ARCHELOGICAL PERU (10 days / 09 nights) Description: This journey has been designed for you to enjoy all the archeological richness our Peru has to offer, with its various cultures, its rich folklore, diverse landscapes and colorful customs. Who decide venturing slightly off the beaten track will discover amazing ruins of ancient cultures. You will admire the colonial majesty of Peruvian cities, discover enigmatic mysteries, visit tombs and temples of the Northern Kingdoms, enjoy the history and archaeological treasures of the Inca Empire in Cusco, explore the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Inca and admire the splendor of Machu Picchu, the master jewel of the Incas. Tour Highlights: Arrival to Lima and transfer in for a stay of two nights Sightseeing city tour of Lima and visit to Larco Museum Transfer out for Trujillo flight Arrival and transfer in for a stay of one night Visit the Temples of Moche the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon Admire the detailed adobe friezes at the Temple of the Dragon See the famous boats known as caballitos de totora in the beach town of Huanchaco Explore Chan Chan, the ancient capital of the Chimu civilization Private guided drive to Chiclayo On the way visit El Brujo Archeological Complex and Señora de Cao Museum Arrival and transfer in for a stay of two nights Visit Huaca Rajada, an archeological site known for the discovery of the Lord of Sipan mummy Tour Tucume, the former Sican capital city that s home to 26 pyramids, also known as The Valley of the Pyramids Explore the Lord of Sipan Royal Tombs Museum to see Moche jewelry and other artifacts Transfer out for Cusco flight Arrival and transfer in for a stay of four nights Sightseeing city tour of Cusco - Cusco Cathedral, Temple of the Sun and Convent of Santo Domingo Visit the famous Incan archeological sites surrounding Cusco -Archeological Park of Sacsayhuaman Full-day tour to the Sacred Valley: Chinchero, Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo Relax on a scenic train journey through the Urubamba River Valley to Machu Picchu Enjoy a 3-hour Machu Picchu tour led by an archeologist Train service back to Cusco Transfer out for departure flight End of services Daily Itinerary: Day 01: / LIMA Upon arrival to Lima, reception and transfer to selected hotel. The city of Lima was founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 5, 1535, the eve of the Epiphany of the Magi from which it derived its evocative original name of La
Ciudad de los Reyes (The City of Kings). Lima was home of the Spanish viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonialists and is one of the very few South American cities that preserve its colonial past. In the afternoon, you are free to walk to Larcomar, just a few blocks from most hotels, a recreation center with a great view of the Pacific Ocean, where you will find a Shopping Center, a Fun and Gaming place, with wonderful services, restaurants and bars; or just walk around Miraflores, which is known for its shopping areas, restaurants, gardens, flower-filled parks and beaches. Overnight in Lima. Meals Included: None Day 02: LIMA After breakfast, you will enjoy a complete private guided tour of the beautiful cultural town of Lima, also known as the City of Kings, capital of the Peruvian viceroyalty. You ll see classic historical sights, colonial and Inca influenced architecture, residential neighborhoods, beautiful shrines and churches and incredible panoramic seascapes. First you'll enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Lima Bay in the Pacific Ocean. Then you ll the head over to the residential district of San Isidro where you'll be able to visit the Huaca Pucllana, a famous ceremonial center built before the Spaniards arrived. Continuing to the Lima Historical Center, the old side of the city, where you will visit the main square, which still houses the original bronze fountain built in 1650, and enjoy a view of the Presidential and Municipal Palaces, two immense buildings whose grandeur is sure to capture your fascination. You will visit the Lima Cathedral (in the Plaza de Armas), a place which holds the famous tomb of the Spanish Conqueror Francisco Pizarro. After, you'll visit the Santo Domingo Convent and it's expansive monastery, to finally visit the San Francisco Convent with its catacombs. Next, you ll head to the Larco Museum (Museo Larco), where you ll learn
