Your Itinerary
Day 1. LIMA
Arrival in Lima, reception at the airport and transfer by executive car to the deluxe 5* Miraflores Park Hotel. Opportunity for a massage before dinner in the exquisite hotel restaurant.
Day 2. LIMA
Breakfast, guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical Centre, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall. We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters, Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library of the monks, a Museum showing 11 paintings of the Rubens School, the Sacristy with paintings of Surbaran and Ribera, its great patio decorated with Seville tiles of the XVIth Century, Moorish arches and underground Catacombs. Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45,000 classified archaeological objects. Its masterpieces are considered worldwide icons of pre-Columbian art, after being exhibited in the world's leading museums. Return to the hotel. Dinner
Day 3. LIMA AREQUIPA
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Arequipa. We pick you up from your flight and escort you to our comfortable 5 star Libertador hotel in the white city of Arequipa. Afternoon a private City Tour visiting the Chilina valley and the old San Lazaro district. General view of the City from the Yanahuara Belvedere, the Plaza de Armas and its Cathedral, the cloisters of La Compania Church, the Church and Square of San Francisco and the extraordinary Santa Catalina convent which is built from volcanic lava and dates from the 16th century. Return to the Hotel. Lunch and Dinner
Day 4- COLCA CANYON: We wind out of Arequipa past El Misti Volcano to the barren altiplano. The colors and scenery are spectacular as we pass endangered grazing Vicunas and ponds with Andean Geese. We can see many snow peaks and volcanoes from here. Winding down into the Colca, we stay at the comfortable Colca Lodge. With its very own hot springs, relax in the fabulous surroundings of the Canyon. Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 5- AREQUIPA: This morning after a hearty and leisurely breakfast we drive a short distance down the side of the Colca Canyon reputed to be the deepest canyon in the world, past megalithic ancient terracing, to Cruz del Condor. Here Andean Condors and other Birds of Prey, roost on inaccessible ledges and once hot air thermals have developed, produced by the burning Andean Sun, they circle out gaining height and provide stunning photographic opportunities. The Condors are big and one cannot help but be amazed by these creatures. In the afternoon return to Arequipa and to your hotel. Breakfast - Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6- CUZCO: In the morning our staff will transfer you to the airport for your departing flight to the Capital of the Incas. Upon your Arrival in Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incas, we greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Luxury 5* Monasterio Hotel, brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea to assist in the acclimation to the 11300 ft. In the afternoon a private City tour of Cuzco, this tour include: The Cathedral, Qoricancha, temple of the Sun, the most important of Inca ceremonial sites. Continue to Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, Puca-Pucara, and Tambomachay. Return to the Hotel
Day 7. CUZCO
Leisurely day for shopping for your next adventure, the Sacred Valley and the Royal Inca Trail.
Day 8- SACRED VALLEY: After breakfast, we travel in a private vehicle over a low pass then down into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. The scenery is unsurpassable, close and distant snow peaks glistening in the sun. Visit the Ancient Pisaq market, where many of the local Indians sell their hand made textiles. Lunch at the local hacienda restaurant and continue to Ollantaytambo the major Inca temple / fortress. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaros defeat by Manco Inca in 1536. We have ample time to examine the complex and ponder its many mysteries, we stay at Pakaritampu Hotel. Early dinner and briefing on the up and coming Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Lunch- Dinner
LUXURY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
Day 9-Wayllabamba: Early in the morning we ride by bus to the small Andean town of Chilca and on to the trailhead at Piscacucho at km 82. Here you will meet the team that will join you during the trek, such as the porters, camp assistants and cooks. You will begin the walk, the first day is quite easy and during the first kilometers, you will have a beautiful view of the snow peaked Veronica Mountain, walking alongside the Vilcanota River until you arrive at the Archaeological Complex of Patallacta, where you will have lunch and gain energy to reach Wayllabamba, the name in Quechua means 'grassy plain. Most tour groups spend the first night here although there are prettier campsites a little further on. Breakfast Lunch - Dinner
Day 10 - Pacaymayu: Today we climb up from Wayllabamba for about 3 hours through steepening woods and increasingly spectacular terrain brings you to the treeline and a meadow known as Llulluchapampa (3,680m). It is another 1hours climb to the first and highest pass of the trail (Abra Huarmihuanusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,200m. During this part of the trail hikers are exposed to the Andean elements: first scorching sun and then, closer to the pass, freezing winds. Once at the top hikers can celebrate having completed the most difficult section of the trail.
The decent from the pass is steep although not difficult, following the trail on the left side of the valley to the valley floor and to the 2nd night's campsite at Pacaymayu (3,600m). There are toilet facilities here. Breakfast Lunch - Dinner
Day 11 - Winaywayna: Today you will continue to climbing a series of Inca steps, it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay (12,172ft). These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Pacamayo valley below. Another 45 minute hike will bring you to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you'll feel that you are walking along the trail of the Incas with paving, for the most part, being original. The descent down the steps from the pass is steep so take care. After about 1 hour from the 2nd pass you'll arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a superbly designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means 'Inaccessible Town' and describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. No one knows the exact purpose of these ruins. From then on the path descends into magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the rock, on the way. A few minutes after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds'. Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual worship of water. Be careful with your knees which will feel the strain by the end of the day. We arrive to Winay Wayna . A short trail leaves from the southern end of the hostal to the ruins of Winay Wayna. The name in Quechua means 'forever young' and is named after a variety of pink orchid which grows here. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10 baths, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship of water. Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the trail to Machu Picchu. Breakfast Lunch - Dinner.
Day 12 MACHU PICCHU: After an early breakfast, in the anticipation of continuing on the trail your hearts may begin to pound from the excitement that awaits your every steps and breath as you approach the fabled citadel. The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloud forest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). From here the trail winds downhill (45 minutes) into the lost citadel of Machu Picchu, at 2400m/7872. Arrival to Machu Picchu and accommodation at the Sanctuary lodge hotel, just at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Breakfast Lunch - Dinner.
Day 13. MACHU PICCHU - CUZCO
A full day's private guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. It is said that Machu Picchu is a place of great spirituality, and the best time of the day to sense this is at sunrise. Early risers may walk through Machu Picchu in the mist to explore the ruins without crowds. Our guide will explain you the history and the myths that surround this archaeological wonder MACHU PICCHU! The famous lost city of the Inca is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Stand 2,430m above sea-level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. In an extraordinarily beautiful setting, it was probably most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, its giant walls, terraces and ramps seen as, if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial Sun. After the tour, free time to enjoy this magical and spiritual wonder. Lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge before returning to Cuzco in the evening aboard the luxury Hiram Bingham train. Cocktails followed by dinner aboard the train. Transfer to Monasterio hotel. Breakfast Lunch
Day 14. CUZCO LIMA
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight Lima and connection international Flight to Home
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Prices start from US$5748 per person.
OUR PRICE INCLUDES:
Accommodation in luxury double rooms/suites at selected, historical hotels
All meals noted on the itinerary.
Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based in private service with English speaking guides.
All internal flight tickets.
Luxury train tickets.
All entrance fees.
EXCLUDES:
International flight to Peru and taxes for all international air departures.
Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.
Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident etc.
Tips, baggage porterage and other extras not specified.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
Archeology/History
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