PREMIUM TRAVEL COLLECTION
Details
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Tour Type: Archaeological and cultural
Places to be visited: Sightseeing tour and Larco Herrera Museum. in Lima; Sightseeing tour including nearby ruins, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu archaeological site in Cusco.
Tour Description
All our programmes can be tailor made according to your requirements,whether regarding the length of your tour, any special interests or specific activities, flight reservations, optional destinationsor tours.
DAY 01: International Arrival in Lima
Arrival in Lima. Meet and greet by our English-speaking representative and transfer to the Orient-Express Miraflores Park Hotel. VIP check-in.
This stylish property is ideally situated near the Larcomar Shopping Centre in the residential District of Miraflores,and on clear days commands unrivalled views of the Pacific Ocean. Recently taken over by Orient Express, the Park Plaza exudes class, and is a favorite with FIT travelers. It has all the services one would expect, including fax machines in rooms, data port and internet access, 2-line phones, swimming pool, (on the roof with magnificent views), gym and squash court, as well as the usual beauty/sauna facilities. Overnight in Lima.
Meals Included: None
DAY 02: Lima / Sightseeing Tour & Larco Herrera Museum / Arequipa
Buffet breakfast.
Morning free to relax. We recommend you to take a long rest and be prepared to begin with this unforgettable journey through our wonderful country.
Lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical Center,passing by Plaza San Martin,Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo, with the tombs of Santa Rosa and San Martin de Porras, and Lima's Colonial Balconies.
We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters, Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library of the monks, a Museum showing 11 paintings of the Rubens School, the Sacristy with paintings of Surbaran and Ribera, its great patio decorated with Seville tiles of the XVIth Century, Moorish arches and underground Catacombs.
Then we visit Larco Herrera Museum, for an excellent overview of Peru's ancient past as it holds the best private collection of pre-Columbian art in the country. The museum has many fine examples of textile works, one example of which has a record breaking 398 threads per inch; materials and tools used by ancient Peruvians to produce their work in ceramics and metal; and Pre-Inca and Inca period pottery, gold and silver pieces with semiprecious stones.
And finally we will go to the residential Districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by the Huaca Pucllana, a Ceremonial and Administrative Centre of the Lima Culture built in the II Century A.C. that the Incas considered as "Ñaupallaqta" or Sacred Town. We will also visit El Olivar Park with olive trees brought from Spain in the XVth Century, the Central Park of Miraflores and Larcomar, a symbol of modern Lima and a tourist and entertainment centre as well as a privileged site to enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. Overnight in Lima.
Overnight in Lima.
Meals Included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 03: Limar / Cusco
Buffet breakfast.
Transfer to the Airport to board your flight to Cusco (1 hour).
Meet and greet upon arrival and transfer to the Orient-Express Hotel.VIP check-in
Originally built in 1592 on the site of the Inca Amaru Kuala Palace, the building was a monastery up until 1995, when it was converted into a 106-room hotel. Recently taken over by Orient Express Hotels the property oozes ambience, taking full advantage of its unique history, (relaxing chanting music is played as you come down to breakfast, such that you almost expect to run into a group of monks on their way to prayer!). Its rooms are full of character due to the historic nature of the building and the service is excellent. As with many of the hotels coca tea is complimentary to assist with the altitude, and oxygen can be provided on request. It is nicely situated a short walk from the Main Square, or Plaza de Armas.
Remainder of morning is free to rest and get adjusted to the altitude.
Lunch on your own
In the afternoon, we will have a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha Then, we drive out of the City to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco and famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 9m / 30ft high and weighing over 350 tons.
Return to the hotel and get ready to enjoy a dinner with folklore show in a typical restaurant where the musicians play their melodies with Andean instruments of beautiful sounds, while typically dressed dancers will show you different ancient Peruvian dances.
Overnight in Cusco.
Meals Included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 04: The Sacred Valley - Cusco
Buffet breakfast.
