Peru: Salkantay Trek - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca Tour (133588),Holiday Packages to Lima

Package Overview

Combine a visit to fascinating Peru with the Salkantay Trek, walking through traditional Andean villages with stunning views of snow-capped mountains & ending with a visit to the Inca citadel at Machu Picchu. Also visit Lima, the old Inca capital of Cusco and the tribes of Lake Titicaca. This is a moderate to difficult trek, so you need to be sufficiently fit to walk for 5 days at high altitude.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Lima • City Tour • Cusco • Temple of the Sun
• Salkantay Trek • Sacred Valley • Ollantaytambo • Expedition Train
• Machu Picchu • Lake Titicaca

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Day wise Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival

You will be met at Lima Airport and transferred to your hotel.

Check in and relax in this capital city - the largest in Peru and its gastronomical centre.
Day 2 : Lima

After a morning at leisure, this afternoon enjoy a private tour of historic Lima, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its well preserved architecture. Founded in 1535, it was re-named the "City of Kings" when it was conquered by the Spanish and became the most important centre in the region.

Our tour starts in the Miraflores residential district, where we stop at Parque del Amor (Lover’s Lane) with its magnificent views over the Pacific Ocean, before driving through the modern San Isidro business district, where we see the impressive Huaca Huallamarca, an adobe pyramid that was a sacred pre-Inca site.

We continue to the historic centre, where we visit the 17th century Santo Domingo Convent which is a World Heritage site. The remains of the patron saint of Peru, Saint Rose of Lima, are interred here as well as the remains of Saint Martin of Porres, the patron saint of people of mixed race.

On the Plaza de Armas (main square) you can see many imposing colonial buildings with their intricate balconies - including the Presidential Palace, where the changing of the guards takes place. See the beautiful Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and the City Hall. Also use this opportunity to sample a picso sour, the nation's drink.

Note: Lima Cathedral is not open on Sundays.
Day 3 : Cusco

Transfer to Lima Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Cusco Airport and transferred to your hotel.

Check in, settle in and relax in this ancient Inca capital city set high in the Andes Mountains, that is today a World Heritage Site.
Day 4 : Temple of the Sun

Today enjoy a half day private tour of the magnificent colonial city of Cusco, built on Inca foundations and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Comprising a fascinating mix of colonial churches, monasteries and extensive pre-Columbian ruins, almost every central street in this city has remnants of Inca walls.

We start with a visit to the impressive Temple of the Sun (Koricancha) whose walls and floors were once covered in sheets of solid gold. On the site of this ancient Inca palace and centre of worship of the Sun God, the Dominicans ordered a church to be built, which survives to this day (Note: not open on Sunday mornings & religious holidays).

We walk along the cobbled streets to the Plaza de Armas, the central plaza around which you will see many magnificent colonial buildings - including the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Walking down well-preserved Loreto Street you can see the remains of Incan palaces, as well as old colonial buildings. If you walk down Hatun Rumiyoc, a cobbled street near the Archbishop's Palace, keep an eye out for the famous 12-sided stone that fits so perfectly you can't even insert a coin.

We then leave the city and visit the impressive walled fortress of Sacsayhuaman on the northern outskirts, believed to have been both a military and ceremonial centre. This enormous Inca structure has massive walls of hewn stone and is strategically located on a hill overlooking the city. We also visit Qenko - where the sun, moon and stars were worshipped - and Puca Pucara, which may have been a "tambo" or rest and lodgings for the Inca. Finally we visit an art workshop, where you will be able to see artists working in silver, paint and wood - the perfect place to see Andean art.

After your tour why not try a Pisco sour - the national drink. If you are feeling adventurous you can also savour guinea pig - the local speciality dish.

Note: You will need to carry your passport today to gain access to the site at Sacsayhuaman.
Day 5 : Santa Teresa

We set out early this morning on the dramatic Salkantay Trek, a popular alternative to the Inca Trail that finishes at Santa Teresa, a few miles from the magnificent Inca citadel at Machu Picchu. This is a moderate to difficult trek and you should be sufficiently fit and prepared to walk for four days at high altitude.

