Archeologic Peru

Arrival in Lima, where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. This morning tour will start with a panoramic visit of the “Pucllana Pyramid”, built in the 4th century AD and considered by the Inca as a “sacred village”. The the tours leaves towards the Pachacamac Oracle for a guided visit of the spendid Pachacamac Citadel, the sanctuary of God Pachacamac, creator of the universe and the old Inca peoples. The citadel is composed of temples, pyramids and palaces. Of special interest are the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of Pachacamac, the “Acllahusi” or Pace of the Virgins of the Sun, among others. The entire site is considered as sacred and is part of the world’s mystical axis. Return to the hotel with free time to rest and have lunch (not included).
In the afternoon, your visit of Lima starts at Historical Center: Plaza Mayor, location of the Government Palace, City Hall, Cathedral and Archbishops’ Palace. You’ll visit the Convent and Saint Francis Church, the largest monumental group in Colonial Art found in America and classified as Humanity’s Cultural and Historic Heritage. The tour includes a visit to the Basiclic, that offers 21 altars, cloisters, Capitular and Clementine Halls, choir and a monks library, the museum that exhibits 11 paintings of the Rubens school, the Sacristy displaying paintings by Surbaran and Ribera, the inside patio decorated with 16th century Seville tiles, Moorish arches and catacombs. Then, continue to the elegant residential districts, such as San Isidro and Miraflores, from where you’ll enjoy an excellent view of the Pacific Ocean. Overnight at your hotel Meals: Breakfast.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your transfer t the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in Cusco. In the afternoon, start a tour of Cusco visiting the Plaza Mayor, Cathedral and Temple of the Sun or KoriKancha. Continue to the city suburbs to visit the Inca complexes of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress, strategically built on a hill dominating Cusco, famous for the huge stones of its external walls, cut and assembled with stunning precision. Some of these stones are more than 30 feet tall and weigh over 700,000 pounds. Return to Cusco for overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel and free morning to visit yourself this beautiful city and discover points of interest or to start your shopping. In the afternoon, start the tour that will take you to picturesque South Valley of Cusco. Continue to Quispicanchis to visit the impressive and complex archeological site of Tipon, important religious center devoted to the cult of Water, one of the 4 natural elements considered sacred in the Andean region because it circulates in canals and irrigates the terraces on the mountains. After, visit the small but surprising village of Huaro, home of a fantastic 17th century church that shelters excellent murals by the renowned artist Tadeo Escalante. Return to Cusco for overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast.

Take your breakfast at the hotel before leaving for the Sacred Valley of the Inca. On the way stop at the Awanacancha complex for the chance of feeding Andean Camelids such as Llamas and Alpacas and meet local people who will show their techniques for the dying and weaving of their local fabrics. The visit will include the typical Pisaq Market where you have the opportunity to shop for local artifacts and try the traditional local costumes. Enjoy a buffet lunch at a regional restaurant. In the afternoon you’ll visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, composed by a series of overlapped terraces and built to stop the invasion of attackers coming from the jumgle through this part of the valley. You’ll have the opportunity to walk the narrow streets of the village and get a first hand feeling of this military, religious and cultural center of the Inca Empire. Overnight at the Sacred Valley. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Enjoy early breakfast at the hotel before your transfer to the railroad station to start a short trip to the Machu Picchu Citadel, also known as the “Lost city of the Inca” and considered one of the new Wonders of the World. Exit the train at the Aguas Calientes station to take the bus for a 30 minute drive along a meandering path leading to the marvelous citadel. As soon as you disembark you’ll start your guided tour of the site, visiting the Main Plaza, Circular Tower, Sacred Solar Clock, royal apartments, Temple of the 3 Windows and the cemeteries. Free time to allow you to walk around and enjoy the mystic energy and natural beauty of the site before returning to Aguas Caliente for a buffet lunch. Return to Cusco for overnight at your hotel. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Breakfast will be at your hotel. Depending on your program you may be transferred to the airport or continue your stay in Lima. Meals: Breakfast.