more about Peru's cultural history. Housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion that was built on top of a pyramid from the 7th century, the museum houses an impressive collection of pre-columbian artifacts, including ceramics, jewelry, the largest and finest collection of jewelry used by many notable rulers of pre- Columbian Peru and more than 50,000 pots. Return to your hotel. In the afternoon you may walk to Larcomar, just a few blocks from most hotels, a recreation center with a great view of the Pacific Ocean, where you will find a Shopping Center, a Fun and Gaming place, with wonderful services and culture center; or just walk around Miraflores, which is known for its shopping areas, restaurants, gardens, flower-filled parks and beaches. Overnight in Lima. Meals Included: Breakfast Day 03: LIMA / TRUJILLO After breakfast, private transfer to the airport for your flight to Trujillo, where spring lasts forever and its charm goes way beyond its pre-hispanic and colonial past. Temples, pyramids and cities of mud that survive inclement weather are some of the most remarkable destinations near Trujillo. It offers exquisite colonial architecture in the beautiful mansions that line its streets, living culture with deeply-rooted customs and renowned beaches that attract surfers from around the world. Upon arrival, reception and private transfer to your selected hotel. You leave shortly after for a full day private guided excursion to explore Trujillo s most important archeological sites from both the Moche and Chimu cultures. Start heading to the Moche Valley where you will admire the enormous adobe constructions built by the Mochica Culture in the 5th century (also known as Huacas de Moche), called Temple of the Sun, considered the largest adobe pyramid in Peru, and the Temple of the Moon, housing an extensive burial ground. Built out of adobe brick, both temples played important roles in the Moche culture; it s believed that the Temple of the Sun was used for
administrative and military purposes, while the terraced Temple of the Moon held a more ceremonial and religious role. Admire the frescoes that adorn the walls of the Temple of the Moon, and marvel at the size of the Temple of the Sun. Then end your exploration at the onsite Moche Temples Museum (Museo Huacas de Moche) to see artifacts such as utensils and artistic pottery, which have been excavated from Moche ruins. Next, continue to Huaca el Dragon, the Temple of the Dragon, also known as Huaco del Arco Iris, or Temple of the Rainbow. As you enter the site, you ll be transitioning from the Moche to the Chimú, a civilization that developed in northern Peru around 900 AD. Continue to Huanchaco, located on the coast, a fishing village and beach town known for its caballitos de totora (little reed horses), small boats made out of reed that have been used by fishermen in Peru for 3,000 years. Learn about their interesting history (there is some debate that these tiny watercraft ridden like a horse constituted the first form of riding waves, aka surfing), and then have lunch at a local seafood restaurant. After lunch, head to your last stop of the day, the former Chimú capital of Chan Chan. This World Heritage-listed ancient city is South America s largest pre- Columbian city and was the center of Chimú politics and culture from approximately 900 to 1470, when it was conquered by the Incan Empire. Tour the 7-square-mile (18-sq-km) archeological site, checking out its shrines, cemeteries, barns, reservoirs and ceremonial plazas. Learn about its structure of adobe brick and mud; marvel at its expansive, walled design; and visit the Nik-An Palace, a complex that features ceremonial courtyards and walls adorned with friezes. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Trujillo. Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 04: TRUJILLO / CHICLAYO After breakfast, you will enjoy a 3-hour drive toward Chiclayo, known as the Friendship City due to the kindness of its people and its warm weather. On your way you will visit El Brujo Archeological Complex, one of the most important archeological sites in the Peruvian Coast. As you tour the site with your guide, learn about the creation of El Brujo, built by the Moche between the years 1 and 600 AD. See the three huacas (temples) that make up the site Huaca Cao Viejo, Huaca Partida and Huaca Prieta and hear the theory behind the site s name, El Brujo (The Witch). Take a look at the detailed drawings and carvings that can be seen on the sides of the structures, and hear about the religious ceremonies that took place in the temples. Then visit the onsite museum dedicated to the Lady of Cao, a female mummy just discovered in 2006. Excavated in a highly preserved state, the Lady of Cao is thought to have been an important woman, maybe even a ruler, as she was found surrounded by ornate jewelry and weapons. See the mummy and her treasures inside the museum, and then make the final 2-hour drive to Chiclayo. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to selected hotel. Overnight in Chiclayo. Meals Included: Breakfast Day 05: CHICLAYO After breakfast, you will discover the archeological ruins and artifacts of two of northern Peru s ancient cultures the Moche and the Sican. First you will visit the magnificent mud-brick Necropolis of Huaca Rajada, a Mochica funeral archaeological complex, where the world-famous tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered in 1980's considered as the most important archeological find of the twentieth century. While you explore, learn about the important excavation that unearthed the Lord of Sipan, who was entombed with
