|
DAY 1 LIMA
Pick up upon arrival at Lima’s airport and transportation to the
hotel. Overnight (No meals)
DAY 2 LIMA - CHICLAYO
Early in the morning transfer to the airport where you will take the
flight to Chiclayo (airfare not included).
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and after some rest time we set
off for the mud-brick pyramid that made world headlines in 1987 with
one of the most sensational finds of recent archaeology. Known as
the Huaca Rajada -- the "Cracked Pyramid", because of the deep
gulleys weathered into its flanks -- this eroded adobe platform
yielded fabulous ancient treasures from a series of deeply buried
tombs of the pre-Inca Moche culture, who lived in the valleys of
Peru's north coast 1,500 years ago. To get there we drive east up
the broad, flat Reque valley past fields of sugarcane studded with
varicolored pastel foothills of the great Andean chain, then
arriving at the modern village of Sipán. Here we see the tombs
themselves, with superb reconstructions of the burials of priests
and chieftains, together with their sacrificed guards and companions.
A highly informative site museum tells the story of this
extraordinary civilization, who created some of the finest pottery,
jewelry and goldworking of the Americas -- while also staging
macabre costumed rituals of combat, sacrifice and propitiation as
they sought to mediate a never-ending struggle between the forces of
Order and Chaos.
We return to Chiclayo for a delicious lunch of Peru's northern-style
cuisine, and then continue on to Lambayeque, where we visit the
Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum. This modern building, representing the
style of a Moche pyramid, was built to house the stunning and
priceless objects unearthed at Sipán. (A single looted object from
the tombs was intercepted at an auction in the U.S. -- carrying a
reserve price of $1.6 million!)
Here we see the incredible array of precious symbols and images,
stones and shell necklaces, ear-plugs and headdresses that were worn
and displayed at Moche ceremonies, and also learn what is known of
their meaning. This astonishing visit ends at an "animated waxworks"
exhibit of the lords and retinue of the Moche court, allowing us to
glimpse and imagine the world of an unfamiliar but dazzling
civilization that thrived here at a time when Europe was sliding
into the Dark Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire.
After these sensational experiences we drive to an oasis of calm at
Tucumé, today's final destination. Here we see the chronological
sequence that followed the fall of the Moche, at a site where their
descendants, the Sicán culture, continued to amass millions of adobe
bricks for the building of mighty pyramids -- including the longest
of its kind in the world, at more than 700m/2,300ft -- but were now
influenced by highland tribes, and began to abandon their old ways.
The history of this scenic site -- extensively investigated by the
famed Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl -- leads us all the way to
the Incas, who conquered the region not long before they, in turn,
were conquered by the Spanish. We can climb to a viewing platform
with superb views of the surrounding pyramids and the dry woodland
habitat of the Leche valley. We can also visit the small, intimate
and low-tech site museum, to enjoy the excellent collection of
excavated objects, dioramas of daily life, and models of the
pyramids.
We return to Chiclayo for an overnight stay. (L)
DAY 3 CHICLAYO TO TRUJILLO: ACROSS THE NORTH PERUVIAN DESERT TO
TRUJILLO AND THE MOCHE PYRAMIDS OF THE SUN AND MOON.
In the morning, we'll travel with our guide by private car or bus to
Trujillo. This half-day journey south down the Pan-American highway
offers a shifting panorama of scenes from coastal Peru, alternating
irrigated river valleys such as the Jequetepeque and Chicama, with
stretches of arid dune and rocky desert. We make a stop at pacasmayo
to enjoy a delicious lunch.
Upon request optional visit the archaeological site of El Brujo:
This site featured in National Geographic magazine after the
sensational discovery here of the mummy of a tattooed priestess,
buried with a variety of ceremonial and military accoutrements. An
extraordinary array of multicolored murals dating from seven or more
phases of construction depicts both scenes from the daily lives of
the Moche, and gory rituals of sacrifice.
Additional: $76 per person based on single and $46 based on
double
We arrive in Trujillo in the early afternoon. This city, founded in
1534 on the orders of Francisco Pizarro, maintains a colonial
atmosphere, with its spacious main square, and marvelous
colonial-period adobe buildings in the coastal colonial style,
featuring huge barred windows and massive wooden doorways. We
continue onwards, driving a short way from Trujillo, to visit the
Huaca de la Luna, and the Huaca del Sol, two huge flat-topped
pyramids built by the Moche culture between 0 and 600A.D. The Huaca
de la Luna is an extraordinary demonstration of what patient
long-term archaeology can achieve. Here, at a site that has been
well known and frequently looted for centuries, excavations have
revealed layer upon layer of ancient construction, uncovering wall
after wall of colorful friezes that were intentionally buried by the
Moche, and had not seen the light of day for one-and-a-half thousand
years. Bloodthirsty fanged deities and exotic gods in the form of
spiders, snakes felines, octopi and other marine creatures rub
shoulders with lines of dancers, warriors and naked prisoners, and
scenes of ritual combat. One wall is covered with such a multitude
of mystifying symbols that it has been labeled simply "The
Complicated Theme" -- until some future archaeologist can offer a
plausible explanation of them. A site museum to display material
unearthed here is under construction, and when opened it will be
part of this visit.
