Highlights of Peru

Highlights of Peru

Highlights: Lima, Cuzco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
You will visit Lima, one of the world’s culinary capitals, explore the oldest continuous inhabited city in America, Cuzco, and venture into Machu Picchu, the world-famous Incan citadel.

Day 1: Arrival in Peru
Upon arrival of your flight you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel, Belmond Miraflores Park, located in Miraflores.

Ceviche in Lima, Peru

Day 2: Exploring Lima
This morning at 9am you will go on a half-day private tour of the city including the modern and colonial quarters, the Lima Cathedral, Casa Aliaga and Larco Museum. You will start in Miraflores, the biggest tourist district where you will walk around the Park of Love and enjoy a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. You will then continue to the Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological precinct built in the IV century A.C., and explore the historical center visiting San Martin Square, the Main Square, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, the City Hall, the train station Desamparado and the first bar of Lima (Cordano Bar). Finally you will stop at the museum of Saint Francis Convent, which displays the biggest collection of religious art in America and its subterranean crypts known as The Catacombs.

Day 3: Heading to Sacred Valley
Today you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Cuzco. You will be picked up upon arrival by Explora and transferred to the Sacred Valley.

You will enjoy four days and three nights in the charming Hotel Explora in the Sacred Valley, located in an old cornfield and settled in a very quiet area, where guests enjoy all the tranquility and relaxation options including the spa services that the hotel offers. The Sacred Valley was the agricultural food bowl of the Inca, a fertile plain perfect for growing the Inca staples, maize and potatoes.

You will also enjoy delicious dishes specially prepared to feel agile and lightweight during your explorations, prepared with top quality products that will provide the energy necessary to explore Sacred Valley.

Sacred Valley, Peru

Day 4: Exploring the Sacred Valley
Its unique geography, the Inca remains and the authenticity of the local people inspired Explora to create paths that will let you discover all its charms. With over 20 explorations that can be completed either on foot, by van or bike, you will discover from traditional towns barely touched by the force of globalization to ancient ruins perfectly preserved from the passing of time, and lagoons at the foot of snow-capped mountains.

In the Urubamba River valley you will explore Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Moray, among other archaeological sites; in the plateau, you could visit the Huaypo Lake, travel around local trails between lagoons, farm communities, and cornfields; you could also visit mountain peaks, an area not well known by tourists.  The altitude of the explorations ranges between 2,800 and 4,700 meters above sea level (9,186 and 16,404 f.a.s.l.) and consequently, some travelers need prior acclimatization.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Day 5: On the way to Machu Picchu
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the Ollanta train station to board the Vistadome Train departing at 8am and arriving to Machu Picchu around 9:30am and stay at Inkaterra Machu Picchu.

You will tour the main monuments such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, The Royal rooms, the Three Windows Temple and the cemeteries which served both as place of residence and rest for Pachacútec (1410-1471). After the tour you will have free time to visit Machu Picchu on your own, followed by a stop at Aguas Calientes where you can have lunch at Café Inkaterra.

Day 6: Visiting the citadel
Today you will have the morning free to explore Machu Picchu on a second visit (please ask your hotel to make the arrangements if you wish to do it) and we recommend visiting the Intipunku (“Sun Gate”), which is the last stop before entering the Inca sanctuary. Another interesting option is the Inca Bridge, which is part of the Inca Trail and is made of vegetable fiber or straw. The bridge is woven with ancient techniques and each year several area communities come together to renew and keep this wonderful tradition. You will then board the Vistadome train at 4:22pm and head back to the Ollanta Station. You will arrive in Cusco at 6:10pm and a car will pick you up and drive you to Belmond Monasterio, where you will have a Superior Room.

Day 7: Visiting Cusco
Today you will be picked up at your hotel and begin your private tour of the city at the ambient San Cristobal main square. You will absorb panoramic views of the architecturally rich city before visiting the vibrant San Pedro Market.

You will browse artisan treasures and vibrant stalls, perhaps purchasing a special souvenir to take home. You will then venture to the sacred Temple of the Sun (El Korikancha) reputed that when conquerors arrived in Cusco, the temple was covered in solid gold.

You will admire the architectural precision of the interior before touring the consecrated confines of the Convent of San Domingo and the Artisan’s Quarters of San Blas, a picturesque area over which an impressive church reigns supreme. The intricate woodwork is fantastic as are the angular stones of Hatun Rumiyoc as you follow your guide to one of the city’s most impressive monuments, the Cathedral. Gaze up at the filigreed ceiling and admire the impressive altarpiece, perusing the classic colonial paintings that adorn the Cathedral’s walls.

Cusco, Peru

Day 8: Heading home
Today you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport to board your flight back to Lima and your connection back home.