Peru Trek Travel And Adventure Specialist offering tours in Peru including trekkings and expeditions, alternative tourism programs, archaeological sightseeing, rafting, horseback riding and jungle trips. Find the most complete information about the Inca Trail the best trekking to Machu Picchu, Lares trek, Ausangate trek, Colca Canyons trek, Cordillera Blanca trek, Huayhuash trek, Huraz trek and other aventure treks in Peru.
Welcome to Cuzco (Cusco)
Cuzco (Cusco), known as the Archeological Capital of America
LOCATION, EXTENSION AND POPULATION
The department of Cusco is located in the south oriental region of the country, comprising part of the Sierra and the Jungle. At 3,360 m.a.s.l. (11,023 ft), it limits with Arequipa, Puno, Apurímac, Junín, Ucayali and Madre de Dios. In the high regions the mornings are mild and the nights are cool. There are two seasons, dry and humid. The rainy months are December through March. In the Sierra the annual average temperature is 11°C (52°F), while in the Jungle is above 25°C (77°F).
Come to visit Cuzco Peru
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Cuzco City - Cuzco is today an amazing amalgam of the Inca capital and the colonial city
In actuality, Cuzco appears to have been a centre of only mediocre importance until the 15th century when the power of the Incas was affirmed following the battle against the Chancas invaders: its reconstruction, directed by two great Incas, Pachacutec (1438-71) and Tupac Yupanqui (1471-93) lasted 20 years and, supposedly, employed 50,000 men. The first of these rulers (to whom is also attributed the construction of Machu Picchu) wished to create an ideal city that would respond to the multiple functions of a capital: after having canalized the two principal rivers (Saphi and Tullumayo), whose flooding periodically menaced the inhabitants of the old Cuzco, he laid down the foundations of an extremely hierarchical organization in which the urban centre united administrative and religious functions, whereas the outlying areas and especially the satellite-towns situated in a cultivated zone (Cayaucachi, Claquillchaca, Picchu, Quillipata, Carmenca, Huacapunco, etc.) were units of agricultural, artisanal and industrial production. This tripartite division must have stirred the imagination of the conquistadores, as did the orthogonal layout of the streets of the Ciudad Nobiliaria, barely inflected to accommodate land erosion. The European invaders respected the plan of this rational city, so curiously close to the idea cities of the Renaissance. They limited themselves to the destruction of the principal edifices charged with political and religious symbolism, and constructed new monuments, aggressively Catholic and Spanish, on the admirable cyclopean masonry of the demolished walls of these buildings. The Huaccapayta, centre of the Inca empire, bordered by the palaces of Pachacutec, Viracocha and Huayna Capac, is the present-day Plaza de Armas; the palace of Viracocha was demolished in order to build the cathedral begun in 1560; the Acclahuasi to construct the convent of Santa Catalina; the Coricaucha, partially destroyed in order to make space for the convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman, etc.
Cuzco is today an amazing amalgam of the Inca capital and the colonial city. Of the first, it preserves impressive vestiges, especially its plan: walls of meticulously cut granite or andesite, rectilinear streets running within the walls, ruins of the Sun Temple of which the Golden Garden, once covered with sculptures of precious metals, was pillaged by the Spanish soldiers to enrich the coffers of Charles V. Of the colonial city, there remain the freshly whitewashed squat houses, the palace and the marvellous Baroque churches which achieved the impossible fusion of the Plateresco, Mudejar or Churrigueresco styles with that of the Inca tradition.is also both a mestizo and colonial city, with splendid churches and manors built on foundations of elaborately carved stone. The local cuisine is also something for the traveler to look forward to, including superb combinations of typical Andean foods, such as corn, potatoes and chili pepper, with pork and mutton introduced by the Spanish. With its vast landscapes, rich history and fascinating geography, Cusco is, without a doubt, something all travelers long to experience.imate, but temperatures can plummet at times, something which has helped give rise to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Access routes are rough, as Choquequirao has yet to be developed as a tourist product. However, the more adventurous will be fascinated to discover this area of natural beauty, teeming with brightly-colored orchid varieties such as the Michi-Michi (Cypalla Herrerae), which grows on the walls of the complex, and the Wkanki (Masdevalia Veitchiana), amongst others.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Cuzco - Peru The Legend and History
Although it was
settled centuries before the Incas arrived, it was only during the period of
Inca control (1438-1532 AD) that the Huatanay River basin, upon which Cusco
is built, reached its peak as an administrative, religious and military center.
