Peru tours

Tailor-made tours

Conquistador tour

9 days/8 nights

Lima - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca

Visit Lima, then up to the Andes to Cusco the ancient capital of the Incas, and spend a day in the Sacred Valley, then stay near the fabled Machu Picchu ruins. An additional highlight is a visit to Lake Titicaca.

Itinerary

Day 1: UK - Lima
Arrival into Lima, reception at the airport and transfer to your chosen hotel.

Day 2: Lima - Cusco
(Breakfast)
Transfer to the airport and depart by plane to Cusco. Arrivel in Cusco and transfer to lyour chosen hotel. Rest of the morning at leisure. A 2:30 pm visit to the nearby ruins including the Sacsahuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cusco, a pre-Inca architectural masterpiece; Quenquo, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is a monolithic altar representing a puma; the red fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins. Continue the tour to the city of Cusco: the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Church or Temple of the Sun (Koricancha). (Excursion for approx 4 hours). Late afternoon return to your hotel.

Day 3: Cusco – Urubamba Valley – Cusco
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Full day excursion to Pisac, a typical Andean village where a market takes place. Local people from the surrounding areas bring their products and handicrafts. On Sundays, Mayors from all the neighbouring villages dressed in their traditional costumes, attend the Catholic Mass said in their native language (quechua). Buffet lunch at a country restaurant in the valley. After lunch visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which is still inhabited and explore the ruins which tower above it. Return to Cusco.

Day 4: Cusco - Machu-Picchu
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Early transfer to the train station and depart for a tour to Machu-Picchu. Arrive in Aguas Calientes and take a bus ride up to the ruins (approx. 3 ½ hrs in total). Guided visit of Machu Picchu which is totally built of stone blocks, fitted with masterful precision. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. Accommodation at your chosen hotel.

Day 5: Machu Picchu - Cusco
(Breakfast)
Morning at leisure- second bus and second entrance to the ruins not included. Afternoon return to Cusco and transfer to selected hotel.

Day 6: Cusco - Puno
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Transfer to the train station.
08:00 Depart from Cusco to Puno by the new Inka Train under Orient Express Management, which features a deluxe train decorated in the 1920's style. The train has a wagon with a bar and an observation deck from where one can enjoy the scenery, as well as a restaurant. All wagons have Pullman style seats, wide aisles, catering service as well as oxygen available. The wagons are connected to each other by gangway bellows so passengers and crew can go from one another safely. The journey takes 10 hours. Upon arrival to Puno, transfer to selected hotel and accommodation.
Trains only on Monday, Wednesday & Saturday.

or

Departure by bus from Cusco to Puno (7 to 8 hours), with a stop made at La Raya Pass, at 4,321 meters to visit the steaming pools of hot water nearby and visit to the ruins of Raqchi. The remains of the central high wall of the Viracocha Temple, probably the largest roofed building built by the Incas, are impressive. On either side of the high wall, great sloping roofs were supported by rows of unusual round pillars, also of masonry topped by adobe. Nearby are the remains of large living quarters and many round store-houses. The whole complex is surrounded by a large stone wall several miles long (entrances are not included). Lunch en route. Arrival in Puno in the early afternoon and transfer to selected hotel.

Day 7: Puno
(Breakfast, Lunch)
In the morning departure from the hotel's pier. A short distance by boat from Puno on Lake Titicaca, are the floating islands made of reeds, inhabited by the Uros. They live in huts built on platforms of reeds, not more than 30-40cm / 1 foot thick. Short walk on the islands, then the boat trip continues as far as the island of Taquile. Members of their self supporting Aymara community receive visitors in their colourful national costume and show them around the island. Taquile is renowned for its fine, decorative weavings. In the afternoon return by boat to Puno and to selected hotel.

Day 8: Puno – Juliaca – Lima
(Breakfast)
Transfer to the airport and on the way, guided visit to the Chullpas of Sillustani, funerary towers that date from the 13^th century. The highest measures about 12 metres. Superb landscapes and the view of the neighbouring Umayo lake make this tour a very special experience. Departure by plane for Lima. Upon arrival after a two hour and a half hour flight (intermediate stop in Arequipa), reception at the airport and transfer to selected hotel.

Day 9: Lima - onward flight
(Breakfast)
Morning or afternoon guided visit to the Cathedral, Main Square, San Francisco Convent and its Catacombs and the residential areas of San Isidro, Miraflores, the new commercial area South of Lima, the ocean front to enjoy a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Transfer to the airport in time for your international departure flight.

Prices

Please enquire for prices.

Domestic airfares: Lima, Cusco, Juliaca, Lima £240 approximately

Notes

Hotels

3 hotels
Lima: Casa Andina
Cusco: San Agustin
Aguas Calientes: Machu-Picchu Inn
Puno: Eco Inn

4 hotels
Lima: Sonesta Olivar
Cusco: Novotel
Aguas Calientes: Pueblo Hotel
Puno: Sonesta Posada

5^B hotels
Lima: Libertador
Cusco: Libertador
Aguas Calientes: Pueblo Hotel
Puno: Libertador

5^A hotels
Lima: Marriott
Cusco: Monasterio
Machu Picchu: Sanctuary
Puno: Libertador

Please note: The above are examples of the hotel accommodation normally included, although individual hotels may vary from those shown, depending on availability.

Prices include:

• Accommodation in double room with private bath in the mentioned hotels and breakfast daily – prices based on Standard Rooms. For upgrades to Deluxe or Suites, please enquire.
• Lunch during the full day excursion to the Urubamba Valley, to Machu-Picchu and to Taquile Island.
• Transfers in Lima in private car with English speaking driver and in Cusco with private English speaking driver, tours and excursions as per itinerary in shared services with English speaking guides
• Entrances, fees and baggage porterage.
• 1 roundtrip Vistadome train ticket to Machu Picchu, 1 roundtrip minibus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• 1 train ticket (or 1 bus ticket) Cusco – Puno including lunch

Prices do not include:

Air fares, airport taxes at US$6.05 for each domestic flights and US$30.25 for the international departure, optional tours, travel insurance, gratuities, personal expenses and extras, meals not shown and beverages.

Note: Rates are based on shared services. For private services, and/or more than two passengers, please enquire.