WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 9 days/7 nights
- Meals per itinerary
- Tours per itinerary
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfers throughout
- Guides where indicated
Cradle of The Incas Holiday of a Lifetime
This fully escorted Cradle of the Incas tour captures the essence of the Inca culture that permeated Peru. Marvel at the magnificent and mystical ruins of Machu Picchu. Experience fascinating cultures as you visit a local village with traditions linked to the Spanish Conquistadores and the Inca Empire. View spectacular scenery and the incomparable Andean mountain range.
On arrival in Lima, capital of Peru with its mixture of old and new architecture, spend time visiting with a local family and experience how they live. Then fly to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire. A walk around this charming city will entrance you. Travel next to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will be able to visit small market towns that offer the opportunity to purchase typical Peruvian merchandise including jewellery and clothes. Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas” is situated in the clouds and will be a highlight of the tour. Return back to Cusco for a visit to the Urubamba Valley to mix with the local community and have lunch with the inhabitants.
Return to Lima and enjoy a tour of the highlights of this vibrant city including a visit to the wonderful Larco Museum
VIEW ITINERARY
Day 1: Depart for Lima
Depart for Lima, Peru, your first stop on our Cradle of the Incas Holiday of a Lifetime Tour. After clearing customs at Lima International Airport, you will be met by a local representative who will assist you with your transfer to the hotel. There are no activities planned for today.
Stay 2 nights: JW Marriott Hotel Lima
Day 2: Lima
Lima, Peru’s national capital was one of the first to be established in South America by the Conquistadores. It is filled with many amazing colonial buildings and historic streetscapes. Today, after breakfast, you will visit the tourist district of Miraflores, and see the Pacific Ocean from the Love Park. The tour continues with the modern suburb of San Isidro and a visit to the pre-Inca pyramid of Huaca Huallamarca. Then, you will visit the Historical Center, Plaza Mayor (“Main Square”), the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the City Hall and old streets with colonial mansions and Moorish balconies.
The visit also includes Santo Domingo Convent, a recently restored icon of colonial architecture. Completed in the late stages of the sixteenth century, its ancient crypt contains the relics of Peruvian saints such as Saint Rose of Lima and San Martin de Porres. Later on, you will tour the Archbishop’s Palace, a beautiful building with thirty rooms, in which 16th-19th century art works are on display. In the meantime, watch the changing of the guard at the Government Palace from one of the building’s wood-carved, Neo-classical balconies.
Finally, you will visit the home of a real Limean family in the exclusive district of San Isidro. They will share their collection of amazing art pieces, ranging from Pre Inca ceramics and textiles to the most complete collection of Nativity scenes in the Americas. This is a unique way to learn about traditional Limean lifestyles while spending some time with locals.
Dinner this evening will be at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Fly Lima to Cusco
Today we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Cusco. Get to know the Imperial city’s history through its Inca and colonial past.
Spend half a day walking about the city of Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire and where we will see the interesting blend of the Inca and Spanish cultures. The outing begins at the Koricancha Temple, an old Inca palace and main center for the worship of the sun god, Inti. Once the Spanish conquered Peru, the Dominican order built a lovely church over top this temple’s foundations: the church of Santo Domingo, which is still there today. You will continue on foot to the neighborhood of San Blas, where the finest artisans in Cusco live and work. Next up, visit the Inka Museum, located in an old Colonial period house built by Spanish Admiral Francisco Alderete Maldonado. Around these parts, it’s popularly called the Admiral’s House. The exhibits show the side of Cuzco’s history intertwined with the Inca past.
Breakfast
Stay 2 nights: JW Marriott Hotel Cusco
Day 4: Cooking Lesson and Cusco Sundowner
The MAP’S (Pre-Colombian Art Museum) Restaurant, located in the patio of a colonial style home, will give an in-kitchen cooking demonstration, showcasing some of the best traditional Andes dishes. You will then enjoy a delicious lunch in a cozy and sophisticated setting.
Your day ends with a unique experience – a sundowner overlooking what was once the heart and capital of the might Inca Empire. With the mighty stones of Sacsayhuaman at your back and the sun setting over this UNESCO world heritage city, enjoy sparkling wine and some small snacks to reflect on your day and as you savor the view.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Cusco to the Sacred Valley
You start off early this morning for Ollantaytambo, an Inca mountaintop site that served as a military, religious, and agricultural center. From here, you will look out over the town of the same name and see its incredibly narrow streets and canal, features that have not changed since the Incas constructed them. You then travel to the town of Pisac. On the way you will visit Awanakancha, a store where you will find Peruvian Handicrafts and variety of fauna. A visit to the famous Pisac market will be a highlight of this day, as will a delicious lunch with horse exhibition at Wayra ranch restaurant.
Breakfast and Lunch
Stay: 1 Night Aranwa Hotel Spa Sacred Valley
Day 6: Machu Picchu
Today board the Vistadome Train for the ride through the Sacred Valley of Urubamba to the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu. Perched 8, 200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca “Virgins of the Sun” took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here.
One of the world’s greatest wonders, Machu Picchu, your adventure starts in the city of Aguas Calientes, where you leave the train, walk through a maze of markets in the hear of town and then board a bus that drives you to the Machu Picchu site. This is an experience you will never forget. Your tour includes every nook and cranny of this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Afterwards, there is some free time for you to explore the site on your own, to relax, or to meditate.
At the agreed upon hour, you will have lunch at Sanctuary Lodge.
Later on, you will return to Aguas Calientes and be assisted to your hotel. A complimentary massage is included with your hotel stay.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Stay: 1 Night at Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
Day 7: Machu Picchu to Cusco
After an early breakfast, return to the ruins and enjoy time at your leisure. Climb Wayna Pichhu – the famed peak that frames Machu Picchu (must be pre booked), walk to the Inca Bridge or to the famous Sun gate, or simply sit and soak in the magic that is Machu Picchu.
Mid-afternoon you return to Aguas Calientes for your train journey back to Cusco.
Breakfast; Stay 1 night: JW Marriott Hotel Cusco
Day 8: Cusco to Lima
Today you are transferred to the airport for your afternoon flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to the Museo Larco for a once in a lifetime experience.
The Larco Museum is a treat at any time, where chronological galleries providing an excellent overview on 3000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. At night however, it’s a peerless attraction, where the finest collection of Ancient Peru’s gold and silver comes to vivid life. You’ll also see the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of Peru’s most visited attractions. After the visit, enjoy the best of Peruvian gastronomy in the museum’s cozy, atmospheric restaurant.
Return to your hotel.
Breakfast, and Dinner
Stay 1 Night: Marriott Hotel Lima
Day 9: Depart Lima
Today you will say your farewells to the group and be transferred to the airport for your international flight (Late checkout not included).
Breakfast
Pricing & Departures
| Departure Date | From |
| Choose your own travel date | $3,999 |
Your Travel Team agent can easily add extra days, different departure dates or even cities to this package. Ask a Travel Team Agent for details 1-800-788-0829
Or, call 1.800.788.0829 to speak with one of our travel experts.
Notes:
- International Airfare from LAX included
- All airline taxes, fuel surcharges & fees are included
- Prices in US dollars unless otherwise noted
- We have limited space on this package and it is subject to availability and prior sale
- All package prices are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted
- Prices reflect cash discount
- Due to constantly changing policies to baggage restrictions, please check with your airline directly for latest updates and restrictions
- Information, including prices are subject to change without notice
- Restrictions and change and/or cancel penalties apply
- UBI-600-307-872-WA
