Arrive in Lima, where you will be greeted and transferred by your private driver to your hotel. You can start to explore the city on your own or relax.
This morning, you will be transferred from your hotel to Lima airport to board your flight to Cusco (not included). Upon landing in Cusco you will start your exploration with your private guide on the way to the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley of the Urubamba is located one hour from Cusco and is significantly lower in elevation, which aids the acclimatization process by allowing your body to adjust to the altitude more gradually. En route towards the Urubamba Valley, you will visit the Pisac Market which perfectly combines with the majestic landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will walk along the market where you will have the chance to interact with the local folk and even barter with the merchants. You will continue with a visit to the Incan fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo. This fortress was constructed in order to guard the entrance to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasions of tribes from the jungle lowlands, and was later the scene of Incan resistance in 1537, when Manco Inca’s forces faced Hernando Pizarro’s troops. After the tour you will be driven to your hotel.
Today, early morning transfer to the train station with your private guide for an amazing train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, the great mountain-top city abandoned by the Inca Empire, reclaimed by the jungle and lost to humanity until its rediscovery in 1911. The legendary 'Lost City' is without a doubt one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built by the Incas on the summit of "Machu Picchu" (old peak), overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba river in a semi-tropical area. Along the way you will enjoy the changing landscape as you travel from Andean highlands to the beginning of the jungle (“eyebrow of the jungle”), before finally arriving at the town of Aguas Calientes. From here you will board the bus that will take you on a 20 minute ride up to the citadel of Machu Picchu, or Lost City of the Incas, which sits upon the summit bearing the same name, and is one of the most representative and recognized examples of Incan architecture. The guided tour of the Citadel includes the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. In the afternoon, return to Cusco by train and upon arrival at the train station you will be met by your private driver for your transfer to the hotel.
This morning enjoy a private guided visit of the Imperial City of Cusco. You will visit the Main Plaza, which has been the scene of great historical events in Cusco, the Cathedral, constructed of great slabs of red granite in the renaissance style, and thus contrasting with the baroque style silverwork which decorates the interior. You continue on to the Santo Domingo church, built upon the foundations of the Inca temple Koricancha, which was dedicated to Sun worship. Then, head to the City’s nearby ruins: the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a magnificent example of Incan military power; Qenqo, a ritualistic site with subterranean galleries that form an underground maze; Puca Pucara, the red fortress; and finally Tambomachay, also known as the Incan Baths. After the tour, you will return to your hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure.
After your breakfast, you will be transferred to the Cusco bus station for your guided tour with an English speaking guide (shared basis) to the City of Puno. During the trip, pass by the lovely Wacarpay Lake, offering spectacular views of the mountains reflected in its calm waters. You proceed to the beautiful Town of Andahuaylillas, and visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, better known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, due to its decorated polychrome ceiling. About 70 kms further on, you pass through the La Raya Ranch where you can see herds of vicuñas and llamas. Then you travel along the High Plateau of Collao, stopping at the Town of Ayaviri, an important livestock and textile Center, to visit the impressive Temple of Kalasaya, ruins from the ancient Pucara Culture. On the way, stop in Raqchi, where you will see a spectacular Inca Sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec and dedicated to the great Inca God of Wiracocha; it has a great central wall with a stone base of fine Inca architecture, other walls made of giant adobe bricks and the structure also has two circular lateral columns; around the Temple are several buildings once used for housing and storage. Lunch is served at a quiet countryside restaurant where you can enjoy the delightful culinary art of the region. Afternoon arrival in Puno and private transfer to your hotel.
Early in the morning, your private guide takes you for an unforgettable motorboat excursion (shared boat) on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique "Floating Islands" of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the Lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own "Islands" by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed unique to the area called "Totora" (Scirpus totora), vegetable fiber of the Papyrus family. You continue your motorboat trip to Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives who have developed efficient and unique social systems, as well as fine hand weaving techniques, passed down through the generations. Upon arrival at the Town of Taquile you will have a typical lunch. Then you will walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6 km long Island. Return to Puno for overnight.
At the proper time, we will be transferred from your hotel to Juliaca airport to board your flight to Lima (not included). Upon landing in Lima, your private driver will take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a private guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical Center, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum (closed on Sunday and Saturday pm; Santo Domingo Convent is provided instead on these days) as well as San Francisco Monastery and its famous underground crypts known as the Catacombs. Then visit the residential Districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by the Huaca Pucllana, a Ceremonial and Administrative Centre of the Lima Culture built in the II Century A.C. that the Incas considered as "Ñaupallaqta" or Sacred Town. Also visit El Olivar Park with olive trees brought from Spain in the XVth Century, the Central Park of Miraflores and El Parque del Amor, or Peruvian Love Park. Your visit continues with a stop at Larco Herrera Museum, for an excellent overview of Peru's ancient past as it holds the best private collection of pre-Columbian art in the country. You will have the chance to tour through this old Hacienda House in the Pueblo Libre district, which was built upon a pre-Incan sacred site (huaca), housing the private collection of a great Peruvian scholar : Don Rafael Larco Hoyle. After the visit you will be transferred back to your hotel.
At the proper time, private transfer to the Lima Airport to board your flight home !
