Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu: A Cultural Odyssey

It's about that picture. You know the one. Every website and coffee-table book has it. History, archaeology, anthropology guides all have it. You'll have it too. Standing above Machu Picchu, wispy white clouds floating by, the jagged Andes in the background, you'll snap the picture. But being there, feet firmly planted above that scene, will forever reset your view of humanity, society and history. How did they do this? When was this again? There are maybe ten places on Earth like this spot. And to think, it's only one moment in a week's worth of incredible moments.

Permits to hike the Inca Trail are extremely limited. We recommend booking a minimum of 4-6 months prior to departure in order to significantly increase your chance of securing a permit. If permits are unavailable during some seasons you will take a train to Aguas Calientes, bus to the entrance and hike into Machu Picchu.

Days 1-2 Hike to impressive Inca archaeological sites  Explore Cusco, once the center of the pre-Columbian Inca Empire  Visit Coricancha, a Spanish Colonial church built atop the ruins of an Inca temple  Our local guide shares deep insight into Peru's culture and ancient civilizations as we journey through Puca Pucara, Q'enko, Temple of the Moon and Sacsayhuamán  A long-time friend and Quechua shaman teaches us the meaning of his indigenous "Pago a la Tierra" ceremony  Discover the superb collection at Cusco's Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.

Day 3 Las Salineras, a stunningly beautiful honeycomb of tiered pools, where salt has been raked and gathered by families for generations Check out the Colonial church in Chinchero, where the residents still wear traditional clothing and live in ancestral homes Bike along dirt roads through the altiplano amid a panorama of snowy peaks and traditional villages In Moray, learn how the Inca ingeniously farmed using high-altitude terraces.

Days 4-5 Experience Quechua culture in an off-the-beaten-path weaving community where master weavers work  After an expert guide unlocks the historical treasure trove of Ollantaytambo's enigmatic ruins, climb the temple's 200 stone steps  Visit the world-renowned ceramics studio of Pablo Seminario  Enjoy a private dinner at the historical Hacienda Huayoccari Pedal on paved and dirt roads through the Sacred Valley  Explore the ruins at Pisac, offering sweeping vistas of the terraced hillsides  Interested in shopping for alpaca sweaters or decorative gourds? You'll find plenty to choose from at the Pisac market  Learn the secrets of Peruvian cuisine during our exclusive cooking class with Sol y Luna's chef, a highlight of our trip.

Days 6-8 Machu Picchu: the incredible "Lost City of the Incas"  After taking the train to Aguas Calientes, hike to the Gate of the Sun for an unforgettable bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu (you may have the option to take the famed Inca Trail) Spend a second full day exploring the "Lost City"  A local expert provides insight into the exquisite stonework and mysterious astrological designs of this sacred site Stroll through the grounds of the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel with a local naturalist to learn about the local flora and fauna.