Lima is the capital of Peru and the country's largest economic and cultural center. It is located on a coastal irrigation oasis. During most of the colonial period, Lima was always the most important center of political and commercial power in South America, so a large number of colonial buildings have been preserved. These buildings have also won Lima the "World Cultural Heritage" award from UNESCO. "The good name. First we will visit the main square of Lima. To the east of the square is the Catholic Church that retains Spanish architectural style. There are many other famous buildings around the square, such as government buildings, commercial buildings, supermarkets, etc. Later, you can taste up to 12 types of Peruvian cuisine while getting to know Lima's historic center, visiting the city's largest market and strolling through the streets of Chinatown. During this unusual experience, your guide will invite you to taste a fusion of Peruvian cuisine. We will then head to a craft brewery.

schedule:

Lima Main Square → Lima Cathedral (ticket included) → Santo Domingo Monastery (ticket included) → Central Market & Chinatown (taste 12 kinds of Peruvian food and drinks)

Hotel:  INNSiDE by Meliá Lima Miraflores or similar.

In the morning, you will take a flight from Lima to Cusco. You are responsible for the air ticket and there will be no tour guide on the plane . After arriving in Cusco, the tour guide will pick you up at the airport with a sign. Guests with flights approaching will be arranged to be taken to the hotel in the Sacred Valley on the same trip. Guests may have to wait.

There are no restrictions on flights on the same day. It is better to take off between 11:00-14:00.

Hotel: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado or Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay or similar.

Tucked between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is a truly special place. A slightly warmer climate, the gentle presence of the Andes Mountains, a sprinkling of ancient fortresses, and villages steeped in age-old traditions is what you’ll experience on a tour to the Inca heartland. First of all, we will head to the Pisac Market, which is one of the most famous food centers in Cusco. It is centuries old, since the settlers used to meet there during the colonial era. It offers different edible and artisan products every day. Then go to the Parque Arqueológico de Pisac to experience the ancient Inca civilization. In the afternoon, we will visit Ollantaytambo Ruins. Ollantaytambo is considered a masterpiece of Inca architecture. The main section includes 17 imposing terraces leading up to a fortress. At the top there is an impressive 10-niche wall and Sun Gate, as well as a monolithic Sun Temple consisting of six enormous pink granite boulders.

Itinerary:

Pisac Market → Parque Arqueológico de Pisac → Ollantaytambo Ruins → Hotel

Hotel:  Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado or Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay or similar.

Today you can travel freely in the Sacred Valley or choose to participate in self-funded projects (choose one of the two). All self-funded projects require a group of two people. It is recommended to purchase and pay the fee when booking a group (purchasing after joining the group is subject to resource availability) .

Optional item 1: Maras + Morey + Chinchero one-day tour

After breakfast at the hotel, we will first visit a fascinating ancient site: the circular terraces of Moray. Built by pre-Inca civilizations, these incredible circular terraces are filled with mystery and ancient wisdom. Every year, it attracts many tourists to explore its mysteries. Afterwards, we will go to the Maras Salt Fields. Almost all ponds are less than four square meters in area and no more than thirty centimeters deep. Taking pictures here is very photogenic. Afterwards, we will go to Chinchero, a well-preserved small village inhabited by indigenous people, which is about 30 kilometers away from Cusco and more than 3,700 meters above sea level. The landmarks of the village are the central square and the white church. Tupac, the tenth most glorious emperor of the Inca Empire, built the Imperial Palace and the Temple of the Sun in Chinchero. In the afternoon, return to hotel.

Moray Rice Terraces

The Moray Terraces in Cusco fully demonstrate the wisdom of the Incas. The temperature difference between the highest and lowest parts of the terraces can reach 15 degrees Celsius, forming 20 natural microclimates, so it has become an "agricultural experimental area" , people transplanted soil from different areas to test the feasibility of growing different crops. In conjunction with the terraces, the Inca also built numerous irrigation canals to provide channels for mountain water, and numerous retaining walls to transfer heat during the day and trap it in the earth at night. A complete agricultural system allows them to make full use of nature's resources and harvest abundant fruits.