The origins of the city are shrouded in myth and legends which tell the tale
of how the Inca empire came into being.
One of the most popular myths, from the chronicles kept by the Inca Garcilaso
de la Vega, is that of a mythical couple, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo,
who emerged from the waters of Lake Titicaca to found the city of Cuzco and
teach its people how to cultivate the land. The city was divided into two sectors:
an upper area, or Hanan, and a lowerlying area, or Hurin, references to both
the geographical position of each area and the hierarchical position of their
inhabitants. Moreover, it is also said that the outline of the first city had
the shape of a puma with a falcon’s head.
When the Spaniards
arrived in 1533, many pre-Hispanic structures were destroyed or used as foundations
for new structures, which included churches, convents and mansions built in
Baroque or Renaissance styles. Since then, Cusco has become one of the most
representative expressions of mestizo culture anywhere in the Americas.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Cuzco Climate
The Cusco region
has two very distinct seasons. One of these is the rainy season, which runs
from November to March with an average temperature of 12º Celsius. The
dry season, which would be the recommended time to visit, is characterized by
cold nights, sunny days and an average temperature of 9º Celsius. Due to
the location of the city (3,250 masl), soroche, or altitude sickness, is something
to be wary of. Rest and light food are recommended for the first day of your
visit, and warm clothing is vital at night, as are sunscreen lotion and hats
during the day.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Cuzco Access
Cusco is easily accessible by air; commercial flights leave daily from Lima
(55 minutes), Arequipa (30 min.) and Juliaca (30 min.). Access by road is also
possible (1,050 km from Lima, 450 km from Arequipa). Attractions in the city
The Main Square Known in Inca times as Huacaypata, or “the warriors’
square”, this was
the scene for many key events in Cusco’s history: it was here that the
conquistador Francisco Pizarro declared Cusco under Spanish occupation; it was
also here that Túpac Amaru I, leader of the indigenous resistance movement,
was killed. The Main Square also hosted to the spectacular Inti Raymi, or festival
of the Sun. With the arrival of the Spanish the plaza was fringed by beautiful
stone arches which remain in place to this day. Across from the Main Square
are the Cathedral and La Compañía church.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Cuzco Cathedral
The Cathedral Built between 1560 and 1664 out of large slabs of red granite
taken from the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the Cathedral is one of the most
imposing structures in the city. Its façade, built in Renaissance style,
contrasts with the Baroque and silver of its lavish interior. It also houses
important collections of gold and silver work of the colonial period, elaborately
engraved wooden altars and a beautiful collection of oil on canvas paintings
from the Escuela Cusqueña. On either side of the slabs of red granite
are two small auxiliary chapels. One of these, the Del Triunfo church, in fact
Cusco’s first Cathedral, was built in 1539 on top of the palace of Inca
Wiracocha.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
La Compañía Church
Considered one of
the finest examples of colonial Baroque architecture in the Americas, the construction
of this church was begun by the Jesuits in 1576 on what was the Amarucancha,
or palace of Inca Huayna Cápac. The spectacular façade made of
carved stone and its great altar, elaborately covered in cedar and gold leaf
and built on top of an underground chapel, are among its most notable features.
The church also houses a large collection of sculptures and paintings by the
most renowned artists from the Escuela Cuzqueña. The church is flanked
by the Lourdes chapel and the ancient oratory of San Ignacio de Loyola.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
La Merced Convent and Church
Built in the sixteenth
century and rebuilt on numerous occasions as a result of earthquakes which have
leveled the city, the convent possesses one of the most beautiful Baroque-Renaissance
cloisters in all Peru,decorated with beautiful choir stalls built in the plateresque
style, and numerous engravings. It also houses colonial paintings and a very
distinctive piece: a tabernacle made of gold and precious stones measuring 1.3
m long and weighing 22 kg, studded with a giant mermaid-shaped pearl (the second-largest
pearl in the world)
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
San Blas Quarter
Also known as “the
craftsmen’s district”, San Blas is one of the most picturesque parts
of the city, with its long, inclined narrow streets that zigzag across old estates,
which were built with Inca stones, and its tranquil squares. The church of San
Blas, built in 1563, is the oldest parish church in Cuzco and has an impressive
pulpit, considered to be the colonial period’s most outstanding example
of engraved wood. Furthermore this district, with one of the finest views of
the city, is home to the workshops and stores of the most renowned craftsmen
in Cuzco, including Hilario Mendívil, Edilberto Mérida, Santiago
Rojas and Maximiliana Palomino.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Hatun Rumiyoc Street
This is perhaps
the best-known street in the city. One of its cut-stone walls, (which at present
forms part of the Palace of the Archbishop) features the famous 12-cornered
stone, which was once part of the ancient palace of Inca Roca, one of the rulers
of Tahuantinsuyo or Incan Empire. This lively street is a gateway to the picturesque
San Blas quarter.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Cuzco Peru
View of city of Cuzco*
Located in the southeastern part of the Andes, Cusco is Peru’s main tourist destination and one of the most important in the Americas. Known by the Incas as the “home of gods”, Cusco became the capital of one of the largest pre-Columbian empires: the Tahuantinsuyo. Its name in Quechua, Qosqo means “Navel of the world”, which derives from when the city served as a hub for a vast network of roads interconnecting virtually the whole of South America, from the southern part of presentday Colombia to the northern part of what is now Argentina.
Furthermore, Cusco is also both a mestizo and colonial city, with splendid churches and manors built on foundations of elaborately carved stone. The local cuisine is also something for the traveler to look forward to, including superb combinations of typical Andean foods, such as corn, potatoes and chili pepper, with pork and mutton introduced by the Spanish. With its vast landscapes, rich history and fascinating geography, Cusco is, without a doubt, something all travelers long to experience.imate, but temperatures can plummet at times, something which has helped give rise to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Access routes are rough, as Choquequirao has yet to be developed as a tourist product. However, the more adventurous will be fascinated to discover this area of natural beauty, teeming with brightly-colored orchid varieties such as the Michi-Michi (Cypalla Herrerae), which grows on the walls of the complex, and the Wkanki (Masdevalia Veitchiana), amongst others.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Koricancha & the Convent of Santo Domingo
Live Cuzco webcam*
The Coricancha (from the Quechua words Quri Kancha meaning 'Golden Courtyard'), originally named Inti Kancha (' Temple of the Sun') was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated primarily to Inti, the Sun God. It was one of the most revered temples of the capital city of Cusco.
The convent was
built on the spectacular Koricancha (“site of gold”), the most important
temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun and whose walls were plated with
sheets of gold. The convent was built on a foundation of smoothened stone structures
–the most finely crafted in Cuzco– taken from the Inca sanctuary.
The façade of the convent is an excellent example of Renaissance art
and its distinctive spire, built in Baroque style, stands out over the thatched
roofs of the Cuzco skyline.
Like the two churches mentioned above, it houses an impressive collection of
canvas paintings from the Escuela Cuzqueña.
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
San Blas Street (Cuesta de San Blas)
Live Cuzco webcam*
San Blas, one of the most famous neighborhoods of Cuzco, is its most picturesque and offers a complete array of services to the tourist, including good food. Not only does it contain streets of Inca origin that look like they belong in a story about Don Quixote’s Spain, it promises a wide range of hotels from the most pricey to the least expensive, a variety of cuisine, and a rich cultural life.
In its streets and plazas, San Blas tells its history. One of the ancient twelve neighborhoods of Inca Cuzco, San Blas was known as T’oqocache. Garcilaso Inca de la Vega, using a different variant of the name, discusses its meaning in his famous Royal Commentaries of the Incas where he called T’oqocachi “a very large ward.”
Today, San Blas is known as the artisan’s neighborhood, not just because it holds one of the most famous works of wood carving done by Cusqueño hands, the Pulpit of san Blas, but because it is also a stronghold of artisans who for years have made known their abilities in sculpture and painting. The Mendivil family, among others, keeps alive this rich tradition and has several shops.
This prize winning family has a unique style of longed necked figurines which has developed a new and intriguing style of popular religious art in Cuzco that joins with it rich artistic past. They are modern masters.
San Blas is one of the most visited places in Cuzco by the full variety of tourists. As a result, it not only is a traditional neighborhood of the city with its own heritage and culture, it is also extremely cosmopolitan.
* Live Cuzco webcam by cortesi Hotel Boutique Casa San Blas
http://www.casasanblas.com
CUSCO Cuzco - Peru tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
THE BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
The Hiking Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Part of the 23.000 km (approximately 14.000 miles) of roads built by the Incas in South America, this is Peru’s most famous trekking route and possibly one of the most spectacular in the Americas. Every year, some 25.000 hikers from ar cfd ound the world walk along the extraordinary 43 km of this stone-paved road built by the Incas leading to the unassailable citadel of Machu Picchu located in the depth of the Cusco jungle.
The journey starts in the village of Qorihuayrachina, at kilometer 88 of the Cusco-Quillabamba railway and takes three or four days of strenuous walking. The route includes an impressive variety of altitudes, climates and ecosystems that range from the high Andean plain to the cloud forest. Travelers will cross two high altitude passes (the highest being Warmiwañuska at 4.200 masl) to culminate the hike with a magical entrance to Machu Picchu through the Inti Punko or Gateway of the Sun.
One of the main attractions along the route is the web of ancient settlements built in granite rock by the Incas like Wiñay Wayna and Phuyupatamarca immersed in an overpowering natural scenery. Hundreds of species of orchids, multicolored birds and dreamlike landscapes provide the ideal backstage for a route that every hiker should walk at least once.
Many travel agencies sell complete packages to trek the Inca Trail that include meals, camping gear and porter services. Travelers who wish to organize themselves independently can find porters in the communities of Chillca and Wayllabamba who will charge a modest fee to help carry your gear. Drinking water and food supplies, as well as full camping gear are needed.
Trekking in the Sacred Valley: The most famous trek outside Cusco is, of course, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. But if you're not up to 4 strenuous days with a group along a highly structured trail, there are plenty of additional hiking options in the Sacred Valley. Other trails are much less crowded and share some of the same extraordinary scenery. Ollantaytambo and Yucay are the best bases for walks in the pretty countryside of the Urubamba Valley. The trek from the Inca site Moray to the Salineras salt mines is particularly stunning.
Running Big-Time White Water: Just beyond Cusco in the Urubamba Valley are some excellent river runs, ranging from mild to world-class. Novices can do 1-day trips to get a taste of this thrilling sport, while more experienced rafters can take multiday trips and even hard-core rafting journeys along the Tambopata River in the Amazon jungle. The area around Arequipa and the Colca Canyon in southern Peru is even better for rafting. The easiest and most convenient runs from Arequipa are on the Río Chili. More advanced rafting, ranging up to Class VI, beckons on the Río Majes, Río Colca, and Río Cotahuasi.
Exploring Colca Canyon: Perhaps second only to the Callejón de Huaylas Valley in northern Peru for quality independent hiking is Colca Canyon. One of the most celebrated hikes is the descent into the canyon itself, from the Cruz del Cóndor lookout. There are others that are even longer and more demanding, but more accessible hikes are also possible; walking from one village to another in the valley should satisfy most peoples' urges to get outdoors. Excursions on horseback throughout the valley and into the canyon are also possible. Hard-core sports enthusiasts might take on remote Cotahuasi Canyon, deeper and more rugged even than Colca.
Mountain & Volcano Climbing Near Arequipa: For mountaineers (and fit, adventurous travelers), the volcanoes just beyond Arequipa are perfect for some of Peru's best ascents. Several don't demand technical skills. Towering El Misti, which forms part of the Arequipa skyline, is an extremely popular climb, and the city's other major volcano, Chachani, also presents an accessible ascent. Peaks in the Colca Valley are great for serious climbers; these include the Ampato Volcano and Coropuna, which, at more than 6,425m (21,079 ft.), is perhaps the most stunning mountain in the Cotahuasi Valley and is for specialists only.
