PERU: LIMA AND CUSCO ON WHEELS – MUNDI TRAVELS EXCLUSIVE

Day 1: LIMA

Upon your arrival, our staff will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to the selected hotel. Rest of the day free to rest. As a courtesy, we would like to welcome you to the city of Lima by inviting you to try the traditional Peruvian ceviche at the renowned Punto Azul restaurant in Miraflores. We will provide you with a voucher that you can redeem at the restaurant at lunch or dinner time. The voucher is valid for one traditional ceviche + Pisco Sour, beer, or soft drink. Transfers to the restaurant are not included.

Day 2: BOHEMIAN LIMA AND MORRO SOLAR BY BICYCLE + PANORAMIC CITY TOUR BY NIGHT & MAGIC WATER CIRCUIT (B D)

Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin our adventure on wheels in the city of Lima. After a brief briefing, we will begin cycling along the beautiful Miraflores boardwalk until reaching the bohemian district of Barranco, where we will discover impressive street art, colorful traditional houses with colonial architecture, and an old railway line. We will visit the Bridge of Sighs and enjoy the beautiful views that Barranco offers. Then, we will continue cycling and head to a restaurant where we will try the famous Limeño ceviche, prepared with fresh fish and lemon. Next, we will descend to La Herradura beach and from there climb up to Morro Solar, a privileged hill located by the sea and offering one of the most complete views of Lima. Finally, we will cycle back through the districts of Chorrillos, Barranco, and Miraflores until reaching the hotel. Between 17:30 and 18:10 hrs, we will pick you up again from your hotel to begin the panoramic night city tour through the historic center of Lima, where we will be able to appreciate the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the Government Palace. Then we will head to the “Magic Water Circuit,” a complex of green areas of about 180,000 square meters featuring 13 ornamental fountains and striking light shows that have earned a Guinness Record as “The largest fountain complex in a public park in the world.” The main fountain of this circuit shoots a jet of water reaching a height of 80 meters and is located in front of the park lodge. In its large central dome, the water forms the image of the “Fleur-de-lis,” and further on, a crown of vertical jets and a multicolored spray screen create a fantasy with laser projections. The main attraction is the “Fantasy Fountain,” a 120-meter-long cybernetic fountain where water becomes a spectacle of dance and color thanks to technology. At the end of the visit, we will take you back to the hotel. Overnight in Lima.

Day 3: LIMA / CUSCO – CITY TOUR + ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport to board the flight to the city of Cusco. Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to the selected hotel. Between 12:30 and 13:15 hrs, pick-up from the hotel to begin the tour of the colonial city, built on the foundations of Inca palaces. During the tour, we will visit the Plaza de Armas, the Temple of the Sun, also known as Qoricancha, and the Cusco Cathedral, where we can observe beautiful paintings and sculptures. Then we will continue to the archaeological site of Sacsayhuamán, a multipurpose place where the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth were worshipped, and which was also used as a military fortress and astronomical center. Afterwards, we arrive at Q’enco, a ceremonial center related to the element of fire. We continue to Puca Pucara, a place used as a supply center and Inca control post, where ceremonies to the wind were also performed. Finally, we will reach Tambomachay, a ceremonial center dedicated to water and fertility. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 4: MARAS SALT MINES & MORAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE BY ATVs CUSCO (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. At 8:00 hrs our staff will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to transfer you to the surroundings of Chincheros, where the ATVs and the necessary equipment for this activity will be waiting for us. Here, our specialized guide will provide all the necessary information on the proper use of the ATVs and will describe the route we will follow. After this brief orientation, we will begin the tour heading to Moray, where we will have enough time to visit the circular terraces that were built taking advantage of enormous natural depressions on the surface of the ground. The site shows how the Incas carried out scientific agricultural research to acclimatize their seeds brought from different parts of the Empire. After the visit, we head to the town of Maras, where we will make a brief stop at the main square, and then continue to the famous salt mines, which consist of more than 4,000 small pools on the mountainside. At the end of the tour, we will get back on the ATVs and return to the starting point where the transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco. Free afternoon. Overnight in Cusco.

Day 5: MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE SACRED VALLEY: PACHAR - OLLANTAYTAMBO (B L D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Around 11 am, we will pick you up from your hotel to head to Pachar, where our mountain biking adventure will begin along a beautiful trail that follows the Vilcanota River. The route is mostly flat at the beginning, allowing you to warm up and get comfortable with your bike. As we continue pedaling, we will pass through picturesque Andean landscapes, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the peaceful beauty of the valley. Midway through our journey, we will stop at a craft brewery in the Sacred Valley to enjoy a light lunch and a tasting of craft beers, giving you the opportunity to relax and recharge in the midst of the natural beauty of the Sacred Valley. Then we will continue our bike ride to the town of Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, we will explore the charming narrow streets and experience the unique atmosphere of this well-preserved Inca town. Then we will have a guided visit to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca fortress with impressive stone terraces and historic structures. At the end of the experience, we will transfer you back to the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness. Rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel facilities. 3-course dinner at the hotel. Overnight in the Valley. Optionally, and with an additional cost, you may request SPA services.

Day 6: VISIT TO THE SACRED CITY OF MACHU PICCHU (B L)

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the train station to begin the excursion to the Sacred City of Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the wonders of the world and declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The train will take us to the town of Aguas Calientes, from where we will ascend by bus to the Archaeological Center and begin the guided tour, which lasts approximately 2 hours. During the visit, you can see temples, plazas, terraces, houses, granaries, as well as the great biodiversity that exists in the surroundings. It is worth noting that the beauty of Machu Picchu is enhanced by the extraordinary setting where it is located. Around the citadel, a National Reserve has been formed covering an area of 32,500 hectares, which includes a constellation of archaeological monuments that, in our opinion, were built as part of the Machu Picchu complex and not in isolation. At the indicated time, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes, where lunch is included and we will stay overnight.

Day 7: MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to walk around this small town on your own, or if you prefer, you can make a second visit to the Machu Picchu archaeological site and hike up to Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate (entrance to the citadel from the Inca Trail), to Machu Picchu Mountain, or to Huayna Picchu (subject to space availability – 400 spots per day). Both Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu tickets are limited, so we recommend requesting tickets for later dates at the time of booking the program to avoid congestion or lack of availability. Aguas Calientes serves as the base for Machu Picchu, with its main attraction being its beautiful natural landscape. The itinerary you choose for this day is not included and is at your own expense. At the indicated time, you must board the train back to the city of Cusco. Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Day 8: CUSCO (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to continue with your itinerary.