Rail fans and lovers of ancient history will be thrilled with this trip. Cross Lake Titicaca in a catamaran and visit the floating islands of the Uros people. Experience the splendor achieved by the Incas for 3 days in the archeological capital of America - Cusco. Ascend by narrow gauge railroad to Machi Picchu, the sacred mountain top fortress of the Incas. End the trip in Lima, the capital city of the Spanish empire in South America.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly to La Paz, Bolivia; Hotel El Dorado in La Paz.
Day 2 - Guided city tour & the Valley of the Moon, the Tiahuanaco archeological site, and the Sun Door; Hotel El Dorado. Includes: (B), (L);
Day 3 - Cross Lake Titicaca in a catamaran from La Paz to Puno, Peru. Stop on the Island of the Sun (birthplace of the Incas) & Copacabana with the oldest church in South America; Eco Inn in Puno on Lake Titicaca. Includes: (B), (L);
Day 4 - Visit to the floating islands of Los Uros in Lake Titicaca. Tour the tower tombs of the high class Collas - a culture more ancient than the Inca culture - at the Sillustani ruins; Eco Inn in Puno. Includes: (B), (L);
Day 5 - Journey by train all day from Puno to Cusco, the Imperial City, 11,000+ ft elevation; Hotel Ruinas in Cusco. Includes: (B), (L);
Day 6 - Tour the formidable Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the rock sanctuary of Quenqo, the archeological group of Puca Picara & the Virgin Baths of Tambomachay; Hotel Ruinas in Cusco. Includes: (B), (D);
Day 7 - Enjoy a day on your own to visit the Pisac marketplace & fort, the Ollantaytambo, the archeological museum & explore more of this ancient city; Hotel Ruinas in Cusco. Includes: (B), (D);
Day 8 - Ride the 70-mile narrow-gauge tourist railroad from Cusco to the foot of Machu Picchu. The trip is 3.5 hrs. As it nears Machu Picchu, there are views of snow-capped mountains, Indian villages & precarious terraced fields all around. A guided tour of the ruins & walk on the Inca Trail; Hotel Machu Picchu Inn at Aguas Calientes (7900 ft elevation) below the ruins. Includes: (B), (L);
Day 9 - Explore the ruins on your own today, & possibly climb Wayna Picchu. Aguas Calientes is a great place to shop & appreciate the native weavings; Hotel Machu Picchu Inn. Includes: (B), (D);
Day 10 - Soak in the thermal waters this morning outside of Aguas Calientes. Return to Cusco by train in the afternoon; Hotel Ruinas in Cusco. Includes: (B), (L);
Day 11 - Fly Cusco to Lima, 500 ft elevation. An afternoon city tour of Lima goes to the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral where Pizarro's remains lay, the San Francisco Convent with its Cloister, Catacombs & Museum of Religious Art, the archeological museum & the national museum; Aristo Hotel. Includes: (B), (D);
Day 12 - Visits to the Larco Herrera Museum with the greatest collection of pre-Columbian ceramics in the country, and the Gold Museum with the most important private collection of jewelry & objects of pre-Columbian times; Aristo Hotel. Includes: (B), (D);
Day 13 - Depart Lima.
Testimonials:
"Sue, it is obvious you love doing this & you really care about your clients." (RG, Idaho)
"I enjoyed her organization & personal input so much I would follow Sue to the ends of the earth!" (RP, California)
"We liked being on an adventure--not the usual tourist trip!" (BK, Arizona)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The package includes 12 hotel nights, all in-country flights, railroads & private transfers, local expert bi-lingual guides, all breakfasts plus 1 other meal each day & most tips. It does not include airfare, meals not designated in the itinerary, or trip insurance.
A $300 deposit due upon registration and the balance due 60 days out from the departure date. Trip details are subject to change.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Bolivia
Archeology/History
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