If you want the best for a well rounded trip, look no further. Start with a visit to the famous city of Cuzco, the Indian Market of Pisac and the Inca citidel of Machu Picchu.
Then on to the highest navigatable lake in the world of Lake Titicaca and a homestay on the Island of Amantani where time seems to have stood still.
Complete the trip of Peru with a visit to the "White City" of Arequipa with a visit to the famous Santa Catalina Convent & then to Colca Canyon to view the Condors.
This program gives you the best for the time and interest covering the Capital of the Inca and Machu Picchu, the highlands of Lake Titicaca & Colca Canyon of Arequipa .
Day 1 - depart to Peru - arrive Lima
Upon your arrival into Lima you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Miraflores for your overnight. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Lima - Cuzco - City Tour & Sacsayhauman Park
You will be met and transferred to the Lima airport & the local airline flight departing to Cuzco. Here our staff will meet and transfer you to the hotel of choice
and you can acclimate to the 11,300 ft. altitude in the Inca capital of Cuzco. In the afternoon (1:45 p.m.), our staff will meet and transfer you by bus for a City tour of Cuzco and the Colonial and Inca sites of La Cathedral and Santo Domingo Convent, or Q’oricancha, Tambo Machay, Kenko, Pucapucara, and Sacsayhauman. Early evening return to Cuzco and the Hotel. (5:45 -6:15 p.m.) Afterwards (7:30 p.m.) you will meet with your guide for the orientation for the Inca Trail. Over night at the Hotel. (BB)
Day 3 - Cuzco - Pisac Market - Ollantaytambo
Our staff will meet and transfer you in the morning ( 8:45 -9:00 a.m.) into the Sacred Valley of the Inca.
This fertile region includes many Inca terraces and farm land. Travel to the town of Pisac and the Ancient
Pisac Market for the annual show where many of the local Indians sell and barter their hand made textiles,
fresh fruits, and vegetables. After an hour or so of mingling with the locals, you will proceed to eat lunch
at a local hacienda restaurant in the Sacred Valley. Afterwards, continue to Ollantaytambo which is
the oldest continuously habituated town of the Inca that contains several important Inca structures.
At the top of the sixteen massive terraces are the ever impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo Fortress.
This is where the Inca fought some of their fiercest and strongest battles. It is unknown how the huge
precisely carved stones were transported down one mountain range to the Ollantaytambo location,
or how they were fitted perfectly to support a strategic fortress that has bared the test of time.
Also found here are “silos” or grain mills that are directly adjacent to the fortress that could
have maintained thousands of pounds of grain for the Inca and its people. Some of the grain was
most likely produced in the surrounding agricultural terracing by the variety of crops that were
grown. Afterwards, remain in the Sacred Valley. (3:45 p.m) Overnight at the Hotel. (BB/L)
Day 4 - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
You will be assisted to the Ollantaytambo train station for the 8:00 a.m. Vista dome First Class
train. As it winds through the Andean Mountains, you will pass through several small villages where
the local Indian farmers manage their farms and reside just as they have for hundreds of years.
After the scenic ride you arrive at the final stop Aguas Calientes about ( 9:45 a.m. )Here, you
will notice that the weather has changed to a tropical climate. You can now appreciate the
abundance of plants typical for this region and the Amazon basin. Here you will board the tourist
bus and proceed up a incredible winding road that leads to the fabled site of Machu Picchu.
Thousands of people from around the world frequent this magnificent ancient site to pay homage and
grasp the spectacular views of Machu Picchu’s 7,800 ft. plateau. Upon your arrival ( 10:15 a.m. )
your guide will explain the history and the myths that surround this archaeological wonder. After
your tour, you will be transferred by bus to the base of Machu Picchu and the town of Aguas
Calientes. Lunch will be served at the local hotel.( 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.) Remainder of the day on
your own. Ovenight at the hotel.(BB/L)( Note: Overnight at Sanctuary Lodge incl. BB/L/D,
the Pueblo Hotel incl. BB & D )
Day 5 - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Today you will have the full day to explore Machu Picchu and its surroundings on your own.
We suggest to take a picnic basket on a short hike to Wayna Picchu or to the Inti Puku Pass
( Gate of the Sun ) where you can get a birds eye view of this massive site. In the late afternoon
you will depart Machu Picchu with many memories that a picture will never tell. After your return
to Cuzco you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.
( BB ) Note: 2nd day re-entry into Machu Picchu not incl.
Day 6 - Cuzco Free day
Full day on your own in Cuzco to visit for shopping or visiting a local museum. Overnight at the
Hotel. (BB)
Day 7 - Cuzco - Puno
Morning our staff will transfer you for your departure via a First Class tour bus for the scenic
ride to Puno.(8 hours). On the way you will travel through the Andean mountains passing and making
short visits to the archaeological sites of Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas, Raqchi & La Raya while on
the way to Puno. On your arrival to Puno and the highest navigable lake in the world of Lake Titicaca,
you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the evening on your own. (BB)
Day 8 - Puno - Uros - Amantani ( homestay )
Early morning departure to Lake Titicaca where you will go by boat to the floating Uros Islands.
