DAWNS OF THE INCA

Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to the selected hotel. Remainder of the day off to rest or take an excursion (on request) if time allows. Overnight in Lima.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Between 08:45 and 09:15, we will pick you up from your hotel and then our tour starts with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful Miraflores pier. From there, we will go to the residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro being able to see the Huaca Pucllana, El Olivar Park and part of the financial centre throughout the tour. We will continue the route to the Colonial Centre, Main Square, Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Municipality of Lima.

We will visit the Convent of Santo Domingo going through the very same halls that were walked by San Martín de Porras and Santa Rosa de Lima in the 17th century, and where their remains currently lie.

Next, we will visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautiful Viceregal mansion from the 18th century, surrounded by romantic gardens, in a space that stimulates and inspires, and where you can enjoy and understand the fascinating history of ancient Perú. The visit to its gallery of cultures offers us a captivating and clear narration about the more than 5000 years of pre-Columbian Peruvian history. In addition, it has an exquisite collection of gold and silver from ancient Peru and the famous erotic art room. Its pieces are recognized for having been exhibited in the best museums in the world, and it is also one of the few museums in the world that allows you to visit its treasure vault, which presents more than 45,000 archaeological pieces classified by renowned specialists and scholars.

It is worth mentioning that the Larco Museum is the largest and most dazzling private collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art that exists. Return to the hotel.      (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel. At the coordinated time, we will pick you up from the hotel to transfer you to the airport in Lima and board the flight to the city of Cusco.

Upon arrival our staff will be waiting for you to transfer to your selected hotel.

Between 12:30 and 13:15 hours, our staff will pick you up from the hotel to start the tour of the colonial city, built on the bases of Inca palaces. In the tour we will visit the Plaza de Armas, the Temple of the Sun, also known as Qoricancha, and the Cathedral of Cusco, where we can see beautiful paintings and sculptures. Then we will continue to the archaeological center of Sacsayhuaman, a multipurpose place where the Sun, the Moon and the Earth were worshiped, and which was also used as a military fortress and an astrological center. Later we will arrive at Q’enco, a cult center related to the fire element. Finally, we have Puca Pucara, a place used as a supply center and Inca checkpoint, where wind ceremonies were also held. At the end of the tour we will arrive at Tambomachay, center of cult to water and fertility. Return to the hotel.       (B.)

Between 8 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. we will pick you up from the hotel to start our visit to the archaeological centre of Moray, characterized by its circular terraces, more than 30 meters deep, with several rings of concentric terraces each one having their very own microclimate, It was a great centre for experimentation and scientific research for agricultural purposes. Then we will go to the town of Maras, reaching the salt mines that capture the underground water of the mountain and condense it into more than 4,000 artesian wells, this was used as a supply salt centre for the Inca Empire since ancient times.

Throughout the tour we will be able to enjoy the beautiful landscapes that the Sacred Valley of the Incas has to offer. Return to the city of Cusco.    (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel. Between 07:20 and 07:40 hrs., we will start our tour visiting the beautiful town of Pisac, its handicraft market and its narrow streets. Continuing the tour through the Sacred Valley of Urubamba, where you can enjoy a nice lunch.

Next, we will visit Ollantaytambo, an Inca city still inhabited that conserves a complex system of irrigation canals and foundations of that time, on which a large part of the town was built. The archaeological center of Ollantaytambo has large groups of platforms, forts, plazas, canals and the Real Casa del Sol, a megalithic temple of great mystical value. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.    (B. L.)

Breakfast at the hotel.  At the agreed time transfer to the train station to begin the excursion to the Sacred Citadel of Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the wonders of the world and declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The train takes us to the town of Aguas Calientes and then upon arrival we will take the bus to go up to the Archaeological Center and then begin the guided tour that lasts approximately 2 hours. During the visit you can appreciate temples, squares, terraces, houses, barns, as well as the great biodiversity that exists in the surroundings. It is worth mentioning that because of where Machu Pichu is located its beauty is exalted. A National Reserve has been formed around the citadel that has an area of 32,500 hectares, and which includes a constellation of archaeological monuments, which, in our opinion, were built as part of the Machu Picchu complex and not in isolation. After our visit in the Archaeological Center, we will take the bus to go down and back to the town where you will enjoy a delicious meal. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.     (B. L.)

Breakfast at the hotel. Day off to stroll around this small village on your own, or if you prefer, you can make a second visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu and visit the Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate (Entrance Gate to the citadel from the Inca Trail), Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu (Subject to availability of spaces – 400 spaces per day).  Both Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu tickets are limited, so we recommend when booking the program request these tickets as well to avoid congestion or unavailability if you wish to visit these tourist attractions.

Aguas Calientes works as a foundation for Machu Picchu, with the main attraction being its beautiful natural scenery. The itinerary you choose for this day is not included and is at your own risk. At the appointed time you will board the train back to the city of Cusco. Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel.   (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time transfer to the airport to continue with your itinerary   (B.)

Meals included in the program:    B=BREAKFAST       L=LUNCH        D=DINNER