PEARLS OF PERU -Islands, Markets & Machu Picchu
August 14th- August 24th, 2015 (11 days) – Book It!
Lisa’s Trip to Peru
DAY 1: LIMA (NO MEALS)
Arrival to Lima, assistance and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in CASA ANDINA SELECT 4*
Lisa’s Suggestion: (Lima is one the gastronomical capitals of the world. The food is fantastic. Here are some articles on some chefs in Lima: http://tasteofperudc.com/top-chefs/
This was an incredible restaurant – it was like “Art Food”!
http://www.mesa247.pe/lima/restaurante/cala
DAY 2: LIMA (B L D)
In the morning,
We start the tour with the Love Park in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and then we will have a panoramic view of the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of the Lima culture, then we drive to Downtown. There, we driving around to the second most important square, PLAZA SAN MARTIN , (SAN MARTIN´S SQUARE), then, we continuing to the San Francis of Assisi Church & Monastery, where we´ll visit the catacombs, and where we start our walking tour,after that, we continuing to the Plaza de Armas, Plaza Mayor (MAIN SQUARE), where we find the Government Palace , City Hall, Cathedral and Archbishop Palace, we also visit the Cathedral, where we find the Francisco Pizarro´s body (conqueror of Peru), we´ll take a time to see part of the changing of the guards in the Presidential Palace.Finally, we visit the Casa Aliaga, a wonderful Colonial House where we can can have a delightful lunch.
Return to the hotel.
PM- ( before the dinner, we are including a tour in this park, where you can see the dancing and colorful fountains)
Tour in the Park Reserve to see the magic circuit of water, new icon of entertainment in the city, made up of 13 ornamental fountains that provide a blend of color, illusion and fantasy.
Dinner at the Dama Juana Restaurant.
Overnight in Lima.
DAY 3 : CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY ( B L D)
Breakfast in the hotel and then transfer to the airport.
Arriving to Cusco,we´ll receiving and transferring to Awanacancha, “ the palace of the textiles”, where we will be able to feed and Andean camelids such as llamas and alpacas also local people show us their weaving techniques and traditional dyeing.Then arrive at the traditional market of Pisac, where we will have free time to go around and buy handicrafts, may participate in the Mass in Quechua in the Church of the settlement (subject to variation pending on the liturgical schedule ) if you dare to try something traditional, stop wood stoves for bread and pies.
Lunch at the Alhambra or Tunupa Restaurant in Urubamba.
Afternoon visit to Pablo Seminario Ceramic Workshop in Urumbamba. (Note from Lisa: This was a wonderful house with great sculpture and home items. See above-I bought this wonderful table to bring home- also note the woven blanket from Chinchero in the back!)
Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 4 : SACRED VALLEY (B L D )
Breakfast .
We leave to the village of Chinchero known as Rainbow City is located 28 km . northwest of Cusco , about 3160 meters above sea level , flanked by snowcapped Salkantay , Veronica and Soray . The view from here is breathtaking.We visit a local workshop, where also we take a lunch (box lunches). In the busy and colorful Sunday market Chinchero can be found objects , some truly old household textiles including the famous chinchero (see weavers in video at top of page). In this village, knit communities have been able to retain , intangible living heritage of extraordinary value , which is expressed both in textiles and agricultural practices and a network of family and community relationships . In the workshops of artisans associations are exposed daily throughout the process of weaving , from washing the wool, to final product , learn the techniques of spinning, dyeing and weaving.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Casa Andina Private Collection Valle– SACRED VALLEY.
Dinner at the hotel
DAY 5 : SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU (B L D )
Early breakfast.
A train trip to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Arrive at Aguas Calientes station where our staff will assist us to take us to the hotel and settle. Board the bus to go up the winding road to presenting us spectacular views of the Urubamba river that gives its canyon . The Lost City of the Incas , Machu Picchu, will astonish us with its terraces, stairways , worship centers and urban areas. The energy emanating from all over the place.
Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel
Overnight at CASA ANDINA CLASSIC MACHU PICCHU
Evening free to walk around Machu Picchu, or the Hotel and / or village of Machu Picchu Pueblo
Dinner in the hotel
DAY 6 : MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Very early in the morning before sunrise climb to the ruins of Machu Picchu to enjoy a spectacular sunrise ,
OPTION 1 – Huaynapicchu (For those who are up to Hike- or see Option 2 for Gentle Walkers)
It is located north of the citadel of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu or Wayna Picchu is nothing but a huge mountain that appears behind the citadel and can usually be seen in the traditional panoramic photos of the Inca ruins .
Huayna Picchu is the Quechua name that translates as ” young mountain ” whose semicircular base is washed by the waters of the Urubamba River and is located in front of Machu Picchu.
Reaching the top of Huayna Picchu is a challenge. The route to the summit of the mountain is dangerous and exhausting , and takes about an hour. But once he was up , the tourist will not regret.
OPTION 2 – Inti Punku (For “Gentle Walkers” like Lisa!)
INTIPUNKU , which in Spanish means ” Puerta del Sol ” , is an archaeological site located about a mile south of the citadel of Machu Picchu. It is part of the highway that connects the Inca citadel. He is known as Puerta del Sol , because at certain times of the year , from Machu Picchu, you can see the sun rise just that point. In some Inca INTIPUNKU understated and simple constructions are erected , but of great historical value , that help us understand a little more the level of organization that were the Incas in Machu Picchu. For example , we can glimpse the remains of a house which probably served as a checkpoint for all travelers heading to Machu Picchu. It functioned as a sort of customs or military checkpoint control. In INTIPUNKU can also find traditional Inca terraces.
