Peru Classic - Itinerary
Day 1: London/Lima
Depart Heathrow for Lima by British Airways or LAN via Miami or Iberia via Madrid. Arrival in Lima. Transfer to 5 star Melia Lima Hotel for overnight.
Day 2: Lima
Half day city tour including San Martin Square, Main Square, the Government Palace, La Catedral (the Main Church), the Archbishop Palace, the City Hall and old streets with colonial mansions and moorish balconies. Then the tour will continue through the most traditional residential areas of Lima, San Isidro Olivar, with olives brought from Spain in the XVI century. In the end the tour finishes with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. (B)
Day 3: Lima/Cuzco
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cuzco. Arrival in Cuzco and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the morning at leisure for acclimatisation.
You will start the city tour in the afternoon. The tour will show you the amazing colonial city built on the foundations of the Inca palaces. You will visit the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun where you can appreciate the incredible masonry of the incas, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodworks, altars and paintings. Afterwards you drive to the Inca fortress of Sacsahuamán, to the underground cave and temple of Kenko and to Tambomachay, known as the "Baths of the Inca". Overnight at 4 star Jose Antonio Cuzco Hotel. (B)
Day 4: Cuzco/Sacred Valley
In the morning you will be transferred to Ollantaytambo, an Inca vestige that was a military, religious and agricultural center. Here, the fortress located in the highest part of the mountain, protected the valley from the invaders. The view of the town from the top is overwhelming, narrow streets and water channels are still used by the locals. After driving through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you will arrive in Pisac, a beautiful town famous for its typical handicraft market. The town has two different sides, the old town (with wonderful Inca architecture), and the new town (Colonial architecture). Overnight at the Pakaritampu Hotel in the Sacred Valley. (B,L)
Day 5: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu
Take a train to the Aguas Calientes station in Machu Picchu where you will be transported by bus to the top of the mountain and citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture, surrounded by lush cloud forest. Lost in history, it was not discovered until 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. Overnight at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Machu Picchu/Cuzco
Morning free to enjoy a second visit of the ruins. In the afternoon, return by train to Cuzco. Overnight at 4 star Jose Antonio Cuzco Hotel. (B)
Day 7: Cuzco/Lima
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Arrival at Lima and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Day 8: Lima/London
Transfer to the airport for flights back to London by British Airways. (B)
Day 9: London
Arrive back in London.
Lake Titicaca Extension
Day 7: Cuzco/Puno
Transfer to the station to board your bus to Puno. Along this regular bus trip you will enjoy the incredible view of the herds of alpaca and llamas grazing on these highland pampas, interspersed with small villages, and the majestic backdrop of the Andes. On arrival in Puno, transfer to Posada Hotel. (B,L)
Day 8: Lake Titicaca
A full day visit to the highest lake in the world - Lake Titicaca. The enormous lake straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia and is also the largest lake in South America. The boat trip will take you to the Island of Taquile. To reach the hub of the island, one must make a strenuous climb of 600 stone steps but the effort is well rewarded by the views of the Lake and its surrounding mountains. On the return trip to Puno, you will make a stop on Uros Island, built on layers of the totora reeds, hence the name "floating island". Here the Uros indians live as they have done for generations, eeking out a living by fishing and selling handicrafts. (B,L)
Day 9: Puno/Lima
Transfer for flight back to Lima. (B)
Key:
- B = Breakfast included
- L = Lunch included
- D = Dinner included