Mysteries of the Inca Empire
January 26, 2017
11 Day Tour from Lima to Lima
Vacation Overview
Capture the mystery and grandeur of one of the most iconic places in the world on this full
journey of the Inca Empire: Peru. Starting with a city tour of Lima, you’ll gain a sense of the
colonial heritage of the Peruvians with its world-class museums and Spanish colonial
architecture. Then, head to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, two of the most stunning and
mystical places on Earth. Glimpse the ancient history and culture, and enjoy the unique
opportunity to stay overnight in both the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, where you’ll have
two included entrances to the site, visit a local Inca home, and traditional Indian market. From
the charming city of Cusco, where you’ll have a full-day introduction to the city and the Temple
of Sacsayhuaman, you’ll head to fascinating Titicaca, a lake of floating islands, maintained over
centuries by the local Indians who build their islands and homes from the continuously sinking
reeds. This is a well-rounded exploration of a land with ancient roots, unexplained remnants, and
an overwhelming mystical beauty that is sure to leave you with memories for a lifetime.
Land only from $2949.00pp dble, $3569.00 single
plus internal flights and international flights
Call Now
604-659-4176 or 1-877-659-4176
Travel Masters White Rock – Ladies on the Go
Email: [email protected] www.ladiesonthego.ca
Itinerary
Day 1 Lima, Peru
Welcome to Lima, Peru. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains
vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums.
Day 2 Lima
Sightseeing today focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. Founded in 1535, Lima was once capital
of Spain’s South American Empire. Visit the baroque 11th-century SAN FRANCISCO
MONASTERY, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor,
where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and was once the
home of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima and conqueror of Peru. Nearby, see the Cathedral
where Pizarro’s remains are buried. The remainder of your day is free to explore. Enjoy dinner at
a local restaurant this evening. Breakfast Dinner
Day 3 Lima–Cusco–Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Stop at AWANAKANCHA and learn about the importance of Camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca,
and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into
precious weaving fibers used in ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Continue to
PISAC, a charming village with an infamous INDIAN MARKET, where you have plenty of
time to browse the many colorful stalls selling handicrafts ranging from alpaca sweaters and
blankets to painted vases and sterling silver. Later, arrive at your hotel in the peaceful Sacred
Valley.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 4 Sacred Valley
Start the day with a visit to the village of OLLANTAYTAMBO and the Inca ruins of the same
name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the
Spanish conquest—the only place ever to resist Spanish attacks. See how the temple area at the
top of the terraces was the perfect defensive stronghold, then visit a LOCAL HOME in this
Incan town to experience life in a traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved.
Next, visit the SEMINARIO CERAMICS WORKSHOP to learn about Peruvian ancient and
modern art. End your day at a local chicheria for a taste of a chicha, a typical Inca drink in Peru.
Breakfast
Day 5 Sacred Valley–Machu Picchu
Board the VISTADOME train that cuts a path through the picturesque Urubamba Valley bound
for Aguas Calientes, the quaint town closest to the “Lost City of the Incas.” Ascend the
mountainside through tropical forest to the sacred refuge of MACHU PICCHU. Listen as your
guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the terraced ruins dating back
to the 15th century. The ruins went undiscovered for nearly 400 years after they were abandoned
when the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish. Many mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu remain to
this day.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 6 Machu Picchu–Cusco
Awaken early and use your included second entrance to MACHU PICCHU to see the sunrise
over the ruins. You will be awe-struck as the sun first illuminates the ruins, free of crowds.
Later, return to Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire. The remainder of your day is free to
relax.
