Secrets of the Peruvian Highlands

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Day 1: LIMA – Arrival

Your private chauffeur will greet you at the Lima airport! You’ll arrive at your hotel after a 50-minute transfer. Settle in to your accommodations and get ready to explore this beautiful city!

Meals at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Lima at your four-star hotel.

Day 2: LIMA – private guided tour of the Peruvian capital

This morning you’ll head into the city with your private English-speaking guide to discover the central and colonial neighborhoods. You’ll visit the cathedral, San Francisco and its catacombs, as well as the Place Mayor. Then you’ll head on to the modern part of town with its residential neighborhoods lining the Pacific coast.

After lunch you’ll explore the Larco Herrera Museum with your guide. This museum is one of the largest and most important in Peru, where you’ll discover some of the numerous civilizations that marked the nation’s history. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city as you wish… The Gold Museum is another worthwhile stop where you can feast your eyes on beautiful gold metalwork. To stretch your legs a bit, go for a stroll in the bohemian quarter of Barranco, or along the Miraflores esplanade.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Lima at your four-star hotel.

Day 3: LIMA – CUSCO (10,825 ft)

This morning you’ll head into Lima with your private English-speaking guide to discover the capital by bike! First stop, the fish market, where you’ll see the daily hustle-and-bustle. Then you’ll hop on a 20-minute boat ride before tasting some delicious, traditional Peruvian dishes, like ceviche, causa peruana, artisanal ice cream or the traditional Picarones. You’ll see the architectural gems and the Barranco neighborhood’s most beautiful frescos from a new angle! To finish the tour, you’ll stop by one of Barranco’s best microbreweries for a sampling of artisanal beer – what better way to begin the afternoon?

After the bike and food tour, your private driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Lima airport. Next stop: the mythic Cusco! Your private driver will meet you at the Cusco airport and take you to your four-star hotel in the heart of historic Cusco.
The rest of the evening is free for you to discover the Imperial City.

Lunch included, diner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your four-star hotel.

Day 4: CUSCO

Weave your way through the Imperial City of the Incas with your private English-speaking guide to discover the city’s striking monuments. First stop, the cathedral of Cusco and Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun. Up next: the four important archeological sites above the city, Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Q’enko and Pukapucara.

Sacsayhuaman is the immense military and religious fortress that dominates the city of Cusco… you’re sure to be impressed by the enormity of the structure and its perfectly assembled stone blocks. The ceremonial center, Tambomachay, is home to aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks. The water that flows through the site comes from a sacred source for the Incas. Head to the outlook to appreciate the site’s splendor in its entirety. The major monuments of Q’enko are monolithic, including a sacrificial altar and labyrinth carved directly into the rock. The last visit of the morning is at Pukapucara, the « red fortress » perched on a hilltop.

When you return to the city center, the rest of the day is free for you to meander through the typical charming alleyways, discover the wealth of artisanal products and visit the sights and museums that beckon you.

Lunch included, diner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your four-star hotel.

Day 5: CUSCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

After breakfast you’ll make your way into the Sacred Valley of the Incas with your private driver and English-speaking guide. The region is 1,970 feet below the city of Cusco, and benefits from a pleasant climate and fertile soil that the Incas worked masterfully. Your first stop is at Pisac where you’ll visit the artisanal market and the archeological site considered the most important, second only to Machu Picchu. The next stop is at Ollantaytambo where you’ll visit the ancient fortress where the Incans claimed victory against the Conquistadores.

Late in the afternoon you’ll hop aboard the IncaRail train and wind your way through the mountains to Aguas Calientes, the little village at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night in Aguas Calientes at your premium hotel, in a beautiful blend of modern and traditional styles.

Day 6: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO

This morning you’ll board the shuttle to Machu Picchu for a 3-hour guided tour of the most famous of the Incan ruins. You’ll discover the wonders of its agricultural and urban sectors, and its incredible constructions that mark the mountaintop.

After your visit, tighten your shoelaces for a once-in-a-lifetime climb! Choose between the Cerro Machu Picchu or the Wayna Picchu climb for a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu from above.