Full-day excursion to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas", alonside the Vilcanota River, where we will have the opportunity to share closely the peasants' customs and bargain with vendors at the typical Indian market of Pisac, held only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Your countryside buffet lunch today is at the charming Hacienda Huayocari, where the Lambarri-Orihuelas, a family of great collectors will be your hosts. The visitors can appreciate a valuable collection of Colonial and Folk art. Located on the sumit of a hill sheltered amidst Andean peaks, guests will find from here one of the finest views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
In the afternoon, passing through the Towns of Calca and Urubamba, we visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this part of the Valley, and protect it from possible invasion from the tribes in the Lower jungle. You can walk through the quaint streets of the nearby Town, and get a good idea of what this Strategic Military, Religious, and Agricultural Centre was like during the Inca Empire. Late afternoon return to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
Evening at leisure. We suggest going around the Main Square and enjoy the night atmosphere tasting a delicious Pisco Sour in some of the several Pubs around the Square.
Dinner on your own. Overnight in Cusco.
Note: This tour offers the possibility of staying overnight in the Urubamba Valley at the cozy Hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 05: Machu Picchu - Cusco
Buffet breakfast.
Transfer to Poroy station. 09:00 Leave in Orient-Express Hiram Bingham Panoramic Train for a 3 and 1/2 hour ride to Machu Picchu. Among the many superb design features of the coaches are the large, comfortable seats and extra wide tables. Nearly 3 metres longer and 30 cm wider than others on the same route, these coaches are among the most spacious and comfortable in the world.
Brunch on board the Hiram Bingham
Sparkling wine with fresh orange juice
Fresh fruit cocktail
Warm, smoked alpaca ham quiche with artichokes & smoked salmon
Green asparagus and scrambled eggs on a quinoa tart
Cinnamon French toast
Huayro potato timbale served with parsley oil and crispy sautéed hearts of artichokes
or
Beef tenderloin mince with eggplant
or
Grilled chicken breast with Andean mushrooms and a white wine sauce
Side dishes
White rice
Sautéed vegetables
Assorted fresh seasonal fruits
Coffee or tea
12:30 Arrival at Aguas Calientes. You will make a 25-minute motorcoach ascent to the "Lost City of the Incas".
13:00 We tour the ruins for around 3 hours, during which time our guide explains the astounding degree of technology achieved by the builders of this famous site. The tight construction, the water channels, the staircases carved from the living rock of the mountain, and the Intihuatana, (or "Hitching Post of the Sun") which served as an Astronomical Calendar, all show technological advancement far beyond anything this area of the world was thought to have achieved. These, along with the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Priests' House, the Inca Baths, and the Temple of the Three Windows, all allow us to glimpse back into the past and with the help of our guide, revisit the lives of a truly remarkable people.
We enjoy the buffet lunch on the "Old Mountain" at the entrance to the ruins, with the famous view of the ruins and Huayna Picchu, or "Young Mountain" behind it.
Afternoon Tea in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge
Iced tea
Finger sandwiches, English cake, fruit tarts, plain & raisin muffins, scones
Coffee or tea.17:45 Leave by minibus to Machu Picchu station. 18:30 Depart by train to Poroy station.
Machu Picchu to Cusco
A la carte dinner
Pisco Sour
Selection of canapes
Antipasto salad with Arequipenian crayfish flavoured with garlic
or
Frothy quail saffron fricassée served on toasted almond rice
Cream of pumpkin soup with curry and jalapenos chillies, served with scallops
Grilled fillet of beef with a baby onion and Armagnac sauce, accompanied by a wheat risotto topped with sautéed oyster and porcini mushrooms
or
Crispy Andean river trout scented with coriander seeds, red bell peppers and potato relish, sautéed swisschards, accompanied by a soya sauce
or
Baby carrots glazed with Marsala wine and mint, wild rice timbale and asparagus
Vanilla lucuma cheesecake served with fresh fruit, raspberry coulis, chocolate and Andean kiwicha cookies
Coffee, tea
Selected red or white wine.
22:15 Arrival at Poroy station. Meet upon arrival and transfer to the Hotel in Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
Note: This tour offers the possibility of staying overnight at Hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 06: Lima - Homebound: International departure
Buffet breakfast.
Morning transfer to the Cusco Airport to board the flight to Lima.
Meet and greet upon arrival and transfer to the Miraflores Park Hotel.
Today's farewell lunch will be at the elegant Rosa Nautica Restaurant. This restaurant juts out into the Pacific Ocean for a breathtaking view. Above the cliffs of Lima you can see the condos and Larcomar Shopping Centre of the Miraflores District. The Rosa Nautica Restaurant is famous for its scenery, service and excellent food.
Remainder of day at leisure for personal activities or last-minute shopping.
At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the Airport to board your International homebound flight. Assistance with all departure formalities.
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch