Peru Explorer – Student Tour

Welcome to Lima – the City of Kings and the bustling gateway to Peru! Lima is an ethnic melting pot, featuring pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern elements. Lima was inhabited by pre-columbian groups centuries before it was founded by Spanish Conqueror Francisco Pizarro in 1535 on the day of the Three Kings (Epiphany).

We will get settled in our hotel located in Miraflores before heading to dinner.

Meals: Dinner (if necessary)
Overnight: Miraflores (Lima)

Today we will have a half day guided sightseeing tour of the highlights of colonial Lima and the incredible Larco Herrera Museum. We will begin our tour with a visit the heart of colonial Lima, the colourful Plaza de Armas. From the plaza, we will admire the Government Palace, and visit both the Cathedral, and Santo Domingo Convent. After time for photos of the beautiful colonial architecture, we will continue on to the Larco Museum which is located in a vice-royal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid in Pueblo Libre. The Larco Museum features the finest gold and silver collection from Ancient Peru, the famous erotic archaeological collection, worldwide icons of Pre-Columbian art, after being exhibited in the world’s leading museums.

The afternoon is we explore the charming district of Miraflores and visit an incredible pre-Columbian pyramid.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Miraflores (Lima)

Early morning we fly from Lima to Cusco, over the spectacular Andes and into the heart of the Incan Empire. Cusco is a colonial as well as an archaeological gem and at an elevation of 3400m, Cusco will literally take your breath away. It is for this reason that after arriving by plane in Cusco, we continue to a more comfortable elevation of 2800m of the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba Valley).

On our way to the Sacred Valley, we will visit the archaeological complex of Moray which is an unusual Incan site consisting of several enormous terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is about 30 m deep. The purpose of these depressions is uncertain, but their depth and orientation with respect to wind and sun creates a temperature difference of as much as 15 °C between the top and bottom. It is possible that Moray was an Inca agricultural experiment station where they studied climatic conditions on a wide variety of crops. We continue to our charming accommodation in the Sacred Valley.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Sacred Valley

Today we further explore the spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas. Chinchero, known as the birthplace of the rainbow, is famous for its traditionally dressed villagers, Incan terraces, and colourful Sunday indigenous market. We have time to explore and perhaps see women weaving their intricate textile designs.

We continue along the Urubamba river to the “Living City of the Incas” and archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. You will gain a true appreciation of Inca urban planning as you travel back 500 years wandering the streets of Ollantaytambo. We will also visit the impressive Inca fortress with exceptional stone work, stretching high above the village. If we are lucky, we may be able to visit a family’s home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Sacred Valley

We rise early this morning and travel by train to Aguas Calientes located at the base of magnificent Machu Picchu. From here we take a bus up the snaking road to the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. The incredible archaeological site of Machu Picchu dates to the 15th century and first received international attention in 1911 when it was visited by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Ever since, Machu Picchu has received visitors from around the world being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and more recently voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Talk about a view…wow!

We have a two hour guided tour of the most important structures at Machu Picchu before having free time for independent exploration of the site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Aguas Calientes

This morning we head back up to Machu Picchu early to appreciate it in the morning light before the crowds. You’ll have free time to hike up to the Sun Gate or explore as you wish.

In the afternoon we travel by train to Poroy then by bus to Cusco, the heart of the Incan Empire. We go for an orientation tour of this lively city before we dine and dance Cusco-style!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Cusco

Cusco is “The Archaeological Capital of the Americas” and most visited tourist attraction in Peru. Cusco (Qosqo in Quechua) was the capital of the mighty Inca Empire from the 13th century until 1532 when the Spanish conquistadors arrived. The Inca had incredible foresight in regards to city planning and Cusco beautifully exemplifies this. Cusco was planned as an effigy in the shape of a puma, the Inca god of lightning.

This morning we explore some of Cusco’s colonial highlights with a guided tour of the Cathedral, Koricancha Temple (Temple of the Sun), and the artistic neighbourhood of San Blas. We continue our tour in the afternoon as we visit the nearby Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Tambomachay before heading to Cristo Blanco for incredible views of Cusco’s surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Cusco Hotel

Early this morning we depart Taquile by boat and return to Puno before visiting Sillustani, situated on a stark wind-swept peninsula on tiny Lake Umaya. The burial towers of the nobles of the Colla civilization are up to 12 metres high and it is not known exactly when they were built. Known as chullpas, it is thought that whole families were buried in the towers.

Travelling across the altiplano with spectacular views of the Andes, we keep our eyes peeled for vicuñas (wild camelid) and pink flamingos around Lake Langunillas. Dubbed the ‘White City’ for its pearly white volcanic rock, Arequipa boasts over 80 volcanoes and possesses fine colonial-era Spanish architecture. The most famous of which is El Misti Volcano standing at 5822m.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Constructed entirely of white sillar tone, the city gleams in the sun and is home of the most stunning Plaza de Armas in all of Peru. Today we have a guided sightseeing tour of the highlights of beautiful Arequipa and the 400 year old Monasterio de Santa Catalina, a citadel that could have been lifted right out of southern Spain.

This afternoon we visit Juanita, the mummy of a 13 year old girl that captured worldwide attention in 1995, located in Museo Santuarios Andinos.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner