Itinerary for Inca Highways
- 22 Days
Day 1
Depart Auckland on your flight direct to Buenos Aires and connect
with your onward flight to Lima, capital of Peru, City of Kings.
Transfer to your hotel in the Miraflores district.
Day 2
Lima - City of Kings and capital of Peru. This was the principal
city of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until
the independence of the South American republics in early 19th
century.
A morning city tour of the Greater Colonial Lima
allows you to appreciate the wonderful colonial buildings in downtown
Lima. This afternoon visit the world famous Gold Museum where
you can browse through unique ceramics gold and weavings. There
is also one of the world’s largest collections of armoury
and a very extensive display of Pre Columbian textiles.
Day 3
Lima – Nazca - Travel south along the Panamerican Highway
through desert countryside alongside the Pacific Ocean to Nazca.
This small oasis is famous for the mysterious lines etched in
the desert pampas. Cut into the stony desert, like a giant sketching
pad, these many lines include geometrical figures, giant animals
and birds. You will enjoy a flight over these amazing lines –
the only way to appreciate this archaeological mystery. Come away
with your own theories and many questions.
Day 4
Fly over Nazca Lines – then on to Arequipa. This morning
it is your turn to become airborne and theorise on these mysterious
lines etched in the desert. Who drew them ? Why ? Draw your own
conclusions or come away with as many questions as answers !
This afternoon visit the Chauchilla cemetery
where the hot dry weather has preserved the mummies and clothing
they were wrapped in hundreds of years ago.
Afternoon free to relax and explore before the
super comfy late night bus departs for Arequipa.
Day 5
Explore Arequipa - Arrive early morning to the beautiful city
of Arequipa sitting at 2800 metres above sea level and gateway
to the Colca Canyon.
Lying at 2880 metres above sea level at the foot
of El Misti Volcano (5882m) is the ‘Ciudad Blanca’
– the white city, boasting a delightful climate, plenty
of fascinating colonial buildings and gateway to the famous Colca
canyon, home of the condors, one of the worlds deepest canyons.
Must sees here are a visit to the peaceful Santa Catalina Convent,
one of the most fascinating religious colonial buildings in Peru.
It’s good sized complex, built in 1580 and enlarged in 12th
century. The convent, opened to visitors in 1970, is surrounded
by imposing walls and the 450 nuns who lived here led a completely
secluded life never venturing outside. Also here is “Juanita”
the mummy of a young girl found in 1995 by an American mountain
climber on Mt Ambato. She is encased in a freezing chamber inside
the Museum and open for viewing, Amazing !!
Day 6
2 Day Colca Canyon Adventure - Drive through the awesome Colca
Canyon, one of the worlds deepest canyons it is only accessible
by a dirt road over the Altiplano before dropping to the village
of Chivay at 3600 metres above sea level. The landscape is remarkable
for its Inca and pre-Inca terracing which goes on for many kilometres
and is the most extensive in Peru. Life here has changed very
little through the centuries where the campesinos still farm the
remarkable Inca terracing as their ancestors did before them.
Stay overnight in the small village of Chivay where you can relax
in the hot thermal springs and delight in the haunting melodies
of the pan pipes.
Day 7
Colca Canyon. Expect an early morning wake up call today. After
breakfast continue deep into the Canyon to the Cruz de las Condors.
This is truly a highlight – you can watch the impressive
condors rising with the thermals – your chance to get great
photos of these wonderful birds. Return to Arequipa after a 2
day journey of discovery and exploration in the hinterland of
the Andes.
Day 8
Fly Arequipa to Cuzco. A short flight takes you to Cuzco –
a true experience and Heart of the Inca Empire, known by the local
Quechua Indians as ‘Navel of the Universe’
This afternoon enjoy a slow walking tour of this
fascinating and beautiful city – everyone’s favourite.
Day 9
Cuzco - A relaxing day to explore the delights of Cuzco, capital
of the Inca Empire. Lying in an exceptionally beautiful countryside
3300 metres above sea level, here you will encounter a fine blend
of Spanish and Inca cultures, colourful Quechua Indian markets,
Inca temples and massive stone walls which form the foundations
of Colonial Cuzco, originally part of the impressive monument
of Sacsayhuaman, situated above the town.
Day 10
Sacred Valley of the Incas – Chinchero Market - Full day
to explore the beautiful Sacred valley, first stop the authentic
Peruvian Andean market at Chinchero – the photo opportunities
here are fantastic as the locals gather to barter and sell their
produce and weavings to the tourists. Continue to the towering
fortress of Ollantaytambo with lunch on the way at a delightful
local restaurant and visit the local pottery factory. Spend the
night in this lush valley.