Maras salt mines Maras salt mines

The salt pans wind down the slopes of Maras and are hidden in the embrace of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The salt fields are said to have existed before the Inca Empire. There are natural springs with very high salt content and never dry up. They are artificially controlled and diverted into the 5-square-meter salt field. More than 3,000 white terraces are layered on top of each other. Built on the mountain, it is spectacular.

Optional item 2: One-day trip to Willoq community

In the morning we will depart from the hotel and head to Willoq community. During the journey you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley. After approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, you will arrive at the community of Willoq, which is characterized by maintaining the customs and traditions of its ancestors and will give you an unforgettable experience. Upon arrival at Willoq, you will be welcomed by traditional music and you will have the opportunity to dress in characteristic clothing. You will then witness the skills of the villagers in the art of textiles and through demonstrations you will appreciate the weaving process, the materials used to obtain the colors of the weave and the shearing of the wool. Around noon, you will enjoy lunch with local specialties. After lunch, you will return to Ollantaytambo, where you will spend two hours visiting its impressive archaeological site, famous for its terraces, ceremonial centers, royal palaces and other important temples. Return to the hotel around 5pm.

Hotel:  Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado or Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay or similar.

Depart from the hotel, we will take the bus to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival,  we will take the observation train to Machu Picchu. This is a famous scenic train route that runs along the turbulent Urubamba River, with panoramic skylights providing a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley. After arriving at the station, we will walk to the bus stop and take a public bus under the guidance of the guide to Machu Picchu. We will visit this well preserved pre Columbian Inca ruins. After visiting Machu Picchu, we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then take the bus to Cusco.

Itinerary:

Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Include train tickets) → Machu Picchu (180mins, include ticket) → Take the train back to Ollantaytambo → Cusco

Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu Observation Train Time: 07:22-08:48

Machu Picchu-Ollantaytambo Observation Train Time: 16:12-17:50

The above train times are for reference only. Due to the high availability and limited resources, the time will be adjusted according to the actual situation.
The allowed luggage for the train is 8 kilograms per person.

Hotel: Xima Exclusive Cusco or similar.

Today you can freely travel in Cusco or choose to participate in activities at your own expense.  The optional tours are considered from 2 travelers, please take note all options are subject to availability.

Option 1: Cusco walking & Shopping (3 hours)

Start a 3-hour hike in Cusco and explore the mysteries of this city! Our tour guide will take you to the main square, where the center is a fountain surrounded by beautiful gardens and lawns. To the north of the square is the Cusco Cathedral, a 16th century Baroque style church that showcases a blend of Spanish and Inca cultures. To the west of the square is the Monastery of Kangkagall, one of the important religious centers of the Inca Empire. Then, you will walk to the famous "Twelve Angled Stone". It is an archeological artifact in Cusco, Peru. It was part of a stone wall of an Inca palace, and is considered to be a national heritage object. Our next stop is the Maximo Lola Art Museum. This is Peru's first museum with a theme of modern textile art. Continue to the San Brass district, which is a very popular community. Finally, we will go to a textile shop to admire the excellent works of the locals. After visit, the tour guide will take you back to the hotel. Or you can go to a traditional restaurant for lunch (at your own expense) and the tour guide will tell you how to return to the hotel alone.

Option 2: Cooking Class (4 hours)

We will take you to the culinary studio located in the city center of Cusco, where you will have a "hands-on" class, you will learn to use representative ingredients to cook nutritious and healthy dishes under the guidance of professional Peruvian chefs. 

Option 3: Cusco tour and nearby ruins (Half day)

Today you can start a half day tour at the main square in Cusco. You can admire the city's cathedral under the guidance of the tour guide. It was built between 1560 and 1664 and was made of red granite from the Inca fortress of Sakayewaman. Then you will continue to the Coricancha and the Convento de Santo Domingo. The monastery is built in the most important Inca temple dedicated to the sun, with walls covered in gold foil. After exploring Cusco, you can also explore four ruins in the outskirts of Cusco, such as Sacsayhuamán, whose temple walls are made of huge stones in a serrated shape;  we will also visit the Qenko and Tambo Machay. Following, we will visit the colorful Rainbow Mountain. After the visit, we will return to the hotel.

Option 4: Trekking to Rainbow Mountain (Full day), The hiking during the trip takes about 4-4.5 hours and the altitude is high. Please decide whether you can participate based on your actual physical condition.

