Peru Classic - Authentic Adventure 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.

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.

The Lares Trek is an authentic trek through the Sacred Valley of the Incas witnessing indigenous villages and marvellous vistas of the high Andes.

Full Itinerary

• Day 1. Lima

  Arrival in Lima. Reception and private transfer to your hotel.

• Day 2. Lima (B & L)

  After breakfast, a private city tour of modern and colonial Lima, declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991. The tour includes a visit to the Cathedral, Main Square, San Francisco Convent and its Catacombs, and the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores. A delicious lunch at a recommended restaurant before visiting the Larco Herrera Museum with a private guide. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Evening at leisure.

• Day 3. Lima - Cuzco (B)

  After breakfast, private transfer to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, reception and private transfer to your hotel. Free day to rest and acclimatize to the high altitude.

• Day 4. Cuzco (B)

  After breakfast, a private guided tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral, Qoricancha temple, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco, Qenko and Puka Pukara. Return to the hotel.

• Day 5. Cuzco - Calca - Lares - Aguas Calientes - Waca Wassi (B, L & D)

  You depart from Cuzco early in the morning by bus and travel through the Sacred Valley before arriving to Lares Hot Springs (2 hours) where you will spend the morning soaking in the medicinal hot springs. After lunch, commence two hour trek to your campsite. Dinner and overnight camping.

• Day 6. Waca Wassi - Epsaycocha (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, continue up through the valley before arriving to the community of Huacawasi. People here produce some of the finest weavings in Peru. Here, you can also observe their great skills and brilliant techniques in the fabrication of ponchos and other garments. Passing the village you will begin climbing up to Condor Pass, the second pass of the trip at 4300m. From here, you will catch a stunning view of the renowned Mount Veronica (5750m.) Descending gently for about one hour, you will come to the beautiful Epsaycocha Lake, and your last campsite.

• Day 7. Epsaycocha - Patacancha - Wylloq - Pumamarka - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (B & D)

  Today your trail leads downhill to an overlook facing a wide valley. Descending into the valley, you will eventually arrive to the community of Huylloc in time for lunch. From here it takes two hours to arrive to Pumamarka and enjoy the Inca terraces, before arriving to Ollantaytambo. Situated in a fertile river valley and sheltered by mammoth mountains, this ancient Inca village is considered one of the most important living museums in the world. This is a perfect place to appreciate the vast archaeological remains and a wide variety of flowers and birds species. From here you will take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

• Day 8. Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco (B)

  After an early breakfast, take the bus to Machupicchu, for your guided visit of Machu Picchu. Built by the Inca Pachacutec and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision that harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. After the tour, free time to enjoy this magical and spiritual wonder. Opportunity for a trek (approx 1 hour) up to the sungate (Intipunku), which is a part of the Inca Trail, for a magical view of the sanctuary. After, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will have free time to enjoy the town before returning to Cuzco on the Vistadome train. Transfer to your hotel.

• Day 9. Cuzco - Lima (B)

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight.

End of our services.

Tour Prices

• US$1925.00 - based on two people sharing.
• Single supplement US$650.00

Domestic Flights (Lima - Cuzco - Lima) per person: US$340.00

Additional days and tours available upon request.

Tour Price Includes:

• Accommodation in double rooms at selected hotels.
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
• Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based on private service with English speaking guides.
• 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

Lima Hotels

Exclusive Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Sacred Valley Hotels

Pakaritampu Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Cuzco Hotels

Picoaga. (Subject to availability.)

Aguas Calientes Hotels

Hatuchay Towers Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Trains

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