Luxurious Peru Express
Lima-Cusco (8 days / 7 nights)
Day 1: Lima
Reception at Lima’s International Airport by our representative and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Lima – City
In the morning, guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima. The tour starts with a panoramic visit to the Huaca Pucllana, archaeological precinct built in the 4th century A.D. It was a ceremonial and administrative centre which was considered by the Incas as a sacred site. The tour continues passing through the Historical Centre, with its colonial mansions and its Moorish style balconies, San Martin Square and the Main Square with their different buildings: Government Palace, Archbishop’s Palace, Cathedral Basilica and the Town hall.
Then we visit San Francisco Convent, which displays the largest collection of religious colonial art in America, and where we can appreciate the great Patio decorated with Seville tiles from the XVI century, Moorish arches and underground catacombs.
We continue with a visit to the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History (*) the oldest State Museum in the country which houses a vast and varied cultural heritage, ceramics, textiles of various pre-Columbian cultures make us revive and challenge the experiences of the ancestors of the Peruvian culture.
The tour finishes in Larcomar, an entertainment center and a privileged spot to have a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Afternoon at leisure.
At night, you will have a car at your disposal to take you to dinner at one of the restaurants in Lima, also known as the gastronomic capital of South America, thanks to its culinary excellence, inherited from the pre-Hispanic and Colonial, as well as the contribution of the best cuisines of the East and the West. We can suggest some options or you can choose any restaurant of your preference.
(*) Except Monday visiting the Larco Archaeological Museum
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Incas
Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, located at a lower altitude than Cusco (2,800 m / 9186 ft above sea level) making it easier acclimatization to the altitude. Here we can appreciate the production of the best Peruvian corn, because of the richness of the land. We visit the town of Pisac, where we can enjoy the large variety of handicrafts (textiles and pottery) at the Indian Market held at the Main Square.
We lunch at the hacienda Huayoccari, owned by the Lambarry-Orihuela family. It is located at the top of a hill from where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the valley and the famous giant corn fields. It also has a remarkable collection of Inca’s time and Colony art which can be seen in its rooms.
The tour continues through the towns of Ccoya, Lamay, Calca and Urubamba. We visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, a large agricultural, administrative, social, religious and military complex in the times of Tahuantinsuyo.
We then pass by Pablo Seminario’s pottery workshop, craftsman who has dedicated to discover techniques and designs of the ancient Peruvian cultures, seeking to introduce a new expression of art, providing continuity to this cultural heritage. He and his wife carve the reddish clay of the valley. His home-workshop has become a learning center for the many workers, mostly local people that form his workshop. Finally, transfer to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 4: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu
Early in the morning, transfer to the train station forthe trip on the luxurious Hiram Bingham train (*) to Machu Picchu Pueblo. The train journey passes by the Andes, parallel to the Urubamba River with the magnificent view of the High Jungle, while we enjoy our brunch. From there we will ascend to the archaeological complex of the ‘Lost City of the Incas’, Machu Picchu, located on a high mountain covered by exuberant Amazon vegetation, with its rich fauna and flora. In the Historic Machu Picchu Sanctuary we can appreciate the mix of the impressive precision of its stone structures, which reveal the deep knowledge and the technological advance of the Inca Culture, with the mystical aspect of one of the most important archaeological sites of the world.
(*) Operates daily except Sunday
Meals: Breakfast, brunch and dinner
Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Today we can visit again Machu Picchu Citadel, or for the most adventurous climb the Huayna Picchu (previous reservation), or just relax. At the end of the afternoon we return to Cusco, enjoying an exquisite dinner aboard the train (*). Upon arrival transfer the hotel.
(*) Operates daily except Sunday
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, teatime and dinner
Day 6: Cusco
In the morning, we have a guided tour of the city. The tour includes the Cathedral with its valuable paintings of the Colonial Cusco School, the Main Square, the famous Temple of the Sun or Koricancha, an ancient Inca temple over which the Santo Domingo Convent was built, and the ruins of the impressive fortresses and monuments of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
In the journey we visit the living museum of Awana Kancha, a private initiative project that involves 14 Andean communities in the rescue and distribution of textile art showing the process from spinning and dyeing to weaving of fine garments.
In the afternoon, you can visit any of Cusco museums, such as the MAP (Pre-Columbian Art Museum), Popular Art Museum, Religious Art Museum, Archaeological Museum or visit the artisans’ neighborhood of San Blas, walk the streets of Cusco or visit some handicraft centers.
At night, we suggest you take the opportunity to walk around the city. The night life in Cusco, offers a wide variety of excellent restaurants and cocktail lounges, which can satisfy the most demanding guests.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Cusco – Lima
At agreed time, transfer to airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, you will have a driver and a vehicle at your disposal to visit a museum, such as Larco (pre-Columbian archaeology), Pedro de Osma (Colonial art), Lima Art Museum (MALI), among others; visit Pachacamac (archaeological site outside Lima), go shopping (we suggest a fine alpaca shop) or wherever you prefer.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Lima –International departure
At agreed time, transfer to airport for your international flight.
Meals: Breakfast
