| Starts | Lima, Peru |
|---|---|
| Ends | Cusco, Peru |
| Region | South America & Central America |
| Duration | 10 days |
| Tour Operator | Peregrine |
Itinerary
Day 1
Lima
Upon arrival in Lima you will be transferred to your hotel.You will meet up with your local tour guide, either at the airport or at your hotel. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned for today.While Peru's capital officially began life in 1535, when Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded the city on the Day of the Three Kings, settlements had been scattered through the valley since before the Incas. The city was built on top of an existing palace and temples that belonged to the local chief who had little choice but to move on. Lima was in its prime during the Spanish colonial days and much of the city's attraction now lies in its well-preserved historical centre.Your guide will take you on a walking tour of downtown Lima, including the city's historical centre - so there's no need for you to visit the downtown area prior to the trip. Flanked by streets of ornate colonial mansions, palaces and churches, Plaza Mayor is the best place to start any exploration of Lima. Take a walk through the old streets to get a feel for colonial life. On one side of the plaza is the cathedral, which houses the remains of Lima's founder, Francisco Pizarro.In your free time, we recommend you take a walk around Miraflores. Go from Central Park (Parque Kennedy) to Larco Mar via Larco Avenue. Alternatively go to Parque del Amor (Love's Park) for a nice view of Lima's beaches. Other things to see and do include a tour to Pachacamac (approx 30 km from downtown Lima), the Museo de la Nacion and the Gold Museum. Limenos (Lima's residents) are friendly and there are plenty of great restaurants and cafes to sample ceviche, a local seafood speciality.
Day 2-3
Amazon Jungle (Puerto Maldonado)
Fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado (Flight duration approx 2.5-3 hrs)Please note the flight will be unescorted however you willbe taken to the airport in Lima and met at the other end in Puerto Maldonado.Upon arrival, the lodge staff will take you to their office in town where you'll leave most of your luggage in a safe storage and continue travelling with a small pack with just the necessary items for our next two nights in the jungle.Take a motorised canoe up river to our jungle lodge in the Madre de Dios area. Head into the jungle with our local, multilingual guides and encounter magnificent fauna and flora in their natural habitat. Spot everything from macaws and monkeys to peccaries, jabirus, otters and thousands of butterflies. The guides can also teach us about the medicinal properties and practical uses of the plants. After exploring the wilds, it's time to jump back in the canoe and return to Puerto Maldonado.The lodge is eco-friendly and combines low-impact architecture with traditional native style. Rooms are simple, but comfortable with flush toilets (en suite), showers (cold water only), mosquito nets and kerosene lamps for light.
Day 4-6
Cusco
Day 4Fly from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco (approx 35 mins).Please note the flight will be unescorted however you will be taken to the airport in Puerto Maldonado and met at the other end in Cusco.We arrive into Cusco in the afternoon. The remainder of today is free.The Cusco region truly is the heart and soul of Peru. The city itself is the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city and was the home of the Incas for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today Cusco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. Inca-built walls line the central streets and many of the elegant colonial buildings are built on or around Inca foundations. This is a city steeped in history, tradition and legend and is a perfect base for explorations into the Inca world or to enjoy a range of outdoor activities. Take the time to acclimatise to the city's 3400 metres (11,150 ft) altitude and explore the many Baroque churches and ancient temples that dot the city.Day 5Your guide will take you on a walking tour including a visit to the Coca Museum - where you can learn more about this infamous plant which has been an essential part of life in the Andes for centuries - and the local San Pedro market where you will find vegetables, meats, local cheeses (which you should certainly try), local chocolates, herbal medicines and many local handicrafts. It’s a great place to purchase some souvenirs. The market is also a place where many locals go to eat ‘mystery soups’. Some may be just chicken; however, the most popular amongst the locals are usually the more unusual ones like frog soups or soups that contains nose to tail of various animals.Day 6Free day in Cusco.For you to make the most of your free time in Cusco, your trip includes a 'Full Boleto Turistico', a tourist pass that gives you access to 16 archaeological sites in and around Cusco, including Qenqo, Tambomachay, Pukapukara, Saqsaywaman, amongst others. Please speak with your tour guide or more information.
Day 7
Sacred Valley - Ollantaytambo
Travel by private bus through the Sacred Valley. Known as Wilcamayo by the Incas, the lush, fertile valley has long been the main source of food for the high Andes. Maize crops can be seen surrounding the river and covering the terraces carved high into the valley walls.At the Sacred Valley you will visit the stone fortress of Sacsayhuaman where massive stone blocks that form the walls of this site give you an awesome picture of how highly developed Inca engineering was. Looking over the city from its hilltop position, the fortress is built out of massive stone blocks and is the ultimate example of the Inca's military strength.We'll head to a community along the valley to learn about local lifestyle and activities, and if our visit coincides with market day, we can spend time browsing the stalls in search of hand-painted beads or warm ponchos and maybe practising a little bit of the local language, Quechua. Lunch is provided today by the local community.Continue the journey to Ollantaytambo.The town of Ollantaytambo has been built over an ancient Inca town, which is a magnificent example of Inca urban planning. This is one of the few places where the Incas defeated the Spanish.Ollantaytambo's archaeological site is located to the east of the Plaza de Armas. The upper terraces of this site offer great photo opportunities of the squared grid town below.
Day 8
Aguas Calientes
This morning we travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (this journey is unescorted however you will have assistance in both Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes). The remainder of the day in Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, is a free day.While away your free time in the natural hot springs that give the town its name.Please note that you'll leave most of your luggage in Cusco while visiting Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Make sure you have a small backpack to carry the necessary items for 2 days' travelling.
Day 9-10
Machu Pichu - Cusco
We take an early morning bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu (approx 30 mins).Built around 1450, the city was deserted less than a century later following the Spanish invasion and ‘lost’ for hundreds of years before it was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The architecture of Machu Picchu is quite extraordinary, with the mortar-free design particularly earthquake resistant and the stones so precisely cut that to this day not even a knife fits between them.You will tour the site with your guide (approx 1.5-2 hrs) and then have some free time to explore by yourself, before taking the bus down to the small town of Aguas Calientes. There are some small shops and restaurants in the town where you can wile the time away. Alternatively you may choose to Visit the hot thermal baths located on the edge of town. In the afternoon you take the train back to Cusco (this journey is unescorted however you will have assistance in both Aguas Calientes & Cusco)WAYNA PICCHU: Due to Peregrine's internal safety policy our leaders are specifically prohibited from recommending or assisting with booking this activity.Your Independent Journey finishes on Day 10 after breakfast. Departing flights can be booked for any time on this day.
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