Essence of Cusco
We always find the most unique experiences and love sharing places that have soul and personality. We get to know you and understand what makes you tick.
Overview
Highlights
- MACHU PICCHU: is a citadel built on top of the mountains right above the Willka Mayu or Willka Nota River, where the altar of Apu Salkantay, the most important mountain spirit god of the Inca people, resides. Built with white granite in the shape of the condor, and known as the crystal condor, the myth and legend is that the crystal condor carries the soul of the people of this Earth to the sun of divine origins. In Machu Picchu, you can connect with your original soul purpose and learn what you need to manifest in this lifetime, to leave as an offering and a legacy for generations to come. Machu Picchu is the temple of liberation, self-realization, and enlightenment, and honors the most important constellation of the Inca people — the southern cross constellation — also known as the heart of the Milky Way.
- OLLANTAYTAMBO: is the “Tree of Life.” In the middle of three valleys, the pre-Incan people-built terraces, temples, pyramids, and astronomical observatories on mountainsides, showcasing their ancient technologies and highly advanced knowledge of architecture, engineering, and astronomy. Ollantaytambo means “observatory from above,” from the Pukina language — a language now disappeared from the communities of the Andes. Myths and traditions say that the first civilization, descendants of the Atlanteans, settled here before moving into Cusco. Famous for its powerful temples to the sun, the sacred four elements, and the Pleiades, Ollantaytambo is the portal of entrance into Machu Picchu.
- ÑAUPA IGLESIA: (old church), one of the most mysterious Inca constructions in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is famous for being the place where religious ceremonies of Inca origin are carried out, such as the famous 'payment to the land'. It was a Sacred Huaca, where a type of portal was finely carved. Today, it is popularly believed that this is a three-dimensional door to other archaeological sites.
- SAQSAYHUAMAN: The “Temple of the Enlightened,” is also known as “satisfied hawk” or “great head of the puma.” This temple was for the head of administration, top military, government, and religious leaders. The enlightened head of the puma is a terrace in the shape of lightning with lithic pieces and stones brought from a quarry 25 km southeast of Cusco, weighing approximately 120 tons. At this temple, you can connect with the power of leadership, the enlightened mind, and enlightened consciousness. Here, the Andean people give homage to Father Sun and Mother Earth and keep ancestral ceremonies, rituals, and offerings of gratitude alive.
Your 5-day great adventure starts upon your arrival in Cusco. We will start with Sacsayhuaman, where various secrets become whispered through ancient stones and reconnect your spirit with Pachamama’s energy.
During the journey we honor the sacred trinity of Puma, Serpent, and Condor within a private Andean Initiation Ceremony that opens your heart to the transformative power of these spirit animals and energies around. You will come to be enveloped in the beauty of all of the land as we drive on through the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The energy of these sacred places will settle quite deep within the confines of your soul, in preparation for your life journey.
Itinerary & Prices
Our trips are grounded in sacred journeys: to the destination, to nature, to yourself, and to your loved ones. We take care of the details to create worry-free trips that allow you to savor every precious moment.
Tour Map
Costs (per person, based on double occupancy)
3* Hotels:
US$1950.00
4* Hotels:
US$2200.00
5* Hotels:
Ask your travel expert for an accurate quotation Single room supplement surcharge will be applied if you travel solo.
Add ons and extras:
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $70 USD.
- Machu Picchu Mountain: $70 USD.
- Vistadome Observatory: $100 USD one way – 200 USD Round Trip.
- Huachuma Ceremony: $250 USD (Available if you extend your trip for one day, request it in advance).
- Lunch and Dinner: $100 USD per day (1 main course and non-alcoholic drink).
Included:
- Tour Guide: English-Spanish and Quechua speaking guide.
- Hotel: 3* 4* 5* Category (Depending on the price your choose).
- Transportation: Private transportation for all tours.
- Entrance Fees: All entrances for the various sites are included.
- Despacho Ceremony: Offering to Mother earth on Day 2.
- Oxygen Tank and First aid kit: Our van is equipped with an Oxygen tank.
- Train Tickets: Round Trip Train Ticket to Machupicchu and Viceversa.
- Bus Ticket: Round Trip Bus Ticket, from/to Aguas Calientes.
- Meals: All mentioned meals.
- Machu Picchu Ticket: Machu Picchu Entrance - Circuit 2.
- Guided Tour: Our experienced guide will walk you through the Park for 2 Hours.
- Airport Pick-Up and Drop-Off: Pumadventures offers this complimentary service to all our travel family. Please share your flight details in advance.
Not Included:
- Meals not mentioned on the itinerary.
- Gratuities for Pumadventures team (Guides, Drivers).
- Souvenirs.
- Domestic Airfare.
- A small backpack or small carry on (larger suitcases are not allowed on the train).
- Changes of clothing.
- Comfortable shoes or runners.
- Good camera.
- Water.
- Waterproof jacket or poncho.
- A fleece or jacket.
- Toiletries.
- Insect repellent (15% – 30% deets).
- Sunscreen
- Hat for the sun.
- Extra cash for meals, snacks and souvenirs
- Original passport (it is compulsory to enter Machupicchu)
- Swimsuit for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes (optional).
Itinerary
Initiation ceremony and Journey to Sacred Valley
Route: Cusco → Urubamba.
Upon your arrival, our Pumadventures team will be waiting at the airport for you, holding a Pumadventures sign with your name on it. From the airport, we will begin on our adventure northwest, to make our way to Sacsayhuamán. Here, we will dig deep into the mystery as well as legends surrounding this impressive Inca site. Look at spectacular stone walls and find how this architectural wonder was built.
