BEST OF PERU’S INCAN WORLD
Lima – Yucay – Machu Picchu – Cusco – Lima
Travel Peru Seat-in-Coach Tour
Peru – also known as The Kingdom of the Sun, is one of the most representative countries of Latin America due to the mix of native Indian, afro American and European cultures. Peru is a country where the traditional customs have transcended through the years, and they are the basis for the current way of life. The contrasts produced because of the different landscapes and people, is why Peru is such an interesting country to visit. The City of Kings was once the scenario of the war against the Spanish conquerors, who came in a ruthless search for the gold that was hidden in Peru. However, their most wanted treasure was the Lost City of the Incas: Machu Picchu, which they never found.
Day 01 – Thursday Lima / Approx. 22 km
- Transfer airport – hotel
Arrival at the airport in Lima, where you will be welcomed by an English-speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel and Check-in.
Lima was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro as “The city of the kings” and became the capital and most important city of the Spanish Viceroyalty. Today it is still Peru’s most important city as it gives home to about 9 million people, almost 30% of the national population. The historical city centre comes with splendid colonial styled architecture, large squares such as the Plaza de Armas (or Plaza Mayor) and grand churches which have been declared by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage. In its modern quarters such as Miraflores and San Isidro you can find present day architecture, great entertainment and a number of first-class hotels and restaurants. Peruvians are very proud of their cuisine which enjoys a worldwide reputation.
Standard:
Overnight at Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Lima Miraflores 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)
Superior:
Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Miraflores 4* (local category 5*) or similar (superior room)
Day 02 – Friday Lima / Approx. 35 km
- Meals: Breakfast
- City tour including San Francisco monastery and Larco Museum (5h)
In the morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the most important sights in Lima. The Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace, the Town Hall, the Palace of the Archbishop, and the Cathedral. After visit the beautiful Monastery of San Francisco which displays the largest collection of religious art in the Americas. The highlight of this convent is the visit to the underground vaults, known as “catacumbas” or catacombs.
Journey through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores and to the Coastline, enjoying the view over the beaches of Lima and the Pacific Ocean.
Afterwards enjoy a guided visit of one of the Lima’s most important museums, the Larco Museum which houses the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian Art. Mr. Rafael Larco Hoyle founded the museum on July 28, 1926, on the Chiclin sugar estate in Trujillo, naming it after his father. In 1958 he moved the collection to Lima, installing the Museum in a Colonial house in the district of Pueblo Libre, where it currently functions. This place was adapted to the characteristics style of an 18th century colonial houses from Trujillo. The 45,000 objects from this collection have been exhibited to the public in the Permanent Hall, Jewellery Vault, and the Classified Storage Area, ever since it moved to Lima.
The Halls of the Larco Museum are organized into subjects, Metals, Ceramics, Stones, Culture, Great Jewellery, and Textiles. All emphasizing the technological aspects of the Pre-Columbian cultures. Finally, the World’s unique Erotic Hall, gives us a glimpse of the fascinating sexual life of ancient Peruvians.
Afternoon free at leisure or take the below optional tour.
Optional: Visit of the Waterpark and dinner at Café del Museo (5h)
You will be picked up at the hotel and driven to the city center and to the Parque de la Exposición, one of the biggest waterparks in the city. There you can marvel at different shapes of fountains illuminated with different colours. The highlight of each evening is the music show at the biggest fountain, with the water dancing at the rhythm of the music.
Afterwards enjoy a variety of regional dishes in the Café del Museo, located in the Larco Museum. The Café del Museo is set in the garden within the grounds of this beautiful colonial building, you can either sit outside on the terrace surrounded by colourful flowers or inside.
**Remarks: Visit of the Waterpark is only possible from Tuesday to Sunday. Dinner: three course menu includes a Pisco Sour, mineral water and one hot beverage (coffee or tea)
Standard:
Overnight at Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Lima Miraflores 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)
Superior:
Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Miraflores 4* (local category 5*) or similar (superior room)
Day 03 – Saturday Lima – Cusco – Yucay / Approx. 66 km
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transfer hotel – airport
- Flight Lima – Cusco (not included)
- Transfer airport – hotel in the Urubamba Valley including visit to the Sanctuary Cochahuasi
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel in the Urubamba Valley, known as Sacred Valley and which is where the Urubamba River, a headstream of the Amazon passes through.
On your way to the Urubamba Valley, you will undertake a short visit to the sanctuary, Cochahuasi. See Pumas, Condors, and Aras. The small conservation project is not comparable with a Zoo. On arrival to hotel, rest of the day free. Overnight.
Standard:
Overnight at Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay 3-4* (local category 3*) or similar (standard room)
Superior:
Overnight at Hotel Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness 4-5* (local category 5*) or similar (deluxe room)
Day 04 – Sunday Yucay / Approx. 46 km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Visit of the “Mercado de Urubamba”
- Half day excursion to the Ollantaytambo Ruins (4h)
In the morning, visit the “Mercado de Urubamba”
The “Mercado de Urubamba” is an authentic market where real bartering takes place. The rural people of the surrounding areas, sell and barter agricultural products as well as animals. It is also the place where locals exchange gossips and news.
After visit Ollantaytambo, a typical Inca community. Towering above the town of Ollantaytambo we will find the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo with steep stone terraces rising from the edge of town leading up to the fortress ruins at the top of the hill. A stone stairway leads up through the terrace walls, which visitors can follow. One of the best-preserved areas lies north of the Hanan Huacaypata square: an area of 15 blocks of houses built on top of carved stone walls. Lunch included in a typical restaurant near Ollantaytambo.
For the afternoon the following optional tours can be booked or afternoon free.
Optional: Trekking to the terraces of Yucay (1h)
An easy and relaxing hike to enjoy nature. Behind the Plaza of Yucay you will see an impressive group of terraces that follow the outline of the mountain and are still in use by the locals.
The trail will allow you to observe the old Inca water channels which are still used today, for the irrigation of the agricultural terraces.
Standard:
Overnight at Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay 3-4* (local category 3*) or similar (standard room)
Superior:
Overnight at Hotel Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness 4-5* (local category 5*) or similar (deluxe room)
Day 05 – Monday Yucay – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes/ ca. 56 km
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Full day tour to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu called the Lost City of the Incas; this cultural heritage of mankind is a beautifully located impressive stone city constructed with a technique incredible for its era and even for present times. Stone upon stone, fitted together perfectly without any cement, with impressive delicacy, exquisite detail, and discrimination worthy of the world’s greatest palaces. There are many theories about Machu Picchu, but one thing is for sure - it is one of the most impressive sites in the world.
Our tour will start with a transfer to the local train station of Ollantaytambo. Our journey will take us through the fertile plains of the Urubamba valley with a final destination, Aguas Calientes. Upon alighting we will board a small shuttle bus which take us up the quite steep mountain side, to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Tour of the Sanctuary, which lasts around 2 hours, after which free time. You can either stay longer around the site or return by shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes and your hotel.
Your guide will return to Cusco today.
Dinner included at the hotel.
Standard:
Overnight at Hotel El Mapi 3-4* (local category 4*) or similar (superior deluxe room)
Superior:
Overnight at Hotel Sumaq 4-5* (local category 5*) or similar (deluxe room)
Day 06 – Tuesday Aguas Calientes – Cusco/ca. 95 km
- Meals: Breakfast
Morning free at leisure.
Optional: Second entrance to Machu Picchu (without guide) including shuttle bus
Today, you have the possibility to visit the mystic site of Machu Picchu once again early in the morning, this time on your own. Take the shuttle bus to the ruins and enter the site a second time. After the visit, take the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes.
**Remark: we strongly recommend booking this excursion in advance. The number of visitors per day is limited, so only by buying the entrance ticket in advance can the visit be guaranteed.
