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Visit the major cultures of the Peruvian North and South
Airfares
NOT INCLUDED, can easily be included in the package upon
request
Customizable
YES, feel free to ask for extra services or
modifications
DAY 1 LIMA
Pick up upon arrival at Lima’s airport and transportation to the hotel.
Overnight (No meals)
DAY 2 LIMA - CHICLAYO
Early in the morning transfer to the airport where you will take the flight
to Chiclayo (airfare not included).
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and after some rest time we set off for
the mud-brick pyramid that made world headlines in 1987 with one of the most
sensational finds of recent archaeology. Known as the Huaca Rajada -- the "Cracked
Pyramid", because of the deep gulley weathered into its flanks -- this
eroded adobe platform yielded fabulous ancient treasures from a series of
deeply buried tombs of the pre-Inca Moche culture, who lived in the valleys
of Peru's north coast 1,500 years ago. To get there we drive east up the
broad, flat Reque valley past fields of sugarcane studded with varicolored
pastel foothills of the great Andean chain, then arriving at the modern
village of Sipán. Here we see the tombs themselves, with superb
reconstructions of the burials of priests and chieftains, together with
their sacrificed guards and companions.
A highly informative site museum tells the story of this extraordinary
civilization, who created some of the finest pottery, jewelry and gold
working of the Americas -- while also staging macabre costumed rituals of
combat, sacrifice and propitiation as they sought to mediate a never-ending
struggle between the forces of Order and Chaos.
We return to Chiclayo for a delicious lunch of Peru's northern-style cuisine,
and then continue on to Lambayeque, where we visit the Royal Tombs of Sipán
Museum. This modern building, representing the style of a Moche pyramid, was
built to house the stunning and priceless objects unearthed at Sipán. (A
single looted object from the tombs was intercepted at an auction in the U.S.
-- carrying a reserve price of $1.6 million!)
Here we see the incredible array of precious symbols and images, stones and
shell necklaces, ear-plugs and headdresses that were worn and displayed at
Moche ceremonies, and also learn what is known of their meaning. This
astonishing visit ends at an "animated waxworks" exhibit of the lords and
retinue of the Moche court, allowing us to glimpse and imagine the world of
an unfamiliar but dazzling civilization that thrived here at a time when
Europe was sliding into the Dark Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire.
After these sensational experiences we drive to an oasis of calm at Tucumé,
today's final destination. Here we see the chronological sequence that
followed the fall of the Moche, at a site where their descendants, the Sicán
culture, continued to amass millions of adobe bricks for the building of
mighty pyramids -- including the longest of its kind in the world, at more
than 700m/2,300ft -- but were now influenced by highland tribes, and began
to abandon their old ways. The history of this scenic site -- extensively
investigated by the famed Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl -- leads us all
the way to the Incas, who conquered the region not long before they, in turn,
were conquered by the Spanish. We can climb to a viewing platform with
superb views of the surrounding pyramids and the dry woodland habitat of the
Leche valley. We can also visit the small, intimate and low-tech site museum,
to enjoy the excellent collection of excavated objects, dioramas of daily
life, and models of the pyramids.
We return to Chiclayo for an overnight stay. (L)
DAY 3 CHICLAYO TO TRUJILLO: ACROSS THE NORTH PERUVIAN DESERT TO TRUJILLO
AND THE MOCHE PYRAMIDS OF THE SUN AND MOON.
In the morning, we'll travel with our guide by private car or bus to
Trujillo. This half-day journey south down the Pan-American highway offers a
shifting panorama of scenes from coastal Peru, alternating irrigated river
valleys such as the Jequetepeque and Chicama, with stretches of arid dune
and rocky desert. We make a stop at pacasmayo to enjoy a delicious lunch.
Upon request optional visit the archaeological site of El Brujo: This site
featured in National Geographic magazine after the sensational discovery
here of the mummy of a tattooed priestess, buried with a variety of
ceremonial and military accoutrements. An extraordinary array of
multicolored murals dating from seven or more phases of construction depicts
both scenes from the daily lives of the Moche, and gory rituals of sacrifice.
Additional: $152 per person based on single and $82 based on double
We arrive in Trujillo in the early afternoon. This city, founded in 1534 on
the orders of Francisco Pizarro, maintains a colonial atmosphere, with its
spacious Main Square, and marvelous colonial-period adobe buildings in the
coastal colonial style, featuring huge barred windows and massive wooden
doorways. We continue onwards, driving a short way from Trujillo, to visit
the Huaca de la Luna, and the Huaca del Sol, two huge flat-topped pyramids
built by the Moche culture between 0 and 600A.D. The Huaca de la Luna is an
extraordinary demonstration of what patient long-term archaeology can
achieve. Here, at a site that has been well known and frequently looted for
centuries, excavations have revealed layer upon layer of ancient
construction, uncovering wall after wall of colorful friezes that were
intentionally buried by the Moche, and had not seen the light of day for
one-and-a-half thousand years. Bloodthirsty fanged deities and exotic gods
in the form of spiders, snakes felines, octopi and other marine creatures
rub shoulders with lines of dancers, warriors and naked prisoners, and
scenes of ritual combat. One wall is covered with such a multitude of
mystifying symbols that it has been labeled simply "The Complicated Theme"
-- until some future archaeologist can offer a plausible explanation of them.
