Land of the Incas
Land of the Incas
$5148
Land of the Incas
13 Days Starting and ending in Lima, Peru
Visiting: Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Paracas, Nazca
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LLIAZ1N20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the "Land of the Incas," exploring the rich cultural tapestry and breathtaking landscapes of Peru. This immersive tour takes you from the vibrant streets of Lima to the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu, offering a deep dive into the heart of Incan civilization. Experience the vibrant local culture with visits to bustling markets, traditional dance performances, and a unique opportunity to learn about the production of Giant White Corn. Marvel at the enigmatic Nazca Lines from the sky and cruise the wildlife-rich waters of the Ballestas Islands. Connect with locals in the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca, where you'll gain insights into ancient traditions and crafts. With expert guides, luxurious accommodations, and a host of cultural experiences, this tour promises a profound connection with Peru's past and present.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Lima
Location: Lima
Accommodation: Iberostar Hotel Lima
Accommodation Name: Iberostar Hotel Lima
The Capital of the New World extends a warm welcome on your epic voyage through the iconic and unexpected highlights of Peru. Meet your local host on arrival and transfer to your hotel in the upscale shopping district of Miraflores. This evening, you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at 6 p.m.
Day 2: Lima Sightseeing
Location: Lima
Accommodation: Iberostar Hotel Lima
Accommodation Name: Iberostar Hotel Lima
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start your city tour taking in of the highlights of Lima. Visit Casona San Marcos, where you’ll enjoy a snack from a local vendor learn more about the fascinating history of this ancient building from Local Specialists. During a short workshop, learn to play the “cajón” percussion instrument and get an introduction to the basic steps of “musica negra”, a dance that originated in Chincha (near Paracas). Continue to the Main Square of Lima for more views and history. Choose to join a walking tour of Miraflores with a local expert highlighting the popular Larcomar shopping center and on towards the Kennedy Parkor for dinner at one of the restaurants in “Pasaje de Ramón.”
Day 3: Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley Dive Into Culture Stays With Stories
Location: Sacred Valley
Accommodation: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We'll fly to Cusco this morning, the gateway to Peru's treasured Sacred Valley, where you will enjoy a local Peruvian lunch with sweeping views of the Sacred Valley. Then we'll Dive Into Culture, meeting a Shaman who will perform a special ceremony to welcome us to Peru.
Day 4: Sacred Valley Connect With Locals
Location: Sacred Valley
Accommodation: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Connect With Locals over a Be My Guest experience lunch, learn about the culture surrounding the production of Giant White Corn. Our hosts will demonstrate the differences between traditional farming techniques and the newer technologies used today. Revel in the romance of the local Marinera dance and local musicians. The marinera is the best-known couple dance on the coast of Peru. It is characterized by the use of handkerchiefs, steps of great elegance and rhythmic music similar to the Aragonese jota, the zamacueca and the Chilean cueca, but with its own Peruvian identity that flaunts the Hispano-indigenous-African miscegenation. For the same reason, over the years Andean and highland versions have emerged. This evening, meet Local Specialist, Peter Frost, a writer, photographer and independent scholar who has explored the Andes and Amazon for 47 years, locating and investigating the previously unknown Inca and pre-Inca site of Qoriwayrachina. He currently resides in Peru and works as an accompanying expert for National Geographic Expeditions. Later this evening, learn how to prepare an authentic Ceviche and pour the perfect Pisco sour.
Day 5: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation: SUMAQ Machu Picchu Hotel
Accommodation Name: El MaPi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit the mystical Incan stronghold of Ollantaytambo, en route to Machu Picchu, a village in the Sacred Valley, set on the Urubamba River amid majestic mountains. It's known for the Ollantaytambo ruins, a massive Inca fortress with large stone terraces on a hillside. Then, ascend to the Lost City in the Clouds aboard the Vistadome train (light snack included) traveling along the Inca Trail, where you can view hikers and porters along the way. Here you will delve into the mysteries of this once-great civilization, joining your Local Specialist for an exploration of the temples, palaces and terraces whose construction defy imagination. Visit the iconic great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved Intihuatana, most likely used as a sundial centuries ago.
Day 6: Machu Picchu – Cusco Dive Into Culture Stays With Stories
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation: Hotel Novotel Cusco
Accommodation Name: Novotel Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
The ruins of Machu Picchu beckon yet again and we enjoy one final opportunity to reconnect with its story, spending some time on our own to explore the hill-top fortress. Next, we’ll journey back to the Sacred Valley by train, stopping en route to Cusco to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® and learn about the natural dyeing techniques used by native weavers. Visit the Pisac handicraft market followed by sampling the sweet flavors of chicha, savoring the favorite drink of the Andes.
Day 7: Cusco Sightseeing
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel Novotel Cusco
Accommodation Name: Novotel Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin your day at the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Incan Sacsayhuaman fortress overlooking Cusco. Admire the massive, sacred stonework before your Local Specialist guides you through Cusco’s colonial center. During your city tour, visit the shop of the social project Mantay, a housing and education project for underage mothers to live here and learn a craft or trade. Later, you’ll join another Local Specialist who will reveal insights into the nearby 13th-century Incan settlement of Qoriwayrachina. The afternoon is free to join an optional experience including a visit to the Chocolate Museum, Cusco off the beaten track or the greenhouse and salt wells of Maras & Moray.
Day 8: Cusco – Juliaca – Lake Titicaca
Location: Lake Titicaca
Accommodation: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca
Accommodation Name: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Fly to Juliaca and meet a Local Specialist to learn about daily life on the Peruvian altiplano. After an included al fresco lunch, visit Sillustani, a pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo where striking chullpas (stone tombs) are scattered across the landscape, inviting you to step back in time. Then travel via Puno along the shores to Lake Titicaca, the birthplace of the sun. Here you’ll Dive Into Culture visiting the home of Víctor Coila, his wife Mariluz, and their two daughters for a meal of quinoa bread, potatoes with cheese and authentic chaco sauce.
Day 9: Lake Titicaca Excursion Connect With Locals Dive Into Culture
Location: Lake Titicaca
Accommodation: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca
Accommodation Name: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Connect With Locals as you cruise the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca, passing floating islands constructed by the Uros people. Next, in the midst of South America’s largest lake lies Taquile Island, where we’ll Make Travel Matter and embark on a private tour to gain insights into the tradition of knitting and weaving for which the local villagers - men and women - are renowned. Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO. This experience aligns with UN's Global goal 10, reduced inequalities. Enjoy a lunch here and learn more about the islanders’ unique way of life upon islets make of totora reeds, which grow in the lake, and are attached to sticks driven into the bottom of the lake. Tonight, we indulge in a Regional Dinner at our favorite local restaurant in Puno.
Day 10: Lake Titicaca – Juliaca – Lima – Paracas
Location: Paracas
Accommodation: Spa Hotel Aranwa
Accommodation Name: Spa Hotel Aranwa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Lima this morning, then continue your journey to the coastal playground of Paracas. Discover what life is like in Peru’s rural countryside before arriving to Paracas for dinner at your seaside hotel and an evening at leisure. Perhaps there’s even time for a stroll along the Malecon.
Day 11: Paracas – Nazca Lines Flight Dive Into Culture
Location: Nazca
Accommodation: Spa Hotel Aranwa
Accommodation Name: Spa Hotel Aranwa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take to the skies, soaring above the coastal desert to see the enigmatic Nazca Lines, gigantic geometric designs viewable only from the air. Next, stop this afternoon at our Dive Into Culture, the Regional Museum of Ica, where we’ll explore the centuries-old cultures of the Paracas and Nazca. Later, we will once again Dive Into Culture during a visit to Bodega El Catador to learn about and taste the finest pisco in the country. The rest of the day is free.
Day 12: Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Lima
Location: Lima
Accommodation: Iberostar Hotel Lima
Accommodation Name: Iberostar Hotel Lima
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, connect with nature with a Local Specialist, cruising around the uninhabited Ballestas Islands, a 'mini-Galapagos' teeming with wildlife. See the mysterious Candelabra in Pisco Bay, then return to Lima where this evening, we’ll visit the Larco Museum with a Local Specialist. Our journey almost at its end, we’ll indulge in a festive Farewell Dinner in the museum’s garden restaurant.
