Detailed Itinerary
NOTE: The itinerary described below, is with the
“upgraded package”
DAY 1
Upon your arrival in Lima, you will be welcomed by Baymount
owners or tour hosts, and then transferred to the beautiful Jose Antonio
Hotel.
DAY 2
Following breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the
airport for an early morning flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival we will be escorted
to our hotel for a rest to let our bodies acclimatize to the 10,000' of
altitude.
Our afternoon sightseeing tour begins in Cuzco’s main
square or “Plaza de Armas” and features the Inca’s principal religious building
of Koricancha. You will marvel at the incredible craftsmanship of Inca stone
work as we visit nearby archaeological sites including Tambo Machay, Qenqo and
Sacsayhuaman or “sexy woman” as it is pronounced by the locals. Overnight Andes de America Hotel (B,D)
DAY 3 A buffet breakfast at the hotel primes us for our first
forays into the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River. Our first stop is the
archaeological site of Pisac. This mountain-top fortress was the largest and
one of the most important Inca cities throughout the valley. Refreshed from our hearty buffet lunch at the restaurant
Intiwasi, we venture further down the valley to Ollantaytambo. This imposing
fortress is located on a hillside overlooking the town with unique pre-Colombian
street plan. Return to Cuzco and the Andes de America Hotel. (B,L)
DAY 4
With breakfast completed, our Sunday tour begins with a
visit to Maras and marvel at the thousands of man-made beds used for centuries
for the drying and extraction of salt. Next we’re off to Moray, the site of
large amphitheaters used by the Inca’s for agricultural research. Overnight is spent in the charming Sonesta Posada del Inca
in Yucay. (B,L)
DAY 5 Another hearty breakfast buffet and then we’re off to the
train station at Ollantaytambo to make our way to the legendary lost city of
Machu Picchu. The comfortable Vistadome railcars allow us to take full
advantage of the spectacular mountain scenery and the churning white water of
the Urubamba River as we make the two hour descent into the sleepy town of Aguas
Calientes.
Upon arrival, we immediately transfer by bus up the
mountain side to Machu Picchu, a city of indescribable beauty, perched high in
the cloud forest, some 1500' above the Urubamba River. Bring lots of film, for
your first full glimpse of Machu Picchu will have you busy trying to capture
that picture postcard image. A guided tour of the city adds to our
understanding of the Inca story. A well deserved buffet lunch at the Machu
Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, prepares us for a return visit to the site before we
descend the mountain and make our way to the Hatuchay Hotel. (B,L)
DAY 6 Following the buffet breakfast, you have the morning free
to relax and soak up the beauty and atmosphere of the hotel and Aguas Calientes
or return for yet another visit to Machu Picchu. The more energetic types may
even wish to ascend Huayna Picchu, the huge outcrop that serves as a backdrop to
the city, or perhaps climb to Intipunku, the Sun Gate, through which the ancient
Inca made their way into the city.
By mid afternoon we board the train for our return to Cuzco
and enjoy the brilliance of the city at night as we descend into the valley
through a series of switchbacks. After a short time to refresh ourselves, we’re
off to the El Truco Restaurant for a wonderful dinner and folklore show. Overnight Andes de America Hotel (B,D)
DAY 7 Another hearty breakfast and we’re off to the train station
for an amazing ride on the “First Class” Andean Explorer over the altiplano
(13,000') to Puno, a small city nestled on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Upon
our arrival we will be transferred to the Sonesta Posada del Inca Puno Hotel.
(B,L)
DAY 8 After our hearty buffet breakfast we’re off by boat to
explore Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Our first visit
is to the floating islands of Uros, a cluster of man-made totora reed islands
built in the shallow bays of Titicaca. For a brief time, you will have the
opportunity to talk and experience a lifestyle so foreign to ours. For many
people, the highlight of this visit is the opportunity to travel from one island
to another on one of the large reed boats. Our arrival on Taquile Island, is a step back in time.
Although the island has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, life remains very
traditional with no electricity and no vehicles. A traditional lunch will be served in one of the local
restaurants. Overnight will again be at the Sonesta Posada del Inca in
Puno. (B,L)
DAY 9 Following breakfast we visit the archeological site of
Sillustani, a series of mysterious pre-Inca funeral towers, used to bury the
Colla peoples’ elite tribesman. Nearby, we can appreciate the simple lifestyle
of the people, as we are invited to visit with a local family. After lunch at a local restaurant in Juliaca, it’s off to
the airport to catch the mid-afternoon flight back to Lima. Overnight in Jose
Antonio Hotel. (B,L)
DAY 10 Although this is departure day, we still have a full day
ahead with city tours of the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral Miraflores, Paseo de
la Republica, Plaza San Martin, Presidential Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and
the San Francisco Convent housing some of the best art in all of Latin America.
A beautiful Farewell Lunch will be held at the “Rosa Nautica”, one of Lima’s
finest restaurants perched on the Pacific Ocean.
Guests have day use at the hotel until our evening
departure.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE
