THE NORTHERN CULTURES & MACHU PICCHU Lima, Chiclayo, Trujillo, Cusco & Machu Picchu

ITINERARY:

Day 01 LIMA

Arrive in Lima. Meeting and transfer to your hotel. Guided visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Drive through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, ?he Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, a religious building from the end of the XVI century. Continue through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Day 02 LIMA - CHICLAYO

Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Chiclayo. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Guided visit to the city including the witch market and Monsefu, a quaint village famous for its craft market.

Day 03 CHICLAYO

Full day tour including: Sipan. At 35-km/22 ml from Chiclayo, it is world known for the excavations in Huaca Rajada where the Lord of Sipan was found. The tomb holds golden, silver and copper ornaments, clothing, vases and personal objects of great value. It has a site museum. Continue to Tucume. At 33-km/20.5 ml from the capital, it is called the Valley of the Pyramids. The 26 pyramidal constructions of almost 100-m/328 ft wide and 33-m/108 ft high are distributed in an extension of 200 hectares. Also included is a visit to Bruning Museum. Founded by pre-Inca collector Enrique Bruning, it houses a great assortment of pre-Columbian works in gold and silver. Lunch on own.

Day 04 CHICLAYO - TRUJILLO

Private or regular bus transportation to Trujillo ending at the hotel. For those passengers making the segement in private basis, visit El Brujo Archaeological complex en route.

Day 05 TRUJILLO - LIMA

Full day tour including the city: Main Square, the Cathedral, some of the beautiful colonial houses, the interesting Archaeological Museum of San Marcos University and the Church and Monastery of El Carmen. Then proceed to Chan Chan, the largest Clay City of pre-Columbian America, which was the capital of the Chimu Empire, dates from 1,100 AC and was built in an area of 20 square km. You can observe friezes and high relief decorations. Lunch in Huanchaco, picturesque fishermen village where you will appreciate their totora reed boats, similar to those used centuries ago by the Chimus. Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Lima. Meeting and transfer to your hotel.

Day 06 LIMA - CUSCO

Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Cusco. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Balance of the morning at leisure to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet). City tour and nearby ruins. Visit Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo or Koricancha. Includes visits to Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara fortresses, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko and the water shrine of Tambomachay.

Day 07 CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Transfer to the station for a morning train ride to the unparalleled, Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas". Machu Picchu was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, which was a privilege restricted to the Inca Royal family and priests. Guided visit. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Cusco by train. Meeting and transfer to your hotel.

Day 08 CUSCO - LIMA

Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Lima. Connect with your international departure flight or continue on the extension of your choice.