10/09 Mysterious Peru- Lima Cusco Machu Picchu Lake Titicaca (Private Tour)

You will be greeted by one of our friendly drivers upon your arrival to Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru. From there you will be driven in comfort by private car to either the Marriot at Larcomar, Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel or the Swissotel, depending on what you have chosen. All these fine deluxe hotels are located in the most exclusive, upscale residential and commercial districts of Lima. Our driver will not leave until you are checked in to your hotel.

Lima, Capital of Perú is 150 meters above sea level. After breakfast you will be met in your hotel by your guide for your guided tour of Lima, the fabulous “City of the Kings”. Visit the Plaza Mayor de Lima, 16th century Cathedral of gold, followed by a tour of the catacombs at the Convento de San Francisco. Finally, visit the pre-Inca ruins of Huaca Pucllana which were constructed in the 2nd century AD. Lunch at the luxurious Rosa Nautica restaurant then dine at the wonderful Rafael Restaurant.

Cusco, “Navel of the World” is 3,300 meters above sea Level. After breakfast your driver will greet you at your hotel and drive you in private comfort to Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima. There your driver will escort you to the terminal for your 55 minute flight into the Andes to the majestic city of Incan antiquity, Cusco, Perú. Our staff will greet you at the Cusco airport and escort you to The Monasterio, Cusco’s finest luxury Hotel in the heart of Cusco. There we will assist you in checking in and strongly suggest you take time to rest.

At this point of your visit it is essential to take time to lie down in your room and slowly acclimate to Cusco’s elevation. After a nice afternoon rest you will be able to take a tour of the city. This will include visiting the main square; Plaza de Armas and the temple of the sun (Koricancha) including the Cathedral. Then we will take a short bus ride to visit the famous archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo and end in Puca Pucara. Your first night in Cusco you will be dining in one of the finest restaurants in the city.

After breakfast you will be driven west comfortably to the Poroy train station 20 minutes from Cusco. At Poroy our guide will assist you in boarding the “Hiram Bingham” train, the most luxurious way to journey to Machu Picchu from Cusco. En route to Machu Picchu a brunch will be served as you are treated to spectacular views as you drive further into the Andes. Upon reaching “Aguas Caliente” at the base of Machu Picchu a specialized guide will show you the wonders of the lost Incan city, one of “The New Seven Wonders of the World “. Your guide will point out the importance of the building’s positions and their relationship to the sun and moon. After a day in Machu Picchu you will be treated to a fine dinner and accommodations at the only hotel adjacent to the ancient citadel, The luxurious Machu PicchuSanctuary Lodge.

This is the day to wake up early and be at Machu Picchu early to watch the sun rise over the “East Gate”. Enjoy a wonderful sunrise (if the sky cooperates) and it will make a perfect beginning to another wonderful and energetic day. Few people get to experience the ancient magnificence at sunrise of the one of most spectacular places on earth. After the day exploring the marvels, mysteries and accomplishments of Machu Picchu, cocktails and a gourmet dinner are served on the return train ride to Cusco aboard the luxurious “Hiram Bingham”. Our guide will meet you at the Poroy train station eager to hear of your experience and escort you back to the Monasterio Hotel.

After breakfast we will begin your private tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas north of Cusco. Our first stop will be the famous Indian market of Pisaq, a beautiful place to observe archaeological remains (the best days to visit are Tuesdays, Thursdays or Sundays). After Pisaq we will stop in Urubamba to enjoy a wonderfully prepared local lunch at a fine restaurant. Throughout the day we will stop at scenic overlooks for photo opportunities of the mountains and the traditional, colorfully dressed Quechua women, their children and alpacas.

They are happy to pose for pictures along these stops in exchange for 1 soles per person and alpaca you take a picture of. The next major stop is the enormous walled city of Ollantaytambo where you will be able to appreciate the amazing complexity of Inca construction. If time permits you may visit the traditional town of Chinchero and see the fine handmade items made there. At the end of the day after arriving back in Cusco we will see you safely back to your hotel where you will enjoy another fine dinner.

After breakfast our staff will drive you to the train station to take the amazing and comfortable Trans Altiplano Inca Express Train south to the historical city of Puno. Puno sits on the shores of Titicaca lake and is the capital and largest city in the Puno Region. As you climb to 3,860 meters the impressive smooth ascent is accompanied by the magnificent Andes bordering deep valleys.

Arriving at the plateau you will be able to appreciate the vicuñas and alpacas. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board the train before it makes the stop in The Station of the Ray that also offers a wonderful panoramic view. The Station of the Ray is the highest point of the trip at 4,319 meters above sea level. You will be met at the Station of the Ray and taken to the luxurious hotel Libertador.

After Breakfast its time for a boat ride on Titicaca Lake, the highest navigable lake in the world. Here you will see the 41 floating islands on Titicaca lake. The Uros people, an aquatic tribe, have conserved their old way of life and still live and maintain these man-made islands and depend on them for their survival. Later we’ll visit the island of Taquile. Taquile is 45 Km from the shores of Puno (and curiously free of dogs) and is inhabited by native Quechuas. Here we’ll be able to appreciate their fine hand-woven textiles and clothes predominantly woven by men. At night we’ll return to Puno to rest and dine in the luxurious Hotel Libertador.

After breakfast we will visit the pre-Incan burial grounds of Sillustani on the shores of Lake Umayo near Puno. Here we’ll see the famous Chullpas, cylindrical mausoleums used by the Aymaras to bury their most important priests. The pre-Incan architecture of Sillustani is more complex than Incan architecture since they used stones of even rectangular edges rather than stones of varying shapes. After finishing this tour you will be taken to the airport for your flight back to Lima. You will be escorted to your hotel for cxheck-in (Country Club, Swissotel, Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel or JW Marriot hotel). Time to relax in the health spa before a delicious dinner at an internationally renowned restaurant.

After breakfast and check out you will be greeted by your driver and taken to the Cusco airport for your flight to Lima and your connecting international flight home.