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| Title: |
EXPERIENTIAL PERU |
| Interest: |
Existential
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| Destinations: |
Lima, Centro Histórico de Lima, Arequipa, Centro Histórico de Arequipa, Valle del Colca, Pueblo de Yanque, Cañón del Colca, Chivay, Mirador de La Cruz del Condor, Puno, Reserva Nacional del Titicaca, Islas Flotantes de los Uros, Isla Taquile, Cusco, Centro Histórico del Cusco, Parque Arqueológico de Sacsayhuamán, Valle Sagrado de Los Incas, Poblado de Pisac, Mercado de Pisac, Pueblo de Ollantaytambo, Complejo Arqueológico de Ollantaytambo, Pueblo de Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu |
| Trip Length: |
12 days / 11 nights |
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| Yanque /
Archivo |
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| Machu Picchu /
Archivo |
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| Isla Amantani /
Archivo |
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| Machu Picchu /
Archivo |
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| Yanque /
Archivo |
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| Lago Titicaca /
Archivo |
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| Colca /
Archivo |
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| Lago Titicaca /
Archivo |
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| Yanque /
Archivo |
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| Condor Andino /
Archivo |
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| Isla Amantani /
Archivo |
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| Colca /
Archivo |
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| Lago Titicaca /
Archivo |
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| Lago Titicaca /
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| Colca /
Archivo |
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| Yanque /
Archivo |
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| Isla Amantani /
Archivo |
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| Condor Andino /
PACHAMAMA |
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| Colca /
Archivo |
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| Isla Amantani /
Archivo |
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| Colca /
Archivo |
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| Yanque /
Archivo |
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| Lago Titicaca /
Archivo |
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Day 01:
... / LIMA
Upon arrival, reception and transfer to selected hotel. The city of Lima was founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 5, 1535, the eve of the Epiphany of the Magi – from which it derived its evocative original name of La Ciudad de los Reyes or “The City of Kings”. It is a colonial city of rare fascination and unexpected pleasures; with quiet elegant corners among ancient buildings where the night air is scented with jasmine. Overnight in lima.
Day 02:
LIMA
After breakfast, you will enjoy a guided city tour to Lima’s different attractions and get to know its three different historical periods: Pre-Hispanic, Colonial and Republican. You will begin the tour visiting one the most traditional residential areas in the capital, then Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological precinct build in the IV century B.C., to then continue to the Lima’s historic center, where you will admire its main squares and its distinct buildings and churches. Finally, you will visit Miraflores, where you will enjoy a great view of the Pacific Ocean before returning to your hotel. In the afternoon, you are free to walk to Larcomar, just a few blocks from your hotel, a recreation center with a great view of the Pacific Ocean, where you will find a Shopping Center, a Fun and Gaming place, with wonderful services, restaurants and bars; or just walk around Miraflores, which is known for its shopping areas, restaurants, gardens, flower-filled parks and beaches. Overnight in Lima.
Day 03:
LIMA / AREQUIPA
After breakfast, at the appointed time, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Arequipa. Upon your arrival, reception and transfer to selected hotel. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a half day guided city tour through the White City, in which you will visit The Santa Catalina Convent, without a doubt the jewel of Arequipa; The Main Square; The Cathedral; The Church of the Society of Jesus; the Church and Lookout of Yanahuara, excellent vantage point to appreciate El Misti Volcano; and optional (at an additional cost) you may visit The Santuario de Altura del Sur Andino Museum, where you will see the Mummy Juanita, or Lady of Ampato, a virgin of the Sun who was sacrificed to the Apus or spirits of the mountains and recently discovered in the summit of Ampato Glacier . After the visit, return transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Arequipa.
Day 04:
AREQUIPA / VALLE DEL COLCA / YANQUE
After breakfast, you will enjoy a unique excursion to the Colca Valley. On your way you will admire the Misti and Chacani volcanoes, the Vicuñas National Reserve, a great variety of flora and fauna from the natural lagoons of Bofedales and Mar Atrapado and a huge rock formation, in the shape of castles, called Enchanted Castle. Early afternoon arrival to Yanque, a small town located at 3400 masl, where you will stay at the house of a local family. After lunch your will enjoy a short walk visiting the ruins of Uyo-Uyo, pre-Inca terraces, the colcas, caves in the rocks where food was stored and conserved in pre-Inca times, to finally enjoy a refreshing and invigorating bath in the thermal baths of Yanque. Return to the village. In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious typical dinner with your host family before going to bed. In this special and little known place, tourists are always delighted by the sheer beauty of the countryside and by the affection with which the host family welcomes them into their beautiful little houses. Overnight in Yanque.
Day 05:
YANQUE / CAÑON DEL COLCA / PUNO
After breakfast, made with fresh and natural ingredients from the region, early departure to the Cruz del Condor, the best vantage point to appreciate the deepness of the canyon and witness, if the conditions allow it, the majestic flight of the Andean Condor in its natural habitat. On the way to Chivay, the main town in the region, you will pass through picturesque towns; admire pre-Inca hanging tombs and imposing Inca terraces. Upon arrival to Chivay, the main town in the region, you will board your bus service to Puno (approximately a five hours drive). Upon arrival, reception and transfer to selected hotel. Overnight in Puno.
Day 06:
PUNO / ISLAS UROS / ISLA AMANTANI
After breakfast, at appointed time, you will enjoy a full day motor boat excursion to the Sacred Lake of The Incas, visiting the floating Uros Islands, a group of 40 big island-like packs of floating totora (marsh reeds), consider a unique tourist attraction in the world, where you will appreciate how the “Uros” still live like their ancestors with the same customs and idiosyncrasy. Then you will continue to Amantani Island, where you will spend the night at the house (prepared to receive tourists) of a local islander to enjoy the traditions and customs of a typical home surrounded by a beautiful scenery. Eight communities live on the island and make their living from growing potatoes, corn, oca, quinoa, lima beans, and green peas, and their most representative handcrafts are textiles and stone carvings. After lunch you will visit Pachamama and Pachatata ceremonial centers, while enjoying the beautiful fauna and flora of the Lake Titicaca Reserve. At night you will enjoy a typical dinner, while admiring the beautiful shows offered by the villagers. Overnight in Amantani.
Day 07:
ISLA AMANTANI / ISLA TAQUILE / PUNO
After breakfast, time at leisure to stroll by the quaint streets of this colorful island. Late morning boat transfer to Taquile Island. This is the largest island in the reserve, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives still governed by their ancient traditions, whose main occupations are the production of fine ceramics and textiles. After lunch, you will start your return trip to Puno. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to selected hotel in Puno. Overnight in Puno.
Day 08:
PUNO / CUSCO
After breakfast, transfer to the station to board the first class bus service to the city of Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire. Along the way the bus will make several stops at important tourist points like; Pukara, an archeological pyramid complex considered the oldest ceremonial center of the Altiplano and first sign of civilized culture in the Peruvian plateau; La Raya (4,312 meters), the highest point on the journey, a cold, remote place whose surrounding snow-draped peaks are often shrouded by mist or fine rain; Sicuani, a relatively large highland town surrounded by beautiful hills, where you will enjoy lunch; the spectacular energetic Sanctuary of Raqchi, to visit the Great Wiracocha Temple that according to the old chroniclers was built in honor to the Supreme God of the Incas: Apu Kon Titi Wiracocha; the town of Andahuaylillas, known for its beautifully church known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas to finally arrive to Cusco. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to selected hotel.
