7 Days Andean world from Lima

Day 1: Arrival Lima

1. Lima
   Pass by
   A transportation service and a representative will pick you up from the airport at the scheduled time and transfer you to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history and is home to approximately 10 million inhabitants. The city is currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes.

Day 2: Lima - Cusco: City Tour & archaeological sites

1. Centro Historico De Cusco
   5h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cusco. A transportation service takes you to the hotel to check-in. Then, start the city tour visiting Coricancha, also known as 'The Temple of the Sun', ordered to be built by Inca Pachacuti, which became the foundation for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent at the arrival of the Spanish. Next, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square, construction of which began in the sixteenth century. Then, get to know the Sacsayhuaman fortress, one of the most emblematic Inca buildings, erected in the 15th century. It is an immense fortress built with large stones, their transportation, carving and assembly still remains a mystery. Every June 24th the Inti Raymi Festival, where the sun is worshipped, is recreated during the winter solstice. Continue to Qenqo, an archaeological complex for mainly religious purposes. It is believed that agricultural rituals were held in this site, located at four kilometres from the city of Cusco. Finally, visit Puca Pucara, at seven kilometres from the city. Puca Pucara, meaning 'red fort', was an architectural complex of alleged military use with multiple environments, plazas, aqueducts, walls and towers. It is believed that it was used by the Inca entourage while he rested in Tambomachay. When finished, return to the hotel.

Day 3: Cusco - Sacred Valley: Chinchero - Ollantaytambo and Living Museum of Yucay

1. Sacred Valley
   9h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at the hotel. 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 of Andean handicraft traditions 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 Incan traditions. In addition, you may be able to feed the ´residents´ of the museum! These include llamas, sheep and alpacas! Later, have lunch in Ollantaytambo and enjoy a superior Andean gastronomy experience in a restaurant, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley radiates in a cosy atmosphere. Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo, visit its town, inhabited uninterruptedly sice Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress, built next to a mountain. At the end of this activity, you are transferred back to your hotel. *On Sundays, also visit the local market.

Day 4: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco

1. Machu Picchu
   10h
   Breakfast at the hotel. 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 Pachacuti 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 such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial, and the Burial Grounds. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train back to Cusco.

Day 5: Cusco - Puno

1. Puno
   9h
   Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the bus station to begin your journey through the stunning Andean landscapes on the way to Puno. Your first stop is Andahuaylillas, a charming town located about 40 kilometres from Cusco, famous for its church known as the “Sistine Chapel of America” due to its remarkable colonial artwork.
   Continue to Raqchi, where you will explore the impressive Temple of Wiracocha, a fascinating rectangular structure associated with one of the most important deities of the Inca civilization. Enjoy lunch in Sicuani before continuing to La Raya, the highest point of the route at 4,313 metres above sea level, offering spectacular views of the Andes.
   
   Your final stop is Pucará, the first important urban settlement near Lake Titicaca, developed between 100 and 200 A.D. After the visit, continue your journey to Puno. Upon arrival, transfer to your selected hotel.
   Overnight in Puno.

Day 6: Puno: Lake Titicaca - Uros and Taquile Islands

1. Lake Titicaca
   8h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the port of Puno where a boat will be waiting to take you to the beautiful Uros Islands. The Uros are an indigenous people of Peru that live on a series of human-made islands, created entirely from the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. The islands are composed of layers of woven totora, which are regularly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom. The Uros people also use reeds to construct their homes, so cooking is done outdoors to avoid possible fires! After visiting this fascinating island, sail to Taquile, a small slice of heaven that once belonged to the Inca Empire. Look around and notice traces of its Incan past in the ruins that still exist around the island. After a brief introduction, the local community will give you an insight into their customs and traditions with a cultural demonstration. Lunch is enjoyed on the island before the return trip to Puno.

Day 7: Departure Puno

1. Puno
   Pass by
   After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, you will be transfer from Puno to the airport.

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Rates do not apply to Peruvian citizens or foreign residents who have stayed in Peru for more than 60 consecutive days. In these cases, an additional 18% sales tax (IGV) will be charged by our local operator.
• Domestic flights from Lima to Cusco must arrive no later than 10:30 AM. Arrivals around noon are too late for the scheduled services.
• Please note that check-in at most hotels begins at 1:00 PM. Early check-in is subject to room availability. If the room is not yet available, guests may wait in the hotel lobby.
• If your itinerary includes high-altitude destinations such as Cusco or Puno (over 3,400 m / 11,200 ft above sea level), we recommend taking precautions to prevent altitude sickness. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should consult their physician before traveling.
• Upon arrival in high-altitude destinations, we recommend resting for a few hours, drinking coca tea, and eating light meals. For reference, Machu Picchu is located at 2,400 m (8,000 ft) above sea level.
• Machu Picchu entrance tickets are subject to availability. We strongly recommend sending passengers' details (full name as shown on the passport, passport or ID number, date of birth, and nationality) as soon as possible so that tickets can be issued. Reservations will be confirmed once the tickets have been secured. Please note that after the entrance ticket has been issued, no changes to personal information or travel date are permitted.
• The guided tour of Machu Picchu lasts approximately 2.5 hours and is conducted by a professional guide.
• We recommend carrying the same identification document provided at the time of booking, as both the train tickets and the Machu Picchu entrance tickets will be issued using those details.
• When visiting Peru's coastal regions, we recommend wearing comfortable, lightweight clothing. For the Andean region, warm clothing is recommended. We also suggest bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent.
• Items not permitted inside Machu Picchu: professional cameras requiring lighting equipment or tripods, drones, selfie sticks, aerosol sprays, high heels, walking sticks without rubber tips, banners and signs, sharp objects, and backpacks exceeding 40 × 35 × 20 cm (15.7 × 13.8 × 7.9 in).
• On all train services to and from Machu Picchu, only hand luggage (backpack, handbag, or briefcase) weighing up to 5 kg (11 lb) is permitted. Maximum dimensions: 62 linear cm (height + length + width).
• To help preserve the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Peru's Ministry of Culture has established different visitor circuits. We will ensure your visit is a memorable experience; however, please note that Circuit 2 or Circuit 3 will be assigned according to availability.
• For shared tours, the pickup window is up to 30 minutes from the scheduled pickup time.