ITINERARY

This 2 country itinerary covers a truly amazing journey experience of the ancient Inca Heritage and native Quechua & Aymara cultures which nowadays are mixed with strong Spanish influences. From the modern capital of Lima to the ancient ruins of Cusco to one on the New wonders of the world Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the world to LA PAZ the highest capital city with its new Cable car system which is still expanding to the MAJESTIC salt flats in Uyuni this tours have something for everyone.

Day 1: LONDON – LIMA

Depart from London Heathrow to LIMA.

Day 2: ARRIVE LIMA

Upon our arrival in Lima, a transportation service will transfer us from the airport to our hotel.
Lunch at the hotel.
In the afternoon, we visit Lima's Downtown, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO where we will know the Cathedral of Lima, located in the Main Square, the most important church in Peru built between 1542 and 1622, and one of the several beautiful colonial buildings, which constitutes an important part of the identity of the city. Continue our tour by visiting the Museum of the Church of San Francisco, built in the late seventeenth century and very famous for its Catacombs. Then we will be transferred to the districts of San Isidro and Miraflores for a panoramic view, and make a brief stop at the Love Park before moving on to our hotel.
In the evening, transportation service will pick us up from our hotel to the restaurant and will bring us back at the established time. Enjoy a most relaxing sea view and discover the culinary creativity which offers a varied Peruvian and international buffet that will satisfy the most demanding palate.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 3: LIMA - AREQUIPA (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we will be transferred to Lima airport. Upon our arrival to Arequipa, transfer to one of the best restaurants in Arequipa, backed by more than 100 years of culinary tradition. Excellent food in a colonial atmosphere and exclusive service to delight with typical Arequipa specialties as well as a variety of Creole and international dishes. After lunch, we will start our tour to the Main Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Peru because it is built of sillar (a white volcanic rock) and has carved arches. It is next to the impressive Arequipa Cathedral, built in the 17th century and fully rebuilt after several earthquakes. We will then visit the Church of the Society of Jesus (1590), considered a classic example of the local baroque architecture, which houses an exceptional collection of paintings and murals. We will then visit the Carmen Alto Scenic Viewpoint, located in front of the Chili River, from where we will have a scenic view of the city before passing by the Yanahuara Scenic Viewpoint. We will continue the tour at the Monastery of Santa Catalina, built in 1579, which is an authentic medieval cloister and a small religious citadel used to date. Our next point will be the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries where we will visit the Juanita Mummy, a 14-year-old daughter of an Inca dignitary mummified by cold. She was found at the snow-capped Ampato Mount in 1995 and was exhibited at the National Geographic Society in Washington. After the tour we will be transferred to the hotel. In the evening, transportation will pick us up to take us to the restaurant to enjoy a delicious dinner. The White City offers interesting options to enjoy its flavours. At the restaurant, you can try 'alpandinos' dishes. Located in a cosy house in Arequipa, in front of the beautiful square of San Francisco, this restaurant offers diners an attractive fusion, product of the creativity and the experience of its creator.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 4: AREQUIPA - CUSCO (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the Arequipa airport.
Afternoon after lunch we will start our tour of the City. The main square, where according to the legend, Manco Capac's gold stick dug into the earth by itself, showing him where to set up the city. Following the visit, the street of Hatun Rumilloc where the famous stone of 12 angles perfectly embedded in the wall. The street changes its name to the street San Blas. This is a craft area, one of the most picturesque parts of the city. Visit of the Koricancha, a famous temple dedicated to the Sun God. Visit of the Cathedral, built on the XVI century over the Inca palace of Wiracocha. Departure to visit the surrounding ruins of Cusco: Kenko, a religious centre of complex form, with a semi-circular amphitheatre, which has about twenty stone seats and an idol at the centre; Puca Pucara: an Inca military construction, that consists of terraces and stairs; Tambomachay, also called ·The Inca's Bath, owing to the canalization of water, and Sacsayhuaman: a cyclopean fortress built in order to defend Cusco against the enemies.
Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 5: CUSCO – CHINCHERO – MARAS – MORAY – OLLANTAYTAMBO - SACRED VALLEY (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel and we will start our tour in the village of Chinchero, which was one of the most important populations during the Inca Empire. However, as much of its annexes, it was also a victim of the "extirpation of idolatries" action that replaced the traditional deities by Catholic ones, in order to transform popular beliefs. Then visit the archaeological remains of Maras and Moray. Maras is a surreal sight. It is close to Moray and is an impressive complex of salt mining. They are large deposits of salt used for exchange for other products with other regions of the empire. On the other hand, the archaeological site of Moray consists of mysterious concentric circular terraces that for some investigators would be an agricultural research centre.
Enjoy lunch at local restaurant and then visit Ollantaytambo, a typical example of urban planning of the Incas still inhabited like in the past. We will find here a great archaeological complex called "fortress" although it was a "tambo", a resting and lodging place for long distance travellers. After the visit, we will be transferred to our hotel in Sacred Valley Cusco. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

DAY 6: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel. A transportation service will pick us up from our hotel in Urubamba and will drive us to the Ollantaytambo train station. Our tour to Machu Picchu begins with a train ride to Aguas Calientes in approximately two hours. This town is also known as "Machu Picchu Pueblo" and is the last stop before the entrance to the remains of the most important archaeological site in Peru. In Aguas Calientes you will find the railway station, a crafts market, restaurants and accommodation of different categories for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and climb it early. Finally, after a short transfer, we reach Machu Picchu, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture that is believed served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec (1438 - 1572). Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain", is considered a World Heritage by UNESCO and one of the new seven wonders of the world. Once in the citadel we may optionally also visit the Intipunku (Sun Gate), the Wayna Picchu (subject to space availability) and the Inca Bridge. Enjoy a delicious lunch and then we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo train station. Upon arrival to the station, transfer back to Cusco.
Dinner at and overnight at Hotel.

