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Day by day…
7 days following the footsteps of the Incas
According to legend, Manco C’capac, the first Inca, drew a map for his city in the shape of a puma with the head of a falcon. However, it was Inca Pachacutec, who built the main temples and palaces of the Tawantinsuyo Empire in 1438 that is generally credited with solidifying the Tawantinsuyo civilization and the great Inca Empire.
Then, beginning in 1533 the Incas and the entire Tawantinsuyo Empire suffered a radical transformation brought about by their war against the Spanish and ultimately the inexorable laws placed on them by the Conquistadors. Most Incan constructions were savagely destroyed, though some were partially preserved. Over the old Inca foundations, made of perfectly-fitted stones, the Spanish built churches, convents and elegant colonial houses. Following the total conquest of the Andean people, the Spanish moved the capital city to Lima, but the original imperial city of Cusco was still considered the primary point for social activities.
Surrounded by towering mountain ranges, the Sacred Valley offers a harmonious gamma of colours, from red clay to green meadows and abundant crops, all of which are often sprinkled with yellow wild flowers.
Machupicchu, Sacsayhuaman, Pisac and Ollantaytambo are some of the most beautiful vestiges of the Inca culture.
Have a good trip!
Day 1: LIMA RECEPTION
Reception at Jorge Chavez airport, flight ? to ? and transfer to Ducado ** located in the Miraflores district.
Free for lunch
Day 2: LIMA CITY TOUR 1 DAY
Francisco Pizarro, the famous Conquistador founded Lima in 1535, in 1542, this town became the capital of the Spanish Empire in South America. Because of the political, strategic and economical importance of this capital the Spanish undertook many constructions in Lima between the 17th and 18th centuries.
09: 00 am guided tour of Lima with an English-speaking guide. In the morning, we will go sight seeing in the colonial districts of the center: the Plaza San Martin, the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral as well as the San Francisco convent. After lunch, we will head off to the archeology museum, which has a collection of pre-Columbian fabrics, jewelry, and mummies... We will finish our day with a visit of the Barranco district (the artists’ district)
Transfer to Ducado ** at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for meals.
Day 3: LIMA – CUSCO (AIRPLANE)
Transfer to the Lima airport for a flight to Cusco. Reception at the airport and transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel **.
In Quechua, Cusco means « navel of the world » because this town was the capital of the Inca Empire and was the departing point of the four regions of the World according to the cosmic vision that the Inkas had. Cusco is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities of the Peruvian Sierra.
Rest to get acclimatized to the altitude. Free time for lunch. After lunch, guided tour of Cusco and it’s surroundings: The temple of the Sun – the Cathedral - Tambomachay - Pukapucara - Sacsayhuaman - Q'enko. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel ** at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: unaccompanied flight.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking
Day 4: CUSCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – URUBAMBA (PRIVATE)
9.00 a.m. Departure to the Sacred Valley in a private vehicle. After a 1-hour trip, we will be arriving at the Pisac ruins, which was once one of the most important fortresses of the Inca Empire mainly built to stock the Empire’s food supplies. Guided tour of the Inca site. We will walk back down to Pisac, the colonial village and walk around the Indian market (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays). Lunch in a restaurant to taste a typical buffet. In the beginning of the afternoon, we will continue our tour to see Ollantaytambo, which is an Inca village, and we will visit the fortress, which was a military, religious and agricultural strategic center. At the end of the day we will walk around this village’s streets. Transfer to Casa de Campo Hotel **.
Free time for dinner.
Note: 40-minute walk.
Day 5: URUBAMBA - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUASCALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU- CUSCO (TRAIN)
Hiram Bingham, an American anthropologist discovered Machu Picchu, in 1911. The archeologists estimate this citadel was built in the middle of the 15th century. Today several hypotheses have been ventured on the function this inaccessible citadel. Was it for military purposes? A kind of secret harem dedicated to the Inkas? A place to rest for the Inkas? It is still an enigma!
Departure at 08.35 a.m. by train (backpacker class) to reach Aguascalientes village. Arrival at about 10.10 a.m. and direct connection by bus to reach Machu Picchu citadel. Day dedicated to visiting the site. Free for lunch. Return to Aguascalientes by bus and connection to catch the train to Cusco at 03:55 p.m., arrival at 08:20 p.m. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel ** in Cusco
Free time for meals
Suggestions: You can also reach Huayna Picchu peak. The hike up there is quite difficult. You will need good shoes, light backpacks and not to be afraid of heights. From the top, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Machu Picchu. You will need about 2 hours to go up and come back down.
Or you can walk to the Sun gate. Less dangerous and you will also have a beautiful view. It will take you about an hour and a half, both ways.
Note: the train timetable will be confirmed when you book the trip.
Day 6: FREE IN CUSCO
Free day to walk around Cusco’s typical streets of San Blas district. Tika Wasi Hotel **.
Free time for meals.
Day 7: CUSCO – LIMA (AIRPLAINE) –DEPARTURE
Transfer to the Cusco airport for a flight to the Peruvian capital. 3 hours before landing Transfer to the airport and connection for the international return flight. Free time for meals
Included:
Mentioned transport, 2 domestic flights, mentioned meals, double room in 2-star hotel with breakfast, entrance to parks and cultural sights, guided visits and mentioned excursions, English speaking guide to accompany visits and excursions.
Not Included:
International flights; Airport tax (US$28 per person for international flights and US$5 for national flights); meals which are not mentioned, drinks, tips, etc.; Personal equipment; Obligatory personal insurance.
Hotels
- Lima
- Cuzco
- Vallée Sacrée |
3 star
Faraona
Yupanqui
Incaland |
4/5 star
Sol de Oro *****
Novotel ****
Posada del Inca **** |
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