MACHU PICCHU: ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD

The ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the star attraction of Cuzco. Discovered in 1911 by US explorer Hiram Bingham, the citadel is deemed one of the world's finest examples of landscape architecture.
Machu Picchu ("old mountain" in Quechua, the ancient language of the Incas) nestles on top of a mountain saddle high above the Urubamba River in the middle of the cloud forest. It was both a center of worship and astronomic observatory as well as the private retreat of the family of Inca ruler Pachacútec. It is split into two major areas: the agricultural zone, made up of terracing and food storehouses; and the urban zone, featuring the sacred sector, with temples, squares and royal tombs which have been carved to an extraordinary degree of perfection. The stone staircases and canals are found throughout this unique archaeological site. Over the citadel looms Huayna Picchu ("young mountain" in Quechua), which can be climbed up a steep stone-paved trail.

Historical heritage

When one thinks of Peru, the first thing that springs to mind is the wealth of its age-old cultures and the legendary Inca empire. The tour, however, continues past the Spanish Conquest and into colonial times, into the Peru where two visions of the world, time and of all things sacred came together, the Peru of the wars of independence and a republic built amidst bullets and bloodshed.

More than four hundred years have gone by, four centuries bringing together the pre-Hispanic legends with the Western raison d'être. That era has left superb art and architecture in monuments which are a synthesis of the spirituality, imagination and creativity of Peruvians.

Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
Located in the department of Cuzco, covering an area of 32,592 hectares, the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary protects unique species of flora and fauna, as well as featuring some breath-taking landscapes and preserving the archaeological sites to be found here. Much of the beauty and enchantment of Machu Picchu, Peru's premier tourist attraction, is due to its spectacular natural surroundings: the cloud forest region of this historic sanctuary. Machu Picchu is home to some striking species, such as the cock-of-the-rocks (Peru's national bird) and the spectacled bear, the only bear species in South America. The area is also inhabited by the rare dwarf deer called sachacabra and the Huemal deer, plus more than 300 bird species. The area boasts a large variety of flora species, with some 200 species of orchids registered here to date. Towering over the area is Mount Salkantay (6,271 meters), the highest mountain in the Cordillera Vilcanota range, worshipped by the locals as an apu mountain spirit. Machu Picchu combines a spectacular natural setting with the attraction of the world's most famous pre-Hispanic sites.

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PLEASE CHECK OUR SUGGESTED PROGRAM TO ENJOY PERU:

DAY 01- LIMA
Arrival to Lima Airport and transfer to the Leon de oro Hotel.

DAY 02- LIMA - AREQUIPA - CITY TOUR & SANTA CATALINA ( Private services )
Continental Breakfast.
After breakfast, transfer to airport to take flight to Arequipa. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. 01 night of accommodation with breakfast. In the Afternoon, half day city Tour of Arequipa.

A tour including visits to the main square, Cathedral, Compañía Church and the traditional districts of Cayma and Yanahuara. From there continue to Santa Catalina convent, the architectural monument of the city. The tour takes approximately 3 hours.

DAY 03 - COLCA CANYON 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHTS ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast.
In the morning, we will visit Chachani, Yura, small valley with thermal springs, see wild vicuñas in Pampa Cañahuas national reserve, Alpacas & llamas in Tocra, some birds like flamingoes, ibis, Andean gooze, ducks, Andean eagle "Kara Kara" view point of the Volcanoes and snow covered mountains in Patapampa ( 4,800 m . - 15,000 ft .). See the Ampato, Sabancaya, Walca Walca, etc. Chivay, capital of the valley. Overnight

DAY 04 - COLCA CANYON / AREQUIPA
Buffet Breakfast
After breakfast, we will start a full day trip to visit Yanque & Maca towns, churches, inca terraces, some pre inca graves. Time for lunch. Return to Arequipa.

DAY 05 - AREQUIPA – PUNO
Buffet Breakfast.
In the morning transfer to the airport to take flight to Juliaca. Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Puno, overnight.

DAY 06 – FULL DAY UROS & TAQUILE ISLANDS WITH LUNCH. ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast
After breakfast, we will start a boat navigation to arrive to Uros Island, in the Titikaka Lake. Later, we will visit the Taquile island. Taquile Island is famous for its craft production, particularly for its beautiful textiles. The island is narrow at about 1 Km . wide and 6 to 7 Km . long. The visit could be exhausting because of the 533 steps on the stone stairway to climb to get to the village and because of the altitude ( 13,000 ft above sea level). On Taquile there are numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins as well as Inca terracing. Later, return to Puno, overnight the Hotel.

DAY 07– PUNO / CUZCO BY BUS, WITH LUNCH & TOURS.
Buffet Breakfast.
Transfer to the train or bus station. Ten hour train or bus ride to Puno, across the scenic high Andes landscapes. Arrival and transfer to hotel.

DAY 08– CUZCO – CYTI TOUR + NEAR BY RUINS ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast
Afternoon visit the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha) the most sacred buildings during the Inca culture, continuing to the nearby ruins includes visits to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, overlooking the city of Cusco, pre-Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is a monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay: beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins.

DAY 09 – FULL DAY MACHU PICCHU WITH BOX LUNCH Vista Dome train. ( Private Local Guide )
Buffet Breakfast
Transfer from the hotel to San Pedro station. Following the northbound train towards the lower lands to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, you will arrive at the Aguas Calientes station. From there a bus will take you Hiram Brigham road arriving to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The bus ride itself only takes about half an hour and is full of breathtaking sights. The guide will thoroughly take you and your party through Machu Picchu telling the history of the area and answering any questions you may have about this spectacular wonder. A box lunch is included and after your return to Aguas Calientes, you will board the train back to Cusco.

DAY 10 – FULL DAY PISAC MARKET & OLLANTAYTAMBO RUINS WITH LUNCH. ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast .
A drive to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the famous handicraft Indian Market of Pisac (available on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). Lunch en route in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon, after an hour drive north, we arrive at Ollantaytambo, the only Inca city continuously inhabitant from Inca time, and visit the amazing fortress of Ollantaytambo. Sharing with another paxs with a bilingual guide. back to Cusco. Overnight at the Los Andes de America Hotel.

DAY 11 - CUZCO – LIMA
Buffet Breakfast
In the morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima

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RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

Ripio Turismo Website: www.ripioturismo.com.ar
Patagonia-Cruises is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.patagonia-cruises.com.ar
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Design & General Idea: Nuevas Ideas© Consultora Turística - 1999-2009

RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

Ripio Turismo Website: www.ripioturismo.com.ar
Argentina-Guide.com.ar is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.argentina-guide.com.ar

Design & General Idea: Nuevas Ideas© Consultora Turística - 1999-2005