Avanti Destinations
OFFER ID 1243727
Route of the Inca
The history of the Incan Empire, belongs to both Peru and Bolivia. Follow the route of the Incas from Lima to La Paz and see where these ancient peoples lived.
Includes:
10 nights | Call for pricing
Avanti Destinations: Route of the Inca
Day 1 Lima
Begin your journey in Lima, Peru's coastal capital city founded by the Spaniard Pizarro in 1535. Lima, with its historic buildings and museums, offers visitors an introduction to the colonial history of Peru. Airport greeting and transfer to Miraflores (suburb of Lima) to your selected hotel.
Centrally Located Hotel In Lima, ()
Day 2 Lima
After breakfast, you will be picked up for a half-day city tour of Lima. The three-hour sightseeing tour offers the best of modern and colonial Lima. It includes visits to the Government Palace, The Plaza Mayor, City Hall, and the 17th century San Francisco Monastery, followed by a drive through the modern suburb of San Isidro, with a stop at the pre-Inca pyramid of Huaca Huallamarca. Afternoon at leisure to explore, or arrange an optional tour.
Centrally Located Hotel In Lima, (B)
Day 3 Sacred Valley
Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight (departure from Lima will be between 6:00-7:30 am; the flight time is 75 minutes) to the ancient imperial capital of Cuzco. Situated at an altitude of 11,200 ft., Cuzco reflects both the Incan and Spanish cultures. Airport greeting and transfer by minivan to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Experience an unforgettable view as you cross over the mountain from Cuzco and drop down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The road follows the meandering Urubamba River and passes through rich agricultural lands and picturesque villages. Enroute you will have a private excursion to Pisac Market and the Incan ruins of Ollantaytambo, including lunch. Late afternoon arrival at your selected hotel. Overnight.
Centrally Located Hotel In Sacred Valley, (B,L)
Day 4 Machu Picchu
After breakfast, transfer to the Ollantaytambo Train Station to board the Vistadome train to the village of Aguas Calientes in the valley below Machu Picchu. There you will board a bus that will take you up the switchback road to the legendary Lost City of the Incas. Enjoy a guided tour of the Ruins, followed by lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. Rest of afternoon at leisure to explore the ruins, before returning by bus to Aguas Calientes.
Centrally Located Hotel In Machu Picchu, (B,L)
Day 5 Machu Picchu
Morning at leisure to return to Machu Picchu. The bus departs from the Puente Ruinas station every 10 minutes, beginning at 5:30 am. Mid-afternoon return to Ollantaytambo Train Station. Continue to Cuzco by bus, arriving in the early evening. Transfer to your selected hotel.
Centrally Located Hotel In Cuzco, (B)
Day 6 Cuzco
Morning at leisure. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco includes a visit to the Koricancha Temple and the Cathedral, followed by a visit to the nearby fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and the Tambomachay ruins. After the tour, explore the city on your own. Cuzco is a city of plazas and colonial buildings with red tile roofs. Walk the City's ancient cobblestone streets, lined with the massive stone walls that are an Incan legacy.
Centrally Located Hotel In Cuzco, (B)
Day 7 Puno
Puno is situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca with an altitude of 12,400 ft. Puno and the surrounding area are believed to be the legendary birthplace of the founders of the Inca empire, as well as the cradle of civilization of the Aymara Indians. Puno is also the gateway for exploring Lake Titicaca, one of the world's highest navigable lakes. Upon arrival in Puno, transfer from the train station to your selected hotel for overnight.
Centrally Located Hotel In Puno, (B)
Day 8 Lake Titicaca
After breakfast, transfer from your Puno hotel by bus to Juli Harbour. Visit the Church of Juli, and a local Indian market, before boarding a hydrofoil on Lake Titicaca. Visit Moon Island and the ruins of Inak Uyu, the Sun Virgins' Temple. Here the most beautiful Incan maidens gathered to become the wives of the Inca nobles. Continue to Sun Island where you will visit Pilcocaina Sun Temple and enjoy a llama trek on Inca trails. Visit the Inca Staircase and Sacred Fountain to taste the sacred water believed to give eternal youth and happiness. Enjoy lunch at Uma Kollu restaurant. Afternoon hydrofoil cruise to the Taquina Straits where you will see fishermen in their Titicaca reed boats, with a stop at Quewaya Island, one of the Urus Iruitos Floating Islands. The Urus-Iruitos culture dates back to 5000 B.C. There are currently 32 families participating in the Quewaya Sustainable Tourism Project where the local community produces vegetables in greenhouses. Here you will have a superb view of the Royal Range of the Andes. In the evening, visit the Mystic World of the Kallawayas. The Kallawayas are the native healers of Bolivia. They believe that you have first to heal the soul in order to heal the body. Meet Tata Benjo who will read your future as he casts his sacred coca leaves. After your busy day, relax and enjoy a candlelight dinner. Overnight Inca Utama Hotel and Spa.
