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8-Nights Ultimate Peru: Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Lake Titicaca from $3,550
Avanti Destinations
OFFER ID 1243747
Ultimate Peru
Fascinating Peru - rich in culture, history, and natural beauty - is a country that has so much to offer. Consider this program a good introduction to Peru. It covers Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, and Lake Titicaca - all a must-see for any first-time visitor. If you have more time, we highly recommend extending your stay - add an extension to a jungle lodge; see the Nazca Lines; there is much more to see in this country of many contrasts.
Includes:
- All Ground Transfers with Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu and Bus Ticket to Puno
- 2 Nights Lima
- City Tour
- 1 Night Sacred Valley
- Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Ruins Tour with Lunch
- 1 Night Machu Picchu with Dinner
- 2 Entrances to Machu Picchu and 1 Guided Tour with Lunch
- 2 Nights Cuzco
- City and Ruins Tour
- 2 Nights Puno
- Uros and Taquile Islands Tour
- Daily Breakfast
8 nights from $3,550 per person
Itinerary Details
Avanti Destinations: Ultimate Peru
Day 1 Lima
Begin your journey in Lima, Peru's coastal capital city founded by the Spaniard Pizarro in 1535. Lima, with its historic buildings and museums, offers visitors an introduction to the colonial history of Peru. Airport greeting and transfer to Miraflores (suburb of Lima) to your selected hotel. Overnight.
Centrally Located Hotel In Lima, ()
Day 2 Lima
After breakfast, you will be picked up for a half-day city tour of Lima. The three-hour sightseeing tour offers the best of modern and colonial Lima. It includes visits to the Government Palace, The Plaza Mayor, City Hall, and the 17th century San Francisco Monastery, followed by a drive through the modern suburb of San Isidro, with a stop at the pre-Inca pyramid of Huaca Huallamarca. Afternoon at leisure to explore, or arrange an optional tour. Overnight.
Centrally Located Hotel In Lima, (B)
Day 3 Lima, Sacred Valley
Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to the ancient imperial capital of Cuzco. Situated at an altitude of 11,200 ft., Cuzco reflects both the Incan and Spanish cultures. Airport greeting and transfer by minivan to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Experience an unforgettable view as you cross over the mountain from Cuzco and drop down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The road follows the meandering Urubamba River and passes through rich agricultural lands and picturesque villages. En route you will have a private excursion to Pisac Market and the Incan ruins of Ollantaytambo, including lunch. Note: It is recommended that you only bring an overnight bag with you to Machu Picchu. Arrangements will be made in the Sacred Valley to safely store additional luggage.
Centrally Located Hotel In Sacred Valley, (B,L)
Day 4 Machu Picchu
After breakfast, transfer to the Ollantaytambo Train Station and board the train to the village of Aguas Calientes (approximately 90 minutes), in the valley below Machu Picchu. There you will board a bus that will take you up the switchback road (approximately 20 minutes) to the legendary Lost City of the Incas. Enjoy a guided tour of the Ruins, followed by lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge (adjacent to the site). The rest of afternoon can be spent at leisure to explore the ruins, before returning by bus to Aguas Calientes (unless you are staying at the Sanctuary Lodge). Overnight.
Centrally Located Hotel In Aguas Calientes, (B)
Day 5 Machu Picchu
Morning at leisure to return to Machu Picchu for a second visit. The bus departs from Puente Ruinas station every 10 minutes, beginning at 5:30 am. Mid-afternoon (3:30-5:00 pm depending upon your train confirmation time) return to Ollantaytambo Train Station. Continue to Cuzco by minivan, arriving in the early evening. Transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight.
Centrally Located Hotel In Cuzco, (B)
Day 6 Cuzco
Morning at leisure. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco includes a visit to the Koricancha Temple and the Cathedral, followed by a visit to the nearby fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and the Tambomachay ruins. After the tour, explore the city on your own. Cuzco is a city of plazas and colonial buildings with red tile roofs. Walk the City's ancient cobblestone streets, lined with the massive stone walls that are an Incan legacy. Return to your hotel. Overnight.
Centrally Located Hotel In Cuzco, (B)
Day 7 Puno
Travel from Cuzco to Puno by train, motorcoach or airplane. Transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight. By train: On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (April-October), OR Monday, Wednesday, Saturday (November-March), board an Orient-Express train at 8:00 am in Cuzco for a 10-hour train ride across the wind-swept altiplano to the town of Puno. By air: After a morning of leisure in Cuzco, board a DAILY LAN Peru flight at 3:05 pm (subject to change) for a 50-minute flight to Juliaca, the closest airport to Puno. By motor coach: Depart Cuzco at 8:00 am DAILY on an Inka Express motor coach. The scenic journey across the altiplano takes about 9 hours, with stops at Pukara, Raqchi, and Andahuaylilias, as well as a lunch stop at Las Tunas restaurant. Arrival into Puno is at approximately 5:00 pm.
