Peru 15 Days + Inca Trail to Machupicchu by Axel Tours

Tour Itinerary

DAY 01: International arrival in Lima

Assistance on your arrival in Lima and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time to rest and prepare for starting your trip around this unusual city and magical country.

Meals Included: None

DAY 02: Sightseeing Tour

guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical Centre, passing by Plaza San Martin, The Main Plaza, 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 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. Late afternoon transfer to the selected hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 03: Lima - Arequipa: Sightseeing tour

a.m. Transfer to the Airport for your lfight to Arequipa, Upon arrival, reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we start a three hour sightseeing tour of Arequipa, including the Main Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Peru, and the Cathedral, a prime example of XIXth Century Peruvian architecture, housing beautiful treasures in gold and silver. We also visit the La Compañia Church, an ancient Jesuit temple, maybe the most important one in Arequipa due to its history and tradition, with a beautiful façade with carved columns, laurel crowns, flowers, birds, etc. A more careful look at the façade, however, reveals the limits of European influence, as the angels have Indian faces; and indeed one face is even crowned with feathers. Then, we will visit the Santa Catalina Convent, a "Small Town" built in the XVIIth Century and opened to the public in 1970, after 400 years as a Cloister. Perfectly preserved for four Centuries, you go back in time as you enter the Cloister and see the numerous, spacious patios and gardens, the kitchen and slave quarters and stone washtubs of this Convent. About 20 nuns, of what were once 500, still live in a section of the Convent.

Transfer to your selected hotel and free time for lunch. We recommend the Sol de Mayo Restaurant. In the afternoon, tour of Arequipa's beautiful countryside, including the Mill of Sabandia, a still functioning flourmill built in 1621 powered by a nearby waterfall, and the Founder's Mansion, a fully restored XVIth Century Hacienda that belonged to the City's founder. Then it was sold to the Jesuits, who used it as a Retreat Centre, and finally passed on to the Goyeneche family. You will also visit its beautiful fully restored Church.

Evening free. We suggest to dinner at the hotel and have an early night as the next day you will have an early-rising to begin your trip towards the Colca Canyon.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 04: Arequipa: Colca Canyon

Early in the morning, depart on a wonderful four hours bus trip to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world (3400 mts.). On the trip we drive across Pampa Cañahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, inhabited by herds of Vicuñas and Alpacas (South American cameloids). We also see beautiful pre-Columbian terraces, still being cultivated by the native Collaguas. Box lunch. On your arrival at Colca Valley, transfer to the selected lodge.

In the afternoon, we recommend you to rest and get used to the altitude. If you are in good shape, you will have free time to stroll around the lodge surroundings or you could take a repairing bath at the hot springs nearby the lodge.

Dinner and overnight at selected lodge at the Colca Valley.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 05: Colca: Condor Cross / Arequipa

We leave early in the morning to the "Condor's Cross", where the biggest bird in the world can be usually seen flying. On the way back we visit the Colonial Towns and Churches of Yanque, Coporaque, Achoma and Maca. Good opportunity to appreciate the life of these people that has changed little since Inca times.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Late afternoon return to the selected hotel in Arequipa.

Evening free. We recommend to have dinner at the Sambambaia's or La Truffa restaurants.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 06: Arequipa - Juliaca : Chullpas of Sillustani en route / Puno

Early morning transfer by private bus to Puno. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. On the way, we will visit the famous Chullpas of Sillustani: Stone cylinder Burial Chambers used by the Aymaras to bury their important leaders. Lake Umayo, located in front of the Chullpas, adds further beauty to the place. Here you also have the opportunity to observe several local typical birds.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 07: Puno: Titicaca Lake, Floating Islands of the Uros and Taquile Island

Early in the morning, we will have an unforgettable motorboat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique "Floating Islands" of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own "Islands" by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed called "Totora" ( Scirpus Totora ), vegetable fibre of the Papyrus family. Their homes and boats are also made from this material. We continue our motorboat trip to Taquile island, inhabited by Quechua - Speaking Natives, who have developed, down through generations, an efficient and unique social system, as well as fine hand weaving techniques.

It is necessary to go up a stairway of more than 567 steps - steps of stone that wind their way among green platforms - to arrive at the Town of Taquile where we will have a break to eat. After lunch in a local Taquile Inn, we have a walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6 km long Island. In the afternoon, return to Puno for overnight at your hotel. Evening free.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 08: Puno / Cusco

Breakfast. Early departure by bus to the City of Cusco. We travel along the High Plateau of Collao, stopping at the Town of Ayaviri, an important livestock and textile centre, to visit the impressive Temple of Kalasaya, ruins from the ancient Pucara Culture. On the way, we stop in Raqchi, where we can see a spectacular Inca Sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec, and dedicated to the great Inca God of Wiracocha. It has a great central wall with a stone base of fine Inca architecture. Other walls are made of giant adobe bricks. The structure also has two circular lateral columns. Around the Temple are several buildings once used for housing and storage. About 70 km further on, we pass through the La Raya Ranch where we can see troops of vicuñas and llamas. During the trip, we pass by the lovely Wacarpay Lake, offering spectacular views of the mountains reflected in its calm waters.