In the afternoon, return by train to Ollantaytambo (without guide assistance). Transfer to Cusco.
Standard:
Overnight at Hotel Xima Cusco 3-4*(local category 4*) or similar (standard room)
Superior:
Overnight at Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique 5*(local category 5*) or similar (deluxe room)
Day 07 – Wednesday Cusco / Approx. 25 km
- Meals: Breakfast
- Half day city tour and visit of the ruins
- Afternoon free at leisure
Cusco – South America's archaeological capital and oldest continuously inhabited city, is now one of Peru’ s most important and most frequented tourist attractions. Nevertheless, it still remains a vivid legacy to what was the centre of the Inca Empire: Quechua-speaking Inca descendants are many in the streets of this century-old stone-walled city. Cusco has beautiful art from the colonial times – fine examples can be found in the Cathedral and Museum of Archaeology.
Today enjoy a half day city tour beginning at the exact centre of the Inca Empire, the main square, “Plaza de Armas “. Also located on the square is the cathedral, built on the ruins of the ancient Inca Palace. The cathedral borders on other churches on both sides. The Cathedral was formerly the site of the temple to the Inca creator deity Viracocha and today a treasure trove for religious art produced by native artisans in the years following the Spanish Conquest can be seen. Next continue to the Santo Domingo Monastery, which was also constructed on the site of an Inca temple, Coricancha or the Temple of the Sun. The building of the church atop the ruins, ironically preserved parts of the Inca structures which were revealed intact after a devastating earthquake in 1950, that crumbled the Spanish construction. Finally a visit to the Inca ruines 3km outside of Cusco, beginning at the fortress of Sacsayhuaman (site of an important battle between Inca and Spanish troops), and wrapping up the day with stops at Q’enko, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
**Remark: To protect the historic centre of Cusco, vehicles are no longer allowed in the main square.
The afternoon is free at leisure.
Standard:
Overnight at Hotel Xima Cusco 3-4*(local category 4*) or similar (standard room)
Superior:
Overnight at Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique 5* (local category 5*) or similar (deluxe room)
Day 08 – Thursday Cusco – Lima / Approx. 27 km
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transfer hotel – airport Cusco
- Flight Cusco – Lima (not included)
- Transfer airport Lima – hotel
Transfer to Cusco airport.
Flight to Lima (not included) and transfer to hotel.
Optional: Gastronomic Tour
Collected from your hotel, start a culinary tour through Lima. First stop will be at a very well-known city market, whose area is divided up into, fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish, all of which are directly sourced to the farmer or the fisherman. The market sellers will allow you to sample there produce or you can snack at the food stalls and enjoy what is cooked and sold. You will be leaving with appetite, which is perfect, as afterwards you will continue with the sampling of classical Peruvian dishes. Latter return to hotel.
**Remark: The tour can also be booked on regular seat-in-basis (shared with other international travelers and bilingual English/Spanish guide). The excursion on regular seat-in-basis starts at 11:00am.
Optional: Visit of Barranco district (3h)
In the morning transfer to the district of Barranco. Barranco is the bohemian heart of Lima where many of the country's foremost artists, musicians, photographers, and designers live and work. Its charming colonial and republican mansions, flowery parks and languid aura give it a distinctly romantic feel. You will stop at the Bridge of Sighs, an ancient but solid bridge which has long inspired poets and songwriters like Chabuca Grande.
Stroll and admire the old houses and the view of the ocean. Visit one of the galleries and art shops. Return to hotel.
Standard:
Overnight at Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Lima Miraflores 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)
Superior:
Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Miraflores 4* (local category 5*) or similar (superior room)
Day 09 – Friday Lima – departure / Approx. 22 km
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transfer Hotel – airport
Transfer to airport for your flight home.
End of our services
For a more intense travel experience TRAVEL PERU offers individual extensions to different regions. Further details below the price information.
