Airbound Inc - The Smart Traveller's First Destination for Tours, Cruises and other travel specials

ITINERARY

..................................................................................................................................................................

		Day 1 Arrival to Lima - City Tour: Colonial and Contemporary Lima (-) Upon arrival, reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Our representative will give you a documentation kit with detailed program explanation. Luggage and hotel registration assistance is offered. In the afternoon, a trip to the essential Lima, "The City of Kings" including the most important architectural icons of the city, such as the Main Square, where you can find the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. Then, we continue with a visit to the San Francisco Convent, an architectonic jewel dating back to the 16th century. On our way to the modern area of the city, we will cross the exclusive district of San Isidro, the new financial heart of the city, to take a look at pre-inca Huaca Huallamarca. Finally, we conclude our circuit in Miraflores, where we will visit the "Parque del Amor" (Love Park) an excellent spot to enjoy a great view of the Pacific Ocean. Overnight in Lima.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 2 Arequipa - City Tour and Visit to Santa Catalina Convent (B) At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, reception by our representatives and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the "White City" including the Santa Catalina Convent, beautiful citadel from the 16th century, in the style of Spanish cities of that time. The Main Square, with its three portals, the Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesus which is a beautiful sample of the Peruvian and Spanish baroque art from the 17th century, along with the multi colorful paintings of the San Ignacio's Dome, known as the Sistine Chapel of America. Finally, we will see the typical districts of Cayma and Yanahuara. Overnight in Arequipa.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 3 Colca Canyon (B/L/D) Departure through the town of Yura and the National Reserve of Salinas/Aguada Blanca and Pampa Cañahuas, where you can see many species of birds in their natural habitats, and also vicuñas and llamas. We will make a stop in Patahuasi to freshen up and enjoy a coca infusion, and later keep going to the town of Chivay. Depending on the schedule, you may have lunch in town or have a picnic enjoying the beautiful scenery from one of the natural viewing spots of the zone. In the afternoon, we highly recommend you to visit La Calera and enjoy an invigorating bath in the hot spring waters or just to spend a delightful afternoon in the lodge. Dinner and overnight in local lodge.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 4 Condor Cross - Return to Arequipa (B/L) Very early, we will start the trip to Cruz del Condor (Condor Cross), which will allow us to enjoy a spectacular view of one of the deepest canyons in the world, and with luck, have a chance to take pictures of the biggest and most impressive flying bird in the Andes, the majestic Condor. Depending on the schedule, we could make a stop in the town of Pinchollo, the only pre-Inca town still inhabited, and the Maca town, with its beautiful craft market and colonial church. We will have lunch in Chivay and later we will continue with the return to Arequipa. Overnight in Arequipa.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 5 Puno - Sillustani Mausoleum and Lake Umayo (B) At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Juliaca, Puno. Upon arrival, reception by our representatives and transfer to the hotel. On the way we will visit Sillustani, an archaeological site located 34 Km. north of Puno. It has the famous Chullpas, which are funerary towers with circle base, built in stone. They can reach 12m high and where used by the Collas and by the Incas. These ruins are above Lake Umayo, which increases the beauty of this mystic and wonderful place. Overnight in Puno.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 6 Lake Titicaca - Floating Islands of the Uros and Taquile (B/L) Excursion to the Lake Titicaca and as a first starting point, visit the floating islands of the Uros, also called Lake Town. These islands are built using totora reed and are used as home and trade centers for the natives, who use hand-made boats of the same material as their means of transportation. We will go on to Taquile Island, where the community kindly welcomes tourists, keeping their traditions alive, as well as their costumes and colorful typical dresses; these people are very skilled artisans and they show in every piece of work all the techniques developed for centuries. Lunch included. Overnight in Puno.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 7 Departure to Cusco - La Raya / Racchi / Andahuaylillas (B/L) We will leave from the station to start our trip by bus to Cusco. Stop at Pucara and La Raya, highest point on the road between Puno and Cusco, from where we will get excellent photo opportunities. You can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the South Valley of Cusco. We will stop at the Racchi ruins, known as "The Temple of God Wiracocha". Lunch will be served in a restaurant on route. Then, we will visit Andahuaylillas, a town where a precious church from the 17th century boasts an amazing organ decorated with angels and cherubs. The arrival to Cusco is in the afternoon and then, you will be taken to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 8 Cusco: City Tour, Sacsayhuaman and Nearby Ruins (B) Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, we will visit the Imperial City, living example of the mixture of the Andean and Spanish cultures. We start our trip visiting the Santo Domingo Convent, built over the Koricancha, and ancient Inca palace and main worship center of the Sun God. Later, we will stop at the Main Square, where you can find the Cathedral and the beautiful Church of La Compañía. Going on with the tour, we will visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, imposing sample of military Inca architecture which domains the city. Finally, we will take a look at the archaeological sites of Qenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, located north east of the city. Overnight in Cusco.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 9 Sacred Valley of the Incas - Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo (B/L) We will drive towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will stop on the way to have a classic view of the Urubamba valley, with crops dressing the mountains like carpets. We will arrive to the colorful market of Pisac, where we will have free time to interact with the local craftsmen, or to purchase their hand-made souvenirs. We will continue to the town of Urubamba for a buffet lunch. Finally, we will visit Ollantaytambo, attractive town of Inca origin with remarkable channels and stone streets. In its high part one rises to an impressive ceremonial center of cult to the water and a fortress that guarded the access to the inferior part of the valley. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 10 Machu Picchu "The Lost City of the Incas" (B/L) You will visit one of the most important energetic centers of the world: Machu Picchu. The excursion will be by train and during the trip we will have an amazing view of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, our representatives will assist you to board the bus which will take you to the citadel. It will be an unforgettable experience, where a professional tour guide will transmit us the history around this mysterious and charming place. After the guided tour, free time to explore area. Buffet lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. At the scheduled time, we will go down to the Aguas Calientes town. Overnight in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 11 Optional Second Visit to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco (B) Morning at leisure. Optionally, you can make a second visit to Machu Picchu and have the chance to know hidden places, such as the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun). Those with a sense of adventure can enjoy a hike full of adrenaline to the top of Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) to visit the Temple of the Moon and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. At the fixed time, return by train, descent at the appropriate station and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
..................................................................................................................................................................
		Day 12 Return to Lima - International Departure (B) At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Upon arrival, assistance and connection with your international departure flight.