2024 Peru First Class Cultural Escape Tour

As you arrive into Lima airport and exit customs and baggage, you will be warmly welcomed by our driver. You will be assisted with your luggage before escorted to your hotel in a private vehicle. Your hotel in Lima will be the 4 star Casa Andina Select Hotel. Free evening.

Casa Andina

After breakfast pick up for your as group visit of colonial and modern Lima, starting in the centre of this vibrant, metropolis. The tour will include a visit of the cathedral, dating from 1654 which still houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro in the foyer; the Main Square, with the original bronze fountain built in 1650, the Government Palace where the President has his official residence and the San Francisco Convent, with its famous catacombs.
Lima, known as the city of the kings, was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and after several devastating earthquakes was rebuilt in 1991; the same year that UNESCO declared Lima a world heritage site. One of the very few South American cities that preserve the colonial past, Lima was home to the Spanish viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonial power. The tour will continue with a visit to the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores, before returning to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, with boarding passes in hand, you will be driven to the airport for your quick-check-in and brief one hour flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. In Cuzco, you will be warmly welcomed and assisted with your luggage before your short private drive to the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel.
In the early afternoon, you will be met for a group tour of Cuzco including the Qoricancha temple or temple of the Sun, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco city, Qenko, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara. Return to the hotel in the evening.

Meals: B

After breakfast at your hotel, start of a full-day's excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is an exceptionally fertile valley that was and remains the larder of Cuzco. You will visit the village of Pisac, founded during colonial times, and set at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of an ancient Inca city. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will witness Indians bartering their products in the main square and artisans from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc. Visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. You will then return to Cuzco after this full day.

Meals: B

Today you will have an early start and enjoy breakfast before your train to Aguas Calientes. The train will depart at 06.30am for the 3 ½ hour journey Arrive to Aguas Calientes train station, gateway to the lost city of the Incas.
Check-in to your hotel, El Mapi. The short ride up to Machu Picchu will meander through breathtaking mountain scenery up to the ancient Inca citadel. Shortly after, a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture.

El Mapi Hotel  |   Meals: B & D

Today you will enjoy a free day in Machu Picchu with an opportunity to see the site at sunrise. Today no guide is provided as we feel that Machu Picchu requires a certain amount of self discovery to be fully understood. Take any of the several paths around various parts of the site, trek up to Wayna Picchu or walk down to the Inca's bridge. Let Machu Picchu unfold all its mysteries for you, take in the breathtaking cloud forests and jagged mountains, or marvel at the extraordinary Masonic precision of the ancient Incas. Return train back to Cuzco and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport your return flight back to Lima in time for your connecting flight home.

Meals: B