THE ANCIENT STEPS:

12 DAYS: LIMA, CHICLAYO, TRUJILLO, CUSCO, MACHU PICCHU, NASCA & PARACAS

Day 01 LIMA

Arrival in Lima. Transfer to your 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 visitthe Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, a religious building from the end of the XVI century. Drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Day 02 LIMA – CHICLAYO

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Chiclayo. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit to the city including the witch market and Monsefu, a quaint village famous for its craft market. (Breakfast).

Day 03 CHICLAYO

Full day tour including Sipan. At 35-km/22 ml from Chiclayo, it is world known for the excavations in Huaca Rajada where the Lord of Sipan was found. The tomb holds golden, silver and copper ornaments, clothing, vases and personal objects of great value. It has a site museum. Continue to Tucume. At 33-km/20.5 ml from the capital, it is called the Valley of the Pyramids. The 26 pyramidal constructions of almost 100-m/328 ft wide and 33-m/108 ft high are distributed in an extension of 200 hectares. Also included the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán: The Royal Tombs of Sipán exhibits the most important archaeological remains of the Mochica Culture, in an exceptional exhibition that combines maximum scientific accuracy, security and enjoyment to show the jewels, emblems and ornaments found in 1987 in the tomb of a Mochica government leader called the Lord of Sipán. Lunch included. The Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán has its origin in a project of organized archaeological rescue in April of 1987, when a small team of Peruvian archaeologists we assumed the responsibility to save and to investigate the archaeological sanctuary of Sipán, as opposed to its violent sacking and destruction, a tragic destiny that permanently threatens and affects the cultural patrimony of Peru. (Breakfast – Lunch)

Day 04 CHICLAYO – TRUJILLO

Transfer to Trujillo ending at the hotel. On route, visit Pacatnamu, San Jose del Toro and El Brujo Archaeological complex. (Breakfast)

Day 05 TRUJILLO – LIMA

Full day tour including the city: Main Square, the Cathedral, some of the beautiful colonial houses, the interesting Archaeological Museum of San Marcos University and the Church and Monastery of El Carmen. Then proceed to Chan Chan, the largest Clay City of pre-Columbian America, which was the capital of the Chimu Empire, dates from 1,100 AC and was built in an area of 20 square km. You can observe friezes and high relief decorations. Lunch in Huanchaco, picturesque fishermen village where you will appreciate their totora reed boats, similar to those used centuries ago by the Chimus. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast – Lunch).

Day 06 LIMA – CUSCO

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to the 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 07 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 the Inca 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 08 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 Wayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability)

Day 09 CUSCO – LIMA – NASCA

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima. Upon arrival transfer to station for the bus ride to Nasca. Late afternoon arrival at the hotel. (Breakfast).

Day 10 NASCA – ICA – PARACAS

Morning flight over the Nasca Lines. It is an area of approximately 500-km/310 ml, where the mysterious lines were discovered in 1927. The real dimension of these lines can be fully appreciated from 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 an Archaeological tour of Nasca including Chauchilla Pre-Inca cemetery. You will also be able to appreciate the process of artisan gold extraction. Afternoon transfer to Ica. Visit to the city: 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. Continue with transfer to your hotel in Paracas Bay for overnight. (Breakfast).

Day 11 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 12 LIMA – HOME

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

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