Birthplace of The Incas
• Lima • Cuzco • Sacred Valley of the Incas • Machu Picchu • Puno • Lake Titicaca • La Paz
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
AUD
$5,435
|
Days
13
|
Nights
12
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
AUD
$5,435
|
Days
13
|
Nights
12
|
Introduction
Travel from Cuzco to Puno and Lake Titicaca through the heartland of the Inca Empire.
Begin by touring Lima, for so long the most important city in the Americas during Spanish colonial times. Continue to Cuzco visiting ruins, temples and the Sacred Valley of the Incas before reaching the iconic Lost City of Machu Picchu. Then to Puno, visiting the floating reed islands before crossing beautiful Lake Titicaca, believed to be the birthplace of the Incas, to La Paz.
This itinerary can be tailor-made, with the number of days, places visited, and activities varied to suit you.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Lima
You will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 : Lima
This morning on your shared tour you will explore the historic heart of the city where the Presidential Palace and impressive colonial buildings surround the main square. Visit the wonderful Santo Domingo Convent which dates back almost to the time of the conquistadors, where you have the opportunity to explore the catacombs. After exploring the historical centre head towards modern Miraflores to make a stop at the Parque del Amor, from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the Lima Bay area before returning to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure and we recommend you visit the excellent Larco Herrera Museum, which will provide you with an excellent insight into the Inca world you are about to visit.
Day 3 : Lima > Cuzco
Fly to Cuzco and transfer to your hotel situated in the old city not far from the main square. During Inca times Cuzco was the ‘capital of the world’ and the walls and foundations for many of the buildings are still of original Inca construction. We suggest you take things a little easy this afternoon adjusting to the altitude. Perhaps stroll to the beautiful Plaza de Armas and soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful city.
Day 4 : Cuzco
Enjoy a shared Cuzco sightseeing tour that includes a visit to the local San Pedro market. Then you will be taken to see the most exquisite examples of Inca stonework found at Koricancha, in Inca times the Temple of the Sun. Cuzco’s cathedral, full of priceless art treasures and beautiful altars of silver and precious stones, is one of the most important churches in all of Latin America. Continue to the impressive Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman situated on a hill overlooking the city. Here you can see enormous cut and shaped stones weighing up to 130 tons that fit together so neatly you cannot get a knife blade between them. Admire great views over Cuzco and learn about Inti Raymi, the ancient Inca Festival of the Sun that is held here every winter solstice.
Day 5 : Cuzco > Sacred Valley
Depart Cuzco on a shared full-day sightseeing tour to the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas. First stop will be at the village of Chinchero, famous for its weaving and a town where many still proudly wear their typical costumes. Enjoy a walk around the village, admire the Inca ruins and visit the Parwa cultural centre, where you will learn about the local textile processes. Then continue to the archaeological site of Moray and marvel at the enormous Inca circular agricultural terraces. It is not totally clear why the terraces were built, but most experts believe it was so they could experiment with different crops. Admire some great views before descending into the Sacred Valley and enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit the mighty fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo, scene of the last great battle between the Inca army and the Spanish conquistadores. Spend the night in a charming valley hotel.
NB: Your luggage will remain stored at your hotel in Cuzco and you travel with a smaller overnight bag to visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. It is not possible to take large suitcases on the train to Machu Picchu.
Day 6 : Sacred Valley > Machu Picchu
Take a scenic 90-minute train journey this morning to Machu Picchu and on arrival travel by bus with your guide to the ruins. Enjoy a superb buffet lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, located right at the entrance to the ruins, then take a guided tour of the ruins. Undiscovered until 1911, Machu Picchu more than justifies its title as one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’. Learn about the history, architecture and lifestyle of the inhabitants as your guide takes you through this incredible site. Afterwards return to the nearby town of Aguas Calientes for dinner and your overnight stay.
Day 7 : Machu Picchu > Cuzco
There is time to revisit the ruins this morning (at additional cost) or wander the markets of Aguas Calientes. Later return by train and private vehicle to Cuzco.
