7 Days: Lima, Cuzco & Machu Picchu

Tour overview:

Brimming with both natural and manmade attractions, Peru is a place of great mystique, beauty and culture. Join this in-depth exploration of the Inca Empire culminating in your visit to awe-inspiring Machu Picchu where you’ll watch the sun rise over the mist covered mountains.

Day 1 - Arrive Lima

Arrive at Lima Airport. 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.

Day 2 - Lima – City Tour & Larco Herrera Museum

Wake up for breakfast in the hotel before hitting the streets of Lima’s old town; a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historical buildings. Start with the Larco Museum, located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district, which is housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts the world’s most complete pre- Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Then visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jeronimo de Aliaga, one of his captains. This is the only house from that time that to this day has always been owned by the same family. Continue to a scenic tour in the colonial downtown, which originates and spreads out from the Main Square. Here you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire and be amazed by Lima´s Cathedral. Erected in the 16th century, this building took more than 80 years to complete. After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel. (B)

Day 3 - Lima / Cuzco – City Tour and Archaeological Sites

You will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Cusco. Once in the city a transport service will take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the former 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 impressive ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheater of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised 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. (B)

Day 4 - Cusco – Maras – Moray – Cusco

Depart after breakfast at the hotel, heading along the Sacred Valley towards the archaeological site of Moray, approximately an hour and a half away. As with many Inca ruins, its exact function remains a mystery though the design of ever-wider concentric circular terraces means each level had a different microclimate. Continue to Maras, where the salt ponds create a dazzling scene. The thousands of small ponds give work to and help feed many local families. During Inca times, the salt deposits were an important economic centre and of great value to the imperial economy. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. (B)

*During December to March (rainy season), Chinchero, the town of Maras and chicherias, is visited instead of the salt mines. In these months, you have the option of replacing this tour with a visit to South Valley.

Day 5 - Cusco / Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

Transportation service will pick you up and transfer you to the Ollanta Station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Following a scenic journey through dramatic Andean landscapes, arrive at the station in Aguas Calientes. Here you board a coach for a 25- minute ride to Machu Picchu. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacutec as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel, presenting its most prominent landmarks. Lunch included. (BL) *Lunch time could vary depending on the entrance to the citadel.

Day 6 - Machu Picchu / Cuzco

Today, you can optionally return to Machu Picchu. You may discover the views from Huayna Picchu, which is about 360 meters above Machu Picchu with an underground temple complex; and from Inti Punku, which offers even better views from about 390 meters 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. (B)

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

Entrances are subject to availability.

Day 7 - Cuzco Depart

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Cusco’s airport to take your departure flight. (B)