peru-8-cuzco-sacred-valley

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Cuzco & the Sacred Valley TO C u U zC R O S & G U I D E S
also sells ponchos, changes money and has
an internet cabin in the corner, chances are
it’s not operating your tour.
Standard tours often travel in large
groups and sometimes they are rushed.
Classic options include a half-day tour of the
city and/or nearby ruins, a half-day trip to
the Sunday markets at Pisac or Chinchero
and a full-day tour of the Sacred Valley (eg
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero). You
can also consider doing these on your own
and at your own pace with a licensed taxi
driver, especially if you have a group. They
can also be done via public transport.
Agents also offer expensive Machu Picchu
tours that include transport, admission
tickets to the archaeological site, an Englishspeaking
guide and lunch. Since you only get
to spend a few hours at the ruins, it’s more
enjoyable (not to mention much cheaper) to
DIY. You can hire a guide at Machu Picchu
or in advance, from Cuzco.
The following tour agencies are recommended:
Andina Travel
ADVENTURE TOUR
(Map p198; %25-1892; www.andinatravel.com; Plazoleta
Santa Catalina 219) Adventure tour operator
with classic tours and treks.
Antipode
ADVENTURE TOUR
(Map p198; %970-440-448; www.antipode-travel.
com; Choquechaca 229) An attentive, Frenchrun
outfit offering classic tours, treks and
shorter local adventure outings.
SChaski Ventura
CULTURAL TOUR
(Map p204; %23-3952; www.chaskiventura.com;
Manco Cápac 517) Pioneer of alternative and
community tourism, with quality itineraries
and guides, also involved in community development.
Offers package trips to the jungle,
overnights in Sacred Valley communities
and Machu Picchu. French, English and
Spanish spoken.
Fertur
TOUR
(Map p198; %22-1304; www.fertur-travel.com; San
Agustín 317) Local office of long-established,
very reliable agency for flights and all conventional
tours.
Milla Turismo
TOUR
(Map p204; %23-1710; www.millaturismo.com; Av
Pardo 800) Reputable conventional tour operator
with travel agency services and recommended
private tours with knowledgeable
drivers.
SRespons
CULTURAL TOUR
(Map p198; %23-3903; www.respons.org; Choquechaca
216-C, staircase) High-end sustainable
tour operator working with community
development in the Sacred Valley. Offers a
tour of a weaving community near Pisac and
chocolate and coffee tours on the Inca jungle
trail (US$370 for three days). Available
in English, Spanish and French.
SAS Travel
TOUR
(Map p198; %24-9194; www.sastravelperu.com;
Calle Garcilaso 270) A direct operator with local
owners. Offers package tours to Machu
Picchu, Inca Trail treks, jungle travel and
Cusco tours.
SATO
TOUR
(Map p204; South American Travels Online %22-1304;
www.southamericatravelsonline.com; Matara 437,
interior-G) A reputable European agency working
with local operators for trekking, hiking
and rafting, also a last-minute specialist.
STurismo Caith
CULTURAL TOUR
(%23-3595; www.caith.org; Centro Yanapanakusun,
Urb Ucchullo Alto, N4, Pasaje Santo Toribio) Leader
in community tourism as well as standard
single and multiday trips. Participants can
help with educational projects.
The following operators also go into the jungle.
For more options, see p454.
Manu Expeditions
ADVENTURE TOUR
(off Map p204; %22-5990, 22-4235; www.manu
expeditions.com; Clorinda Matto de Turner 330,
Urb Magisterial) Destinations include Manu
Biosphere Reserve and horseback riding
around Sacred Valley.
Manu Nature Tours
ADVENTURE TOUR
(Map p204; %25 2721; www.manuperu.com; Pardo
1046) Reputable outfitter with its own rainforest
lodges in Manu.
Guides
The following guides for Machu Picchu and
around Cuzco are recommended:
Asociación de Guías »
Oficiales de Turismo
GUIDED TOUR
(Map p198; Agotur; %24-9758; www.agoturcusco.
org.pe; Heladeros 157) A good way to contact
guides.
Adam Weintraub»»
GUIDED TOUR
(%962-859-000; www.photoexperience.net) A native
of Seattle, Adam has many years’ experience
in Peru and guides custom high-end