LIGHTS OF THE INCA EMPIRE

Day 1 : ARRIVAL IN LIMA (- / - / -)

A transportation service will pick you up from the airport at the scheduled time to transfer you to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes.

▪    Overnight at the selected hotel in Lima.

Day 2 : LIMA – LARCO MUSEUM & CITY TOUR (B / - / -)

The route begins at the traditional Pueblo Libre district, where you visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the seventh century. The museum boasts a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Then visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jeronimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time, still belonging to the same family.

Continue with a scenic tour through the colonial downtown. See the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Admire Lima’s Cathedral, built during the 16th century. Finish the trip returning to your hotel.

▪    Overnight at the selected hotel in Lima.
▪    Optional activity: Visit to the Magic Water Circuit

Day 3 : LIMA – CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY (90 min flight) (B / - / -)

Enjoy a pleasant transfer from the selected hotel to Lima airport. Once you arrive in Imperial City, you will be transferred to the selected hotel in the Sacred Valley. After check-in, relax during your afternoon at least.

▪    Overnight at the selected hotel in Sacred Valley.

Day 4 : SACRED VALLEY / CHINCHERO, OLLANTAYTAMBO AND LIVING MUSEUM OF YUCAY (B / L / -)

During the morning, you are picked up from your hotel to visit the town of Chinchero, a traditional Cusco urban centre located at an elevated point with a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve the artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas and display them in their clothes and customs. In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru.

Then, you are transferred to the Living Museum of Yucay, a centre Andean traditions interpretations, where demonstrations of the elaboration of textile work, adobe, pottery and silverware are carried out in the same way in which they used to in antiquity; an original recreation of Inca traditions. Also, residents of the museum include llamas, sheep and alpacas, and they can be fed! Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo visit its town, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and have a superior Andean gastronomy experience in a restaurant, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley is transmitted in a cosy atmosphere! Later, climb the iconic fortress, built next to a mountain and then you are transferred back to your hotel.

*On Sundays, also visit the local market.

▪    Overnight at the selected hotel in Sacred Valley.

Day 5 : SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES (B / L / -)

A transportation service will pick you up and transfer you to the Ollantaytambo station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Take the train to Aguas Calientes, travel observing the Andean landscapes during a journey of an hour and a half. Our guide will be waiting for you and will accompany you until the departure point of the bus. Afterwards, take a bus for the 25-minute journey up to Machu Picchu, known as the "Lost city of the Incas".

It is believed that this archaeological site was built in 1450 by the Inca Pachacutec as his holiday home. However, a century later, the city was abandoned after the Spanish conquest, escaping the destruction that azotó other Incas settlements. Along with the guided tour, you will have the opportunity to learn about the origins of this impressive city and explore its most outstanding monuments.
After completing the tour, you will take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will enjoy lunch at your selected restaurant. 

*Lunch time could vary depending on the entrance to the citadel.
**Due to the citadel’s limited capacity we recommend that you confirm your booking as soon as possible to proceed with the tickets purchase. Tickets are subject to availability

▪    Overnight at the selected hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).
    
Day 6 : AGUAS CALIENTES – CUSCO (B / - / -)

Today, you can optionally return to Machu Picchu. You may discover the views from Huayna Picchu, which is about 360 metres above Machu Picchu with an underground temple complex; and from Inti Punku, which offers even better views from about 390 metres above the citadel. Another option is the Inca Bridge, a secret military trail, which controls access to the citadel.

In the afternoon, transfer to the Aguas Calientes station and take the train back to Ollanta station. From here you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

**Kindly remind to purchase your tickets before your trip due to the limited capacity of the citadel. Entrances are subject to availability.

▪    Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco. Breakfast included.

Day 7 : CUSCO / CITY TOUR & NEARBY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES (B / - / -)

Enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature.

Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheater of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practiced agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings, squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to your hotel.

▪    Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco.
▪    Optional activity: Pottery workshop by Art trail.

Day 8 : CUSCO DEPARTURE (B / - / -)

A vehicle will transfer you from the selected hotel to the airport to take your departure flight.