About this trip

Best of Peru Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Lima

Arrive at Lima airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight: Lima

Day 2: Lima City Tour (B)

Today you will explore the city on a sightseeing tour through Lima. The Plaza de Armas with the beautiful buildings of the government Palace, the town hall, the Palace of the archbishop and the cathedral are still the most important places in town. After that you will visit the beautiful San Francisco monastery which displays the largest collection of religious art in America. The highlight of this convent is the visit of the underground vaults known as “catacumbas” or catacombs. Proceed through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores and to the Coastline enjoying the view over the beaches of Lima and the Pacific Ocean. Afterwards enjoy a guided visit of one of the Lima’s most noted museums, the Larco Museum which houses the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian Art. Mr. Rafael Larco Hoyle founded the museum on July 28, 1926, in the Chiclin sugar estate in Trujillo, naming it as his father as an expression of filial homage. In 1958 he moved the collection to Lima, installing the Museum in a Colonial house in the district of Pueblo Libre, where it currently functions. This locale was adapted to the characteristics style of the 18th century Colonial houses from Trujillo. The approximate 45,000 objects of the collection have been exhibited to the public in the Permanent Hall, Jewellery Vault and the Classified Storage Area ever since. The Halls of the Larco Museum are organized by subjects. The Metals, Ceramics, the Stones, the Culture, the Great Jewellery Vault and Textile Halls emphasize the technological aspects by Pre-Columbian cultures. Finally the World’s unique Erotic Hall gives us a glimpse of the fascinating sexual life of ancient Peruvians. Optional tours available for the afternoon. Overnight: Lima

Day 3: Lima- Cusco- Yucay (B)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival you will start the tour with a visit to Chinchero community located 28km away from Cusco. Here are the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, as well as beautiful colonial temples built on Inca’s foundations. However, its main attraction is its Sunday market originally dedicated to the people of the valley to barter their products. This colourful and lively market still fascinates people with its variety of handicrafts and textiles made in true pre-Columbian style. Then you will be transferred to “El Mirador de Racchi” where you will have a splendid view of the Sacred Valley. Afterwards transfer to your hotel.

Day 4: Yucay (B, L)

Today a visit to Ollantaytambo, a typical Inca community, is included. Towering above the town of Ollantaytambo we will find the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Steep stone terraces rising from the edge of town lead up to the fortress ruins at the top of the hill. A stone stairway leads up through the terrace walls, allowing visitors to step out on them. One of the best-preserved areas lies north of the Hanan Huacaypata square: an area of 15 blocks of houses built on top of carved stone walls. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Optional tours available for the afternoon.

Day 5: Yucay – Machu Pichu – Cusco (B)

Transfer by bus to the train station of Ollantaytambo where the tour starts by train that goes through the fertile plain of the Urubamba valley and on to Aguas Calientes. From there, small busses drive up the steep mountain to the ruin town. Machu Picchu called the Lost City of the Incas, this cultural heritage of mankind is a beautifully located impressive stone city constructed with a technique incredible for its era and even for present times. Stone upon stone, fitted together perfectly without any cement, with impressive delicacy, exquisite detail and discrimination worthy of the world’s greatest palaces. There are many theories about Machu Picchu, but one thing is for sure - it is one of the most impressive sites in the world. Enjoy a guided visit of around 2 hours of the ruins and return by bus and train to Ollantaytambo station. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 6: Cusco (B)

Today you will start for a half day city tour. It will be shown the exact centre of the Incan Empire, the Plaza de Armas. There one can find the cathedral built on the ruins of the ancient Inca Palace. The cathedral borders on other churches on both sides. Next stop will be the old town with its magnificent renovated colonial buildings; some of them are being used as hotels. Proceed to Sacsayhuaman, a ruin site located approx. 3km above Cusco. Sacsayhuaman also offers a fabulous view over the city. Afterwards visit the surrounding ruins. **Remark: To protect the historic center of Cusco, vehicles are no longer allowed in the main square. The afternoon is free at leisure.

Day 7: Cusco (B)

Day at leisure. Overnight: Cusco

Following optional tours can be booked on the spot:

Option 1: Excursion to the Rainbow Mountain (12h)

Option 2: Cusco – off the beaten track

Day 8: Cusco - Puno (B, L)

A full day bus tour from Cusco to Puno leads through the Peruvian highland along snow-covered peaks of the Andes, small villages and reaches its highest point in La Raya at 4.300m above sea level. On route you will visit the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi and the small town of Pucara. Lunch in a typical restaurant en route is included. Upon arrival in Puno transfer to your hotel. **Remark: The full day transfer is shared with international travellers and accompanied by a bilingual English/Spanish speaking guide.

Day 9: Puno - Lake Titicaca- Lima (B, L)

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Puno’s dock where you will depart towards the Uros Islands on Titicaca Lake. The Uros are 40 small floating islands made of packed totora (reed), located within the Titicaca National Reserve. Here the inhabitants of the lake, the Uros, live just as their ancestors did, maintaining their customs and idiosyncrasies. After visiting the Uros Islands we will continue by boat to Taquile Island. There are no roads or electricity in Taquile and the locals have maintained their traditions and culture and many still wear traditional dresses. The Taquileños are known for their high-quality handicrafts, especially for the knitting, which is exclusively performed by males. In the main square there is a cooperative shop, selling woollen goods and hand-woven items, as well as a small church. A typical lunch at Taquile Island is included. Transfer from the hotel to the airport of Juliaca. Flight to Lima and upon arrival transfer to the hotel.

Day 10: Lima - Departure (B)

Transfer to Lima airport for flight back home. Thank you for visiting Peru

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