The rainbow mountain, known as the 7-color mountain, mountain colors , Vinicunca mountain, is a magical place where its roads were part of the ancient Quechua culture, and used to exchange products (barter) along with the other Quechuas regions, has now become a natural wonder resembling the rainbow mountain in China.

You will leave Cusco early in the morning to the south of the city, we will pass Urcos, Checacupe until arriving at the community of Pitumarca (2:00 hrs of trip aprox.) Where we will have breakfast which will take About 40 minutes approx.

After a short briefing with the guide ,You will continue our journey taking our mobility towards the starting point of the trek (1:00 hrs approx). You will begin our walk at the foot of the Ausangate snowfall, an ascent of 2:30 hrs.Approximately until arriving at the highest point where you can appreciate the rainbow mountain, during this trip you will have the opportunity to see the different varieties of South American camelids as well as own flora of the place, arriving at the mountain of colors you will have time to take photographs of this Puzzling place about 40 minutes.

Later you continue with our descent hike of approximately 2 hours arriving at the point where you start our walk where you are waiting for our mobility to go in the direction of the restaurant in Pitumarca where you will await your delicious lunch.

At a suitable time, return to Cusco.

Included: boxed breakfast, private transportation, English speaking guide, entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain, lunch.

Hotel:  Xima Exclusive Cusco or similar.

Today we will end our pleasant journey. You can book a suitable flight to leave Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) according to your needs.

Our staff only provides a drop-off service from the hotel at 8:00 in the morning; if the guest has an early flight and needs to leave the hotel for the airport before 8:00, you can take a taxi yourself.

Value-added experience: 3 days and 2 nights trip to the Amazon rainforest (special arrangement to stay in a lodge)

Before/after the trip, you can go to Puerto Maldonado at your own expense, enter the Amazon rainforest, explore the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, visit the Tambopata National Reserve, have a romantic encounter with the treetop kingdom on the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, and go to Anaconda Go on a swamp hiking adventure and observe the various wildlife in the swamp.

Booking instructions: This value-added service is only available for pre- and post-tour bookings and cannot be booked separately. Local resources are limited, please confirm with customer service before placing an order.

  The order of itinerary may change without any notice depending on weather situations or for some other unforeseen circumstances.

  The order of activities held during the tour is planned by the tour guide. So, it may be different from what is mentioned on the tour page. On fewer occasions, Tour Guide has to skip an attraction or few during the tour depending on weather, traffic, group interest or some other reason.

  Some attractions are seasonal. So, when they are closed they will be replaced with some other attraction.

  You can skip some optional activities during the tour and plan something on your own. Make sure that you coordinate with Tour guide and stay with the group with next activity. Please note you cannot stay on the bus if you skip some optional activity.

  Probable hotel names are mentioned in the itinerary. It can be similar or a different hotel of the similar rating. Exact Hotel details can only be provided one day before the departure.

  Maximum 4 people of any age can stay in 1 Room in the hotel.

  These tours are conducted in a group. A group can have people of several cultures. We expect each person to coordinate with Tour guide to make sure things are on track.

  Though attractions are optional but you have to at least take 2 attractions.

  All the prices are listed in USD.

  Any Amount paid in cash to the Tour Guide is not refundable.

  Tour display price is based on double occupancy. It is the price each person will pay if a group of two is traveling.

  Prices may change without any notice.

  Prices include hotel accommodation, transportation and taxes.

  Admission Tickets to different places and meals are NOT included in the tour price.

  Mandatory Tip for tour guide and driver are NOT included.

  Only the tour guide can purchase entrance tickets for you. Pre-purchased tickets are NOT acceptable.

  There must be at least one passenger of 18 years for every booking made with GoldenBusTours. For Children between the age group of 2 to 14 years, a different price will be charged. Please refer to Child price on our pricing calendar. Child Age may vary between different bus operators. Maximum 4 people of any age can stay in 1 Room in the hotel. If the 5th person is infant you will be charged normally then with the second room as an expense.

  Activities are optional though, but each customer has to participate in 2 activities at least. No city pass allowed. Some attractions are mandatory. Each customer has to take part in them and have to pay for them in cash.