Day 13: Depart Lima
Location: Lima
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say hasta luego to Peru and its ancient treasures, and take transfer to the airport for your flight home or consider extending your holiday in Lima at the Iberostar Hotel Lima.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
The tour includes the services of an expert Travel Director and a professional Driver.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation is provided in carefully selected hotels that are tried and trusted.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Porterage and gratuities at restaurants are included in the tour package.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are covered in the tour cost.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Daily breakfast and up to half of the evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
The tour includes must-see sightseeing and surprise extras.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing experiences.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Transportation is provided in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi or alternative transportation like rail journeys.
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A Trafalgar bonus all Intra-Air Flights: Lima to Cusco, Cusco to Juliaca and Juliaca to Lima, including porter service at all airports.
All intra-air flights between Lima, Cusco, and Juliaca are included, along with porter service at all airports.
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Tickets for a ride aboard the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
Tickets for a scenic train ride aboard the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu are included.
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Visa fees
Visa fees, if applicable, are not included in the tour package.
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Optional activities not listed
Any optional activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.
Dining Summary
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 12 Breakfast (B)
- 5 Lunch (L)
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 1 Regional Dinner (RD)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
Dive Into Culture
- Lima: Dive into the rich history of Casona San Marcos, an ancient building in Lima now part of the property of a university. Learn to play the “cajón” (meaning “box” or drawer”) box-shaped percussion instrument played by slapping the faces with the hands, fingers, or sometimes implements. Continue your musical discovery trying the basic steps of “musica negra”, a dance that originated in Chincha (near Paracas) that is popular during over the Christmas season. Over your lesson, try a snack from a “pregonero”, a vendor who specializes in selling a typical snack through boisterous advertising in the city streets.
- Sacred Valley: We'll Dive into Culture and meet a Quechua Shaman who will perform a ceremony welcoming you to Peru.
- Lake Titicaca: Visit the home of Víctor Coila and his wife Mariluz, and their two daughters, Luz Mery and Carla Mercedes. Join the family to try quinoa bread, potatoes with cheese, and chaco - a sauce made with a kind of clay used in cooking and medicine.
- Paracas: Stop at the Regional Museum of Ica where we'll explore the centuries-old cultures of the Paracas and Nazca.
- Paracas: Visit Bodega El Catador to learn about and taste the finest pisco in the country.
Mode of Transport
Travel in luxury with air-conditioned coaches, Wi-Fi, and intra-air flights from Lima to Cusco, Cusco to Juliaca, and Juliaca to Lima. Enjoy scenic train rides aboard the Vistadome to Machu Picchu and explore Peru's landscapes with ease.
Accommodation
Experience comfort and style at the Iberostar Hotel Lima, Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, El MaPi, Novotel Cusco, and GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca. Enjoy the colonial charm of Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, a former monastery, and relax at the Spa Hotel Aranwa in Paracas.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes several unique cultural experiences such as learning to play the 'cajón' percussion instrument and trying the 'musica negra' dance in Lima, meeting a Quechua Shaman in the Sacred Valley, and visiting the home of a local family at Lake Titicaca to try traditional foods. Additionally, there is a visit to the Regional Museum of Ica to explore the cultures of the Paracas and Nazca, and a tasting of the finest pisco at Bodega El Catador.
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How does the tour support local communities?
The tour supports local communities by visiting the Mantay project in Cusco, which provides housing and education for underage mothers, and by engaging with local artisans on Taquile Island to learn about traditional textile arts. These visits help support the livelihoods of the local people.
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What is the significance of the visit to Taquile Island?
The visit to Taquile Island offers insights into the tradition of knitting and weaving, which is a significant cultural practice for the local villagers. This experience aligns with the UN's Global Goal 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities, and provides an opportunity to learn about the islanders' unique way of life.
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What can I expect from the visit to Machu Picchu?
During the visit to Machu Picchu, you will explore the temples, palaces, and terraces with a Local Specialist, delving into the mysteries of this ancient civilization. You will visit iconic sites such as the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, and the Sacred Plaza.
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What is the 'Be My Guest' experience in the Sacred Valley?
The 'Be My Guest' experience in the Sacred Valley involves connecting with locals over lunch, learning about the production of Giant White Corn, and enjoying a demonstration of traditional farming techniques. You will also experience the local Marinera dance and music.
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What is included in the scenic train ride to Machu Picchu?
The scenic train ride to Machu Picchu is aboard the Vistadome train, which offers views along the Inca Trail. A light snack is included during the journey.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
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