Vibrant Colors of Peru
Description
Explore the treasures of Peru on a journey that spans Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Enjoy the blend of history and culture in Lima, the majesty of the Sacred Valley, and the mystical Machu Picchu. End your adventure with a trek to the Seven Color Mountain, Vinicunca, a unique experience that connects you with the nature and history of the Inca Empire.
Itinerary
Day 1: International Arrival - Lima
Welcome to Lima, upon our arrival, we will be assisted at Lima Airport and then transferred to our hotel. You will have the afternoon free to rest.
Day 2: Lima.
Today we will learn about the two characters of Lima: the modern one, reflected in the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro; and the historic one, encapsulated in its historic center declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Along the tour through different districts of the city, we will see how the old and the modern coexist in buildings such as the Museum of Italian Art, Palace of Justice, Museum of Lima, Plaza San Martín, among others.
We will discover the center of Lima on foot, having the Main Square as the focal point: a beautiful colonial square worthy of photography, surrounded by emblematic buildings such as the Government Palace, the Cathedral and the Archbishop|s Palace.
We will have the opportunity to enter one of the most iconic ecclesiastical spaces in Lima, the Convent of Santo Domingo, also declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity and where the relics of three Peruvian saints are found: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres and San Juan Macías.
The tour would not be complete without a visit to the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum, one of the most important in the country, exhibiting a valuable collection of almost 45,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic cultures, especially the Mochicas. This museum stands out for being one of the first in the world to have visitable storerooms and to provide virtual access to its entire collection. We will marvel at the quality of its pieces of jewelry, textiles and its enigmatic "erotic room", dedicated to ceramics alluding to fertility.
Day 3: Lima - Cusco.
We will transfer from our hotel in Lima to the airport to board our flight to Cusco. Upon our arrival, we will be assisted at the Cusco airport and then transferred to our hotel.
Cusco City Tour: San Pedro market, Korikancha Temple, Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán, Kenko. This charming half-day tour of Cusco offers us history, living culture and art. We will be able to appreciate how the Andean and Spanish cultures, as well as the past and the present, coexist in harmony in the Imperial City. We will arrive at the center to walk the halls of the San Pedro market, the oldest in the city.
Designed in 1925 by Gustave Eiffel, today it brings together hundreds of merchants selling local products. We will also visit the Koricancha temple, which during the Inca empire was a center of worship of the Sun and on which the Santo Domingo convent was later built as part of the evangelization process. Its baroque style façade built on solid Inca walls perfectly summarizes the syncretism of cultures in the city of Cusco.
To appreciate the greatness of the Incas, we will ascend to the monumental fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which with its enormous carved stone walls constitutes one of the best examples of Inca military architecture. We will tour the archaeological center of Kenko, a ceremonial place where the sun, the moon and the stars were worshiped. We couldn't take a tour of the city without visiting the Cathedral, the most important temple in the city. It was built by the Spanish on top of the palace of the Inca Huiracoha. Its interior houses a wonderful collection of colonial art composed of goldsmith pieces and representative canvases of the Cusco School of Art.
Day 4: Cusco - Sacred Valley.
Essence of the Sacred Valley, Chinchero, Textile Session, Moray and Ollantaytambo. In the Sacred Valley we will find ancient history and living culture. We will visit Chinchero, a place where many communities are still organized under the Inca system of ayllus and proudly wear their typical costumes.
We will take the opportunity to visit the Parwa cultural center. Here we will learn about the textile processes, the products from which the vibrant natural dyes are obtained, and the traditional weaving techniques used to manufacture them.
In addition, we will be able to see the work of the artisans live and, if we want to take a souvenir with us, purchase some of their pieces. In a short walk we will pass in front of the church of Nuestra Señora de Monserrat and reach the archaeological complex, which during the Tahuantinsuyo was an agricultural and livestock center, with terraces and aqueducts. We will also arrive at the archaeological site of Moray, which during the Tahuantinsuyo functioned as an agricultural research center, something like a laboratory.
Its enormous concentric terraces and the variety of microclimates they created allowed the growth of a wide variety of crops. In the valley we will also enjoy a typical lunch and visit Ollantaytambo, an ancient military, religious and agricultural center of the Incas. Strategically located on a mountain, it offers an unbeatable view of the town, the only one that maintains the original Inca urban design and which we can also visit to see its stone streets, its market and breathe the spirit of the Andes.
Day 5: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Tour with Voyager or Expedition Train round-trip (Full-day tour). One of the most important tourist landmarks in the world awaits us: Machu Picchu! Our adventure will begin aboard the train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, a picturesque town at the foot of the emblematic Inca citadel.
During the train ride we can enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings, with impressive views of majestic mountains, the Vilcanota river and small towns of the Peruvian Andes; a visual feast that fills us with anticipation for the visit to the wonder that is Machu Picchu.
After a short bus ride from Aguas Calientes we will find ourselves in front of one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World – an unforgettable sight! From there, we will explore the ancient ruins, learning all about the history and mysteries that this mystical and impressive place holds.
Surrounded by incomparable landscapes, there will be no shortage of spectacular photo opportunities! Once we have recharged ourselves with the magical energy of Machu Picchu, we will return to Aguas Calientes where we will have free time to have lunch and explore the streets a bit of this charming town.
Day 6: Machu Picchu - Cusco.
Visit to Machu Picchu (Optional second entry), We will have the morning free, and we will be able to visit Machu Picchu for the second time, this time to walk on our own, relax in the place or take impressive photos. Afterwards, we will descend again to the town of Aguas Calientes.
In the afternoon, we will board the train that will take us back to Cusco through the corresponding station. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel.
Day 7: Cusco.
Full day trekking the Rainbow Mountain: Vinicunca. Vinicunca o la Montaña de los Siete Colores, es uno de los atractivos más populares de Cusco. Vinicunca or the Rainbow Mountain is one of the most popular destinations in Cusco. We will leave the hotel early to head to Cusipata and from there we will travel to Phulawasipata, starting point of the uphill trail. The path will be the perfect excuse to enjoy the nature of the place: herds of llamas and alpacas, as well as the majestic Apu Ausangate, the highest snow-capped mountain in Cusco.
We will also be able to talk with the community members of the area and see the potato fields that they work every day. After approximately an hour and a half of walking, we will arrive at Vinicunca, at 5,020 m a.s.l. Arriving at the lookout, our reward is a stunning view of the colorful hillside.
The minerals that make up the mountain|s soil give its slopes and summit curious shades of red, purple, green, yellow, and pink, among other colors. Make sure to have your camera ready! From there we will head back to Phulawasipata. After traveling a total of 8 km on foot, we head towards Cusipata, where we will enjoy a refreshing traditional lunch.
Day 8: Cusco - International Departure
At the scheduled time, we will be transferred to the airport to board our flight.
Includes
- Tourist transportation.
- Official tourism guide.
- Admission Tickets.
Excludes
- Others, not listed in the program.
- Additional expenses.
- Snacks.