Peru Boutique - Andes & Culture Tour

The Destination background

Lima, known as the city of the Kings was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991 and is home to some of the most beautiful colonial architecture in the whole of South America.

The fabled Nazca Lines are huge drawings in the desert sand some over 1000 years old which can only be appreciated from an airplane.

Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incas is regarded as the oldest inhabited city of the Americas which was subsequently built upon by the Spanish Conquistadores in the 16th century. The invaders erected grand colonial mansions and beautiful cathedrals and churches on the old palaces of the Incas. Considered the most important pre-colonial city in the Americas, Cuzco is also the gateway to Machu Picchu, the new seventh wonder of the world. Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, was a religious centre built on the saddle of a mountain high in the Andes which today is accessed by train or trekking along the Inca Trail; And Caral, the oldest civilization of the Americas dating back to over 5000 years.

Full Itinerary

• Day 1. Lima

  Arrival to Lima, reception at the airport and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel. Free evening

• Day 2. Lima (B & L)

  After breakfast, a half day, privately guided tour of colonial and modern Lima, including the cathedral, dating from 1654, the main square, which still houses the original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. Known as the city of the kings, Lima was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site.

  After lunch at the Casa Moreyra restaurant, you will have a choice of options. You may either visit a museum of your choice; choosing from the Gold Museum or the Rafael Larco Herera Museum which showcases an overview of 4000 years of Peruvian pre Colombian culture; or you may embark on a cooking class with a local gourmet chef and explore the diversity and complexity of Peruvian cuisine. Free evening.

• Day 3. Lima - Nazca - Lima (B & L)

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the 08:30 flight to a private aerodrome in Ica south of Lima. Change of the aircraft to a Cessna for the flight tour of the Nazca Lines lasting 1 hour and 10 minutes. These gigantic drawings and geometrical figures engraved in the driest desert of Peru date back to 250 AD. Drawn throughout over 1000 Km2 of desert on the Pampas of San Jose in Ica, and due to their enormous size and largely unknown origin, leaves an indelible impression on all who visit this most mysterious archaeological site.

  Return to Ica for a guided visit to the Regional Museum of Ica and the oasis at Huacachina followed by lunch. Transfer back to the aerodrome for the return flight to Lima and transfer to your hotel.

• Day 4. Lima - Cuzco - Urubamba (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your mid morning flight to Cuzco. Arrival and private transfer to the Urubamba, the sacred valley of the Incas. The drive will take just over an hour and will allow you to slowly acclimatize to the high altitude of the Andes. Passing through the old town of Chincheros, with perhaps a visit to the authentic market there, you will also visit en route, the amphitheatre of Inca terracing at Moray and witness the incredible engineering of the Incas followed by a visit to the pre-Inca salt pans of Maras. Arrival to your hotel, settle in to your room and lunch. After lunch, a free day to help with acclimatization. Dinner at your hotel.

• Day 5. Urubamba Experience (B, L & D)

  Before breakfast, you will meet with your yoga instructor in the beautiful gardens of your hotel for a gentle regime of yoga, integrating the different styles from Asthanga to Vinyas flow.

  After breakfast, embark on a private excursion through the Urubamba, including a visit to the seldom visited ruins above Pisaq. These ruins are considered amongst the finest in the Cuzco area and allow for an opportunity to appreciate the masterful building techniques of the Incas. The trip continues to Ollantaytambo and the famous ruins above the city of the same name. Lunch in the valley before a demonstration of the ancient beliefs and culture of the Andes complete with an Ayahuasca ceremony; conducted by a local shaman. Return to your hotel in the Urubamba for accommodation and dinner.

• Day 6. Urubamba - Machu Picchu (B & D)

  After breakfast, transfer to Ollantaytambo railway station for the 1 1/2 hour train journey to Aguas Calientes. Arrival and check-in to your Hotel, the Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel. Take the bus up to magnificent Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. A fully guided tour where your guide will explain the main construction of the site and also take you to many less visited parts including the Inca's bridge. If time permits, you may also climb up to Wayna Picchu Mountain, overlooking the complex before returning back down to Aguas Calientes and your hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

• Day 7. Machu Picchu - Cuzco (B)

  Opportunity to return to the marvelous citadel and see the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes for the return train trip to Cuzco. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel.

• Day 8. Cuzco (B & D)

  Breakfast. A free morning to wander around the ancient capital of the Incas.

  After lunch (not included), a private guided tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral, Qoricancha or temple of the sun, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco, Qenko and Puka Pukara sites. A visit to the Inca Museum completes the day before returning to your hotel. Dinner at the excellent Map Cafe restaurant.

• Day 9. Cuzco (B)

  A free day in Cuzco at leisure. If you prefer, you may visit other Inca sites around Cuzco such as Tipon or Pikillacta (not included) or just enjoy the sights and sounds of Cuzco on your own.

• Day 10. Cuzco - Lima (B)

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, a visit to the National Museum. The largest museum in Peru; of particular interest here are the sections on pre-Spanish life in the area and the reproductions of Peru’s major archaeological sites. The galleries often feature temporary exhibits as well. The museum provides a complete overview of Peruvian history and culture. Return to your hotel.

• Day 11. Lima - Caral - Lima (B)

  After breakfast, a private guided visit to Caral, the oldest civilisation in the Americas. Dating back to over 3000BC, this earliest of settlements developed almost simultaneously with the civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China. Return to Lima and your hotel to refresh, collect your belongings and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

End of our services.

Tour Prices

• Superior Boutique

  • Price per person US$4175.00 - based on two people sharing.
  • Single supplement not applicable.

• Premium Boutique

  • Price per person US$6525.00 - based on two people sharing.
  • Single supplement not applicable.

Tour Price Includes:

• Accommodation in double rooms at selected boutique hotels.
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
• Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based on private service with English speaking guides.
• All internal flight tickets in economy class.
• Vistadome train tickets.
• All entrance fees.

Tour Price Does Not Include:

• International flight to Peru and US$31.00 tax for all International air departures.
• All domestic flights require a US$6.00 charge (airport tax).
• Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc,
• Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident etc.
• Baggage porterage and other extras not specified.

Hotels

Superior Boutique

• Lima Hotels

  Second Home or Clifford Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Sacred Valley Hotels

  Recoleta or Libertador. (Subject to availability.)

• Cuzco Hotels

  Picoaga or Novotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Aguas Calientes Hotels

  Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Premium Boutique

• Lima Hotels

  Country Club Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Sacred Valley Hotels

  Inkaterra Urubamba Private Villas. (Subject to availability.)

• Cuzco Hotels

  Monasterio Hotel or Casona Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Aguas Calientes Hotels

  Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Trains

  Vistadome train. (Upgrade to Hiram Bingham train subject to availability.)