16 Day Wonders of Peru DEAL HIGHLIGHTS Explore the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu Visit Sacred Valley, Cusco, Lake Titicaca & More Includes Return International Flights SUMMARY With its world‐famous sights and ancient living culture, Peru is a destination at the top of most people’s travel wish lists. From the remote ruins of Machu Picchu to the glassy solitude of Lake Titicaca, every inch of this vibrant nation has the power to surprise, delight, and inspire. Realise your dreams of exploring Peru on this dazzling 16 day package visiting Cusco, Lima, Puno, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and beyond. Get a taste of the Peruvian way of life on a tour of vibrant Lima; wander through the historic streets of imperial Cusco; witness the spectacular Andes Mountains; tick off the bucket list with a visit to the grand citadel of Machu Picchu; take a boat ride on Lake Titicaca; visit the famous Uros floating islands; enjoy a homestay with a local family at Luquina Island; and so much more. This incredible package includes return flights, two internal flights in Peru, 13 nights accommodation, English‐ speaking guides, airport transfers and more. Crave more adventure? Upgrade to the 20‐day package with Amazon jungle extension. 1 ITINERARY 16 Day Standard Itinerary Day 1 Australia ‐ Lima, Peru Today depart from Sydney to Lima, Peru via Santiago, Chile. Fly with LATAM Airlines, Qantas Airways, Air New Zealand and codeshare partners (subject to availability). Upon arrival into Lima, a representative will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores. Overnight: Casa Andina Classic Miraflores Centro or similar, Lima Meals included: In‐Flight Day 2 Lima City Tour Following breakfast, enjoy a city tour taking in the key sites of Lima. See Huaca Pucllana, Colonial buildings such as the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, and the Central bank Museum. Return to your accommodation afterwards. Overnight: Casa Andina Classic Miraflores Centro or similar, Lima Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Lima ‐ Cusco This morning you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Be met upon arrival at Cusco airport and transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city. Take the remainder of the day to explore this beautiful city at your own pace. Overnight: Ramada Costa Del Sol or similar, Cusco Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Cusco Free Day After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore Cusco at leisure or take part in an optional half day city tour. Optional Half Day Cusco Tour (not included): This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your half day city tour. First you will visit the exquisite “Koricancha” Temple. Continue on to the Main Cathedral (entry not included), a marvel of religious art home to approximately 300 paintings from the Cusqueña School. Afterwards, travel to the archaeological complex of Saqsayhuamán. You will see the labyrinth of Q’enqo, which is a religious centre dedicated to the adoration of the Earth, and Puca Pucara (reddish place) ‐ previously used as a military control centre. Complete the tour at Tambomachay (Temple of the Water), an Inca site which consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks (entry not included). Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel accommodation for an evening of leisure. Overnight: Ramada Costa Del Sol or similar, Cusco Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Cusco ‐ Sacred Valley Tour ‐ Urubamba This morning you will travel from Cusco, past Saqsaywaman over the mountains towards the Sacred Valley. Here you will descend 1500 feet to the valley floor, and find yourselves by the sacred Urubamba River and village of Pisac (approx. 1 hour). In Pisac, enjoy a quick visit to a traditional artisan market, where you can browse and buy some local souvenirs if desired. 2 Afterwards, drive to the ruins of Pisac, where you can explore the extensive ruins and enjoy stunning views of the valley. Here you will be given a guided tour of the Citadel of Pisac, in which you will see the ruins of temples, homes, altars, carvings, tunnels, caves and the famous Intihuatana. Intihuatana, the place when the sun gets tied, is a religious construction used like a clock to measure when it was the time to celebrate winter solstice ‐ one of the most important celebrations and rituals of the ancient Inca Empire. For those who would prefer to spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, please advise your guide so they can organise a time and place to collect you when returning past the market. Afterwards continue onwards to Urubamba (approx. 1 hour), where you will make a stop for lunch (not included). A short drive onwards is Ollantaytambo, which is surrounded by the sacred mountains. Here, you will enjoy further exposure to Incan constructions, mainly the amazing temple of the sun, enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved, stone water fountains, stairs and terraces. See the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress. Afterwards, return to Urubamba where you will check into your accommodation. Overnight: San Agustin Hotel or similar, Urubamba Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Urubamba ‐ Aguas Calientes After breakfast this morning, transfer to Ollantaytambo train station (approx. 30 mins) and board a train bound for Aguas Calientes, a beautiful thermal town down the valley from the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel accommodation. Overnight: Casa Andina Standard, Aguas Calientes or similar, Machu Picchu Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Grand Citadel Machu Picchu ‐ Cusco After an early breakfast, a local guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin the short bus ride to the gates of Machu Picchu where you may have the opportunity (weather permitting) to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises of your life! After entering the Citadel you will begin a guided walking tour (approx. 2 hours), learning about the history of the area and the ruins. Enjoy some free time afterwards to explore this mysterious ancient city at leisure. This afternoon, meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Be transferred to the train station and begin the journey back to Cusco via Ollantaytambo. (approx. 3.5 hour train journey). Overnight: Ramada Costa Del Sol or similar, Cusco Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Cusco Free Day Today enjoy a free day in Cusco to explore this beautiful mountain city at your own leisure. Overnight: Ramada Costa Del Sol or similar, Cusco Meals included: Breakfast 3 Day 9 Cusco ‐ Pukara ‐ Puno This morning rise early for breakfast and transfer to the bus station to travel to Puno. This is a great bus trip on a modern vehicle stopping at several interesting sites along the way such as Raqchi (Wiracocha God Temple), an Incan church of monumental dimensions and La Raya: the half‐way point between Cusco and Puno and also the highest point (4335 meters above sea level). Along the way enjoy a rest stop and delicious buffet lunch in the town of Sicuani. The landscapes along this route are stunning and typical Andean animals like the llama, alpaca and vicuña are common sights. Upon arrival at the bus station in Puno, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will meet your guide who will welcome you and provide you with some extra information for the following days activities. Please note: the bus transportation includes wifi, food and drink services on board, entertainment options, guided narration in English and Spanish, leather seats with wide leg rests, individual tables and air conditioning. Buses do not have toilets onboard, but this journey includes stops approximately every hour to allow for this. Overnight: Casa Andina Classic or similar, Puno Tikarani Meals included: Breakfast;Lunch Day 10 Puno ‐ Lake Titicaca ‐ Uros Islands ‐ Traditional Homestay After breakfast this morning, transfer from the hotel to the port of Puno where you will board a motorboat to visit the unique floating Uros Islands, located approx. 25 minutes from the port of Puno. The islands have been created entirely from the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. Partially edible (tasting like non‐sweet sugarcane), the reeds are used to build homes, boats and handicrafts. The islands are constructed from many layers of the totora, which are constantly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom, so the ground is always soft and springy. You will visit two different islands and your guide will explain a little about the history and lifestyle of the people who have lived here for many years. You will have the opportunity to visit some of their homes to learn a little about their lifestyle. Enjoy a trip to Taquile Island (approx. 2 hours). A traditional Quechua speaking community, the island is full of ancient agricultural terraces and some ruins dating to pre‐Inca times. Community and family are of great importance to the local population, who were relatively isolated from the mainland up until the 1950s. When you reach the island, take the opportunity to enjoy impressive views of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy some free time to explore the Island at your own, and come together for lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, head down to the harbour to take a one‐hour boat ride to the Chicuito Peninsula, south of the city of Puno, where the Luquina Karina community is located. Luquina Karina has remained relatively untouched and tourism is a new concept here. The inhabitants are very willing to receive visitors in their community.