The Sanctuary of the Incas - Latin Experiences

The Sanctuary Incas

$900

/ Person

Duration

8D / 7N

Highlights:

Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu

Overview

This expertly crafted, fifteen-day itinerary combines the very best of South America’s most alluring and adventurous destinations: the sacred ruins of Peru and the wondrous enchantment of the exotic Galapagos Islands. Begin in Peru’s electric capital of Lima, where you’ll visit the city’s main historical highlights. Next, explore the Sacred Valley of Cusco by way of horseback, the Piuray Lagoon by way of stand-up paddle board, and visit the markets and archeological ruins of Pisac.

Hike through the famed ruins of Machu Picchu, wander through Incan museums and enjoy decadent meals in scenic settings. The second half of your trip introduces you to the “Enchanted Isles” of the Galapagos, one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth and home to exotic wildlife found nowhere else, by way of combining a stay on land with a comfortable yacht. On a true journey of a lifetime, white coral beaches, volcanic summits, and seabird nesting colonies combine with pristine seas full of incredible marine life and premier snorkeling experiences await you.

Reserve this trip or get help planning

Have Any Questions?

Don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are a team of experts and we will be happy to answer your questions.

Cusco City Tour

Arrival at the international airport of Lima. Reception by our staff and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Lima (D/A/)

Today we will visit the city of Lima. We will start our tour in the historic center, declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Lima was from its Spanish foundation and, during the Viceroyalty of Peru, the political and cultural center of the first order in the new continent. Proof of this is the Historical Center which preserves churches, convents, and mansions with elegant balconies, in various styles such as baroque, Renaissance, or neoclassical. In the main square are the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, and the Municipal Palace; In the central part is a bronze sink from the 17th century.

We will enter the Convent of San Francisco to visit the underground crypts known as catacombs.

Then we will continue through the Larco Herrera Museum, the only Viceregal mansion from the 17th century built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the 8th century. This fabulous museum has the exquisite “Gold and Silver of Ancient Peru” Collection and the famous Erotic Art Room. It is one of the few museums in the world that allows you to visit its vault of treasures, which presents more than 45,000 archaeological pieces classified by recognized specialists and scholars. The Larco Museum is the most extensive and dazzling private collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art worldwide. We will continue with the residential area of Lima that includes El Olivar de San Isidro, Miraflores, and Larcomar, which is the distinctive tourist center of today’s Lima and a privileged point to appreciate a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean.

Lima/Cusco (D/)

In the morning, transfer to the airport and depart on a local flight to the city of Cusco. Reception and transfer to your hotel, take a rest accompanied by a coca tea. We recommend eating light for good acclimatization.

In the afternoon, our excursion begins in the Plaza de Armas, where the church of the company stands out, the cathedral that was built on the palace of the Inca Wiracocha. The façade and interior are dominated by the Renaissance style, with rich interior decoration in cedar and alder carvings. The choir and the pulpit stand out for their beauty. It preserves a significant collection of paintings from the Cusco school and embossed silver objects. We will continue through the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, on which the church and the convent of Santo Domingo were built. The convent has a valuable art gallery with paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Then, we will visit the four ruins surrounding the city, Kenko, an ancient religious center; Tambomachay called “The Baths of the Inca”; Pucapucara and Sacsayhuaman; ancient fortresses that impress with their architecture.

After this beautiful visit, we will have a lunch prepared by our host Elena in her home with organic ingredients, and we will be able to enjoy the varieties of potatoes their family grows above 3800 meters above sea level.

Valle Sagrado/Machu Picchu/Cusco (D/A/)

Transfer to the Ollantaytambo station and depart by train for 1½ hours, which will take us to Machu Picchu Pueblo, a small town known as Aguas Calientes. Arrival, minibus ride to the citadel of Machu Picchu, built on top of a mountain. It is an Inca city with temples, palaces, platforms, and water channels, which show what a great civilization could build with large blocks of stones, without any amalgamation, but with the most incredible wisdom. Recognized as a wonder of the world and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this Inca site impresses its visitors not only because of its beauty but also because of the magic and energy it holds. After our guided tour and lunch, we will start our return by train to Cusco.

