THE INITIATION PATH
CUSCO, SACRED VALLEY - ALTERNATIVE INCA TRAIL (PUMA PATH- TREK) - WILD FISHING, SPIRITUAL IMMERSION & MACHU PICCHU
$ 799.00 USA
8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
PRICE PER PERSON 2024-2025
FIXED DEPARTURES
Every 3rd and 18th of the month, throughout the year, except March.
Before $ 1199
ITINERARY DESCRIPTION
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Day 1: Arrival In Cusco, City Tour (Cusco-Hotel).
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Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo - Marka Qocha (Camping)
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Day 3: Challwa Q'ocha Trek - Wild Fishing - Spiritual Immersion (Camping) Day 4: Alternative Inca Trail Trek; (Puma Path Trek) - Manto Qocha (Camping)
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Day 5: Alternative Inca Trail Trek - Manto Qocha - Urubamba (Hotel)
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Day 6: Urubamba Tour - Cocal Mayu - Aguas Calientes (Hotel)
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Day 7: Machu Picchu Tour - Cocal Mayu - Urubamba
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Day 8: Return Home Or Flight To Lima (End Of Tour)
IMPORTANT: This program has FIXED DEPARTURES, EVERY 3RD AND 18TH OF THE MONTH, throughout the year, except March, (we do not operate).
NOTE-1: All rates for this service are based on double or triple room occupancy, in 1-2 star hotels. Single rooms can be reserved for an additional charge.
NOTE-2: After the tour in Machu Picchu, we cannot remain much time inside the park, because it is not allowed - (the park rangers kick us out). The space where it is allowed to remain longer is at the entrance to the park, but this space is quite small and almost always very crowded with tourists. That's why normally almost all visitors, once the tour is finished (inside Machu Picchu), return to Aguas Calientes and generally spend the whole day here, tired and bored, waiting for the forced train schedule for the return, which is normally in the afternoon or evening.
WHY IS IT THE BEST PROGRAM?
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It combines various activities and visits to the most important sites of the tourist destination of Peru - Cusco, with unique and exclusive content and itinerary, touring natural and cultural spaces away from the city bustle, living and learning experiences about Andean spirituality (seminars and ceremonies); with the possibility of spotting the Condor, Puma, Vicuñas, etc. (in their natural habitat), with a medicinal bath in the hot springs and medicinal waters of "Cocal Mayu".
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A new program, new route, designed for a wide sector of travelers eager to learn about and engage with the ancient Andean culture, alive and present in its vestiges and its native people, with their practices of daily life. An alternative program to the very saturated Classic "Inca Trail" and much more economical, although with a different itinerary (Optionally, part of the trek can be done on horseback).
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With this program we do not use train transportation to Machu Picchu - because the train monopoly has very expensive tickets that constantly sell out very easily, causing serious inconveniences for travelers and tour operators. The train schedules are forced by the commercial interests of the company and in favor of the big businesses of the place, which does not allow the traveler to access adequate schedules for a timely and fast arrival and return, and this means that visitors have to submit to these forced schedules, which generates fatigue, boredom and excessive and unnecessary expenses for travelers. For this reason, Peru Alive has created this itinerary along this route, where we have as part of the program a light walk through the valley, instead of having our visitors standing for hours and hours on the hard seats at the station, or wasting time at some big business monopoly place, generating at the same time excessive and unnecessary economic expenses (all this while waiting for the train to leave). Peru Alive takes you along a different, more beautiful, cheaper, more comfortable route.
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This route allows us to make the schedules for each tour activity more flexible, according to the group's pace - there is no risk of the train leaving us, of the bus leaving us, of forgetting our belongings at the station or on the train. There is no rush to run from the station to catch the train, no rush to run from the station to the bus to get to the hotel, etc. Here we go at the group's pace, without stress, without running.
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You will be able to purchase products from the native communities (typical textiles and other handicrafts), helping the community, which will contribute to the local economic reactivation, also generating other jobs (muleteers, cooks, guides, mules, etc.).
AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT VISITS, AND ACTIVITIES OF THIS PROGRAM WE HAVE:
CUSCO, SACRED VALLEY OF THE INKAS (PISAQ, QOYA, LAMAY, YUCAY, URUBAMBA OLLANTAYTAMBO)
& MACHU PICCHU
The area is quite famous, where almost all visitors to Peru arrive; a territory rich in agricultural lands, originally called "Willka Yunka", Sacred Valley, a privileged place of the "Tawantinsuyo" empire, the main pantry or food provider to the ancient "Puma City", capital of the empire, a place chosen by the sovereign "Inka Pachakuty", a place of control and surveillance on the "K'apaq Ñan" (royal road) towards the "Anty Suyu" region, where "Machu Picchu", "Vilcabamba", "Viqcus", Inka Wasi, "Espiritupampa" and others are found.
