The Peru Highlights Tour

Welcome to the country of the Incas, Peru! The Peru Highlights Tour begins!

Upon your arrival in Lima, your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel in the vibrant city center. Interestingly enough, Lima is also known as the City of Kings. According to the history, it was founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535. During the process, he chose the right bank of the Rímac River due to one reason. In particular, because of the excellent strategic and geographic conditions of this valley. Also, Lima is Peru’s capital city. Further, it is a symbol of its Spanish colonial history, industry, and independence.

Inca walls, colorful costumes, churches built on top of palaces, citadels lost in the Andean heights, legendary roads. Enjoy all the beauty of a glorious past that enfolds the visitor who arrives in Cuzco. An US archaeologist Hiram Bingham discovered the citadel of Machu Picchu for the world. Since then Cuzco has fired the imagination of thousands of travelers from all over the world. This sacred city of the Incas is one of the most spectacular destinations in America. A huge reason for this, is sure the archaeological history. All of this is for you to explore during the Peru Highlights Tour!
In the afternoon, you will get to know the city and its nearby ruins. You will get to see the Main Square, known in Inca times as Hucaypata. This was the scene for many key events in Cusco’s history. Also, there is a Cathedral which was built between 1560 and 1664. Further, it has large stones of red granite taken from the Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. In the quarter of San Blas, you will visit the Convent of Santo Domingo. This building was built on top of the Temple of the Sun – Korikancha Temple. It is the most important temple. Dedicated to the worship of the sun and whose walls were plated with gold sheets.
Afterwards, you will continue to the ruins above Cusco: Kenko, Pucapucara, Tambomachay and the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Especially the last one is an imposing example of Inca military architecture.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will continue your journey to the Sacred Valley, also known as Urubamba Valley. As well as to the Indigenous markets and to the ruins of Ollantaytambo. The fertile valley was once inhabited by the Incas. However, today it is the home to several typical Andean villages. There you can see locals going about everyday life. One of the first towns on the Sacred Valley route is Pisac. This town is an Incan fortress with large stone terraces built into the hillside. Due to the wrap around the south and east sides of the mountain, it is a great motive for beautiful pictures. In addition, Pisac boasts the largest market in all of the Sacred Valley. Known locally as the “birthplace of the rainbow,” Chinchero is another colonial village renowned above all for its complex traditional textiles. Checking out a weaving collective in this village shows you how locals extract, clean and dye the alpaca hair. Also it shows how they weave traditional handmade items. Many of those goods are available there for purchase. The village of Ollantaytambo is the best example of Inca city planning still intact today. A city built with narrow little cobblestone streets that have been used since around the 13th century. As remarkable as the village of Ollantaytambo may be, the archaeological site is the main attraction. It was both a fortress and temple, and you will come to the temple area immediately above the terracing.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

In the morning, you board the train to Aguas Calientes. From there, you will head to the entrance of Machu Picchu. It is located in an enclave on the saddle of a mountain. There you can overlook the deep canyon of the Urubamba River. Within an area of a lush tropical forest, it served as a place of worship. Your guide will give you interesting information about one of the remarkable archaeological locations.

Meals: Breakfast

Early in the morning you transfer to the airport in order to take your flight to Lima. From Lima you continue your journey or fly back home.
We hope you enjoyed The Peru Highlights Tour!

Meals: Breakfast