On Friday, we travel by luxury coach to the Urubamba valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to visit the Inca temple fortress of Ollantaytambo. Scientists believe that construction began here well before the Incas. Mysteriously, building ceased and the site was abandoned just prior to the arrival of the Spanish. The granite was brought 2.5 miles from the quarry. The ancient Quechua stonemasons were so meticulous; you will find it impossible to insert a credit card in any of the amazing joins. After marveling at this magnificent fortress we will stroll the quaint streets of the present town. Traveling from town to Pisac, we will have a chance to bargain with the vendors at the famous handicraft market.

We will lunch at Casa Hacienda Orihuela, where the Orihuelas, a family of great art collectors, will be your hosts. The house has a vast collection of popular and colonial art, ceramics, paintings, weapons, photography, ceremonial vessels and
the ceramic bulls of Pucara.

In the afternoon, we return to Cusco spending the night at the Hotel Monasterio.