Spotting Birds & Wildlife in the Peruvian Amazon: Peru's Amazon rainforest is some of the most biologically diverse on the planet. The southeastern jungle and its two principal protected areas, the Tambopata National Reserve and the Manu Biosphere Reserve, are terrific for viewing wildlife and more than 1,000 species of birds. One of the great birding spectacles is the sight of thousands of macaws and parrots feeding at a clay lick. Keep your eyes peeled for more elusive wildlife, such as caimans, river otters, and even jaguars and tapirs.
Surfing the Waves of Peru's Pacific Coast: Brazil might be more popularly known as a surfing destination, but wave connoisseurs dig Peru, with 2,000km (1,200 miles) of Pacific coastline and a great variety of left and right reef breaks, point breaks, and big-time waves. Beaches are mostly uncrowded, but the water is cold, and most surfers wear wet suits year-round. More than two dozen beaches attract surfistas. Northern Peru, best from October to March, is the top choice of many; surfers hang out in the easygoing fishing village of Huanchaco, but the biggest and best waves in Peru are found at Puerto Chicama (also called Puerto Malabrigo), about 80km (50 miles) up the coast from Trujillo. The best beaches in southern Peru, where surfing is best from April to December (and at its peak in May), are Punta Hermosa, Punta Rocas, Cerro Azul, and Pico Alto.
Trekking & Climbing in the Cordillera Blanca: The Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain chain in the world, is almost wholly contained in the protected Huascarán National Park. For walkers and mountaineers, the scenery of snowcapped peaks, glaciers, lakes, and rivers is unrivaled in Peru. Fifty summits soar between 4,800 and 6,662m (15,748-21,857 ft.) high, so naturally, expert mountaineers are drawn to the Cordillera, but trekking and climbing opportunities abound for less experienced outdoors types. The classic trek is the 4- to 5-day Santa Cruz-Llanganuco route, one of the most beautiful in South America
Mountain Biking in the Callejón de Huaylas: Mountain biking is developing some legs in Peru. The top spot is the valley near the Cordillera Blanca, the pristine mountain range in central Peru. Hundreds of mountain and valley horse trails lace lush fields and push past picturesque Andean villages and alpine lakes. Hard-core peddlers can test their lung capacity climbing to 5,000m (16,400-ft.) mountain passes. For cycling camaraderie, check out the Semana del Andinismo in Huaraz, which features a mountain-bike competition.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Here you can check the aviable to Hiking Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in real time.
The information shown is taken directly from the government trek permit database and shows the real-time availability of Inca Trail trek permits. Trek permits are required for the classic 4 day Inca Trail, the shorter 2 day Inca Trail and the 7 day Salkantay / Inca Trail trek. Alternative treks such as Lares Valley, Ausangate, Choquequirao, and the 5 day Inca Trail via Santa Teresa do not require trek permits.
The government issues a maximum of 500 trek permits for each day. Since trekking staff are also included within this limit of 500 persons this means that, on average, about 200 trek permits are allocated to tourists and about 300 allocated to guides, cooks and porters.
Inca Trail & Machu Picchu entrance fees (248 Peruvian Soles per person, about US$80) to provide road maintenance.
Admission to the sanctuary is included in the ticket.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
TRAVEL IN PERU
Travel to Peru with us and get the chance of visiting Machu Picchu, Titicaca Lake, the Colca Canyon, the enigmatic Nazca Lines, the National Reserve of Tambopata and other fabulous places you never imagined to be at. We organize tours all over Peru, as well as extensions to Brazil, Argentina, CHile, Ecuador and Bolivia. We´ve got more than 3 years experience, as well as offices in Lima, Cusco and correspondents along Peru.
Find the most complete information about the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu and other aventure treks in Peru.
Peru Trek offers breathtaking views and unforgettable encounters with nature where some of the highest peaks in the Andes and the best trekking routes..
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
PERU THE LAND OF THE INKAS
The Inca Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The administrative, political and military center of the empire was located in Cuzco. The Inca Empire arose from the highlands of Peru sometime in early 13th century. From 1438 to 1533, the Incas used a variety of methods, from conquest to peaceful assimilation, to incorporate a large portion of western South America, centered on the Andean mountain ranges, including large parts of modern Ecuador, Peru, western and south central Bolivia, northwest Argentina, north and north-central Chile, and southern Colombia. The Incas identified their king as "child of the sun."
