives. Visitors to the community have an opportunity to both lend an important helping hand, as well as to learn about the history and the culture of the Inca people. Visitors are assigned to local families and stay with them for the duration of their visit.

Your local cultural immersion experience begins today! You will be assigned to your a family and will be given a task to help them with their domestic and community duties. These tasks may include:

Women: Preparation and tasting of food such as chicha, papa seca, chuño, and other items of nouvelle Andean cooking.

Men: Agricultural work such as preparing the land using the chaquitaclla or plough, sowing, harvesting, post-harvest treatment and others.

During rest periods, you will have an opportunity to share stories with your hosts. You will likely learn about their costumes, how ancestors influenced on textile designs that can be seen on daily and festive attires.  You may also share stories from your own countries with members of the family.

Your accommodation with the host family will be in a traditional family home in the community. You will have a comfortable, basic room, and the host family is paid to accommodate you which represents meaningful income for them.

Today you will participate in a larger community project. The specific role will vary based on what is going on in the community at the time of your visit, but you will be a part of what is known as the Ayni system, a system of reciprocal labor among members of the community who share agricultural tasks and house building. This system consists of assisting with work carried out by members of a family, under the condition that they will reciprocate when necessary. This practice encourages generosity, reciprocity, and solidarity among visitors and members of the community.

Possible projects include: Painting the local school (exterior, classrooms, furniture); repairing furniture at the local school or medical post; building “Wasicuyes” for rearing guinea pigs (a staple of the diet in this region); cleaning the banks of the river or the neighborhood.

In the late afternoon you will transfer back to Cuzco to relax at your hotel prior to embarking on the Salkantay Trek the following day!

Commence Salkantay Trek — IMPORTANT NOTE 

The Salkantay Trek is spectacular. It is rated as one of the top 25 hikes in the world by National Geographic Magazine, and rightly so!  

That said, it is a very serious trek. You will hike 7-12 miles per day. You will reach a maximum altitude of over 15,000 feet. The trek is completed successfully by people of all ages and (within reason) fitness levels. However, you should recognize that for most people this will be a very rigorous experience.

The trek also requires appropriate attire and gear. We have provided a general outline here, and we will supply a more detailed pack-list which has been compiled by Tuckies who have traveled this route before you. Heed these recommendations, as your enjoyment of the trek will depend on it.

In the end, this trek will likely be one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences you will have – so the effort is well worth it! 

After an early breakfast, we pick you up from your hotel and leave the city of Cuzco in the morning. On the route we take a short break in the town of Mollepata before ascending a winding mountain road to Soraypampa (12,690 ft.), the starting point of the trek, where we meet our wranglers and horses. After a short introduction and a quick breakfast, we start our hike towards Salkantay Pass (15,213 ft.). At the pass we stop enjoy the views of snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range in every direction, with the glaciated south face of Salkantay towering above us where Andean condors can be seen. From the pass we descend towards Wayracmachay to enjoy our lunch and then continue descending along the left bank of the Salkantay River. Observe the landscape become increasingly green, changing from highland to jungle or cloud forest. Feel the warm air rising from the jungle, accompanied by colorful butterflies and striking orchids, while arriving to camp at Andenes (9,481 ft.), a beautiful spot surrounded with vegetation.

Today we hike along the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more populated rural areas. We pass through banana, granadilla, avocado and coffee fields. A hot picnic lunch will be served along the way. After lunch, we hike for about 2 hours before a private vehicle meets us for a short drive to the beginning of the next trail. From the head of the newly restored Inca trail we easily make our way to the next campsite at Lucmabamba.

In the evening the group will enjoy a coffee tasting demonstration with a local family. Enjoy your dinner by the light of the campfire.

Overnight at Lucmabamba Camp.

After breakfast, we will head uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata Pass (8,974 ft.) and descend to the archaeological complex of the same name. From here we have an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas, the legendary Machu Picchu. The view is from a different angle, one that few travelers get the chance to admire. Lunch is served overlooking Machu Picchu.

After lunch, begin the final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations. Finally we will get to the Hydroelectric Power Station of Machu Picchu from where we board the train to Aguas Calientes to spend the night (short, scenic 40-minutes train ride).

Overnight El Mapi Machu Picchu Hotel.

This morning we wake up early and board a bus to Machu Picchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, and enjoy the spectacular views of Machu Picchu, and the valleys and mountains that surround it.

We will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch at Café Inkaterra.

Then board the train to Ollantaytambo. From this point, a private vehicle will drive us back to Cusco and you will be transferred to your hotel.

You will arrive in Cusco at approximately 7 or 8 pm. You are free for dinner at leisure.

Enjoy the day to explore the city, or stay at your hotel to rest if you prefer.

In the evening you will be picked up and transferred to your farewell dinner at Baco’s restaurant.

Today, we have arranged a rotation of private transfers throughout the day from the hotel to the airport to connect to your flight home.

It’s time to say goodbye. Have a pleasant journey!