HOTELMAMASARA, CUZCOA new hotel in Cuzco situated within walkingdistance to the main Plaza de Armas. All 26rooms are spacious with a homely feel. Located ina modern building, the interior maintains Cuzco'scolonial style with warm shades of purple andred, and dark-wood furnishings giving this hotel an elegant feel.LACASONA, CUZCOThis striking 16th century manor house was builtover an Inca palace and has been meticulouslyrestored as an exclusive 11-suite hotel combiningcolonial charm and furnishings with contemporarycomforts and personalised service. The suitessurround a beautiful central courtyard and eitheroverlook the courtyard or have views over thecity. Each suite is furnished with antiques andretains original architectural details, whilst offeringmodern comforts.The Sacred Valley of the IncasLeaving Cuzco you travel by road to some of thefascinating surrounding towns and villages in theSacred Valley of the Incas. This winding and fertilevalley between Pisac and Ollantaytambo was atthe spiritual and commercial heart of the Incaempire. It is a beautiful, colourful and enchantingarea, guarded throughout by ancient Inca citadelsset high on the sides of the mountains. At Pisac,evocative ruins display the precise stonework thatwww.audleytravel.com/peru ?01993 838 620 ?Peru15is the trademark of the Incas, and you will seeastronomical observation posts and ceremonialbaths fed by aqueducts. The equally strikingremnants of the sturdy fortress at Ollantaytamborear up at the end of the paved road betweenCuzco and the Sacred Valley, dominating thetown that was once an important administrativecentre for the Incas.Another trademark of the Sacred Valley is thecolourful markets where you can barter withtraditionally dressed women for an array ofgoods. The finest is the Sunday market inChinchero where threads are dyed and woven in one of the local houses. Alternatively, visit thenearby remains of the royal manor of the rulerTupac Inca Yupanqui. If Sunday does not fit intoyour plans then the regular daily market at Pisac is an excellent option.Close to Chinchero are the unusual circular Incaterraces of Moray, which are still used for farmingtoday. Nearby is Maras, where you can see thebusy salt workers extracting the mineral in a wayunchanged for generations since, legend has it, thesun god hailed salt on the locals as a punishmentfor rebelling against the Incas.This beautiful part of Peru is also one of the best areas for visitors seeking a wide range ofadventure activities including trekking (see page16), horse riding, whitewater rafting and mountain biking.ACCOMMODATIONINTHESACREDVALLEYThere are some fine hotels dotted throughoutthe Sacred Valley, and we recommend you haveat least one night staying here prior to travellingto Machu Picchu or embarking on one of thenumerous treks on offer. Our favourites includethe simple La Casona in Yucay, the practicalPakaritampu in Ollantaytambo and the charmingSol y Luna near Urubamba. There is also a newbreed of more luxurious options in the valleyincluding Rio Sagrado and the Tambo del Inca.Local girl, Sacred Valley of the IncasChinchero market, Sacred Valley of the IncasHotel Pakaritampu, Sacred Valley of the IncasMoray, Sacred Valley of the IncasSacred Valley of the IncasPlaza de Armas, Cuzco

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxKM104KM104 is the perfect option for those who donot feel up to a full Inca Trail trek but wish todo a full day walk. This trek starts by alightingthe Machu Picchu train before it arrives atAguas Calientes and crossing the UrubambaRiver to start the gradual climb to WiñayWayna, the final significant Inca site beforeMachu Picchu. Lunch is taken en route and thisoption still provides that incredible first viewfrom the Sun Gate.SalkantayKnown as the 'alternative Inca Trail' Salkantayoffers walkers a far less hiked route to MachuPicchu over the course of four days. It has astunning array of landscapes, including thesnow-capped peaks of Humantay andSalkantay, Andean farming communities andthe small Inca site of Q'ente before descendingto a hydro-electric station on the UrubambaRiver and walking to Aguas Calientes.Mountain Lodges of PeruAn innovative trek that follows a similar routeto the Salkantay Trek but instead of camping in tents, guests stay in comfortable lodges with en-suite facilities, hot water and gooddining. This trek is walked at a gentler pacethan others, lasting seven days in total includingacclimitisation walks from the first lodge.ChoquequiraoThis challenging five day trek takes walkers off the beaten track to the vast Inca site ofChoquequirao. Often referred to as the 'cradleof gold', archaeologists believe it may be up tofive times the size of Machu Picchu. The routetakes a dramatic descent to the ApurimacRiver canyon before climbing to a vast plateauon which the ruins sit. The route is a 'thereand back again' trek, but for the reallyadventurous it is possible to continue on toMachu Picchu, a tough twelve day trek.Huchuy QosqoA beautiful and relatively unknown site right in the heart of the Sacred Valley, HuchuyQosqo can be reached on a one day walk orlonger two day option departing from justoutside Cuzco. The route takes walkersthrough dramatic Andean scenery withstunning views down to Pisac and Urubambain the lush Sacred Valley below.LaresAn excellent alternative to the Inca Trail, the Lares trek takes walkers from the SacredValley along original Inca routes, throughspectacular scenery, rural communities andfree roaming herds of llama and alpaca. Endingin the small town of Lares, renowned for itsthermal springs, walkers head back to theSacred Valley by vehicle for their onward tripto Machu Picchu by train.For years the Sacred Valley has been the drawfor trekkers wanting to walk the famous IncaTrail to Machu Picchu. However the optionsextend far beyond this well trodden route andthere is now something on offer for walkers ofall levels seeking varying degrees of comfort.When embarking on any Andean trek you willneed to be relatively fit and be properlyacclimatised prior to setting off. Unlessotherwise stated, most treks will involvecamping with limited facilities. However, we findthat the relative rigours of camp life are morethan rewarded by the freedom, astoundingsense of space and breathtaking scenery of theAndes. Most treks are done in small groups,although private treks can also be arranged. The Inca TrailNo longer just the preserve of Inca messengersand backpackers, this trail is a tough, butultimately rewarding trek, along the ancient path that served as an avenue for news fromthe rest of the Inca empire to Machu Picchu.Along the route you will see many otherwiseinaccessible Inca ruins such as Runkuracay,Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna, which helpput the whole essence of Machu Picchu intomore of a context. In addition, you will arrive at the best view of Machu Picchu, from highabove at the Intipunku Sun Gate. We can offerthis trek on either a group or a private basisand at different paces with a classic four daytrek and a gentler five day option.Walking and trekking16Dead Woman's Pass on the Inca Trail