This is a fascinating tour which traces the roots of Peru back more than 3000 years. You will take a trip back through time beginning with Caral, site of the oldest archaeological find in the Americas. You will then go to Chan Chan and see the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas which includes a trip to the Bruning museum to see the King of Sipan.
The next stop is Cusco and the heart of the Inca Empire. Lastly, you will hike the Inca Trail where you have the opportunity to view over 10 archaeological sites ending with the timeless Machu Picchu.
In all, you will visit no less than 20 archaeological sites in only 10 days. This is a feat that you would be hard pressed to match anywhere else in the world.
Join American Adventure Cusco Tours for a trip through time in Peru, the most culturally rich country in all of the Americas

DETAILED ITINERARY

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

Day 2: CARAL
Transfer from your hotel for a full day's guided visit to Caral, the oldest civilization in the Americas. Dating back to over 3000BC, this earliest of settlements developed almost simultaneously with the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China. There was also a Quipa found at this site which gives Peru possible the second oldest known form of communication in the world. In the evening, we will transfer you back to your hotel in Lima.Spend the night in your Hotel.

Day 3: TRUJILLO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Trujillo. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Today is a free afternoon to explore Trujillo, the third largest city in Peru.Spend the night in your Hotel.

Day 4: CHAN CHAN
After breakfast, a guided visit to the metropolis of Chan-Chan, the ancient capital city of the Chimu Empire. It is the largest pre-Columbian city in South America, built entirely of mud and adobe brick. A stop is made at Huaca Dragon to visit this restored, pyramidal shaped adobe temple consecrated to the rainbow, and with beautiful bas-reliefs. The tour ends with a visit to the small archaeological museum and then we will return to your Hotel.

Day 5: CHICLAYO-BRUNNING MUSEUM-TUCUME
Short journey by bus to Chiclayo. Reception and transfer to your hotel. We then take a trip to the wonderful Brunning Museum. The day concludes with a visit to the Tucume complex, where over 26 pyramids are located and then we return to your Hotel.

Day 6:LIMA-CUSCO-CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Lima and then to Cusco. 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 7: 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. Our last stop is the small town of Chinchero and there unique market. Hotel Garcilaso

Day 8: THE ROYAL INCA TRAIL
We will meet the Quechua porters and have an opportunity to eat breakfast and buy a walking stick for your trek. Crossing over the turbulent Vilcanota River, with magnificent views of Nevada Veronica (5,900m/19,000ft) we will continue the trek admiring the Llactapata archaeological site, and stopping at the Huayllabamba River for lunch. We will visit the archaeological sites of Patallacta, Qente, and the valley of Cusichaca. Today the hike will last about 7 hours.

Day 9:
Today is the most demanding days of the trip as we gain a lot of altitude. We will see outstanding views east to the Huayanay peaks and west into the Vilcabamba Range. After breakfast, we will climb up through the first pass at 4,200 m/13,750 feet at Warmiwanusqa (dead woman’s pass). We will pass 3 ecological areas such as the Yunga, Quechua and Puna. We will climb 1000 meters in 5 hours. Arriving at our camp, we will have lunch and dinner near Pacaymayu.

Day 10:
After breakfast, we will trek down through the valley of Pacaymayu to the famous archaeological sites of Runquraqay and continue to the second pass and the site of Sayaqmarka ("Town in a Steep Place") and explore the Sayaqmarka ruins. The Inca Trail in this section is a white granite roadway, traversing a thickly forested mountainside. We will then descend to the magnificent archaeological site of Phuyupatamarka ("Cloud Level Town") and have lunch. We will then begin the decent to Winaywayna where a visit of the ruins, have dinner, and camp nears the ruins.

Day 11:
Early morning wake up at 4:30 a.m. for breakfast and to begin the trek to be the first at the archaeological site of Machu Picchu for the sunrise. We will descend rapidly from cloud forest into high jungle habitat. Orchids and hummingbirds are commonly seen along this spectacular section of the trail high above the river. We will arrive at Intipunko "Gate of the Sun" to observe the sunrise over Machu Picchu from an elevated vantage point. We continue down to the royal road and at last the "Lost City of the Incas". Upon arrival in Machu Picchu, we will walk down to the entrance gate to drop off our packs. We will the begin a guided tour of the timeless citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of Three Windows, the Circular Tower and the Sacred Sun Dial and Burial Grounds. After the guided tour, we can enjoy an afternoon of self-exploration and discovery. In the afternoon, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo and then to Cusco by car and your Hotel.

Day 12: Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima and then home.

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

OUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• 8 nights double accommodation
• Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based in private service
• Tour Guide in the requested language
• Flight: Lima-Trujillo, Chiclayo-Lima-Cusco, Cusco-Lima
• Ground transport to the Start of the Inca Trail
• Backpacker Train: Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo
• Porter for Inca Trail
• 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