This deluxe journey whilst offering conventional tours also includes visits to less known attractions in Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Discover Lima’s colonial heritage in the Museum of Colonial Art Pedro de Osma in Barranco, the bohemian heart of Lima. Enjoy a private workshop on ancient Andean weaving techniques and designs with a local expert in Chincheros when groups begin to leave the market. Relax and revitalize with an indulgent Andean spa treatment in an incredible environment in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The train ride aboard the luxury ‘Hiram Bingham’ assures a magical journey never to be forgotten. You will stay overnight at one–of–a–kind hotel just 20 minutes away by bus from Machu Picchu. Pamper yourself at the end of the day in stylish 5* hotels, most of them historic boutique hotels offering exceptional service and amenities. We are sure you will rate this journey to Peru as the 'holiday of a lifetime'.
Itinerary
DAY 1 … – LIMA
You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel. Enjoy a typical Peruvian ‘Pisco Sour’ and some appetizers in the quiet and intimate bar at the hotel. The typical English setting makes it the ideal place for relaxing after a long-haul flight.
DAY 2 LIMA (B,D)
Morning city tour of Lima. Your sightseeing tour explores the historic quarter and modern districts of the city: the main square with beautiful buildings, the government palace, the city hall, the archbishop’s palace and the cathedral are still the most important places in town. You continue on to the San Francisco Monastery and then to the most popular place, Plaza San Martin.
Afterwards we will be driven to Barranco, Lima’s traditional ‘belle epoch’ district. This is a pleasant suburb and bohemian heart of Lima that has kept its character much better than most of the city. Here we visit the Museum for Colonial Art de Osma located in a century-old mansion. The ‘casona’ in neoclassical style was formerly home of the de Osma Family and offers an insight of life in Peru during the Spanish Viceroyalty.
Paintings, sculptures, carvings and furniture of the 16th-19th centuries collected by Don Pedro de Osma in 30 years can be viewed in this charming mansion. Fine pieces of silverware are on display in the former dining room. The buildings are surrounded by gardens with marble sculptures, palms and geraniums.
Dinner at ‘Astrid y Gastón’. This restaurant has become the gem of the Peruvian culinary scene and has made it into the prestigious San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2011. Gaston Acurio and Astrid Gutsche, both Cordon Bleu chefs, style up classic Peruvian dishes to modern standards with international tastes. The wine list is one of the best in town and the menu of spectacular desserts, the work of Astrid, is nearly as long as the main course menu. The bar has an amazing assortment of Piscos and Pisco cocktails, making it a good idea to arrive in advance for an exciting aperitif.
DAY 3 LIMA – CUSCO (B)
An early morning flight brings us to the Inca capital of Cusco. Upon arrival, proceed to the hotel to have a welcome coca tea. This should help us to relieve altitude sickness. The remaining of the morning is free to relax and slowly acclimatize.
This afternoon we walk through the major sites of interest in Cusco. We visit the famed cathedral with its magnificently carved woodwork, ornate altar and many hundreds of canvases from the 17th-century ‘Cusco Painting School’. We continue exploring the cultural wealth of Cusco at the Temple of the Sun where we witness the incredible masonry of the Incas, an engineering feat that remains an enigma. Afterward we walk along Hatunrumiyoc Street which is named for the 12-angled stone clearly visible in the remaining walls of what was Inca Roca's palace. We make a last stop in San Blas artisan quarter. Its steeped cobblestone alleys not only offer spectacular views of the city but are lined with workshops and galleries, a great way to soak in Cusco’s artistic atmosphere. San Blas church houses an imposing pulpit considered one of New World’s finest woodcarvings. Our tour ends with a visit to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (MAP) hosted in a beautiful colonial casona, once residence of Count of Cabrera. This ‘casona’ holds the only museum in Peru dedicated to rebound the arts of ancient Peruvian cultures and showcases an astounding pre-Columbian collection dating from 1250 B.C to 1532 A.D. The art and artifacts were made by the Huari, Chimu, Nasca and the Inca cultures. Information labels for every artifact are available in English, Spanish and French allowing visitors to understand in which context of Ancient Peru were developed.
