Mystic Peru, Italian-speaking guide

Nature, history and living culture; Peru has all the ingredients of a dream destination. We invite you to experience this 8-day shared service tour of some of the most fascinating features of a country that was the birthplace of one of the most enigmatic civilizations in history. You will witness colonial cities and archaeological sites as incredible as Lima and Cusco and breath-taking landscapes while crossing the Andes. Discover and observe the inhabitants of the highest and most navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. This fascinating tour culminates with a visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the world.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Lima: Named as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, the Peruvian capital is a sign of history and modernity.

Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of pre-Columbian ruins and Spanish colonial architecture.

Machu Picchu: The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is hidden on top of an Andean peak. It offers not only views of the mountain range, but also a glimpse into the Inca past.

Titicaca Lake: It is the highest navigable lake in the world and its islands are home to several communities that keep their millenary culture alive.

Day 1: ARRIVAL LIMA

Arrive at Lima Airport. A transport service and a guide will pick you up from the airport at the scheduled time to transfer you to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Rest of day at leisure.

Overnight in Lima

Day 2: LIMA: - CUSCO (90 min by flight)

After breakfast, at 8.30 am, you will be transferred to enjoy a tour of Lima. The main square is the symbolic place where Lima was born in 1535, known as the "City of the Kings", which later became the capital of the Republic of Peru in 1821, the year that marked the country's independence. Visit the Cathedral and the Casa Aliaga, an ancient viceroyalty house handed over by Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains (Jeronimo de Aliaga) after the city was founded. Continue to the district of Pueblo Libre for an interesting tour through the Larco Museum, founded by Rafael Larco Hoyle in 1926 and located inside a mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid. In this famous museum, also known for having the most extensive collection of erotic ceramics in the world, you will have the opportunity to admire a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artefacts. After 4- hours visit; transfer to the airport to board the direct flight to Cusco (Lima – Cusco flight not included and we recommend booking the flight after 3 pm). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation. 

Overnight in Cusco

Day 3: CUSCO – CHINCHERO – SACRED VALLEY – AGUAS CALIENTES (75 Km – 2 hrs by land / 2 hrs by train)

After breakfast, pick up at hotel at 7 am and departure to Chinchero, a historical and artisan centre of Inca origin in the Cusco region, where archaeological remains and one of the first Catholic churches dated to the 17th century are preserved. Chinchero, located at 3,762 m.a.s.l, offers a privileged view of the Sacred Valley. Like most of the towns in the region, Chinchero also experienced the practice of "extirpation of idolatries", an action that replaced traditional deities with Catholic ones during the Colonial times. Enjoy 1-hour visit and then continue to Maras and visit the Inca salt pans: a landscape consisting of about 3,000 ponds used by the Inca people for salt extraction and subsequent exchange with other products of the empire. A magical place, full of extraordinary colour combinations that the sun's rays create on the mirror of water and salt. Then, arrive at Ollantaytambo for lunch at 1 pm. Ollantaytambo is a typical example of urban planning of the Incas and is still inhabited as in the past. You will be able to admire during 1.5 hr the imposing archaeological site which, although it is called "fortress", actually was a "tambo", a place of refreshment and lodging for groups that undertook long journeys. Depart from Ollantaytambo train station towards Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes after 90 minutes by train, you will be welcomed by a chosen hotel representative who will accompany you on foot to the hotel. Once at the hotel, you will be contacted personally or by telephone by the Italian speaking guide who will provide all the indications for the Machu Picchu visit the next day.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (2 hrs by train / 75 Km – 2 hrs by land)

After breakfast at about 6 am (the exact time will be confirmed by our guide on the previous day) begin your visit to the citadel. The guide will accompany you to take the bus to Machu Picchu shared with other tourists. Once there, after 25 minutes by bus, the 2.5 hours guided tour will begin around the citadel. You will visit the main square, the Royal apartments, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock and the cemetery. At the end of the visit return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. In the afternoon, at 2.30 pm approximately, take the train back to Ollantaytambo Station where a private vehicle will be waiting to take you to your chosen hotel in Cusco at around 6 pm.