Here time will be allowed for mingling, shopping or even to barter for a large selection of local
hand made items with the descendants of Uros Indians. After a short time here you will proceed
again by boat to the Island of Amantani where many archaeological sites will be visited with your
guide. There are several temples and a Royal throne "Inkatiana" carved of stone on the shore of
the lake. You as well will visit the impressive points of either Pacha Tata or Pacha Mama for a
magnificent view of Lake Titicaca from the highest point of the island. Later a cultural excursion
to visit up to six different villages that exist on the largest island. Here these humble and simple
Amara Indians descendants have lived on this some what secluded island from the mainland unchanged in
their traditions for hundreds of years. Afterwards you will proceed to a local family home that is
your accommodations for the night. Overnight at a local Indian family home. (CB/D)
Day 9 - Amantani - Taquile - Puno
Morning after breakfast and a last visit in the area proceed to the Island of Taquile where you can
view pre Inca & Inca archaeological ruins & terracing. Mid day depart by boat from Taquille with a
late afternoon arrival into Puno. Here you will be met and transferred to the Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel. (CB)
Day 10 - Puno - Chullpas of Sillustani - Juliaca - Arequipa
After breakfast you will be met and depart for the Chullpas of Sillustani or pre Inca funerary towers. Here you can view the structures that once housed the remains of these ancient ancestors of the Highland region of Lake Titicaca. All that remains are that of the stonework, all else has been lost and looted by grave robbers years ago.
Afterwards continue to the Juliaca airport for the departing flight to Arequipa where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. ( CB )
Day 11 - Arequipa - Colca Canyon
Early morning departure at 8:00 a.m. by tour bus to the north part of Arequipa passing the town of Yura, around the Mountain of Chachani. Today you have a chance to see Pampa CaZahuas, the National VicuZa Reserve. Mid day (12:00 p.m.) arrival into Chivay and the Colca Lodge for lunch. (lunch on own) Afterwards you will visit the Hot Springs of"La Calera" then return to the Colca Lodge for a folk show and dinner. Overnight at the Colca Canyon local lodge. Overnight at the hotel. (CB/D)
Day 12 - Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Morning departure ( 7:00 a.m. ) to "El Mirador de la Cruz del Condor" where the best possibilities of viewing the fabled Andean condor are available. Later return to Chivay, where you will visit some pre-Inca tombs as well as several small traditional villages like Pichollo, Maca and Yanque before returning to Chivay for lunch. Afternoon depart by tour bus from Chivay and return to Arequipa (5:00 p.m.) and transfer to your hotel. Over night at your hotel. (CB)
Day 13 - Arequipa - Lima
Morning you will be met and taken for a guided tour to the Museo de Altura where the noted Inca Ice
Princess (Momia Juanita is preserved for the public view. In 1995, American archaeologist Johan Rienhards
is credited for discovering this child mummy of the Inca civilization high above Colca Canyons Mt Ambato
(20,70 ft.) Afterwards continue to the Santa Catalina Convent. Opened to the public in 1970 after four
centuries of mysterious isolation this site is by far the most interesting. At one point there were over
450 nuns that lived in seclusion from the outside. Contrary to what you would expect from the nuns who
take vows of living in poverty. The convent has been beautifully remodeled with Colonial furniture &
paintings from the Cuzco & Arequipa Schools of Art. The convent itself literaly is a city in it self.
With the traditional painted homes, cobblestone streets & plazas spread throughout, its massivness
will amaze. Afterwards return to your hotel before departing for Lima in the afternoon.
Later you will be met & transferred to the Arequipa airport and the departing flight to Lima.
( optional overnight & tours available in Lima ) or transfer on your own to the departing international flight.
Day 14 - Lima - arrive into your home city
| Class |
Rating |
View Hotels in Class |
| Tourist |
 |
|
$2609 |
$2129 |
$1989 |
| First |
|
|
$2949 |
$2299 |
$2129 |
| First |
|
|
$3019 |
$2329 |
$2149 |
| First |
|
|
$4059 |
$2939 |
N/A |
| First |
|
|
$4559 |
$3239 |
$2769 |
| First |
|
|
$5019 |
$3439 |
$2969 |
| Executive |
|
|
$5919 |
$3879 |
N/A |
NOTE : All hotels include either Continental or Buffet breakfast.
Not included : International air, visas, departure taxes, additional meals / incidentals.
Note room type: BV = Best View; CR = Colonial; DR = Deluxe; JS = Junior Suite.
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