Fam Report – Matt – Peru

Here is my day by day itinerary for my trip to Peru.  It was a fantastic life changing experience.   The in country partner I used was Lima Tours.  I would highly recommend them.   All the drivers and guides where excellent.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 | NEW YORK – LIMA – CUSCO – URUBAMBA

Friday August 09, 2019

06:05 NEW YORK / LIMA – LAN AIRLINES 531.

06:06 You will receive assistance at Jorge Chávez International Airport of Lima by an English speaking representative.

09:07 – 10:34 LIMA / CUZCO – LAN AIRLINES 2123.

10:35 A representative will meet and greet you at Cusco Airport and then transfer you to the selected hotel in the Sacred Valley.

 Accommodation Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness (www.aranwahotels.com)

CHECKIN12:00 CHECKOUT09:00hrs

Meals included: None

DAY 2 | URUBAMBA

Saturday August 10, 2019

09:00 During the morning, you are picked up from your hotel to visit the town of Chinchero, a traditional Cusco urban centre located at an elevated point with a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve the artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas and display them in their clothes and customs. In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. Then, you are transferred to the Living Museum of Yucay, a centre Andean traditions interpretations, where demonstrations of the elaboration of textile work, adobe, pottery and silverware are carried out in the same way in which they used to in antiquity; an original recreation of Inca traditions. Also, residents of the museum include llamas, sheep and alpacas, and they can be fed! Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo visit its town, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress, built next to a mountain.

Lunch at Rancho Wayra.

After lunch, start your journey to the town of Ollantaytambo. Appreciate the Andean essence that is breathed in the place, strolling through its streets -which still maintain Inca urban planning and is inhabited since then- and climb the iconic fortress, built next to the mountain. After the walk, you will be transferred to your hotel.

-Your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel’s lobby.

-Full day tour lasts 8 hours approximately.

-Important: Tonight, please pack an overnight bag for your journey to Machu Picchu. Due to luggage restrictions aboard the trains to/from Machu Picchu, passengers may only take 1 small bag weighing no more than 5 kg (11 lbs) – Tomorrow; the rest of your luggage will be stored at your hotel in Cusco city Novetel. You will retrieve your luggage on August 12th.

Accommodation Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness (www.aranwahotels.com)

CHECKIN12:00 CHECKOUT09:00hrs

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

DAY 3 | URUBAMBA – AGUAS CALIENTES

Sunday August 11, 2019

09:00 Then, you will visit the Pisac market, which has scores of stands that exhibit and sell local products. You can find textiles, carvings and replicas of ancient Inca objects. Then, you will have lunch at a previously selected restaurant.

Lunch at Chuncho Restaurant.

After lunch you will be transferred to the Ollantaytambo train station.

15:37 – 17:02 Ollantaytambo / Machu Picchu – VISTADOME 603

Once you arrive at Aguas Calientes a representative will assist you until your hotel.

Dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation Inkaterra Machu Picchu (www.inkaterra.com)

CHECKIN13:00CHECKOUT11:00

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 4 | MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Monday August 12, 2019

08:00 Go to the bus station on your own (located 5 minutes from your hotel) to take the bus up to Machu Picchu. Meet your guide at Machu Picchu’s gate.

Board a coach for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel and its most prominent landmarks such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, and the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.

In the afternoon, transfer to the Aguas Calientes station to take the train back to the Ollanta station, from where you will be taken to your hotel in Cusco.

15:48 – 17:29 Machu Picchu / Ollantaytambo – VISTADOME 304

17:30 A transportation service with a guide will pick you up from the Ollantaytambo train station at the established time, and will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco City. The guide will assist you with your check-in.

-The Machu Picchu tour lasts 4 hours approximately (Guide tour 2 hours and a half, after that, you will have free time to explore the citadel)

-You must be at the train station 30 minutes before the departure time of your train.

Accommodation Hotel Novotel – Cusco (www.novotel.com)

CHECKIN11:00 CHECKOUT09:00

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

DAY 5 | CUSCO

Tuesday August 13, 2019

09:00 Meet you guide at your hotel’s lobby. Enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (Red fortress in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to your hotel.

Afternoon free.

-Your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel’s lobby.

-Half day tour lasts 4 hours approximately.

Accommodation Hotel Novotel – Cusco (www.novotel.com)

CHECKIN11:00 CHECKOUT09:00

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 | CUSCO – JULIACA

Wednesday August 14, 2019

10:42 Enjoy a pleasant transfer from the selected hotel to the airport. A representative will assist you along the way.

13:12 – 14:08 CUSCO / JULIACA – LAN AIRLINES 2121.

14:09 A transportation service with a guide will wait for your arrival at the airport and will transfer you to your hotel. The guide will inform you about the attractions and services that the city has to offer.

Accommodation Casa Andina Premium Puno (www.casa-andina.com)

CHECKIN12:00 CHECKOUT10:00

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 7 | PUNO

Thursday August 15, 2019

07:30 You will be picked up from the port of Puno and taken to the floating islands of Uros. The Uros are an ancient culture that inhabits a series of artificial islands built on the basis of reeds growing in the lake itself. These are constructed by weaving reed in the areas where it grows thicker and thus forming a natural layer. They also build their houses over these. After an hour you will continue to the island of Taquile. In contrast to the other islands in the lake, where the people speak Aimara, here they speak Quechua. At arrival, you will be given a short description of the island and a tour round it before lunch. After lunch you will go to the harbour for the trip back to Puno.

-Full day tour lasts 8 hours approximately.

Accommodation Casa Andina Premium Puno (www.casa-andina.com)

CHECKIN12:00CHECKOUT10:00

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

DAY 8 | PUNO – JULIACA – LIMA

Friday August 16, 2019

10:14 A transportation service will take you from the selected hotel to Puno airport, and a representative will assist you along the way.

13:14 – 14:48 JULIACA / LIMA – LAN AIRLINES 2096.

14:49 Arrive at Lima Airport. A transportation service and a guide will pick you up from the airport at the scheduled time to transfer you to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes.

Accommodation Aloft Lima Miraflores (www.libertador.com.pe)

CHECKIN:15:00 CHECKOUT:12:00

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 9 | LIMA

Saturday August 17, 2019

14:00 Explore Lima´s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with fascinating historic buildings. The route begins at the traditional Pueblo Libre district, where you visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the seventh century. The museum boasts a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Then visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jeronimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time, still belonging to the same family. Continue with a scenic tour through the colonial downtown. See the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Admire Lima´s Cathedral, built during the 16th century. Finish the trip returning to your hotel.

20:45 Enjoy a pleasant transfer from the selected hotel to the Lima Airport. A representative will assist you along the way.

-Half day tour lasts 4 hours approximately.

-Check out time at the hotel at 12:00pm. You can leave your luggage at the hotel’s storage.

CHECKIN:15:00 CHECKOUT:12:00

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 10 | LIMA

Sunday August 18, 2019

00:15 LIMA / NEW YORK – LAN AIRLINES 530.