Cuzco, Machu Picchu and Nazca

Description du séjour

Hébergement

Programme du séjour

• jour 1

  Arrival in Lima. Transfer by bus to the hotel.

  

  Welcome to Peru! Lima, the largest city and the capital of Peru, is a must-visit during your trip to the country. In recent years, it has become a modern city with beautiful beaches, numerous seafood restaurants, many museums and, lastly, an exciting nightlife.

• jour 2

  Transfer, flight to Cusco, arrival in Cusco, city tour

  

  When you arrive at the airport, our driver will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel. After an exhausting flight, you will probably need time to relax at the hotel. In the afternoon, you will explore the impressive city of Cusco. The history of the Inca Empire began here. The imperial city of the Incas was a complex urban center, with different religious and administrative functions. Many years later, the Spanish conquistadors destroyed the ancient culture and sent its treasures to Spain. In the historic center of Cusco, we will see Spanish buildings, indigenous ruins, temples, and finely finished Inca buildings. The main attractions are: the “Temple of the Sun”, the main square “Plaza de Armas”, the “San Pedro” market, and the “Papa Museum”. Let your mind wander and feel the energy of the past in this magical city. Then, we will continue to the nearby ruins: Kenko, where you will see its underground galleries and its semicircular amphitheater. Tambomachay is a complex of walls connected by stairways, which has water fountains that feed a pool through channels in which, apparently, the Inca bathed. It is said that he especially worshipped water. Puca Pucara, the red fortress located on a hill, perhaps served to defend Tambomachay and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an imposing example of Inca military architecture. This fortress was built using large granite slabs to protect the city from enemy attacks or invading forces. Meals included: breakfast

• jour 3

  Sacred Valley

  

  With its incredible nature, its impressive views, its ancient ruins and its various adventure activities, the Sacred Valley has a lot to offer. The valley was chosen by the Incas because of its geographical and climatic conditions. It was the best place in Peru to grow all kinds of vegetables and plants. However, the Sacred Valley was not part of the Inca Empire, but was a personal property of the Emperor. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent "Mercado de Pisac". There you will find a wide variety of locally produced handicrafts. Later, we will go visit the small village of "Ollantaytambo". Enjoy a good coffee or a delicious meal in one of the local cafés and restaurants. In addition, you will find one of the most beautiful stones in Peru. Meals included: breakfast, lunch

• jour 4

  Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu - Cusco

  

  For many, the highlight of their trip to Peru: Machu Picchu. Surrounded by a spectacular landscape between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon basin, Machu Picchu is perhaps the greatest wonder of ancient architecture in the world. It symbolizes Inca culture with all its historical, cultural and natural values. The approximately 200 structures may have been a royal residence or a religious site. Machu Picchu is divided into a lower part and an upper part in order to separate agriculture from residential areas. It includes secondary centers, a vast network of roads and trails, irrigation canals and agricultural terraces. Take into account the 3000 steps you will have to climb during the day. It will be an active day, but unforgettable. After visiting the Machu Picchu site, you will take the train back to Cusco. Meals included: breakfast

• jour 5

  Free day in Cusco

  

  ¡Today you will visit and explore the incredible city of Cusco on your own ! Meals included : breakfast

• jour 6

  Rainbow Mountain – Cusco

  

  The Vinicunca mountain, also known as Rainbow Mountain, is one of the most recent destinations for trekking, nature, and landscape enthusiasts. Vinicunca is a mountain located in the province of Quispicanchis, in Cusco, Peru, near one of the highest snow-capped peaks in the country: Apu Ausangate. At over 5000 meters above sea level, the surrounding landscape offers a bright blue sky and almost no human, plant, or animal presence. The colors of the rainbow create a pleasant contrast with the other mountains and the afternoon sky. When the sun rises and the clouds are carried away by the wind, the colors of Vinicunca mountain change, becoming lighter and lighter or darker, making the view even more impressive. After being transferred from your hotel in Cusco by car (3 hours of travel) and having a traditional breakfast, you and your travel companions will begin the hike to Rainbow Mountain. You will be able to go at your own pace in order to enjoy every minute of walking. About three hours later, you will turn right at the last hill, holding your breath, to admire the mountain with 7 colors: Vinicunca. You will have time to relax and take as many photos as you wish. Meals included: breakfast & lunch

• jour 7

  Flight from Lima to Cusco, shared visit of the centre of Lima

  

  At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to Cusco airport and take your flight to Lima. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, then you will begin your city tour of Lima. ANCESTRAL LIMA: We will begin our tour with a panoramic view of the “Pucllana Pyramid”, a magnificent ceremonial and archaeological center built in the 4th century BC and considered a “sacred village” by the Incas. The Viceroyalty of Peru was the most important of the Spanish Empire, and Lima was its capital. COLONIAL LIMA: We will visit the historic center of Lima, where you can admire more than fifty colonial monuments and buildings, such as the Paseo de la República, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, the Basilica and the Municipal Council Palace, among others. We will visit the MUSEO DEL BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA, where we will admire the “Treasures of Peru” collection, a beautiful selection of gold objects, ceramics and textiles from different pre-Columbian cultures. We will visit the monumental convent of SAN FRANCISCO, which houses the largest collection of religious art in America. The highlight will be the visit to the underground vaults, known as the “Catacombs”. CONTEMPORARY LIMA: We will visit Lima’s traditional residential neighborhoods as well as Larcomar. Meals included: breakfast

• jour 8

  Cusco: transfer, flight to Lima, arrival and transfer to Ica, Paracas nature reserve

  

  Early in the morning, you will take the tourist bus and head to the city of Paracas, where you will take a shared tour to the Paracas reserve. The national park “Paracas” is located south of Lima. It represents the coastal marine ecosystem of Peru, home to millions of birds as well as different species of flora and fauna. The park is ideal for ornithologists, as well as for nature lovers who like to walk. Meals included: breakfast.

• jour 9

  Nazca, Lima

  

  Straight distinct lines, geometric figures, and drawings of animals and plants characterize the city of Nazca. Located between Huacachina and Arequipa, the city is a perfect stop to learn more about pre-Inca culture. Like the Paracas, the Nazca were famous for their work with textiles, but even more famous for the creation of geoglyphs, drawings, and massive lines. As you walk through the landscape, you could identify distinct shapes, such as a hummingbird, a spider, or a monkey. It is still not known why the lines exist, but it is assumed that they may have been used for astrological or ceremonial purposes. To see the lines better, you can walk to the observation tower. There, you will have a beautiful view of three of the lines. After this visit, you will take the tourist bus again in the direction of Lima. Meals included: breakfast

• jour 10

  Return transfer to the airport, international flight.

  

  At a coordinated time, you will need to take the bus transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Meals included: breakfast We hope you enjoyed your stay in Peru. Thank you for choosing Gulliver Expeditions. *** END OF OUR SERVICES ***