PAT 1440 - GREAT CULTURES III

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 to start the panoramic city tour where we will visit the Colonial Center, the Plaza Mayor, the Palace of Government, the Cathedral Basilica, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Municipality of Lima. Also, we will be visiting San Francisco, a convent with cloisters and catacombs of the Colonial period.

The tour starts with a panoramic view of the Huaca Pucllana and the traditional, residential, and commercial areas of Lima to continue with the historic center of Lima and end with a spectacular panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the beaches of the Miraflores district.

At 14:0 p.m. approx.  we will transfer you to the station to board the bus to the city of Paracas (Approximate duration of the trip: 3.30 hours approx.). Upon arrival our staff will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Paracas.                                                                                                                                                    (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we will transfer to the Paracas pier to board the boat in which we will start the excursion out to sea towards the Ballestas Islands. During the ride we will be able to appreciate the gigantic Candelabra outlined on the side of a hill facing the sea, and our local guide will tell you the various theories that have been woven around this enigmatic design. When you arrive at the Ballestas Islands, you will be able to observe different species that make up part of the local marine fauna, including Humboldt penguins, sea lions, seagulls, boobies, Zarcilillos, pelicans, etc. (some of them are almost extinct).

NOTE: (The exact time of departure to the Ballestas Islands is subject to the weather, and it is necessary for the port captaincy to give the go-ahead for navigation).

After doing the tour of the islands we will return to the mainland and, after some free time, we will transfer you to the bus station to continue the trip to Nasca. Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel.       (B.)

Desayuno en el hotel. A la hora coordinada, lo recogeremos del hotel para trasladarlo al aeródromo de Nasca. Al llegar, esperaremos nuestro turno para abordar la avioneta que nos llevará a sobrevolar las misteriosas líneas de Nasca durante 30 minutos aproximadamente, tiempo en el que verá las gigantescas figuras zoomorfas y geométricas, trazadas en bajo relieve sobre las arenas del desierto, en las pampas de San José de Nasca. Para algunos, estas líneas representaron un gigantesco Calendario Astronómico relacionado a la agricultura, para otros es un plano de navegación y aeropuerto extraterrestre. Al finalizar el sobrevuelo, usted podrá sacar sus propias conclusiones.

Finalizada la experiencia iniciaremos el viaje a la hermosa ciudad de Arequipa. A su llegada, recepción y traslado al hotel seleccionado.

Breakfast at the hotel. For this tour we leave the city, very early going behind the snow-capped Chachani, heading to Pampa Cañahuas, a National Vicuña Reserve also known as the Colca Window. On the tour we will see the Mollepunco cave and make a stop at the Volcanoes viewpoint. Arriving at the town of Chivay, transfer and accommodation in a hotel. Free afternoon to visit the hot springs or rest.     (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning we will be on our way to the Condor Cross viewpoint and along the way we will see the typical towns of Yanque and Maca, as well as appreciate the hanging tombs, Pre-Inca terraces, etc.  Once the tour is over, we will begin our return to the city of Arequipa. Overnight in Arequipa.   (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the flight to the city of Cusco. Arrival, reception, and transfer to the hotel. Free time to rest.

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.)

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