Heart of Peru

This short exclusive tour concentrates on Peru´s highlights: the Sacred Valley, Cuzco, and the World Heritage site of Machu Picchu. This tour departs on a daily basis which makes it easier to adjust to any and all travel dates. You select your preferred hotel category, and you meet your group mainly during day trips so this is really a semi-private tour.

Day 1: Arrival in Lima
On arrival in Lima, transfer to your selected hotel.

Day 2: Lima
Tour of the ´City of the Kings´. You will start in Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological center active between 400-700 AD. Proceed to the historical centerof Lima, declared by Unesco as a World Heritage. Here you will see the XVIIIth century Cathedral, the Government Palace, the City Hall and Archbishop´s Palace. Proceed to San Francisco monastery, masterpiece of colonial arquitecture. Drive through the residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro from where you can see the remarkably cold Pacific Ocean. B

Day 3: Lima - Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for departure flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transfer to your selected hotel. In the afternoon, explore this most magical city, capital of the Inca Empire (15th century), on a tour* including Plaza Regocijo, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Convent and the legendary Korikancha Temple "site of gold", the most important temple devoted to worship of the sun and whose walls were plated with sheets of gold, and the old town with its very narrow streets. Drive out of the city to visit the archaeological Inca remains of Tambomachay, Kenko, Puca Pucara and the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, overlooking Cusco. Overnight Cusco. (* this tour may include other people). B

Day 4: Sacred Valley
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Drive through the valley to Ollantaytambo, stroll by the quaint streets of the present town and proceed to admire the magnificence of the Inca fortress. Enjoy lunch at a nice hostelry in the countryside and continue to Pisac for an opportunity to bargain with vendors at its typical market. Overnight at the selected hotel. B, L, D

Day 5: Machu Picchu
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to Ollanta station and board the railcoach for one-and-a-half hour train ride to Machu Picchu. 25-minute motorcoach ascent to "The Lost City of the Incas". Guided tour of the marvelous citadel, an awe-inspiring experience. Enjoy lunch at Orient Express Sanctuary Lodge next to the citadel. Overnight at the selected hotel. Dinner. B, L, D

Day 6: Machu Picchu - Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel. Early wake up to admire Machu Picchu at sunrise. Stroll by these extraordinary Inca remains or hike up the Huayna Picchu. Afternoon motorcoach or rail transportation to Cusco. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. B

Day 7: Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Enjoy Cusco´s colonial churches and mansions built over original Inca constructions, admire its beautiful plazas or just stroll its picturesque cobblestoned streets. Visit San Blas quarter, or simply spend the day shopping and relaxing. B

Day 8: Cusco - Fly out from Lima
Breakfast at the hotel.Transfer from the hotel to the airport. Assistance on departure flight. Upon arrival in Lima, assistance to connecting internacional flight. B

Key: B: breakfast, L: lunch, BL: box lunch, D: dinner