OVERVIEW
This enjoyable trip full of new experiences will allow you to appreciate the wonders offered by Peru. This tour will start on the coast of Lima, the City of Kings. We will walk around the streets and appreciate the contrast between the past and the present thanks to beautiful and imposing colonial balconies, old houses and Catholic churches showing the religious and historical art and writing the history of this wonderful city.
The next destination is Cusco, the Imperial City, heart of the Inca Empire. It was the most powerful civilization in South America. Inca's walls merge distinctively with the Spanish architecture. We will visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the most picturesque villages in the area. We will also meet the Indian market in Pisac, where we will appreciate handicrafts, souvenirs and woolens made of vicuña, alpaca, silver, etc. by the residents of the area.
You will be prepared for the day you have been waiting for, taking the bus up to the beautiful city of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was saved from destruction thanks to its remote location and today is a paramount example of Inca architectural ingenuity. This is the reason why Machu Picchu was nominated one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- DAY 1: ARRIVAL - LIMA
- DAY 2: LIMA: COLONIAL & MODERN CITY TOUR
- DAY 3: LIMA/CUSCO - CITY TOUR & 4 SURROUNDING RUINS
- DAY 4: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS AND CHINCHERO
- DAY 5: VISIT TO MACHU PICCHU BY BELMOND-HIRAM BINGHAM TRAIN
- DAY 6: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
- DAY 7: CUSCO/LIMA - INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
ITINERARY
Day 1 ARRIVAL - LIMA
Welcome at the airport in Lima and transfer to the chosen hotel. If you arrive in the morning, we can coordinate and start the city tour around Lima in the evening, so that we can take advantage of the time. Overnight in Lima.
Meals included: None
Day 2 LIMA: COLONIAL & MODERN CITY TOUR
We will have the morning free to relax. In the afternoon, we will start the Colonial & Modern City Tour in Lima. We will tour Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca temple with a panoramic view. We will have the opportunity to know the Main Square, the Government the Palace, the Cathedral, the Monastery and Church of San Francisco (visit to underground crypts known as catacombs), colonial mansions, among others. We will visit the residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Lima.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3 LIMA/CUSCO - CITY TOUR & 4 SURROUNDING RUINS
In the morning, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cusco. Reception and welcome at Cusco airport and transfer to the chosen hotel. We will have the rest of the morning free to relax and achieve a better acclimatization. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a City Tour in Cusco, including the Cathedral and the Koricancha Temple, which was a military and religious center of the Inca Empire dedicated to its principal god, the Sun. Then we will visit 4 surrounding archaeological remains: Sacsayhuaman fortress, Kenko amphitheater (evidence of the mystical nature during those times) Tambomachay (Inca baths), and Puca Pucara (military control center). Return to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS AND CHINCHERO
We will start the excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where we will have the opportunity to learn about typical terraces during the Inca period and towns such as Pisac and its colorful Indian market, where you can appreciate the variety of textiles, then continue by Calca, Yucay, Urubamba. Buffet lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit Ollantaytambo, an enormous religious, agricultural and administrative Inca site. Here we will view big rock walls, temples and palaces. On the way to Cusco, we will visit Chinchero, where we will have contact with its inhabitants and witness their native customs. Return to the city and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Day 5 VISIT TO MACHU PICCHU BY BELMOND-HIRAM BINGHAM TRAIN
We will visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu. We will take the train to Aguas Calientes through Ollantaytambo (three and a half hours). Then we will take the bus to the holy city that remained unknown for centuries until accidentally discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. This Inca Center is one of the greatest wonders of the world. The guided tour to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu includes the visit to the urban sector, which houses the primary architectural elements of the Inca city. The main sites include: Temple of the Sun, Intiwatana, Sacred Rock, Temple of the Three Windows, Mausoleum, etc. Buffet lunch at Sanctuary Lodge (only hotel located on the side of the citadel). In the afternoon we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Day 6 SECOND DAY IN MACHU PICCHU & HUAYNA PICCHU - CUSCO
Very early, you may re-enter the Machu Picchu Citadel and, if you have good physical condition, you may climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain, from where you will have a full view of the Machu Picchu Citadel. To this end, re-entrance tickets to Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu (for which you should indicate the time, 07:00 hours or 10:00 hours), plus round bus tickets, will be provided. In the afternoon, return to Cusco. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 CUSCO/LIMA - INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport in Cusco to take the flight to Lima and subsequently the international flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
