16-Day Ancient Cultures of Peru

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Day 1: Welcome to Lima
1 stop
1
Lima
Arrival to the city of Lima, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.
Admission ticket free
Day 2
Day 2: City of Kings and the Larco Museum of Cultures
2 stops
2
Lima
This day begins with an exclusive and intense tour of the Historical Center of Lima will take us to know and admire the architectonic relics that are part of the old Lima, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Convent of Santo Domingo is the beginning of this magnificent experience. It was built during the foundation of Lima. The Universidad Mayor de San Marcos (University of San Marcos) was founded on this site, the oldest in America. Inside, the choir with the oldest stalls in the country; and the library, with 25,000 books, some printed in the XV century, has an invaluable historical value. The mortal remains of San Martín de Porres, San Juan Masías and Santa Rosa de Lima lie inside. Crossing the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace and the Municipality, going into the Cathedral, a jewel in the history of Lima, with artworks that will make us feel closer to colonial Lima.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
3
Museo Larco
Leaving downtown Lima and heading to the Larco Museum, where we will get a clear vision of the cultures that inhabited ancient Peru. We shall admire the gold pieces, textiles and erotic ceramics that are part of the collection which will introduce us to the cosmovision of the ancient Peru. The warehouse of this museum will be open during our visit to appreciate the expressions of art that were reflected in their ceramics.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Day 3: Enigmatic Nasca Lines
1 stop
4
Depart to Paracas Bay by VIPAC shuttle service. From there, we will head to the airport of Pisco to embark on an unforgettable flight over the Nazca Lines. These massive geoglyphs, depicting various animals like a monkey, hummingbird, condor, and spider, can only be fully appreciated from the sky. While their origins remain mysterious, many believe they served as an astronomical calendar. After the flight, we'll return to the airport and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, taking advantage of the hotel facilities and exploring the surrounding areas. Lodging at Paracas bay.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Day 4: Paracas Natural Reserve
1 stop
5
Paracas
In the early morning, we'll set sail on a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands. Along the way, we'll marvel at the mysterious "Chandelier," a giant figure etched into the sand resembling the Nazca Lines. Upon reaching the islands, you'll have the opportunity to observe diverse marine wildlife, including sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins, and various seabirds. Later in the afternoon, we'll depart for Lima via VIPAC Shuttle service. Upon arrival in Lima, you'll be transferred to your hotel for accommodation.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Day 5: Túcume Pyramids and Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán
1 stop
6
Transfer to the airport. Departure to Chiclayo. Arrival, assistance and transfer to the hotel. We will visit the Valley of the Pyramids in Túcume, spectacular urban center, the most important one of its time, located at only 33 km from Chiclayo; the legend of the God Naylamp and the queen Ceterni coming from the sea, still lift the spirits of the people. In the city of Lambayeque, we find the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán, it was built similar to the original tomb and it houses treasures in gold, silver and precious stones of a unique beauty. A visit impossible to forget. A unique museum in all of South America. Lunchin a restaurant of typical northern cuisine. Return to Chiclayo.
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Day 6: Huaca El Brujo (El Brujo Archaeological complex) and Museum of the Lady of Cao
1 stop
7
Departure to Trujillo in private transportation. On route, we divert course, to go across the sugar-cane plantations of the north and arrive at the small town of Magdalena de Cao. We go into the sandy area to find the Huaca El Brujo. Beautiful place where the tattooed mummy of the Lady of Cao was found, together with clothes, offerings and jewelry that accompanied her in her burial site. The archaeologists are still finding new discoveries in the Huaca, observing the different stages and levels of construction. Seeing all will transport us to an ancient world dominated by their beliefs and territorial predominance. You can observe the mummy of the Lady of Cao with her tattoos that reflected her power. Lunch. Continuation of our trip by land to Trujillo. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Day 7: Temple of the Moon, Chan Chan Citadel and the totora reed vessel in Huanchaco
2 stops
8
In the morning, visit to the magnificent Huaca de la Luna, the power center in the Trujillo Valley during the Moche period. We enter the Site Museum; there we see many objects found in its interior. Inside the Huaca we observe the representations of the gods drawn in high relief on the walls of this ancient temple. Our next stop will be the Huaca del arco iris or Huaca del Dragón, from the Chimú culture.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
9
Huanchaco
We continue towards Huanchaco, an ancient cove of fishermen where we appreciate the old reed vessels known as “Caballitos de Totora” (“Totora Reed Horses”) with which they keep the ancient tradition of artisanal fishing. Lunch in Huanchaco. In the afternoon, visit to the ancient Chan Chan citadel. We enter the Nik-An Palace, located in the south western side of Chan Chan, touring its ceremonial squares, worshiping places, reservoirs, barns, cemeteries, and others. Transfer to the airport. Departure to Lima. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Day 8: Cusco, Capital of the Empire and the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman
3 stops
10
Lima
Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Arrival, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.
