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Highlights of Peru
offered by supplier M16923 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 10
day(s)
Group Size: 5
- 30
people
Destination(s):
Peru
Specialty Categories:
Sightseeing
Cultural Journey
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 1545 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1700 US Dollar (USD)
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A comfortable hotel with 3* accommodation, encompassing the main tourist attractions of this fascinating country. Includes all transfers, accommodation, internal flights and entrance fees as per the below itinerary.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Lima.
Day 2: In the morning, we take a city tour of Colonial Lima visiting the Cathedral, located in the Main Square which was rebuilt on the same site from 1555, under the direction of Jesuit priest Juan Rehr after the 1746 earthquake. Both its façade and interior are austere with its remarkable wooden choir stalls, altars and the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, who died in 1541, are to be noted.
Visit the Church of San Francisco, with its convent, museum of colonial art, cloisters and catacombs. Afterwards, panoramic view of the Main Square with the Government Palace, the Municipal Hall, the “Desamparados” Train Station, and finally drive through the old streets with their vice traditional mansions and Moorish style balconies. Continue through the most traditional residential and commercial areas of contemporary Lima, passing by sites of pre-Columbian Civilisations dating back to the beginning of the Christian era. Then, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean.
Day 3: Transfer to Lima Airport, arrival to Puno and transfer to hotel for overnight
Day 4 : Full day visit of the Floating Island of Uros in Lake Titicaca. Located 4 km from Puno, the original inhabitants of these floating islands are said to descend from one of the most ancient peoples of the Americas. Their dwellings made of totora reed are built on the surface of Lake Titicaca and sit atop stilts which allow them to change location if they so desire. You will get the opportunity to witness the locals in the midst of traditional practices as they have done for centuries!
Afterwards, you will make your way to the unique Island of Taquile, where time appears to have stopped. The Mediterranean atmosphere of this place is striking, with its steps of stone and its houses centered around the square. Its indigenous community that lives here, around 350 families are descendants of the Incas and known for their Textile activities, such as their beautifully woven chumpis (belts), chullos (caps), and ojotas (and sandals) and according to the custom, officials are distinguished by black or brown caps. Taquile also offers a magnificent lake landscape from where the impressive snowfalls of the Cordillera Real (Real mountain chain) can be seen. In the afternoon, return to the hotel. Overnight in Puno. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 5: Morning transfer to the station to board the regular bus to the city of Cusco. On route, you will pass by the villages of Andahuaylillas, Racchi and Pucará. Pls note that if you prefer you could take the train to Cusco, instead of the bus. Departures available on: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 6: Full day visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a pre-Hispanic agriculture center. Visit the old Inca Community of Pisac, (only on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) located at the entrance to the Sacred Valley, 32 Km from Cusco. Its traditional colourful local market have over the centuries attracted the local traders and remote communities from all over the valley, to come and sell their wares. Dressed in their traditional and colorful costumes, these markets now attract many visitors. Afterwards, you will visit the Inca temple of Ollantaytambo, with its Inca Streets, traditional Squares and dwellings which have been built onto the ancient foundations of the Incas. Typical lunch. In the afternoon, return to the hotel in Cusco. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 7: Early in the morning, transfer to take a tourist class train to visit the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, (Optional first class train). This spectacular train journey will leave you in awe as you cross valleys, mountains and continue past typical Peruvian communities. The altitude will descend from 3,500 to 1,500m above sea level. Crossing two different regions from the sierra to the rain forests. Snow peaks, eucalyptus, deep canyons and orchids are also part of the scenery.
This stone citadel, located 112 km from Cusco, was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The citadel was built on a very special spot covered in vegetation between two mountains: the Machu Picchu (old mountain) and Huayna Picchu (young mountain), at the foot of which meanders the Urubamba or Vilcanota River (lower Jungle featuring abundant flora and fauna). On arrival, Tour of the Sanctuary. In the afternoon, return to Cusco by train Tourist Class (Optional: Train First Class). Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco. Optional: Overnight in Machu Picchu. Includes: (B).
Day 8: Morning free. In the afternoon, visit Cusco’s Historical Inca and Spanish Colonial Monuments, such as the Main Square, known in Inca times as Huacaypata or the Warrior’s Square, it was the scene for many key events in Cusco’s history. The Cathedral, originally built on the site of the old temple of Suntur Wasi (House of God), now the church of El Triunfo, a particular interest are the choir cloisters, the pulpit, the engravings on the altar and furniture.
Continue onto the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, a Spanish construction belonging to the Dominican Order built upon the foundations of the Inca temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Koricancha (in quechua, site of gold) was the main religious building of the Incas dedicated to the worship of the Sun and whose walls, according to the chroniclers, were plated with sheets of gold. Magnificent blocks of finely carved stone were used in its construction.
After, you will visit the surrounding ruins of the city of Cusco: Sacsayhuamán, this huge Inca fortress is built on three overlapping platforms, each of them over 360 m long. Then, onto Tambomachay, known as the Inca baths. It was apparently a site dedicated to the worship of water and a resting place for the Inca monarch. Kenko, it is said to have been a worship site. There is a huge 5.9 m high stone block that looks like a puma. There are also passages, canals and stairways with stone engravings representing animals. Finally, Puca Pucará, which was an administrative and military center formed by terraces, stairways, passages, turrets and vaulted niches. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco. Includes: (B).
Day 9: Transfer to the airport for flight back to Lima. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 10: Transfer out. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Dependant on hotel availability and flight schedule.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Sightseeing
Cultural Journey
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, ext: 16923
