Como contratar as excursões no Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu e Vale Sagrado

Todos os passeios que fiz no Peru foram por meio das excursões que contratei diretamente nos hotéis.
Geralmente não costumo utilizar excursões nas minhas viagens, mas como tinha apenas 1 semana para conhecer o Peru, pensei em otimizar o tempo agendando as excursões, e ainda contando com a presença de guias turísticos que, pra mim, foram essenciais para que eu entendesse a história do lugar.
O Peru tem uma história fantástica, e foi fundamental poder entendê-la a partir de cada lugar visitado. Destaco o guia das excursões em Cusco e no Vale Sagrado. Não lembro o nome dele, mas era um professor de história de uma das Universidades de Cusco, então ele dava verdadeiras aulas sobre os lugares, inclusive respondendo com muita atenção a todas as perguntas que surgiam.
Segue uma foto dele na feira de Pisac explicando sobre o Cuy (um tipo de porquinho-da-índia):

Quando confirmei a reserva no Hostal Amauru, já verifiquei no site que eles ofereciam as 3 tours que eu queria, então enviei um e-mail perguntando sobre os horários, valores e o que estava incluso em cada tour, e eles me responderam rapidamente com as informações detalhadas:

CITY TOUR CUSCO
Duration: From 2:00pm to 6.30pm.
Shared group size: 10 - 30 people
Daily departures
Pick up time from the Hostal around 1:15 pm
It includes the most significant sites in and around Cusco City, such as: the Qoricancha (temple of the sun) which displays the best Inca stonework in the city and the Cathedral at the Cusco Main Square with its magnificent colonial art. The tour drives along the Circunvalacion Road up to famous fortress of Sacsahuaman, amphitheatre of Qenqo, the fortress of Pukapukara and the springshrine of Tambomachay.
Price per person: US $ 14.00 (*)
Includes:
- Spanish and English speaking professional guide
- Round trip transportation by bus
(*)  Rates in share group.For this tour you have to buy the BOLETO TURISTICO (130.00 soles per person) and the entrance to the Qoricancha temple and the Cathedral (35.00 soles per person).

SACRED VALLEY OF THE INKAS TOUR - full day
  Duration: From 9 a.m. to 6.30pm.
Shared group size: 10 - 30 people
This guided excursion is offered EVERY DAY. And the entire native market at Pisaq is only available on Sunday. This tour of the Sacred Valley includes the Inca Citadel at Ollantaytambo. This is a large site of ruins characterized by fine masonry, which includes terraces, canals, granaries, fortress walls, and the Temple of the Sun.The markets at Pisaq are also featured. Here you can purchase beautiful textiles, jewelry and ceramics at bargain prices. Return to Cusco at 6.30 PM
Price per person US $ 16.00 + BOLETO TURISTICO
Included:
- Spanish and English speaking professional guide
- Round trip transportation by bus
OPTIONAL Buffet lunch in a typical Restaurant in Urubamba US $ 14.00 per person.

MACHUPICCHU (full day excursion)
Duration: From 6 a.m. to 8.30pm. (aprox.)
Shared group size: 10 - 30 people
Daily departures
The sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu is famous for its dramatic setting among spectacular peaks and lush cloud forest. Guided excursions are offered every day of the year. Departure from Cusco is by train, at 6 Am., guided tour around the sanctuary of Machu Picchu and return to Cusco the same day as trains.
Return to the city by 8:30pm. (aprox.)
Rates per person in shared group
- US$ 215.00 - Backpacker express train
- US$ 255.00 - Vistadome train
Included:
- Transfer Hotel - Train Station - Hotel
- Spanish and English speaking professional guide
- Bus from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
- Ticket entrance to Machu Picchu
- Round trip transportation by train
- No meals included. (During this tour you will have a free time in Aguas Calientes where you will be able to choose among the different restaurant options in town).

Acredito que todos os hotéis devam oferecer as tours, então quando for fazer as reservas já verifique no site as opções e envie um e-mail perguntando as datas, horários, preços etc.
É possível realizar os passeios sem excursões? Acredito que sim, mas no caso particular do Peru, acho que você perderá uma chance valiosa de conhecer melhor a história do lugar.

Fica a dica,
Super beijo,

Rô