DAY 1: LIMA TO CUSCO.
Afternoon departure for flight to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire. Magical Tours Peru guides pick you up at the airport for a quick tour of the beautiful Plaza De Armas. From there, you will be taken to the Hotel, where you will be free for the remainder of the day to relax and acclimatize to the altitude (10,856 ft). Diner on you own. www.aranwahotels.com/hotel-cusco
DAY 2: CUSCO – CITY AND SURROUNDS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cusco Today you will spend learning about the region’s rich cultural history. The day starts with a guided walking tour through Cusco’s craft markets. You will visit the colonial cathedral and Koricancha http://www.sacred-destinations.com/peru/cusco-koricancha, the Inca’s Temple of the Sun, before enjoying a delectable lunch of regional cuisine. You will visit the “Restaurant of the Universal Heart” supported by Path of the Heart http://www.pathoftheheart.org/ . If you would like, you can help serve lunch to the school children who eat here free of charge (optional). The afternoon will be spent visiting by private transportation the other significant Inca ruins in the vicinity of Cusco including: the mammoth fortress of Saqsayhuaman above the city, noted for its megalithic stone terraces http://www.world-mysteries.com/mpl_9.htm; Kenko with its distinctive zig zag – patterned carved stone and subterranean altars https://www.google.com/search?q=kenko+peru&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=t_MSUruuMcLOyAGEvYEg&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1038&bih=636 ; the hillside outpost of Puka Pukara, a small fortress that formerly protected the royal capital; and the Tambo Machay water temple that served as royal baths. You will be returned to you hotel for another evening in colonial Cusco, dinner on your own. www.aranwahotels.com/hotel-cusco (B, L)
DAY 3:CUSCO- SACRED VALLEY
Embark upon a day-long guided excursion through snowcapped mountains to the legendary Sacred Valley, as majestic today as it was during the reign of the Incas. Along the way, Inca terracing climbs the steep valley walls and the beautiful temples of Pisac inspire panoramic views of the jagged granite mountains. Pisac is the location for one of the best textile markets in the Andes. There, your bargaining skills and enjoy the local culture. After lunch, reach Wayllabamba (9,185 ft.), a small town where it is being farm the best corn on the world and next day an impressive Inca fortress, with princess baths and more. Tour of this ruins the next day and its small traditional town. Overnight at: www.pakaritampu.com (B, L)
DAY 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO.
Breakfast starting at 6:00 am. Pickup at your hotel at 9:00.a.m. and drive / walk to Ollantaytambo archeological site. http://www.ollantaytambo.org/en/ You will spend about 3 hrs at this site. There are several temples of pink granite and the famous Princess’ Bath. Spend the afternoon visiting the local market and take a walk through the town, which has been continuously inhabited and is mostly unchanged since Inca times. See how guinea pigs (cuy) are raised for food, special celebrations, and medicinal uses. If you have extra time you will hike the Pinkulluna Mountain which overlooks the town of Ollantaytambo. About a 2 mile hike and 500 ft. elevation gain. Dinner on your own. www.pakaritampu.com (B, L)
DAY 5: CACHABAMBA TO MACHU PICCHU.
After breakfast, transfer to the train station and ride the train for 1 hour to the starting point of KM 104, considered as the beginning the Sacred Trail to Machu Picchu. This trail starts at Chachabamba Archeological Site. This is the “short version” of the Inca Trail. The 3 first hours are strenuous (3 miles, altitude gain from 7,217 to 9,186 ft), seeing the waterfalls and passing by the magnificent site of Winay Huayna http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi%C3%B1ay_Wayna makes it worth the effort. Box lunch provided to eat along the way. After good scenery for photos, we will walk for 2 hours (4.5 miles and mostly level) more to reach the gate of the sun and view Machu Picchu http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/274 from this unique perspective only 40 minutes from Machu Picchu. After good photo opportunity, take the bus to Machu Picchu Town. Dinner on your own. www.casa-andina.com/destinos/machu-picchu (B ,L)
DAY 6: MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO.
Bus to Machu Picchu in time to avoid the crowds and see the sun illuminating the walls of this sacred and magical place. (Distance 1.5 miles) Explore the ruins for about 4 hours. Buffet lunch with a view of the Sacred Mountains. Late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. Meet your private van at the train station to travel to the collective Chincheros textile market, featuring an explanation of the traditional weaving methods of the Sacred Valley and some of the best textiles available in Peru. This is the ideal place for last minute shopping before returning to your Cusco for another amazing night at: www.aranwahotels.com/hotel-cusco (B, L)
DAY 7: CUSCO – PUNO.
