CLASSIC PERU

Day 1 – Arrival to Lima

Upon your arrival, you will be met by a representative of our agency, who will assist your transfer to your hotel, located in the heart of Lima.

Overnight: Hotel of your choice     

Day 2 – Full Day Lima

You will have a full day to discover the contrasts and dynamics of the modern and old districts parts of the city, followed by an exquisite lunch.  In the afternoon, you will visit the Larco Archeological Museum.

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With a population approaching 9 million, Lima is the fifth largest city in Latin America, after Mexico City, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It is also home to one of the largest financial hubs in Latin America. Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, as la Ciudad de los Reyes, or “the City of Kings”. It became the capital and most important city in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru. Following the Peruvian War of Independence, it remained as the capital of the Republic of Peru.

Lima is internationally recognized as the “Gastronomic Capital of the Americas”, and its cuisine is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world on par with French cuisine.

Reservations in one of the best Restaurants in the city.

Overnight: Hotel of your choice     

Day 3 – Flight to Cusco + Afternoon City Tour

In the morning, you will have a transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon your arrival, you will be met by our representative who will assist with your transfer to your hotel. Cusco is located at 3100 meters above sea level. We recommend you take it easy, drink lots of coca tea in order to acclimatize slowly. If you feel lightheaded, take aspirin so you can absorb oxygen better.

Note:  It must be Aspirin.   If you are allergic or intolerant to aspirin, it will be best to rest and stay hydrated. All Hotels have oxygen if you may need it.

In the afternoon, you will have a city tour of Cusco.  The main attractions are the Coricancha, the monastery built around the Incan temples of the sun and moon, and Sacsayhuaman, a huge ancient fortress that lies right outside the city.

Cusco is a beautiful city in which it is safe to walk around at night. However, you must make sure you follow the well-lit streets and avenues and take precautions as you would in any big city.

Overnight: Hotel of your choice     

Day 4–Pisac and Ollantaytambo

You will drive down to the sacred Valley towards Pisac, a spectacular set of terraces on a very steep hill. This site was sacred and was strategically important. Above the terraces, there are some temples with very fine carved stones. Along the paths that lead to the temples, there are doorways that could have been closed if it was ever necessary. There is also a burial area and living quarters at the very top. It offers a view of the little town of Pisac, where the main market day in the town’s main square occurs on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is also a great place for hikers due to its trails of different levels of difficulty, perfect for wandering around. You may have time to visit the village of Pisac if it coincides with market day.  After lunch, served in a local restaurant in the sacred valley, you will continue to Ollantaytambo Village and ruins.

Ollantaytambo was an Inca settlement of sacred value that was not destroyed by the Conquistadores. It comprises the actual village and the ruins on the hilltop.

The ruins on the hilltop have some of the finest Inca masonry, it was considered a fort to protect other ruins located downriver, especially Machu Picchu. They were never finished, but there are signs of huge constructions. A few megalithic blocks weighing up to 60 tons, known as the “walking stones” can still be found along the route from the quarry 5km downriver. Although cut and shaped, these stones never made it to the construction site, but is said that they are still on their “journey” at this moment in time! Beyond Ollantaytambo, and leading towards the rain forest, is Machu Picchu. The Spaniards never knew of the existence of other Inca ruins further than Ollantaytambo, which gives us a reason to believe that Machu Picchu may have been abandoned prior to the arrival of the first Europeans. The motive for this remains a mystery even today.

Another interesting aspect of Ollantaytambo is the actual living Inca village below and the fortress site on the hilltop. Visiting the village is a veritable voyage back in time, as the town remains exactly the way it was during Inca times. The inhabitants actually live in the original houses that were built during the reign of the Incan ruler Pachakutic. After the visit, you will go to your Hotel in the Sacred valley to rest.

Overnight: Hotel of your choice          

Day 5–Train to Machu Picchu in Vistadome

Early in the morning, you will take the Vistadome train that leads to the most sacred place of the Incas, Machu Picchu. For some historians, Machu Picchu was a sacred place, isolated from most of the common people, where only the virgins of the sun could live. The Inca Emperor would go there occasionally for special celebrations or for a retreat. According to other historians and more recent theories, Machu Picchu was an Agricultural University for the Incas. They believe it was a place to learn about the stars, use of the land, agricultural seasons, and the planting of different crops at different times of the year. It was never discovered by the Spaniards thanks to its location. At approximately 17h00 you will return to your hotel, either next to the main gate of the ruins or in Aguas Calientes.

Overnight: Hotel of your choice     

Day 6 –Full day Machu Picchu on your own

Today you will have a free day to explore Machu Picchu by yourself. You can hike up to Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu hills, so you can have an outstanding perspective of the ruins below, or you can simply stay in the ruins and walk through the city. In the afternoon you will head back to the valley by train. Once you arrive, you will take a transfer to your Hotel.

Overnight: Hotel of your choice                                                    

Day 7 – Maras, Moray and Chincheros

You’ll wake up to have a delicious breakfast and meet with your guide and driver for a full day to explore the villages and some of the top destinations in the sacred valley.

Maras is the place where the salt mines are located. Saltwater rises from deep in the earth and is then collected in terraces, very much like the agricultural terraces of the Incas.  The salt is then ground up, treated, and packaged to the various markets of the region.

The tour continues up the hills to visit Moray and Chincheros.

Moray is a complex of circular terraces arranged like an amphitheater.  It is one of the most impressive sets of terraces. The different terraces offer different microclimates from the tropics in the bottom to the high tundra on the top, which was probably a place to experiment with different crops.

Chincheros is a small Inca Village mixed with Colonial Architecture.  It is inhabited by the local native people of the area. Chincheros has a Sunday market with crops, fruits and crafts, one of the best in the region. After lunch and a short visit to Chincheros, you will continue to Cusco and to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel of your choice             

Day 8 –Free day to explore Cusco on your own

You will have a free day to walk around Cusco.

We recommend you go up to San Blas Street, known for the artwork, especially the Escuela Cusqueña de Arte. You can stroll around the Plaza de Armas to visit some of the shops located nearby or in El Triunfo Street. The city has many attractions such as museums and ruins and mixed architecture, of Inca walls, temples, and colonial characteristics from the Spanish influence.      

Overnight: Hotel of your choice                                                     

Day 9 –Flight back home

In the morning you will have a transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

Note: Prices will vary depending on the hotel of your choice and if you go on private or shared tours.