Great Inca Expedition

Day 1

Welcome to Lima, City of Kings and the Larco Museum of Cultures
Arrival to the city of Lima, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.
An exclusive and intense tour of the Historical Center of Lima will take us to know and admire the architectonic relics that are part of the old Lima, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Convent of Santo Domingo is the beginning of this magnificent experience. It was built during the foundation of Lima. The Universidad Mayor de San Marcos (University of San Marcos) was founded on this site, the oldest in America. Inside, the choir with the oldest stalls in the country; and the library, with 25,000 books, some printed in the XV century, has an invaluable historical value. The mortal remains of San Martín de Porres, San Juan Masías and Santa Rosa de Lima lie inside. Crossing the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace and the Municipality, going into the Cathedral, a jewel in the history of Lima, with artworks that will make us feel closer to colonial Lima. Leaving downtown Lima and heading to the Larco Museum, where we will get a clear vision of the cultures that inhabited ancient Peru. We shall admire the gold pieces, textiles and erotic ceramics that are part of the collection which will introduce us to the cosmovision of the ancient Peru. The warehouse of this museum will be open during our visit to appreciate the expressions of art that were reflected in their ceramics.

Day 2

Nasca, Pampa Mysteries
Very early in the morning, departure by bus to the Paracas bay. Arrival and assistance to board a modern motorboat heading to the Ballestas Islands, part of the Paracas National Reserve of Marine Life. An ecological system that is protected and regulated to safeguard the species that have made its habitat in these islands. Along the way, we will encounter a mysterious drawing best known as El Candelabro (The Candelabra), aligned in the direction of the pampa de Nasca. When we arrive at the islands, we will explore the big caves, refuge of seals, penguins and diverse marine birds that our expert guide will teach us to identify. Return to the jetty. Then we will go to the Pisco airport, where we go aboard one of the modern light aircraft of Aerodiana, Cessna Grand Caravan. Will fly over the desert sand of the Ica desert before arriving at the great pampa de Nasca, where we find the mysterious and enigmatic designs and perfect lines that cross over this vast land extension. The designs can only be appreciated from the air, and that is the reason that brings so many theories and mysteries about its purpose, function and who it was made for. The best-known designs are the monkey, the hummingbird, the spider, the lizard, the astronaut, the dog, the condor and many lines that look like runways. Listen to the theories and reach your own conclusions. Return to Pisco. Lunch. Return to Lima by bus. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 3

Túcume Pyramids and Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán
Transfer to the airport. Departure to Chiclayo. Arrival, assistance and transfer to the hotel.
We will visit the Valley of the Pyramids in Túcume, spectacular urban center, the most important one of its time, located at only 33 km from Chiclayo; the legend of the God Naylamp and the queen Ceterni coming from the sea, still lift the spirits of the people. In the city of Lambayeque, we find the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán, it was built similar to the original tomb and it houses treasures in gold, silver and precious stones of a unique beauty. A visit impossible to forget. A unique museum in all of South America. Lunch in a restaurant of typical northern cuisine. Return to Chiclayo.

Day 4

Huaca El Brujo (El Brujo Archaeological complex) and Museum of the Lady of Cao
Departure to Trujillo in private transportation. On route, we divert course, to go across the sugar-cane plantations of the north and arrive at the small town of Magdalena de Cao. We go into the sandy area to find the Huaca El Brujo. Beautiful place where the tattooed mummy of the Lady of Cao was found, together with clothes, offerings and jewelry that accompanied her in her burial site. The archaeologists are still finding new discoveries in the Huaca, observing the different stages and levels of construction. Seeing all will transport us to an ancient world dominated by their beliefs and territorial predominance. You can observe the mummy of the Lady of Cao with her tattoos that reflected her power. Lunch.
Continuation of our trip by land to Trujillo. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 5

Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Moon), Chan Chan Citadel and the Caballitos de totora (totora reed vessel) in Huanchaco
In the morning, visit to the magnificent Huaca de la Luna, the power center in the Trujillo Valley during the Moche period. We enter the Site Museum; there we see many objects found in its interior. Inside the Huaca we observe the representations of the gods drawn in high relief on the walls of this ancient temple. Our next stop will be the Huaca del arco iris or Huaca del Dragón, from the Chimú culture. We continue towards Huanchaco, an ancient cove of fishermen where we appreciate the old reed vessels known as “Caballitos de Totora” (“Totora Reed Horses”) with which they keep the ancient tradition of artisanal fishing. Lunch in Huanchaco. In the afternoon, visit to the ancient Chan Chan citadel. We enter the Nik-An Palace, located in the south western side of Chan Chan, touring its ceremonial squares, worshiping places, reservoirs, barns, cemeteries, and others.
Transfer to the airport. Departure to Lima. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 6

Cusco, Capital of the Empire
Arrival to the city of Cusco, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, exclusive stroll in the city that starts with a visit to the Plaza de San Cristóbal (San Cristobal Square) to enjoy a panoramic overview of the city. Afterwards, we will visit the San Pedro Market, where we will absorb the local flavors and learn more about the products of the area in this market that has it all and supplies the entire city. Later, the Qorikancha Temple will welcome us with all its splendor and magnificence, with walls that used to be covered in gold. From San Blas, the artisans’ neighborhood, we will walk down the street Hatun Rumiyoc finding in our way the palace Inca Roca, today´s Archbishops Palace, and we will have time to admire the world famous Twelve Angled Stone. We will continue to the Plaza de Armas to visit The Cathedral that houses colonial works of incredible value.

