Treasures of the Inca culture plus Lima overview

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This is an ideal, comprehensive tour, focused on providing the voyagers with an in-depth exploration, during five adventure-filled days, of the numerous wonders found in and around the legendary Sacred Valley of the Incas. The main locations include the world famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu; the Imperial City of Cusco; the Pìsac Market, Ollantaytambo Ruins and other locations on the renowned Sacred Valley. A half day exploration of the historic capital city of Lima sets a perfect finale to this tour.

Locations: Cusco, Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley, plus Lima stopover (Perú).

Product Theme: Culture and History; Landscapes and Scenery.

Activities: City Tours; Nature and Cultural Walks; Indian Markets; Archaeology; Outdoor activities.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1                                                                                                    (-/-/-)

• Arrival to Lima. A private transfer brings us to the chosen Airport Hotel for overnight.

Day 2                                                                                                     (B/-/-)

• Private transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Cusco.
  
• Arrival transfer to selected Hotel and an afternoon City tour of the Imperial City of Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.

Day 3                                                                                                     (B/L/-)

• Full day Sacred Valley exploration including the Pisac Markets and ruins; Ollantaytambo Fortress and more.
• Overnight in Cusco.

Day 4                                                                                                     (B/L/D)

• Vistadome scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes and then by motorcoach to Machu Picchu, for a first guided visit of the amazing Citadel and “Lost City” of the Incas.
• Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 5                                                                                                      (B/L/-)

• Second opportunity to visit the awesome complex of Machu Picchu or a hike to the Huayna Picchu for a breathtaking view of the Citadel.
• Overnight in Cusco.

Day 6                                                                                                        (B/-/-)

• Transfer for the flight from Cusco to Lima.
• Upon arrival, a half day tour of Lima’s main highlights is offered, followed by a special dinner at a local restaurant.
• Finally, transfer to the airport for the onward flights.

Tour Highlights

• Cusco City: One of South America’s most exquisite cities, Inca and colonial.
• Sacred Valley: Superb scenery, villages, people and amazing Inca sites.
• Machu Picchu: World Heritage Site and the most famous Inca Culture icon.  
• Lima: Also World Heritage Site. The historic, capital of Peru, colonial and modern.

Tour Summary

Upon international arrival and overnight at a comfortable Lima Airport Hotel; we fly to Cusco to start a thrilling expedition taking us around some of the most extraordinary locations in and around the Incas’ Sacred Valley, meandered by the Urubamba River and surrounded by stunning Andean scenery.

The starting point of this program is the Imperial Inca City of Cusco, considered the archaeological capital of South America. The city sparkles with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and flower covered balconies. The sightseeing tour includes the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Koricancha Temple, the Kenko Amphitheater and the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, among other attractions.

Then the tour focuses on some of the most impressive and relevant archaeological sites of the Inca’s Sacred Valley, such as the Ollantaytambo Ruins; Sacsayhuaman Fortress; the Pisac Archaeological complex and the colorful Pisac Markets; artisans’ towns and workshops; agricultural farmlands; and views the Andean camels such as llamas, vicunas, alpacas and huanacos.  

For many, the main highlight of this program is the thrilling train ride, aboard the Vistadome Train, to the Lost City of the Incas, and the subsequent visit to the inspiring Machu Picchu Citadel, a World Wonder and World Heritage Site.  Centerpiece of the tour is the guided tour of the amazing Machu Picchu complex and its main sites. A second visit to Machu Picchu is offered on this tour, or, alternatively, for the more adventurous, (and weather allowing), a hike to the Huayna Picchu to observe the natural grandeur of Machu Picchu (The “Old Peak”) from a different and dramatic perspective, height and distance.

The tour finalizes with the flight from Cusco to Lima, followed by a half-day city tour of Lima, the capital of Peru and World Heritage Site City, featuring the historic city’s main highlights, both in the historic and colonial quarters as well as the bustling modern districts.  Dinner at a local restaurant is the prelude for the transfer to the airport for departing flights.