Day 8 : Cuzco > Puno
Enjoy a full-day scenic coach journey from Cuzco to Puno with a number of interesting stops included along the way and with lunch included. You will visit the town of Andahuaylas with its beautiful church, and later stop at the Inca site of Raqch’i, famous for a small market and impressively high Inca adobe walls and mysterious-looking store houses. The scenery changes throughout the day and late afternoon arrive into Puno, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Day 9 : Puno
Visit the floating Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca this morning on a shared tour, and learn about the life of the people living there.
Day 10 : Puno > Lake Titicaca
Early in the morning, transfer by coach from Puno to Copacabana, crossing the border between Peru and Bolivia along the way. Copacabana is the most important pilgrimage centre for Roman Catholics in Bolivia who come to pray in the Church of the Black Madonna. You will enjoy a guided visit to the Basilica before sailing to the Sun Island, the birthplace of the Inca Empire. On arrival in this legendary island visit the Inca garden which features the traditional food and medicinal crops grown by the Inca, then continue with to the Inti Wata Cultural Complex This attraction includes the Ekako Underground Museum showcasing archaeological treasures, the Titicaca reed boat shipbuilders display, a handicraft centre and a variety of Andean camelids. Later return to the catamaran to enjoy a buffet lunch on board as you sail back towards Copacabana, then continue with a scenic land transfer to Chua where you stay overnight on a comfortable catamaran. Enjoy dinner on board.
Day 11 : Lake Titicaca > La Paz
At dawn sail to the southern region of Lake Titicaca enjoying breakfast on board during the navigation. Visit indigenous people from to isolated Pariti Island where you are involved in an exclusive community tourism programme, sharing and learning about the daily lives of the people. If the weather is fine, admire stunning views of the impressive ‘Royal Chain of the Andes’ with many peaks soaring above 6,000 metres. In the afternoon travel across the altiplano by coach to the city of El Alto. From here, take a spectacular cable-car ride down into the city of La Paz, and on arrival transfer to your hotel.
Day 12 : La Paz
Enjoy a private tour of this extraordinary city, visiting the Witches Market to see traditional medicines being sold by bowler-hatted ladies. Take a ride on one of the famous cable-cars that criss-cross the city enjoying panoramic views. Then see the amazing lunar landscape in the Valley of the Moon before returning to your hotel and enjoying the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 13 : La Paz
Transfer to the airport where arrangements end.
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Pricing
Pricing (per person), AUD
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | |||
1 Jan – 31 Dec | |||
4-star |
AU$5,435 |
AU$7,725 |
|
5-star |
AU$6,305 |
AU$9,075 |
|
2025 | |||
1 Jan – 31 Dec | |||
4-star |
AU$6,565 |
AU$8,610 |
|
5-star |
AU$7,145 |
AU$9,635 |
**2024**
**1 Jan – 31 Dec**
4-star
Twin: from $5435
Single: from $ 7725
5-star
Twin: from $6305
Single: from $ 9075
**2025**
**1 Jan – 31 Dec**
4-star
Twin: from $6565
Single: from $ 8610
5-star
Twin: from $7145
Single: from $ 9635
Departs
Daily, year-round |
Included
- Tailor-made journey
- 12 nights’ accommodation in your choice of category
- 12 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners
- Meet & Greet at Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport
- Private transfers as per the itinerary
- Economy class flight Lima > Cuzco
- PeruRail’s Vistadome train Ollyantambo > Aguas Calientes > Ollyantambo
- Shared shuttle Aguas Calientes > Machu Picchu > Aguas Calientes
- English-speaking local guides
- Shared sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Private sightseeing on Day 12
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
Not Included
Gratuities
Important Notes
- Surcharges apply for Easter/Holy Week and the Christmas & New Year’s period
- Surcharges also apply on 1 May, 21 – 25 June, 29 June, and 26 – 30 July
- The price of the included flights is subject to change
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions
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