Lima Cusco Tour

Day 1. Lima: Welcome to Peru

Arrival at Lima airport and transfer to the hotel.

The rest of the day is free (optional activities). Depending on the time of arrival in Lima, we suggest a visit to the Fuentes de Lima, the Fountains of Lima. Each evening, with the splendour of the Parque de la Reserva as a backdrop, water, lights, music and images light up the sky in Lima. This is an unmissable event, considered the most impressive electronic fountain show in the world. Overnight in Lima.

Day 2. Lima: Visit to the Ciudadela de Pachacamac and the Museo de Oro

After breakfast, the tour will set off for the Ciudadela Sagrada de Pachacamac.

The visit to the Ciudadela Sagrada de Pachacamac is an archaeological experience with a mystical flavour. In the Inca mythology, Pachacamac or Kamaq Pacha, (quechua for Sovereign of the World) was a god worshipped on the central coast of the Inca Empire and was considered to be “the creator” of various civilizations: Lima, Chancay, Ichma, Huari and Chincha.

The visit includes a guided tour of the magnificent citadel, Ciudadela de Pachacamac, as well as the Dios Pachacamac Sanctuary, the Templo del Sol (Sun Temple), the Pachacamac Temple, and Acllahuasi known as the Palace of the Sun Virgins. The tour will end with the traditional visit to the bohemian neighbourhood Barranco. After lunch, the Lima Tour continues the Museo de Oro where pre-Columbian and Inca gold coins are on show. The museum also exhibits fabrics, bracelets and different decorations of the Vicus and Paracas civilizations that are over 2,000 years old. Furthermore, the Museo de Oro houses an exclusive collection of antique and modern arms from different continents. Overnight in Lima.

Day 3. The Sacred Valley of the Inca: Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Overnight in Machu Picchu Pueblo

After breakfast, transfer to Lima airport.

Flight Lima-Cusco. Upon arrival you will begin an early morning, tour of the Urubamba valley, “the Sacred Valley of the Inca. First stop will be the Living Museum of Awankancha, where you will observe customs and traditions of life in the Andes. Here you will also watch the traditional weavers at work and discover the Andean camelids; llamas and alpacas.

Next you will journey to the Pisac Ruins that lie on the brow of a hill at the mouth of the valley. These ruins are split into four groups along the ridge: Pisaqa, Intihuatana, Q’llaqasa and Kinchiracay. No visit is complete without practicing your bargaining skills at the picturesque Pisac market where you will see craftsmen at work and displays of handcrafts from the highlands.

The tour continues towards Urubamba, a city where you will be welcomed by a delicious buffet lunch (included in the price). Later, you will travel along the panoramic road toward the Ollantaytambo fortress and citadel. Enjoy the view of the impressive valley along the way. The Ollantaytambo fortress is one of the best preserved Inca constructions and the site of one of the crucial battles during the Spanish invasion. In the late afternoon, a train will take you to Aguas Calientes where you will find many restaurants for your meals.

Day 4. Trip to Machu Picchu, return to Cusco

The trip to Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the pinnacle of your Peruvian experience. The private visit to Machu Picchu starts at dawn. You will reach the entrance to the Sanctuary on board a shuttle and will immediately find yourself immersed in clouds and a mystical atmosphere. Admire the sunrise, a phenomenon that the Inca called Inti Punku. This experience will remain in your memory whenever you think of Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Inca will not disappoint you! Those who wish to climb the Huayna Picchu (optional) will need to indicate their intention during booking as the entrance is limited to 400 people a day. In the afternoon you will return to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Ollantaytambo. That evening you will travel to Cusco where you will spend the night.

Day 5. Tour of Cusco and Inca sites

After breakfast you will have a free morning during which you can sightsee in Cusco. Amongst other things, we suggest you visit the great Inca Palace, Hatun Cancha Rumi,where you will admire the famous “twelve angles stone”, the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, the San Pedro market and the San Blas neighbourhood. Enjoy lunch in a restaurant of your choice In Cusco.

In the afternoon you will meet for a tour of Korikancha, the “Temple of the Sun”. This was the most important place of worship at the time of the Inca. The Spaniards built the Santo Domingo convent on top of it. Then you will go outside of the town to visit these Inca ruins:

• Kenko – a ceremonial centre considered a sacred spot by the Inca.
• Tambomachay – an Inca archaeological site known as El Baño de Inca which is thought to have been used as a spa by the political elite.
• Puca Pucara – a fortress with large walls, terraces and stairs. Known as the Red Fortress, was part of Cusco’s defence system.
• Sacsayhuaman – the impressive archaeological complex famous for its enormous carved stones, some of which are over 9 metres high and weigh over 350 tons. Each year this is the location of the famous Ínti Raymi Festival.

Cusco has many fine restaurants in all price range for your evening in Cusco.

Day 6. Maras, Moray, Chinchero. Return to Cusco

After breakfast, journey to Maras while viewing the memorable scenery. The Maras salt mines are still used by the local population today and you will see the salt extracted as it was at the time of the Empire.

Later visit Moray, a true open air agricultural laboratory which was used by the Inca to improve seeds for agricultural products. Circular in shape, there can be a temperature difference of up to 4 degrees between one terrace and the next, due to the different exposure to the sun.

Lunch is included in this tour. Then one hour ride to Chinchero to visit the local archaeological centre. You will arrive back in Cusco by late afternoon.

Day 7. Cusco Valle Sur Tour

Breakfast and departure from Cusco. Your first stop will be the andenes at Tipon and the irrigation system built by the Inca. This is an enchanting site with refined carved stones that make up the irrigation system and the impressive 12 terraces intended for agriculture. Next you will stop at the ancient urban centre of the Wari empire, Pikillaqta, characterised by over a thousand buildings that include colcas (food shops), dwellings and temples along narrow streets with buildings which apparently were up to 4 stories high.

The final stop will be Andahuaylillas, a catholic church, with beautiful decorations and frescos dating back to the 17th and 18th century, known as the Peruvian Sistine Chapel. Then you will return to Cusco.

Day 8. Return flight to Lima

After breakfast, transfer to Cusco airport and a flight to Lima.