Centrally Located Hotel In Puno, (B)
Day 8 Puno
After breakfast, depart for full day excursion to the floating reed islands, home of the Uros Indians, and a visit to the peaceful Quechuan community on Taquile Island. After lunch on Taquile, there is time to explore the island before boarding the boat to return to Puno. Transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight.
Centrally Located Hotel In Puno, (L,B)
Day 9 Lima
Depart from Puno to return home or continue on to another Avanti destination.
Centrally Located Hotel In Puno, (B)
Excursions
Huacas and Shrines on a bike (Lima - 4 hours)
Huacas and Shrines on a bike (Lima - 4 hours)
Lima is a big and modern city, it has been in continuous occupation for almost 2,000 years. Scholars have found more than 30 archaeological sites at different locations within the city limits. “HUACAS” are pyramidal constructions with superimposed platforms ending on a flat top, they were used for religious and administrative purposes by prehispanic civilizations along the Peruvian coast.
Our specialized Guide and his assistant will pick you up at the hotel with the bikes and the necessary equipment for the activity. After the briefing you will ride along one of the principal avenues of Lima towards the heart of Miraflores while enjoying the architecture and everyday life of the city folks. The first stop is at Huaca Pucllana, built 1,300 years ago, this visit is a great introduction to the history of Lima, traditions, cuisine and economic activities of ancient inhabitants. Then, we continue to the commercial and financial district, San Isidro, to visit Huaca Huallamarca, which has been through a magnificent restoration by the City Hall, you´ll appreciate the contrast between history and modern life.
Finally, we return to the hotel completing a 12 km circuit on the bike. This activity is offered for mornings and afternoons. It lasts for 4 hours. The advantage of being at sea level and our moderate weather is that we can provide it all year round. We include a vehicle as support in case someone in the group decides to stop biking during the tour.
Highlights:
- Huacas, pyramidal constructions
- Bike to admire the arquitecture
Tour can operate: morning or afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate/Heavy (we provide a vehicle as support in case someone in the group decides to stop biking during the tour)
Inclusions:
- Transportation from/to hotel (as back up)
- Guide
- Bikes
- Assistant
- Bottle of water
Not Included:
- Items not mentioned in the Included section
Historical and Natural Sanctuaries (Lima - 6 hours)
Historical and Natural Sanctuaries (Lima - 6 hours)
Highlights:
- Villa Wetlands, a natural reserve
- Pachamac, a historical sanctuary and important ceremonial center
The south limits of Lima house two important sanctuaries for the visitor: Villa Wetlands, a natural reserve holding a great variety of flora and fauna, its bodies of water attract a good array of biodiversity, they have identified more than 200 species of resident and migratory birds. And Pachacamac, historical sanctuary and important ceremonial center of the central coast in Perú, it was occupied by 4 consecutive civilizations before the arrival of the Spanish.
Our specialized Guide and the vehicle will pick you up at the hotel. It´s necessary to reach Villa Wetlands early in the morning to enjoy the ecosystem. You walk for 2 km. around a lagoon facing the ocean with good opportunities for pictures and a clear understanding of the migratory patterns. The next stop is Pachacamac, the highlights of this massive archaeological site are visited. You will also enter the Site Museum displaying important pieces found during excavations, one of them is the wooden idol of Pachacamac, the most important prehispanic god in this area, carved in local wood more than a thousand years ago.
Return to the hotel is after noon, the activity takes almost 6 hours and you walk almost 5 km during the visits.
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour can operate: daily (excepts Monday)
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- Transportation from/to hotel
- Guide
- Entrance Fees
- Bottle of water
Not Included:
- Items not mention in the Included section
Insider Access: Barranco & Lima songs with Javier Lazo (3 hours)
Insider Access: Barranco & Lima songs with Javier Lazo (3 hours)
An experience designed to get to know the history of Lima through songs from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries by the hand of Javier Lazo a Peruvian Musical Curator, two times Latin Grammy nominated. Enjoy a private concert along with a conversation with Javier, while walking through the bohemian district of <span 1px="" border-bottom:="" cjwvc3znpg="=" ));"="" class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW201443356 BCX0" data:image="" solid="" span="" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2,url(">where travelers will sing and learn about the best artists and composers of musica criolla (creole music, from the Peruvian Coast) such as Rosa Mercedes Ayarza, Felipe Pinglo, Eduardo Márquez Talledo, Chabuca Granda, Manuel Acosta Ojeda and Andrés Soto.
Our specialized guide will pick you up at the hotel and will drive you to Barranco where you will visit Main Plaza, Puente de los Suspiros, Bajada de baños, while gazing at the amazing mural artwork made by top Peruvian urban artists.
