Day 1: Arrival LIMA
Assistance
on your arrival in Lima and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time
to rest and prepare for starting your trip around this magical country.
Overnight.
Day 2: LIMA / AREQUIPA - City Tour - Santa Catalina
Convent (B)
Early
in the morning, transfer to airport to take a flight to Arequipa.
Upon arrival, reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. In the
afternoon we start a three hour city tour including Santa Catalina
Convent, the Plaza de Armas, the Jesuits church of La Compañía and its
beautifully-painted chapel, the Church of San Francisco, San Lazaro's.
Modern districts of Selva Alegre and the typical of Cayma and Yanahuara,
for a magnificent view of the Misti Volcano.
Day 3: AREQUIPA - Colca Valley (B) (L)
Early
in the morning, after breakfast, departure by bus on your excursion
towards the Colca Canyon, driving across Pampa Cañahuas at the Aguada
Blanca National Reserve, habitat of herds of vicuñas and stopping at the
Mirador de los Andes, the crater of Chucura, the Mirador de Chivay,
where beautiful pre-columbian terraces still being cultivated by native
Collaguas can be observed. Arrival to the town of Chivay at 13:00hrs.
approx. Transfer to your selected lodge. Box lunch. In the afternoon
free time to visit thermal and medical baths.
Day 4: Condor's Cross - AREQUIPA (B)
Early
in the morning departure to the "Condor's Cross" from where the great
andean bird, the Condor, may be spotted flying in circles above still
farmed green pre-hispanic terraces. Enjoy the impressive panorama of the
Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world (3,000mts.). On the way
back to Chivay, visit to the Mirador of Chinina, where we will find the
famous Hanging Tombs and the Hanging Bridge of Sifón that joins the town
of Yanque with Coporaque.
At
the town of Yanque, visit its beautiful church and its characteristic
stone streets among other attractions. To have spectacular views of the
Colca Valley, we will drive to the observation points of Choquetipo and
Artahuilque and also to the town of Maca.
After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the city of Arequipa,
arriving at 18:00hrs. approx. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 5: AREQUIPA / CUSCO - City Tour + 4 Ruins (B)
Early
in the morning, transfer to airport to take a flight to Cusco.
Assistance on arrival in Cusco and transfer to your selected hotel. Free
time to take a short rest to be acclimatized to the altitude.
In the afternoon, city tour of Cuzco visiting the Main Square, the
Cathedral and the Temple of the
Sun or Korikancha.
Then,
drive out of the city to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay,
Puca Pucara and the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built
strategically on a hill overlooking Cusco; famous for its enormous
carved stones joined with astounding precision to form the outer walls.
Some of these stones stand over 9m / 30ft tall and weight over 350 tons.
Day 6: CUSCO - Machu Picchu (B) (L)
The
day starts with an early morning rise to transfer to Cusco train station
for a three hour train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu
Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas". Arrive at Aguas
Calientes station followed by a 30-minute bus drive, climbing 6km of
winding road, to the incredible Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we´ll
participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza,
the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial(Intiwatana), the Royal Quarters,
the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. After the
tour you will have time to stroll around the archaeological site at your
leisure. Lunch in a restaurant at Aguas Calientes town. Late afternoon
return to Cusco. Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco.
Day 7: CUSCO - Sacred Valley of the Incas (B) (L)
Excursion
to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas", a succession of picturesque towns,
agricultural terraces and archaeological sites. On Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Sundays, we´ll have the opportunity to bargain with vendors or
stroll at the Pisac's typical Indian market, with a catholic mass
service on Sunday (celebrated in Quechua, the native language).
Lunch at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley.
In the afternoon pass through Calca and Urubamba towns to arrive to the
Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, which was built to guard the
entry of this part of the valley and protect it from enemies of the
lower jungles; consisting in a series of superimposed terraces of carved
stones accessed by long staircases.
We
will have the opportunity to walk through the quaint streets of the
nearby town, religious and agricultural centre during the Inca Empire,
and get a clear idea of the military strategy against possible invasions.
On our way back to Cusco we will visit the picturesque Andean village of
Chinchero where the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca
Yupanqui lies. Admire its well preserved Inca Wall at the Main Square,
visit the beautiful colonial temple built on Inca foundations, with
interesting frescoes on the portico.
Back to Cusco in the afternoon.
Day 8: CUSCO / LIMA - Out (B)
Early in the morning, transfer to airport to take a flight to Lima. End
of services. |