THE ENIGMATIC NASCA LINES AND THE INCA EMPIRE

Day 01 LIMA

Arrival in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Guided tour through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs Convent, a religious building from the end of the XVI century. Also drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Day 02 LIMA – ICA – NASCA

Transfer to the bus station, where you will ride the bus to Ica. Upon arrival, visit to the city including the Regional Museum of Ica, housing a great collection of fossils, mummies, Paracas mantles, Nasca ceramics, and Colonial and Republican art pieces, the Lagoon of Huacachina and a winery where you will be able to observe the process of Pisco-making, the typical Peruvian drink and ingredient of the famous Pisco Sour. Afternoon transfer to your hotel in Nasca. Opportunity to visit the Maria Reiche Planetarium. (Breakfast).

Day 03 NASCA – PARACAS

Morning flight over the Nasca Lines. It is an area of approximately 500-km/310 ml of Pampa, where the mysterious lines were discovered in 1927. The real dimension of these lines can be fully appreciated by air. They represent diverse animal figures, as a spider, a monkey, a dog, a lizard, a humming bird, and a condor. The dimensions of these figures vary from 15 to 300 m/50 to 1,000 ft. high each. Continue with Archaeological tour of Nasca including Chauchilla Pre-Inca cemetery. You will also appreciate the process of artisan gold extraction. Transfer to your hotel in Paracas Bay. (Breakfast).

Day 04 PARACAS – LIMA

Morning cruise to the Ballestas Islands, where you will see sea lions, penguins, and more than 60 species of sea birds. You will also see the huge “Candelabrum” drawn in a sand slope. Return by bus to Lima and transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast).

Day 05 LIMA – CUSCO

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Balance of the morning at leisure to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet). Afternoon city tour and nearby ruins. Visit Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo or Koricancha . Includes visits to Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara fortresses, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko and the water shrine of Tambomachay. (Breakfast).

Day 06 CUSCO – MACHU PICCHU

Transfer to the station for a morning train ride to the unparalleled, Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas”. Machu Picchu was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marches of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stonework of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. Machu Picchu was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, which was a privilege restricted to theInca Royal family and priests. Guided tour. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in Machu Picchu Pueblo. Overnight at one of the hotels in the area.
(Breakfast – Dinner).

Day 07 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Morning at leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. Mid afternoon departure by train to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast).

Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please advise if you go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability)

Day 08 CUSCO – LIMA

Transfer to the airport in time to take the flight to Lima. Transfer to your hotel. Guided shopping tour taking you to the famous handicraft markets. (Breakfast).

Day 09 LIMA – HOME

Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight or continue on the extension of your choice. (Breakfast).

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