【Peru】7-Day Shades of Peru Tour: Lima, Cusco, Vinicunca and Aguas Calientes | Hotel Breakfast Included

Upon arrival at Lima's airport, a transportation service will take you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day free to get to know the city. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, with some 10 million inhabitants, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Overnight at the selected hotel in Lima.

The route begins at the traditional Pueblo Libre district, where you visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the seventh century. The museum boasts a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Then visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jeronimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time, still belonging to the same family. Continue with a scenic tour through the colonial downtown. See the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Admire Lima's Cathedral, built during the 16th century. Finish the trip returning to your hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel in Lima on bed and breakfast basis.

Optional activity: visit the Magic Water Circuit and have a dinner with a typical dances show.

Go on a comfortable ride from your hotel to the airport of Lima to take a flight to Cusco. At arrival in the city you will be transferred to the selected hotel. Enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puca Pucara ("Red fortress" in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to your hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco on bed and breakfast basis.

Your visit to Machu Picchu begins with an hour and a half train journey through spectacular Andean landscapes to Aguas Calientes, departing from the Ollanta station. From here, you will make a 25-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu, the 'lost city of the Incas'. It is believed that the archaeological site was built around 1450 by the Inca Pachacútec as his holiday residence. However, a century later, the city was abandoned after the Spanish conquest, saving itself from the destruction that reached other Inca settlements. Instead, the jungle grew slowly among its stone constructions and hid it, protecting it. During the guided tour, you will learn about the origins of this impressive citadel and visit its most outstanding monuments. At the end of the tour, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes. Overnight at the selected hotel in Aguas Calientes on bed and breakfast basis.

Today, you can optionally return to Machu Picchu. You may discover the views from Huayna Picchu, which is about 360 metres above Machu Picchu with an underground temple complex; and from Inti Punku, which offers even better views from about 390 metres above the citadel. Another option is the Inca Bridge, a secret military trail, which controlled the access to the citadel. In the afternoon, transfer to the Aguas Calientes station and take the train back to Ollanta station. From here you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco on bed and breakfast basis.

Optional activity: visit to the Planetarium of Cusco.

Vinicunca or mountain of seven colors, is a natural work of art at 5,200 meters above sea level. The colors of the Vinicunca mountain are due to a set of minerals accumulated over time, dragged by the waters of the mountain range, winds and humidity. Start this adventure to Vinicunca leaving very early in the morning from Cusco in the direction of Cusipata where you will have breakfast. Continue with the tour and arrive at the starting point of the trek. The trail is surrounded by beautiful landscapes of the Andes and guarded by the majestic Ausangate Mountain, one of the most important mountains of Cusco, considered a sacred entity since Inca times. After a few minutes at the viewpoint of the mountain to take some pictures and rest, you will start the hike back to Phullawasipata and then go by bus to Cusipata where you will enjoy lunch. After lunch, you will return to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco on bed basis.

A vehicle will take you to the airport in Cusco to take your departure flight. END OF SERVICES.