Admission ticket free
11
Sacsayhuaman
In the afternoon, ascent to the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park and start of the journey visiting the fortress of the same name, a beautiful place that radiates peace and tranquility, we will also admire the huge rocks of up to 4 meters high, that were used in its construction. Continue to Q'enqo, antique temple of the Cougar where we can appreciate an altar for sacrifices in the inner part of a huge rock and then to Tambomachay, sacred fountains of life and health.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
12
On the way, enjoy a panoramic view of Puca Pucará, a watchtower that guarded the entrance to the city. Later, tour of the Temple of the Sun Qorikancha, over which the Santo Domingo Convent was built, the legend says that this Temple was completely gold plated, which amazed the conquistadores when they first arrived. To end our journey, become familiar with the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and enter the Cathedral, which amasses invaluable colonial art works and paintings, as for example the Cross that arrived with the first conquistadores.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Day 9: Sacred Valley: Inca and Colonial Pisac, Inkariy Museum and Yucay Live Culture Center
2 stops
13
Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas receives us in this day. Our first stop will be at the Inca village of Pisac, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. From the top of the mountain there is a great view of the colonial village of Pisac. Walk through the colonial village. Time for shopping at the artisan workshops. Later, tour of the Inkariy Museum to visit the different halls with exhibits of representations of the pre-Hispanic cultures of ancient Peru.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
14
Visit to the Yucay Live Culture Center, tourist complex were the local settlers will show us their techniques of weaving and dying of traditional textiles, making of the adobes, preparation of the traditional chicha, a drink made of corn, and a close encounter with the Andean camels: llamas and alpacas. Overnight stay at Sacred Valley.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 10
Day 10: Sacred Valley: Moray Terraces, Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo Living Inca Village
1 stop
15
Sacred Valley
This day will take us to find marvelous places in this region of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Inca Terraces of Moray, a lab that was looking to re-create 20 different microclimates and secure the agricultural production of the empire. Continue towards the Village of Maras, tour of the famous and ancient salt mines, which still are exploited since immemorial times. The contrast between the white wells and the clayey land makes this landscape into a place not to be missed for taking pictures. Lunch. In the afternoon, tour of the streets, plazas and terraces of the last Inca living village of Ollantaytambo. Enter the archaeological site that dominates the village, where we will see the technique that the Incas used to work on the stones in the Sun temple that was left half built. At the proper time, embark from the village train station to arrive at the town of Machu Picchu, located at the foot of the mountain. Overnight stay at Machu Picchu town.
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Day 11: Machu Picchu, the Lost City
1 stop
16
Machu Picchu
The much-awaited day to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Boarding at the Ollantaytambo station. Departure in the selected train. Arrival at the Machu Picchu station. Assistance, from our staff to board the bus that will ascend up a winding road, with a spectacular view of the Urubamba river which forms a deep canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will greet us with its incredible terraces, staircases, ceremonial sites and urban areas. Energy exudes from the whole place. Lunch. At the coordinated time, return by train and transfer to the hotel in Cusco.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 12
Day 12: Cusco at your Pace
1 stop
17
Cusco
Free day.
Admission ticket free
Day 13
Day 13: Route to the Andean Altiplano
1 stop
18
Puno
Departure on a tourist bus to the city of Puno, a beautiful landscape route accompanied by the Vilcanota River and afterwards to the plateau of Collao, the Andean altiplano. Our first stop will be at the Church of the Apostle St. Peter in Andahuaylillas better known as “La Sixtina de América” (The Sistine Chapel of America). The walls and ceiling are full of mural paintings from the 17th century. Continue to Racchi, Temple of the God Wiracocha, where the remains of the columns and walls stand out and give us an idea of the monumental size of this construction during the Inca times. Our path will reach its highest point at La Raya at 4,800 m.a.s.l., a place where there is the division of the waters of the basin of the Titicaca and the rivers that will go to the Amazonas. Lunch. Visit to the Site Museum of Pucara. This location is the cradle of the famous toritos de Pucará (Pucara little bulls). Arrival in Puno and transfer to the hotel.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 14
Day 14: The Titicaca Sacred Lake and its islands
1 stop
19
Lake Titicaca
In the morning, board a motorboat to visit the Uros, a town of people that sought refuge inside Lake Titicaca, fleeing the different cultures that arrived to dominate them. This community continues building their islands following the ancient techniques and welcome us to pass on their knowledge. Its people make a living from its visitors. Continue sailing towards the Island of Taquile. The community of this island has maintained alive its traditions, clothes, and way of life. It is one of the few Quechua communities in a region that is essentially Aymara, and they have kept unreachable to modernity and its possible effect on their lives. They will welcome us with their music and dances. Lunch at a community restaurant, a simple meal but very rich in nutrients. Afterwards, take a walk around the surrounding areas to appreciate the beautiful view of the Lake Titicaca. Return to the port of Puno.
7 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 15
Day 15: Sillustani tombs, Umayo Lake & Back to Lima
2 stops
20
This day begins with a visit to the burial site of Sillustani, nestled on the shores of Lake Umayo. Here, we'll marvel at the chullpas, tower-like tombs erected by the ancient Qollas who once thrived on the Andean plateau. The chullpas' unique inverted semi-conic construction will captivate us as we delve into the rich history of this ancient civilization.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
21
Lima
Afterwards, we'll head to the Juliaca airport to board our flight back to Lima, reflecting on the wonders we've encountered during our exploration of Peru's southern highlights. From the serene beauty of Lake Umayo to the enigmatic history of the chullpas, this experience promises to leave a lasting impression as we bid farewell to the mystical landscapes of the Andes. Then, transfer to the airport of Juliaca to go back to the vibrant bustle of Lima. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Admission ticket free
Day 16
Día 16: Farewell day
1 stop
22
Lima
Transfer to the airport. Departure to Lima to connect with your return flight home.
Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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