Archeological Adventure

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  • Peru tour package to Lima, Chiclayo & Trujillo, Cusco & Machu Picchu
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Peru is a treasure-trove for archeology lovers. Many ancient discoveries in Peru - such as the Royal Tombs of Sipán, the tattooed mummy Lady of Cao, and World Wonder Machu Picchu - have several times graced the cover of the prestigious National Geographic magazine. This Director’s Pick Peru package takes you to all these sites and more.

The earliest evidence of human settlement in Peru dates back to 12,000 BC, making Peru South America’s earliest settled country. Many archeologists compare Peru’s ancient sites and treasures to those of Mexico, the Mediterranean, and Egypt. The pre-Columbian cultures left no written records but a plethora of artifacts, gigantic adobe cities and pyramids, stone citadels, and mysterious systems of communication and transportation.

This Archeological adventure vacation will take you to some of the most important sites in Peru. Beginning in Lima, your tour will then take you to the northern coast of Peru, where some of the most important pre-Columbian findings have been made. You will continue with the well-preserved tomb where the Lord of Sipán lies, as well as the adobe Chimu city of Chan Chan (claimed as the largest adobe city in the world). Your tour will end in the magical Sacred Valley of the Incas and the iconic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. 

Day 1 : Arrival to Lima
Day 2 : Lima Tour - City & Museum
Day 3 : Arrival to Trujillo & Sun and Moon Temple Tour
Day 4 : Chan Chan Tour & Visit to Huanchaco and El Brujo
Day 5 : Arrival to Chiclayo & Sipan Tour
Day 6 : Valley of the Pyramids Tour
Day 7 : Arrival to Cusco & Cusco Tour
Day 8 : Sacred Valley Tour
Day 9 : Machu Picchu Tour
Day 10 : Free Day in Machu Picchu
Day 11 : Departure from Cusco

Day 1 : Arrival to Lima

  • You will be picked up at the airport by a representative and taken to your confirmed Lima hotel.
  • You’ll have the remainder of the day to rest and start exploring Lima on your own.

Day 2 : Lima Tour - City & Museum

  • Today you’ll enjoy a fascinating private Lima city and museum tour. After breakfast at your hotel, your English-speaking guide will take you to Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will admire the Plaza Mayor (the central square), which is surrounded by 5 important buildings: the Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop´s Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of Lima. You’ll then travel a few blocks to the San Francisco Monastery, famous for its catacombs where over 250,000 bones rest.
  • Later on, you will visit one of Peru’s finest museums, the Larco Museum. Located in the cultural and historical district of Pueblo Libre, the museum boasts the world’s largest collection of gold and silver items from ancient Peru. It also holds the famous erotic archeological collection from the Moche civilization, including masterpieces of Pre-Columbian art, which have been showcased around the world.
  • After the tour, you’ll return to your hotel in Lima and have the remainder of the day to spend at your leisure.

Day 3 : Arrival to Trujillo & Sun and Moon Temple Tour

  • After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet your transfer to the airport for your flight to Trujillo. Upon arrival to Trujillo, a representative will meet you and take you to your confirmed Trujillo hotel.
  • You will start your adventure with a private guided city tour to see all the main colonial, governmental, and religious sites in this beautiful city.
  • After lunch, you will tour the colorful Moche Temples of the Sun & Moon, located right outside of the city.
  • Spend the evening relaxing at your hotel in Trujillo and exploring the city at your leisure. 

Day 4 : Chan Chan Tour & Visit to Huanchaco and El Brujo

  • In the morning you will be taken to the bus station for the journey to another remarkable archeological site: the ancient adobe city of Chan Chan. This is the largest adobe city in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was constructed by the Chimu culture around 1,300 AD. You will enjoy a private guided tour of the complex and learn about the fascinating Chimu culture and history.
  • You’ll continue on to the nearby beach town of Huanchaco, a fishing village, where you will see the traditional totora boats still being used by fishermen.
  • The last stop of the tour is the archeological complex known as El Brujo, a commercial center for more than 10 ancient cultures. The complex comprises decorated walls and the mummy of a tattooed woman dating from 450 AD.
  • After a long and exciting day, you’ll be taken back to your Trujillo hotel. 

