Perú and Bolivia, Two Countries, One Destination Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and La Paz

Day 01: Welcome to Lima, City of Kings, and the Larco Museum of Cultures

Arrival to the city of Lima, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.

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. 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.

Day 02: Cusco, Capital of the Empire, and the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Arrival, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.

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. 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 conquerors 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 conquerors.

Day 03: Inca Village of Chinchero, Terraces of Moray and the Inca Village of Ollantaytambo

This day we shall visit the most outstanding places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will depart towards the Village of Chinchero, the most typical and colorful of the Sacred Valley. This village is famous for its weaving women. Short stop in a textiles center to appreciate the old Inca techniques for the dyeing and spinning using alpaca wool. After visiting the Inca Plaza with its beautiful colonial church, we will continue towards Moray, a beautiful Inca archaeological site made up of concentric agricultural terraces that served as a lab to recreate microclimates. Lunch. Later visit to the last living village of the Incas, Ollantaytambo. Also, a visit to the Temple of the ten windows, the bath of the princess, and the Sun Temple. The postcard pictures that we will take from the heights of Ollantaytambo will close this magical day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Lodging in the area.

Day 04: Machu Picchu, the Lost City

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 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. Lodging.

Day 05: Route to the Andean Altiplano

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 17^th 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.

Day 06: Crossing of Lake Titicaca to Bolivia

This day we sail the highest navigable lake in the world, the Titicaca. Very early departure traveling by land to the city of Copacabana. Visit to the Sanctuary of the Virgen Morena (Dark Virgin). Boarding a catamaran to do the sailing of the sacred lake. We will visit the legendary Isla del Sol (Sun Island). Will visit the Inca gardens and the stairs that will take us to the famous Inca´s fountain. Later, we enter the Inti Wata complex where we see some of the archaeological remains found on the island. Experience navigating on a totora reed vessel from where we will enjoy a beautiful view of the Pilkokaina palace. Will enjoy lunch aboard the catamaran with an impressive view of the lake. We continue until we reach the port of Chua. Arrival and transfer to La Paz.

Day 07: La Paz, City of Contrasts

In the morning, we start our tour of the city with a view of the authentic local culture in the typical witch doctor´s market. We pass in front of the colonial church of San Francisco. Continue towards the Plaza Murillo, there we find the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Government Palace, and the Parliament. Then, we walk around the famous Calle Jaén, which is home to the most important museums of La Paz. Our visit will continue through the residential areas of Obrajes, Calacoto and La Florida ending in the spectacular Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), which is a nearby geological formation that has always attracted the visitor’s interest in this city. Free afternoon. Lodging.

Día 08: Farewell day

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Lima and connect with your international flight to your home.

Languages:

• Shared Tours: English, Spanish.
• Private Tours: Portuguese, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, English, Spanish.

Included:

• Private transfers from airport to hotels.
• Shared transfer to the train station.
• Shared crossing lake on catamaran vessel from Puno to La Paz.
• All admission tickets on tours.
• Shared Tours with English / Spanish speaking guide.
• Round trip railway ticket to Machu Picchu according with selected category.
• 4 lunches.
• 2 dinners.
• 1 night of accommodation in Lima in selected hotels.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Cusco in selected hotels.
• 1 night of accommodation in Sacred Valley in selected hotels.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Puno in selected hotels.
• 2 nights of accommodation in La Paz in selected hotels.
• Daily breakfast.

Not Included:

• Air Tickets (On Request)
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

What should travelers know:

• Machu Picchu has limited capacity. It is required to give the full name, identification document, nationality, date of birth at the time of the reservation. The access to Machu Picchu is taking turns. We are allowed to only remain 4 hours in the citadel. The paths are delimited. We will follow the high-long path. Not permitted: to climb the walls, rest on the steps or terraces, or use walking sticks and drones.
• Operated exclusively by our Representative in the city of Cusco. We offer an experience of visiting the city and the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman in two half days to discover interesting spots of the city of Cusco that the traditional visitor does not cover. Our operation takes the visitor away from the crowd and gives each archaeologic site and church the necessary time to get to know it.

Altitudes:

Lima                                                40 m.a.s.l.

Cusco                                         3,400 m.a.s.l.

Sacsayhuaman                       3,700 m.a.s.l.

Sacred Valley                          2,871 m.a.s.l.

Machu Picchu                         2.440 m.a.s.l.

Puno                                           3,827 m.a.s.l.

La Paz                                         3,640 m.a.s.l.

What to bring:

• Long sleeve shirt. The solar radiation is high at high altitudes. Protect your skin.
• Cap or hat. You can also get them in the artisan markets and contribute to the local economy.
• Warm clothing for the night. Scarf.
• Comfortable shoes for walking. Trekking sneakers.
• Raincoat, in the November to March season. Avoid purchasing single use raincoats.
• Reusable water bottle. Several hotels have water filters available to refill your reusable water bottles. We support the reduction of the single use plastic water Bottle.