Lima, Colca Canyon, Machu Picchu 10 Days 9 Nights.

Lima, Colca Canyon, Machu Picchu 10 Days

• Day 1 – Lima.
• Day 2 – Lima City tour.
• Day 3 – Flight to Cuzco, Cuzco City Tour.
• Day 4 – The Sacred Valley of the Inkas.
• Day 5 – Machu Picchu Tour.
• Day 6 – Day Free
• Day 7 – Cuzco and Arequipa.
• Day 8 – Colca Canyon Tour.
• Day 9 – Cruz del Condor – Colca Canyon.
• Day 10 – Arequipa to Lima.

Lima, Colca Canyon, Machu Picchu 10 Days

Day 1 – Lima.

Tour starts with your arrival at Lima airport where we will transfer you to your chosen hotel in the Miraflores area of the city Enjoy the rest of the day as free time to wander the parks and browse the shops, and enjoy the world renowned Peruvian food.

Day 2 – Lima City tour.

Today you will be collected from your hotel for full or half-day tour of colonial and modern Lima, visiting the Lima cathedral and the church and convent of San Francisco among other places of interest. After lunch, which we can arrange for you if you wish, you could visit a museum of your choice, such as the excellent Larco Herrera, the Gold Museum or the National Museum. The evening could continue with a visit to the spectacular fountain park in the center of Lima.

It can be a very full day of sightseeing in this crazy but historic metropolis if you wish, we custom design everything to your wishes.

After this you will be worn out and we recommend recovering at a dinner / show at one of our favorite restaurants, where you will hear traditional music and see dances from all over Peru.

Day 3 – Flight to Cuzco, Cuzco City Tour.

Upon arrival in Cuzco we will meet you and transfer you to you chosen hotel.

In the afternoon we will pick you up from your hotel and we will start by visiting Cusco Cathedral which is one of the finest Colonial Cathedrals in the Latinamerica. Building has started in 1560 and was completed in 1664. More than 90 years of sacrifice and effort Situated on the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral owes many treasures, history and mysteries Finally you visit Qoricancha from the Quechua word Qori Qancha meaning (‘Temple of the Sun’). One of the most important temples of the Inca Empire, it was built to the Sun the father of the INCAS in the 17th century when Spanish arrived every temple was destroyed to the ground but QORICANCHA has survived and still stands to the eye of the world on the side of Qoricancha you will see a catholic church of Santo Domingo which covers all the Qoricancha construction.

Driving to Tambomachay.

Situated at 3.700 m of sea level a Quechua word (Tampu machay) the place where people can rest a short period of time. It could also be the bath of the Ñusta (the Inca princess) it is also believed the sanctuary to the cult of water.

Next stop will be Puka Pukara Quechua word ( red fortress). This is an Inca archaeological site it was a military and administrative site it was built to control ,provide security and defend the Cusco city, as well as the control of the route to Calca that led to the sacred valley and Machu-picchu. The route then goes to the carved rocks of the Temple of the Moon and through the maze of rocks and tunnels of the Temple of the Monkey before arriving at Qenqo, is believed to be a multifunctional religious site it was also a place of Andean worldview where nature and the space converges this is also astrological observatory commissioned by people specifically looking for the seasons the wise INKAS. this archaeological site is unique here the carving of many animals can be seen in high relief they were considered secondary gods in the time of the Incas, and consists of rests formed by rocks with stairs in a zigzag, and a main building similar to a circular amphitheatre where 19 window sills are located as a way of seats.

You then move onto one of the most important Inca sites in South America, the enormous fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Scene of epic battles between Conquistadores and Incas, brave inka warriors protecting the citadel against the Spaniards, an ancient Inca story of Captain Cahuide he remained more than three days fighting and he had killed to one of the pizarro brothers, after having been alone and no one else around, Cahuide bravely threw himself from one of the towers to avoid being killed by the hands of the Spaniards. this cannot fail to impress.

While the high towers that once dominated the skyline were long since razed to the ground, the sheer scale of the zigzag stone walls is a sight to behold.

Its construction took over seven decades and required the work of approximately 20,000 men. The stone was dragged from 20 miles away and still today we are not quite sure how they moved the huge megaliths into place. Some of its external walls exceed 30 feet in height and the largest stone weighs over 350 tonnes. From Sacsayhuaman we will head down to Cusco leaving you some time to wander these ancient streets, explore some more of the sites or just sit in a café on the Plaza de Armas and watch the world goes by.

Day 4 – The Sacred Valley of the Inkas

After pick-up from your hotel today you will enjoy a full-day Sacred Valley tour, we will be visiting the Inca archeological site of Pisac the market at Pisac a great place to buy souvenirs and then drive through the valley to the lovely Inca site and village at Ollantaytambo. You will have your tour guide all day and a great buffet lunch included in the sunny valley. You will then spend the night down in the valley to take advantage of a change of scene, more oxygen (as you are 800 meters lower), and a shorter journey tomorrow on the train to Machu Picchu.

We recommend the Casa Andina Private Collection, the Sol y Luna as our favorite higher end hotels but there are many more that we use in all price ranges such as the Albergue or El Sauce.

Day 5 – Machu Picchu Tour

Today it is the most important day that were waiting for.

Train to Machu Picchu which will be one of the services described on your train ticket. The advantage you have is that you have stayed in the valley overnight and therefore don ́t have to get up as early as you would in Cuzco to catch the train. A transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the station .After being met in Aguas Calientes by your guide you will need to take the buses up to Machu Picchu site to enjoy a private tour with a local English speaking guide. Take the rest of the day as free time to enjoy this incredible site. In the late afternoon you will return down to Aguas calientes from where you will return to cuzco depending on your train returning schedule  from train station in cuzco we will pick you up and take you back to your hotel .

Day 6 – Day Free.

Day 7 – Cuzco and Arequipa.

Enjoy a free morning in Cuzco at your leisure if the schedule permits. Your tour includes the “Cuzco Tourist Ticket” which allows you entry to the many museums, art galleries and Inka sites in and around Cuzco. At some point during the day we will fly you to Arequipa, ringed by volcanos and snow capped mountains. Upon arrival we will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. (after this you could do a Tour To The City of Arequipa ).

Day 8 – Colca Canyon Tour.

Today you will start your two night tour to the Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world. At 10,729 Feet, it is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the USA. The journey to get to the Colca Valley takes several hours over the altiplano, viewing Vicunas, Llamas and huge Volcanos the whole way, before we descend into the Colca Valley and arrive at the capital of the canyon region, Chivay. Your accommodation could be at the lovely Colca Lodge in its exclusive location with its own hot springs within the hotel grounds, Mamayachi in the lovely village of Corporaque or at the Casa Andina in Chivay itself with its own observatory. Colca Lodge is a particularly good choice as you can really relax in the fabulous surroundings of the Canyon. Regardless of where you stay you will enjoy the scenery and be able to bathe in hot springs.

Day 9 – Cruz del Condor – Colca Canyon.

You have an early morning start to visit the Cruz del Condor the best place to see these magnificent birds, with wingspans up to 15 feet they are the largest land-living bird in the world. At times there can be 10 to 15 birds flying close to you at one time, it is a spectacular experience you will never forget when you get back you will visit local villages.

Day 10 – Arequipa to Lima.

Arequipa to Lima in the morning you will fly to lima, end of the tour.

What is included?

• pick up and transfer from airport to hotel
• all pick ups from all ports or hotels
• entrance tickets to machupicchu
• buses up and down in aguas calientes
• Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation . The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before your trip begins.
• Transport: pick up from your hotel in the morning and transportation in a private vehicle to the starting point of the trek.
•  English speaking tour guide ,
• All Accommodations will be included
• Medical kit: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Train tickets: From Cuzco to Aguas Calientes and viceversa . (subject to availability)
• Transport: Private transport from hotel to  train station and viceversa
• 24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.

Not included:

• Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
• Last Day: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal clothing and gear
• Travel insurance
• Tips for our staff
• Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)
• all meals which is not specified
• all entrances to inka sites