We proceed to the beautiful Town of Andahuaylillas, and visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, better known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, due to its decorated polychrome ceiling.

Buffet lunch in a quiet countryside restaurant, where we can enjoy the delightful culinary art of the Region.

Upon arrival in Cusco, meet and transfer to your hotel.

Dinner on your own.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 09: Cusco : Sightseeing tour and Nearby Ruins

Breakfast. Morning at leisure. 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

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 10: Cusco: Sacred Valley of the Incas

Early morning excursion to the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Visit to the picturesque indian Pisac Market held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, the shopping paradise of the Andes where barter is still practiced.

Enjoy the unique atmosphere during a typical lunch.

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 Mlitary, Religious, and Agricultural Centre was like during the era of the Inca Empire. Late afternoon return to your selected hotel for overnight.

Evening free. We suggest strolling around the Main Square and enjoy the night atmosphere trying a delicious Pisco Sour in some of the many pubs around the Square.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 11: Cusco - km 82 - Huayllabamba

At approximately 6:30 am, our guide will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you by bus to the km 82 where you will arrive at approx. 10:30 am. Here you will meet the team that will join you during the trek, such as the porters, camp assistants and cooks. You will begin the walk, the first day is quite easy and during the first kilometres you will have a beautiful view of the snow peaked Veronica Mountain, walking alongside the Vilcanota River until you arrive at the Archaeological Complex of Patallacta, where you will have lunch and gain energy to reach Huayllabamba, where the first camp is set up.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 12: Huayllabamba - Pacaymayo

After breakfast, the hardest part of the trail begins, with a steep ascent, followed by 3 hours walking until reaching the first step, called Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman), up to 4200 m.a.s.l. approximately. You will not only enjoy incredible panoramic views from here but you will also have the satisfaction to have reached the top. After lunch in Vizcachayoc we will descend towards Pacaymayo (3500 m.a.s.l.) for dinner and camp.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 13: Pacaymayo - Wiñayhuayna

After breakfast the ascent will begin until the second most important step of the route, up to 3900 m.a.s.l., where you will enjoy a guided visit to the Archaeological Complex Runkurakay

and the Inca Citadel of Sayacmarca (3,600 m.a.s.l.). Lunch in Chaqquicocha. Then, you will continue walking towards Phuya Patamarca (Town in Clouds), another important archaeological monument. After a brief rest, we will continue walking until arriving at Wiñay Huayna (Always Young), for a guided visit to this spectacularly located Archaeological Complex . Dinner and overnight in the camp. Note: The above are the regular camp sites according to the circuit operated by Enjoy Peru, however, these can vary according to disposition levied by the Machu Picchu Management Unit without previous warning, but which will not affect the itinerary.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 14: Wiñay Huayna - Machupicchu - Cusco

After breakfast (05:00 approx.), start walking for one hour by the forest until the Inti Punku (Door of the Sun), known like the front door to Machu Picchu, from where we will be able to have an impressive panoramic view of the Inca Citadel. Upon arrival to Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. Free time to stroll around the Citadel and then meet the rest of the group to be transferred by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). In the afternoon return to Cusco by train. Upon arrival in Cusco, transfer to your selected hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast,

DAY 15: Cusco - Lima / International departure

Breakfast. Transfer to Cusco Airport to take your flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to your selected hotel. At the appropriate time, transfer to the Airport to board your International homebound flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast

INCLUDED:

In Lima: Sightseeing Tour

In Arequipa: Sightseeing Tour and excursion by Arequipa's countryside.

In Colca: All included (excursions and meals ).

In Cusco: Sightseeing Tour and Nearby Ruins;

In the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Excursion to Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Lunch included.

In Machu Picchu: Inka Trail 4 Days 3 nights

In Puno: Boating excursion on Titicaca Lake, Lunch in Taquile and visit to Sillustani.

• 14 Nights accommodation incl Camping Tent

• All breakfasts and meals as described in the programme

• All entrance tickets applicable

• All transfers and land transportation

• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes-Cusco

• Private car Arequipa / Puno

• Bus tckt Puno / Cusco

• Airfare Lima / Arequipa & Cusco / Lima

• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu- Aguas Calientes

• All applicable taxes

• All bilingual guided tours (english/spanish) as described in the itinerary

NOT INCLUDED:

• International flights

• Airport taxes ( $30.25 for international flights and $6.05 for domestic flights )

• Baggage excess (Cusco/Puno bus)

• Alcoholic drinks, soda or bottled mineral water

• Personal expenses

• Tips

• International or National personal telephone calls

• Meals not mentioned

• Second entrance to Machu Picchu

Aditional Single Suplementary 350.00$USA