Next, your guide will guide you to a close cave, known as the Cosmic Mother’s Womb, where you shall undergo a rebirth process, linking with the energies of Pachamama (Mother Earth). At the Temple of Condor, we will participate within a private Andean Initiation Ceremony for honoring the Rainbow and all ancestral lineages. During such ceremony, you are going to connect up with this sacred trilogy of Incas – Puma, Serpent, and Condor – and explore a miracle of each power animal.
The adventure then continues to the Sacred Valley. A scenic two-hour drive will bring you to your hotel, where one can rest and reflect on experiences.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We recommend arriving into Cusco around noon, give or take, if doable, to ensure one smooth and improving experience during that day.
Overnight in Sacred Valley: 3*, 4* or 5* accommodation.
Meals: None.
Reconnecting within and Offering to Mother Earth
Route: Urubamba → Moray → Chinchero → Urubamba.
Today we start our visit with Moray, our bus will take us for a visit to the captivating Incan site of this town, six hundred meters above Urubamba. This ancient site contains unusual Inca ruins, large circular terraces, and a sunken Amphitheater.
The circular terraces were used for agriculture and were created as a type of open greenhouse consisting of tropical microclimates. As Moray was also considered the womb of Mother Earth, it was thought to be the best place to initiate healers. Here, we will experience another connection with the sacred feminine energy for healing our physical bodies and our emotional temples.
Continuing our journey, we drive towards the hometown of the rainbow – Chinchero (this is our lunch spot) a small village located high up in the windswept plains, offering spectacular views over the Sacred Valley and the snow capped peaks of the Andes. Renowned for its beautiful traditional weavings, this town is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and gifts. Here, we immerse ourselves in the local community, meeting village elders and the friendly local inhabitants. You will also participate in the Despacho ceremony to reconnect with Pachamama and gratitude.
Overnight in Sacred Valley: 3*, 4* or 5* accommodation
Meals: Breakfast
Full Day Of Machu Picchu “The lost city of the Incas”
Route: Urubamba → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes.
After breakfast, we make our way to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu for our spiritual awakening. First we will meet you at your hotel and drive from your hotel to the Train Station in Ollantaytambo for approximately thirty minutes. From where we will have a beautiful two hour ride towards the town of Aguas Calientes.
Upon your arrival to Aguas Calientes we will take a thirty minute drive by bus to the Machu Picchu. This citadel, Cristal Condor sacred site is an inspiring and beautiful place, an architectural wonder, and a great testament to the Incan Civilization. Once used primarily as an astronomical Observatory and place of pilgrimage, Machu Picchu now attracts thousands of visitors each year to connect with the sacred energies and ancient wisdom. Because it sits within three corresponding high peaks of power, which create an energy triangle, it is a perfect spot to sit and meditate, focus your intent, and expand your awareness. Your tour will last about two – three hours, we then drive to Aguas Calientes for lunch and will have the rest of the day to wander around this quaint town.
Important Notes:
- Machu Picchu Entrance – Circuit 2 at 1pm or closet schedule.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes: 3*, 4* or 5* accommodation
Meals: Breakfast.
Discovering The Old Temple
Route: Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo → Ñaupa Iglesia → Cusco.
After breakfast, we walk to the train station for our train to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. The canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater, on our arrival we go to Ollantaytambo Inca Site, known as The Sanctuary of the Wind, an ancient observatory and ceremonial center set amongst impressive hillside terraces.
Visit the Temple of the Sun and also the Royal Baths and Fountains for a shamanic energy experience where we will connect with the elements of earth, water, air, and fire. We then make our way along the murmuring river to the Temple of the Condor for a few moments of reflection and silent meditation.
Afterwards, we drive to reach the fascinating Ñaupa Iglesia, better known as Choquequilla, we have to walk about 18 minutes up the hillside to reach the incredible Inca constructions. The archaeological site of Choquequilla or Ñaupa Church is the ceremonial center of Ñaupa Iglesia or Choqella, which means “the old temple where gold shines.” It is an ancestral ceremonial-religious site and the enigmatic temple of the Incas, unique due to its construction, details, and location. Ñaupa Iglesia was used in Inca times to perform rituals on Earth, the cosmos, and parallel worlds.
After ascending the path and reaching the middle of the platforms of Ñaupa Iglesia, you enter a trapezoidal-shaped mountain cave, where the main temple and a set of rocky windows stand out. There you will feel the powerful ancient energy, as elders share that this place is a vortex and powerful portal to discover.
After we finish our tour we will come back to Cusco for the night.
Overnight in Cusco: 3*, 4* or 5* accommodation
Meals: Breakfast
Condor Temple – Closing Circle – Thanks Cusco
Route: Chakan → Thank You Cusco→ Next Destination.
Prepare for immersing yourself in Andean cosmovision in Chakan on your last day. The day begins with a ceremony honoring Pachamama for the special transformative journey we went through, where you’ll connect with the elements – earth, air, fire, and water – and the spirits of the land.
You’ll learn how we, Andean people, see the world as a living, interconnected whole, making offerings to the Apus and aligning yourself with nature’s rhythms. By day’s end, you’ll feel a deeper connection to the land and its sacred energy.
Once the tour is over we drive to the airport. Thank you!
Meals: Breakfast (Assumed, if hotel provides)
Accommodations
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