jewels and other treasures. Then you will visit the former Sican capital city of Túcume, founded in the 8th century, also known as the Valley of the Pyramids, an imposing pre-inca complex of 26 mud brick pyramids. Finally, after lunch, you will tour the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, which houses the magnificent artifacts found in the tomb of The Lord of Sipan. Before entering, take a few minutes to admire the museum s striking exterior a replica of a Moche tomb. Then head inside to see gold and silver artifacts, precious stones, jewelry, headdresses and more, and learn about the Moche culture and what position the Lord of Sipán held in the ancient community. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Chiclayo. Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch Day 06: CHICLAYO / CUSCO After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival to Cusco, reception and transfer to selected hotel. You may find the altitude a little hard to handle at first so we recommend the rest of the morning to repose and acclimatize. In the afternoon, we suggest to stroll through the bustling Plaza de Armas in the heart of Cusco; visit the San Blas district, with its narrow and very picturesque streets, which is known as the artists quarter; or just sit and sip a coca tea in one of the cafes on the balconies overlooking the Plaza de Armas. Overnight in Cusco. Meals Included: Breakfast Day 07: CUSCO After breakfast, you will enjoy a private guided tour to the most magical city. Discover the magic and beauty of Cusco, the capital of the Incan Empire. The flawlessly built Incan roads spread to all regions from the "Plaza" which was thought of as the center
of the world. Visit the Temple of the Sun - El Koricancha - some stories claim that when the conquerors arrived this temple was completely laminated in gold. Inside, you can admire the perfectly shaped stones and the way conquerors built what is currently the Convent of Santo Domingo, on the base of this Inca temple. On the way to the Cathedral, you'll stop by the Hatun Rumiyoc Street where the famous twelve angular stone is. In the Cathedral, you'll have the opportunity to see its beautiful woodwork and colonial paintings before heading up the mountains for 10 minutes to visit the nearby archeological sites in the Archeological Park of Sacsayhuaman. These spectacular archeological sites that surround Cusco are a true mark of Incan heritage and culture. Your first stop will be Tambomachay, a source of spring water that is believed to be worshiped by the Incans. Although uncertain of the function of Tambomachay or "The Bath of the Inca", many believe it could have served as a spa for the elite Incan leaders. The site remains spiritual and the water still flows today. Next, you'll visit the remains of Qenqo, a stone made labyrinth with a sacrificial altar in its center. Consisting of staircases and channels, the site of Qenqo is believed to have held many Incan rituals. Continue on to the famous Sacsayhuaman where you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Cusco. Sacsayhuaman boasts impressive Incan design and artwork with massive stones over 9 meters (30 feet) tall and weighing up to 125 tons. Many of the stones have peculiar placement and designs, such as the condor, puma and snake which represented the three Incan worlds. Your last stop will be at the Tower of Puca Pucara, where you ll admire its
architectural magnificence and clear detail of rooms, water springs, waterways and aqueducts before returning to your hotel. Free afternoon for: relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere in its many restaurants and bars ; strolling through this lovely city exploring the local markets, squares and picturesque streets; or shopping traditional Peruvian handicrafts. At night we recommend visiting any restaurant or bar near the Main Square and enjoy the night atmosphere trying the delicious Peruvian cuisine with and a Pisco Sour, while listening to traditional Inca music. Overnight in Cusco. Meals Included: Breakfast Day 08: CUSCO / VALLE SAGRADO / CUSCO After breakfast, you will travel to Peru s historic Sacred Valley of the Incas, located between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Go off the beaten path and visit the authentic and picturesque villages of this valley, where time seems to stand still. The Sacred Valley is known for its lush scenery, picturesque