Overnight in Cusco

Day 5: CUSCO: CITY TOUR

Indulge in a tasty breakfast. Be ready for a pick up at the hotel at 8.30 am for 4 hours tour of the splendid city of Cusco, which was the capital of the Inca Empire (15th century). Take a look to the Main Square, the Regocijo Square, the Cathedral, the Monastery of Santo Domingo and the legendary Korikancha Temple. Afterwards, visit the archaeological sites of Kenko, Puca Pucara and the extraordinary fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which offers an extraordinary view of the city of Cusco. Return to the hotel at 1 pm. You have the free afternoon to wander through the streets of the bohemian San Blas neighborhood that was inhabited by the Inca nobility with imposing stone buildings, just a few steps from the famous Main Square or Huacaypata. At 7 pm you will be taken to enjoy dinner in a restaurant with folklore show and return to the hotel at 9.30 pm. 

Overnight in Cusco

Day 6: CUSCO - PUNO (390 km - 10 hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel at 06:30 am our transport service will take you to the bus station, where a representative will help you catch your bus to Puno. There will be an English and Spanish-speaking assistant on the bus during journey. On the way, you’ll make a number of interesting stops. After a 1 hour ride, visit Andahuaylillas. The main attraction here is the local Church, known as the "Sistine Chapel of America" owing to the high quality of art found inside. The church was built during the 16th century on top of Wari remains. After 1 1/2 hrs of route, arrive to Racchi, home to the Wiracocha Temple, an Inca site built in honour of a powerful Andean god. The rectangular construction boasts thatched rooftops 20 metres above the ground; these are thought to be the highest in the Inca Empire. The visit will take about 45 minutes followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Then we will take a short break at La Raya, the highest point of the trip between Cusco and Puno, at the dizzying altitude of 4,313 metres above sea level. Then we will continue to the town of Pucara and the Pucara Lithic Museum, where we will spend about 30 minutes. This was the first urban settlement on Lake Titicaca, established between 100 and 300 A.D. Arrive at Puno in the late afternoon (approximately 5 pm), where an Italian speaking staff will welcome you transfer you to the hotel.

Overnight in Puno.

Day 7: PUNO - LAKE TITICACA: UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS - PUNO (1 hr by boat)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up at 7 am and transferred to the port of Puno where you will embark a boat, for the beautiful 7-hour excursion around the Uros Islands (you will be sharing the boat with other clients but the guide is on private basis). The Uros are an indigenous people of Peru that live on a series of man-made islands, created entirely from the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. The islands are composed of layers of woven totora, which are constantly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom. The Uros people also use reeds to construct their homes, so cooking is done outdoors to avoid possible fires! After visiting this fascinating island for an hour and a half, sail to Taquile, a small slice of heaven that once belonged to the Inca Empire and whose residents speak Quechua. Look around and you will notice traces of its Incan past in the ruins that still exist around the island. After a brief introduction, the local community will give you an insight into their customs and traditions with a cultural demonstration. Lunch is enjoyed on the island before the return trip to Puno at 3.30 pm. Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Puno

Day 8: DEPARTURE PUNO

After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, your representative will assist you with check out and accompany you on the short transfer from Puno to the airport. Although this is the last day of your journey through some of the most fascinating places Peru has to offer, we hope that your memories of this remarkable country, bursting with both culture and history, will last a lifetime.

Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay

Carry the same document that you presented to the agency, given that the train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information

In all train services to Machu Picchu, the passenger can carry only hand luggage (backpack, bag or briefcase) weighing no more than 5kg / 11lb on the train to / from Machu Picchu. You will find your luggage at the chosen hotel. Allowed size: 62 linear inches 157cm (height + length + width)