DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: LIMA | INC: -
Arrival in Lima, assistance and transportation to the hotel. In the afternoon, we will take a tour through the main streets, squares and avenues of the city. We will start at the Love Park in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Later, we will have a panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial center of the early inhabitants of Lima; and in San Isidro, the financial center of the city, we will see Huaca Huallamarca, an ancient pre-Inca shrine. We will then head for Plaza de Armas (Main Square), where we will find Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) and Palacio Municipal (City Hall). We will visit La Catedral (the Cathedral) and walk to Saint Francisco, a 17th-century convent, where we will be able to go deep into its famous catacombs.
We will return to Miraflores and have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, Lima will surprise us with one of the best museums in the country, the Larco Museum, a 18th-century mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid dating back to the 7th century. The highlights are its ceramics, golden artcrafts and textiles, as well as the largest collection of erotic pottery and mummies of the ancient Chavín, Chimú, Nazca and Inca civilizations. At the end of this visit, we will have the chance to have some snacks at the Café del Museo.
Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Lima.
Optional:
We suggest two options for dinner:
Demonstration dinner – Señorio de Sulco: The chef will show us how to prepare the most representative dishes of the Peruvian traditional cuisine.
Or
Tasting dinner – Malabar: We will have a sophisticated tasting dinner in 5 stages at one of the most famous restaurants in the Peruvian fusion style, which combines the most modern cooking techniques based on Amazon exotic ingredients.
DAY 2: LIMA | INC: BREAKFAST & LUNCH
In the morning, we will visit the Archeological Sanctuary of Pachacamac, located just at 30 Km south of Lima. Made of adobe and overlooking the ocean and the Lurin River Valley, this was the center of pilgrimage for many of the cultures that inhabited Peru in the past. It used to be a pilgrimage center for many inhabitants of ancient Peru. Upon the arrival of the Incas, the temple was adapted as an administrative center, respecting the local constructions. We will see the Temple of the Sun, the Acllahuasi, the Palace of Taurichumbi, the Pilgrims’ Plaza, among others. We will also visit the Site Museum to have a better understanding regarding the vestiges found in the area. In order to continue with a country day, we will have lunch at Los Ficus, an impressive estate house located in the Valley, where we will enjoy a Peruvian Paso Horse show. Return to the hotel.
The rest of the afternoon will be free for leisure. This can be a great opportunity to visit Barranco and its exclusive Peruvian art galleries and stores, and also to go shopping.
Return to the hotel and overnight in Lima.
Optional:
For dinner, we suggest:
Sushi Night – Hanzo: Considered by many as the best sushi in town, Hanzo offers an innovative and delicious variety of makis and sushi rolls. This is an excellent opportunity to discover how Peruvian and Japanese cuisines can be combined perfectly to create unique flavors.
Or
Artistic dinner – Scena: A warm, modern and intimate place where a sophisticated variety of dishes blends with scenic art. From Thursday to Saturday nights Scena offers dance, singing, juggling, magic and acrobatics shows.
DAY 3: LIMA / CUSCO | INC: BREAKFAST
Early in the morning, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cusco. On arrival, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the morning: free to get used to the altitude. In the afternoon, our exclusive city tour starts with a visit to the San Cristobal Square to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Then, we will visit the San Pedro Market to soak in its local flavors and to learn more about the local products grown in this market that has everything and supplies the whole city. After this, the Korikancha Temple will welcome us in all his magnificence; this temple, whose Quechua name means “Golden Enclosure” still bedazzles us with the thought that its walls were once totally covered with gold. Then it is the turn to visit the Santo Domingo Church. We will walk from San Blas, the artisans’ neighborhood, down the Hatun Rumiyoc street, stopping at the Inca Roca Palace, nowadays the Archbishop’s Palace. We will also have time to admire the Twelve Angle Stone, which is famous worldwide. We will continue our walk to the Main Square to visit the Cathedral housing valuable and beautiful Colonial masterpieces. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
Optional:
Remember that in order to get used to the altitude it is suggested to have light meals on the first day in Cusco. Thus, we strongly suggest going to Green’s, a restaurant that offers organic food based on natural and healthy alternatives.
DAY 4: CUSCO | INC: BREAKFAST
In the morning, we will distance ourselves from the crowds and visit Sacsayhuaman, a huge and impressive fortress of colossal constructions surrounded by beautiful landscapes blending together perfectly with its environment. Our adventure continues toward the Inca shrine of Qenqo, to see an astonishing sacrificial altar embedded inside a rock formation. Finally, we will arrive to the Puca Pucara watch tower and Tambomachay, a monument of impressive architectonic knowledge considered as one of the pillars of Andean cosmos vision. We will have the afternoon off to relax or to walk around the squares and streets of San Blas neighborhood, and visit the local artisans’ workshops and stores. This is also a good chance to go shopping for some handicrafts.
Transfer to hotel and overnight in Cusco.
Optional:
For dinner, we highly recommend going to Fallen Angel, a kitsch restaurant-bar that has become a “must” when visiting Cusco. Don’t miss on the chance to eat over bathtubs full of colorful fish.