A space that houses the main sacred religious precincts of Amazonian Andean spirituality, located along the route of the "Willka Mayu" River (Sacred River), this river was considered an "earthly reflection of the Milky Way" with its constellations of the "Mallqu" (Tree of Life), the Llama, the "Kuntur Apuchin" (Condor), etc. Some reasons why Machu Picchu may have been built in this area.
TOUR TO MACHU PICCHU
Because it is a longing for every traveler, one of the 7 wonders of the world, the destination of almost every traveler to Peru; a space never explored by the Spanish invaders upon their arrival to the Inca empire, the City of healing and temple of Cosmic energy. One of the few most original Inca cities - (physically and energetically). Abode of sacred gods and "Huacas", surrounded by a paradisiacal, unique and very special landscape
THE CHALLWA QOCHA COMMUNITY
One of the few places in the region where families descending from the "Tawantinsuyo" civilization live, possessors of knowledge from the ancient millenary Inca culture, with their own ancestral uses and customs. Their main activity for household sustenance is family agriculture, they also dedicate themselves to making handicrafts with typical weavings, all completely handmade, which they offer to our visitors.
AMAZONIAN ANDEAN SPIRITUALITY
The sacred legacy of the Tahuantinsuyu society, which is still in force in a very small sector of the Amazonian Andean community. Here in the Sacred Valley is located the association of the "Amazonian Andean Spiritual School" of Peru, which has as associates important personalities knowledgeable in the ancient spiritual practices (the so-called Andean priests or "Paq'os"). They are our allies in the revaluation and dissemination of this sacred knowledge, with which Peru Alive is committed, which in turn also allows us to help our fellow humans with the benefits of this ancestral science, ignored by formal science.
MARKA QOCHA
In the times of the great Inca civilization, it was a sacred place, where initiatory and healing practices were performed in Andean spirituality. Currently there is a "WAKA" (sacred altar), and a chapel from the colonial era (when the assailants commanded by Pizarro invaded the Inca Empire, imposed their Catholic religion on the indigenous people at the cost of torture and death, and in the place of the sanctuaries and sacred temples of the natives they built their colonial chapels and temples, to impose their religion and confuse future generations)... Marka Qocha is one of the few places that survived the atrocities of the invaders, where there is an almost intact "Waka" (Sacred Altar); although a large part of the indigenous sanctuary was destroyed and removed to build the existing chapel; however, they could not destroy or steal the sacred energies existing in these "Wakas"... Although for many people who are unaware of this science, it goes unnoticed... Here we will have a seminar on Andean spirituality and healing offerings with the help of our "Paq'o"... we will camp very close by.
By Pacha Apu (Wilbert Yucra)
THIS SERVICE INCLUDES
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN CUSCO, CITY TOUR (CUSCO-HOTEL
• Accommodation: (Hotel in Cusco).
• Meals: Not included.
• Entrances: Not necessary.
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY TOUR, PISAQ OLLANTAYTAMBO-MUNAYPATA
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Private transportation service from the hotel to the place called "Hidro"
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Hotel service in "Machupicchu town"
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Monopoly Bus transportation fee, (up and down) from Machupicchu Pueblo to Machupicchu park and from Machupicchu to “Aguas Calientes”
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Entrance fee to the “hot springs” baths
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Private transportation from Hidro to the city of Cusco
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Food (one Box Lunch- two breakfasts)
DAYS 3-4-5: TREK - WILD FISHING - SPIRITUAL IMMERSION
• Professional certified guide service throughout the tour
• Spiritual Immersion Seminar and healing practices, assisted by a traditional Andean priest (paq'o-Shaman)
• Kitchen equipment, tents, dining room, chairs and tables
• Mountain tent (double tent - 2 people per tent)
• Foam mattress for resting at the campsite
• Chef service: cook on the Trek and kitchen assistant
• Porters service, Horses or Llamas, to transport camping equipment and personal crew (travelers) belongings, with a maximum baggage weight of 16 lbs per traveler
• Food (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners), plus snack service every day (fruits, cereals, coca leaves, etc)
• Optional riding horse service (not included in service cost)
• Provision of fishing gear (for fishing in the lagoon)
• Fees for fishing activity in the community
• Community entrance fees
• Hot water service at the campsite for personal hygiene
• Private transportation service on the last day of the Trek (to hotel)
• Hotel service (last day of Trek)
• First aid kit service (Basic)
DAYS 6-7: MACHU PICCHU EXPEDITION - COCAL MAYU - URUBAMBA
• Private transportation service from hotel to the place called "Hidro"
• Hotel service in "Machu Picchu Town"
• Transportation fare on the Monopolistic company bus service (up and down) from "Aguas Calientes" to the Machu Picchu park and back
• Entrance ticket to the "hot springs" baths
• Private transportation from Hidro to Cusco city
• Food (one Box Lunch, two breakfasts)
DAY 8: RETURN HOME OR FLIGHT TO LIMA (END OF TOUR)
• Transfer from hotel to Cusco airport.
