Nature, history and living culture; Peru has all the ingredients of a dream destination. We invite you to experience this seven-day tour of some of the most fascinating features of a country that was cradle of one of the most enigmatic civilizations in history. You will witness colonial cities, archaeological sites and breath-taking landscapes as you cross the Andes. And, of course, the tour culminates with a visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the world.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of a pre-Columbian past and Spanish architecture. Its temples, squares and streets are surrounded by hills that hide fantastic archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay.
Coricancha: An impressive example of a blend of Incan and Colonial architecture. The original complex was dedicated to the veneration of the sun and it was one of the most important temples in the Inca Empire. After the arrival of the Spaniards in Cusco, the temple foundations and walls were used as a base for the construction of the convent of Santo Domingo.
Machu Picchu: The ‘lost city of the Incas’ is what draws thousands of people to Peru each year. Hidden among the vegetation, this mountain-top citadel, built in complete harmony with the landscape, hosts a wealth of rooms, temples, bridges and religious sites that offer the visitor a chance to get closer to Peru’s fascinating past.
Lake Titicaca: The highest navigable lake in the world, a combination of nature and living culture. Embark on a boat ride to the islands of Taquile and the Uros, where the indigenous people maintain their legendary heritage to this day.
Day 1: ARRIVAL LIMA
Arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima. Upon arrival, a representative will be waiting to greet you at the airport and the transportation service will transfer you to your hotel at the scheduled time. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure in Lima, the capital of Peru and a city steeped in history. During Colonial times, the Historic Centre of Lima, known as the “Ciudad de los Reyes” (City of Kings), was the political, administrative, religious and economic centre for the Spanish in Peru. The historical centre is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Lima is now a modern metropolis and is currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic change. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru´s sprawling capital city. Alternatively, you can book our optional Magic Water Circuit with Dinner:
Magic Water Circuit with Dinner (shared basis):
A modern system of fountains certified as the largest in the world by the Guinness World Records. Built-in Exhibition Park, the Magical Water Circuit attracts crowds during summer and winter, being one of the new favorite attractions of Lima. See yourself and enjoy our water cruise which is followed by a unique gastronomical experience at a restaurant, accompanied by a delicious dinner.
Notes: Shared service. Not available on Sundays and Mondays. Start time: 17:30 hours. Duration 4 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Magic Water Circuit, and Dinner
Overnight in Lima.
Day 2: LIMA – CUSCO: CITY TOUR & ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES (90 min by flight; not included)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then take a transfer to the airport to fly to Cusco. You will be met by one of our representatives in Cusco who will transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the former capital of the Inca Empire. The tour begins at the Santo Domingo Convent, a building constructed on the site of Coricancha, one of the most important Incan complexes dedicated to sun worship. According to historic records, the original temple walls depicted scenes of nature and were covered in gold leaf. After Coricancha, visit the imposing cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, then head to the Cusco hills, where you’ll find the fortress of Sacsayhuamán and panoramic views of Cusco. Continue on to Qenqo, an archaeological site where it is believed the Incas carried out religious rituals to improve harvests. Your tour ends in Puka Pukara, meaning 'strong red' in Quechua. Puka Pukara is believed to be an ancient military site comprising numerous rooms, courtyards, baths, aqueducts and towers. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 3: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY – CHINCHERO – OLLANTAYTAMBO (75 km – 1.5 hrs)
Today breakfast at the hotel is followed by a visit to the town of Chinchero, a small high-altitude town offering beautiful views of the valley and the chance to witness traditional clothing, customs, and local handicrafts. Visit archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. You will then be transferred to the Yucay Museum of Living Culture, where you can see textiles, adobe pottery, and silverware being crafted using techniques dating back to the Incas. This center not only gives you an insight into local Andean traditions, but you also have the opportunity to feed the llamas, sheep, and alpacas! Feel the true spirit of the Sacred Valley as you sample lunch of local cuisine in a cozy restaurant in Ollantaytambo. After eating, explore the streets of Ollantaytambo, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress built into the mountainside. At the end of the day, return to your hotel to rest full of the spirit of the Incas. *On Sundays, you may also visit the local market.
Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Day 4: SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (115 km – 2 hrs)
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the Ollanta station to begin your trip to Machu Picchu. Enjoy the approximately two-hour scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, also known as "Machu Picchu Pueblo", the last stop before entering the most important archaeological site in Peru. In Aguas Calientes, you’ll find a craft market, restaurants, and, for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and climb early in the morning, hotels for all budgets. Take a short bus ride up to Machu Picchu, the architectural and engineering masterpiece that once served as a sanctuary and refuge for the Inca ruler Pachacútec. Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain", is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and one of the seven new wonders of the world. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train back to Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 5: CUSCO – PUNO (290 km – 6 hrs)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the bus station to start your journey through the impressive landscape of the Andes to Puno. Your first stop of the day is in Andahuaylillas, a town located around 40 kilometres away from Cusco. The main attraction here is the local Church, known as the "Sistine Chapel of America" owing to the high quality of art found inside. Continue the journey to Racchi, home to the Wiracocha Temple, a striking rectangular structure measuring 30 metres wide and 20 metres high. Lunch will be taken in the town of Sicuani before you head to La Raya, the highest point of the trip between Puno and Cusco, at the dizzying altitude of 4,313 metres above sea level. The next stop is the town of Pucara, the first urban settlement on Lake Titicaca, established between 100 and 300 A.D. Visit some of the monoliths from the town’s pre-Inca site at the Pucara Lithic Museum before completing the final leg of the journey to Puno, where a representative will check you into your hotel.
Overnight in Puno.
Day 6: PUNO – LAKE TITICACA: UROS & TAQUILE
After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the port of Puno where a boat will be waiting to take you to the beautiful Uros Islands. The Uros are an indigenous people of Peru that live on a series of man-made islands, created entirely from the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. The islands are composed of layers of woven totora, which are constantly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom. The Uros people also use reeds to construct their homes, so cooking is done outdoors to avoid possible fires! After visiting this fascinating island, sail to Taquile, a small slice of heaven that once belonged to the Inca Empire. Look around and you will notice traces of its Incan past in the ruins that still exist around the island. After a brief introduction, the local community will give you an insight into their customs and traditions with a cultural demonstration. Lunch is enjoyed on the island before the return trip to Puno.
Overnight in Puno.
Day 7: DEPARTURE PUNO
After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, transfer from Puno to the airport. Although this is the last day of your journey through some of the most fascinating places Peru has to offer, we hope that your memories of this remarkable country, bursting with both culture and history, will last a lifetime.
Breakfast included.
Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area; use of warm clothing is ALSO recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