DAY 7: CUSCO - PUNO (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel. We transfer to the Train Station that will take about twenty minutes. Then we will board the impressive Titicaca Train to go to Puno in a journey of 10 hours around. Once we reach Puno, transfer to our hotel.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

DAY 8: PUNO - UROS -TAQUILE - PUNO (B/L/D)

Early morning, after the breakfast, we will be transported to the lake pier. Then, a vessel will take us to the floating islands of the Uros which is an ancestral society that inhabits a series of artificial islands built with totora, a reed that grows in the lake. The islands are built by weaving this reed in the places where they grow the thickest and form a natural layer. They build their totora houses over it and cook in the open air to prevent possible fires. After one and a half-hour tour, we will continue to the Taquile Island. Unlike other islands, inhabited by Aymara-speaking people in the lake, its residents speak Quechua. It was part of the Inca Empire, and it is possible to note vestiges of said culture in their buildings. Upon our arrival, we will receive a brief explanation on the island and will attend a cultural activity. We will return to Puno after lunch in a local house.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

DAY 9: PUNO – COPACBANA - SUN ISLAND (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we start our overland journey from Puno (Peru) via Kasini border crossing point to Copacabana (Bolivia), located at the shores of Lake Titicaca. Once in Copacabana, the most important religious sanctuary of Bolivia. Visit the Main Square and church where you can find the famous virgin of Copacabana.
Our trip will take us to Sun Island, known as Lake Titicaca’s, most important ceremonial center.
On arrival visit of Pilkokaina, ancient Inca palace, then enjoy a short trek to our accommodation while enjoying the amazing view of the lake.
Lunch upon arrival; the afternoon is at leisure to explore the bucolic surroundings. Dinner and overnight at the cosy Eco Lodge.

DAY 10: SUN ISLAND - LA PAZ (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure.
Around noon, we visit the Inca “Grand Stairs” and the Sacred Fountain; taste the water believed to give eternal youth and happiness.
Lunch will be served at the Uma Kollu archaeological Restaurant Hydrofoil cruise to Moon Island, visit the Sun Virgins Temple “Iñak Uyu”. Hydrofoil cruise to to Huatajata. On arrival, visit the Andean Roots Eco Village: The Altiplano Museum; Handicrafts village, the Mud Igloos and the mortuary towers of the Urus Chipayas. Meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris for epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. See the elegant vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, and the mythical Suri. Enjoy the overland journey to our hotel in La Paz, by a road running parallel to the mighty snowed peaks of the Andes. Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 11: LA PAZ CITY (B/-/-)

Half day City Tour of La Paz and Moon Valley - AM The City of La Paz and its surroundings can transport you to a mysterious past where any corner, any street, is a hidden treasure where adventure begins; a living history which treasures the pre-Hispanic times with all their traditions and magic rites on its streets. The indigenous, colonial, and modern areas, Indian Market, Witch Doctor's Market & breath-taking panoramas are all framed by the majestic "Illimani" mountain. Visit the Moon Valley, a clay formation resembling the face of the Moon. Cable car ride from one point of the city to another and enjoy the view.
Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 12: LA PAZ - UYUNI SALT LAKE (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Then we will transfer from hotel to the airport. La Paz Airport is located at 25 minutes from the hotel.
Arrival to Uyuni and immediately start an excursion to the Salt Lake and Isla Pescado. Uyuni is the largest salt flat on Earth, located on the Bolivian Andean Altiplano with over 10.000 square Km; the Bolivian Andes offer stunning sceneries which can be hardly matched. The sound of silence makes the heart beats faster and the surreal pentagons of crystalline salt, the pure sky and the cacti, certainly makes you feel that there is no other place like this in the whole world. Lunch at Isla Pescado, also called “Incawasi”, an oasis with formations of algae and fossils. It is covered by thousands of giant columnar cacti, which can be more than a hundred years old, growing to a height of over 12 metres. The landscape against the background of the salt pans extending to the horizon makes it an ideal place for photography hunters. Return to our hotel.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel located at the shores of the Uyuni Salt Lake.

DAY 13: UYUNI - LA PAZ (B/-/D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight back to La Paz; upon arrival, transfer to our hotel.
Transfer from airport to hotel in La Paz. La Paz Airport is located at 25 minutes from the hotel. Free time at leisure.
Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant and Folklore show.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 14: LA PAZ (B/-/-)

After breakfast, transfer from hotel La Paz Airport to take the flight back to London.

SERVICES INCLUDED:

§International and domestic flights
§Transportation as mentioned in the itinerary.
§ Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary.
§ Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B-Breakfast/L-Lunch/BX-Box Lunch/D-dinner).
§ Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
§ Escorting guide and Local English speaking guide
§ Entrances to the mentioned attraction spots in the itinerary.

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:

§ Personal expenses.
§ Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during meals.
§Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
§ Personal expenses (laundry, telephone calls, travel insurance, etc.)
§ Meals not mentioned in the program.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR LUGGAGE TRANSFER ABOARD THE TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU

§ Carry the same ID card submitted to the agency, as train tickets and entrance ticket to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information.
§ In all train services to Machu Picchu the passenger may only carry hand luggage (backpack, purse or briefcase), with a maximum weight of 5kg / 11lb. You will find your luggage at your chosen hotel.
§ Size allowance: 62 linear inches, 157cm (height + length + width)