"In the variety of its charms and the power of its spell, I know of no place in the world which can compare with it. Not only has great snow peaks looming above the clouds more than two miles overhead, gigantic precipices of many-colored granite rising sheer for thousands of feet above the foaming, glistening, roaring rapids; it has also, in striking contrast, orchids and tree ferns, the delectable beauty of luxurious vegetation, and the mysterious witchery of the jungle." Hiram Bingham, "discoverer" of Machu Picchu in Lost City of the Incas
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving La Paz
After our arrival at 'El Alto International' Airport in La Paz, we are met by our guide/driver and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Plaza Hotel, La Paz (2 nights). Included: D.
Day 2: La Paz
La Paz, the city that touches the sky… Situated in the highlands of eastern Bolivia, this city is the administrative capital of Bolivia. La Paz is beset with magnificent views of the tremendous, 21,000-foot tall peaks that look down upon it. The eastern side of the Andes is only a days' hike from La Paz. A stroll through the town will show you why this city has gained so much importance.
After our breakfast, we’ll start our tour with a visit to the ruins of the old pre-Inca civilization Tiahuanaco, cradle of the Inca Empire. We will enjoy the view of Temple Kalassaya with its most famous piece, the Puerta del Sol - the Sun Gate, sculpted in a single andesite stone block of three meters high and four meters wide with an approximate weight of 10 tons.
All the Temple’s buildings are made of carefully carved stone blocks. In the afternoon we’ll visit the city, walking along the main streets and avenues. We’ll also visit Murillo House Museum, the Open Air Museum of Tiawanaku and by the end of the day we’ll encounter the native markets and Valley of the Moon. Included: B.
Day 3: La Paz / Chua / Island of the Sun (drive & cruise)
After breakfast, we drive to Chua. Here, we’ll board a Catamaran, which will be our home for the following two days, while crossing/cruising the Sacred Lake of Titicaca. The Titicaca Lake is the highest navigable lake on our planet and represents the natural border between Peru and Bolivia.
The landscape here is impressive and the folkloric heritage is still present in the villages on the shores of the lake. We will cross by the Strait of Tiquina and will continue cruising to the Island of the Sun (Isla Del Sol). Upon arrival to the island, we’ll first visit the Inti Wata Cultural Complex, going through its Inca terraces, where we can see a variety of Andean crop and medicinal herbs and Andean cameloids like lamas, alpacas and huanacos.
Among Inti Wata’s highlights is the Ekako Underground Museum, a unique 200-m² underground museum containing the largest collection of Sun Island’s archaeological artifacts and mummies. Also here we’ll receive a blessing under the old Kallawaya tradition.
We will continue to the north of the island in order to visit Challanpampa, the Archeological Museum Dinaar and the pre-Inca temple of the Chincana. We will go for a short walk along an old road and later enjoy the Dinner and a traditional dance show offered by the islanders. Overnight: Aboard the Catamaran (1 night). Included: B, L, D.
Day 4: Isla Del Sol / Copacabana / Puno (cruise & drive)
Our Breakfast will be served aboard, while we will continue our lake crossing towards Copacabana. Here we visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Copacabana. This is the most important religious sanctuary of Bolivia and thousands of pilgrims come to visit the Virgin of Copacabana every year, also known as the Black Madonna.
It is located around a splendid bay between two hills. The main square is usually jammed with vehicles covered with flowers and colored paper strips, waiting to be blessed by the Black Virgin. From here we continue by vehicle to our hotel in Puno. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Hotel Posada Del Inca, Puno (2 nights). Included: B, L.
Day 5: Puno
In the morning, we will do a short crossing through the Sacred Lake of the Incas, the Titicaca, to visit the Floating Islands of the Uros, an old pre-Incan community that took refuge on the waters of this lake, running away from colonial empire. Tying together totora reeds, which grow in the lake, create the base of these artificial (man made) islands.
These reeds are also used for huts, furniture and boats. The totora reed is undoubtedly the life stay of the islanders, even serving as food, as the tip of the reed can be eaten. The islands are anchored to the bed of the lake, which is only 4m below the surface, to stop them floating away.
The islands have developed somewhat in recent years, and there is now a hospital, a school, a hotel and even electricity on some of the islands. There are 45 floating islands in total, most of them relatively close to Puno.
In the afternoon we will also visit the pre-Incan cemetery of Hatun Colla Chiefs in Sillustani, on the shores of the Lake Umayo. Such burial tombs called “Chullpas” may be as high as 6 meters. For dinner and overnight stay we return to Puno. Overnight: Hotel Park Calama (1 night). Included: B, L.
Day 6: Puno / Cusco (drive & train)
We leave Puno today as we’re transferred to the train station to board the famous 'Train of the Andes'. During our trip we will amazed by the beautiful landscape of these mountains, we’ll also observe few typical Andean towns en route from our panoramic coach, while enjoying the comfort, the Lunch aboard and all the exclusive facilities of this classical train. Once in Cusco, we are transferred to the hotel. Overnight: Novotel Cusco (1 night). Included: B, L.
