Lima, here we come!!
Trip Start
Unknown
1
59
130
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge
Panama City, Panama
Saturday, March 29, 2008
ITINERARY: LIMA -CUSCO & MACHU PICCHU
*************************************
8 DAYS/ 7 NIGHTS
Day 1: LIMA PICK UP /MARCH 29
Reception in the Lima airport and transfer to the Hotel located in
Miraflores, Lima.
FREE DAY
Day 2: LIMA CITY TOUR, GOLD MUSEUM /MARCH 30
In the morning Lima city tour, you will be picked up from your hotel at 9
AM.
The city tour begin with the visit to the Plaza the Armas, which has been
declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Running along two sides are
arcades with shops: Portal de Escribanos and Portal de Botoneros.
In the centre of the Plaza is a bronze fountain dating from 1560. Located in
the Plaza is the Cathedral, note the splendidly carved stalls, the silver
covered altars surrounded by fine woodwork, mosaic covered walls bearing the
coats of arms of Lima and Pizarro. Next to the Cathedral is the Archbishop's
Palace. Then you'll visit the Monastery of San Francisco, this is famous for
the Sivillian tilework and panelled ceiling in the cloisters, the catacombs
under the church and part of the monastery are well worth seeing, You'll
visit the old colonial streets in the centre of the city, and the modern
Lima with the district of San Isidro and Miraflores. We will also visit the
Gold Museum, this excellent collection includes pre-Columbian gold, silver
and bronze, ceramics, weavings, mummies, etc. Upstairs is a remarkable arms
collections with an impressive exhibition from Spanish colonial times.
Finally transfer to the hotel and overnight. (B,L)
Day 3: LIMA - CUSCO /MARCH 31
Transfer to the Lima airport for the flight to Cuzco (airfare included).
Upon arrival, you will be met and driven to the hotel. Around 1:45pm Cusco
city tour. This tour includes the major sites of historical interest in
Cuzco, such as the famous Inca fort at Sacsahuaman, and the temple of the
Sun. Also included in this is a tourist card, giving you access to all the
sites in the Cuzco area as a whole (i.e., including outside of the City
itself). This tour finishes at 18:00, overnight at the hotel. (B)
Day 4: CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU (overnight) /APRIL 1
All day excursion by alpine train to Machu Picchu. At 5:30 am you will
leave the Hotel, with a pack lunch to the train which leaves at 6:00 am.
Travel is in "Vistadome" Class (formerly "Autowagon"). At 9:40 a.m., you
will arrive at the Aguas Calientes Station, from where you take a 25 minute
bus ride to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Once there, you will have a guided
tour, with an English speaking professional guide. The ruins are on the
eastern slope of Machu Picchu in two separate arcas: the agricultural and
the urban. Lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge (included). Overnight
in Aguas Calientes (Breakfast and Lunch included).
Day 5: MACHU PICCHU / CUZCO /APRIL 2
Morning at leisure to explore the ruins on your own (entrance fee and
transportation not included). Relax at the local hot springs, and enjoy the
enormous beauty of Machu Picchu that certainly deserves an extra day. In the
afternoon you will take the train to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, transfer
to hotel. (Breakfast included).
Day 6: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS (TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SUNDAY) / APRIL 3
You will be picked up at 8,45A.M. Full day excursion to the Urubamba Valley,
visiting: the village of Pisac, a picturesque town of creole and colonial
aspect and its lndian market and craftfair. Lunch provided. In the afternoon
you'll visit to the fortress of Ollantaytambo, an architectural group that
in the days of the Tahuantinsuyo empire was a gigantic agricultural,
administrative, social, religious and military complex, then the Chinchero
market. At the end Return to Cusco and Overnight. (B,L
Day 7: RAFTING /APRIL 4
Breakfast. At 09:00 hrs. we leave for Urubamba river on the Sacred Valley of
the Incas (North of Cusco), where our guide will give a introductory chat on
safety and equipment for our trip running the Urubamba. After lunch we
return back to Cusco, arriving at around 17:00 hrs. Overnight at Orquidea
Real Hostal. (B,L)
Day 8: TRANSFER OUT/APRIL 5
Transfer from the hotel to the airport To take your flight to Lima(breakfast
included