Cusco/Puerto Maldonado: Posada Amazonas (D/B/C)

After the arrival of your flightn from Cusco, you will be welcomed at the airport. Before starting the boat trip, you will be able to leave the luggage that you will need in the following days in a safe deposit in the hostel office in Puerto Maldonado. With lighter luggage, we headed to the Puerto Maldonado river port to take the boat that would take us (45 min journey). The port belongs to the community of Infierno, which also manages it. Upon arrival, the hostel’s resident manager will welcome you and inform you of the main recommendations to make the most of your stay. A 20-minute walk from the hostel is a 30m high observation tower. The tower has been built so that it can be easily climbed safely, using the stairs with railings on each side, resting on the existing small platforms every 2 meters. From the top, you can not only appreciate a spectacular view of the Tambopata River and the dense green carpet formed by the treetops. With some luck, you can observe birds such as toucans, parrots, and macaws. After dinner, you will have the opportunity (if you wish) to learn more about the ecotourism project, of which the lodge is a part. This is a presentation made by the Posada Amazonas staff – members of the Native community of Infierno.

Posada Amazonas (D/A/C)

Visit Tres Chimbadas Lake Thirty minutes by boat and a forty-five-minute walk take us to the shores of Tres Chimbadas Lake. From here, a catamaran and a native rower will take us for a silent tour of the lake to appreciate the lake fauna at its peak activity. We will look for alligators, riverside birds, and the peculiar shanshos, and with luck, we will be able to observe the river otter family (seen by 60% of our visitors), known as the largest freshwater otters in the world. Its busiest point is from dawn until about 8 or 9 AM.

Parrot Clay Lick is only twenty minutes from the lodge. From a hiding place, you can observe at a distance of approximately twenty meters how dozens of parrots and parakeets descend on most clear days to feed on the clay of the clay lick. The clay lick is visited early in the morning, late in the morning, or in the afternoon, depending on when the greatest activity is observed.

Ethnobotanical Tour Twenty minutes downriver by boat is the Ñape Center. This center is a communal organization that produces medicines based on the medicinal plants that grow in this ethnobotanical center. It administers them to people who come here to be cured. Plants that are used for medicinal purposes, as well as for other purposes such as construction or transportation, are presented in a road system.

Night Walk We will have the opportunity to walk at night, which is the time of activity for most mammals, although it is difficult to observe. Frogs with shapes and sounds as outlandish as their natural histories are far more common.

Puerto Maldonado – Lima (D/

In the morning, you will start your way back to Puerto Maldonado. After arriving at the port, you can pick up the luggage you left at the hostel office before returning by local flight to the city of Lima.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, and we suggest you visit (not included) the Magic Water Circuit, the largest fountain complex in the world, certified by Guinness World Records. Monumental water fountains present a show with illuminated waters that go to the rhythm of the music. Another option is the traditional district of Barranco with bars where you can enjoy classic cocktails such as the chilcano or the famous pisco sour.

More Tours

We customize extraordinary experiences through itineraries that are unique and memorable to you.

Cusco 5 days

Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, also known as the heart of Peru, is the perfect destination for culture and history lovers…

5D / 4N

Price from: $400

Classic Peru

Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, also known as the heart of Peru, is the perfect destination for culture and history lovers…

14D / 13N

Price from: $500

Incredible Destinations

We take you to the top destinations in Latin America

Safety is Always First

You can trust in the experienced professionals at Latin Experiences

English-Speaking Guides

Your local English-speaking guide will be by your side with local insights

Flexibility

We are small, agile and flexible - able to accommodate your every need.

News

News & Article

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.

Uncategorized

Galapagos Islands Governmental Travel Requirements

Uncategorized

WordPress Resources at SiteGround

Newsletter Signup

Get Exclusive Deals

Latin Experiences exists to provide you with unique, authentic travel experiences custom designed to your demanding needs.

We are dedicated to responsible tourism with a strong sense of social commitment and environmental responsibility. Our tailor-made trips use local services and promote local relationships.