General Conditions
- Departure of the land programme is guaranteed with a minimum of 02 participants. The operation of the tour can only be guaranteed by the end of the free cancellation deadline of the land services, which is 40 days prior to departure (release date).
- The transfers on arrival and departure day are included in the roundtrip rate from 02 persons on; in case 01 pax arrives/departs separately, surcharges for extra transfers will apply.
- All transfers and excursions are on TRAVEL PERU-seat-in-service and include local English-speaking guides (changing in each area). Transfers and excursions are provided together for passengers of both hotel categories: standard and superior.
On day 05 the guide will leave to Cusco in the evening, the second visit of Machu Picchu on day 06 is without guide assistance and passengers have to go to the train station in Aguas Calientes on their own.
- The small group guarantee of max. 12 participants cannot be ensured for services on regular seat-in-basis (non-TRAVEL PERU-exclusive services).
- Full payment of program 60 days prior to arrival and with respect to any internal flights full payment on confirmation of booking / reservations.
- Cancellation Policy:
- Until 40 days before arrival no cancellation fee
- From 39 until 20 days before arrival 50% cancellation fee
- From 19 until 1 days before arrival 80% cancellation fee
- Arrival day 95% cancellation fee.
Cancellation fees for flights are subject to separate cancellation conditions depending on the Airline. For some airlines cancellation fees will apply already 60 days before arrival.
- Covid19:
TRAVEL PERU is not responsible for any Health Protocols and other requirements inflicted for both entry and departure ex/to any country within South America. Guests shall contact the corresponding embassies in their countries to check about any limitations or required Health controls when entering or departing each destination.
In case your booking is suffering changes due to protocols implemented by the government, your TRAVEL PERU contact will advise you latest at the time of reconfirmation of the booking.
In case a guest tests positive while traveling in South America, he/she will be obliged to follow each country's and hotel's protocol regarding quarantine and follow-up testing. As some hotels refuse to host guests who tested positive for Covid19, hotel changes might be necessary. Any extra costs resulting from Covid19 related quarantine or re-routing of the guest need to be paid directly by the guest or her/his insurance. TRAVEL PERU will assist throughout the stay.
In the unlikely event that traveling will be made impossible due to government regulations such as closed borders in either the country of origin of the guest or the destination, TRVEL PERU will be refunding the cost of the trip.
In case a guest tests positive for Covid19 before traveling to South America and provides a copy of the positive test results, TRAVEL PERU will be refunding the cost of the trip.
Exceptions might apply for air tickets issued through TRAVEL PERU as refunds will depend on the policy of the airlines.
Refunds will be done once suppliers refunded any advance payments to our bank account.
We strongly suggest all guests planning to come to South America purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering Covid19 related costs.
- In case of early transfers breakfast in the hotel cannot be guaranteed. If a dinner is included in the program, it cannot be guaranteed in case of unforeseen late arrivals.
- The mentioned kilometers do not include the distances covered by airplane, boat or on trekking excursions.
- Bordering the train to/from Machu Picchu /Aguas Calientes the passport or copy has to be shown.
- For the train ride to/from Machu Picchu /Aguas Calientes only one 5 kg piece of hand luggage is allowed. For the visit of Machu Picchu, we recommend good shoes, the trail is without handrail and could be slippery. Walking sticks need to have a rubbery end in order to be permitted inside the Sanctuary.
- For entering Machu Picchu Sanctuary, it is not allowed to bring glass, plastic bottles or food. Large backpacks (more than 20 litre volume) have to be stored at an extra cost at the storage by the entrance.
- Entrance Fees to Machu Picchu:
Please note that to protect the ruins, the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are restricted. The number of entrance fees available is usually sufficient if bought in advance; however, note that for a possible second day at Machu Picchu we always recommend buying the entrance ticket in advance to avoid disappointment, if not already included in the offer.