We return to Trujillo to spend the night. Overnight. (B, L)
DAY 4 TRUJILLO TO LIMA: COLONIAL TRUJILLO, THE PICTURESQUE BEACH
RESORT OF HUANCHACO, AND THE PRE-INCA CITY OF CHAN CHAN.
In the morning we tour the historic center of Trujillo, a city whose
heart still pulses with colonial splendor. We visit the immense main
square and the spacious mansions built by Spanish and Creole gentry
during the 17th and 18th centuries. Then we make our way through
Trujillo towards the coast, arriving at the great Chimú center of
Chan Chan, the largest adobe city ever built. It was in fact an
elite settlement, a series of nine enormous palaces belonging to
successive rulers of the Chimú realm. At its height the population
here may have reached 50,000 people. Many of them were artists and
craftspeople, who made the sumptuous goldwork, textiles and pottery
for which the Chimú were famous. At the Tschudi palace enclosure we
enter a labyrinthine series of courtyards lined with clay friezes of
fish and ocean birds, and walled in places with an open meshwork
adobe building style believed to represent fishing nets. We visit
inner patios, residences, administrative buildings, temples,
platforms and storehouses, and a huge reservoir where "sunken
gardens" may have produced specialized crops for the Chimu nobility.
We continue on to the nearby beach resort of Huanchaco, where we
have a chance to try the superb seafood of Trujillo at a restaurant
overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Here fishermen still paddle out to
sea, kneeling on caballitos de totora -- little one-man reed rafts
which have been used for millennia to collect the abundant bounty of
the Pacific ocean.
In the afternoon we drive to the airport in time for our flight to
Lima (Airfare Not included) Upon arrival transfer to your
accommodation. Overnight (B,L)
DAY 5 NAZCA FULL DAY TOUR
You will be picked up from your Hotel in Lima at 5:00 am, we will
provide a driver and a minivan, the ride will take around 6 hours
each way . On the way we will visit the Museum of the site. The
Maria Reiche tomb and we will stop at the Over view of Nazca. Cut
into the stony desert are large number of lines, not only parallels
and geometrical figures, but also designs such as a dog, an enormous
monkey, a bird with a wing span of over 100 meters, a spider and a
tree. The lines, that represent some sort of vast astronomical
pre-Inca calendar, are best seen from the air, we will take a half
hour flight above the Lines (Airfare included), after the over
flight we will take some time to rest and we will have lunch (included)
before to come back to your hotel in Lima. (L)
DAY 6 LIMA - CUSCO
Transfer to the Lima airport for the flight to Cuzco (Airfare Not
Included).
Upon arrival to Cusco Airport. Reception and transportation to the
Hotel where you will receive an aromatic coca tea to stimulating for
the height, will have the free morning to rest and also we suggest
you have a light lunch in either your hotel or in one of the
surrounded; in the evening we will depart on a City tour (entrance
to the archaeological centers and museums including) we will visit
the Main square, Cathedral, the Koricancha (temple of the sun) and
in addition we will make a route bordering archaeological centers
like Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay,
tour finishes 6:30pm approximately at the main square in order you
can take dinner in one of the exquisite restaurants in the area,
then overnight. (B)
*Optional Buffet Dinner with Folkloric Show: Adding $24 per
person
DAY 7 FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR
Breakfast. You will be picked up at 8:15 am. Full day excursion to
the Urubamba Valley visiting: the colorful Indian market in Pisac
where a mixture of color and tradition will be able appreciated
besides will have a good opportunity to try our bargain skills on
the free time to interact with the local craftsmen to purchase their
hand-made souvenirs. The Valley has a distance of 31 km (19 miles)
of Cusco, and an altitude of 2,970 ms (9,700 p), Pisac is located to
the entrance of the Sacred Valley and followed by Ollantaytambo, the
older town continuously occupied of the American continent. The
narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their channels that have
not varied from the time Inca, evoke their ancestral inheritance,
lunch in a typical restaurant and then the last visit will be to
Chinchero market.
Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow.
Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market which is
much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. At the end,
return to Cusco main square at 6:30pm approx.
