The Mystical Inca Empire

ITINERARY

DAY 1: LIMA

A shuttle service awaits your arrival at the Lima airport to transfer you to your hotel. You are accompanied by a guide who informs you about the attractions the city has to offer and assists you on the way. Overnight in Lima at the selected hotel on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 2: LIMA - CUSCO: CITY TOUR AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cusco. A shuttle service takes you to the hotel for check-in. Then, start the city tour visiting the Coricancha, also known as 'The Temple of the Sun', built by the Inca Pachacutec, which, upon arrival of the Spaniards, became the basis for the construction of the Convent of Santo Domingo. Here the sun ('Inti') was worshipped during the Inca period and was once filled with gold pieces. Next, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the Plaza de Armas, whose construction began in the 16th century. Then, visit the Sacsayhuaman fortress, one of the most emblematic buildings of the Incas, erected in the 15th century. It is an immense fortress built with large stones, whose transfer and carving is still a mystery. Every June 24, during the winter solstice, the festival of Inti Raymi is recreated in which the sun is worshipped. Continue to Qenqo, an archaeological complex of mainly religious use, where it is believed that agricultural rituals were performed, located four kilometers from the city of Cusco. Finally visit Puca Pucara, seven kilometers from the city. Puca Pucara, which means 'red fortress', was an architectural complex of supposed military use with multiple environments, squares, baths, aqueducts, walls and towers. It is believed to have been used by the Inca's retinue while he rested in Tambomachay. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco at the selected hotel on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 3: CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY - CHINCHERO - OLLANTAYTAMBO

Breakfast at the hotel. During the morning, you will be picked up from the hotel to visit the city of Chinchero*, a traditional Cusco urban center located on an elevated point from where you have a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this place preserve the traditions and knowledge inherited from the Incas, exhibiting them in their clothing and customs. In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful church of the seventeenth century, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. After this visit, you are transferred to the Museo Vivo de Yucay. The museum is a center for the interpretation of Andean traditions, where demonstrations of textile, adobe, pottery and silver work are performed in the same way they used to be done in ancient times; an original recreation of Inca traditions. In addition, the museum's residents include llamas, sheep and alpacas, and they can be fed! Later, experience superior Andean gastronomy in Ollantaytambo, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley is transmitted. Then, visit the town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, uninterruptedly inhabited since the time of the Incas, and explore the iconic fortress, built into the side of the mountain. Finally, you are transferred to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. *The visits that take place on Sundays include the Chinchero market. Overnight in the Sacred Valley at the selected hotel on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch included.

DAY 4: SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Breakfast at the hotel. A shuttle will pick you up at the hotel in Urubamba and take you to the train station in Ollanta. Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with a train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes. In Aguas Calientes you will find a handicraft market, restaurants and lodging of different categories for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and climb early in the morning. After a short bus ride you arrive at Machu Picchu, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture that is believed to have served as a sanctuary and resting place for the Inca Pachacutec. Machu Picchu, which means 'Old Mountain', is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. At the citadel, you can optionally visit the IntiPunku (Sun Gate), Huayna Picchu (subject to availability) or the Inca Bridge. At the end of the tour, enjoy lunch at Café Inkaterra by bus to Aguas Calientes. Finally, you will return to Cusco in the afternoon. Overnight in Cusco at the selected hotel on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch included.

DAY 5: CUSCO - PUNO

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the bus station. Travel by bus to Puno, passing through the impressive landscape of the Andes. The trip has three stops; the first stop in Andahuaylillas, a town located 40 kilometers from Cusco, whose main attraction is the local church, also known as the "Sistine Chapel of America" due to the high quality art found in it. The church structure was built in the 16th century on sites possibly inhabited by the Wari civilization. Today, it houses a recently restored original pipe organ. Continue the journey to Racchi, home of the Temple of Wiracocha, a striking rectangular building measuring 30 meters wide by 20 meters high, similar to a wall with windows and doors. A stop for lunch is made in Sicuani. Then make a brief stop at La Raya, the highest point of the journey between Puno and Cusco, at 4,313 meters above sea level. From here, 60 kilometers from the city of Juliaca (very close to Puno), you reach the town of Pucará, where the Pucará Lithic Museum is located. This city was the first urban settlement on the lake and developed between 100 and 300 A.D. Finally, you make the last trip to the city of Puno until you reach the hotel, where a representative will assist you with the check-in. Overnight in Puno at the selected hotel on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch included.

DAY 6: PUNO - LAKE TITICACA: UROS & TAQUILE

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the port of Puno, where a boat takes you to the floating islands of the Uros. The Uros are an ancient society that populates a series of artificial islands built on the basis of totora reeds, which grow in the lake. The islands are built by weaving the reeds in places where they grow thicker, forming a natural layer. On the upper part, the inhabitants build their houses, also made of reeds, and cook in the open air to avoid possible fires. After an hour and a half of travel, you continue your journey to the island of Taquile. This island is Quechua-speaking, unlike the other islands in the lake where Aymara is spoken. The island was once part of the Inca Empire and vestiges of that culture can still be seen in its structures. Once there, you will receive a brief explanation of the island and witness a cultural activity. After lunch, you will return to Puno. Overnight in Puno at the selected hotel on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch included.

DAY 7: PUNO - JULIACA

Breakfast at the hotel. Then, you will be transferred to the Juliaca airport to the city of origin. A representative will assist you on the way. Breakfast included.

INCLUDES

• AIRPORT - HOTEL - AIRPORT TRANSFER
• 01 NIGHT ACCOMMODATION IN LIMA
• 02 NIGHT ACCOMMODATION IN CUSCO
• 01 NIGHT OF LODGING IN THE SACRED VALLEY
• 02 NIGHTS LODGING IN PUNO
• BREAKFASTS DAILY, 4 LUNCHES
• TRAIN TICKET TO MACHU PICCHU IN EXPEDITION SERVICE
• ALL VISITS INDICATED IN THE PROGRAM: TEMPLE OF CORICANCHA, CATHEDRAL,
• SACSAYHUAMAN, QENQO, PUKAPUKARA AND TAMBOMACHAY IN CUSCO; LIVING MUSEUM OF YUCAY
• CHINCHERO AND OLLANTAYTAMBO IN SACRED VALLEY; MACHU PICCHU DAY 4; ANDAHUAYLILLAS, RACCHI
• AND PUKARÁ MUSEUM EN ROUTE CUSCO - PUNO AND ISLANDS OF LOS UROS AND TAQUILE IN PUNO

NOT INCLUDED

• AIRLINE TICKET
• PERSONAL EXPENSES
• TIPS FOR GUIDE AND TRANSFER DRIVER
• NO SERVICE NOT SPECIFIED
• TRAVELER'S INSURANCE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: GENERAL CONDITIONS

• Acceptance of this itinerary implies full compliance with the circuit.
• The order of the itinerary may be changed without altering its content.
• Departures may be subject to variations and/or modifications depending on occupancy.
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date of the trip.
• There are no refunds or cancellations, change in name penalty USD $250 + VAT and this change can only be made prior to the issuance of the airline ticket. Once the ticket is issued it is non-refundable, non-cancellable, non-endorsable and non-exchangeable. Please consult directly with your Travel Consultant prior to the settlement of your package.
• Globetrotter Excursions is not responsible if the passenger is unable to travel on the stipulated dates.
• Optional excursions are paid directly upon arrival at the destination. *Prices subject to change without prior notice. Once the total amount of the program has been paid, the following conditions apply:
  • Cancellation 30 days prior to departure: 25% of the land portion cost
  • Cancellation 21 days prior to departure: 50% of the land portion cost
  • Cancellation 10 days prior to departure: 75% of the cost of the land portion of the trip.
  • Cancellation less than 10 days prior to departure: Land portion is non-refundable.

Terms and conditions.