Cerro Machu Picchu: Departure at 7,975 feet above sea level, highest point at 10,000 feet. Walking distance just under 1 mile, 3 ½ to 4 hours round trip. The path is not steep, but it is demanding (about 2200 steps).
Wayna Picchu: Departure at 7,975 feet above sea level, highest point at 8,640 feet. Walking distance just under 1/3 mile, 2 to 3 hours round trip. The path is very steep, and not advised for those with a fear of heights. (about 1600 steps).

You’ll take the shuttle back to Aguas Calientes to board the train to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll spend the night.
Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Ollantaytambo at your premium hotel with a striking view of the mountains.

Day 7: OLLANTAYTAMBO – MARAS Salt Mines – MORAY – CHINCHERO – CUSCO

Continue your discovery of the Sacred Valley in the company of your private English-speaking guide! Your first stop is at a curious natural wonder, the Maras Salt Mines. You’ll then explore the archeological site at Moray, with its circular terraces which are thought to have served as an agricultural experimentation center. To end the day, you’ll visit the typical village of Chinchero and its baroque church. You’ll return to Cusco at the end of the afternoon.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your charming four-star hotel.

Day 8: CUSCO

Enjoy a free day to explore Cusco to your heart’s desire! We recommend meandering through the local San Pedro market for an explosion of colors and flavors, a visit to the chocolate museum, or a stop at the Pisco museum to try the national alcohol! A leisurely stroll through the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas will take you past the work of local artists.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your charming four-star hotel.

Day 9: CUSCO – TITICACA TRAIN – PUNO (12,470 feet)

This morning your driver will take you to the station to board the PeruRail Titicaca train! Have your camera ready, as the next 10 hours will be spent winding through the breathtaking countryside en route to Puno. You’ll be treated to gorgeous mountain views along the way, and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife, such as llamas, alpacas and vicunas! At the end of the afternoon you’ll debark in Puno, the capital of Peruvian folklore nestled on the banks of Lake Titicaca. Your driver will meet you at your arrival to take you to your hotel in Puno.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Puno at your five-star hotel overlooking Lake Titicaca.

Day 10: PUNO – UROS – TAQUILE – PUNO

After breakfast your private English-speaking guide will meet you to head out by boat onto the infamous Lake Titicaca, where you’ll visit the artificial bamboo islands created by the Uros, a native people of the Andean plateau. The boat will then take you to the island of Taquile, known as the island where men knit and women spin thread. After an hour-long hike you’ll reach the heart of the village, where you’ll discover the traditional clothing and way of life of the island’s inhabitants. You’ll hike back on the other side of the island to regain your boat which will take you on a 3-hour ride back to Puno.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Puno at your five-star hotel overlooking Lake Titicaca.

Day 11: PUNO – SILLUSTANI – JULIACA – LIMA

This morning, your private driver will take you to the Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima. On the way, you’ll visit the archeological site of Sillustani with your guide, complete with funerary tombs reaching as high as 40 feet!
In Lima, your private driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your four-star hotel.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Lima at your four-star hotel.

Day 12: LIMA – DEPARTURE

Savor your last morning in the Peruvian capital at your leisure. After lunch, your private driver will take you to the airport for your return flight to the United States.
Lunch included.

ACCOMODATIONS

Lima: Dazzler Hotel
Cusco: Costa del Sol Ramada Hotel
Aguas Calientes: El Mapi by Inkaterra Hotel
Ollantaytambo: Pakaritampu Hotel
Puno: Libertador Hotel
Hotels based on availability.
Hotels can be modified on request – let us know what you’d like and we’ll make it happen!

MEALS

Breakfast is included at each hotel.
In addition:
– Lunch from days 2 to 12. Drinks not included.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION:

Transfers to and from airports and mentioned activities with a private car and driver.
Exceptions:
– Shared shuttle to and from Macchu Picchu
– IncaRail train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (round trip)
– PeruRail Titicaca train from Cusco – Puno

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS: (not included)

Lima – Cusco
Juliaca – Lima

GUIDES

You will have a private English-speaking guide during all activities.