Luxury Peru Program - 10 dagar

This morning we at 9am we begin a guided trip of Lima’s old colonial centre, taking in the main square, the impressive Cathedral, rebuilt after a huge earthquake in 1746 and the Plaza San Martin amongst other highlights. Moving on we will visit the Gold Museum, featuring one of the most extensive collections of pre-Colombian jewellery and artefacts in the country. After a fascinating morning in a city it’s time for lunch and we have an opportunity to sample the wonderful cuisine Hacienda Moreyra Restaurant, one of Lima’s finest eateries, offering both Peruvian and International Cuisine. The late afternoon and evening are left free for private exploration (B, L).

Early in the morning you will be transferred to Lima airport for your short internal flight (2 hours approx.) to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and today a thriving and fascinating multi-cultural city. On arrival in Cusco airport you will be met and transferred into the heart Cusco’s beautiful historic centre and to the Hotel Monasterio. This wonderful, historic building, the restored Seminary of San Antonio Abad is fascinating in its own right. Here, at high altitude you have a Deluxe Oxygen Enriched Room to help you acclimatize to the thin mountain air (Cusco has an altitude of more than 3300m above sea level). Lunch is served at the excellent Illary Restaurant in the hotel before beginning a guided tour of Cusco’s Central Historic Sites. Evening at leisure to explore Cusco’s lively nightlife. (B, L).

In the morning you will be transferred to Poroy Train Station in Cusco to board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train service and to begin you journey to the legendary World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu. As you are served breakfast on this top class train service awesome vistas reveal themselves. The train enters a jungle filled gorge following the course of the Urubamba River towards Machu Picchu and the fringes of mighty Amazon Rainforest. Finally we arrive in Machu Picchu Train Station in the town of Aguas Calientes were we are transferred to the beautiful Hotel Inkaterra Machu Picchu. We will stay in one of the small cottages set in 12 acres of exquisite grounds, a mix of lush Andean cloud forest and gardens. After lunch we have the opportunity walk the hotels trails with an experienced guide, learning more about the fragile ecosystem of Andean cloud forest and its flora and fauna. This is a fabulous area for bird watching! After an A-la-carte dinner you will have the choice to join a second walking tour or relax in your lovely Junior Suite Deluxe Casita for the night (B, L, D).

Early morning is the prime time for spotting forest birds and other wildlife and you will be offered the option to join our wildlife walk searching for such prized species as  the Andean cock-of-the-rock, the golden-headed quetzal and many of the 18 different Hummingbird native to the area. We return to the hotel for breakfast and our 30 minute bus ride above Aguas Calientes to the truly awesome Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a site straddling a mountain top at more at 2380 m above sea level and surrounded by misty cloud forest covered peaks and incredible views on all sides. This site lay undiscovered and engulfed the jungle until Yale University Professor Hiram Bingham chanced upon the site during an archaeological expedition. Since then much of purpose and nature of this site has remained a mystery. After a guided tour of the site you will have time to explore the ruins on your own. Return to Inkaterra for Lunch and free time. We board the Hiram Bingham train service for Cusco, where you will be served cocktails and gourmet dinner, arriving in the early evening. From here you transported back your Deluxe Oxygen Enriched Room at the Monasterio Hotel. Evening free to explore Cusco (B, L, D)

Today we take a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Leaving Cusco by bus we cross the hills dividing Cusco from this fascinating centre of Quechua culture. The countryside is largely rural, with local farmers going about their lives in much the same way as they have for centuries. Soon after leaving Cusco the magnificent peaks of Urubamba Mountain Range reveal themselves, jagged glacial forms rising to well over 5000 meters. These mountains were and still are considered Apus (gods) to the local people. We visit the market town of Pisac, overlooked by an impressive Inca fortress. Lunch will be enjoyed at the Huayocari House, with outstanding views over the valley. We continue to Ollantaytambo, another charming agricultural town in the heart of the valley. The Inca terraces above town were the site of a historic battle during Manco Incas famous uprising against the Spanish Forces. On the way back to Cusco we stop at the lovely village of Chinchero, located in the highlands dividing Cusco and the Sacred Valley. After visiting the central square, the church and the market we return to Cusco and the Hotel. (B, L).

Checking out of the Monasterio at 8.30am we board our private tour bus and begin an epic 7 hour journey across the Peruvian ‘Altiplano’ towards the city of Puno and Lake Titicaca beyond. We break up the journey stopping to take in some of the beautiful monuments along the route. On reaching the community of Raqchi we visit the ruins of the Temple of Viracocha, one of Incas most sacred sites In Inca mythology Viracocha is the creator of all living things and the greatest of Inca deities. Later we stop to admire the view from the magnificent pass of La Raya at 4400m the highest point on our route. Before arriving at Lake Titicaca’s shores we pass through the bustling town of Puno then continue on to the Chucuito Peninsular, location of our lovely hotel, Titilaka. Titilaka has beautiful panoramic views stretching over this, the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3810m above sea level.  Lake Titicaca is a centre of ancient Peruvian culture and myth, and today remains one of the focus points for living indigenous culture in Latin America. Titicaca is inhabited by Uros, Aymara and Quechua Communities. Evening free time with plenty of opportunity to relax in the Hotel’s Lake View Spa! Dusk cocktails will be served on Titilaka’s Waterfront Terrace and a gourmet dinner using fresh local ingredients such as lake trout will be served. (B, L, D).

Today we explore Lake Titicaca by boat! Met at the hotel’s Pier we set out towards Amantani Island. On arrival on the island we will be met by local guides who will explain the culture and ancient history of the islands and the lifestyle of the current inhabitants, making a living almost entirely from agriculture and fishing. We have lunch with a local family before saying goodbye and sailing on towards the famous ‘floating islands’. We visit the villages of the tribe, – a people highly evolved to living in this watery environment. Constructing boats and houses from the reeds of the lake we spend time with the Uros people who have long survived from a combination of hunting, weaving and fishing. Visiting the local communities in this way not only gives an insight into very different ways of life, but it ensures that indigenous peoples receive direct benefits from cultural eco-tourism. Returning to the Titilaka in the early evening we will be served dinner at around 19.30. (B, L, D).

After an early morning transfer from Juliaca Airport (08.30am) we arrive in Lima about 10am. On arrival in Lima you will be met and transferred to the Country Club Hotel. Excellent lunch will be served at 12.00am in the Hotel Restaurant. Afternoon is free to relax in the hotel’s gym of even play a few rounds of golf at the Lima Golf Club. This evening we meet at 19.00 for the short ride to the Brujas de Cachique Restaurant, home of some very special Peruvian and Creole Cuisine and a great way appreciate the final evening of our Peru round trip! (B, L, D)

This morning you can take an optional guided tour of the Miraflores Indian Craft Market and the Larcomar Shopping Centre. Lunch will be offered at the Rosa Naútica Restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This establishment offers an incredible variety of excellent Peruvian and International Cuisine. After lunch we can relax at the hotel before being transferred to Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport for you return flight (B, L).