PERU HIGHLANDS TOUR

 ITINERARY  

Day 1: Lima
Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Lima - (B)
After breakfast, a guided visit of colonial and modern Lima, including the cathedral, dating from 1654, the main square, which still houses the original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. Known as the city of the kings, Lima was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. One of the very few South American cities that preserve the colonial past, Lima was home to the Spanish viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonialists. After lunch at Rosa Nautica (optional extra), the foremost seafood restaurant in Lima. Return to your hotel in Lima.

 Day 3: Lima - Cuzco (B)

Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Cuzco . Arrival in Cuzco , reception and transfer to the colonial Royal Inca hotel. Welcome drink of coca tea to help acclimatise to the 3400m setting of Cuzco . Afternoon guided visit of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins continue to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Return to your hotel.

Day 4: Sacred Valley - Pisac - Ollantaytambo (BL)

Full-day excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Inca situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Visit the village of Pisac. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Indians barter their products in the main square and artisans from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc. On Sundays it is also the meeting place for Mayors from all the villages in the region, dressed in their traditional costumes to attend morning mass. After a buffet lunch, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. Overnight accommodation in Ollantaytambo

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Day 5: Cuzco - Machu Picchu (B)

Early transfer to the railway station for the 06.00 departure to Aguas Calientes in Vistadome class train and then a bus ride up to the spectacular Machu Picchu ruins (25 minutes).Guided visit of Machu Picchu. Built by the Inca Pachacutec and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision that harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. After the tour, free time to enjoy this magical and spiritual wonder . Opportunity for a trek (approx 1 hour) up to the sungate (Intipunku), which is a part of the Inca Trail, for a magical view of the sanctuary. Free time before overnight accommodation in Aguas Calientes.  

Day 6: Machu Picchu - Cuzco (B)

Opportunity to revisit Machu Picchu at sunrise. Free time to enjoy this unforgettable site before returning to Cuzco aboard the afternoon train. Last night’s accommodation in the Inca capital

Day 7: Cuzco – Tambopata Jungle (All meals included for the Jungle Tour)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Reception and transfer to the Tambopata River port in Puerto Maldonado for the canoe trip to your jungle lodge. After arrival a short orientation and a complete briefing on the lodge before visiting a 35 metre scaffolding tower for a spectacular view of the river, the surrounding forest and an opportunity to observe birds from the canopy including parrots, toucans and macaws. Return to the lodge.

Day 8: Tambopata Jungle
Early wake at dawn for a visit to the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. Here we will take a long, easy canoe ride around the lake looking for giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin, and wading birds. The giant river otters that are seen in Tres Chimbadas belong to a resident family of nine. Return to the lodge for lunch before embarking on your afternoon outing to the community’s ethno botanical center. We will hike the trails around the centre with one of the residents who will explain the everyday uses of forest resources in medicine, construction, food and fiber. Return to your lodge.

Day 9: Tambopata Jungle– Cuzco
After an early breakfast departure of our boat back to the city of Puerto Maldonado, directly to the airport, for our return flight back to Cuzco. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 10: Cuzco– Puno (B)
Departure by private vehicle to Puno visiting en route several Inca ruins and the remains of the great Viracocha temple, Raqchi. We shall also stop at the highest point along the way, La Raya before arriving to Puno and transferring to your hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 11: Lake Titicaca (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the port for the boat trip on Lake Titicaca to the reed islands of Uros. A visit to the Aymara island of Taquile before returning in the afternoon to Puno. Overnight accommodation.

Day 12: Puno – Lima (B)
Return flight to Lima and transfer to your hotel. Last night’s accommodation in Peru.

Day 13: Lima (B)
Free day in Lima before your transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Prices are available on request with discounts for large groups. We can also tailor make a tour to suit your needs. Optional add on tours in Lima as well as extra night accommodation.