The Quechua name for the empire was Tawantinsuyu, which can be translated as The Four Regions or The Four United Regions. Before the Quechua spelling reform it was written in Spanish as Tahuantinsuyo. Tawantin is a group of four things (tawa "four" with the suffix -ntin which names a group); suyu means "region" or "province". The empire was divided into four Suyus, whose corners met at the capital, Cusco (Qosqo), in modern-day Peru. The official language of the empire was Quechua, although scores if not hundreds of local languages were spoken. There were many local forms of worship, most of them concerning local sacred "Huacas", but the Inca leadership encouraged the worship of Inti, the sun god. They tried to impose it against the cult of Pachamama which was the main common deity worshiped in the Andean area.The Inca Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The administrative, political and military center of the empire was located in Cuzco. The Inca Empire arose from the highlands of Peru sometime in early 13th century. From 1438 to 1533, the Incas used a variety of methods, from conquest to peaceful assimilation, to incorporate a large portion of western South America, centered on the Andean mountain ranges, including large parts of modern Ecuador, Peru, western and south central Bolivia, northwest Argentina, north and north-central Chile, and southern Colombia. The Incas identified their king as "child of the sun."
You have to see it to believe it, to open your eyes and all of a sudden awaken in Machu Picchu, magical city, that has just been internationally voted as one the new Seven Wonders of the World. It is a dream come true that every living soul should experience, along with planting a tree, writing a book, and having a child... visit Machu Picchu (and discover Peru).
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
HISTORIC SANCTUARY OF MACHU PICCHU PERU
One of the most important and most visited PreColumbian sites in the Americas, an outstanding symbol of Peruvian national pride and Inca civilisation.
The ruins are a uniquely sited royal winter retreat, religious sanctuary and mausoleum of the Inca rulers from Cuzco built around the middle 15th century, superbly constructed and integrated with a spectacularly beautiful landscape. Its sheltered and remote location has preserved a very rich endemic and relict flora and fauna, including the rare spectacled bear.
One hundred years ago, on July 24th 1911, the American historian Hiram Bingham arrived to the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, an architectural treasure that remained hidden for over four centuries under the lush vegetation of the Urubamba canyon, until the Yale professor unveiled it to the world.
Come to Peru and visit de Historic Sanctuary Machu Picchu.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Meet and follow the traces of the Incas that headed to the Machu Picchu city. This is a great alternative for those who are interested in hiking through the complete Inca trail. Stages at the trail are from 7 to 8 hours hikes through an Inca trail full of impressive history. Arriving to the last mountain we’ll be able to see the Machu Picchu city with enough time to visit the most important archaeological site of the Incas after which we’ll return back to Cusco city on train.
Come to Hike the classical Inca trail 4 days 3 nigths and visit de Machu Picchu
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
The Inca trail trek is one of the most famous treks in the world, the Inca Trail is as popular as it is ancient. The trek follows a section of ancient highway that connects the Inca capital city of Cusco with the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail route, which was part of a huge network spanning the entire Andes, was a vital artery for the Inca Empire, where royal messengers used a foot relay system to cover thousands of miles at an astonishingly rapid pace.
Come to Hike the Shortl Inca trail 2 days 1 nigths and visit de Machu Picchu
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
The Salkantay Mountain (6,271 meters/20,471 feet above sea level), part of the Vilcanota mountain range, was called "Apu" by the Incas and was worshipped as a deity of guidance and protection. Salkantay dominates a great part of the Sacred Valley, and the spectacular Vilcanota Mountains which are the main starting point for this trekking program. The whole area is filled with fantastic natural landscapes and attractive Inca archaeological sites.
