This awesome trip will show you the highlights of the Peruvian Andes in 08 days of full of adventures discovering the native land of the Inca civilization. Join us on a fantastic journey through, highlands, snowcapped mountains, valleys and cloud forests. Also, meet friendly people and open your mind to new cultures. Experience traveling and spend your nights in nice and cozy hotels and hostels.
Arrive in Lima at anytime throughout the day. Transportation is included from the airport to the corresponding hotel, and there are no activities planned for this day until our first welcome meeting in the late afternoon, most likely in the hotel lobby Lima is the largest city in Peru as well as is the capital of the country. Geographically located on the Pacific Coast, Lima is the 5th largest city in Latin America, following only Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.
Early in the morning (3:00 am) we will catch a local bus to head south. After three hours we will arrive in the coastal fishing town of El Chaco, after we will take a tour to the Ballestas Islands, which are two large rock formations shaped by wind, water and time. These natural arch-like structures are home to a variety of sea birds and sea lions that have set up colonies around the islands. It is often possible to observe dolphins and Humboldt penguins in this area. After this excursion, we will take a bus to head back to Ica. After lunch, we will head to Huacachina Oasis. Take some time to relax, or for the more adventurous, climb the highest sand dune and ride back down on a sand board (similar to snowboarding). Around 4PM, start travelling in sand dune buggies for a fun ride across the Ica desert until sunset. We will spend the night in the city of Ica, located one hours away from the beautiful oasis, bus to Nazca.
During the morning visit an ancestral Nazca cemetery located in the arid desert to discover how the ancient civilization who resided here persisted against the rough climate of the region. Then, later in the night, we will ride on a comfortable night bus to the city of Arequipa. Nazca is the name of a system of valleys and deserts on the southern coast of Peru, and is also the name applied to the culture that flourished in this region between 300 B.C. and 800 A.D. These people were responsible for the mysterious Nazca Lines, which were enormous drawings of animals, plants and geometrical lines on the desert that can only be recognized from the air. Some famous figures in these lines are the monkey, the spider, the hummingbird, the condor and the lizard. At the late afternoon, we will take a night bus to Cusco
Optional: You will can take a flight over the Nazca Lines. The price of this flight and its airport taxes are not included in this tours. The flight cost is USD 90.00 plus airport taxes usd 10, if you want a service can you pay in Nazca.
We will arrive at Cuzco the navel city of World, and explore this ancient city with its cobble stone streets, colonial churches, and Inca Archeological sites. Or, just enjoy a drink on a balcony around the Main Square. This cosmopolitan city has great night life where you can meet people from every corner of the world.
We will have a full day of unforgettable experiences beginning with the development of a traditional empanada in the village of Pisac, then go to Lamay where we will participate in the preparation of the guinea pig in the form local customs, on the coals; Then the journey will take us to the community of Chichubamba in Urubamba where we will enjoy a traditional lunch in one of the community house, in the afternoon we will learn a little more traditional skills of pottery and the process for becoming Cocoa Chocolate. After then we will go Train Station Ollantaytambo and we will take the train to Aguas Calientes town for the night.
Travel by train in a unique adventure descending into the Sacred Valley until finally arrive to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will jump to the bus, and arrive to the Lost City of the Incas for an incredible experience. Visit Machu Picchu in a two hour guided tour of the most important temples and sectors of this great ruin. Then, later this afternoon we will return to Cuzco by train and bus. Machu Picchu was recently honored to become part of the New 7 Wonders of the World as well as, like many of our other destinations on this journey, is one of the top World Heritage cities on UNESCO’s prestigious list. Interestingly enough, it is not mentioned in any of the chronicles from Spanish colonialism. No one knows its function and even though it has been studied by scientists for decades, many unanswered questions remain. The town was forgotten for centuries and covered by rich vegetation until July 24th, 1911 when American historian Hiram Bingham was led by an 11 year old native boy to the site where he made the re-discovery of this phenomenal structure. It was all done on accident as Bingham was actually in search of the lost town of Vilcabamba. Late in the afternoon return to Cuzco by train for our last night in the city.
We have the morning free, At the afternoon. We will have the chance to visit some of the most important places and landmarks of the town. The tour will start at 13:20 pm We will visit the Temple of the Sun known as Qoricancha in the Quechua. This was considered the most important locale of the Incas time and is full of masterful stonework. Today the archeological site forms the base of the colonial church of Santo Domingo. We will drive to the surrounding parts of the city to visit the largest Inca archeological sites. We will explore the megalithic fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built with huge boulders that weigh more than one hundred tons. Then visit Qenqo, limestone with dozens of carvings and niches used as a mummifying center. Finally visit the closest ruins of Tambomachay, a temple used for the worship of water. Tambomachay still has well-preserved water channels and an ancient ceremonial bath place. This ruin is linked with the ruins of PukaPukara, only 300 meters away.
There are no planned activities for today. Have a safe journey whether you are headed home or to explore another destination!
