Day 1:
Upon arrival, enjoy a warm reception and transfer to your hotel in Lima. For those staying in a first class or deluxe class hotel, you will be welcomed with Peru’s national drink, Pisco Sour. This world famous Peruvian drink is as well known in the area as Tequila is in Mexico. A hard liquor made from the quebranta grape, Pisco comes from the city “Pisco” located 250 km. south of Lima. In the afternoon, beginning with a panoramic visit of Lima´s historical city center, we will descend to the Plaza Mayor. Here, you can view the Presidential and Municipal palaces, the main Cathedral and the Arizobispal Palace. We will enter the Cathedral, which holds the tomb of the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Next, enjoy a short walk in the Historical Center on our way to visit the San Francisco and Santo Domingo churches. As our panoramic tour continues, we will visit the modern part of Lima which boasts an old pre-Inca shrine called "Huaca Huallamarca" which is located in the residential area of San Isidro. We will also see “Huaca Pucllana” which is located in Miraflores. A short stop will be made at Love Park (also known as the “Parque del Amor”). From here, enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Our tour ends a visit of bohemian Barranco suburb. Here you can find the romantic bridge of sighs (“Puente de los Suspiros”).
Day 2:
Enjoy Breakfast before your day of leisure.
Day 3:
After breakfast, you will bet transferred to the airport for your departure to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with coca infusion tea (“mate de coca”) that will help you to get used to the altitude. Enjoy the rest of the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, we will visit the imperial city of Cusco. Beginning in the neighborhood of San Blas, with its artisans, we will visit the church of San Blas to see its impressively carved woodwork. Traveling by foot, we will go down the narrow stairs of Hatun Rumiyoc street where the Palace of Inca Roca is located (known as Palacio Arzobispal). On its walls, you will discover the figures of a puma and snake. Also observe the famous stone with 12 angles, the perfect image of the Incan architectural perfection. Continuing on foot, we will visit the Plaza de Armas of Cusco or Awqaypata (warrior’s place). Enter the Cathedral of Cusco to view of beautiful woodwork and colonial paintings containing extensive Incan iconography. Visit the Korikancha (Temple of Inti God - El Sol) on which the Santo Domingo Convent was built. Legend says this temple was completely gold coated, which impressed the conquerors upon their arrival. Our tour ends with a panoramic visit of Cusco.
Day 4:
After breakfast, ascend to the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman, visit the Cuidadela of Sacsayhuaman. This is the royal house where they admired the Sun God but also worshiped younger gods. Admire this large structure and enjoy the magnificent landscape which brings peace and tranquility. Next, visit Qenqo, the old temple of the Puma. Inside you can see a sacrificial alter made of a huge stone. At Tambomachay see the sacred fountains of life and health. Puca Pucará, “atalaya” (watchtower) safeguarded the city gates and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Afterwards, we will return to Cusco where you can enjoy an afternoon of leisure to stroll around the city of Cusco and shop.
Day 5:
You will be transferred to the train station after breakfast, then travel to the town of Aguas Calientes, located at the bottom of the mountain. Here is the citadel of "Machu Picchu", the Sacred City. Ascend the citadel by bus, we will enjoy a spectacular view of the canyon formed by the Urubamba river. Once we’ve entered the citadel you can walk along the terrace, steps, ceremonial centers and housing. According to locals, this area is a concentration of energy due to the composition of quartz found in the stones. Enjoy a buffet lunch. If you wish, you can re-enter the citadel on your own. Lodging will be at the Sanctuary Lodge, located on top of the mountain or in a hotel of Aguas Calientes depending on which hotel was selected.
Day 6:
On your last full day here, enjoy a day of leisure after breakfast. There will be plenty of time to visit the citadel for meditation and absorption of the energies flowing from this sacred place. Take this opportunity to climb the Intipunku mountain, entrance to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail or Huayna Picchu mountain, where the temple of the Moon is located. We also recommend visiting the new local museum in Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon we will return to Cusco by train.
Day 7:
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport.
Hotels by Category:
Standard Class Lima - Casa Andina, Posada del Inca Miraflores, San Agustín Colonial, Mariel
Standard Class Cusco - San Agustín Plaza, Terra Andina, Casa Andina Korikancha
Standard Class Aguas Caliente – Hatuchay Tower, Inti inn, Machu Picchu Inn
First Class Lima – San Agustín Exclusive, Casa Andina Private Collection, José Antonio, Libertador
First Class Cusco - Novotel, José Antonio, San Agustín Dorado, Eco Inn
First Class Aguas Calientes – Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, Sumaq
Deluxe Lima - Orient Express Miraflores Park, Marrito
Deluxe Cusco - Orient Express Monasterio, Libertador Palacio del Inka
Deluxe Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu – Sanctuary Lodge
INCLUSIONS:
· Transfers to/from airport in Lima
· City tour of Lima
· 2 night´s accommodations a select hotel in Lima
· Breakfast daily
· Transfers to/from the airport in Cusco
· Transfers to/from the train station in Cusco
· City tour of Cusco
· Archaeological Park of Sacsayhaman,br>
· Excursion to the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu
· Buffet lunch one day
· 3 night´s accommodations at a select hotel in Cusco
· 1 night´s accommodations at Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes
EXCLUSIONS:
· Alcoholic beverages
· Gratuities
· Meals not mentioned above
· Airfare and airfare tax fee ($6.50 for national flights and $32.00 for international flights)
PLEASE NOTE:
· Rates are per person (selections are a single or double room)
· Standard Class includes a round-trip ticket between Cusco and Machu Picchu (departing from Cusco) in Backpacker class.
· Departure time varies.
· In order to issue the train tickets to Machu Picchu, it is mandatory to have each passenger’s full name, together with passport number and Nationality. This information must be provided to Trippers prior to your trip.
· "Deluxe Superior" rates are not valid for Christmas or New Years, during which times special prices will be quoted by request.