Come to Hike the Alternative Salkantay Trek and visit de Machu Picchu
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
When there are no permits left for the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek becomes the best choice. Hiking past the Salkantay Nevado is an incredible experience. When National Geographic Adventure rated the Salkantay Trek is one of the best 25 treks in the world, the Salkantay route to Machu Picchu started to be hiked with more frequency. Although the Salkantay Trek is still not as popular as the Inca Trail, the people who have hiked both of them agree that their favorite is the Salkantay Trek due to its amazing landscapes, beautiful hot springs, and impressive Incan sites.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Choquequirao’s builder, Tupac Inca, chose his city’s site and design precisely because of the similarities to Machu Picchu, the city of his predecessor, Pachachuti, according to Gary Ziegler, an independent American archaeologist who worked on the first Choquequirao excavation. The two cities were about the same size and served the same religious, political and agricultural functions. But because archaeologists long underestimated the importance of Choquequirao, the city’s existence was known for almost 300 years before the first restoration was begun in 1993. It is still only 30 percent uncovered. The Peruvian government is just beginning to plan for large-scale tourism there.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
All the tour packages are tailor-made according to your needs and specific requirements so, for price information please contact us at any of the following email addresses or booking form
The archaeological complex of Choquequirao is part of the system of Andean towns in the Vilcabamba Valley. In the time of the Incas it was united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails. Choquequirao is located in the spurs of the mountain range of Salkantay, at 3035 m.a.s.l, surrounded by the snow-capped Apus (gods) of Yanama, Ampay, Choquetacarpo, Pumasillo and Panta on the right side of the Apurimac River in the Santa Teresa district, La Convencion province of Cusco region
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
This expedition will take you to two of the major archaeological sites in the Cusco area and in the whole Peru: Choquequirao Choquequiraw or Choquequirau and Machu Picchu. The legends and knowledge of the Machu Picchu inca city are already all over the world. Since the re-discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham in July 1911, the Inca city has been a topic of discussions and research about the Incas, and finally in 1981 the Peruvian government established The Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, same that in 1983 was honoured by UNESCO as a World Heritage.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
The heart of the eastern Andes, south of the ancient and magical city of Cusco, is dominated by Mount Ausangate (6.333 meters), the main Apu or mountain spirit of Peru’s southern Andes.
Access to the massif is made possible by a paved road that sets off from Ocongate. The 7 to 12 day walk is physically demanding, as it requires climbing through high mountain passes and being exposed to changing weather conditions.
Trekking and adventure travel agents offer circuit packages from Cusco. Hiring an experienced agency and local guides is advisable.
In addition to the spectacular Andean backdrop, the route is dotted with numerous Quechua communities that continue to make a living from traditional communal farming and llama and alpaca herding.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
This is a very nice trek for trekkers love to hike and being in the middle of nowhere (just being surrounded by nature), like to go camping with a group and having fun with each other. The Tambomachay head of the trail this is a site where few tourists come at 30 minutes from Cusco, finding a small hill consisting of rocks and caves in the form of passages. Huchuy Qosqo (small Cusco) is situated above the Valley of Urubamba and offers very spectacular views over the mountain range Cordillera de Vilcanota ending in Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
If you’ve got a free day in Cuzco and you’re keen to get off the beaten path then this is definitely the Adventure for you. It’s a mild hike which takes you to some truly extraordinary places. You will see the Temple of the Rainbow, the subterranean passageways under Cusiyuchayoc, and the Temple of the Moon.
Your group will depart from the Plaza de Armas in the early morning and begin the hike up through a eucalyptus forest beside the Saphy River.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
The Santa Teresa Jungle trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days is is one of the most complete routes around the World, we make our tour through a beautiful landscape in the valley’s immensity and jungle’s edge arriving to the thermal springs in Cocalmayo after enjoying the nature with its vegetation and fauna we’ll appreciate fruit plantations, exotic animals, to finally arrive and meet the first marvel of the modern world Machu Picchu.