Breakfast Lunch
Day 7 Cusco
Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco that focuses on the city that was once the
political, military, and cultural epicenter of the Incas until the Spanish toppled it. In fact, Inca
foundations can still be found in Cusco, with the Spanish baroque structures built on top. Visit
the SANTO DOMINGO MONASTERY, where these two forms of architecture are melded
together with the temple of both cultures atop one another. Also see the CATHEDRAL in the
Plaza de Armas, housing a magnificent collection of artwork, including a depiction of The Last
Supper that portrays the apostles dining on cuy (guinea pig). Continue to the hillside overlooking
Cusco for a visit to the TEMPLE OF SACSAYHUAMAN. Some of the best examples of Inca
masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together
to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles
that took place here, then see the ruins of Kenko and Puca Pucara before returning to Cusco.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 8 Cusco–Juliaca–Puno
Fly to Juliaca, then transfer to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Legend says the first Inca,
Manco Capac, arose from the waters of the lake by the power of the Sun God to found the Inca
Empire.
Breakfast
Day 9 Puno. Excursion To Lake Titicaca
Experience fascinating LAKE TITICACA today as you embark on a motorboat tour of the
highest navigable lake in the world and its manmade islands. On TAQUILE ISLAND, see how
the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past. This is evident by the Spanish peasant
dresses made of Andean textiles—the islanders make some of the finest in all of Peru. Continue
to the UROS FLOATING ISLANDS, a group of approximately 40 artificially made islands.
Learn how the Uros Indians construct their islands, homes, boats, and many other resources
completely of tortora reed, a centuries-old practice. Enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour
Director this evening.
Breakfast Lunch
Dinner
Day 10 Puno–Juliaca-Lima
Return to Juliaca, stopping at the pre-Incan burial grounds of SILLUSTANI en route. See the
above-ground tombs, chullpas, in which the Aymara Indians buried their high priests. You will
be welcomed into one of the locals’ HOMES for an inside look at life here. Later, a short flight
returns you to Lima, where you will transfer to your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 11 Lima
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
Vacation Highlights
Sightseeing:
In Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca. Inside visits as shown in
UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Scenic Highlights:
Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca.
Guides:
Local Guides for sightseeing in Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca;
services of a professional Tour Director.
Hotels
LIMA San Agustin Exclusive (F)
SACRED VALLEY Hotel Inkallpa (F)
MACHU PICCHU El Mapi Hotel Machu Picchu (F)
CUSCO Jose Antonio Cusco (F)
PUNO Eco Inn Puno (F)
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners
Optional Excursion
The following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These optional
excursions might or might not be available. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a
special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful
way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see
sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and
may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to
them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of
operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed
gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your
vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; to get an estimated price,
use a currency converter for exchange rate information (pricing may vary at the time of
booking).
CITY: CuscoDinner at Incanto Restaurant Head to this landmark
location in the heart of Cusco for an extraordinary meal and modern style.
Incanto offers an interesting gastronomic Italian-Peruvian fusion in a magical
environment, where towering stone walls of what was once an Inca palace
combine with minimalist modern architecture. It's cozy and contemporary,
offering the finest ingredients and an original style. Approximate value: $52
USD per person
Pre-Columbian Art Museum The Museo de Arte Precolombino (PreColumbian Art Museum) was an Inca ceremonial court around 1450 AD. In
1580, it became the mansion of the conqueror Alonso Diaz and in 1850, the
Earl of Cabrera . It was restored to be the Pre-Columbian Art Museum in
2003. This extraordinary Cusco historic monument holds the only museum in
Peru dedicated to revitalize the arts of ancient Peruvian cultures. The
collection of 450 master pieces dates from 1250 BC to1532 AD. They were
selected among 45,000 objects located in storage at the Larco Museum in Lima, by curators Mr.
Fernando de Szyszlo, famous Peruvian painter, and Mrs. Cecilia Bakula, prestigious Peruvian
Art Historian. The exhibition uses texts in Spanish, English and French to emphasize the artistic
context of the collection displayed in 11 showrooms inside the museum. Its galleries were
designed to meet the highest standards of modern museography enabling the visitors to admire
Pre-Columbian art in its best expression.
Approximate value: $35 USD per person