Centrally Located Hotel In Utama, (L,B)
Day 9 Lake Titicaca
Morning hydrofoil cruise to Pariti Island. A new archaeological discovery on Lake Titicaca, the Aymara Empire which governed from 850 BC to 1300 AD, selected this island for important ceremonies and transcendental meetings. A new local museum displays fine Tiwanaku ceramic pieces from that period. Continue by motorboat through Totora Reed canals to KALAUTA ISLAND. Visit the Island's Chullpas-Burial Towers- and stone village. Return to Huatajata to the Inca Utama Hotel. A special attraction at the hotel is the Andean Roots Cultural Complex, a living museum set up to preserve the local traditions and culture of the Andean people. It is a unique interpretation center that includes the Altiplano Museum (with its state-of-the-art audio system), the native chapel, a botanical garden, and an artisan and fishing village where you can observe traditional techniques. There is also a museum dedicated to the culture of the Urus Chipaya civilization, where you will see the mud igloos and floating islands of this civilization dating back to the last glacial period. Lake Titicaca is known for its reed boats, and you may be able to meet the Limachi Brothers, builders of RA II, and Tigris, the reed boats Thor Heyerdahl used in his expeditions. There is a full size replica of the RA II here. If you feel like pampering yourself, you can arrange optional treatments at the Kallawaya Natural Spa, which offers a sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, coca cream massages, and other natural medicine treatments for stress and relaxation. After dinner, visit the Alajpacha Observatory for a memorable cosmic experience. Overnight Inca Utama Hotel.
Centrally Located Hotel In Inca Utama, (B,L,D)
Day 10 La Paz
Morning visit to the pre-Incan ruins of Tiwanacu, once an important ceremonial center. During the height of this civilization it was believed that it was a major population center with a highly advanced culture. Continue to La Paz for an afternoon city tour, including a visit to Moon Valley with its interesting rock formations, as well as a visit to the Indian Market. Overnight at Presidente Hotel.
Centrally Located Hotel In Presidente Hotel, (B,L)
Day 11 La Paz
Transfer to airport for flight home.
Centrally Located Hotel In Presidente Hotel, (B)
Huacas and Shrines on a bike (Lima - 4 hours)
Lima is a big and modern city, it has been in continuous occupation for almost 2,000 years. Scholars have found more than 30 archaeological sites at different locations within the city limits. “HUACAS” are pyramidal constructions with superimposed platforms ending on a flat top, they were used for religious and administrative purposes by prehispanic civilizations along the Peruvian coast.
Our specialized Guide and his assistant will pick you up at the hotel with the bikes and the necessary equipment for the activity. After the briefing you will ride along one of the principal avenues of Lima towards the heart of Miraflores while enjoying the architecture and everyday life of the city folks. The first stop is at Huaca Pucllana, built 1,300 years ago, this visit is a great introduction to the history of Lima, traditions, cuisine and economic activities of ancient inhabitants. Then, we continue to the commercial and financial district, San Isidro, to visit Huaca Huallamarca, which has been through a magnificent restoration by the City Hall, you´ll appreciate the contrast between history and modern life. Finally, we return to the hotel completing a 12 km circuit on the bike. This activity is offered for mornings and afternoons. It lasts for 4 hours. The advantage of being at sea level and our moderate weather is that we can provide it all year round. We include a vehicle as support in case someone in the group decides to stop biking during the tour.
Highlights:
Historical and Natural Sanctuaries (Lima - 6 hours)
Highlights:
The south limits of Lima house two important sanctuaries for the visitor: Villa Wetlands, a natural reserve holding a great variety of flora and fauna, its bodies of water attract a good array of biodiversity, they have identified more than 200 species of resident and migratory birds. And Pachacamac, historical sanctuary and important ceremonial center of the central coast in Perú, it was occupied by 4 consecutive civilizations before the arrival of the Spanish.
Our specialized guide and the vehicle will pick you up at the hotel. It´s necessary to reach Villa Wetlands early in the morning to enjoy the ecosystem. You walk for 2 km. around a lagoon facing the ocean with good opportunities for pictures and a clear understanding of the migratory patterns. The next stop is Pachacamac, the highlights of this massive archaeological site are visited. You will also enter the Site Museum displaying important pieces found during excavations, one of them is the wooden idol of Pachacamac, the most important prehispanic god in this area, carved in local wood more than a thousand years ago.
Return to the hotel is after noon, the activity takes almost 6 hours and you walk almost 5 km during the visits.
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour can operate: daily (excepts Monday)
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
Walking the history center of Lima (4 hours)
WHAT YOU'LL VISIT
Depart the pier to Lima's main square where the Spanish conqueror, Francisco Pizarro, founded the "City of Kings" in 1535. The Government Palace, Lima City Hall, Archbishop's Palace, and the Lima Cathedral surround the square.
Lima was founded to be the capital and most important town of the Spanish domain in South America until the 18th century. The Historical Center represents the model of architecture and urban planning of Spanish colonial cities with high political, economic and cultural importance, as devised by Charles V in 1542.
Our expert Guide will take you to the colonial section of Lima, you will walk among historical monuments, religious and political buildings located within the perimeter declared Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1988. This learning experience will allow you to appreciate typical examples of Hispanic American baroque style as well as some other different styles like Art Nouveau.
Besides the stops for great pictures of Limenian architecture, you will have the opportunity to visit Casa de Aliaga, a mansion still inhabited by the same family since the foundation of the city, an extraordinary experience that will take you back in time. To finish the experience, we will visit the Dominican Convent, which was the first catholic order to arrive in Perú with Francisco Pizarro and they have a lot of history, traditions, and sainthood to impress our travelers.
Highlights:
The Amano Textile Museum (4 hours)
WHAT YOU'LL VISIT
This excursion brings us to the Amano Textile Museum, renowned globally for its extensive collection of archaeological artifacts from pre-Columbian Peruvian civilizations, as well as the significant efforts of Mr. Yoshitaro Amano in safeguarding the world's global textile heritage. The museum's inception followed Mr. Amano's decision to settle in Peru, leveraging his success as a Japanese entrepreneur.
During his journeys across Peru, Mr. Amano encountered relics abandoned by grave robbers. Recognizing their cultural importance, he dedicated a substantial portion of his time to recovering and preserving these artifacts scattered throughout Peru's coastal deserts. These treasures were then exhibited in his residence in Miraflores.
The Amano family remains deeply committed to advancing conservation and research initiatives centered on Peru's textile legacy, in accordance with the vision of the museum's founder, while also paying homage to his memory.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate level of activity (easy walking for short distances/stairs)
DURATION: 4 Hours
(Suggested) Departure Time(s) 10:30 and/or 14:30
Note: Filming and photography are not permitted in the Amano Textile Museum, we suggest leaving your cameras in the bus.
WHAT YOU'LL VISIT
This excursion brings Larco Museum, founded by Rafael Larco Hoyle in 1926, to showcase ancient Peruvian history through its extensive collection of artifacts spanning 5000 years. Housed in an 18th-century viceroyalty mansion built atop a pre-Columbian pyramid, the museum is renowned for its erotic pottery, accessible archives, and beautiful gardens. Andres Alvarez Calderon, actual owner of the collection, emphasizes the importance of museums in preserving humanity's heritage and engaging the public through immersive experiences.
Since it was established in 1926, the Museo Larco has been acknowledged as a pioneer in terms of public access to its collections. It was one of the first museums in the world to open its storerooms to the public, and to provide online access to its entire collection, encouraging in this way the multidisciplinary research first promoted by its founder.
Larco Museum in focused on storytelling, allowing visitors to connect with Peru's ancient civilizations and their profound relationship with nature and the cosmos.
After this stop reboard the motor-coach to return to the pier.
WHAT YOU'LL SEE ALONG THE WAY
Museo Larco´s collections
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate level of activity (easy walking for short distances)
DURATION: 4 Hours
(Suggested) Departure Time(s) 09:00 and/or 14:00
Flash photography is not permitted in the Museum.
Includes:
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.