Andean Cultures - 10 days

Day 01: Arrival in Lima

Arrive in Lima, you will be met and transferred to hotel.

Day 2 LIMA/AREQUIPA

Transfer from your hotel in Lima to the airport for the one hour flight to Arequipa. You will be met there and transferred to your hotel. Lunch on your own. Afternoon city tour of the "White City" (Ciudad Blanca) as it is known. Colonial buildings made from Volcanic rock, are complemented by a visit to the Santa Catalina Convent. Dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 AREQUIPA

After your continental breakfast, visit the surroundings of the city. The famous Campiña of Arequipa and the Molino of Sabandia. Lunch on your own, afternoon free. Dinner on your own. (Optional full day trips can be arranged to other sites on request)

Day 4 AREQUIPA/JULIACA/PUNO

Continental breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Juliaca (Puno) where you shall be met and taken to your hotel in Puno. We visit the "Chullpas" (burial towers) of Sillustani enroute, located overlooking a small lake. Lunch and dinner on your own, afternoon free, overnight at hotel

Day 5 PUNO/LAKE TITICACA

Full day visit by boat to Taquile island, box lunch included. On route we will see and experience the Titicaca National Reserve, a wetland area formed by the lake as the rainy season increases its level, visiting the floating islands of the Uros. The island of Takile, in the middle of lake Titicaca, is a paradise of peace and beauty. Dedicated to agriculture and weaving, the isolation has allowed its inhabitants to maintain their traditions almost intact. Late afternoon return to the mainland. Overnight at hotel, dinner on your own.

Day 6 PUNO/CUSCO

Continental breakfast, transfer to the bus terminal. A full day ride takes us to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, over one of the most picturesque landscapes in South America as we cross the Altiplano and slowly descend in to the Vilcanota Valley. We will pass picturesque villages such as Pucara, Tinta, Checacupe and Quiquijana and visit the archaeological site of Raqchi. Arrive in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 7 CUSCO

Continental breakfast, morning free. Afternoon city tour of Cusco will be followed by a visit to the ruins in the proximity: Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Return to your hotel. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 8 CUSCO/MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO

Continental breakfast, transfer to the station for the train ride to Machu Picchu. Full day guided excursion to explore the lost citadel of the Incas. The train ride ends along the Urubamba river, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Guided visit to the most spectacular sections of this "World Heritage" site. Return to Cusco in the evening and transfer to your hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 9 CUSCO/LIMA

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima. Tarsnfer to hotel.

Day 10 CUSCO/LIMA

After breakfast transfer to airport for the flight back home.

*** End of the Tour***

SERVICES INCLUDED: Hotels with breakfast, tours where mentioned, entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites, bus, boat and train transportation, transfers on arrival and departure and lunches during full - day tours as well as official guides in the main sites

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Meals in the main cities, alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry services, additional tours, insurance and airline tickets. Note: A) This trip can be extended on Day 07 to include an overnight at Machu Picchu with breakfast the next day.