7 Days Shades of Peru from Lima

ort at the scheduled time to transfer you to your hotel in Lima. Have the rest of the day at leisure to get to know the city. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history and the home of approximately 10 million inhabitants. The city is currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Overnight in Lima

At approximately 9 am, your local guide will be waiting in the lobby of the hotel to pick you up to explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with fascinating historic buildings. The route begins at the traditional Pueblo Libre district, where you visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the seventh century. The museum boasts a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Then visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jeronimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time, still belonging to the same family. Continue with a scenic tour through the colonial downtown. See the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Admire Lima’s Cathedral, built during the 16th century. At around 1 pm finish the trip returning to your hotel. Rest of day at leisure. You can enjoy an optional 3-hour tour on shared basis: Magic Circuit & Dinner Show. A modern system of fountains certified as the largest in the world by the Guinness World Records. Built in Exhibition Park, the Magical Water Circuit attracts crowds during summer and winter, being one of the new favourite attractions of Lima. After your visit, head towards a restaurant to enjoy a fantastic dinner show. Return to the hotel at 10.30 pm Overnight in Lima

Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30 am. Noon arrivals are too late. One of our representatives will receive and welcome you and then you will be transferred to the selected hotel. After a short break at the hotel, you will be picked up by your local guide to start the tour at 1 pm. Enjoy a guided 4-hour tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puca Pucara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, at approximately 5.30 pm, return to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco

sfer 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. Upon arrival, you will be guided to the bus that takes you to Machu Picchu. From here, you will take a 25-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu, the 'lost city of the Incas'. It is believed that the archaeological site was built around 1450 by the Inca Pachacútec as his holiday residence. However, a century later, the city was abandoned after the Spanish conquest, saving itself from the destruction that reached other Inca settlements. Instead, the jungle grew slowly among its stone constructions and hid it, protecting it. During the guided tour, you will learn about the origins of this impressive citadel and visit its most outstanding monuments such as the main square, the royal rooms, the temple of the three windows, the circular towers, the sacred clock and the cemeteries. After the 2.5 hrs guided tour, you will have the opportunity to have free time in the citadel. At the time indicated by the guide, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes to enjoy a delicious lunch. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Spend your time however suits you best, be that making the most of the available facilities at the hotel, or leisurely exploring this wonderful location. Alternately, you can also return to Machu Picchu and visit the attractions that the citadel houses. We recommend waking up early to go watch the sun rise over the mountain. It is an unforgettable experience! You will find the best views at the Huayna Picchu and at the Inti Punku, both more than 300 metres above the citadel itself. Another option is to visit the Inca bridge, a secret military road that used to control access to Machu Picchu (second entrance to Machu Picchu and bus and Entrance to Huayna Picchu and bus not included). In the afternoon; at the time indicated by the guide the day before, board the train back to the Ollanta station and, from there, a vehicle will take you to your hotel in Cusco. Depending on the time of arrival in Cusco, you can join in the Plaza de Regocijo, where our guide will take you to begin the visit of the 3-hour Planetarium (tour and transfers not included) This is a centre of cultural interpretation on Inca astronomy, astronomical observatory and a beautiful place surrounded by nature, all in one experience. Upon arrival in Plaza de Regocijo, you will have a talk about Inca astronomy and then a virtual projection of the southern sky in the Dome, where you will see the constellations. Finally, you will participate in an observation activity with a telescope. Return on your own to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.

transferred to Cusipata, where the hike begins. The trek is surrounded by beautiful sceneries of the Andes and guarded by the majestic Ausangate Mountain, one of the most important mountains of Cusco, considered a sacred entity since the times of the Incas. Once you reach the viewpoint of the 7-Colour Mountain, appreciate the surroundings from up high. After a few minutes, start descending to Cusipata, where your transfer is waiting for you to return to Cusco. On the way you will stop to savor a lunch box. Arrival at the hotel in Cusco at approximately 4 pm. Rest of afternoon at leisure. Distance: 4 Km. Ascent: 406 meters. Descent: 406 meters. Duration: 3 hours. Overnight in Cusco

A representative will assist you along the way.