You will be collected from your hotel and transferred 4-hours to the starting point of the trek at Challacancha, where we meet up with our transport horses & their riders who will support us on our trek and carry our camping equipment. Along the way we stop at the Tarawasi archaeological site and the Indian village of Mollepata.

We will walk for 6-hours today, so look out for the beautiful snow-capped peak of Salkantay as we hike up to Salkantaypampa (4,100 m) with a stop for lunch. We continuing climbing towards Soroycocha, where we camp overnight in dome tents with inflatable camping mattresses. From here there is a magnificent view of Salkantay - the 'Guardian Lord of Cusco'.

Note: A sleeping bag is provided but you may wish to bring your own & a pillow. A duffel bag (7 kg) is also provided, as well as all meals and filtered/boiled water (but not alcoholic beverages). Wear good hiking boots, long pants & T-shirts (1 per day). Pack a warm jacket, woolen gloves & hat for the evenings; a small backpack for personal items & trekking sticks with rubber tips. You will also need a water bottle, rain gear, flashlight, hat or cap, sunglasses, binoculars, sunblock, insect repellent, 5 pairs of socks (they will get wet daily), snacks, camera & batteries.
Day 6 : Collpapampa

After an early breakfast, we will walk 11-hours today as we set off towards Collpapampa.

At the highest point on our route - the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m) - we stop to give offerings and take photographs. Enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers and snow-capped mountains, with the south face of Salkantay towering above us. Here we may see chinchillas and Andean condors in their natural habitat.

We continue to Huayracmachay, where we stop for lunch. Afterwards we descend into the cloud forest and down to a more tropical climate, passing the remains of an ancient Inca path and walking along the Salkantay River. We arrive at Collpapampa (2,870 m) for overnight. In this beautiful spot you can swim in a natural hot spring.
Day 7 : Santa Teresa

We will walk for 10-hours today, as we descend down a narrow path towards the banks of the Santa Teresa (or Cachora) River. Here the climate is warmer and more humid and there is a marked change in the flora and fauna, which becomes more verdant and sub-tropica.

As we descend to warmer regions you will see the landscape changing - with fruit trees, orchids, Andean villages and rivers to enjoy. We pass the Coripacchi waterfalls and at Wiñaypoko we stop for lunch.

In the afternoon we continue along the banks of the river and past the small village of Sahuayaco until we reach our overnight campsite at Lucmabamba (2,135 m).
Day 8 : La Playa

After breakfast we walk for 6-hours today, heading towards La Playa village where we cross the river. We then climb up to El Mirador (or Abra Q’elloqasa) viewpoint from where there are exceptional views of Machu Picchu - the legendary 'Lost City of the Incas'.

After lunch at the Llaqtapata lookout point - where you can see Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Mountain and the restored Llactapata ruins - we descend to the Aobamba River, crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchard and coffee plantations.

At the hydro-electric plant we board the scenic 1-hour train to Aguas Calientes, where we disembark and check into our hotel.
Day 9 : Machu Picchu

This morning we take the first bus up to the sanctaury at Machu Picchu (2,400). This magnificent mountain top city, situated in a beautiful cloud forest, was abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911. There are very few people at the citadel this early in the morning, so this will be a very special experience.

This legendary Lost City of the Incas is without a doubt one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built on the summit of Machu Picchu (meaning "Old Peak"), on a natural saddle between steep forested mountains, it overlooks the deep canyon of the Urubamba River some 3,400 m above sea level. With its giant walls, terraces and ramps that appear to have been cut naturally out of the rock escarpments, Machu Picchu's history remains shrouded in mystery as the Incas did not leave any written records.

Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of this 14th century citadel, including the Main Plaza, Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, Royal Quarters, Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. Afterwards return to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Ollantaytambo, where your trek ends.

You will be met at Ollantaytambo Station and dropped off at your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Note: You must take your passport with you today, as this will be needed to gain entrance, which is restricted to 4-hours (based on either a morning or afternoon schedule). It is mandatory to enter with a guide and you cannot take selfie sticks, tripods, umbrellas, food or alcohol onto the site. You may not wear high heels or hard soled shoes and smoking is prohibited. If you leave the sanctuary for any reason (eg for lunch), re-entry will not be permitted. Only one bag not exceeding 11 lb (5 kg) is allowed as hand luggage on the train. From January to June parts of the rail track may be impassable at times due to mud slides, when a bus transfer will be substituted.
Day 10 : Sacred Valley of the Incas

Today enjoy a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

We stop at the Racchi viewpoint, for one of the best views of the Sacred Valley, before driving to Moray. The Incas constructed enormous circular agricultural terraces on these steep hills by hauling topsoil up by hand from the lower land, thereby generating much higher crop yields than would have been possible at such high altitude.