Day 7: Cusco / Sacred Valley of the Incas (drive)
We start our real Incan experience today with an excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route we visit the Artisans Market of Pisac, where colorful local clothing is shown and we will also get familiar with old manufacturing techniques and traditions, which are still alive.
We'll have some time to do shopping, followed by a buffet lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo, where we will see techniques used by the Incas to sculpt stones.
Ollantaytambo is an attractive little town located at the western end of the Sacred Valley and has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. There is a local saying: "There's only one place on the Land of the Incas, where the time took a rest". Overnight: Posada del Inca Yucay (1 night). Included: B, L.
Day 8: Sacred Valley of the Incas / Machu Picchu (train)
Early in the morning (with our packed Breakfast and Lunch) we are transferred back to the Railway station to get aboard the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival we’re trans-boarding to the minibuses to ascend the citadel of Machu Picchu, the Sacred City of the Incas.
Machu Picchu is probably the most familiar symbol of the Inca Empire. Since 1983 the site has been designated as a United Nations Educational World Heritage Site. It is thought that the city was built by the Sapa Inca Pachacuti, starting in about 1440, and was inhabited until the Spanish conquest of Peru in 1532.
Archaeological evidence (together with recent work on early colonial documents) shows that Machu Picchu was not a conventional city, but a country retreat town for Inca nobility (similar to the Roman villas). The site has a large palace and temples dedicated to Inca deities around a courtyard, with other buildings for support staff.
It is estimated that a maximum of only about 750 people resided in Machu Picchu at one time. It is thought that the site was chosen for its unique location and geological features. It is said that the silhouette of the mountain range behind Machu Picchu represents the face of the Inca looking upward towards the sky, with the largest peak, Huayna Picchu (meaning Young Peak), representing his nose.
We will go through the corridors, visiting the ceremonial centers and terraces. We will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for our overnight stay. Overnight: Hatuchay Tower, Aguas Calientes (1 night). Included: B, L.
Day 9: Machu Picchu / Cusco (train)
After a leisurely Breakfast, we spend some time in Aguas Calientes and have a visit of the city, maybe meditate to receive the energy of this sacred place and also to have the opportunity to ascend Intipunku, the Entrance of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, we return to Cusco by train. Overnight: Novotel Cusco (2 nights). Included: B, L.
Day 10: Cusco
In the morning we will visit the city, going through its streets and enjoying the view of the fusion between the Inca architecture and Colonial architecture. We’ll visit the Temple of the Sun or “Korikancha” and the Cusco Cathedral. The Korikancha is a classic example of the fusion of Inca and Western cultures, and was one of the most important temples in the Tahuantinsuyu.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman. Here we’ll see Q’engo - one of the finest examples of a rock artfully carved, showing complex patterns of steps, seats, Geometric Reliefs and a puma design, Tambo Machay - commonly referred to as the 'Baños del Inca' or Inca baths, Tambomachay was a site for ritual bathing.
The excellent quality of the stonework suggests that its use was restricted to the higher nobility, who maybe only used the baths on ceremonial occasions, Puca Pucara - situated on a hill with superb views over the surrounding countryside Puca Pucara was more likely a tambo, or kind of post house than an actual fortress, and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Included: B.
Day 11: Cusco / Lima (flight)
After Breakfast we are transferred to the airport, in time to reach our flight to Lima, the Capital city of Peru. Upon our reception at Lima airport, we're transferred to the hotel. Lima, located on the central western coast, is large, noisy and shrouded in a misty coastal fog for much of the year.
Despite the unimpressive landscape, the friendly people, important historical sites, quality museums, and variety of dining places make Lima a very interesting place to visit. In the afternoon, therefore, we visit Lima and start with the old city of Viceroys, going along the main streets, avenues and the residential districts.
See the Main Square, the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and The Church and Convent San Francisco – the most important religious monument of Lima, built in 1542 in Baroque style, of great aesthetic beauty. It also houses a "Museo de Arte Religioso" (religious art museum) and the room Zurbarán with the collection of the Apostles. This site UNESCO declares as a Cultural World Heritage Site. Overnight: Hotel Sheraton, Lima (1 night). Included: B.
Day 12: Lima / Homebound
We'll leave today the "Land of the Incas" and return home with strong memories to last over a lifetime.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
USD: 2,255.00 / CAD: 2,365.00 - per person in double occupancy
Single supplement USD: 690.00 / CAD: 725.00
Price includes:
- Hotels as mentioned or similar category
- Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- All transfers, tours and sightseeing by AC car or minivan/minibuses
- Domestic flights: Cusco / Lima (except local airport taxes!)
- All the boat/catamaran/ferry rides as mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to all Sites, Museums and Performances as mentioned
- Services of local English speaking guides
- Road taxes, parking fees, drivers’ wages
Price does not include:
- International flight tickets and airport taxes
- Excursions not included in the itinerary
- Visa fees and any kind of insurance
- All Domestic flights (est. USD: 500.00 / CAD: 600.00)
- Personal expenses, such as bar, laundry or phone bills
- Any drinks or beverages with meals
- Tips or other such costs
- All other services not mentioned
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Bolivia
Peru
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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