Activities and excursions

Union Hotel Cusco

Explore the city of Cusco, also known as the Imperial City and declared a UNESCO World Heritage. Imagine walking through the streets of the city where time seems to have stopped and every corner tells a story. Visit the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and center of worship to the Sun God, where the Dominican Order built a church that still stands today. Continue your tour to the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an impressive example of Inca military architecture. Visit other important sites of the Inca culture, such as the archaeological site of Q'enko. Finish the tour at the Plaza de Armas (main square) with a visit of the cathedral, the most important Catholic temple in the city.

Walking tour of Cusco, the imposing imperial city, an example of the harmonious coexistence of Andean and Spanish cultures. You'll start with a visit of the Plaza de Armas (main square), where you'll see the cathedral, considered the city's most important Catholic temple. Then continue walking to the Koricancha temple, an ancient Inca palace and center of worship of the sun god, on which the Dominican order built a church that still stands today. Your tour ends with a visit of the bohemian district of San Blas, also known as the artists' quarter, home to renowned folk craftsmen, with its narrow, winding streets and shops selling art and knick-knacks of all kinds.

Prepare yourself to live a one-of-a-kind experience at the Planetarium of Cusco, located 15 minutes away from the city, where you will learn about the important relationship between the Andeans and the cosmos. Thanks to special equipment, a sky full of stars and constellation will be projected, which will allow you to see the wonders of the universe up close. If the weather allows it, you will go outside to witness ''the oldest show in the world,'' observing stars and constellations through telescopes and other astronomical observation instruments.

Leave your hotel behind as you embark on an impressive tour of Peru's cultural sites. From your first stop at the Raqchi viewpoint, enjoy a breathtaking view of the Sacred Valley. Then head to the ancestral salt mines of Maras, where some of the finest salt is still extracted today. Continue your journey to Moray, where your guide will immerse you in the history behind this ancient Inca archaeological site and its ruins, known for its magnificent concentric terraces. This excursion represents a golden opportunity to explore some of the areas that have lived through Peruvian history.

Embark on a getaway to Chinchero, a charming Andean village, where you'll discover the home of a textile artisan. Immerse yourself in the world of his unique artistic creations, explore his techniques, and grasp the captivating creative process. Stop on the way to admire significant Inca ruins from the 15th century and a traditional church, you'll pass through remarkable historical remains. On the way to Ollantaytambo, make a stop at a viewpoint offering one of the most breathtaking panoramas of the Sacred Valley. An exquisite lunch awaits you in a local restaurant. Continue your journey to Ollantaytambo, an impressive archaeological site that witnessed a rare defeat of a Spanish expedition. Famous for its preserved Inca architecture, Ollantaytambo served as both a strategic fortress and an important religious center. Conclude this day rich in discoveries with a visit to the Moray terraces, a remarkable example of Inca agricultural engineering. This experience will immerse you in the fascinating heritage of the Inca Empire.

Peru is a producer of many of the world's finest varieties of cacao. Learn all the steps in the production of chocolate, from the harvest of a cacao plantation to the production of a chocolate bar. You will roast, peel, and grind cacao beans into a paste. This cocoa paste was once used to make the first known cocoa beverage, traditional hot chocolate. During this workshop, you will be able to make your own chocolate.

Your adventure begins with a three-hour drive from your hotel in Cusco to Phulawasipata, a village located at an altitude of 4,626 meters (15,177 feet) in the Cusipata district. From the very beginning of your trek, you will enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Peruvian Andes. Meet llamas and alpacas along the way, while the imposing silhouette of Apu Ausangatel, the highest mountain in the region, rises majestically on the horizon. During your ascent, you'll have the opportunity to interact with the welcoming members of the Phulawasipata community and immerse yourself in the rich Peruvian culture. After an hour and a half of hiking, the incredible rainbow-colored mountain of Vinicunca will reveal itself at an impressive altitude of 5,020 meters (16,466 feet). A one-hour descent brings you back to the village. A delicious Peruvian dinner awaits you in a local restaurant of the region. Return to Cusco to end this unforgettable day in the Peruvian Andes.

Leave Cusco early in the morning to reach the town of Soraypampa, the starting point of your trek. On the way, cross the district of Limatambo located at 2,100 meters altitude, which was an important access point to the city of Cusco during the Inca Empire. There you will find the archaeological remains of Tarawasi. Then continue your journey along the Apurimac River until you reach Soraypampa, the start of the ascent to the Humantay Lagoon. During your hike take time to enjoy the stunning scenery of the Andes until you reach the Humantay Lagoon, a magnificent turquoise lake nested at 4,200 meters altitude. Afterwards hike back down to Soraypampa, where the bus will be waiting for you. On the way back to your hotel, there will be a stop to have lunch at a local restaurant.