colonial towns and a magnificent Inca fortress. Your first stop is in the Andean village of Chinchero. Here, you'll take in mountain views, visit the main square and see an ancient church with unique floral and religious interior designs. See the local people demonstrating how they produce their beautiful textile pieces. Next, you will head to Moray through the small Andean village of Maras, known as a former saltproducing center that dates back all the way to colonial times. Your stop will be the amazing circular terraces of Moray, an astonishing example of the agricultural skills of the Incas. Moray boasts three amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas, which are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape. Learn from your knowledgeable guide how these terraces were used as an Incan laboratory to acclimatize crops. After visiting Moray and before enjoying lunch, you will visit the salt terraces of Maras to see and learn about an ancient pre-
Incan method of producing salt. Next, you will head to the beautiful valley of Ollantaytambo and visit the Inca town and fortress of Ollantaytambo, one of the last Incan refuges during Spanish colonization. Step back in time as many of the houses and buildings continue to stand from the Incan empire and display original architecture. First you will explore the powerful fortress, ruins, temples and terraces. These sites are still very well-preserved since the Spanish conquest and provide an insight into how towns were designed during the Incan period. This historic fortress was built to guard the valley from possible invasion from the tribes in the lower jungle and was where Spanish conquistadors lost their major battle against the Inca Empire. Then you will walk around the cobblestone streets of Ollantaytambo, an astounding feat of construction and ingenuity is considered a Living Inca Town as it is the only Inca settlement that has been continually inhabited since its inception. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco. Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch Day 09: CUSCO / MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO After breakfast, transfer to the railway station to enjoy a scenic rail tour to Machu Picchu Pueblo (former Aguas Calientes), the little town on the foot of Machu Picchu. You will experience an unforgettable view as you cross over the mountains from Cusco and drop down into the valley. The road follows the meandering Urubamba River and passes through rich agricultural lands and picturesque villages. This valley was the agricultural center of the Incas, ranging from Pisac to the citadel of Machu Picchu, boasting some of the most
breathtaking scenery in all Peru. This spectacular journey through the Sacred Valley by narrow gauge railway to Machu Picchu is one of the world s great travel experiences. Enjoy this relaxing ride through the lush Urubamba River Valley. The train climbs the mountain along the swift Urubamba River, providing excellent opportunities to take photos of pristine nature, tiny towns and the ancient Inca terraces lining the river. Upon arrival, disembark and switch to a bus for the short ride to the actual site of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is widely considered the most spectacular sight on the South American continent and the most renowned examples of Incan architecture. Completed in approximately 1450 at the height of the Incan empire, it was abandoned less than 100 years later following the Spanish conquest of Peru. Enter Machu Picchu by the main gate, admiring your first few glimpses of this incredible archaeological site. Get an insider s view of Machu Picchu as you spend time learning about the city, its history and the people who once lived there from your archaeologist guide. You will walk with your guide through the main streets of this amazing sacred citadel. Stroll through town squares and climb delicately carved stone stairways. Esoteric wisdom holds Machu Picchu as the new spiritual center of the world. Then you will have time to wander the site on your own before heading back to Machu Picchu Pueblo to enjoy lunch (not included) and board your return train service to Cusco. Upon arrival, reception and transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco. Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch Day 10: CUSCO / After breakfast, we suggest to stroll through the bustling Plaza de Armas in the heart of Cusco; visit the San Blas district, with its narrow and very picturesque streets, which is known as the artists quarter; or just sit and sip a coca tea in one of the cafes on the balconies overlooking the Plaza de Armas. At the appointed time, transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Lima and international connection. End of services. Meals Included: Breakfast