Every year on June 24th, the Peruvian city of Cusco celebrates Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. In Incan times this festival was one of the most important religious ceremonies until it was banned by the Spanish colony in 1572. This 7-day itinerary will see you exploring Lima, Peru’s capital before heading to Cusco where you will attend this colourful festival. Your trip will end with a guided visit to Machu Picchu, one of the seven new wonders of the world.
Arrive in Lima
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Now the capital of Peru and its largest city, Lima was once called the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors. If you look beyond the urban sprawl, you'll be rewarded with the National Museum's pre-Columbian treasures and Plaza Mayor's colonial splendour.
City Tour
You will be picked up from your hotel in a shared shuttle. Once all other travelers have been collected along the way you will start your 3-hour journey through the modern suburbs of San Isidro and Miraflores where your guide will explain some important landmarks along the way as Huaca Pucllana pyramid, the Park of Love with picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean. Upon reaching the historic center, you will get to enjoy what was once the center of the 16th century Spanish colony. You will see the Plaza Mayor, the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the City Hall and Plaza San Martin. Your last iconic stop will be the Convent of Santo Domingo, the site of the first university established in Peru and the oldest in the Americas. Once your tour is complete, you will have the choice to be dropped off at the Indian Market, Larcomar Mall, Kenedy Park or be returned to your hotel.
Breakfast included.
Depart Lima
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel in Lima and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Arrive in Cusco
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
We suggest that you take it easy today to give yourself the best opportunity to acclimatise to Cusco's altitude. This city is bursting with Andean culture and is one of the great culinary destinations of South America. It also just happens to be the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, the best-known archaeological site on this vast continent.
Cusco City & Nearby Ruins Tour
Your comprehensive city tour in the afternoon includes the beautiful Koricancha, also known as Sun Temple, the Cathedral as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca building, and the amphitheater of Kenko. Then you drive past Puca Pucara (no stop / no visit), a strategically located 'red fortress' that dominated the entire area before visiting Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts that to this day continue to provide clean water to the area.
Breakfast included.
Inti Raymi Festival
Celebrated during winter solstice in Inca times, Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) was one of the most important religious ceremonies until it was banned during the Spanish colony in 1572. But in 1944 it was reenacted according to the chronicles. Since then, the festivity plays a new role in Cusco's society as a landmark of reference for local identity. The representation, performed by thousands of Inca descendants every June 24th, starts in the Koricancha. The Inca and his entourage head from this temple towards Sacsayhuaman Fortress, which turns into a gigantic stage. The rituals are followed by a colourful feast of traditional music and dances.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Cusco - Sacred Valley
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas on this full day excursion. This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. Your first stop will be at the Mirador de Taray, a scenic lookout point offering impressive panoramic views of the Sacred Valley.
Continue on to Pisac where you will first visit the archaeological complex, the ruins of the fortress of Pisac which are set high above a valley by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing. The stonework and panoramas at Pisac's Inca citadel are magnificent. You will visit the lower part of the complex where the agricultural area and the pre-Hispanic cemetery are located. Afterwards, visit vibrant Pisaq market, originally a place where people from remote communities used to barter their products. Nowadays Pisaq has evolved to one of South America's most famous souvenir markets. Make sure to sample some 'empanadas' baked in traditional clay ovens.
We will have lunch in the heart of Urumba.
Afternoon visit to the fortress of Ollantaytambo where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out.
Consider upgrading this tour to private for a supplement.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Machu Picchu tour & Return to Cusco
This morning you will be transferred from your hotel to Ollanta train station. This 1 ½ hour train ride takes you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival you will jump on a coach which takes you up the steep roads to the entrance of the citadel. You will then proceed on a guided tour of the site. Machu Picchu remained undiscovered for centuries by the Spaniards, only to be found in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. The uniqueness of its location and the genius that went into its construction make this Incan archaeological site one of the truly great wonders of the world. After the tour you will go back to the train station and board the return train to Ollanta station where you will be met and transferred by coach to Cusco.
Please note:
• If you are visiting Machu Picchu with a shared tour, the guide will select which circuit you will take for the tour.
• If you are doing a private tour and you purchased your entrance ticket before 20th June 2024, you are not able to pre-select the circuits below, this will be decided at the entrance of the citadel with your guide.
• For private tours and new tickets purchased after 20th June 2024, it is possible to indicate which circuit you would like to purchase. We will pre-select the best available circuit but please let us know if you have a preference.
• If you wish to see more than one circuit during your visit, you must purchase a second entry ticket.
• To see the different circuit options, please visit https://eclipsetravel.com.au/machu-picchu-visitor-information/
Breakfast included.
Depart
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Breakfast included.
Lima, Peru - Arawi Miraflores Express
Cusco, Peru - Quinta San Blas
Sacred Valley, Peru - Sonesta Posada del Inca Sacred Valley Yucay
Maximum group size: 16
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