BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY – 2 PEOPLE |
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| Luxury Class 5***** | |
| Accom.Lima | Country Club |
| Accommodation | Libertador |
| Hotl in Colca | Casitas del Colca |
| Accom. Puno | Libertador Islas Estevez |
| Accom. Cusco | Monasterio |
| Train Tickets | Hiram Bingham |
DAY 1 LIMA
Pick up upon arrival at Lima’s airport and transportation to the hotel. Overnight (No meals)
DAY 2 FULL DAY PACHACAMAC RUINS & LIMA CITY TOUR
Breakfast, then you will be picked up from your hotel around 9.00am.
We will visit a place that is near Lima, there is an archaeological enclosure whose constructions conserve the mysticism and religiosity of their past. Its name: PACHACAMAC
Guided tour of the splendid and vast archaeological citadel of Pachacamac, the temple of the deity, Pachacamac, believed to be the creator of the universe and a divinity adored by old Andean civilizations. A sacred and ceremonial site dating back to the beginnings of Christianity where thousands of pilgrims converged to pay tribute and consult the Pachacamac oracle, who they believed could see the past, the future and people’s fate.
The site comprises pyramidal temples and enclosures built by successive pre-Colombian civilizations and finally the Incas. Highlights include the Temple of Pachacamac, the Sun God shrine, and the Palace of the Chosen Women or Virgins of the Sun. At the site museum there is an idol of the deity, Pachacamac, which couldn’t be seen by the profane, and was reserved for the high priests who kept, revered and interpreted the divine oracle in the old times. A sacred site, the temple was considered to be part of the planet’s mystical axis.
Then we return to Lima to take our buffet lunch to continue with the Lima City tour. We will visit the colonial area and to the Plaza de Armas where you will see the Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and the City Hall as well as the XVII century church and cloister of San Francisco, a world cultural heritage. Then we will go to the modern downtown with a view of the Pacific Ocean and the modern residential suburb of San Isidro. Finally, transfer to the hotel and overnight. (B,L)
DAY 3 LIMA – AREQUIPA
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Arequipa (airfare not included) Upon arrival reception and transfer to the selected Hotel. You will be picked up in the afternoon. The tour of the White City of Arequipa begins visiting: Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Cloister of the Church and Society, The Temple and the Plaza of San Francisco, tour of the San Lorenzo neighborhood, visit and tour of the Monasterio de Santa Catalina which was closed to the public for centuries, restored and opened smoothly today allows us to appreciate what was the city of Arequipa in the seventeenth century, walking through its narrow streets, squares and perfumed gardens and impressive addition to the tight Cloisters by huge walls of Ashlar, Stone rustic washes, cells and all that make up this small colonial citadel, then we moved to the beautiful and green countryside of Yanahuara’s Pointview contemplate as the Misti Volcano, Pichu Pichu and Chachani the terraces of Paucarpata, The Mill Sabandia, Tingo and the Mirador de Sachaca. At the end return to the hotel. Overnight. (B)
DAY 4 COLCA CANYON
08:00 am Leave Arequipa to a journey to the center of the Earth, our end Colca Canyon, towards nor west direction behind snow-covered Chachani, Yura, small valley with thermal springs, see wild vicuñas in Pampa Cañahuas national reserve, Alpacas & llamas in Tocra, some birds like flamingoes, ibis, andean gooze, ducks, Andean eagle “Kara Kara” view point of the Volcanoes and snow covered mountains in Patapampa (4,800 m.)(15,000ft.), See the Ampato, Sabancaya, Walca Walca, etc.) Chivay Capital of the valley. Afternoon visit to the thermal springs & pools in La Calera. (Admission to the pools not included, about $5 per person). Overnight at selected accommodation. (B,L, D)
DAY 5 COLCA CANYON – PUNO
Early morning after breakfast leave for a full day excursion. We departure to Cruz del Condor where you can appreciate the flight of the condors. Also the Geographical Impressive scene, created by the Colca river can be admired. Approximately one hour after, the tour will come back to Chivay, stopping in the typical villages of: Pinchollo, Maca and Yanque.
Viewpoints of Chocotetico and Antahuilque where the stone and mock ups Collaguas can be seen that people have used to test, parts of the canyon which are suitable for cultivation. This is a good place to appreciate the Andean valley of the Colca. Hanging pre-Inca tombs.
Lunch in the village of Chivay and then bus transportation to go Puno. Upon arrival assistance and transportation to the hotel. Overnight (B, L)
DAY 6 UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS
You will be picked up from your hotel at 6:30 a.m., to go to the port of Puno to take a tourist motor boat and to direct towards the wonders floating islands of the Uros. After a 2 hour motorboat ride, you will arrive at the Uros island in the Titikaka lake. Fishermen and hunters inhabit the floating islands of the Uros. The residents of the Uros are known as the “water tribe”, because they must construct its own Islands periodically, adding new layers of totora reeds, which grows in the lake, to create the conditions that ensure the islands stay afloat. The dense roots that the plants develop support the island. The roofs are waterproof and the houses are extremely humid because of the surrounding water.
