Discover the Chavin Culture

LIMA / LLANGANUCO LAKE / CHAVIN DE HUANTAR / SACRED VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU / LIMA
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7DAYS

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

Assistance at your arrival to Lima International Airport and transfer to your Hotel.There you will receive a briefing on your tour; receive vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peru trip.

Meals Included: None.

Day 02: Huaraz, Callejon de Huaylas and Llanganuco Lake

llanganucoBreakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Huaraz.In the morning we will drive along the magnificent Callejon de Huaylas Valley watered by the Santa River and located between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra mountain ranges. On the way, we will visit picturesque towns such as Carhuaz -which offers colorful Indian markets-, Mancos and Yungay. Turning east, the mountain scenery becomes increasingly spectacular as we ascend the slopes of the Cordillera Blanca. Impressive peaks such as Huandoy (6,356 masl) and Huascaran (6.768 masl) form the granite walls of this U-shaped canyon with its two turquoise Llanganuco lakes. We are in the heart of Huascaran Biosphere Reserve. This is a giant natural history laboratory where you learn about high tropical Andes species and ecosystems. In the Chinacocha lake (3,850 masl) we appreciate different flora species such as colorful bromeliads, orchids and cactus, among other plant species that grace the granite boulders and cliffs. After enjoying the wonderful scenery and take the photographs, we descend to Caraz. (2,256 masl). Return to Huaraz and transfer to our hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

Day 03: Chavin de Huantar Temple

chavinWe will drive along the southern Callejon de Huaylas Valley across the picturesque towns of Recuay, Ticapampa and Catac. We arrive to Querocoha Lake (3,980 masl), surrounding by native quenual trees. We traverse the Cordillera Blanca to visit Chavín de Huantar (1300 to 4000 BC), South America’s oldest and most advanced culture, and one of the six independent centers of civilization in world prehistory, predating the Incas by about 2000 years. Chavin’s monumental granite pyramids and ceremonial plazas are linked by colossal carved stone staircases and platforms. Subterranean chamber complexes, known as galleries, are built in a most sophisticated architectural engineering style. In the Old Temple, we will visit the Lanzon Gallery with its supreme deity of Chavin, a large stone idol of 4.5 m carved with human, Jaguar, Anaconda, and Harpy Eagle iconography. The New Temple, (The Castle) is built in 3 platforms, constructed between 500 and 200 B.C. Sophisticated carved keystone heads, horizontal and vertical ventilation wells, friezes, cylindrical columns, and astronomic representations are a puzzle for Andean archaeo-astronomers. The walls of Chavin were decorated with carved heads, set deep into stone. Some of the carved heads have mucus pouring from the nose, something that happens when hallucinogenic snuff is snorted. Rare Ecuadorian shells are often found in tombs of the Chavín era, as the precious lapis lazuli from Atacama desert in Chile. Chavin de Huantar has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we will visit the museum, where we will appreciate Chavin ceramics and lithic sculptures like the famous “Tello Obelisk”. Return to Huaraz and transfer to our hotel.Meals Included: Breakfast.

Day 4: Huaraz – Cusco

After your breakfast, transfer to the airport to board the flight to lima and connecting to Cusco.Meet upon arrival and transfer to your selected Hotel. Rest and adapt to altitude.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

Day 5: Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Incas

sacred valleyBreakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning our guided visit to the Sacred Valley will take place. We will start the tour departing through the fertile countryside, arriving to the colonial town of Pisac, where a colorful market will welcome us, continuing our route through the valley, passing by typical town, till getting to the archaeological province of Urubamba to try a delicious lunch buffet.After we will visit an ancient but enigmatic Ollantaytambo Fortress located in a typical Inca town, composed by numerous temples and terraces. This archaeological complex is one of the biggest monumental exposures that the Inca have ever done.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley. Lodging at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel and lunch.

Day 6: Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu / Cusco

Machu Picchu PeruThe day starts with an early morning rise to transfer to Cusco train station for a 3 ½ hour train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Arrive at Aguas Calientes station followed by a 30-minute bus drive, climbing 6km of winding road, to the incredible MACHU PICCHU. Upon arrival, we’ll participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. After the tour you will have time to stroll around the archaeological site at your leisure. Llunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes Town. Afternoon return to Cusco Overnight in Cusco.Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel and buffet lunch.

Note: When operational or technical reasons obligate the Train Operator to relocate the clients onto the Sacred Valley-Aguas Calientes train service or viceversa, Best Peru Tours will provide all transfers needed to the train station in the Sacred Valley in order to board the train to Aguas Calientes or viceversa.

Day 7: Cusco – Lima

lima colonialMorning flight to Lima.We going to pick you up from the airport and take you to Miraflores and will begin our tour visiting the modern suburbs of San Isidro and Miraflores where we will see the Financial Center, the San Isidro Golf Course and the Olive Grove Park. We will also go by the Huaca Pucllana, a pre-inca pyramid shape temple that has survived the expansion of modern civilization. We will stop at Parque del Amor (Love Park) and enjoy a nice view of the Pacific Ocean, as we drive down the Miraflores Malecon, a road along the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Colonial Lima
We will visit downtown Lima`s historical center, designated by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 1991. In this journey we will enjoy what once was the center of the 16th century Spanish colony. We will see the Plaza Mayor, the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop`s Palace, the City Hall and the Desamparados Train Station. We will also see Plaza San Martin, a large park surrounded by old colonial buildings still displaying beautiful carved wood balconies and other landmarks.

San Francisco Monastery and Catacombs
We shall visit the San Francisco Monastery and its famous underground crypts known as the Catacombs. At the end of the tour you will have a choice to either shop at the Indian Market, Larcomar Mall or return to the airport and take your flight home.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

Includes
Hotels
Insurance
  • All taxes and fees
  • Peru flights ( flight times may vary)
  • 3 star (tourist class) hotels. Several other  3, 4 and 5 star hotel options available
  • Tours listed as described
  • Transportation to the visitor sites
  • 1-day entrance to the visitor sites
  • Transfers from and back to the airports/hotels
  • Local certified bilingual guides
  • Meals where indicated
  • Expedition train service to Machu Picchu where applies
  • High quality personal service

Not Included

  • Insurance
INSURANCE AVAILABLE (*)

Trip Cancellation UP TO US$500 PER PERSON (additional coverage available at low cost)
Trip Interruption UP TO US$500 PER PERSON (additional coverage available at low cost)
Emergency Medical/Dental Coverage $10,000
Emergency Medical Transportation $50,000
Baggage Coverage $500
Baggage Delay $100
Travel Delay $150
24-Hour Hotline Assistance Included

(*) Available Basic trip cancellation/ interruption insurance up to US$500 per person. Approximate cost of policy US$50 per person unless additional trip cancellation/interruption coverage is requested. Insurance provided by Allianz Travel Insurance under their rules and regulations. Valid for US citizens and legal residents only. International flights, individual tours and/or treks are excluded. Peru Travel and Tours, LLC is not obligated to purchase an insurance policy nor liable if a policy is not purchased or declined by client. Peru Travel and Tours, LLC is not obligated to compensate in any way or form if a policy is not purchased or can not be purchased.

3.60 / 5 (30 votes)
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