Lunch at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.
Return to the City of Cusco , reception and transfer to Hotel.
Dinner at Tunupa or Paisa Restaurant
Overnight in CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION 5*
DAY 7 : CUSCO (B L D)
We will move away from the crowds and visit Sacsayhuaman, an impressive fortress of colossal constructions and surrounded by beautiful scenery in full communion with the environment. Then continue to the Inca sites of Kenko shrine surprising is the sacrificial altar embedded inside of the rock formation. Finally got to the Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, monument of impressive architectonic is considered one of the pillars of the Andean world.
After Lunch we will continue to the Koricancha Temple welcomes us with all its magnificence, Gold Enclosure name in Quechua and its magnificence still felt in those walls that were once completely covered with gold . We will also visit the Church of Santo Domingo.
In the evening, before dinner , we will have a privileged view from the Mirador San Cristobal and continue to the restaurant where we take Pachapapa classes to prepare the famous Pisco Sour.
Overnight in CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION 5*
DAY 8 : PUNO (B L D)
7:30 am Departure on a PRIVATE bus to Puno. On the way we stop to visit the attractions of this scenic route .
Special Note from Lisa: At first I thought wow this is a long drive, but it was absolutely magnificent! My friend Pam and I couldn’t take enough pictures! Incredible skies, landscape and we even saw flamingos! Go figure! You’ll love it!
Our first stop is the site museum of Pucara. Do not waste this opportunity to get one of the bulls classic locality. Our next stop will be for lunch with box lunches or restaurant. Then we going to stop in one of the highest places in the trip and enjoy the view at La Raya, natural border between Puno and Cusco. Continue to Racchi, Viracocha Temple of God , where stand the walls and narrow enclosure. Prior to our final destination , we visit the beautiful chapel of Andahuaylillas known as the Sistine Chapel of South America. Arrive late in the afternoon
Overnight in CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION 5*
DAY 9 : PUNO (B L D)
Breakfast.
To explore Lake Titicaca on a full day tour. We start visiting the Uros, local hospital who will receive us into artificial islands made of reeds.
Special Note from Lisa: The embroideries, craved gourds and crafts done by these women are fabulous. (See video). I bought a ton of things on these islands and stepping off that boat on the “floating” island reeds is an experience of a lifetime! (see Shopping)
Then continue towards Taquile Island, where the settlers still maintain ancestral traditions and us with their colorful traditional costumes. A great opportunity to explore the island and get beautiful views of the lake.
We will have a box lunch or local lunch on the island.
In the afternoon, return to the city.
Overnight in CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION 5*
DAY 10 : PUNO – LIMA – PACHACAMAC (B,L,D)
breakfast
Transfer to the airport in Juliaca, where we take the flight to Lima,
Reception and begin the tour at Pachakamaq, which translated into Castilian means “He who orders the universe”, is the center of America’s oldest Andean Pilgrimage, and is located at 31Km. From the South Panamerican Highway . Is “Hatun Punku” (Great Gate) connecting with our origins in the Andes.
Then live the experience of offering to the earth, the Andean spirituality is based in Munay, the power of feeling, Tukuymunayniyuq, supreme love, Ayni, which means reciprocity, sharing not only what one has but what one is essence; Kani and NOQA Kan means “You and I are the same …” In the Andes, people seek to maintain a constant balance with everything around them through reciprocity with their community, their environment and their gods.
The ritual most frequently used to achieve this balance is the offering, “pagapu” or “pay to mother earth”, where Coca leaves are used in groups of three. This is the k’intu representing the union between the Kay Pacha (the world) and the Hanan Pacha (the upper world), with which Mama Coca communicates through their leaves and stems, and Uku Pacha (world below), with which it communicates through its root. The meeting of these three energies produces balance.
The higher purpose of the offering is to work for unity of all living beings, the cosmos and nature. In its everyday form is used to ask for what you want or received thank you. One Offering in the Andean world is the greatest form of reciprocity with Mother Earth, returning the best fruit, with which it sustains us, each participant becomes the offering itself. This offering will then be burned, buried or Pacha Mama Mama ofrendada to Qocha, following the ancestral rites.
Then continue to the Mamacona Ranch or Hacienda where we enjoy a paso horses show and then we enjoy a wonderful lunch.
Transfer to hotel.
Overnight in LIMA
Special Goodbye Dinner
DAY 11 : LIMA
At the arranged time, departure to the airport for our international flight
(Note: Flights leave EARLY am (e.g. 2 AM) from Peru back to US)
END OF SERVICES
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
• ALL GRATUITIES INCLUDED! You will not have to open you wallet. All services detailed in the program (hotels, guided tours and transports with exception of internal Peru airfares and your travel to/from Peru from your country – see below). All meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included (with exception of day of arrival and day you leave)
NOT INCLUDED
• Domestic and International Air Tickets; NATIONAL AIR FLIGHT
ADDITIONAL INTERNAL PERU AIRFARE -AVERAGE COST OF AIR TICKET Lima / Cusco – Puno / Lima is USD $375.00 and APPLIES ONLY FOR FLIGHTS OPERATED BY LAN or Avianca
RATE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE SHARED ROOM : USD. 4990.00
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: ( $900 additional)-BASED ON SINGLE ROOM: USD. 5890.00
HOTELS
LIMA
HOTEL CASA ANDINA SELECT
http://www.casa-andina.com/select-miraflores/
