Arrival in Cusco

We will stay in the charming and cosy Andenes Hotel in the historic centre of Cusco.

Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, was founded around 1100 AD. It is a beautiful city of Spanish and Inca influences with endless colonial sights including churches, monasteries and convents interspersed with Inca foundations, walls, doorways, and arches.

Cusco sits at over 3,000m (11,000 feet). These first couple of days are for acclimatising to the altitude. But for those who want to get right out there, there will be an optional guided tour through atmospheric neighbourhoods, visiting ancient temples and ceremonial sites that reveal the city’s layered past. As you move between stone walls and quiet plazas, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Cusco’s role as the former Inca capital and the enduring legacy of its architecture and traditions.

An optional early evening welcome talk by our guide Andres Adasme will introduce us to the mythology and use of symbolism in this diverse Andean region.

Meal: Dinner in Hotel Andenes.
Accommodation: Hotel Andenes, Standard Room.

Please note: the actual order and timing of events might change.

Astronomical Temples Near Cusco

Sacsayhuamán is considered the most revered Inca site in Cusco.

Today we will start to connect the dots between our new understanding of Inca/Andean philosophy and the architectural elements in the sacred sites that we will visit throughout the journey. We will spend the morning exploring Sacsayhuamán, considered the most revered Inca site in Cusco as well as the Bohic-Ruz 'Chinkana' archaeological excavation area.

After lunch, we’ll visit Koricancha, the sacred Golden Temple of the Incas, located in the heart of Cusco. This important archaeological site has revealed clear evidence of how Inca architectural planning was aligned with the movements of the Sun, Moon and stars.

We will end the day’s explorations with a visit to the Cusco Planetarium to hear a lecture: ‘Why the Incas Looked to the Sky – An Introduction into Andean Astronomy and the Notable Constellations that Defined Inca Civilisation’.

The excursions today, like all days, are optional, and so anyone who wishes to rest to get acclimated to the altitude can spend the day at their leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Andenes, Standard Room.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

Pisaq Exploration

One of the most comprehensive sites of the region, Pisaq provides evidence of the Inca's scientific research practices.

In the morning, we head to a mountaintop in the Sacred Valley to visit the village of Viacha, followed by a downhill hike to the Pisaq archaeological site. Comprised of fascinating ceremonial, agricultural, and residential architectural components as well as evidence of the Inca's scientific research practices, it is one of the most comprehensive sites in the region and will give you true insight into their ‘cycle of life’ philosophies, especially those that connect man with nature.

After a scenic drive to Lamay Lodge, we will enjoy a traditional Pachamanca late lunch and have the afternoon at our leisure to relax in the Lamay gardens and outdoor hot tub.

In the evening before dinner, we will hear an optional talk about cloud formations and our atmosphere by Gavin Pretor-Pinney (Member 001).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Lamay Lodge, Standard Room.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

The Qhapaq Ñan and the Entrance to Paititi, The City of Gold

We will stay in Huacahuasi Lodge, a community project that supports local families and preserves traditional livelihoods.

We begin our day exploring the Ancasmarca archaeological site in the Calca region, once the most important granary and storage site for food and other goods on the Antisuyu Trail from Cusco to the jungle, followed by a scenic drive to the Lares town of Choquecancha for lunch alongside members of this remote
Andean community.

Tonight we will be staying in Huacahuasi Lodge, a community project that supports local families and preserves traditional livelihoods. Through agricultural initiatives, craft collaborations and community engagement, Huacahuasi offers a genuine encounter with Andean culture, where our stay contributes directly to the wellbeing of the people who call this valley home.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Huacahuasi Lodge, Standard Room.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

Connecting with the Apus and the Site of Pumamarka

Ñaupa Iglesia is a little-known Inca huaca near Pachar, close to Ollantaytambo, where a natural rock shelter was transformed into a sacred ceremonial space through exquisitely carved stonework.

As significant as the stars were to Inca culture and mythology, so too was their connection to the 'apus', or Earth Gods, especially Pachamama (Mother Earth). Revered for her role in providing life and abundance, the Incas often dedicated ceremonies to Pachamama in gratitude and hope for her continued grace. We will have the opportunity to participate in a traditional Pachamama ceremony alongside members of the remote Marcacocha community.

We will visit the pre-Inca Pumamarka archaeological site for lunch and a guided exploration. Thought to have been occupied by early Andean cultures before later Inca use, the site is characterised by finely built stone terraces, ceremonial spaces and defensive walls that overlook dramatic mountain landscapes. Among the ruins, we’ll gain a sense of how early societies adapted to the high Andes, shaping their settlements in harmony with the land and the skies above.

A short optional talk before dinner on the archaeoastronomical design of Ollantaytambo and Pakaritampu will be followed by an early night, in preparation for our early start the following day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Del Pilar Ollantaytambo Hotel, Standard Room.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

Sunrise at Pakaritampu

The Sun Temple at Ollantaytambo is a monumental Inca ceremonial structure high above the Sacred Valley, famous for its Wall of Six Monoliths: vast stones cut, transported and fitted with astonishing precision.

Our morning starts earlier than usual to catch the sunrise. We begin with an uphill hike at dawn, to explore the Pakaritampu Pyramid, followed by a comprehensive tour of the Ollantaytambo fortress. The pyramid-like landscape of Pakaritampu is arguably the most significant Inca structure related to the equinoxes and solstices. In Cusco, it is believed that the ancient sundial precedes Inca culture by thousands of years, which would confirm the theory that the Incas were the final link in the archaeoastronomical heritage of the region. We will witness the effect of the sunrise over the pyramid, followed by an exploration of the fascinating and enigmatic structures of the Ollantaytambo archaeological compound.

We will have lunch in the town of Ollantaytambo, the oldest 'living city' in South America before taking the train to Aguas Calientes which sits at the base of Machu Picchu. In preparation for our final day, we will have an optional early evening talk that will help unravel the secrets of the mysterious citadel that is Machu Picchu.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Inkaterra Machupicchu Pueblo, Standard Room.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

Machu Picchu before our return to Cusco

The mysterious site of Machu Picchu was much like an institute of higher learning, dedicated to the study of astronomy, architecture, engineering, hydraulics, and more.

Our archaeoastronomy adventure culminates today with a guided exploration of Machu Picchu. An early morning shuttle bus will take us up to the citadel, a journey of around 20 minutes. Similar to Pisaq, the citadel is divided into multiple ceremonial, residential, and agricultural areas. Scientifically, however, this mysterious site was much like an institute of higher learning, dedicated to the study of astronomy, architecture, engineering, hydraulics, and more.

During our visit we will delve further into its history, purpose, and subsequent discovery after hundreds of years, hidden high above the Urubamba River and covered by the lush foliage of the cloud forest that borders the Amazon Jungle. More importantly, though, you will discover why this ‘jewel of the Inca Empire’ is the basis for the Andean people’s profound connection to the cosmos.

An afternoon train journey will take us back to Ollantaytambo followed by a scenic drive into Cusco, where we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner and our Peru Sky Holiday Quiz. And, yes, there will be prizes.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Andenes, Standard Room.

After breakfast and goodbyes, we’ll be transferred to Cusco Airport in good time for our flights.

Meal: Breakfast.
Transfer: to Cusco Airport