PERU: Cusco and Machu Picchu – in the Footsteps of the Inca Empire

CHICAGO

Meeting of the group with the guide at the check-in counter at Chicago O’Hare Airport Terminal. Passport and baggage check-in. Departure from Chicago.

LIMA

After breakfast, we will start exploring the capital, named by the founder Francisco Pizarro “City of Kings”.

We will go to the colonial center of Lima, full of history and beautiful architecture. We will see the heart of the old town, Plaza Mayor, where the Presidential Palace, the Town Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace are located. We will also get to know the Trans-Andean Railway Station, co-designed by Eng. Ernest Malinowski; Franciscan Church and Monastery with an underground cemetery.

Then we will go to the colorful district of Miraflores for a walk along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Overnight stay in Lima.

CUSCO

A morning flight to Cusco.

After breakfast, a walk and visit the beautiful city of Cusco, currently the tourist capital of Peru, and formerly the capital of a huge Empire. We will get to know the Historical Center, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, where the architecture of the Spanish colonization is intertwined with the former Inca stone temples.

We will see the famous Cathedral, the Jesuit Church, Plaza De Armas, the main square of the city, the Temples of the Sun and the beautiful artistic district of San Blas. We will also go to the local market to delve into Peruvian flavors.

Overnight stay in Cusco.

CUSCO – PISAC – SACSAYHUAMAN

Another very diverse day, full of new attractions and face-to-face meetings with the Inca culture.

We will start the tour from the Farm, where we will be able to see different species of camels. After getting acquainted with the Peruvian world of fauna, we will go towards the school of Pisac, where the archaeological state of the Incas is found. We will stop at the Taray viewpoint, from where you can admire the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In the town we will visit the Inca ruins.

After a short rest, we will go to the part of the Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman near Cusco. This place, in accordance with the features characteristic of Inca buildings, was functional, so it had a ecclesiastical and administrative character. Its majestic architectural solution was used during the fall of the Inca state.

From the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, we suggest a light trek to the city, admiring the panorama of the Inca capital at the same time, during which we will also stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

We will end the day with a walk through the most beautiful streets of the city. Overnight stay in Cusco.

CHINCHERO – MARAS – AGUAS CALIENTES

Another day with a huge dose of new attractions. We have an early breakfast and departure to make the most of our time.

The highlight of the tour will be the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In the morning we will visit the picturesque town of Chinchero, which hides many curiosities, including a beautiful colonial church from the 17th century and the remains of Inca ruins, as well as extensive agricultural terraces. We will also learn the secrets of Andean textile production.

Our next stop on the route will be the town of Maras and the archaeological site of Moray. We will walk around the area and visit the amazing salt mines of Salineras de Maras. Beautiful mountain scenery, the play of colors and light… A real paradise for anyone who loves nature and enjoys exploring unusual places.

After visiting Salineras and learning the secrets of salt mining, we will go to a local restaurant along the Urubamba River to try local delicacies – typical not only for the region, but for the whole country. After lunch, there will be one more attraction waiting for the participants – Inca ruins in a charming town, preserved in the Inca style – Ollantaytambo.

After this extremely intense and full of attractions day, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, from which we will be only a moment away from Machu Picchu. Before we go for the night, we repack our suitcases – tomorrow we set off to meet Machu Picchu packed in a small, handy backpack (we leave the suitcases at the hotel).

Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.

MACHU PICCHU

Today, wake up early and visit the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

This best-preserved Inca city is a must-see during your stay in Peru. The magic of this place, amazing stone buildings, perfectly preserved agricultural terraces and mountains shrouded in mist give the impression of mystery and are permanently recorded in the memory.

We will delve into the history of the Inca Empire, walking along stone paths surrounded by perfectly constructed buildings.

After visiting Machu Picchu, we start climbing Wayna Picchu or, alternatively, Huchuy Picchu – mountains whose characteristic conical shapes are known from the classic panoramic views of Machu Picchu

Climbing one of these peaks gives us a unique opportunity to look at the amazing City of the Incas from a completely different perspective.

In the afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes, break for lunch and drive to Cusco. But this is not the end of the attractions, because we will have a tasting of the local drink – chicha, during which we will learn the secrets of the corn drink production.

In the evening return and overnight stay in Cusco.

CUSCO – VINICUNCA RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

At the end of the trip, another breathtaking attraction! We will start the trip very early in the morning to reach the town of Cusipata before sunrise and start a two-hour trek to the viewpoint, from where we will admire the first rays of the sun on Rainbow Mountain.

After this extraordinary spectacle, we will make our way back to Cusco, stopping for a short meal. In the afternoon we return to the city.

Free time to rest, optional dinner for those willing to participate.

CUSCO - LIMA 

Time for the last walk around the former capital of the Incas. We will go to the local mercado, i.e. the market where you can buy the last souvenirs and taste local delicacies. For the last time we will walk through the main Plaza de Armas square, where there will be time for the last commemorative photos with little alpacas and lamas.

Overnight stay in Lima.

CHICAGO

Arrival in Chicago. Baggage and passport check. Farewell to the group.