Wonders of Peru 11 days

At a scheduled time a driver will take you to Lima airport to take your flight to Cusco. At arrival a driver will take you to your hotel.

By the afternoon, you will explore the impressive city of Cusco. The history of the Inca Empire started here.  The Imperial city of the Incas was a complex urban center with different religious and administrative functions.

Many years later the Spanish conquerors destroyed the ancient culture and sent its treasures to Spain.

In Cusco´s historic center we will see Spanish buildings, native ruins, temples and finely finished buildings of the Incas. Main attractions are: the Temple of the Sun, the main square Plaza de Armas, the market San Pedro and the Papa Museo. 

Let your mind drift 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 complex of walls connected by stairways, having water springs which fed a well via channels in which apparently the Inca bathed, for it is believed that he also worshipped water. Puca Pucara; the red fortress that is located on a hill, possibly to defend Tambomachay and  Sacsayhuaman Fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture, this fortress was built using large slabs of granite to safeguard the city from Antis attacks or invading forces from the east.

With its amazing nature, breathtaking views, ancient ruins and 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 plant all different kinds of vegetables and plants. However, the Sacred Valley was not part of the Inca Empire but more like a personal property of the Emperor.

Here you have the chance to visit the beautiful Pisac Market. You will find a wide variety of locally produced handicrafts.

Later we will visit the small town is Ollantaytambo. Enjoy a great coffee or delicious meal in one of the local cafes and restaurants. Furthermore you will find there one of the finest stonework of Peru.

In the morning you will take the train to Aguas Calientes. At arrival, you will be met by a representative who will take you to the tour to machu Picchu.

For many, the highlight of their journey through Peru: Machu Picchu.

Surrounded by dramatic landscape between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basil, Machu Picchu is maybe the greatest wonder of ancient architecture in the world.

It symbolizes the Inca culture with all its historical, cultural and natural values. The nearly 200 structures may have been a royal estate or a religious site.

Machu Picchu is divided into a lower and upper part to separate farming from residential areas. It consists of subsidiary centers, an extensive road and trail system, irrigation canals and agricultural terraces.

After visiting Machu Picchu , take the train back to Cusco.

At appropriate time our driver will pick you from the hotel to the bus station to take this touristic bus.

The service is provided in buses equipped purely for a touristic trip, looking for the best way to travel from Cusco to Puno and from Puno to Cusco, so our client can enjoy different locations that hold magical charm and an ancestral history, such as: The Sistine Chapel of the Americas or the Andahuaylillas church, the mighty Temple of Wiracocha, the majestic La Raya pass (road limit between Cusco and Puno, with a beautiful view of the Chimboya Glacier, and the fascinating Lithic Museum of the Pukará culture.

THE ANDAHUAYLILLAS CHURCH.(3,093 METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL)

This church was built during the 17th century and it is also known as “The Sistine Chapel of America” because of the beauty and profusion of its murals, the ornaments in gold leaf and paintings from de “Escuela Cusqueña de Arte”.

THE ARCHAEOLOGYCAL SITE OF RAQCHI (3.450 METERE ABOVE SEA LEVEL).

Also known as the Temple of WIRACOCHA, named after Wiracocha, a supreme deity in the Inca civilization. In this location we will find the biggest amount of barns (Colcas) and we will see magnificent constructions in stone and sun-dried bricks.

TOURISTIC RESTAURANT “LA PASCANA”

Lunch is included in the price of the ticket, and in this case is a buffet kind of lunch in a touristic restaurant named LA PASCANA which is very renowned and known for the great ability of its chefs. The restaurant is strategically located in the outskirts of Sicuani. The buffet includes a broad variety of national and regional food in the form of appetizers, fresh vegetables, garnishes and the best desserts and hot beverages (“Mate de Coca”, coffee and tea), all of which are included in the price of our ticket.

THE LA RAYA PASS (4.335 METERS ABOVE THE SEAL LEVEL).

It is the border between the departments of Cusco and Puno, at a height of over 4.335 meters above the sea level. From that place you will be able to see the famous Chimboya Glacier where the Amazon River is born. There, the passengers will be able to take pictures of the landscape. This stop lasts between 5 and 7 minutes.

THE LITHIC MUSEUM OF PUKARÁ. (3,900 METERS ABOVE THE SEA LEVEL)

The Pukará culture was developed between the years 1600 B.C. and 400 A.D., on a high plateau located 106 kilometers north-east of the city of Puno. In this museum we can find pottery and sculptures representing zoomorphic figures, amongst which we can see the famous sculpture of the HATUNÑAQAC, meaning in our language “The Supreme Executioner”.

Arrival to Puno

At the end of the day at 17:30 approximately, our driver will be at the Puno Bus Terminal, ready to help you with your luggage and take you to your hotel.

The island of Taquile has located 36km from Puno and can be reached within 2,5 hours. Taquile is home to a Quechua people and has a population of about 2,000 people. Most of them are farmers, fishermen, and weavers. In Taquile, you can experience a cultural show where you can see the high quality of work with textiles. For many families, selling textiles and other products is an important source of income.

The tour starts at 06:30 with pick up at your hotel. You will be taken to the port of Puno. Expected 1,5 hours later we will reach the floating islands. Here we will participate in the performance and learn more about the life of the Uros and their culture. Afterward, we will continue by boat to Taquile. This will take about 1 hour. During this tour, the guide will tell you something about the local culture.

At 1:00 pm we will have lunch. You should try the soup made of quinoa and the fried fish from the lake! (only if included)

After lunch, we will return to Puno. The driver will take you back to your hotel.

At a scheduled time, a driver will take you to Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima. At arrival, a transportation will take you to your hotel where you guide will meet you to start the Lima City tour

Lima, the largest city and capital of Peru, is a must when visiting the country. In recent years it became a modern city with beautiful beaches, many seafood restaurants, many museums, and, finally, exciting nightlife.

Start your tour with a panoramic tour of the "Huaca Pucllana", an administrative center that was composed of a set of pyramids, plazas, courtyards, and accesses on ramps, all built on the bases of mud that characterize the Lima culture.

Then the guide will explain each place from the transport, go through the fence of Lima appreciate the Plaza Grau, Palace of Justice, and Plaza de San Martin.

The guided pedestrian visit will start at the Central Reserve Bank Museum (BCR*), where you will see representative samples of Peruvian art of all times, from pre-Columbian times to the 21st century. Then enjoy a walk to the Plaza de Armas or Plaza Mayor in Lima, a Cultural Heritage of Humanity declared by UNESCO; where you can see the Cathedral, Government Palace, and Municipal Palace. You will have free time to take pictures. Continue the visit with the Monastery of San Francisco and the catacombs at the end of the tour appreciate the park of love and a breathtaking view of the sea.

 *BCR, is closed to the public Monday and Sunday.

At a scheduled time, a driver will take you to the Bus terminal to take your bus towards Ica city. At arrival a transportation will take you to the famous Huacachina Oasis.

Looking like a copy of the African deserts, Huacachina is a beautiful oasis town in the middle of one of the driest climates in the world.

The little town counts less than 100 habitats and is surrounded by palm trees and a quiet lagoon. According to myths, the lagoon has the power to heal.

All those who want to experience real adventure should go sandboarding or riding the dune buggies in the desert.

In the evening you have the chance to fully enjoy the sunset at the top of the dunes.

At a coordinated time you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airfield (About 3h drive) to fly over the Nazca Lines. The flight takes about 1 hour.

The airfield is located on the outskirts of San José, 25 km from Nazca.

Distinct straight lines, geometric figures, and animal, as well as plant designs, characterize the town of Nazca. The ancient inhabitants of Nazca culture left a valuable archaeological heritage, consisting of a vast network of lines and drawings depicting animals and plants. They were discovered in 1927 by Toribio Mejía Xesspe and investigated by Paul Kosok, Hans Horkheimer, and especially Maria Reiche, a German scientist who had lived in this area for more than 50 years and studied their origins. A flight over the Nazca Lines is an unforgettable experience.

Ending this tour, your driver will take you back to the coast side in Paracas town

After breakfast, a driver will bring you to the port of Paracas. There you will board a ship that brings you to the islands. You can observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, flamingos, and lots of different birds. Between the beaches “Martin” and “Talpo” you can see the famous “Tres Cruces”-cactus. Enjoy also your time at these wonderful beaches.

Finally you will take your bus back to Lima for your last night in Peru

Today you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport.

Thank you for traveling with Gulliver Expeditions!

We hope you enjoyed your time in Peru.