A site museum to display material unearthed here is under construction, and
when opened it will be part of this visit.
We return to Trujillo to spend the night. Overnight. (B, L)
DAY 4 TRUJILLO TO LIMA: COLONIAL TRUJILLO, THE PICTURESQUE BEACH RESORT
OF HUANCHACO, AND THE PRE-INCA CITY OF CHAN CHAN.
In the morning we tour the historic center of Trujillo, a city whose heart
still pulses with colonial splendor. We visit the immense main square and
the spacious mansions built by Spanish and Creole gentry during the 17th and
18th centuries. Then we make our way through Trujillo towards the coast,
arriving at the great Chimú center of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city ever
built. It was in fact an elite settlement, a series of nine enormous palaces
belonging to successive rulers of the Chimú realm. At its height the
population here may have reached 50,000 people. Many of them were artists
and craftspeople, who made the sumptuous gold work, textiles and pottery for
which the Chimú were famous. At the Tschudi palace enclosure we enter a
labyrinthine series of courtyards lined with clay friezes of fish and ocean
birds, and walled in places with an open meshwork adobe building style
believed to represent fishing nets. We visit inner patios, residences,
administrative buildings, temples, platforms and storehouses, and a huge
reservoir where "sunken gardens" may have produced specialized crops for the
Chimu nobility.
We continue on to the nearby beach resort of Huanchaco, where we have a
chance to try the superb seafood of Trujillo at a restaurant overlooking the
Pacific Ocean. Here fishermen still paddle out to sea, kneeling on
caballitos de totora -- little one-man reed rafts which have been used for
millennia to collect the abundant bounty of the Pacific Ocean.
In the afternoon we drive to the airport in time for our flight to Lima (Airfare
Not included) Upon arrival transfer to your accommodation. Overnight (B,L)
DAY 5 NAZCA FULL DAY TOUR
You will be picked up from your Hotel in Lima at 5:00 am, we will provide a
driver and a minivan, the ride will take around 6 hours each way . On the
way we will visit the Museum of the site. The Maria Reiche tomb and we will
stop at the Over view of Nazca. Cut into the stony desert are large number
of lines, not only parallels and geometrical figures, but also designs such
as a dog, an enormous monkey, a bird with a wing span of over 100 meters, a
spider and a tree. The lines, that represent some sort of vast astronomical
pre-Inca calendar, are best seen from the air, we will take a half hour
flight above the Lines (Airfare included), after the over flight we will
take some time to rest and we will have lunch (included) before to come back
to your hotel in Lima. (L)
DAY 6 LIMA - CUSCO
Transfer to the Lima airport for the flight to Cuzco (Airfare Not Included).
Upon arrival to Cusco Airport. Reception and transportation to the Hotel
where you will receive an aromatic coca tea to stimulating for the height,
will have the free morning to rest and also we suggest you have a light
lunch either at your hotel or in one of the surrounded; in the afternoon we
will depart on a guided city tour, where tourist have the opportunity to
visit 6 places (entrance to the archaeological centers and museums including)
we will visit the Main square, Cathedral, the Koricancha (temple of the sun)
and in addition we will make a route bordering archaeological centers like
Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, tour finishes
6:30pm approximately at the main square in order you can take dinner in one
of the exquisite restaurants in the area, then overnight. (B)
NOTES:
*City tour: from 1.45pm to 6:30pm approx. (Pickup from the hotel starts at
1:15pm)
*Optional Buffet Dinner with Folkloric Show: Adding $30 per person
DAY 7 FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR
Breakfast. You will be picked up at 8:15 am. Full day excursion to the
Urubamba Valley visiting: The colorful Indian market in Pisac where a
mixture of color, tradition will be able appreciated. Pisac is located to
the entrance of the Sacred Valley followed by Ollantaytambo. Most people
visit Pisac to see the market on Sunday, but there are smaller markets on
both Tuesday and Thursday. However Pisac is a pretty village and has plenty
of small handicraft shops and is worth a visit on any day of the week as is
a good place to buy the local ceramics including a huge and varied
collection of hand-painted multi-coloured beads. Lunch in a typical
restaurant in Urubamba then we continue with Ollantaytambo which is an
attractive little town located at the western end of the Sacred Valley,
considered the older town continuously occupied of the American continent is
located at the foot of some spectacular Inca ruins which protected the
strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley. The narrow streets of
Ollantaytambo, along with their channels that have not varied from the Inca
time, evoke their ancestral inheritance, and then finish visiting Chinchero.