Day 11
Day I Inca Trail/OR/Pisaq Mountain and Ruins
Trekkers in the depart this morning for the challenge
of the Inca Trail.
If you are not taking up the challenge of the
Inca Trail then you will travel to the ancient village of Pisaq
along the other end of the beautiful lush Sacred Valley of the
Incas.
Drive to the very top of Pisaq mountain ready
for a relaxed walk back down to the village, stopping for spectacular
photos and views, impressive ruins and Inca terracing. This is
a magical day.
Finally you will reach the village of Pisaq where
you can browse through the markets and quaint shops before returning
to Urubamba for the night
Day 12
Day 2 – Inca trail / Machay Salt Mine Trail - Today you
will transfer to Machay to visit the Inca Salt Pans – where
they are still harvesting the salt as they did in Inca times.
You will enjoy the slow easy walk down an old Inca trail to the
Urubamba Valley below. Return to Cuzco.
Day 13
Inca Trail – Day 3 / Train to Machu Picchu - After breakfast
you have an early morning transfer to Ollantaytambo to catch the
train to Aguas Calientes, a small railroad town with tons of character
– enjoy a soak in the hot pools under the Andean sky and
dinner ‘a la estacion’
Day 14
Inca Trail – Day 4 / Machu Picchu
You will receive an early wake up call today.
For sure the best time to enjoy the peace and tranquillity not
to mention the magic of Machu Picchu before the trainloads of
visitors arrive.
Machu Picchu, known also as ‘Lost City
of the Incas’ is undoubtedly the best known and most spectacular
archaeological site on the continent and is considered a must
for all visitors to Peru.
You will travel by bus up the zig-zag Hiram Bingham
highway to the ruins where your first views will take your breath
away. You will enjoy a fully guided tour of the ruins, some time
to explore on your own, before returning down the mountainside
for the night. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch on the station,
before the journey back to Cuzco on the train.
Day 15
Explore Cuzco. A day in beautiful red-tiled Cuzco to enjoy the
museums and beautiful plazas. This morning you will visit Tambo
Machay and Qenko and impressive monuments of Sacsayhuaman. Afternoon
free to explore or browse through wonderful markets for alpaca
bargains.
Day 16
Train Cuzco to Puno. You are on the rails today – one of
the worlds great train journeys takes you to Puno on the shores
of Lake Titicaca with spectacular views all the way. You will
travel through gorges and stunning snow capped mountains and enter
the more dramatic landscape of the Altiplano. You will be entertained
all the way with sellers of all descriptions fresh bread, local
pastries, fluffy llamas and more. You will arrive to Puno on the
shores of Lake Titicaca early evening
Day 17
Lake Titicaca – Floating Reed Islands - What an experience
! By boat you will visit the curious floating reed islands and
the Uros Indians who live there. Everything is made of these reeds,
houses, schools, boats, churches etc. Glide across tranquil Lake
Titicaca in an authentic reed boat- you can’t beat it !
The islands themselves are constructed from many layers of reeds
which rot away from the bottom and are replaced regularly at the
top. Visit our special family on one of these islands. Return
to Puno for a late lunch.
This afternoon you can either take an optional
tour to Sillustani burial chambers or browse through the market
which runs along the railway line.
Day 18
Puno – Copacabana – into Bolivia. Today you will be
saying adios to Peru and Hola to Bolivia. Travelling through spectacular
scenery to arrive about lunchtime to the sleepy lakeside village
of Copacabana. Continue this afternoon enjoy even more stunning
scenery, with snow- capped peaks and the blue lake, to La Paz,
capital of Bolivia and highest capital in the world. Known as
City of Contrasts, here ancient traditions meet the new millennium
of chaotic traffic and towering buildings.
Day 19
La Paz – A morning tour takes you down to where the air
is thicker and the elite live.
You visit the Indian and Pagan sacrificial markets,
Calle Jaen with its Museums, San Francisco Church, Plaza Murillo,
National Congress, Cathedral, Presidential Palace, continuing
to the areas of Obrajes, Calccoto and finally the very unusual
eroded formations of the moon valley.
You have the afternoon free to enjoy the uniqueness
of this colourful bustling city and shop for bargains in the extensive
market areas.
Day 20
La Paz – Santiago – Auckland. It’s “Adios”
to the Andes as you transfer to airport for your flight to Santiago
where you will connect with your flight back to Auckland.
Day 21
In Flight- lose a day as you cross the International Date Line.
Day 22
Arrive Auckland early morning
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