Peru on a budget. 6 days: Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lima.

Arrival to Lima and welcoming reception.

Transfer to a hotel.

During the 16th and 17th centuries Lima was considered the most beautiful city of the colonial America and was referred to as the Ciudad de los Reyes (City of the Kings). Beautiful buildings in baroque style facades for Spanish nobles were appearing around the main square full of bustling life and booming trade. The oldest university of the continent - Saint Marcos University was established in Lima in 1551. Pieces of old splendour can be seen even today in central districts of Lima, however most of the buildings were completely destroyed by awful earthquake of 1746 that killed almost tenth of the city population.

Today we will have a tour through Lima’s streets and plazas. Starting at the Love Park in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, and then heading to the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of the Lima culture, for a panoramic view.

After this, we go on to the Main Square where the Government Palace and the Town Hall are located. We will visit the Cathedral and explore the Santo Domingo Convent, along which corridors San Martin de Porres and San Rosa de Lima used to walk around in 17th century, and where their remains rest today.

Overnight stay in Lima.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco. On arrival, welcoming reception and transfer to hotel.

In the afternoon you will have a city tour around Cusco.

The tour will start at San Cristobal Plaza where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. We will then visit Saint Peter Market, where we will be able to appreciate the local flavors and learn about the local produce in this market where you can find everything and is the main supply center of the city. We will then continue to the Koricancha Temple that will welcome us with its splendor. The Golden Precinct is the meaning of its name in Quechua and we can still feel the sumptuousness of its walls that were once lined in gold sheets.

From Saint Blas, the craftsmen’s quarters we will walk down along the Hatun Rumiyoc street, finding midway the Inca Roca Palace, today the Archbishop’s Palace; and we will have time to appreciate the worldwide famous Stone of the Twelve Angles. We will go on to the Main Square to visit the Cathedral that houses invaluable colonial works of art.

Restrictions:
– People are not allowed to enter religious sites wearing shorts. Taking photos is forbidden in the Cathedral.
– Koricancha is not open on Sunday mornings.

Overnight stay in Cusco.

In the morning you will have a tour to the famous Saqsayhuaman archaeological complex, an impressive citadel full of colossal fortress surrounded by beautiful landscapes in complete communion with nature.

We will visit the Inca shrine of Qenqo, with its awesome altar for sacrifices embedded in the side of the rock.

Then we will see the Puca Pucara watchtower and Tambomachay, a monument of noticeable architectural excellence, considered one of the pillars of the Andean view of the world.

According to the season, we will go to the Poroy train station or Ollantaytambo train station, where we will depart by train to visit one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. We arrive at the Aguas Calientes station where our staff will assist us on boarding the bus to go up the winding road to Machu Picchu, amid a spectacular view of the Urubamba River and its canyon.

The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will astonish us with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. Energy is all around us. At the arranged time, we will take the train back to Cusco city.

Hotel check-out.

Transfer to Cusco airport. Airport assistance to board your Lima flight.

Arrival and international flight connection.

INC: breakfast