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Day 1: Lima
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Arrival in Lima. Pick up and transfer to your lodge, the Hotel or similar, located in downtown central Lima. This is a beautiful colonial home in the colonial heart of Lima and a great base to explore the museums and historical sites of the capital.
Day 2: Lima (B)
After a good breakfast, a free day to explore Lima at your leisure. Alternatively you have the choice of an optional extra guided tour of Lima, (additional price per person US$30).
The details of the optional extra tour are as foloows: We will pick you up for a city tour of colonial Lima, the world heritage city. Tour in an air conditioned bus with an English speaking guide. The tour will include a visit to the Cathedral, Main Square and the San Francisco Convent with its eerie Catacombs housing thousands of skeletons and bones. Return back to your hotel. Free afternoon to explore Lima at leisure.
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Day 3: Lima – Cusco (B)
After an early breakfast, we will take you to the airport for your short flight to Cuzco. After the 1 hour flight, you will land in heady Cusco (3400m or 11,000 feet). We will pick you up and transfer you to your lodge, the Amaru Hostel or similar, located in the centre of Cuzco. This lovely lodge for example is located in the San Blas region of Cuzco and is the ideal starting point for your visit to the ancient capital of the Incas.
Lunch on your own (we recommend something light on your first day at high altitude).
In the early afternoon, you will start a fully guided visit with an English speaking guide to the four ruins outside of Cusco, the Sacsayhuaman Fortress; Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay. Also included in the tour will be the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha Sun Temple. Free evening to enjoy Cusco, its bars and restaurants and its bustling nightlife.
Day 4: Sacred Valley (B & L)
A healthy breakfast before pick up for your full-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The tour is best on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (because the markets are busier) although this tour runs every day of the week. Our first visit will be to Pisac, founded during Colonial times. Free time to shop or simply watch the locals going by their everyday lives. After the visit, we will have a great buffet lunch with emphasis on locally grown organic produce in the Urubamba. After lunch, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the ancient Inca town with impressive ruins built into the mountain side. Return to Cusco. Free evening.
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Day 5: Cusco - Machu Picchu – Cusco (B)
An early start today as we take the train to Aguas Calientes for our unforgettable trip to Machu Picchu. This 3 ½ hours train rides takes us to the bustling market town of Aguas Calientes from where we catch the bus up to the awesome Machu Picchu ruins. Recently declared one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, this will be a day to remember. A tour with an English speaking guide of this fabulous lost city of the Incas rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. With houses and temples surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side, this is truly an awe inspiring site. Return in the afternoon by train to Cusco. Pick up at the train station and transfer to your hotel.
Day 6: Cusco – Puno (B)
After breakfast, we shall take the public bus across the wild and desolate altiplano to Puno, which is situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The journey will take us around 6 hours.
Pick up at the bus terminal and transfer to your hostel, the Posada Don Giorgio or similar. Located even higher than Cusco (3860m/12,400ft) we must catch our breath and take things easy this evening. |
Day 7: Islands of Lake Titicaca (B & L)
After a light, home prepared, continental breakfast, you will be picked up for your full day visit to the islands of Lake Titicaca, Uros and Taquile. Uros, a group of islands made entirely of Tortora reeds is home to a small community dating back to a pre-Inca culture. We shall spend some time with these local inhabitants before we continue on to Taquile, an island whose culture is more closely related to the Aymara people of Bolivia.
We shall enjoy a locally prepared lunch on the island before visiting the local cooperative shop and witnessing at first hand the skill of the local weavers. Return to Puno and to your lodge.
Day 8: Puno – Juliaca - Lima (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Juliaca airport for the return flight to Lima and connecting flight home or if you have several hours spare, we can arrange a transfer into Lima for you (enquire about this when booking).
End of services.
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