• Accommodation: Traveler's own.
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SERVICE
• Sleeping bag (for the trek)
• 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 3 breakfast (during the program)
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• Any medical or emergency needs.
• Other personal expenses not mentioned in the service
DESCRIPTION OF THE ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN CUSCO, CITY TOUR (CUSCO-HOTEL)
Depending on your flight schedule, when you arrive in Cusco, the Peru Alive transfer and our transport vehicle will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to a hotel near the center of the city of Cusco. You will then have the morning free to explore the central area of the city of Cusco.
At 12:30 PM, before lunch, our Peru Alive Guide will pick you up from the hotel to have lunch at a place near the city center. After that, we will take a walking tour of the central area of the Puma city, capital of the Inca Empire (Cusco city), where we will visit the main square, the small square and old San Blas neighborhood, the street of the 12-angled stone, the main Catholic church of Cusco the Cathedral, the famous Inca temple "Qorikancha" also called "Inticancha", the San Francisco square, the Nazarenas square, and other places in the central area of the city.
(You will communicate your flight schedule to us)
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Accommodation: (Hotel in Cusco)
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Meals: Not included.
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Entries: Not necessary.
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY TOUR, PISAC, OLLANTAYTAMBO - MARKA QOCHA (CAMPING)
At 7:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel, then board our vehicle to begin the tour. We will head towards the "Qorao viewpoint" where we will make a stop to observe the beauty of the surrounding landscapes and take photographs. We will continue to the other "Pisac" viewpoint, then arrive in the traditional town of Pisac. Continuing on, we will reach the "Pisac" archaeological park, where we will take an on -site visit (we will take a short walk of approximately 2 hours). Afterwards, we will board the bus again to continue the journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, passing through Lamay, Qoya, Calca, Yucay until arriving in Urubamba. Here we will go to a restaurant for a buffet lunch (1pm). Then we will continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological park (30 minutes away). Upon arrival, we will have a tour of approximately 2 hours, after which we will board the bus again, heading to our "Marka Qocha" campsite (arriving at 5pm) to spend the night in tents, two people per tent (if you require an independent tent, request it in advance). (Altitude: 2,895 m.a.s.l. - 9,186 feet). Dinner at the campsite.
DAY 3: CHALLWA Q'OCHA TREK - WILD FISHING - SPIRITUAL IMMERSION (CAMPING)
At 6am we wake up with a hot coffee or tea, then we start packing our belongings. At 7am we have breakfast, after which we begin the purification and healing ritual, with the participation of an Andean priest or "Paq'o" (member of the Andean Amazonian Spirituality School), where we will prepare the offering to Pachamama, the Apus and the Aukis. We continue with the spiritual immersion seminar with the participation of our "Paq'o" on Andean Spirituality and Traditional Medicine, assisted by our Peru Alive Guide. Continuing on, we board our vehicle to transfer to the Indigenous sector of "Challwa Q'ocha" (we travel approximately an hour and a half). Upon arrival, we have a brief talk about the rules for fishing, then we have the day's menu. After the meal and a brief relaxation, we take a short 30-minute walk to the community lagoon, where we begin the fishing activity, casting our hooks into the lake waters to catch the wild trout. Once we have fished (catch in hand), we head back to the campsite to prepare or cook the caught trout, this with the help of our Chef, and this will be our dinner. If we don't catch a trout, someone will catch the trout for us for dinner. We prepare for camping (we spend the night at the campsite) (3,950 m.a.s.l.—12,959 feet).After the menu of the day, we continue for two more hours on a slightly descending path, until we reach the camp, of "Manto Qocha", where there is a beautiful lagoon with a wonderful view of its surroundings.
On this route we have the possibility of observing the King of the mountains "Kuntur Apuchin" or Condor, there is also the possibility to observe the "Auky Puma", (warring that we do not necessarily guarantee to see these animals, ... if they want they can be seen); On the way, we observe the presence of beautiful lagoons with their crystal clear waters, charming landscapes, troops of Llama, Alpacas, etc.); At 7 pm. We will have dinner and later rest in camp. (height. 3,800 MASL—12,467 feet).