They used it as home and trade centers for the natives, who use hand-made boats of the same material as their means of transportation. At present, they speak Quechua and Aymara. Following this exciting tour, you will be led to the Island of Taquile, , place where the form of typical and rustic experience was appraised, the place is colorful and landscaping, where they even maintain its customs, ritual, religious and folkloric traditions, in the town of Taquile we will taste a typical lunch with fresh fish (trout). There is also a craft fair on the plaza that sells exceptional wool goods which are of very fine quality and somewhat expensive. Taquile Island is famous for its craft production, particularly for its beautiful textiles. The island is narrow at about 1 Km. wide and 6 to 7 Km. long. The visit could be exhausting because of the altitude (13,000 ft above sea level). On Taquile there are numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins as well as Inca terracing. We will return in Puno in the afternoon, overnight (B,L)
DAY 7 PUNO – CUSCO
Early breakfast and transfer to the bus station so you can take the ride to Cusco. Departs Puno on guided bus to Cusco, visiting on the route picturesque towns and archeological sites such as Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Sicuani, La Raya and Pukara. Lunch included. Afternoon arrival in Cusco, reception and transfer to your accommodation. Overnight at the hotel. (B,L)
(*) Additional fare if traveling by train. Ask for availability.
DAY 8 CUSCO CITY TOUR
Upon arrival to Cusco Airport. Reception and transportation to the Hotel where you will receive an aromatic coca tea to stimulating for the height, will have the free morning to rest and also we suggest you have a light lunch in either your hotel or in one of the surrounded; in the afternoon we will depart on a City tour (entrance to the archaeological centers and museums including) we will visit the Main square, Cathedral, the Koricancha (temple of the sun) and in addition we will make a route bordering archaeological centers like Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Q’enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, tour finishes 6:30pm approximately at the main square in order you can take dinner in one of the exquisite restaurants in the area, then overnight. (B)
NOTES:
*City tour: from 1.45pm to 6:30pm approx. (Pickup from the hotel starts at 1:15pm)
DAY 9 FULL DAY MACHUPICCHU TOUR
*Note: Doesn’t work on Sundays
Breakfast and at 8.15am pick up to go Poroy Train’s station. The Hiram Bingham departs from Poroy Station (20 minutes outside Cusco) at 9.00am which gives a more leisurely start to the day than the traditional 6am departures of other train services to Machu Picchu.
Brunch is served on board the train whilst passengers watch the spectacular scenery unfolding before them. From the agricultural plains of the Sacred Valley, to the crashing waters of the Urubamba River, and as you get closer to Machu Picchu the soaring mountains, the scenery is constantly changing, and the Hiram Bingham travels at a speed where this can be appreciated.
The train arrives into Aguas Calientes where private minibuses await passengers to escort them on the fifteen minute journey up to the citadel, avoiding the queues.
Upon arrival at the Machu Picchu entrance, passengers can go straight into the citadel as tickets will have been pre-purchased for all guests.
A guide will escort you around the citadel in small groups, pointing out the best of the ruins and recounting the history of this Inca settlement.
After the guided tour, guests are given the choice to wander alone through this fascinating World Heritage site, or to enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, the Orient-Express hotel located right at the entrance to the citadel.
The Hiram Bingham departs at 18.00. Guests are welcomed back on board with pre-dinner cocktails served in the Bar Car with live musical entertainment. Later a 4-course, à la carte dinner is served in the dining cars. The train pulls into Poroy station just outside Cusco at 21.25. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Overnight.
WHAT’S INCLUDED ON HIRAM BINGHAM?
On-board meals with Peruvian wine, cusqueña Beer, soft drinks and hot drinks (brunch on outward journey, dinner on return), on-board entertainment, guides, bus transfers, entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary and afternoon tea at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, pre-dinner cocktails.
DAY 10 FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR
Breakfast. You will be picked up at 8:15 am. Full day excursion to the Urubamba Valley visiting: the colorful Indian market in Pisac where a mixture of color and tradition will be able appreciated besides will have a good opportunity to try our bargain skills on the free time to interact with the local craftsmen to purchase their hand-made souvenirs. The Valley has a distance of 31 km (19 miles) of Cusco, and an altitude of 2,970 ms (9,700 p), Pisac is located to the entrance of the Sacred Valley and followed by Ollantaytambo, the older town continuously occupied of the American continent. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their channels that have not varied from the time Inca, evoke their ancestral inheritance, lunch in a typical restaurant and then the last visit will be to Chinchero market.
Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. At the end, return to Cusco main square at 6:30pm approx.
The night is free for you to eat in a restaurant of your choice; although we always have plenty of suggestions for you should you require them. (B, L)
Note: Take this tour on market days: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
Bilingual Guided tour on different
DAY 11 TRANSFER OUT
Breakfast and transportation from the hotel to the airport for your flight back to Lima (airfare not included) arriving in time to catch your international connection (B)
END OF SERVICES
INCLUDES: All hotel and lodge accommodations based on double room occupancy. All scheduled transportation. All transfers. All scheduled excursions with English-speaking guide services. All entrance fees. Meals as specified in the itinerary. B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner.
IMPORTANT: For a better service, the company informs you that it has autonomy to change the Hotels mentioned in the itinerary with another one of similar category if therefore sees it by advisable taking into account justifiable availability of spaces or other reasons, if this it is the case you will be notified ahead of time.
NOT INCLUDE: International and domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of international flights and items of personal nature.