Chinchero is a small Andean Indian village located high up on the windswept
plains of Anta at 3762m about 30km from Cusco and is believed to be the
mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its
colorful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market
at Pisac. At the end, return to Cusco arriving at 6:30pm approximately at
the main plaza.
The night is free for you to eat in a restaurant of your choice; although we
always have plenty of suggestions for you should you require them. (B, L)
Note: Take this tour on market days: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday //
Bilingual Guided tour on different days
DAY 8 MACHUPICCHU OVERNIGHT TOUR
Early breakfast and pickup to go the train station to depart to Machu Picchu,
the trip takes about 4 hours. During the trip we will have an amazing view
of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba and the Amazon rainforest
providing you a small hint of how much Peru has to offer. Upon arrival to
the little town of Aguas Calientes you will have to approach the bus station
towards Machupicchu the “Lost City of the Incas” (Only 20 minutes ride) to
receive a professional guided tour by this Huge Historical Sanctuary
visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal
Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds follow
by some free time to explore the zone on your own and experience the energy
and force contained therein, an according time, we will go down to the Aguas
Calientes town to relax at the hot springs or just overnight at the select
lodging in Aguas Calientes town. (B,L).
TRAIN SERVICES :
The Hiram Bingham is the most luxurious way to journey between Cusco
and Machu Picchu. For many visitors a trip to Machu Picchu is a once in a
lifetime experience, and the Hiram Bingham assures a magical journey, never
to be forgotten.
The carriages are painted a distinctive blue and gold and the interiors are
luxurious, warm and inviting with elegant decoration in the style of the
1920's Pullman trains.
Each of the carriages has been furnished in polished wood and brass with
large chairs and plenty of space to stretch out. As you board, the tables
are exquisitely laid, ready for your meal, with gleaming crystal and
polished cutlery.
On board you will be served by a team of dedicated waiters who will attend
to your every need and make sure your journey is as comfortable and
luxurious as you imagined.
The Vistadome connect your senses through a sophisticated and sensory
travel experience; is the ideal train for those who want to be in contact
with the environment and appreciate the wonderful journey to Machu Picchu.
Surrounded entirely by glass and wagons with large panoramic windows
offering incomparable scenic views and innumerous opportunities to capture
amazing pictures, Vistadome travelers feel connected and part of the
impressive landscape of Peru.
The Vistadome also has air conditioning and heating, leather seats that
adjust the body to provide comfort and relaxation during the entire trip and
has a different service, which allows the visitor to be immersed and feel
the Andean culture through its landscapes, music, dance and even food
carefully prepared with local ingredients
The Expedition is a travel experience with all the quality and
benefits at a lower cost. Is a service designed for the traveler’s comfort,
with four passenger seats located in front of each other, so you can share
your experience, and for the faithful backpack that is always with you we
offer racks placed above the seats. Also, this train has panoramic windows,
air conditioning and heating, and Andean music that creates a cheerful
atmosphere.
DAY 9 MACHU PICCHU / CUZCO
Breakfast and rest of day at leisure by your own (Entrance and bus fee to
Machu Picchu Not included on this day) in the afternoon return to Cusco.
Reception at the train station and transfer to the Hotel where it passed the
night (B).
Upon request: You can make a second visit to Machu Picchu and have the
chance to know hidden places, such as the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun) or for
more adventures can take a hike to the top of Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain)
to visit the Temple of the Moon and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. Or
if you have good physical conditions can take a hike full of adrenaline to
the Putukusi Mountain opposite position than Machu Picchu which allows us to
have other unforgettable views from this new wonder.
DAY 10 TRANSFER OUT
Breakfast and according time, transportation will be provided to go the
airport (B).
INCLUDES: All hotel and lodge accommodations based on double or single
occupancy. All scheduled transportation. All transfers. All scheduled excursions
with English-speaking guide services. All entrance fees. Meals as specified in
the itinerary. B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner.
IMPORTANT: For a better service, the company informs you that it has
autonomy to change the Hotels mentioned in the itinerary with another one of
similar category if therefore sees it by advisable taking into account
justifiable availability of spaces or other reasons, if this it is the case you
will be notified ahead of time.
NOT INCLUDE: International and domestic airfares, airport departure taxes
or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to
flight cancellations, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water,
snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages,
reconfirmation of international flights and items of personal nature.
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