Peru - Museums & Modernity - 7 Days
Cusco and Lima
It’s true that the big capital city Lima is crowded, polluted, and sketchy, so many travelers by-pass it altogether, but since any international flight to Cusco connects through here, a brief stop is not hard to do. What’s the reason for doing so? The country’s best Archeology museums, monumental plazas, and we use hotels in the safer, trendier Miraflores district.
Day 1
Overnight flight to Cusco
Day 2
Welcome to Cusco, capital of the Incas. First off, just breathe and begin adjusting to the 10,500 ft altitude. Leisurely orientation and walking tour of Plaza de Armas, Inca walls, Spanish churches, and markets.
Day 3
Half-day City Bus Tour with Bi-lingual guide, including the temple of Qorikancha, the ceremonial fortress of Saqsaywaman, Q’enko, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
Day 4
All day Sacred Valley tour to several high Inca sites overlooking the Urubamba River, including elaborate Pisaq, it’s famed market below, terraced Ollantaytambo, and sacred Chinchero.
Day 5
All day journey to Machu Picchu, the famed lost city of the Incas. It was never discovered by the Spanish, eventually abandoned and forgotten until its 1911 discovery by American Hiram Bingham. Its striking position on a remote precipice add to its mystical aura. Guided tour of ruins.
Day 6
(Fly back to Lima from Cusco in the morning). Visit the comprehensive Archeology Museum. Driving tour of Miraflores and Barranco. Shopping at trendy Larcomar on the coast, dinner on famous Pizza Street, check into Miraflores hotel.
Day 7
Driving and walking tour of historic Downtown: Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, colonial structures, modern shopping, and artisan markets. Overnight flight to US.