DAY 5: SOUTHERN VALLEY: TIPON & HUARO | INC: BREAKFAST
In the morning, this exclusive adventure will take us to the picturesque and less explored Cusco Southern Valley. We will head for Quispicanchis, where we will visit the impressive archaeological complex of Tipon, once an important worship center to water which flows through canals, terraces and beautiful waterfalls and which was one of the sacred natural elements in the Andean cosmo vision. Later, we will visit the small yet attractive town of Huaro to see a fantastic 16th-century church and its breathtaking murals by great artist Tadeo Escalante. Before returning, we will stop for a short visit at the Sacred Stones Museum.
Return to Cusco. Rest of the day off for leisure. It is a good moment to visit the majestic churches and convents in the city downtown, such as Santa Catalina, La Merced, San Francisco, among others. and The churches in Cusco have impressive Colonial decorations, including paintings, sculptures, and retablos made of gold leaf.
Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
DAY 6: SACRED VALLEY – LOCAL COMMUNITY | INC: BREAKFAST & LUNCH
Get ready to experience something different today. We will visit an Andean community where we will be welcomed by the locals and their ancient traditions as traditional dances. We will get to see how they produce some ointment and their own textiles based on natural products. We will all be part of this experience by working the land, cropping, harvesting products and spinning wheels as we enjoy the affection and joy of our new friends. We will have lunch with them and share a magic moment. In the afternoon, we will go to the Pisaq market to do some souvenirs shopping or maybe enjoy the town and try a warm “empanada” recently made in a mud brick oven.
We will get to the hotel in the Valley and have the rest of the day off to enjoy and relax in its facilities.
Overnight at the Sacred Valley.
DAY 7: SACRED VALLEY | INC: BREAKFAST & LUNCH
We will visit the best treasures of the Sacred Valley starting the day in Chinchero with a walk around its beautiful town and archaeological complex. We will also have the opportunity to see a short exhibit of traditional textiles, a distinctive feature of this town well-known for the beauty and high quality of its textiles and ancestral dyeing techniques. Our trip continues toward Moray, a place with breathtaking views thanks to its colossal concentric terraces resembling a great amphitheater. The terraces recreated 20 different types of microclimates, and they were studied to ensure the agricultural production of the empire. After a picnic-style lunch we will continue our journey to Maras, the millenary and famous Colonial salt mines. The contrast of its white pools against the green valley is so impressive that it resembles an amazing postcard of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our last stop: Ollantaytambo, a picturesque town continuously inhabited since Inca times, where we will visit the temple with the same name, used as a fortress during the Inca resistance. Breathtaking views for amazing pictures. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in the Sacred Valley.
DAY 8: SACRED VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU | INC: BREAKFAST & LUNCH
A train journey to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World. As we arrive at the Aguas Calientes station, our staff will assist us on boarding the bus to go up the winding road to Machu Picchu, amid a spectacular view of the Urubamba River and its canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will astonish us with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. Energy emanates from everywhere. After a guided tour, we will have time to explore the citadel and enjoy its good energy. At the return to Aguas Calientes, we will have lunch at one of the best local restaurants. We will have time to relax and rest after the excursion. Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
DAY 9: MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO| INC: BREAKFAST & LUNCH & DINNER
In the morning, we will take the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo. On our way to Cusco city, we will stop at the workshop of renowned plastic artist Pablo Seminario, famous for creating his own style inspired by ancient pre-Hispanic civilizations which inhabited the different regions of Peru. The workshop has a well supplied store where you can buy a great variety of handicrafts and products based on this art. We have something special for lunch: the Huayoccari Estate House, one of the best places after an active excursion to the valley. The estate owners, the Lambarri Orihuela family who have lived in the valley for over 350 years will be our hosts.
Return to the hotel in Cusco. This will be our last night in Cusco, and the best way to end this journey is by having a spectacular dinner at MAP Café, located in the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. This restaurant offers an elegant variety of novo Andean dishes combined with its minimalist and avant-garde architecture. Overnight stay in Cusco.
DAY 10: CUSCO / LIMA | INC: BREAKFAST
At the arranged time, we will be transferred to the airport to take the flight back to Lima. Rest of the day: off for leisure. To end this adventure, we have two suggestions to spend your last night in Peru:
Optional:
To end this adventure in style, we have two suggestions to spend your last night in Peru:
Party night: According the day, you can spend the night having a drink or a “piqueo” at the most famous and modern bars in Lima or have a crazy fun at the biggest gay disco in town.
Romantic Dinner at La Rosa Nautica:
If you prefer to end this trip in a more intimate way with your partner, this is for you: a fancy and romantic dinner at La Rosa Nautica, a classic Victorian-stylish restaurant perfectly located on a pier overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
DAY 11: LIMA | INC: BREAKFAST
At the arranged time, transfer to the airport to take the International flight back home.
End of our services
NOTES:
- Subject to availability of room in hotels, and other services.
- The Visit to the Southern Valley runs from April to December. Please contact us to know about other possible options from January to March.
INCLUDED:
- Private-service activities with local representatives in each city.
- Accommodation, transfers, assistance, excursions, with necessary entrance tickets according to the detailed breakdown of services.
- Train to Machu Picchu on Vistadome service.
- Meals as mentioned on the program.
NOT INCLUDED:
- International and domestic air tickets.
- Food and services not mentioned on the program. Estimate between USD 30 and USD 40 per person as approximate consumption at each recommended restaurants (approximate price for a starter, main dish, dessert and drink).
- Airport taxes.
- Early check-in, late check-out, drinks during specified meals, extra services in hotels, personal expenses and any other service not mentioned in the breakdown of services.