DAY 1:
ARRIVAL IN LIMA
Upon your arrival at Lima airport, we will transfer you to your hotel located
in the city center of Cusco. You will have the rest of the day free to relax.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: LIMA /
CUSCO
Transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, we
will take you to your hotel. After a well-deserved rest, we will pick you up
from your hotel to start the tour. First, we’ll visit the Temple of Coricancha,
also known as the Golden Temple, due to the vast amount of gold that once
adorned this sacred site.
Next, we will explore Cusco
Cathedral, located in the Plaza de Armas. This iconic site is renowned for its
stunning religious art, much of it from the Cusco School of Art. The cathedral
has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a Historic Monument of
Peru.
You will marvel at the beauty of
the main square, surrounded by shops and imposing churches. This site was
originally a lagoon, which was drained during the Inca period and used for
important events. Today, it is the main meeting point for visitors in Cusco.
The tour will continue to explore
the most significant archaeological sites. We’ll begin with the Sacsayhuaman
complex, a remarkable structure of enormous, perfectly fitted stones, believed
to have been built by over 20,000 men over a period of 70 years.
Then, we’ll visit the religious
center of Qenqo, a place where the Incas worshipped their gods, including the
sun, moon, and earth. Our journey continues to the military site of Puca
Pucará, meaning “Red Fortress” in Spanish, named for its reddish hue. Finally,
we’ll visit the water temple of Tambomachay, known for its aqueducts and
waterfalls fed by nearby springs.
After visiting these incredible
sites, we will return you to Plaza Regocijo in the heart of the city. Overnight
at the hotel.
DAY 3: FULL
DAY MACHU PICCHU
The full-day Machu Picchu tour begins with a hotel pickup. We’ll head to the
Ollantaytambo train station, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the
Incas, on a scenic 1.5-hour bus ride.
From there, you’ll board the train
to the charming town of Aguas Calientes, a 1.5-hour journey filled with
breathtaking views of lush mountains and snow-capped peaks. Upon arrival,
you’ll take a bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu, where you’ll have time to
explore parts of this stunning archaeological site on your own.
At the scheduled time, you’ll meet
your professional guide at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Together, you’ll enjoy
a 2.5-hour guided tour of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, learning
about this ancient civilization while admiring the spectacular surroundings.
You’ll have free time to take
photos, continue exploring, or, if you wish, climb Huayna Picchu Mountain
(optional). This steep, narrow trail offers unparalleled views of the Inca
city. Alternatively, you can return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (optional),
where you’ll find excellent options for traditional and delicious meals.
Later, we’ll meet at the Aguas
Calientes train station to board the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, a
tourist bus will take you back to Cusco, where you’ll be dropped off at your
hotel. Overnight.
DAY 4: CUSCO
/ LIMA
In the morning, transfer to the Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima.
Upon arrival in Lima, we will take you to your hotel.
In the afternoon, we’ll start
exploring Lima with a visit to the renowned Larco Museum, located in the
traditional Pueblo Libre district. Founded in 1926 by Peruvian archaeologist
Rafael Larco Hoyle, the museum is housed in an 18th-century mansion with
beautiful gardens.
The Larco Museum is truly
impressive. It features over 5,000 pre-Hispanic ceramic pieces, along with gold
and silver artifacts, and pre-Columbian erotic pottery. Walking through the
stunning galleries in chronological order, we’ll learn about the fascinating
civilizations of ancient Peru.
Next, we’ll head to Lima’s
historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. This area is home to
beautiful squares, colonial mansions, and a rich history. We’ll visit the
Aliaga House, a colonial mansion built in 1536, filled with exquisite art and
history. Remarkably, this architectural gem is still inhabited by descendants
of Jerónimo de Aliaga, a Spanish conquistador and ally of Francisco Pizarro.
Our journey continues to the Plaza
de Armas, where Lima was founded in 1535 and Peru’s independence was declared
in 1821. During colonial times, the square served as a market and the site of
public executions.
We’ll admire the historic
buildings surrounding the square, including the Government Palace, the
Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, and other significant colonial
structures. We’ll also visit Lima Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built
during the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.
After the tour, we will return you
to your hotel. Overnight.
DAY 5:
DEPARTURE FROM LIMA
At the scheduled time, you’ll be transferred to Lima airport for your
departure.