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Day 1 International Arrival – Lima
Day 2 Lima City Tour
Day 3 Cusco Arrival: City Tour & Nearby Archeological Sites (90 min flight)
Day 4 Cusco – Sacred Valley (Chinchero, Ollantaytambo & Living Museum of Yucay)
Day 5 Cusco – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Day 6 Cusco International Departure
As the cradle of one of the most enigmatic civilizations in history and home to 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Cusco is one of South America’s most important destinations. Over six fascinating days of touring its main attractions, you’ll visit the imperial city, and the area’s most impressive archeological sites, as well as explore some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet. On top of this, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the magnificent citadel and mountain of Machu Picchu.
Arrive at Lima airport, receive assistance, and transfer to your selected hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure to get to know the city. Lima is a modern metropolis full of history, hosting approximately 10 million inhabitants and going through an exciting process of cultural and economic changes.
Overnight in Lima hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historic buildings. Start with a scenic tour in the colonial core. Begin from the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Stroll over to the cathedral, and visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jerónimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time that still belongs to the same family. Continue to the Larco Museum, located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district and housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built over a seventh-century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artefacts, as well as interesting pieces of erotic art. Afterwards, return to your hotel.
Overnight in Lima hotel.
After a tasty breakfast, enjoy a comfortable transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport to catch a flight to Cusco. A representative will meet and greet you, and then transfer you to the selected hotel in Cusco. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaves and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheater of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practiced agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to your hotel. Your flight to Cusco is not included.
Overnight in Cusco hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, head to Ollanta Station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Following a scenic journey through dramatic Andean landscapes, arrive at the station in Aguas Calientes. Here you board a coach for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu.
The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel, presenting its most prominent landmarks such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, and the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds.
Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch at the famous Café Inkaterra, a beautiful thatched-roof restaurant hemmed in between the railway and a mountain. Return to Cusco in the afternoon.
Overnight in Cusco hotel. Lunch included.
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a pleasant transfer with a guide to Cusco airport.
Breakfast is included.
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