DAY 4 CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY (B,L)
This morning we join a local weaving family in their courtyard for an overview of the Andean weaving process. We watch as wool is carded, spun, and dyed and learn about the different techniques used to create belts, ponchos and shawls. Throughout the year you can see how members of the community work on their land with the help of a bull-pulled plows. Livestock species include cattle and sheep. Different sorts of potato and Andean tubers are grown here. Unlike Chinchero, Cuper is a pristine corner and our host Walter will give us some of the different sorts of potatoes to sample. These differ not only in appearance but also in textures and flavours. Then enjoy a picnic lunch with views of Lake Piuray surrounded by the imposing Andes.
After lunch we drive past ancient farming terraces that are still in use today to grow barley, wheat, and corn to reach the town of Ollantaytambo where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out.
Tonight you will enjoy a relaxing and soothing time in the Andean Spa at the hotel with a massage session.
DAY 5 SACRED VALLEY – CUSCO (B,L)
Our guide will take us to visit the age-old terraced salt mines in Maras. The dominant colour is an intense white that burns like snow on a sunny day and are an impressive sight for any visitor. Salt was extracted from these mines from Inca times and the same method has been used ever since - all work is done by hand. After stopping to explore, we continue to Moray, one of the many little and beautiful places to be found in the Cusco region. It is a complex of four circular terraces which, hidden among the hills, emerges suddenly into view when the visitor is almost on top of it. The impression created by these terraces like Greek amphitheatres against a backdrop of snow covered mountains is unforgettable. Even more surprising is the fact that Moray was a sort of open-air agricultural lab, used for adapting plants to new environmental conditions.
Enjoy lunch and an equestrian exhibition starring Peruvian Paso Horses. Be ready to try a Cusqueno-style barbecue including the Andean corn, Cusqueno bread and different sorts of potatoes grown in the Sacred Valley.
DAY 6 SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES (B,D)
Morning transfer to Ollanta train station (approx. 20 min drive from your hotel in the Sacred Valley). The 1 1/2 -hour train ride train takes you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to Machu Picchu. On arrival a small coach takes you up the steep roads to the entrance of the citadel. Machu Picchu remained for centuries undiscovered by the Spaniards, only to be found in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. The uniqueness of its location and the genius that went into its construction make this Inca archaeological site truly one of the great wonders of the world. Guided excursion on arrival. You spend the night in the tiny town of Aguas Calientes (just 20 min by bus from Machu Picchu). After check in you will be treated to a sophisticated à-la-carte dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
DAY 7 AGUAS CALIENTES – POROY – CUSCO (B,Teetime,D)
After breakfast we have the remainder of the morning free to roam around the majestic site of Machu Picchu, climb the Huayna Picchu or to explore the interesting town of Aguas Calientes.
In the afternoon gather in Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge for an afternoon tea with a buffet of tea sandwiches, cookies, and sweets. Afterwards transfer to Aguas Calientes station to travel back to Poroy via the elegant Hiram Bingham train. Pre-dinner cocktails will be served on board followed by a four-course meal. Greeting at Poroy station and private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 8 CUSCO – LIMA- ... (B,L)
Morning flight to Lima and lunch at Maido. Created with a contemporary design in the heart of Miraflores, Maido is considered one of the best restaurants of the Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine. Dishes such as Guratan Maki, Nikkei Ravioli and Tacuchaufa are prepared with the finest ingredients and presented carefully delighting the even the most discerning gourmands. In Japan there are many ways to say ‘welcome’, but none are as profound as ‘Maido’ that transmits the determination that the customer feels at home. This is the philosophy of the restaurant that is led by Mitsuharu Tsumura. After having gained experience in his ancestors´ country ‘Misha’ returned to Lima and is today one of the youngest and most talented chefs on the Peruvian culinary scene. Get ready to discover unique textures and tastes in a warm atmosphere.
At proper time you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight.
Price per person in USD sharing TWIN Prices valid through December 23rd 2013
Hotels
Private Services
SIC*
Single Suppl.
Deluxe
3611
-
1025
Deluxe superior
4341
-
1748
* min. 2 persons
Domestic flights (net price per person in USD)
Lima - Cusco - Lima
440 *
* Air fares subject to change according availability
