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ANDEAN
WORLD
Tour
Duration 12 Days / 11 Nights
Tour Type and Activities Archaeological,
Cultural and Ecological
Tour
itinerary
All
our programmes can be tailor made according to your
requirements, whether regarding the length of your tour,
any special interests or specific activities, flight
reservations, optional destinations
or tours.
DAY
01: International Arrival in Lima.-
Assistance at your arrival to Lima International Airport
and transfer to your hotel. There you will receive a
briefing on your tour; receive vouchers covering all
the services included in your tour and additional information
on the organisation of your Peru trip.
DAY
02: Lima: Sightseeing Tour & Archaeological Museum.-
Morning free to rest after your International travel.
We recommend you to sleep long enough to be ready to
start this unforgettable journey through this wonderful
country. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon, guided sightseeing tour to the most
attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City
of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical
Centre, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the
Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and
its Religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo,
with the tombs of Santa Rosa and San Martin de Porras,
and Lima's Colonial Balconies.
We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco,
the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America
and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes
a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters,
Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library
of the priests, a Museum showing 11 paintings of the
Rubens School, the Sacristy with paintings of Surbaran
and Ribera, its great patio decorated with Seville tiles
of the XVIth Century, Moorish arches and underground
Catacombs.
From here, we leave downtown Lima towards the District
of Pueblo Libre to visit The Museum of Anthropology
and Archaeology that comprises the biggest collection
of pre-Hispanic objects such as stone sculptures from
the Chavin Culture, weavings from the Paracas Culture,
ceramics of the Nazca and Mochica Cultures, and metal
work of the Chimu Culture, as well as paintings, documents
and objects that belonged to important people of the
Colonial and Republican Periods of Peru. This visit
will allow you to have a global vision of Peruvian History
to frame what you will visit the following days.
We then drive through the residential Districts of San
Isidro and Miraflores, passing by the Huaca Pucllana,
a Ceremonial and Administrative Centre of the Lima Culture
built in the II Century A.C. that the Incas considered
as "Ñaupallaqta" or Sacred Town.  We
will also visit El Olivar Park with olive trees brought
from Spain in the XVth Century, the Central Park of
Miraflores and Larcomar, a symbol of modern Lima and
a tourist and entertainment centre as well as a privileged
site to enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean.
Late afternoon transfer to the selected hotel.
Evening free to rest as the next day our guide will
pick you up very early.
DAY 03: Lima / Cusco: Sightseeing Tour and Visit to
Nearby Ruins.- In the morning transfer to Lima
Airport to board your flight to Cusco. Meet upon arrival
and transfer to your selected hotel. Remaining morning
free to rest in your hotel in order to avoid altitude
sickness.
In the afternoon, we will visit the City of Cusco on
a guided sightseeing tour visiting the Main Square,
the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha.
Then, we drive out of the City to visit the Inca sites
of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive
Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, strategically built on a hill
overlooking Cusco, famous for its enormous carved stones,
some of them standing over 9 m / 30 ft high and weighing
over 350 tons.
DAY 04: Cusco: Sacred Valley of the Incas.-
Early morning excursion to the Urubamba Valley, the
Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit to the picturesque
Indian Pisac Market held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Sundays, the shopping paradise of the Andes where barter
is still practiced.
Enjoy the unique atmosphere during a typical lunch.
In the afternoon, passing through the Towns of Calca
and Urubamba, we visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel
of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this
part of the Valley, and protect it from possible invasion
from the tribes in the Lower jungle. You can walk through
the quaint streets of the nearby Town, and get a good
idea of what this strategic Military, Religious, and
Agricultural Centre was like during the era of the Inca
Empire. On our way back to Cusco we stop of at the picturesque
Andean Village of Chinchero to visit the ruins of the
Royal Hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. We will admire
a well-preserved Inca Wall in the Main Square, and visit
the beautiful Colonial temple built on Inca foundations,
with interesting frescoes in the portico.
Late afternoon return to your selected hotel for overnight.
Evening free. We suggest strolling around the Main Square
and enjoy the night atmosphere trying a delicious Pisco
Sour in some of the many pubs around the Square.
Note: The visit to the village of Chinchero depends
on the time available.
DAY
05: Cusco: Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes .-
The day starts with an early morning rise to transfer
to Cusco Train Station for a three hour train journey
to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known
as "The Lost City of the Incas". Arrive at
Aguas Calientes Station followed by a 30-minute bus
drive, climbing 6 km of winding road, to the incredible
site of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we'll participate
in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Pl aza,
the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters,
the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds.
After the tour you will have free time to stroll around
the archaeological site on your own. Lunch at a local
restaurant. Evening free. Overnight at your selected
hotel.