The night is free for you to eat in a restaurant of your choice;
although we always have plenty of suggestions for you should you
require them. (B, L)
Note: Take this tour on market days: Tuesday, Thursday and
Sunday
Bilingual Guided tour on different days
DAY 8 CUSCO / MACHU PICCHU (*Overnight in Aguas Calientes)
Early breakfast and pickup to go the train station to depart to
Machu Picchu, the trip takes about 4 hours. During the trip we will
have an amazing view of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of
Urubamba and the Amazon rainforest providing you a small hint of how
much Peru has to offer. Upon arrival to the little town of Aguas
Calientes you will have to approach the bus station towards the
“Ciudadela of Machu Picchu” (Only 20 minutes ride) to receive a
professional guided tour by this Huge Historical Sanctuary follow by
some free time to explore the zone on your own and then take your
buffet lunch at the selected restaurant (included), an according
time, we will go down to the Aguas Calientes town to relax at the
hot springs or just overnight at the select hotel in Aguas Calientes
town. (B,L).
DAY 9 MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
Breakfast and rest of day at leisure by your own (entrance and bus
fee to Machu Picchu not included on this day) in the afternoon
return to Cusco. Reception at the train station and transfer to the
Hotel where it passed the night (B).
Upon request: You can make a second visit to Machu Picchu and have
the chance to know hidden places, such as the Intipunku (Gate of the
Sun) or for more adventures can take a hike to the top of Huayna
Picchu (Young Mountain) to visit the Temple of the Moon and enjoy a
spectacular view of the city. Or if you have good physical
conditions can take a hike full of adrenaline to the Putukusi
mountain opposite position than Machu Picchu which allows us to have
other unforgettable views from this new wonder.
DAY 10 CUSCO - PUNO
Early breakfast and transfer to the bus station so you can take the
ride to Puno. Depart Cusco on guided bus to Puno, visiting on the
route picturesque towns and archeological sites such as
Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Sicuani, La Raya and Pukara. Lunch included.
Afternoon arrival in Puno, reception and transfer to your
accommodation. Overnight at the hotel.(B,L)
(*) Additional fare if travelling by train. Ask for availability.
DAY 11 UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS
You will be picked up from your hotel at 6:30 a.m., to go to the
port of Puno to take a tourist motor boat and to direct towards the
wonders floating islands of the Uros. After a 2 hour motorboat ride,
you will arrive at the Uros island in the Titikaka lake. Fishermen
and hunters inhabit the floating islands of the Uros. The residents
of the Uros are known as the “water tribe”, because they must
construct its own Islands periodically, adding new layers of totora
reeds, which grows in the lake, to create the conditions that ensure
the islands stay afloat. The dense roots that the plants develop
support the island. The roofs are waterproof and the houses are
extremely humid because of the surrounding water.
They used it as home and trade centers for the natives, who use
hand-made boats of the same material as their means of
transportation. At present, they speak Quechua and Aymara. Following
this exciting tour, you will be led to the Island of Taquile, ,
place where the form of typical and rustic experience was appraised,
the place is colorful and landscaping, where they even maintain its
customs, ritual, religious and folkloric traditions, in the town of
Taquile we will taste a typical lunch with fresh fish (trout). There
is also a craft fair on the plaza that sells exceptional wool goods
which are of very fine quality and somewhat expensive. Taquile
Island is famous for its craft production, particularly for its
beautiful textiles. The island is narrow at about 1 Km. wide and 6
to 7 Km. long. The visit could be exhausting because of the altitude
(13,000 ft above sea level). On Taquile there are numerous pre-Inca
and Inca ruins as well as Inca terracing. We will return in Puno in
the afternoon, overnight (B,L)
DAY 12 SILLUSTANI - LIMA
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima (airfare
NOT included). On the route to the airport, we will visit at the
Sillustani Chullpas (pre-Colombian funeral towers). The scenery is
desert but impressive, in a beautiful setting on a peninsula on
Ayumara lake about 32 Km. from Puno. Most of the towers date from
the period of Inca occupation in the 15th century; the engineering
involved in their construction is more complex than anything the
Incas built. Upon arrival Lima’s airport, reception and transfer to
the hotel and overnight (B)
DAY 13 TRANSFER OUT
Transfer to the airport for your international flight and end of the
services (B)
END OF SERVICES
INCLUDES: All hotel and lodge accommodations based on double or
single occupancy. All scheduled transportation. All transfers. All
scheduled excursions with English-speaking guide services. All
entrance fees. Meals as specified in the itinerary. B=Breakfast; L=Lunch;
D=Dinner.
IMPORTANT: For a better service, the company informs you that
it has autonomy to change the Hotels mentioned in the itinerary with
another one of similar category if therefore sees it by advisable
taking into account justifiable availability of spaces or other
reasons, if this it is the case you will be notified ahead of time.
NOT INCLUDE: International and domestic airfares, airport
departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional
nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic and
non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any
kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation
of international flights and items of personal nature.
|
