PERU - LIMA, CUZCO, MACHU PICCHU TOURS

PERU - LIMA, CUZCO, MACHU PICCHU TOURS

SAMPLE 5 DAY PERU ITINERARY (pre or post Galapagos / Ecuador)

Day 1	p.m. Flight from Quito (or Guayaquil) to Lima p.m. Transfer from Lima airport to hotel	Hotel in Lima
Day 2	a.m. Transfer to Lima airport (one hour flight to Cuzco) a.m. Arrival in Cuzco; transfer to Cuzco hotel p.m. Excursion to Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Kenko; Puca-Pucara Fortress; Tambomachay p.m. Cuzco city tour (main plaza; Cathedral; religious Art museum; Santo Domingo Church)	Hotel in Cuzco
Day 3	a.m. Train from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes p.m. Machu Picchu complex	Hotel in Cuzco
Day 4	a.m./p.m. Full day excursion to Urubamba (Sacred Valley) & Pisac Market, including Ollantaytambo.	Hotel in Cuzco
Day 5	a.m. Trasfer to Cuzco airport; flight to Lima p.n. Connecting flight from Lima to Guayaquil or Quito

All itineraries can be customized, based on your interests, budget and time.

CUZCO & MACHU PICCHU TOUR DESCRIPTION

Cuzco it is located one thousand eighy nine km. south east of lima at 3.399 mt a.s.l.
Walking through its narrow and winding cobbled streets you will sense the almost mystic experience of feeling the incredible past history of this unique spot on earth. Built at 3.300 mt. a.s.l. it was the capital city of the inca empire which was almost as vast as the roman empire, streching from the northern tip of what is today ecuador to northern chile and argentina including peru and bolivia.
The enormous military and administrative ruling regulations to be enforced in such an extended territory led to the construction of an incredible road network through which runners called chasquis were spreading the news and orders to all the corners of the empire. part of this network is now world wide known as the inca trail a highlight for hikers.

It is evident that a city with such a legacy is an architechtural show case of many cultures such as the pre inca, inca, spanish colonial and republican embodied in its ruins, temples, churches and mansions.

Finally, the stunning surrounding country side with spectacular agricultural terraces irrigated by complex systems is producing an everlasting impresion on the fortunate visitors who can enjoy such a spectacle.

Photographs courtesy of DOMIRUTH

Machu Picchu the lost city of the incas. Machu Picchu travel

These civil and sacred mountain top ruins lie one hundred and sixty eight km. north of cuzco in the sacred valley of the urubamba river at 2.400 mt. a.s.l. These ruins were declared by unesco a human cultural site and are situated in a spectacular frame work formed by the exhuberant vegetation of the nearby jungle and a rugged landscape between huayna picchu (young peak) and machu picchu (old peak).

The ruins display an unbelievable degree of perfection by which these temples, mausoleums, squares, and royal houses were set up. It is amazing to see how even a razor blade cannot be introduced between two rocks of these mortarless constructions. There is no limit for the surprised and astounded visitors while admiring the perfection involved in the costruction of this entire place.

Photographs courtesy of DOMIRUTH

Ruins around cusco. Sacsaywaman

After a short trip from Cusco you can reach the following spectacular ruins: Sacsayhuaman fortress, Kenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.

Pisac Indian market and ruins.

At 2.979 mt..a.s.l and thirty five km. north of cusco this most colourful indian market is the gateway to the sacred valley of the incas. you will be thrilled by the blend of colour, tradition and local people’s customs. Above the town well preserved fortresses, urban complexes and temples overlooking the vilcanota river are adding up to this unforgettable experience.

Ollantaytambo.

Photographs courtesy of DOMIRUTH

Located ninety five km. north of cusco it is considered the oldest continous human settlement in the americas. walking along its narrow streets and canals gives you an idea of how things could stay unchanged for centuries since the inca times.

Chinchero market.

At thirty-five km. north west of cusco this town was built on the foundations of an inca site. you will enjoy the sight of colourful dressed people bartering food in the main square and offer visitors all kinds of crafts from the region with a backround of an amazing beauty.

Piquillacta and Andahuaylillas.

Seventeen km. south west of cusco piquillacta is famous for the best and most spectacular agricultural terraces built in this area. A visit to the 17^th. century church of the nearby town of andahuaylillas is also included.

Moray and Maras.

Fifty km. north of cusco moray is famous for its inca agricultural terraces built in natural lime sink holes with a spectacular view of the urubamba valley. At a short distance below the colonial maras town, terraced salt mines and ponds are also interesting visiting sites.

Photographs courtesy of DOMIRUTH

CHINCHERO

Located 35 km. (22 miles) northwest of Cuzco, the town of Chinchero lies on the foundations of an important Inca site built in late 1400s. Brightly dressed, the people of Chinchero gather in the main plaza to barter foodstuffs and offer visitors an array of crafts from the Cuzco region against a scenery of breathtaking beauty.
* Market only Thursdays and Sundays.

PISAC RUINS

A scenic drive along the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to visit the Inca ruins that lie above the town of Pisac 31 km. (19 miles) from Cuzco overlooking the Vilcanota river. Fortresses, urban complexes, temples and well preserved Andean terraces built by the Incas all make up an imposing and unforgettable sight.

PIQUILLACTA AND ANDAHUAYLILLAS

Located 17 km. (10 miles) southeast of Cuzco, Piquillacta boasts some of the finest agricultural terracing ever built in the Cuzco area. The tour continues to the village of Andahuaylillas to visit a seventeenth century church with an impressive organ decorated with angels and cherubs.

MORAY AND MARAS

Huge circular agricultural terraces at Moray, built by the Incas in natural sinkholes on a limestone plateau overlooking the Urumbamba valley. It has been suggested that they have a cosmological meaning, but their function, other than agricultural, remains a mystery. Nearby, age-old terraced salt mines and ponds sit below the colonial town of Maras.

DINNER & FOLK SHOW [ * Daily]
      Enjoy a delicious typical dinner at a local restaurant with a picturesque folklore show.

     Remarks: Additional tours in this area, such as biking, horse riding and river rafting, enquire directly.

OTHER PERU TOUR DESTINATION OPTIONS .....
	AREQUIPA CAJAMARCA CHICLAYO HUARAZ ICA
PUNO	IQUITOS	CHAN CHAN
	LIMA MANU NAZCA PTO MALDONADO TRUJILLO
PYRAMID VALLEY	Photographs courtesy of DOMIRUTH	PARACAS

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