OVERVIEW:

Explore the coast and the Andes of Peru in this 9 days journey. Tour Lima, the capital of Peru, known as the City of Kings where you will find the finest cuisine and pre-Inca ruins in the city. Travel to Cusco the ancient city of the Incas with its Inca and colonial architecture and charm. Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas to delve into culture and history. Enjoy a mesmerizing tour of Machu Picchu, the mysterious Wonder of the World. Journey to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigating lake in the world for a taste of culture.

AT A GLANCE

Day 1

Arrive in Lima – Hotel in Lima, Miraflores

Day 2

Lima City Tour – Historical Center – San Francisco Catacombs – Huaca Pucllana Ruins – Larcomar – Depart Lima – Fly to Cusco – Transfer to Sacred Valley Hotel in Sacred Valley (B, L).

Day 3

Sacred.Valley Tour – Pisac ruins + market – Maras salt ponds - Moray
Hotel in Sacred Valley, (B, L)

Day 4

Chinchero Weaving - Ollantaytambo – Train to Aguas Calientes Hotel in Aguas Calientes (B, L).

Day 5

Bus to Machu Picchu – Tour – Bus to Aguas Calientes – Train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station – Transfer to Cusco Hotel in Cusco (B. L).

Day 6

Full Day Cusco City Tour – 12 Angle Stone – Cathedral – Qoricancha – San Pedro Market – San Blas artist district – San Cristobal – White Christ – Sacsayhuaman – Qenko -Puka Pukara – Tambomachay - Hotel in Cusco (B, L).

Day 7

Sun Route to Puno – Andahuaylillas San Pedro Church – Raqchi – Buffet lunch – La Raya – Pukara Museum – Puno Hotel in Puno (B, L).

Day 8

Lake Titicaca: Taquile Island – Llachon Península – Pachamanca lunch- UROS Ccapi – Puno Hotel in Puno (B, L).

Day 9

Sillustani Tour – Juliaca Inca Manco Capac Airport – Lima – International flight (B).

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Welcome to Peru – Lima

Arrive at the Lima airport where our representative will greet you and private transfer to your hotel in Miraflores.
Hotel in Lima
No meals
Hotel Selection in Lima
3* Casa Andina Standard, Faraona, Tierra Viva, Runcu
4* Casa Andina Premium, Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores, Author, Casa Andina Select, Atemporal, Villa Barranco by Ananay Hotels
5* Belmond Miraflores Park, Country Club Lima Hotel, Hotel B

DAY 2

2 Lima City Tour – Cusco – Sacred Valley

our the cosmopolitan city of Lima known as the City of Kings. It once served as the Vice Royalty to oversee South America by the Spaniards. The historic center of Lima was declared a World Heritage UNESCO in 1988. Travel through its pre-Hispanic and colonial, modern history of Lima. Afterward, you may have lunch on your own before your transfer to the airport for a flight to Cusco. Arrive in Cusco the charming city where our staff will meet you and take you to the Sacred Valley where you can acclimatize faster due to lower elevation.
Hotel in Sacred Valley
Breakfast included
NOTE: We could change the Lima tour to a Lima Gourmet, Museum, Pachacamac ruins or other. Hotel Selection in Cusco
3*La Casona Yucay, Tierra Viva, El Albergue
4* Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, Casa Andina Premium, Pakaritampu, Sol y Luna, Aranwa
5* Belmond Rio Sagrado, Tambo del Inka

DAY 3

Sacred Valley of the Incas – Awanacancha Llama Farm – Pisac Ruins Market – Maras Salineras – Moray Circular Depressions

