12 Day Mystical Peru Tour, Gutsy Women Travel

11 DAY MYSTICAL PERU ITINERARY:

DAY 1, Thursday - Depart USA
Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Lima

DAY 2, Friday - Lima City Tour, Cooking Demonstration, Larco Herrera Museum
After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Colonial Lima. While you drive to the Convento de los Descalzos, built in 1592, you will pass by the historical district of Rimac where you will be able to see the beautiful Colonial constructions of Paseo de Aguas and Alameda de Los Descalzos. Proceed to the Casa Aliaga, America's best preserved colonial mansion, occupied by the same family since 1535. Then see the San Francisco Monastery, an architectural masterpiece. Continue with a visit to the Jesuit convent of San Pedro, a jewel of the Peruvian baroque style. After this, visit the house that hosts the San Marcos University, founded in 1551, the first university in the Americas, and the alma mater of many of South America's finest intellectuals and politicians. Enjoy a cooking demonstration at a local restaurant followed by lunch. This afternoon, visit the Larco Herrera Museum in Lima's Pueblo Libre district. The museum is housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion and hosts the most extensive collection of pre-Columbian art in Peru. It contains fine examples of handmade textile work, one of which has a world record-breaking 398 threads per inch, as well as the tools ancient Peruvians used to produce metals, huaco ceramics and gold and silver pieces with semiprecious stones. This evening, enjoy dinner at Casa Luna. The house contains exquisite example of Peruvian art over the centuries: pre-Columbian, examples from the colonial era and contemporary works, in addition to the exhibition of nativity scenes. In the dining room you can see old recipes collected by the family,which will introduce you to the smells and flavors of Peru's extraordinary cuisine. Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3, Saturday - Urubamba Sacred Valley, Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo
After breakfast, transfer to the Lima airport for your flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, drive to the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, visit Awanakancha, where South American camelidae are bred, to learn about llamas, alpacas and vicunas and the ancient weaving techniques that are still used today. Have lunch at your hotel before visiting the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo this afternoon. The site was built just as the Spaniards arrived in the region. Stroll the streets of today's town, then visit Seminario Studio, dedicated to the discovery of techniques and designs from ancient Peruvian cultures. Here you will have a presentation by local artists. Tonight's dinner is at your hotel
Overnight: Urubamba Sacred Valley   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Sunday - Chinchero, Weaving Demonstration, Lunch at a Local Home
This morning, we visit the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero. Wander around its colorful Indian market and haggle with vendors for a variety of handicrafts. The main square of the town is bordered by a wall constructed by the Incas, and its church is decorated with unique frescoes on the portico. Continue to visit the Traditional Textile Center, where the techniques of traditional weaving are preserved. The Center has arranged a private demonstration in which you can watch weavers from associated villages as they demonstrate their skills, you will also find textiles of the highest quality for sale. Most have been specially selected by Nilda Callanaupa, one of the Center's finest weavers. The local weaving techniques have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. We watch as wool is carded, spun and dyed. Finally, we learn about the different techniques used to create ponchos, fajas (belts), and mantas (shawls). Afterward, enjoy lunch at Casa Hacienda Orihuela, where the Orihuelas, a family of great collectors, will be your hosts. The house has a varied collection of popular and colonial art, including paintings, weapons, photographs, ceremonial vessels and ceramics such as the bulls of Pucara. Dine at your hotel tonight
Overnight: Urubamba Sacred Valley   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Monday - Machu Picchu
This morning, transfer to the Ollanta train station, visiting Willoc en route. This tour offers the chance to experience and share with local residents the Andean tradition of reciprocity (Ayni). The goal is for the community itself to coordinate tourist activities in its territory, interacting with visitors and helping them understand the community's rich historical and cultural legacy. Board the train to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, you'll be assisted and take a 25-minute coach ride to "The Lost City of the Incas," discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Then enjoy a guided tour of the marvelous citadel, an awe-inspiring experience. Later, feel free to stroll around the archaeological site. We will have lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. This evening, dine at your hotel   Overnight: Machu Picchu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Tuesday - Machu Picchu, San Blas Walking Tour
This morning, we strongly recommend that you wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For hiking enthusiasts, we suggest a climb to the peak of Huayna Picchu. This afternoon, return to Ollantaytambo by rail. In the late afternoon, we will take a pleasant walk through the quaint district of San Blas. Visit its beautiful colonial church, which houses an impressive pulpit, a filigree woodcarving that incorporates the fruits of the region and which is dedicated to the Virgin of the Blessed Event. Stroll through the many handicraft and native art galleries in the little square. Roam the ancient quarters dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Dinner tonight is at Bohemia Restaurant on Cuzco´s main square
Overnight: Cuzco   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Wednesday - Cuzco City Tour, Andean Instrument Demonstration
This morning, tour Cuzco, starting at the Santo Domingo convent monastery. This former Colonial monastery was previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to the worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Continue the tour, stopping at the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. Later, drive to the countryside to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area, including Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara. Have lunch at a local restaurant followed by a demonstration of Andean instruments. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight: Cuzco Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8, Thursday - Puno
This morning, depart for Puno by motor coach. See the dramatic landscapes of the highland plateau with occasional views of tiny Andean villages and herds of llamas and vicunas. Lunch is included. Arrive in Puno this evening and enjoy dinner at your hotel
Overnight:Puno Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Friday - Lake Titicaca, Uros & Taquile Islands
This morning, depart by motor boat for a visit to the utterly fascinating Uros Islands. These islands are completely man made, and its inhabitants maintain them as they have since pre-Columbian times, using Totora reeds from the lake. Then, travel to Taquile Island which is inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives. They have developed an efficient and original social system and a fine handweaving technique over the course of many generations. Lunch is included. Tonight's dinner is at a local restaurant
Overnight:Puno   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Saturday - Lima
Transfer to the airport in Juliaca for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Tonight's farewell dinner is at Huaca Pucllana Restaurant, located in a 1500-year-old adobe pyramid built by the original inhabitants of Lima. Passengers with late night flights will transfer to the airport after dinner
Overnight:Lima Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Sunday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport in Lima for your departure flight. Meals: Breakfast

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