LIMA - AREQUIPA - CUSCO – PUNO – LIMA8
Days / 7 Nights
DEPARTURES : Daily RECOMMENDED SEASON: All the year.
This short itinerary has been designed in order to maximise and ensure that all the main attractions are included. If you wish to extend your journey, visit Bolivia with the extension of 3 days and 2 nights.
Day 01: LIMA:
Reception at the airport and transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight in Lima.
Day 02: LIMA - AREQUIPA:
You will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to the city of Arequipa. Arrival to Arequipa, reception and you will be transferred to your selected hotel.
In the morning, city tour; visiting the Santa Catalina Convent, the most important in Peru, a walled citadel of more than 20,000m2 and comprised of cloisters, the walls were enriched by murals, narrow streets with Spanish names, small cells, white volcano stone fountains, gardens, an impressive temple and a small picture gallery. It served for four centuries as the only physical world for several generations of Cloistered nuns. During the city tour, you will visit the Church Cloisters of the Company, a tremendous collection of Domes, Arches, which can all be found in its galleries and Alters.
Other places of interest are the Main Square, the Complex of San Francisco, which consists of a public square, two temples (the Church of San Francisco and the Temple of the Third Order), a convent and the Fierro Foundation (where there is a museum and a handicraft market). The Cathedral, located in the main square and which was destroyed by fire in 1844 and restored in 1868 by Arequipa-native Lucas Poblete in Neo-renaissance style with French influence, is considered to be one of the biggest in South America.
Finally, the Spanish Colonial district of Yanahuara, 2 km from the city’s centre, consisting of narrow cobblestone streets and old white volcanic stone houses. From the viewpoint there is a magnificent view of the city with its three volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu.
Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Arequipa. (B).
Santa Catalina Convent
Main Square
Yanahuara
Day 03: AREQUIPA – CUSCO
Transfer to the airport to take your flight to the city of Cusco. Reception and transfer to your hotel, welcome coca tea; drink to acclimatize to the high altitude.
In the afternoon, you will visit Cusco’s Historical Inca and Spanish Colonial Monuments, such as the Main Square, known in Inca times as Huacaypata or the Warrior’s Square, it was the scene for many key events in Cusco’s history. The Cathedral, originally built on the site of the old temple of Suntur Wasi (House of God), now the church of El Triunfo, a particular interest are the choir cloisters, the pulpit, the engravings on the altar and furniture. Continue onto the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, a Spanish construction belonging to the Dominican Order built upon the foundations of the Inca temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Koricancha (in quechua, site of gold) was the main religious building of the Incas dedicated to the worship of the Sun and whose walls, according to the chroniclers, were plated with sheets of gold. Magnificent blocks of finely carved stone were used in its construction.
After, you will visit the surrounding ruins of the city of Cusco: Sacsayhuamán, this huge Inca fortress is built on three overlapping platforms, each of them over 360 m long. Then, onto Tambomachay, known as the Inca baths. It was apparently a site dedicated to the worship of water and a resting place for the Inca monarch. Kenko, it is said to have been a worship site. There is a huge 5,9 m high stone block that looks like a puma. There are also passages, canals and stairways with stone engravings representing animals. Finally, Puca Pucará, which was an administrative and military centre formed by terraces, stairways, passages, turrets and vaulted niches.
Return to hotel in Cusco. (B).
Main Square
Koricancha
Tambomachay
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Day 04: CUSCO – MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO:
Early morning, you will be transferred to take the Tourist Class train (Backpacker) to Machu Picchu Sanctuary, Pls note Optional (First Class train). Spectacular train journey crossing valleys, mountains and typical communities. The altitude will descend from 3,500 to 1,500 m.a.s.l. Crossing two different regions from the sierra to the rainforests. Snow peaks, eucalyptus, deep canyons and orchids are also part of the sceneries.
This stone citadel, located 112 km from Cusco, was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The citadel was built on a very special spot covered in vegetation between two mountains: the Machu Picchu (old mountain) and Huayna Picchu (young mountain), at the foot of which meanders the Urubamba or Vilcanota River (lower Jungle featuring abundant flora and fauna). Guided tour of the sanctuary.
In the afternoon, you will return to Cusco by train Tourist Class. (Optional: Train first class). Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco. (B).
Optional: Overnight in Machu Picchu.
Day 05: CUSCO - PUNO:
Transfer to the station to board the regular bus to the city of Puno. On route, you will pass by the villages of Andahuaylillas, Racchi and Pucará.
Pls note that if you prefer you could take the train to Puno, instead of the bus. Departures available on: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Puno. (B-L).
Andahuaylillas
Island of Uros
Musicians of Taquile
Larcomar Shopping Centre
Day 06: PUNO:
Full day visit of the Floating Island of Uros in Lake Titicaca. Located 4 km from Puno, the original inhabitants of these floating islands are said to descend from one of the most ancient peoples of the Americas and still to this day practise their ancient traditions. Their dwellings made of totora reed are built on the surface of Lake Titicaca.
Afterwards, you will make your way to the unique Island of Taquile, where time appears to have stopped. The Mediterranean atmosphere of this place is striking, with its steps of stone and its houses centred around the square. Its indigenous community that lives here, around 350 families are descendants of the Incas and known for their Textile activities, such as their beautifully woven chumpis (belts), chullos (caps), and ojotas (and sandals) and according to the custom, officials are distinguished by black or brown caps. The most popular attractions in Taquile are its landscape, dominated by tiered platforms where potatoes, corn, quinua and broad beans are cultivated; ceremonial sites hosting rituals imploring for abundant harvests and fishing, and the hospitability of its people, who are so outstandingly organised. The textile industry is the main activity on this island and the garments they manufacture relate to their daily chores. Also it offers a magnificent lake landscape from where the impressive snowfalls of the Cordillera Real (Real mountain chain) can be seen. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Puno. (B-L).
Day 07: PUNO - LIMA:
Transfer to the airport of Juliaca to take your flight to Lima. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon free for some shopping. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Lima. (B).
Day 08: LIMA:
Transfer out. (B).
INCLUDED:
Excursions as described, transportation, entrances, specialised tour guide in the language requested. In Regular: only Spanish and English.
Accommodation with breakfast in tourist class hotels.
Meals where stated (B=Breakfast / L=Lunch / D=Dinner).
Transfer airport/hotel/airport.
NOT INCLUDED:
Services not specified in the programme, extras and tips.
National flight tickets: Lima / Arequipa, Arequipa / Cusco and Juliaca / Lima.
PERUVIAN WONDERS
EXTENSION I
PUNO – LA PAZ 3 Days / 2 Nights
Day 07: PUNO - LA PAZ:
Early land transfer to Copacabana Sanctuary, where you will board the Catamaran Cruise Ship, with buffet lunch on board whilst sailing to Sun Island, the legendary birth place of the Inca Empire.
You will visit the Inca Garden, the Inti Wata Cultural Complex which includes the Ekako Underground Museum and its traditional medicines, the Titicaca Reed Shipbuilders display centre, the Pachamama agricultural Inca terraces, the Intica lounge and the Manco Kapac look out, featuring the largest variety of Andean cameloids. Finally, enjoy from Sun Island the unique sailing experience aboard the huge traditional islanders reed boat.
At the end of the day the Catamaran Cruise Ship will make its way to Chua harbour, land transfer to La Paz city and your hotel. (B-L).
Copacabana
Sun Island
La Paz
Moon Valley
Day 08: LA PAZ:
In the morning, you will begin your half day tour of La Paz, visiting the famous Witch Doctors Market and the San Francisco Colonial Church. The tour will then continue onto the Plaza Murillo, where the cathedral, the government palace and the national congress are located. Visit the famous street known a “Calle Jaen”, where you will find many small shops and houses clustered together, followed by the visit to the replica of the semi subterranean temple of the Tiwanaku Culture. Finally, your tour continues to the residential areas of Obrajes, Calacoto, La Florida and a visit to the Moon Valley, where you will explore and walk through this strange landscape. Afternoon free.
Return to the hotel. (B).
Day 09: LA PAZ – OUT:
Transfer out. (B).
INCLUDED:
Excursions as described, transportation, entrances, specialised tour guide in the language requested.
Accommodation with breakfast in tourist class hotel.
Meals where stated (B=Breakfast / L=Lunch / D=Dinner).
Catamaran from Puno to La Paz (OW).
NOT INCLUDED:
Services not specified in the programme, extras and tips.
International flight tickets: La Paz / Lima.
Entradas