DAY 06: Cusco: Aguas Calientes - Cusco.-
Excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy a beautiful
sunrise as well as stroll around the Town of Aguas Calientes
and visit its Hot Spring thermal waters. Then, you will
have time to perform some of the following activities:
(not included in the overall price):
1. Visit the Citadel of Machu Picchu for a second time.
2. For active or more adventurous people, we suggest
to climb up Huayna Picchu (depending on weather conditions)
from where you can appreciate the immensity of Machu
Picchu, even more amazing being high and distant. Arriving
at the top takes about two hours and a half and it is
recommendable before 13:00 hours. It is necessary to
register at the checking point at the beginning of the
trail. An exciting adventure for the travellers who
want to see from the top, the nature and the carved
stone emerging from the ground as a geological miracle.
In the afternoon, back to Cusco by train, and transfer
to your selected hotel for overnight.
Evening free. We recommend to dine at the hotel and
have an early night.
DAY 07: Cusco / Puno by bus.- Early
departure by bus to the City of Puno, (3,860 m.a.s.l.).
During the trip, we pass by the lovely Wacarpay Lake,
offering spectacular views of the mountains reflected
in its calm waters. We proceed to the beautiful Town
of Andahuaylillas, and visit the Church of San Pedro
de Andahuaylillas, better known as the Sistine Chapel
of the Americas, due to its decorated polychrome ceiling.
On the way, we stop in Raqchi, where we can see a spectacular
Inca Sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec, and dedicated
to the great Inca God of Wiracocha. It has a great central
wall with a stone base of fine Inca architecture. Other
walls are made of giant adobe bricks. The structure
also has two circular lateral columns. Around the Temple
are several buildings once used for housing and storage.
About 70 km further on, we pass through La Raya Ranch
where we can see herds of vicuñas and llamas.
Then we travel along the High Plateau of Collao, stopping
at the Town of Ayaviri, an important livestock and textile
centre, to visit the impressive Temple of Kalasaya,
ruins from the ancient Pucara Culture.
Buffet lunch in a countryside restaurant, where we can
enjoy the delightful culinary art of the region.
Afternoon arrival in Puno and transfer to your selected
hotel. Evening free.
Note : This regular bus journey is available with private
transportation upon request.
DAY 08: Puno: Titicaca Lake, Floating Islands
of the Uros and Taquile Island.- Early in the
morning, we will have an unforgettable motorboat excursion
on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique "Floating
Islands" of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants
of the Lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their
own "Islands" by periodically adding new layers
of a type of reed called "totora" (Scirpus
totora), vegetable fibre of the Papyrus family. Their
homes and boats are also made from this material.
We continue our motorboat trip to Taquile Island, inhabited
by Quechua-speaking natives who have developed efficient
and unique social systems, as well as fine hand weaving
techniques, kept alive down through generations. It
is necessary to go up a stairway of more than 567 steps
stone that wind their way among green platforms - to
arrive at the Town of Taquile where we will have a break
to eat. After lunch in a local Taquile Inn, we have
a walk through the various hills and archaeological
sites of this 6 km long Island. In the afternoon, return
to Puno for overnight at your hotel. Evening free.
DAY 09: Puno: Chullpas of Sillustani.-
Early in the morning, we will travel 30 minutes to visit
the famous Chullpas of Sillustani, stone cylinder burial
chambers used by the Aymaras to bury their important
leaders. Lake Umayo, located in front of the Chullpas,
adds further beauty to the place. Here you also have
the opportunity to observe several local typical birds.
DAY 10: Puno / La Paz - Tiahuanaco.-
In the morning, we will leave in private car during
7 hours from Puno to La Paz in Bolivia. On the way,
we will stop at Chucuito, where we will visit the Fertility
Temple called Inca Ullo ( stone sculptures with the
shape of a human phallus). Then, we will visit Catholic
temples of Juli and Pomata, built by the Jesuits during
the Spanish Colony. Lunch en route.
In Desaguadero City, we will c ross
the International Bridge between Bolivia and Peru. Then,
we stop at Tiahuanaco a great pre Inca Citadel, Centre
of the ancient Culture of Tiahuanaco. It is considered
the Archaeological Capital of Bolivia. We will visit
the Main Square, palaces, temples and the famous "Sun
Gate. " Arrival at La Paz in the afternoon and
transfer to the selected hotel. Evening free.
DAY 11: La Paz - Sightseeing tour and Moon Valley.-
In the morning, we will have a guided sightseeing tour
of the City of La Paz, including the Murillo Square,
San Francisco Temple, streets and old Colonial mansions.
We will also visit the Market of Witches and the residential
Districts of La Paz. Continuing by the Moon Valley,
near La Paz, where the erosion of the time has been
forming the nature creating a scenery similar to the
surface of the moon . Back to the selected hotel in
La Paz. Remainder of day at leisure.
DAY 12: La Paz / International Departure.-Transfer
to the International Airport in La Paz at the appropriate
time in order to board your homebound flight.
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