Church and Convent of Santo Domingo of Guzmán

Discover the most important sites in Cusco on a guided city tour. Visit the Koricancha, the Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Sacsayhuaman fortress. See the ancient Inca city of Cusco, and learn about its history and culture. Start your tour with a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. Head to the Koricancha, the Convent of Santo Domingo. The convent was built on top of the spectacular Koricancha, which translates to 'recinto de oro' or 'the golden enclosure'. This was the most important temple dedicated to the worship of the sun during the Inca period. Next, head to Sacsayhuaman, one of the most impressive sites built by the Incas. It is generally known as a fortress, but its main function before the arrival of the Spanish is still unknown. Current research suggests that it was probably used as a temple, as Inca tombs have been discovered in the area. The Incas designed the city of Cusco in the shape of a puma, with Sacsayhuaman as the head. The magnificent zigzag walls are the main attraction. The grounds surrounding Sacsayhuaman are still used today for the colorful Inti Raymi festival, which is held to celebrate the winter solstice on June 24. Continue to Q’enqo, which means 'labyrinth' in Quechua. The site contains the most impressive carved rocks in the Cusco area. There are carvings everywhere, although some are indistinct. There are many zigzag channels carved into the natural rock bed, probably used to pour chicha de sacrificio, a local drink made from corn. Under the rock, there are a series of caves and passages, an altar, which was probably used for llama sacrifices. Mummifications of people have also been discovered at this site. Next, head to Puka Pukara, which means 'the red fortress' in Quechua. This is a small site and, although the name suggests it was a fortress, it does not appear to have had any defensive purpose. It was probably used as an administrative center and was also a resting place for the chaskis who carried messages from town to town. The interesting thing here is the way the Incas built the walls on the natural rock bed. Finally, visit Tambomachay, which means 'resting place' in Quechua. It used to be the royal palace of the Inca Yupanqui when he went hunting in the surrounding area. It was also thought that this site was used as a water temple. There are some interesting aqueducts, canals, and fountains carved in stone, designed to channel the water flowing from a nearby stream. After your tour, return to Cusco and be dropped off at the Plaza de Armas.

Day 1: Lima Arrival Arrive in Lima and transfer to the hotel. Rest and free time to explore the city. Day 2: Lima City Tour Guided tour of Lima's key attractions including Miraflores, San Isidro, Huaca Pucllana, Plaza de Armas, Larco Museum, and Convent of Santo Domingo. Return to the hotel and free time to explore Lima. Day 3: Lima to Cusco Transfer to Lima airport for flight to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to Sacred Valley. Afternoon tour of Cusco highlights including Koricancha Temple, Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Overnight in Sacred Valley. Day 4: Sacred Valley Tour Visit Maras salt mines and Moray archaeological site. Cultural experience in Misminay village. Return to Sacred Valley for overnight stay. Day 5: Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu to Cusco Excursion to Machu Picchu, including guided tour of the citadel. Lunch in Aguas Calientes. Return to Cusco and overnight stay. Day 6: Free Day in Cusco Free day to explore Cusco or optional excursions to Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lagoon. Day 7: Cusco to Puno Bus journey from Cusco to Puno. En route visits to Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, and La Raya. Arrival in Puno and check-in at the hotel. Day 8: Puno to Copacabana to Isla del Sol Transfer to Copacabana. Boat trip to Isla del Sol, visiting Hucani, Inca Temple of Pillkukayna, and Isla del Sol. Overnight stay on Isla del Sol. Day 9: Isla del Sol to La Paz Sunrise breakfast on Isla del Sol. Tour of Yumani Inca steps, Chincana ruins, and Copacabana. Transfer to La Paz. Day 10: La Paz City Tour Guided tour of La Paz, including cable car ride, Main Cemetery, local markets, and Witches Market. Free time to explore La Paz. Day 11: La Paz to Uyuni Flight from La Paz to Uyuni. Visit Train Cemetery, Colchani, Incahuasi Island, and Pucará de Ayque. Overnight in Uyuni. Day 12: Uyuni to La Paz Flight from Uyuni to La Paz. Excursion to Tiwanaku ruins. Overnight in La Paz. Day 13: Departure from La Paz Transfer to La Paz airport for departure. This itinerary offers a comprehensive exploration of key destinations in Peru and Bolivia, including historical sites, cultural experiences, and natural wonders.

Day 1: Arival in Lima Arrive at Lima Airport. A transportation service will pick you up from the airport to transfer you to your hotel in Lima. ° Meals not included. ° Accommodation included: 1 night in Lima. Day 2: Lima: Larco Museum & City Tour Visit the Larco Museum, located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district, which is housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid. Then The Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jeronimo de Aliaga, one of his captains. Continue to the Main Square, here you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire and be amazed by Limas Cathedral. ° Meals included: breakfast. ° Accommodation included: 1 night in Lima. Day 3: Lima – Cusco: City Tour & Archaeological Sites Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cusco. In the afternoon, visit Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the ruins of the temple and amphitheater of Qenqo. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara. ° Meals included: breakfast. ° Accommodation included: 1 night in Cusco. ° Flights tickes to cusco are not included. Day 4: Cusco - Sacred Valley: Chinchero, Ollantaytambo and Living Museum of Yucay During the morning visit the town of Chinchero, a traditional Cusco urban centre located at an elevated point with a beautiful view of the valley. Then, you are transferred to the to the Living Museum of Yucay, an Andean tradition interpretation centre with demonstrations of the production of textile work, adobe, pottery and silverware. Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo, have a superior andean gastronomy experience in a restaurant and feel the true spirit of the Sacred Valley. ° Meals included: breakfast and lunch. ° Accommodation included: 1 night in Sacred Valley. Day 5: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu –Cusco Visit the Lost City of the Incas is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel, presenting its most prominent landmarks. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train back to Cusco. ° Meals included: breakfast and lunch. ° Accommodation: 1 night in Cusco. Day 6: Depart from Cusco After breakfast at the hotel, a transportation service will take you to Cusco’s airport for your departure from the city. ° Meals included: breakfast.