Lima, Cusco and Puno – Lima Tour

Upon arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to the selected hotel and overnight.

After an early breakfast and at a scheduled time, a tour to the city of Lima, capital of Peru. It begins with the historic downtown, to visit important buildings like the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Municipal Palace. It also includes a visit to the Church of San Francisco and Monastery, the largest monumental complex of Colonial Art in the Americas. You will also see the stone facades and wooden balconies of the Colonial houses. Passing by Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca building, which was most likely used as an important ceremonial and administrative center belonging to the Lima Culture. The tour ends with a visit to the modern suburbs of San Isidro, and Miraflores. San Isidro has modern apartment buildings and beautiful parks such as “El Olivar” with olives’s trees brought from Spain in the 15th Century. Miraflores with its Central Park and Larcomar Shopping Center that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Return to the hotel

After an early breakfast, there is a scheduled transfer from the hotel to the airport to take the flight to Cusco. Upon arrivial, reception and transfer to the selected hotel. At the scheduled time, there is a guided city tour to visit: the Cathedral, very important for its architecture and collection of canvases from the “Escuela Cusqueña” (Academy of Cusco); the Temple of the Sun or “Koricancha” used as a founfation of Santo Domingo Monastery and classical example of the fusion of Inca and Western cultures and the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay. Return to the hotel.

After an early breakfast, there is a scheduled tour of the Sacred Valley, formed by the Vilcanota or Urubamba river. It begins in Pisaq Market, where artisans sell a wide variety of handicrafts . After lunch, the tour continues to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, where the locals maintain the original construction of the Inca citadel. Transfer to the selected hotel in the Sacred Valley. Lunch is included.

After an early breakfast, a full day excursion to visit Machu Picchu the most important archaeological site in Peru. The citadel is located 113 Km ( 70 miles) northwest of Cusco. The tour starts with an early transfer to the Ollanta station for the morning train ride to Aguas Calientes for about three-and-a-half hours. Then, continues with a 20 minute bus ride up to the archaeological site for a guided tour. Rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu is considered an absolute masterpiece of architecture and a unique testimony of the Inca civilization. Lunch is provided. At the scheduled time, return to Cusco and transfer to the hotel

At the scheduled time, it starts the trip to Puno by regular bus. On the way, there are several stops to visit the Andahuaylillas’ Chapel and different archaeological sites like: the Racchi’s temple, La Raya and Pukara. A buffet lunch is provided in the village of Sicuani. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the selected hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, there is a tour of the National Reserve of Titicaca for a visit to the Uros “floating islands”. These are a group of more than 40 islands made of piles of “Totora” reeds. Although the Uros people on the island have intermarried with the Aymara and no pure Uros exists, they continue living as their ancestors practising some of the Uro traditions. The islanders fish, hunt birds and graze cattle on the islets. After approximately three hours, the tour arrives at Taquile island. The population was relatively isolated from the mainland until the 1950s. The notion of community is still strong among the people. This is also reflected in the strong organization of community life and collective decision-making. Taquile Island is famous for its craft production, particularly weaving that dates back to the ancient Inca, Pukara and Colla civilizations. Return to Puno and the hotel. Lunch is included.

after breakfast there is a scheduled transfer from the hotel to the airport in Juliaca to take a flight to Lima. Upon arriving at Lima, there is a reception and transfer to the hotel.