A driver, accompanied by a guide, will pick you up from the airport at the scheduled time for transfer to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history with approximately ten million inhabitants. The city is currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic change. Overnight stay in Lima at the selected hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
Breakfast at the hotel. You will visit Lima’s city center, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. You will start the day with a sightseeing tour of the historic center until you reach Plaza de Armas, where you will stop to enjoy its attractions. You will then walk to Lima Cathedral, located in Plaza Mayor, which is Peru's most significant church and was built in the 17th century. Then you will visit the Casa Aliaga, an old residence of the Viceroyalty given by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 to one of his captains, Jerónimo de Aliaga, after the foundation of the city. This house is the only one from that era that still belongs to the same family to this day. Afterwards you will visit the Larco Museum, located in the traditional district of Pueblo Libre. The museum was founded by Rafael Larco Hoyle and is located inside a viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid which dates back to the seventh century. The museum has the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver pieces, as well as erotic art. At the end, you will be taken to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Lima at the selected hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
Breakfast at the hotel. You will have transfer from hotel to Lima airport. Once you have arrived at the airport in Cusco, a vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel. A representative will guide you around the attractions and services that the city has on offer.
In the afternoon, start the tour in Coricancha, also known as 'The Temple of the Sun', which was ordered to be built by the Inca Pachacútec and, upon arrival of the Spaniards, became the base for the construction of the Convent of Santo Domingo. Afterwards, you will visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the Plaza de Armas, whose construction was completed in early 1654. From the Cathedral, visit the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, one of the emblematic buildings of the Incas, erected by the Inca Pachacútec in the 15th century.
It is an immense fortress built with large stones, the positioning and carving of which is still a mystery. Every year on June 24, during the winter solstice, the Inti Raymi festival is recreated, during which the sun is worshiped. Continue to Qenqo, an archaeological complex of primarily religious use, where agricultural rituals are believed to have been performed, located 2.5 miles from the city of Cusco. Finally, become acquainted with Puca Pucará, around four miles from the city. Puca Pucará, which means 'red fortress', was an architectural complex of supposed military use with numerous environments, squares, baths, aqueducts, walls and towers. It is thought that it was used by the Inca's entourage while he rested in Tambomachay. Once finished, return to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Cusco at the selected hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel to visit the town of Chinchero*, a traditional Cusco urban center located at an elevated point from where you are able to take in a spectacular view of the Valley. The inhabitants of this place preserve the traditions and knowledge inherited from the Incas, which is reflected in their clothing and handicrafts. Chinchero is also home to archaeological remains and a beautiful 17th century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. After this visit you will continue to the Living Museum of Yucay, making a stop at a lookout point. The museum is a center for the interpretation of Andean traditions, where demonstrations of the production of textile work, adobe, ceramics and silverware are carried out in the same way in which they were worked in ancient times; an original recreation of the traditions of the Inca. There are also alpacas, llamas and sheep which you can feed! Afterwards, enjoy an experience of superior Andean gastronomy in the Chuncho restaurant, located in Ollantaytambo, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley is shared in a cozy atmosphere. Then, take a trip to the town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, uninterruptedly inhabited since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress that stands next to the mountain. Finally, you will be taken back to your hotel. *Visits on Sundays include the Chinchero market.
Overnight stay in the Sacred Valley in the hotel selected on a bed and breakfast basis. Lunch included.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ollanta station to board the train to Machu Picchu. Your journey to Machu Picchu will begin with a train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes which takes approximately X hours. This town is also known as "Machu Picchu Pueblo" and is the last stop before entering the remains of Peru's most important archaeological complex. In Aguas Calientes you will find the train station, a handicraft market, various restaurants and lodgings of different categories for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and climb it early. After a short trip you will arrive at Machu Picchu, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture that is believed to have served as a sanctuary and resting residence for the Inca Pachacútec (1438 - 1572). Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain", is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven new wonders of the world. Lunch at Cafe Inkaterra.
Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes at the hotel selected on a bed and breakfast basis. Lunch included.
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be able to return to Machu Picchu and, optionally, visit any of the attractions of the citadel. (Second admission not included). You will be able to visit the Intipunku, which in English means "Sun Gate", and is the last stop before entering Machu Picchu if you follow the Inca Trail from Ollantaytambo.
It was a kind of guard post, and the sun rises every day through this door if seen from the most important buildings of the citadel. You will also be able to climb Wayna Picchu (subject to availability of spaces, not included), which means "Young Mountain", as opposed to Machu Picchu. Its ascent takes approximately one hour and its most captivating feature is the "Temple of the Moon", a complex of underground buildings most likely intended for use by the elite. Finally, you will be able to visit the Inca Bridge, an incredible stone construction that served as an entrance or exit to the citadel, which has a void of several meters in the middle, over which two large wooden boards were placed. This way, the Incas could isolate the city by simply removing the boards and thus protecting themselves. In the afternoon you will be taken to the train station in Aguas Calientes, and from there you will take your train back to the stations in Ollanta and Cusco. Night in selected hotel in Cusco on a bed and breakfast basis.
After breakfast at the hotel, a transfer will take you to the airport, where you will receive assistance for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you will have the rest of the day free.
Overnight stay in Lima at the selected hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
Optional: Tour around Malecones de Barranco + gastronomic experience.
A vehicle will take you from your hotel to the airport. A representative will assist you during the journey.