This morning set off from your hotel with your guide and drive along the Vilcanota River in the Sacred Valley of the Incas to explore the world of the Incas. Arrive at the Pisac ruins for a nature hike of the Inti Watana (Sun Temple), baths, altars, water fountains, and ceremonial platforms. Then go to the town of Pisac for a stroll around the colorful handicraft market where you can pick up some souvenirs. Drive along the Vilcanota River to the town of Urubamba for a delicious Peruvian lunch. After lunch, we will visit the colonial town of Maras and continue around the mountain to the magical Salineras with stunning views of the white salt ponds staggered down the mountainside in terraces that are maintained and worked by the families of nearby communities. Our final visit will take us to the Moray circular terraces sitting on a high plateau. No one knows for sure what they were used for as there are different hypotheses. Return to your hotel and relax.
Hotel in the Sacred Valley
Breakfast and lunch included

DAY 4

Chinchero Colorful Weaving – Ollantaytambo Fortress – Train ride to Aguas Calientes

This morning get ready for a fabulous cultural experience. Travel to the small Andean town of Chinchero at a higher elevation than Cusco. Observe an ancient weaving demonstration by the indigenous women wearing their colorful typical wear. Visit the small adobe colonial chapel built around the 17th century upon the foundations of the Inca Temple. The inside is covered with lovely floral and religious designs. Then it`s time to have a delightful Peruvian lunch before going to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Tour the ruins which served as a fortress and temple. Walk around the ceremonial center on top of the terracing and take pictures of the surrounding landscapes. Stroll to the nearby station and board the train for a scenic ride to Aguas Calientes. Spend the night in a comfortable hotel of your choice.
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Breakfast and lunch included

Hotel Selection in Aguas Calientes
3*La Cabaña, Hatun Inti Classic, Casa Andina Standard, Jaya Machu Picchu, Ferre Machupicchu,
4* Hatun Inti Boutique, El Mapi by Inkaterra, Casa del Sol Machu Picchu
5* Belmond Sanctuary, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, Sumaq

DAY 5

Machu Picchu Tour – Train ride to Ollantaytambo or Poroy Station – Cusco

Walk to the nearby bus station and wait in line for your turn to board the shuttle bus to Machu Picchu, a 25-minute ride. Inhale and exhale as you finally reach the breathtaking Machu Picchu, the long-awaited visit you always dreamed of. At last, you say! Enjoy a fantastic historical fun walking tour with your guide of this impressive citadel. Visit the guardhouse, main temples, royal tomb, sacred plaza, and more. After a fabulous time return to town and have lunch before boarding the train to the Ollantaytambo or Poroy station. Return to your hotel in Cusco. Hotel in Cusco
Breakfast and lunch included
Hotel Selection in Cusco
3* Ruinas, Maytaq Wasin, Casa Andina Standard Cathedral, Los Portales, Andenes al Cielo
4* Sonesta Cusco, Costa del Sol Ramada, El Mercado, Novotel, Antigua Casona San Blas
5* Inkaterra La Casona, Belmond Monasterio, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

DAY 6

Full Day Cusco City Tour

AM Tour the lovely city of Cusco walking around admiring the Inca and Colonial architecture. Stroll to the 12 angle stone and take pictures before walking up to San Blas, the artist district to appreciate the art. Tour the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas observing the beautiful altars and paintings. Take a short walk to the Qoricancha Sun Temple which was not only the most sacred site in the Inca belief but was considered the very centre of the Inca world. Enjoy a cultural visit to the San Pedro Market where the local people shop.
PM Relish in a Peruvian lunch and afterward, continue the excitement. Drive above Cusco for a visit to the White Christ where you will take spectacular pictures of the city of Cusco below. Tour the well-preserved ruins of Sacsayhuaman with its massive, genius built walls that still remain today. Off to the Qenko ruins which were possibly used for death rituals. Tour the Puka Pukara red fort. Our final visit will take us to Tambomachay the Inca baths possibly once used as a spa for the Inca ruler. Return to Cusco.
Hotel in Cusco
Breakfast and lunch included

