DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN
LIMA
Upon your arrival at Lima airport, we will transfer you to your hotel located
in the heart of Lima city. You will have the rest of the day free. Overnight
at the hotel.
DAY 2: LIMA CITY
TOUR AND LARCO MUSEUM
In the morning, we will begin our Lima city tour at the magnificent Larco
Museum, located in the traditional district of Pueblo Libre. Founded by
Peruvian archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle in 1926, the museum is housed in an
18th-century mansion surrounded by extensive and beautiful gardens.
The Larco Museum
is a marvel. It boasts a comprehensive collection of over 5,000 pre-Hispanic
ceramic pieces, as well as gold and silver artifacts, and pre-Columbian erotic
pottery. We will walk through its stunning galleries in chronological order,
learning about the fascinating civilizations of ancient Peru.
Next, we will
head to Lima`s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. This
area features beautiful squares, colonial mansions, and a rich history. We will
visit the Aliaga House, a colonial mansion built in 1536, renowned for its
exquisite spaces filled with invaluable art and history. Remarkably,
descendants of Jerónimo de Aliaga, a Spanish conquistador and ally of Francisco
Pizarro, still inhabit this architectural gem.
We will continue
to the Plaza de Armas, the birthplace of Lima in 1535 and the site where Peru’s
independence was declared in 1821. During the viceroyalty, it served as a
marketplace and a place for public executions.
From the Plaza de
Armas, we will admire historical buildings such as the Government Palace, the
Archbishop`s Palace, the Municipal Palace, and other significant colonial
structures. We will visit Lima`s Cathedral, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site,
built during the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.
After the tour,
you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight stay.
DAY 3: LIMA /
AREQUIPA CITY TOUR
At the scheduled time, we will transfer you to Lima airport for your flight to
Arequipa. Upon arrival, we will escort you to your hotel in the city center.
We will then
begin the city tour with a visit to the Plaza de Armas, one of the most
beautiful squares in the country, and the adjacent Arequipa Cathedral, built in
the 17th century. We will explore the Cathedral and the Church of the Society
of Jesus (1590), a classic example of local baroque architecture housing
exceptional paintings and murals.
You will also
visit the stunning Monastery of Santa Catalina, a genuine medieval cloister
established in September 1579, still in use today. Spanning 20,000 square
meters, this mysterious convent was built with sillar, the main material
of local architecture.
The tour includes
stops in the districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, offering panoramic views
of Arequipa`s countryside and the surrounding volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and
Pichu Pichu. You will have time for photos.
Finally, we will
visit the main square of Cayma district and the Church of San Miguel Arcángel
de Cayma. At the end of the tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel.
Overnight stay.
DAY 4: AREQUIPA /
CUSCO
At the agreed time, we will take you to Arequipa airport for your flight to
Cusco. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is
free. Overnight stay.
DAY 5: PISAC AND
OLLANTAYTAMBO WITH OVERNIGHT IN AGUAS CALIENTES
Today, we will tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
After traveling
30 km from Cusco, we will reach the small town of Pisac, a charming place with
a fantastic traditional market and an archaeological site featuring stone
temples and structures overlooking the valley and its terraces.
We will then
continue to Urubamba, where we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at a
traditional restaurant by the Urubamba River.
Next, we will
visit the town of Ollantaytambo and its fortress, an impressive example of Inca
architecture that served as a military, religious, and agricultural hub. It
offers stunning valley views and features advanced irrigation systems.
We will end the
day with a visit to Chinchero and its colorful market, offering a variety of
Andean ceramics and textiles.
You will then
board a train at Ollantaytambo station, heading towards Aguas Calientes. Upon
arrival, our staff will assist you to your hotel. In the evening, we will have
a briefing about the next day’s visit to Machu Picchu. Overnight stay.
DAY 6: FULL DAY
AT MACHU PICCHU
You will take a bus ascending 30 minutes along a road with spectacular views of
the Urubamba River and its canyon. Machu Picchu, meaning “Old Mountain,” will
greet you with its incredible terraces, stairways, ceremonial sites, and urban
areas, radiating a unique energy.
During a 2.5-hour
guided tour, you will learn all about this extraordinary site. Afterward, you
will have free time to continue exploring or, if adventurous, hike Huayna
Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional).
Alternatively,
you can return to Aguas Calientes for a delightful lunch (optional) at one of
its excellent restaurants.
At the scheduled
time, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus transfer
to Cusco. Overnight stay.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE
FROM CUSCO
At the agreed time, we will transfer you to Cusco airport for your onward flight.
