American Adventure Cusco Tours is proud to offer our clients a unique opportunity to peer into the past for a look at the Inca culture.
After arriving in Lima, you will be transported to Cajamarca, the unofficial Northern capitol of the Inca Empire. Although Quito, in Ecuador, was the actual Northern capitol, Inca Atahualpa preferred the hot springs of Cajamarca. It is also a great place to pick up 18 carat gold at great prices. Sorry guys but I had to say it.
Your next stop will be Cusco, the heart and soul of the Inca Empire. In Cusco, you will be exposed to many different archaeological sites including the timeless site of Machu Picchu.
The last stop on this tour is Puno and Lake Titicaca. The lake is not only the highest navigable lake in the world. It is also the mythical birth place of the Inca.
This is a rare and wonderful opportunity to learn more about one of the most interesting cultures in the Americas.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to your Hotel.

Day 2: CAJAMARCA
After breakfast, journey by bus to Cajamarca. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Although Quito in Ecuador was considered the Northern capital of the Inca Empire, Atahualpa, the last king of the Inca prior to the Spanish invasion, preferred the hot springs of Cajamarca as his base of operation.Spend the night in your Hotel.

Day 3: CAJAMARCA-CUMBEMAYO
Full day excursion to Cumbemayo, some 20 km outside of the town and the site of ancient, pre-inca channels engraved into the mountainside. The ducts were built by the old Cajamarca culture. Return to Cajamarca and your Hotel.

Day 4: CAJAMARCA-LIMA
Today is a free day to enjoy the town, made famous in 1532, when Pizarro imprisoned and executed Inca Atahualpa, bringing to an end the Inca Nation. A chance to visit the thermal baths at Banos del Inca. Optional visit to the pre-inca graveyards of Otuzco, carved into the hillside and dating back to over 1000BC. Transfer to the airport for the return flight back to Lima and your Hotel.

Day 5: CUSCO
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Afternoon guided city tour of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins continue to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun.Spend the night in your Hotel.

Day 6: SACRED VALLEY TOUR
After breakfast, we will pick you up for a full day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the village of Pisac, founded during colonial times and set at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of an Inca city. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the main square, Indians barter their products and artisans from all over the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewelry, etc. On Sundays it is also the meeting place for mayors from all the villages in the region, dressed in their traditional costumes to attend morning mass. After lunch, we will visit Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which was not overthrown by the conquistadores, and explore the ruins which tower above it.Spend the night in your Hotel.

Day 7: MACHU PICCHU
Transfer to the train station for the early morning departure to Aguas Calientes and then a bus ride up to the timeless ruins of Machu Picchu ruins. Upon arrival to the ruins, you will be given a guided visit of Machu Picchu for about 2 hours. There are many theories as to the origins of Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. This beautiful city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. After the tour, free time to enjoy this magical and spiritual wonder. After the tour, you will have a few hours to explore at your own pace before taking the afternoon bus back down to Aguas Calientes and your Hotel.

Day 8: AGUAS CALIENTES-OLLANTAYTAMBO-CUSCO
Free day in Aguas Calientes to return to Machu Picchu, relax in the hot springs, or take the short hike to the private waterfall reserve of Mandor Pampa. Afternoon train to Ollantaytambo town where our bus will be waiting us to return Cusco transfer to your Hotel.

Day 9: CUZCO-JULIACA-PUNO
After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Juliaca. We will then transfer you to Puno and your hotel. It is important to note that Lake Titicaca is the mythical birth place of the Inca Empire.

Day 10: PUNO-LAKE TITICACA
Early transfer to the port for the boat journey on Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros. Made entirely of reeds and inhabited by the Aymara Uros people. They live in huts built on platforms of reeds, not more than 1 foot thick. Short walk on the islands, then the boat trip continues as far as the island of Taquile. Members of this self supporting Aymara community receive visitors in their colourful national costume and show them around the island. Taquile is renowned for its fine, decorative weavings. A boxed lunch is included.Spend the night in your Hotel.

Day 11: PUNO-JULIACA-LIMA
After breakfast. Transfer to Juliaca airport for the flight back to Lima. Along the way, an excursion will be made to the pre-inca Sillustani funeral towers next to the Umayo lake. The towers form part of one of the largest and most important necropolis in the world. Used by both the Altiplano civilization and the Incas and their wives "Collas" to honor their dead and in preparation for the after-life. It was abandoned when the first Spanish arrived. With over ninety Chulpas (tombs), all built from volcanic rock, those for the Incas can be easily recognized by their finer detail.

NOTE: Prices are subject to change based on current Hotel and airfare rates. Please ask your sale ejecutive for details.

OUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• 10 nights double accommodation in the hotels listed above
• Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based in private service
• Vistadome Train:Ollantaytambo-Machupicchu-Ollantaytambo
• Tour Guide in the requested language
• Flight: Cajamarca-Lima, Lima-Cusco, Cusco-Juliaca, Juliaca-Lima
• All entrance fees.

OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• International air tickets to South America and associated taxes.
• Meals not specified on the itinerary.
• All domestic flights require a US$5.00 charge (airport tax), payable at the airport.
• Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, alcoholic and bottled beverages, etc.
• Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident.
• Sleeping Bag