*Please note: In order to maximize your working and creative time at this workshop in Cusco we would encourage to you arrive at least one day prior for altitude acclimatization. An alternative would be to spend a night or two in The Sacred Valley which is at a slightly lower elevation. We include a short list of recommended locations on the Resources page of the B&B. The return flight out of Cusco should be scheduled for the day after the last day (please contact us if you have any concerns regarding this timing).
The first official day we will discuss process, history, creativity and technique. It is a relaxing day as we adjust to the altitude, the surroundings and the culture. We will orient ourselves to the central market, Cusco’s unique back streets and the main Plaza of central Cusco.
We start exploring outside of the traditional Sacred Valley tourist stops, taking a short trip to the ancient fortress Saqsayhuaman, the sacrificial site of Q’enko on the immediate outskirts of Cusco. This second day is walking and understanding some gorgeous evening light on the periphery of this special land.
The next two days will be short journeys to explore Pisac in the Sacred Valley and Cusco itself a little more. We will reunite each evening to discuss some of the issues we face – working with locals, exposures at high altitude, etc.
We’ll move on with morning light on the Upper Valley plateau and appreciate the green fields with flowering veggies foreground and striking Andean peaks in the not-so-distant background. Through the local’s town of Anta and the Huaypo watering hole, rich with burgundy quinua, tall choclo stalks, blonde barley and the occasional cattle, we’ll wander the backroads. Then off to Moray, the natural agricultural amphitheatre, for some walking and trekking. We’ll bus it over to the Salt terraces of Moray after a brief visit to the town, its church and a few friendly locals. At Moray we’ll traipse about the terraces and head walking down into the valley floor where the Rio Urubamba flows towards Machu Picchu and further, the Amazon.
With an overnight at Ollantaytambo, we’ll head up the canyon to Patacancha, Huilloq and the upper-reaches of the Sacred Valley. Box lunch with the mountain peaks, alpacas, condors and locals. We reach roughly 4000 meters and truly unique stretches of huts, rocky terrain and fragmented landscapes – incomparable.
Early morning train to km 104 or Aguas Calientes. We’ll jump off the train prior to arriving at the touristy Aguas Calientes and manage a relatively smooth day hike up to the Puerta del Sol, or the Sun Gate – the famous entry point from the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. However, on our way there, we’ll stop for a while at the spectacularly situated site of Winy Wayna, a few hours up the trail. From there we’ll push on to reveal the amazing perch above Machu Picchu, winding our way down into the ruins for a much closer look. We’ll spend the afternoon roaming the ruins in time for sunset and a bus down to our hotel.
This next morning, rise & shine early for the first entry to the ruins. On your own for the first 3 hours, we’ll reconvene around lunch for a quick bite and a formal tour of the ruins to better grasp some of the history, sites and features of this Wonder of the World. The afternoon will be on your own again to either take an alternative hike around the ruins or head down to the village for some hot springs. Last train out of there for Ollanta and then Cusco.
*A detailed and daily itinerary is available upon request and will be sent to all those who register for this workshop.