DAY 7

Journey on the Sun Route to Puno

Options: private transport or Inkaexpress Tourist Bus This morning we set off from Cusco to Puno via the Sun Route. Take in the beautiful scenery of the surrounding Andes Mountains and historical sites along the way.
Andahuaylillas “Sistine Chapel of America” – Visit the church of San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas, built by the Jesuits in the 16th century. Tour the inside and be surprised by the mesmerizing murals and lavish embellishments such as a gold-leaf altarpiece.
Raqchi “Temple of Wiracocha” – The Inca Wiracocha Temple was built in honor of the invisible Superior God.
Marangani Buffet Lunch – We will stop in Sicuani for lunch and to relax before restarting the tour.
La Raya 4335 meters – This is the highest point between Cusco and Puno where you will observe high peaks as well as rivers born from its hillside that flow towards Cusco and the Sacred Valley and those who flow towards Puno to be tributaries of Lake Titicaca.
Pukara Museum – Observe the monoliths and stelae (carved and sculpted in granite) of various sizes, as well as pottery, human bones and more.
Arrive in Puno around 5:00pm and transfer to your hotel.
Hotel in Puno
Breakfast and lunch included
Other options:
Fly to Juliaca and transfer to Puno
Upgrade extra cost:
PeruRail Titicaca Train Journey departing from Cusco on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
Hotel in Puno
Breakfast and lunch included
Hotel Selection in Puno
3* Casa Andina Standard, Tierra Viva, Plaza Mayor Hotel,
4* Sonesta Posadas del Inka Puno, Casa Andina Premium
5* GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca, Titilaka

DAY 8

Lake Titicaca: Taquile Island – Llachon – UROS Ccapi – Puno

7:00 AM Start off from your hotel to the port to board the boat and journey to the island of Taquile. Explore the less touristy area walking on the sandy beach where you will get a genuine touch of the island and its inhabitants. The Taquile people are known for their textile art which became a UNESCO in 2005. We continue our ride on the Titicaca waters to Santa Maria – Llachon located on the tip of the Capachica Peninsula, a very scenic off the beaten track destination. We are welcomed by a small community and quickly introduced to an intensive cross-cultural experience living their traditions and participating in an ancient ceremony learning of their mystical world. We will experience the preparation of “Pachamanca” a traditional way of cooking meat, fish, and potatoes using underground ovens. After lunch, we depart to the remote area of the National Reserve of Lake Titicaca and explore UROS Ccapi, considered as the last authentic floating islands, less commercial and little visited. The Uros are descendants of one of the oldest cultures in South America. After a cultural blast, we return to Puno and on to your hotel.
Hotel in Puno
Breakfast and lunch included
NOTE: You could choose to do a homestay in Amantani or Luquina or Ticonata or Taquile. Ask us.

DAY 9

Sillustani – Juliaca Inca Manco Capac Airport – Lima

Morning transfer to the airport in Juliaca. On route, we will tour the Sillustani pre-Inca cemetery with huge tower-like structures called chulpas surrounded by mountains and the “Umayu” Lagoon. Arrive at the airport and fly to Lima. Breakfast included

Services end.
NOTE: Add more days and visit Arequipa and Colca Canyon or other. Ask us!

INCLUDED

Transfer IN/OUT Lima, Cusco, and Puno.
Private transport + Driver.
English speaking guide.
Private tours as per program or group tours as per program.
Meals as per program.
Entrance tickets: Full Tourist BTG ticket for ruins in the Sacred Valley above Cusco, maras salt ponds, the chapel in Chinchero, ruins, and museum on sun route.
Tourist Train: Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
Lima: 1 night.
Sacred Valley: 2 nights.
Aguas Calientes: 1 night.
Cusco: 2 nights.
Puno: 2 nights.
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
Bus Tickets: Round trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back to town.
Train: Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station.
Transfer from the train station to Cusco.
Complimentary water 1 bottle per person.
Private transport to Puno or Inkaexpress full ticket.

CULTURAL CITIES OF PERU 9 DAYS

OVERVIEW:

AT A GLANCE