Highlights:
- Learn the history of Lima through songs
- Conversation with an expert
- Walk through the bohemian district and learn about local music
Tour can operate: days of the week (morning or afternoon)
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Transportation from/to hotel
- Tour Guide
- Music expert (He will meet the guests for around 30 minutes)
- Bottle of water
Not Included:
- Items not mention in the Included program
Walking the history center of Lima (4 hours)
Walking the history center of Lima (4 hours)
Lima, the city of the Kings, was founded to be the capital and most important town of the Spanish domain in South America until the 18th century. The Historical Center represents the model of architecture and urban planning of Spanish colonial cities with high political, economic and cultural importance, as devised by Charles V in 1542.
Our expert Guide will pick you up from your hotel and will take you from the modern part to the colonial section of Lima, you will walk among historical monuments, religious and political buildings located within the perimeter declared Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1988. This learning experience will allow you to appreciate typical examples of Hispanic American baroque style as well as some other different styles like Art Nouveau.
Besides the stops for great pictures of Limenian architecture, you will have the opportunity to visit Casa de Aliaga, a mansion still inhabited by the same family since the foundation of the city, an extraordinary experience that will take you back in time. To finish the experience, we visit the Dominican Convent, which was the first catholic order to arrive in Perú with Francisco Pizarro and they have a lot of history, traditions and sainthood to impress our travelers.
Highlights:
- Colonial section of Lima
- Visit Casa Aliaga, a mansion still inhabited by the same family since the foundation of the city
- Dominican Convent
Tour can operate: daily
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light/Moderate
Inclusions:
- Transportation from/to hotel
- Expert Guide
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water
- Snack
Not Included:
- Items not mention in the Included section
LIMA: Lima´s boardwalks and gastronomic experience - 4 hours
LIMA: Lima´s boardwalks and gastronomic experience - 4 hours
Start with a scenic tour of the boardwalk, crossing the bohemian district of Barranco and the modern district of Miraflores, passing by Love Park where you can admire an imposing view of the Pacific Ocean. After the tour, arrive at a thematic restaurant and participate in a cocktail demonstration class, learning how to prepare the famous pisco sour. Then, enjoy a demonstration cooking class, learning how to make a delicious, typical Peruvian dish. After both classes, enjoy a tasty lunch overlooking the sea. At the end of your tour, transfer back to your hotel.
Tour duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair accessible: No
Physical activity level: Moderate
Included: Private guide and transportation, gastronomic experience
Not included: Tips for guide and driver.
LIMA: Participative cocktail class offered by Hotel B - 1.5 hours
LIMA: Participative cocktail class offered by Hotel B - 1.5 hours
Learn to prepare some of the most representative cocktails of Peru in a participatory class at the elegant Hotel B. The class is carried out by an experienced bartender who explains the history of the drinks and the elements used for each one. Each cocktail will be accompanied by a tasty pairing. Take advantage of this experience to learn about local cocktails in this luxurious hotel, located in a mansion of the early twentieth century.
Tour duration: 1 hour 30
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair accessible: No
Physical activity level: Moderate
Included: Private guide and transportation, seasonal cocktail accompanied by a pairing
Not included: Tips for guide and driver.
Excursions
SACRED VALLEY: Hat making lessons at Maras community - 1 hour
SACRED VALLEY: Hat making lessons at Maras community - 1 hour
Mrs. Grandonia and Mrs. Álvarez, the renowned hatters of Maras, run an attractive crafts shop that produces top hats. They want to share their art with the travelers who visit their town. Dare to learn this ancient Andean activity.
Tour duration: 1 hour
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair accessible: No
Physical activity level: Moderate
Included: Private guide and transportation, participatory classes
Not included: Tips for guide and driver.
Excursions
CUZCO: Pottery workshop by Totemiq - 3 hours
CUZCO: Pottery workshop by Totemiq - 3 hours
Let your imagination soar in two magnificent workshops offered by Totemiq, an artistic and cultural development project where Cusco traditions are rescued and given new life in artistic sessions. In the first activity, Cusco Colonial Glazed Ceramics, learn how to make a horse or bull of Pucara, a traditional Cusco figure, and apply fine finishes with a layer of enamel, giving it a glazed effect. In the second, the Colonial Gold Leaf application, enjoy painting with the characteristic colours of the mountain range and then finish decorating your work with gold leaf, a traditional technique that Art Trail has recovered and applied to contemporary crafts. Both workshops are taught by renowned Cusco artists. By the end of the sessions, you’ll have two personalised works that will be delivered to your hotel the following day. After the workshops, return to your hotel.
Tour duration: 3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning / afternoon
Wheelchair accessible: No
Physical activity level: Moderate
Included: Private guide and transportation, materials and souvenir
Not included: Tips for guide and driver.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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