Day 5 : Arrival to Chiclayo & Sipan Tour

  • After breakfast, meet your private transfer for your trip to Chiclayo. Once you get there, you will be taken by one of our representatives to your Chiclayo hotel to settle in.
  • After a short rest, you’ll start your private guided tour of the Royal Tombs Museum, home to the Lord of Sipán museum. Sipán was a large ceremonial and burial complex built by the fascinating Moche culture. The complex is especially valuable thanks to its excellent state of preservation and protection from grave robbers and looters.
  • Constructed in the same shape as the pyramid where the Lord of Sipán was discovered with his treasures, the impressive three-story museum is one of the newest in the world. The largest museum dedicated to just one archeological discovery, the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum, also includes the most ample intact findings of gold relics in the Americas.
  • In the evening you’ll return to your Chiclayo hotel and have the evening to relax and explore the city at your leisure.

Day 6 : Valley of the Pyramids Tour

  • After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll begin a full-day guided tour of the Valley of the Pyramids. You’ll visit the archeological complex of Tucume, built by the Sican in 1,000 AD. The vast brick pyramids were once an important regional center to successive civilizations, and today are considered as deeply spiritual, even fearful places to local people.
  • In the evening, stroll around the city and enjoy your last day along the Peruvian coast before heading inland to Cusco.

Day 7 : Arrival to Cusco & Cusco Tour

  • You’ll wake up early for your flight to Cusco. You will be met at the Cusco airport by a representative.
  • During the drive from the airport to your Cusco hotel, you will pass many examples of Spanish colonial architecture built upon the remains of ancient Inca settlements. After arriving at your hotel, we advise you rest for a while to help yourself acclimatize to the altitude.
  • Your exploration of this remarkable city starts in the early afternoon with an expert guided Cusco tour.  You will visit many of the amazing archeological sites and wonders in and around the city, including the Cathedral (which is located on the Plaza de Armas - or the main square), and the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
  • You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Spend the evening at your leisure.

Day 8 : Sacred Valley Tour

  • Today you’ll enjoy a private tour of the Sacred Valley, where the locals have maintained many ancient customs such as raising cuy (guinea pigs), making chicha (a fermented corn drink), weaving beautiful textiles and traditional agricultural techniques.
  • You’ll visit the lively and colorful market of Pisac, as well as the town’s remarkable archeological site on a private tour. Agricultural terraces adorn the side of the mountain while a ceremonial center sits at the top. A path on the mountain leads to very well-preserved temples.
  • The day will conclude at the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo, one of the few places where the Incas were able to defeat the Spanish. These magnificent ancient ruins serve as a great vantage point to look out over the valley.
  • Tonight you will stay at a peaceful hotel in the tranquil Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Day 9 : Machu Picchu Tour

  • In the morning you will take a first-class train from the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Then you’ll take the 20-minute bus drive up to the ruins themselves which are secluded on top of a mountain.
  • A guide will take you through the complex, where you will visit the agricultural and industrial sections of the ruins, the Temple of the Sun, several impressively engineered water fountains, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Condor, and many other areas of the expansive archeological complex.
  • You’ll return to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in the beautiful Machu Picchu region. 

Day 10 : Free Day in Machu Picchu

  • Today you'll have the chance to return to the Machu Picchu ruins on your own and explore them further at your leisure. You can climb up to the Sun Gate, at the top of the site, cross the Inca bridge, explore the ruins' surrounding trails, or just enjoy the atmosphere of this grand site. You can also choose to hike the majestic Huayna Picchu mountain that looms in the background of Machu Picchu (ask your travel advisor about purchasing tickets for Huayna Picchu).
  • In the late afternoon, you'll head out to the train station for your journey back to Cusco. Make sure to be at the train station 30 minutes prior departure. You will be met at the Cusco train station and taken to your confirmed hotel.
  • Upon arrival to Cusco, you’ll be taken to your confirmed Cusco hotel and have the rest of the day to explore the city at your leisure.

Day 11 : Departure from Cusco

  • After breakfast at your hotel, one of our representatives will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport for your journey home or on to your next destination.
  • Alternatively, choose one of our other exciting Cusco tours or Sacred Valley activities, or browse our full range of Peru travel destinations to extend your Peru vacation.

Included

  • 2 nights in Lima, 2 nights in Chiclayo, 2 nights in Trujillo, 2 nights in Cusco, 1 night in the Sacred Valley, and 1 night in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) in hotels based on US standards
  • Guided visits with English-speaking tour guides
  • All transfers and entrance fees
  • All breakfasts
  • First class train tickets to and from Machu Picchu area (Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, and Aguas Calientes to Cusco)

 


 
What to Bring
  • Personal documents (passport).
  • Walking stick.
  • Walking shoes.
  • Sleeping bag.
  • Flashlight.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Toilet paper.
  • Bottle and tablets to purify water.
  • Waterproof clothing.
  • long pants.
  • Short pants.
  • Rain clothing.
  • Slippers or sandals to relax the feet in the camp.
  • A cap or hat.
  • Personal medications
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