Breakfast at the hotel starting at 6:00 a.m. Pickup at the hotel in Puno at approximately 7:30 a.m. Stop at Piñi Pampa town and learn how they make the clay tile roofs and also stop Oropesa village to see how make the largest bread, which everyone loves here. After Visit the site of Racchi, also known as the Temple of Wiracocha, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqchi the spiritual God of the Incas. Magical ruins built with adobes and stone at the same time. Lunch buffet and after stop at various attractions on the way to the city of Puno – Lake Titicaca to take amazing photos, snowcapped mountains and other beautiful scenery. Capital folkloric of Peru. Visit the Puma Temple of Pukara, which is very beautiful for its stone carvings. Get to Puno around 6:00 p.m.; check in to your beautiful Hotel. Dinner on your own. Altitude in Lake Titicaca about 12,500 ft. www.casa-andina.com/private-collection-puno (B,L)
DAY 8: LAKE TITICACA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Titicaca After breakfast, 8:00 a.m. pick up at the hotel for a boat ride to the floating islands. There are 70 islands where the locals still wear the beautiful costumes of their ancestors’ heritage. You will ride on a reed boat like the ancient people used, seeing a diversity of colorful birds. Your boat will take you to the amazing Island Takile. This is a great location to see the Bolivian side of the lake and their part of the Andean snowcapped mountains. Surface elevation of the lake is 12,507 ft. Climb to an ancient temple (2 miles round trip, 650 ft elevation change); have a lunch of local trout on the island of Takile, which is famous for its food and weavings. Early Back by boat to Puno for overnight. www.casa-andina.com/private-collection-puno (B, L)
DAY 9: LAKE TITICACA TO COLCA CANYON.
Breakfast starting at 6:00 a.m. Pick up at 9:00 a.m. for travel to Colca Canyon, approx. 6 hours driving. You will pass by lakes with many beautiful birds of the Andes and natural rocks formations and other beautiful places to take good photos. Also you will hike to the 8000 year old caves name Sumbay – petroglyphs. Also here is where you are going try a good chicken on the oven or have lunch at the way to Puno. Arrive at beautiful Hotel on the canyon. Discussion of your next day’s activities. (Hot springs are available 24 hours) on the side of the hotel. Dinner on your own. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colca_Canyon Accommodation at: www.aranwahotels.com/hotel-colca (B, L)
DAY 10: COLCA CANYON.
Breakfast beginning at 5: 00 a.m. Pick up at 6:00 a.m. to drive to the Condors Cross, where you can see these majestic birds from the Andes flying few feet from us. Here the floor of the Canyon is about 4000 ft from the rim. Express your gratitude to those sacred birds by learning from them in this middle of the Andes. Take photos of the second deepest canyon in the world. buffet Lunch along the canyon, you will hike the rest of the afternoon via ancient trails. Back to the Hotel and you will spend the evening relaxing at Hot Springs. Bring your swim apparel. Dinner on your own. (B,L) Hike will be 2 miles downhill from the cross at 12,467 ft to 11,900 ft. Accommodation at: www.aranwahotels.com/hotel-colca/
DAY 11: COLCA CANYON – AREQUIPA.
After late breakfast, drive to the Arequipa White city from colorful town name Chivay, which is surrounded by amazing terraces and the high peaks of the Andes. Lunch in a amazing restaurant www.restaurantsoldemayo.com and after You will see the mummies Juanita http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/ice-mummies-inca.html at the Museum. Transfer to the airport for your flight from Arequipa to Lima (specific time depending on flight schedules.) Note. Arequipa is famous for its good food. (B, L) Arequipa is at approx. 7,660 ft. and is a UNESCO World Heritage site http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1016 Lima Accommodation at: http://www.costadelsolperu.com/peru/hotels/lima/
End of the service by Magical Tours Peru.
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
Notes: All hikes will be at a leisurely pace and would qualify as moderate although altitude makes a difference. None are long. You have the option to stay in town instead of participating on any hike.
HOTELES: Are listed in each day, you can get more information by entering to their Web page; all of them have Wi-Fi in room.
Tour Price Includes:
- Internal flights (Lima – Cusco / Arequipa – Lima) and airport taxes.
- Private ground transportation the entire trip
- Beautiful Hotels.
- Boat at lake Titicaca
- Entrance fees Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu (2), Sacred Valley and Cusco.
- Bus to Machu Picchu round trip (2).
- All breakfasts and lunches. (Vegetarian option available)
- Guide the entire trip and his expenses.
- Train fares ( Vista Dome )
- Bottled water and energy bars daily.
- All listed activities.
- Service for children (Hot Chocolate and Bread)
Not Included:
- Internal flights Lima to Cusco and International airfares.
- Most Dinners.
- Extra beverages.
- Tips. (bellmen, waiters, guides, cooks, drivers)
What to bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes and shoes you can hike in.
- Waterproof Jacket and pants
- Wind proof jacket, mostly clothes for mild weather 60-70 degrees F. Warm jacket, hat and gloves for high altitude evenings.
- Good camera and extra battery and memory card
- Good flash light
- 220/ 110V ( plug) adaptor
- Insect repellent (you can buy it there if needed)
- Sun block, sunglasses, hat
- Some school supplies to share with the children while visiting communities. (Pencils, Pens, notebooks etc.)