Lima Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Bus to Puno, Titicaca Lake

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA

Assistance on your arrival in Lima and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time to rest and prepare for starting your trip around this magical country. Overnight.

DAY 2: LIMA / CUSCO – CITY TOUR + 4 RUINS (B)

• Assistance on your arrival in Cusco and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time to take a short rest to be acclimatized to the altitude.
• 13:00 hrs In the afternoon, city tour of Cuzco visiting the Main Square, A�the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha. Then, drive out of the city to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built strategically on a hill overlooking Cusco; famous for its enormous carved stones joined with astounding precision to form the outer walls. Some of these stones stand over 9m / 30ft tall and weight over 350 tons.

DAY 3: SACRED VALLEY + TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES

8:00 hrs Excursion to the «Sacred Valley of the Incas», a succession of picturesque towns, agricultural terraces and archeological sites. weA?ll have the opportunity to bargain with vendors or stroll at the Pisac’s typical Indian market, with a catholic mass service on Sunday (celebrated in Quechua, the native language). Lunch at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley.
In the afternoon pass through Calca and Urubamba towns to arrive to the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, which was built to guard the entry of this part of the valley and protect it from enemies of the lower jungles; consisting in a series of superimposed terraces of carved stones accessed by long staircases. We will have the opportunity to walk through the quaint streets of the nearby town, religious and agricultural centre during the Inca Empire, and get a clear idea of the military strategy against possible invasions. On our way back to Cusco we will visit the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero where the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui lies. Admire its well preserved Inca Wall at the Main Square, visit the beautiful colonial temple built on Inca foundations, with interesting frescoes on the portico.
19:04 hrs In the afternoon, transfer to Cusco train station for a three hour train journey to the city of Aguas Calientes on Train Expedition.
20:45 Arrive at Aguas Calientes station, meet and transfer to your hotel

DAY 4: MACHUPICCHU: AGUAS CALIENTES a�� CUSCO (B)(L)

6:00 hrs The day starts with an early morning journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machupicchu, also known as «The Lost City of the Incas». A 30-minute bus drive, climbing 6 km of winding road, to the incredible Machupicchu. Upon arrival, weA?llparticipate in a guided tour of the Citadel,. After the tour you will have time to stroll around the archaeological site at your leisure. Lunch in a restaurant at Aguas Calientes town.
18:20 hrs Back to Cusco by Expedition train.
22:30 hrs Assistance and transfer to your selected hotel for overnight.

DAY 5: BUS CUSCO/PUNO

6:30 hrs Breakfast. Early departure by bus to the City of Puno, (3,860 m.a.s.l.). During the trip, we pass by the lovely Wacarpay Lake, offering spectacular views of the mountains reflected in its calm waters.
We proceed to the beautiful Town of Andahuaylillas, and visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, better known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, due to its decorated polychrome ceiling. On the way, we stop in Raqchi, where we can see a spectacular Inca Sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec, and dedicated to the great Inca God of Wiracocha. It has a great central wall with a stone base of fine Inca architecture. Other walls are made of giant adobe bricks. The structure also has two circular lateral columns. Around the Temple are several buildings once used for housing and storage. About 70 km further on, we pass through La Raya Ranch where we can see herds of vicuA�as and llamas. Then we travel along the High Plateau of Collao, stopping at the Town of Ayaviri, an important livestock and textile centre, to visit the impressive Temple of Kalasaya, ruins from the ancient Pucara Culture.
Buffet lunch in a quiet countryside restaurant, where we can enjoy the delightful culinary art of the region.
In the afternoon, arrival in Puno and transfer to your hotel.
Evening free and dinner on your own.

DAY 6: TITICACA LAKE, FLOATING ISLANDS OF THE URO + TAQUILE ISLAND (B)(L)

6:30 hrs Early in the morning, we will have an unforgettable motorboat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique «Floating Islands» of the Uros. l. We continue our motorboat trip to Taquile island, . After lunch in a local Taquile inn, we have a walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6 km long island.
In the afternoon, transfer to Juliaca airport to take your flight to Lima.
Assistance on your arrival in Lima and transfer to your selected hotel

 

DAY 7: PM. LIMA CITY TOUR AND NIGHT IN LIMA

9:25 hrs In the morning, city tour of the «City of Kings» including the Historical Center of Lima, visiting Main Square, Government Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral (where the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru, is located), Cathedrala��s Museum, Temple of Santo Domingo (tombs of Santa Rosa and San Martin), Temple of San Pedro, Lima Colonial Balconies, Torre Tagle Palace, Paseo de Aguas and Convent de los Descalzos. Then, drive through the residential district of San Isidro, visiting El Olivar Park; Miraflores, visiting the Kennedy Park, Love Park and Larcomar Mall.
Free for lunch. Early in the afternoon, for an excellent overview of Peru’s past, visit the Anthropology and Archeological Museum holding the best private collection of pre-Columbian art in Peru. Here are shown many fine examples of textile works, one of which has a world-record 398 threads per inch; the materials and tools that ancient Peruvians used to produce their work in ceramics and metal; Peruvian pottery, gold and silver pieces with semiprecious stones from Pre-Inca and Inca cultures. Return to your selected hotel for overnight.

DAY 8: INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport and assistance in your departure from Lima. End of services.