Inside the ruin site, 4 different routes (upper and lower circuits, short and long version) are available which our guides will point out, depending on the time of day, fitness level, and personal interest of the guests.
Note that there are no bathrooms inside the citadel and tickets do not allow leaving the citadel and re-entering.
The 3 main sites within the Machu Picchu ruins are limited to the following visiting hours:
- Intihuatana Sundial: 07:00-10:00am
- Temple of the Condor: 10:00am-01:00pm
- Temple of the Sun: 01:00pm-04:00pm
Please note that to purchase entrance tickets; we need the full name, passport number, and date of birth of each passenger.
- For groups travelling through Cusco please note that due to regulations in order to protect the historic buildings and streets, certain larger vehicle sizes are not allowed in some central areas of the city. This implies that that various parts of the city tour will be done walking, and in order to approach hotels groups will be split up temporarily in smaller vehicles, and some vehicles will be travelling for a short period of time without an assistant (driver only).
- TRAVEL PERU is not responsible for any belongings of the passengers carried during any services rendered by TRAVEL PERU, such as transfers or tours.
- For the internal flights as shown in this program, TRAVEL PERU can offer this service and book/ reserve all your flights. If you require this service, TRAVEL PERU will book/reserve your flights and invoice you for the total amount. If you wish to book and reserve your flights directly yourselves, TRAVEL PERU will provide all the carriers and flight information necessary, so you can book. This will ensure that hopefully the whole group will travel together on the same flights.
- Our prices include taxes, entrance fees, tax & service charge in the hotels and the obligatory luggage fees at the airports and in the hotels. Meals are included as and when mentioned in our program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
- Our prices do not include Airport taxes, airfares, personal expenses, extras in the hotels and tips.
- TRAVEL PERU has the right to sell this tour to other clients without any exception.
- The above-mentioned rates for pre- and post-nights at the group hotels are subject to availability and valid for max. 3 nights. From the 4th night on, a higher rate could apply.
- Optional tours can only be booked through our local TRAVEL PERU-office or TRAVEL PERU-guides. TRAVEL PERU cannot be held responsible for tours booked via any other supplier. Tours have to be paid on the spot. Payment by credit card is not always accepted.
- Flights not booked via TRAVEL PERU can only be reconfirmed by TRAVEL PERU with the correct bookings/ reservations.
- For group flight reservations in general, no seat assignments can be made in advance so that preferred seating cannot be guaranteed. Groups are checked in at the airport and this is when the seats are distributed by the airlin
- 8 weeks prior to arrival complete passenger details including full name, passport number and validity date, Nationality, date of birth and international ticket number is required.
- Our quoted hotel rates in Peru do not include 18% local VAT tax. Peruvian law exonerates all foreigners visiting Peru for periods of sixty days or less, of the 18% local VAT tax. This will be verified by means of presenting their passport when checking into the hotel, a copy will be taken.
Important: Cancellation charges for hotel services may increase to 118% of the sales rate in case of no-show or last-minute cancellation. In case the requirements are not met by the guests, the 18% local VAT tax will be charged directly to them.
- Please inquire at the competent authorities about the actual entry permit, validity of passports and the vaccination regulations.
- TRAVEL PERU liability will be limited to the reimbursement of services supplied for failure of services contracted by us. TRAVEL PERU cannot be held liable for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity occasioned by air-carriers or third-party suppliers and by natural phenomena, sickness, war, quarantine, strike, or any other kind of force major or by attendance to Federal Police, customs and Health Authorities regulations.
- All room categories mentioned in our offers are based on the hotel specific naming which do not necessarily comply with international standard denominations. Please contact us for more information on room standards in the offered hotels.
Conditions of Payment:
Unless otherwise agreed, the full payment is due 60 days prior to arrival.
Best of Peru Incan World: 09 Days
Best of South America: 15 Days
Best of Peru and Brazil: 15 Days
Best of Argentina and Chile: 12 Days
Best of Argentina and Brazil: 8 Days