Day 09:
CUSCO
After breakfast morning at leisure. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a guided tour to the most magical city, former capital of the Inca Empire, experiencing the architectural legacy visible in many buildings and ruins. This guided sightseeing tour includes The Plaza de Armas, surrounded by colonial arcades, The Koricancha (Temple of The Sun); The Cathedral, dating back to 1559; among other colonial churches. Then you will drive out the city to enjoy a guided visit to the nearby ruins, visiting the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cusco, a true testimonial to Incan architectural skills; Qenko (The Labyrinth), an Incan shrine dedicated to Pachamama or Mother Earth; the small red fortress of Puka Pukara; and Tambomachay, a sacred fountain known as the Baths of the Incas. Return to the hotel. At night we recommend visiting any restaurant or bar near the Main Square and enjoy the night atmosphere trying the delicious Peruvian cuisine with and a Pisco Sour, while listening to traditional Inca music. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 10:
CUSCO / VALLE SAGRADO / MACHU PICCHU
After breakfast you will enjoy a full day guided excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas experiencing unforgettable view as you cross over the mountains from Cusco and drop down into the Urubamba Valley. The road follows the meandering Urubamba River and passes through rich agricultural lands and picturesque villages. Upon arrival to the colorful town of Pisac you will visit its lively and colorful Indian market. Here locals, following ancient traditions, sell and exchange a variety of crafts (textiles and ceramics). After visiting Pisac you will stop for a delicious lunch to finally continue to the Inca fortress and the village of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this part of the Valley, protecting it from possible invasion from the tribes in the lower jungle. This astounding feat of construction and ingenuity is considered a Living Inca Town as it is the only Inca settlement that has been continually inhabited since its inception. Above the village, the Incas built an impressive fortress that included a temple, agricultural terraces and an urban area. Ollantaytambo, considering its distribution, was an important administrative center with military functions. After the excursion, transfer to Ollanta train station to boarad the late afternoon train service to Machu Picchu and the village of Aguas Calientes (little town on the foot of Machu Picchu). This spectacular journey through the Sacred Valley by narrow gauge railway to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s great travel experiences. The train follows the meandering Urubamba River through beautiful farmlands and picturesque villages. Hidden by mountains and the semi-tropical jungle, Machu Picchu is widely considered the most spectacular sight on the South American continent and the most renowned examples of Incan architecture. Upon arrival, reception and checking in selected hotel. Overnight in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu.
Day 11:
MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
After breakfast, early wake-up is suggested to admire the world’s most spectacularly situated ruins at sunrise, truly a mystical experience (the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu departs from Puente Ruinas station every 10 minutes, beginning at 05.30). For the hiking enthusiasts, going up the Huayna Picchu peak for a magnificent view overlooking the site or trekking the original Inca Trail to the Intipunku or Sun gate is also suggested. In both cases you will need to be back at the citadel entrance before 10 am to meet your guide. At this time you will start enjoying a guided tour through the main spots in this breathtaking Incan citadel, including The Main Plaza; The Royal Quarters; The Temple of the Three Windows; The Circular Towers; The Sacred Sun Dial; and The Burial Grounds. Machu Picchu, the master jewel of the Incas, demonstrates their high level of development and the superior knowledge achieved in astronomy and astrology. After the excursion you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional Peruvian cuisine, before boarding the afternoon train service back to Cusco. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 12:
CUSCO / LIMA / ...
After breakfast, you will enjoy a guided tour to the most magical city, former capital of the Inca Empire, experiencing the architectural legacy visible in many buildings and ruins. This guided sightseeing tour includes The Plaza de Armas, surrounded by colonial arcades, The Koricancha (Temple of The Sun); The Cathedral, dating back to 1559; among other colonial churches. Then you will drive out the city to enjoy a guided visit to the nearby ruins, visiting the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cusco, a true testimonial to Incan architectural skills; Qenko (The Labyrinth), an Incan shrine dedicated to Pachamama or Mother Earth; the small red fortress of Puka Pukara; and Tambomachay, a sacred fountain known as the Baths of the Incas. Return to the hotel. At the appointed time, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Lima and connection.
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