Ancient Peru
Inca ruins. Machu Picchu and the great lakes
Inca ruins. Machu Picchu and the great lakes
Why do a tour of Peru and Machu Picchu you may ask? Because it is such a
culturally diverse country, a must-do experience. It combines the
cultural highlights of the Sacred Valley with a stunning combination of
ancient architecture, a cloud
forest, plant life and Machu
Picchu.
As a country, Peru offers visitors 3 distinct
geographical zones, from the dry arid coastline which is home to the
incredible Ballestas Islands and just inland, the Nazca Lines, to the
high Andes range and also to the Amazon. There is so
much to see in this diverse region, that one is spoilt
for choice. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu
Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a
fortress against the jungle inhabitants
or a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city has
houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by
narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the
mountain side which were used for agriculture.
Day-1. Lima
Day-2: Lima - Cuzco (B)
Day-3. Cuzco and surrounds
Day-4. Sacred Valley - Ollantaytambo (BL)
Day-5. Cuzco - Machu Picchu (B)
Day-6. Machu Picchu - Cuzco (B)
Day-7. Cuzco - Lima (B)
Day-8: Huaraz (B)
Day-9: Llanganuco (B)
Day-10: Chavin (B)
Day-11: Trujillo - Chan Chan (B)
Day-12: Trujillo (B)
Day-13: Lord of Sipan and Brunning Museum (B)
Day-14: Lima (B)
Day-15: Lima (B)
ANCIENT PERU ITINERARY
Day-1. Lima
Arrival in Lima, and transfer to hotel.
Day-2: Lima - Cuzco (B)
Flight and arrival in Cuzco, reception and transfer to Hotel. Cusco is the starting point for most journeys to Machu Picchu and sits at 3400 metres above sea level, so many travelers experience altitude sickness here. For this reason it's worth spending a few days in town and taking your time acclimatising. Remainder of the day at leisure
Day-3. Cuzco
Afternoon visit to the main ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, followed by a city tour of Cuzco.
Day-4: Sacred Valley - Ollyantaytambo (BL)
Full-day excursion to
the Sacred Valley of the Inca and then a visit to Pisac markets and Ollantaytambo. Also known as Ollanta, the town offer a traditional Inca experience with its cobbled streets, small traditional stone houses and canals. The attraction is the nearby ruins on the outskirts of town. It was the a former Inca administrative center and served as the last stronghold for Inca Manco Yupanqui, leader of the Inca at the time. The steep terraces served as a fortress during the Spanish conquest, and are one of the few locations in Peru where the Spanish conquistadors lost their battle.
Day-5. Cuzco - Machu Picchu (B)
Transfer to the railway station for the train to Aguas Calientes. Guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, there are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. Accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
Day-6. Machu Picchu - Cuzco (B)
Opportunity to enjoy a wonderful sunrise over Machu Picchu and some personal time for private reflection before returning to Cuzco
Day-7. Cuzco - Lima (B)
Return flight to Lima . Free at leisure at leisure.
Day-8: Huaraz (B)
Private transfer to Huaraz, driving along the pan Americano highway for four hours before lunch at a delightful seaside restaurant. After lunch, continue the trip amongst some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world before arriving to Huaraz. Overnight accommodation.
Day-9: Llanganuco (B)
Day trip to the beautiful, glacial Llanganuco Lake situated at 3850m. There are splendid views of the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in the world. Return to Huaraz.
Day-10: Chavin (B)
Trip to Chavin de Huantar, site of the oldest pan-andean civilisation dating back to 2000BC. The site has many galleries and subterranean tunnels and houses many carved stone figures of anthropomorphic semblances reminiscent of the Maya culture. It is the oldest known pre-Columbian culture discovered and is known as Chavin-Kotosh. Return to Huaraz before travelling overnight to Trujillo.
Day-11: Trujillo - Chan Chan (B)
Arrival early morning and transfer to your hotel. Morning at leisure. Afternoon guided visit of the remarkable ancient city of Chan Chan , the largest pre-Columbian city in South America . It was constructed entirely of mud and adobe brick. We also make a visit to the beach resort at Huanchaco.
Day-12: Trujillo (B)
After breakfast, a visit to Casinelli Museum to view its collection of Chavin, Mochica and Chimu artifacts before we continue onto La Huaca Esmerelda , Huaca Arco and the Sun and Moon temples. Private transfer to Chiclayo and your hotel.
Day-13: Lord of Sipan and Brunning Museum (B)
Visit to the tomb of the Lord of Sipan, the most important archaeological find in Peru in the twentieth century. The tombs were intact with many artifacts of silver, gold and copper dating back to 350AD. A visit to the museum before a final visit to Brunning Museum , one of the finest in the whole of South America. Overnight accommodation.
Day-14: Lima (B)
Return flight to Lima and transfer to your hotel. Last night accommodation in Peru .
Day-15: Lima (B)
Free at leisure in Lima before your transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
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