We continue to the Maras Salt Pans, a complex network of nearly 3,000 pre-Inca salt pans hand-harvested by local families, that produce the finest salt in the world. The naturally pink salt gets its beautiful hue from trace elements in the spring water.

After an included lunch in a local restaurant, we continue to the citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to protect the northern entrance to the Sacred Valley from invasion and later the centre of Incan resistance against the Spanish. The fortress and walled terraces of this town provide some of the finest examples of Incan architecture, with the six rose-coloured monoliths of the Temple of the Sun being particularly outstanding. The village itself is the best surviving example of Inca urban planning, with stone-paved streets that have been used since the 12th Century.
Day 11 : Cusco

Today transfer 2-hours from the Sacred Valley to the city of Cusco.

Along the way we stop at Chinchero, a small picturesque Andean village that was an important Inca outpost at the end of the 15th Century. The villagers here have preserved their traditional Andean spinning and weaving techniques, so you can see textile artisans at work and learn about their techniques. You can buy handcrafts at the market in the town square, visit their small traditional church and see their Inca ruins.

On arrival in Cusco you will be dropped off at your hotel, with balance of day at leisure.
Day 12 : Lake Titicaca

A full day on the road today, as you travel 6-hours by air-conditioned tourist bus from Cusco to Puno on Lake Titicaca, with sightseeing stops along the way.

This spectacular journey drops over 4,300 m as the coach travels through rural fields and remote highland plains, at time flanked by snow-capped peaks and across Andean landscapes dotted with adobe hute, herds of llama and alpaca.

Our first stop is Andahuaylillas, which has a beautiful 17th Century church with an impressive organ decorated with angels and cherubs. Our next stop is the archeological ruins of the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi, followed by an included traditional buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Our final stop is the archaeological site of Puka Pukara (meaning red fortress), which was a military camp that also functioned as an administrative centre.

You will be met on arrival in Puno and transferred to your hotel in this lively university town situated on the shore of Lake Titicaca, with several churches dating back to the Spanish colonial period. Puno is an important centre for Peruvian folklore, with a rich tradition of music and dance and this is a great place to buy local handicrafts.
Day 13 : Uros and Taquile Islands

Today enjoy a full day private excursion to Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titicaca - which at 3,860 m above sea level is the highest lake in the world navigable by large boats.

A boat will be waiting at the port to take us to the unique floating islands of Uros, made from layers of tortora reeds. Uros Indian fishermen and hunters withdrew here to escape the invading Spanish and preserve their own culture. Today there are over 40 man-made reed islands and as a source of income, they offer optional rides on their distinctive totora reed boats.

We continue to Taquile Island situated deeper in Lake Titicaca, where the local Quechua speaking Indians have kept intact the customs and traditions of their ancestors, including their incredible knitting skills. The island is 4.5 miles (7 km) long, without any roads or vehicles, and its terraced hills are scattered with pre-Inca ruins. Walk up a steep hill to the main plaza, where you can buy local handicrafts including some of the finest hand knitted items in all of Peru. A boxed lunch and private guide are included today, with a shared boat ride.

Please note: Taquile Island is not recommended if you have mobility problems. Ask about alternative excursions.
Day 14 : Lima

Transfer to Juliaca Airport for your onward flight.

Arrive at Lima Airport and make your own way to your hotel that is situated in the airport complex.

Check in and relax in this capital city.
Day 15 : Departure

Make your own way to Lima Airport for your flight home.

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Inclusions

Hotel
Sightseeing

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Price & Rates

No of pax	Age Limit	Price per pax (Rs)
Adult	Above 12 years	$ 2900 / Adult

* Mentioned prices may vary depending upon date of travel, hotel availability, surge pricing and seasonal rush.

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Package Start From

Lima, Peru, South America

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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