DAY 4: TREK; ALTERNATIVE INCA TRAIL (PUMA PATH TREK )- MANTO QOCHA (CAMPING)
Very early, the radiant sunlight blesses us with a new dawn. At 6 am we have tea, coffee, hot chocolate, etc. to elevate our energy and warm the body. Then we pack our trekking equipment. At 6:30 am we have breakfast. After breakfast, we begin our pilgrimage on the "Puma Trail". We leave the campsite on a slightly ascending path for approximately one hour, arriving at the place called "Melo Pata" from where we can see the "Apu Piriqway", and to the east the "Apu Pitusiray". We then continue with a slight descent of about 30 minutes. From here, we have another hour on an uneven, almost flat path with a minimal ascent until reaching the place "Tika Pallana". We continue on an uneven and almost flat path for approximately one hour. Now we begin the ascent to the "Puma Path" pass (4,250 m.a.s.l.—13,944 feet), the highest pass of the entire route, which will take approximately two hours. From here we will have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains, adorned with herds of llamas and alpacas in their meadows. From the pass, we continue descending the trail for about 30 minutes, arriving at the "Waro Qocha" lake. Here we will have the day's meal (4,200 m.a.s.l.—13,780 feet).
After the day's meal, we continue for two more hours on a slightly descending trail until arriving at the campsite called "Manto Qocha", where there is a beautiful lagoon with wonderful views of the surroundings.
On this route, we have the possibility of observing the "King of the Mountains" the "Kuntur Apuchin" or Condor, as well as potentially seeing the "Auky Puma" (noting that we cannot guarantee seeing these animals...if you're lucky, you may see them). Along the way, we observe the presence of beautiful lagoons with crystalline waters, enchanting landscapes, herds of llamas, alpacas, etc. At 7 pm we will have dinner and then rest at the campsite (altitude 3,800 m.a.s.l.—12,467 feet).
DAY 5: ALTERNATIVE INCA TRAIL TREK - MANTO QOCHA - URUBAMBA (HOTEL).
At 6am we wake up with a hot drink (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc.), with a spectacular view of the waters of Lake "Manto Qocha". We immediately pack our travel equipment, and at 7am we have breakfast. After breakfast, we begin our hike on a slightly descending trail (for approximately five hours) until reaching the place called "Puma Pampa". Here we bid farewell to our support team (cooks, porters, arrieros). Then, we board our vehicle, which will take us to a restaurant in the Valley for lunch. Afterwards, we continue to our hotel in Urubamba (a drive of approximately 40 minutes), arriving at 3pm. Here we will have free time to explore the town or simply rest to regain energy for the next day's activity. (Altitude 2,900 m.a.s.l. - 9,514 feet).
In this part of the route there is a beautiful forest of native trees such as "Chachacoma, Queña, Unka", and others, which make the surroundings of the trail even more beautiful and enchanting.
DAY 6: URUBAMBA TOUR - COCAL MAYU - AGUAS CALIENTES (HOTEL)
Today we wake up at 5am, pack our belongings, and at 5:30am we have breakfast. At 6am we board our vehicle that will take us to the mountain pass called "Málaga" (altitude 4,330 m.a.s.l. - 14,206 feet), in the "Wakay Willka" mountains (traveling for one hour). Here we make a stop to observe the view of the surrounding mountains and the "Carrizales" canyon. Then we continue traveling until we reach the "Cocal Mayu" hot springs (3 hour drive). Here we have the opportunity to bathe in the medicinal thermal waters (2 hours at the baths). Afterwards, we have the delight of our lunch (box lunch). We continue traveling by vehicle for another 30 minutes until reaching the end of the road. Here we leave our vehicle behind. We begin a walk on a flat trail, following the waters of the "Wilka Mayu" river upstream, also following the railroad tracks, until we reach the town of Aguas Calientes (2.5 hour walk). Immediately we head to our hotel (arriving at 4:30pm). Then we have the afternoon free to explore the town of Aguas Calientes or simply rest at the hotel regaining energy for visiting the world wonder of Machu Picchu (altitude 2,050 m.a.s.l.—6,726 feet).
DAY 7: MACHU PICCHU TOUR - COCAL MAYU - URUBAMBA
terminal to line up and travel to the world wonder of Machu Picchu (30 minute ride). Upon arriving at the archaeological complex, we line up again to enter the Machu Picchu complex (altitude 2,435 m.a.s.l.—7,989 feet). Once inside, we have an on-site tour (approximately two hours) then we'll have extra time to appreciate and enjoy the surroundings of this world wonder. Afterwards, we board the bus of the monopolistic company heading back to the Valley in Aguas Calientes. Once there, we begin a return walk through the valley following the route of the Sacred Wilkamayu River until reaching the start of the road (2 hour walk). Upon arrival, we have the opportunity to enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, then have free time to explore the small local community or buy some extras. Next, we board our vehicle to return to the city of Urubamba (4 hour drive), arriving at the hotel around 7pm.
DAY 8: RETURN HOME OR FLIGHT TO LIMA (END OF TOUR)
after having provided you with passionate and unforgettable service, so that you can enjoy your adventure exploring the wonders of southern Peru, and our ancestral Andean culture; after breakfast, we will pick you up to transport you to the Cusco airport and bid you farewell! End of tour.
• Accommodation: At the traveler's expense.
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
• Entry Costs: Not required