EXCURSIONS

The citadel of Machu Picchu has been for many years, the most important of all Cusco's tourist attractions. It is 3 hours by train from the city, although you can also get there by helicopter (30 min) or on foot (4 days on the inca trail). It was discovered in 1911 by the explorer Hiram Bingham. This citadel is considered one of the most extraordinary examples of natural architecture in the world.

Located at the top of a mountain which dominates the deep canyon of the river Urubamba, in a tropical forest, it was used as a religious centre and also for astronomical observation and for the private family business of the Inca Pachacútec. It consists of two major areas: one agricultural, made up chiefly of terraces and buildings for food storage; and the second which was used as sacred area, with temples, squares and royal mausoleums. In front of the citadel rises the hill Huayna Picchu, which can be reached by taking a steep stone path.

Only one hour from Cusco by car, the valley of the river Urubamba or Sacred Valley of the Incas is full of beautiful scenery and colourful towns, with impressive platforms and very important archaeological sites. Dominated by the imposing summits of the Vilcanota mountain range, the valley has been, since the Inca period, Cusco's agricultural breadbasket.

The valley embraces the area between the Inca towns of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo and is, thanks to the perfect climate and particular geographical setting, the ideal destination for adventure sport (canoeing, mountain biking, flying and walking).

Known as the land of bread. The inhabitants devote their efforts to the preparation of bread in many different ways and with a variety of flavours.

 

This town was constructed by the Wari culture (500-900 A.D.). It is a big urban and ceremonial centre in an area of about 2 km2 these stone and adobe structures are built on a hill which overlooks beautiful Lucre Lake. Pikillaqta or 'city of the fleas' is perhaps the earliest pre-Inca city of the region and its name is derived from presence of a couple of enclosures of only 4 m2 which seem to have been part of a military garrison.

 

 

San Pedro of Andahuaylillas is one of the most beautiful colonial towns of the region and is located 40 km from Cusco. There is a nice square covered by leafy Pisonay trees and surrounded by large old houses. Its principal point of interest is its only church, San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, constructed in the 17th century and considered a piece of Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The interior, profusely decorated with wall paintings, is simply incomparable. It also contains paintings by the Cusqueña School and Baroque altars of carved wood.

Coming out of Paucartambo, a straight road ascends to the gates of Acjanaco (3.800 msnm) and the Mirador of three crosses, a sort of natural balcony facing the Amazon. From here one of the most amazing sunrises in the world can be seen, it is produced by the optical effects of the sun that seems to glitter above the clouds which cover the tropical forest. The route continues from Three Crosses to the deep valley of Kosñipata and the river Alto Madre de Dios, crossing the exuberant, fog-bound forests of the Manu National Park, a paradise of biodiversity.