Day 7

Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman
In the morning, we will leave behind the crowds in order to visit Sacsayhuaman, an impressive citadel full of colossal constructions surrounded by beautiful landscape in total communion with the environment. Afterwards, we continue to the Inca adoratory of Q’enqo, with its surprising altar for sacrifices embedded in the internal part of its rocky formation. Finally, we arrive at the Puca Pucará lookout and Tambomachay, a monument of notable architectonic excellence which is considered one of the pillars of the Andean cosmovision. Free afternoon to enjoy the city.
Free afternoon for additional activities, or to cruise around the streets of Cusco. The passport of admissions that is included in this trip gives you access to other points of interest that are not visited.

Day 8

Sacred Valley: Inca and Colonial Pisac, Inkariy Museum and Yucay Live Culture Center
The Sacred Valley of the Incas receives us in this day. Our first stop will be at the Inca village of Pisac, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. From the top of the mountain there is a great view of the colonial village of Pisac. Walk through the colonial village. Time for shopping at the artisan workshops. Later, tour of the Inkariy Museum to visit the different halls with exhibits of representations of the pre-Hispanic cultures of ancient Peru. Lunch. Visit to the Yucay Live Culture Center, tourist complex were the local settlers will show us their techniques of weaving and dying of traditional textiles, making of the adobes, preparation of the traditional chicha, a drink made of corn, and a close encounter with the Andean camels: llamas and alpacas. Overnight stay in the area.

Day 9

Sacred Valley: Moray Terraces, Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo Living Inca Village
This day will take us to find marvelous places in this region of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Inca Terraces of Moray, a lab that was looking to re-create 20 different microclimates and secure the agricultural production of the empire. Continue towards the Village of Maras, tour of the famous and ancient salt mines, which still are exploited since immemorial times. The contrast between the white wells and the clayey land makes this landscape into a place not to be missed for taking pictures. Lunch. In the afternoon, tour of the streets, plazas and terraces of the last Inca living village of Ollantaytambo. Enter the archaeological site that dominates the village, where we will see the technique that the Incas used to work on the stones in the Sun temple that was left half built. At the proper time, embark from the village train station to arrive at the town of Machu Picchu, located at the foot of the mountain. Overnight stay in the area.

Day 10

Machu Picchu, the Lost City
The much-awaited day to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Boarding at the Ollantaytambo station. Departure in the selected train. Arrival at the Machu Picchu station. Assistance, from our staff to board the bus that will ascend up a winding road, with a spectacular view of the Urubamba river which forms a deep canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will greet us with its incredible terraces, staircases, ceremonial sites and urban areas. Energy exudes from the whole place. Lunch. At the coordinated time, return by train and transfer to the hotel in Cusco. Lodging.

Day 11

Cusco at your Pace
Free day. Cusco offers many cultural, archaeological and adventure-oriented activities. Reserve the activities with anticipation. We recommend:
Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain. Located at 5000 m.a.s.l. in the heights of the Valley of the Vilcanota River in the mountain range of the Ausangate snowcapped mountain, this beautiful mountain has become one of the main attractions and great wonders of Cusco.
Kayak in the Huaypo Lake. One day of contact with our inner being, paddling in a kayak on the Huaypo Lake with the snowcapped mountains as the backdrop. A moment to relax and let the silence invade and renew our energy. Lunch on the lake banks.

Day 12

Route to the Andean Altiplano
Departure on a tourist bus to the city of Puno, a beautiful landscape route accompanied by the Vilcanota River and afterwards to the plateau of Collao, the Andean altiplano. Our first stop will be at the Church of the Apostle St. Peter in Andahuaylillas better known as “La Sixtina de América” (The Sistine Chapel of America). The walls and ceiling are full of mural paintings from the 17th century. Continue to Racchi, Temple of the God Wiracocha, where the remains of the columns and walls stand out and give us an idea of the monumental size of this construction during the Inca times. Our path will reach its highest point at La Raya at 4,800 m.a.s.l., a place where there is the division of the waters of the basin of the Titicaca and the rivers that will go to the Amazonas. Lunch. Visit to the Site Museum of Pucara. This location is the cradle of the famous toritos de Pucará (Pucara little bulls). Arrival in Puno and transfer to the hotel.

Day 13

The Titicaca Sacred Lake and its islands
In the morning, board a motorboat to visit the Uros, a town of people that sought refuge inside Lake Titicaca, fleeing the different cultures that arrived to dominate them. This community continues building their islands following the ancient techniques and welcome us to pass on their knowledge. Its people make a living from its visitors. Continue sailing towards the Island of Taquile. The community of this island has maintained alive its traditions, clothes, and way of life. It is one of the few Quechua communities in a region that is essentially Aymara, and they have kept unreachable to modernity and its possible effect on their lives. They will welcome us with their music and dances. Lunch at a community restaurant, a simple meal but very rich in nutrients. Afterwards, take a walk around the surrounding areas to appreciate the beautiful view of the Lake Titicaca. Return to the port of Puno. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 14

Lima at your pace
Transfer to the airport. Departure to Lima. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 15

Farewell day
Transfer to the airport. Departure to Lima to connect with your return flight home.