Include:

Accommodations in Lima for one night at Costa del Sol Ramada Airport Hotel, including breakfast; all transfers in Peru as described on itinerary; panoramic train ride from Cusco and to Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu and return; all transfers, guided visits and meals as described on itinerary in Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Lima; accommodations, including breakfasts, at specified Hotels of choice in Cusco and Aguas Calientes; half day tour in Lima with dinner at a local restaurant plus transfer to airport for departing flight.

Not Included:

• International air tickets
• Domestic air transportation Lima-Cusco-Lima
• Meals not specified in the program 
• Bar expenses (drinks and soft drinks)
• Gratuities, gifts and other items of personal nature

Notes:

• Operational Days:  Operates all year.
• Length:  6 Days and 5 Nights.
• Minium age:  6 years.   
• Level of difficulty: Soft to Moderate
• Minimum for program operation: 2 passengers  

Special Surcharge applies for departures on Christmas and New Year’s Eve as well as for other local Holiday periods in Peru.  Please inquire.

Important Note: On the train journey to Machu Picchu only one piece of luggage is allowed, with a weight of no more than 11 pounds and linear dimension of 62 inches.

Travel Facts

For travel to Peru, visitors need a valid passport, extending its life for at least six months beyond the intended stay. Nationals of the United States, Canada and several European, Latin American and other countries, do not require visas.  For nationalities’ detailed information, please ask us or contact the nearest Consulate or Embassy of Peru. No Vaccines are required for the locations included on this tour.  However, it is recommended to check for updates a few weeks prior to departure.

For more detailed information about travel facts for Peru, please check the “Country Information” section about Peru on our website, or ask us.

BEST SEASON FOR TRAVEL: 

Year around. The climatic patterns for the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu Regions depend much on atmospheric conditions influenced by the humidity of the southeastern Amazonian jungles; as well as from drier air masses and winds reaching from the Pacific rim and the Peru-Bolivian altiplano; producing a mix of mostly warm and sunny days with cooler nights and early mornings. In general, there are two distinct climatic seasons: rainy, between November and March and dry, between April and October.

CLIMATE, CLOTHING; WHAT TO BRING AND WHAT TO WEAR:

Climate and weather conditions vary widely according to seasonal factors; regional and ecological characteristics; altitude and other elements.  Thus, it is recommended to look for specific advice regarding climate, weather and appropriate clothing, depending on the places included on the tour and the time of the year your trip is being planned for. Please ask us for details.

Dress depends on the climatic conditions of the diverse outings.  In general terms, this voyage mainly requires to “dress in layers” to accommodate to varying temperatures and ambiances along each day. Dress codes on this tour range from informal to very informal. Essential elements to bring are good walking shoes such as sneakers with firm soles; shorts and long pants for day outings; long and short-sleeved lightweight shirts and T-shirts, preferably of cotton fabrics; long pants for the evenings; a cap or wide-brimmed hat; bathing suits for eventual use at some hotels. Sweaters, outdoor jackets and/or windbreakers will be useful mainly in the cooler mornings and evenings. Highly recommended items include sunscreen and high solar protection; insect repellant; flashlight, sunglasses, personal medicines; photography and/or video equipment.

A SUGGESTED PACKING LIST (FOR BASIC REFERENCE):

• Shorts (Bermudas or other)
• Long and short-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, Polos
• Sweaters, windbreakers and/or warm jackets for cool climate. 
• Long pants for outdoor exploration and slightly “smarter” pants for evenings
• Good walking shoes         
• Sneakers with rubber soles    
• Tevas or sport sandals
• Several pairs of socks
• Flashlight and batteries
• Small pair of binoculars (optional) 
• Refillable bottle for water
• Wide brimmed hat, bandana    
• Bathing suit            
• Suntan lotion or strong sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof backpack (light and small for camera &/or other personal items)
• Camera 
• Personal medications

Please check with us for further details about climate and clothing suggestions for Lima.

For Safety, Dietary and Medical Restrictions and facilities and other travel facts, please consult the relevant section of Peru’s Country Information section on our website, or inquire us.