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ITINERARY
Day
1 : Arrival in Lima
Transfer
to the hotel in Lima
Day
2 : Lima – Cusco
Transfer
to airport in Lima and to hotel in Cusco
Cusco,
the archaeological capital of the Americas and the oldest continuously
inhabited city on the continent, lies in exceptionally beautiful Andean
countryside. It is 3400 metres above sea level and its legacy as the hub
of the Inca Empire is readily apparent: Most of the city streets are
lined with Inca-built stone walls and crowded with Quechua-speaking
descendants of the Incas.
The city of Cusco and Sacsaywaman (half day):
We begin our tour visiting the cathedral, which was built between 1560
and 1654 on the site of the palace of the Inca Wiracocha. It is a
magnificent example of European art made by the indigenous population.
Its main altar is completely covered in silver, and the church contains
many fine paintings from the Cusco School of religious art. From the
cathedral we move on to Qoricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, where we
will be able to see some of the finest remaining examples of Inca
stonemasonry.
We will explore this ancient Inca sanctuary with its immense monolithic
walls built from stones that weigh up to 50 tons each, all joined
perfectly together. Sacsaywaman witnessed great events and bloodshed
during the siege of Cusco at the time of the conquest. We will then
visit the amphitheatre at Qenqo, the fortress of Puka Pukara and the
ritual Inca baths at Tambomachay.
Day
3: The
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Pisaq
market:
The
colourful markets of the valley are open during the mornings, when you
will be able to buy Peruvian crafts, jewellery and textiles, and see the
traditional produce market where local people trade. Pisaq market is
open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and Chinchero market is open on
Sundays.
Ollantaytambo:
The
village of Ollantaytambo retains the original street plan of the Inca
town, making it the only surviving example of Inca urban planning. Our
tour will include a visit to the agricultural areas around the village,
the irrigation system, and the fortress-temple built by Inca
Pachacuteq.
Day
4 : Cusco
Machupicchu
Machupicchu,
the so-called “Lost City of the Incas”, remains intact because it
was never discovered by the invading Spanish. Constructed on a high,
forested mountain overlooking the Urubamba River, Machupicchu and Wayna
Picchu were lost in time and dense foliage until they were discovered in
July 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham.
Our guides will carefully explain the history of this unique place and
guide us around its terraces, temples, palaces and watercourses.
Day
5: Machupicchu
Cusco
Is
an opportunity to explore the ruins by yourself, before returning to
Cusco by train in the afternoon..
Day
6: Cusco
– Lima
Transfer
to the airport
Included:
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All
the necessary land transport.
-
All
tours and transfers with English-speaking tour guide.
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Accommodation
at selected hotel with private bathroom.
-
Does
not Included
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Entrance
fees (Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay
S/. 40.00; cathedral S/.16.00; Koricancha S/. 6)
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Entrance
fees to Pisaq ruins, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero S/. 40.00
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Second
day bus services to Machupicchu.
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Second
day entrance fees to Machupicchu.
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Tips
to guides
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Airport
taxes approximately: $6 USD for each domestic flight and $28 USD for
the international flight.
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Drinks.
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Tips
to the staff
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Travel
insurance.
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Personal
expenses: clothing and sleeping bag, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
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Meals
not included in the program.
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