Come to Hike the jungle trek 3 days 2 nigths and visit de Machu Picchu
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
This is the most amazing and exciting trip to machupicchu with bike and trek, we can discover more adventures among the mountains, valleys, rivers and crossing smalls villages, coca plantations, coffee and a lot of kind of fruits and walking on the old real inka trail which connect to the city of the Incas, we will take also a relaxing bath in the hot spring which is good for rheumatism, this trip definitely is considered one of the adventure rote to machupicchu where we will observe daily living of Andean and local people… doing this kind of trips we can contribute with local people, buying some fruits, mineral water, also we always use the local restaurants and familiar hostels as we already know they are always grateful with our guest.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
An Inca Trail Alternative: For those who do not book far enough in advance (usually several months), there are other hikes that can be just as challenging and rewarding as the Inca Trail. Most notable among these is the Lares Trek. Unlike the Inca Trail, there is no limit on the number of those who can hike the Lares route. Despite this, though, it is always significantly less crowded than the Inca Trail. However, it ends prior to the entrance of Machu Picchu and Lares trekkers must take the touristed bus up to the site.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
This route is a short one through the southern mountains of Ollantaytambo; it will take us across an impressive variety of landscapes and ecological areas over a high pass with all the principle Cusco’s white peaks in view. We will climb to a pristine cascade and we’ll camp near the archaeological Inca complex through a not to visited path headed to the Chancachucu pass (4400m.a.s.l.), from here we’ll walk a path to an open mountain grassy field to arrive to our second campsite.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Vilcabamba, Espiritu Pampa, is the last Inca city and what Hiram Bingham was looking for and thought he found when he discovered Machu Picchu. The town was considered the last hideout of the Incas and from where they launched their guerilla war against the Spanish for decades after conquest. This cloud forest trek begins and ends in the town of Huancalle, near Quillabamba. The trek lasts anywhere from 6-10 days depending on your guide.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
PERU TRAVEL AND TOURS INFORMATION
Preparing for Your Trip to Peru
Before visiting Peru, you may need to get the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for at your destination: (Note: Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.)
To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it.
Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.
CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. Find a travel medicine clinic near you. If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with any doctors you are currently seeing for other medical reasons.
If your travel plans will take you to more than one country during a single trip, be sure to let your health-care provider know so that you can receive the appropriate vaccinations and information for all of your destinations. Long-term travelers, such as those who plan to work or study abroad, may also need additional vaccinations as required by their employer or school.
Be sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Check the links below to see which vaccinations adults and children should get.
Routine vaccines, as they are often called, such as for influenza, chickenpox (or varicella), polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) are given at all stages of life; see the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule and routine adult immunization schedule.
Routine vaccines are recommended even if you do not travel. Although childhood diseases, such as measles, rarely occur in the United States, they are still common in many parts of the world. A traveler who is not vaccinated would be at risk for infection.
The rest are still unexplored and await those who wish to walk the magical trails of the Peruvian Andes and their extraordinary web of pre-Columbian roads. More than 12.000 lakes, the deepest canyons on Earth, glaciers and snowcapped mountains, forests and waterfalls, picturesque towns and the most hospitable people one could imagine welcome travelers.
Some roads are so steep they get lost in dizzying abysses, or they zigzag like huge snakes between the mountains, like flat and long ribbons lost in the immensity of the desert, or hidden and imperceptible in the thickness of the Amazon forest.
The roads of Peru offer endless possibilities and the ideal combination for trekkers of all levels of experience and requirements.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
CUZCO OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: Trekking, Mountain Biking, Rafting River, Horseback Riding, Fishing.
- Trekking maras - moray with machu pichu 2 days
- Mountain bike and trek adventure to machu picchu 4 days
- Maras & Moray mountain biking full day
- Cuzco half day mountain biking
- Tipon horseback riding
- Horse back riding in the sacred valley full day
- Rafting urubamba river
- River rafting cusipata full day
- Rafting apurimac river 3 days
- Fishing lake ipsaycocha full day
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Special Offers: Machu Picchu 100 Year Anniversary Discovery Package
As the peak season for visiting the mystical Inca ruins at Machu Picchu approaches, this year will also mark the centennial anniversary of the "discovery" of the Lost City by American historian Hiram Bingham. This anniversary heralds a great opportunity to explore this latest world wonder yourself.
Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
One of the world’s most spectacular treks, spellbinding mountain scenery and unforgettable Inca sites. Stroll down the Royal Road before reaching the famous Lost City of the Incas. Spend four full days hiking the trail in a small group with your experienced guide and porters, covering approximately 46 km, starting at 2750 m with two high passes to a maximum of 4200 m.
Peru Travel agency tours Operator of trekking: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu - Back to top
Peru Destinations
