- Exploration
- 12 days
- Year round
- Private
- English speaking
Along the way......
Journey through the heart of the Andes: from the center of the ancient Inca Empire, Cusco and its fascinating Sacred Valley abundant in archeological sites and typical villages, to the mythical lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Have a good trip!
Day 1 :
Reception upon arrival at Jorge Chavez airport, in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Day 2 :
Transfer to the Lima airport for a flight with destination Cuzco, heart of the Incan Empire.
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Rest to help acclimatize to the altitude and remainder of the day open.
Meals open.
Please note: Visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.
Day 3 :
Day dedicated to the discovery of Cuzco and its surrounding areas.
In the morning, visit of the archaeological sites overlooking the city: Tambomachay, Q’enko, Pukapucara and Sacsayhuaman.
We then walk down to the San Blas quarter (the artists’ place). We pass by the famous 12 angles stone and continue to the San Pedro market to familiarize ourselves with local products.
In the afternoon, visits of the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), and of the Cathedral, exhibiting some paintings from the School of Cuzco and many goldsmith’s art, silver and precious stones treasures.
Transfer to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.
Meals open.
Day 4 :
In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley. First stop at the ruins of Pisac. Visit of the site and walk around the handicraft market.
Lunch and continuation of the journey to the Incan village of Ollantaytambo and visit of the fortress.
On the way, stop in a ceramic workshop in Urubamba (Ayllu if opens).
Departure from the train station in mid afternoon for a two hours journey to Aguascalientes. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Note: The visit of Ollantaytambo can also be planned on the way back from Machu Picchu.
Day 5 :
In the early morning, direct connection to the shuttle service that will drive you to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day dedicated to the visit of the site; one of the wonders of the world, discovered in 1911 by the American anthropologist Hiram Bingham.
In the afternoon, return by train to Ollantaytambo.
Reception and transfer to your hotel.
Meals open.
Suggestion: ascent of Huayna Picchu – make sure you wear comfortable shoes, do not carry too much weight, and hope you are not suffering from vertigo – or to La Puerta del Sol.
Day 6 :
In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley. First stop at the cultural site of Moray, a former Incan agricultural ‘laboratory’.
Then, continuation of the excursion to Maras: salt mines in the middle of the Cordillera!
Visit of the village of Chinchero and its colonial church. Walk around the traditional handcraft market on Sundays or visit of the Awana Wasi Tocapo textile association on the other days.
Drive back to Cuzco and transfer to the hotel.
Meals open.
Day 7 :
Day open in Cuzco, at the heart of the Inca Empire. Night in hotel. Meals open.
Day 8 :
In the morning, transfer to the Cuzco land terminal.
Journey by bus to Puno, town located on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Wonderful landscapes along the road. We go over the Raya Pass, at an altitude of 4320 meters.
Visits of the Pukara Museum, of the archaeological site of Raqchi and of the “Sistine Chapel” of the Andes in Andahuaylillas. Reception and transfer to the hotel in Puno.
Lunch included (buffet restaurant at Sicuani). Dinner open.
Note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on the bus journey. However, a Spanish/English-speaking guide, exclusive to the bus company, participates to the journey and gives information along the way.
Option: the Andes Orient Express operates from November to March on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays (and also on Fridays from April to October).
Day 9 :
In the morning, transfer to the port of Puno to embark for the islands of Uros and Amantani. After a 25-minute cruise, we visit of the floating islands. These islands are not natural; they have been built by the Uros tribe, whose main activity is fishing.
We then head for Amantani (around 2½-hour cruise).
Lunch at a local resident’s place.
In the afternoon, visit of sites dedicated to the Pachamama and the Pachapapa.
Lunch, dinner and night at a local resident’s place (all included).
Day 10 :
In the morning, departure by boat for a one-hour cruise to Taquile, an island of great cultural interest, where residents live in harmony with the ancestral traditions.
Visit and lunch in a typical restaurant (not included). Back to Puno in mid-afternoon.
Transfer to the hotel.
Meals open.
Day 11 :
Transfer to the Juliaca’s airport for a flight to Lima, the Peruvian capital.
On the way, visit of the Chullpas of Sillustani, funerary towers circular in shape, built in stone, some of which exceeding twelve yards in height.
Reception and transfer to the hotel.
Meals open.
Please note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.
Option: for a city tour of Lima – contact us.
Day 12 :
Three hours before take-off, transfer to Jorge Chavez airport in Lima. Connection with the international return flight. Meals open.
Included:
All tours mentioned in this program
Private English-speaking guide
Aforementioned transport: domestic flights, trains
Private transfer to airport / station / bus terminal / hotel with Spanish-speaking chauffeur
Entrance to sites, museums and natural parks
Hotels with double or triple room including breakfast
Aforementioned meals
Guide expenses (transport, hotels, meals, etc…)
Not Included:
International return flight
Individual equipment (sleeping bag, torch lamp, etc…)
Obligatory travel insurance
Entrance fees if mentioned
Drinks
Tips
Airport tax ($US 6 per person for national flights, $US 30 per person for international flights)
Aforementioned free meals