LIMA CUSCO AND MACHU PICCHU RAINBOW MOUNTAIN VINICUNCA HUMANTAY LAKE 9 days 8 nights,LIMA, CUSCO, SACRED VALLEY, MACHU PICCHU, RAINBOW MOUNTAIN VINICUNCA HUMANTAY LAKE

ITINERARY

Day 1 LIMA PICK UP
Upon arrival reception and transfer to the select hotel - overnight (no meals)

Day 2 CITY TOUR
This tour could start in the morning 9:30 am or 2:30 pm. You will be picked up from you hotel. This excursion offers the best combination of the different attractions in Lima and its three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary. In Lima, there were several different pre-Columbian cultures which are dated thousands of years back. Lima was part of the Inca Empire until was founded by the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro on the 18th. of January, 1535. During our guided tour we will travel along its millenary history.

ANCESTRAL LIMA. At the Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological precint build in the IV century A.C., we will have a panoramic view of this magnificent ceremonial and administrative centre which was considered by the Incas a holy village. We will learn about the life and rituals of its ancient inhabitants and admire its typical pyramidal building, very characteristic of sacred pre-Hispanic edifications which were adored in the coast of Peru.

COLONIAL LIMA. The Peruvian Viceroyalty was the most important one in the Spanish Empire and Lima was its capital. The highlights of its historical centre are its architecture and the urban design of the city, found in the old streets filled with colonial houses adorned with Moorish-style balconies. Our trip includes the Paseo de la Republica (Promenade of the Republic), Plaza San Martin (San Martin Square) and the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), with their different buildings: Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), Palacio Arzobispal the (Archbishop's Palace), the Basilica Catedral (Cathedral Basilica) and the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace). We will enter the monumental Convento de San Francisco (Convent of Saint Francis), which displays the biggest collection of religious art in America. We can admire the Choir Room and the Monks’ Library, the Sacristy, with its collection of Zurbaran and Rivera paintings. The Big Patio of the Main Cloister, decorated with Seville tiles from the XVI century, its beautiful Moorish arches and its subterranean crypts known as The Catacombs, where you will feel the presence of Lima's colonial past.

CONTEMPORARY LIMA Visit to the most traditional residential areas in the capital: The Olive Grove of San Isidro, Miraflores and Larco Mar, distinctive tourist centre of contemporary Lima.
After the tour transfer to you hotel. Overnight. (breakfast included)

Day 3 LIMA / CUSCO
You will be picked up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco upon arrival reception and transfer to the select hotel, morning at leisure to acclimatize to the altitude. In the afternoon 1:00 pm you will be taken on a city tour and visit a local archeological sites, the Cathedral, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman and surroundings returning later afternoon 5:30 pm to your hotel around and enjoy the hospitality of the local people (breakfast included).

Day 4 SACRED VALLEY
After breakfast at 8:00 am you will be taken through the Inca Sacred Valley where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. You will visit the impressive village of Pisac and the Indian market, enjoy the beautiful handicrafts on sale and wonder at the many ethnic tribal costumes worn, not just for tourists, but as part of their heritage by the local people. The tour also include the visit to Ollantaytambo fortress and the Chinchero Market Before returning to your hotel in Cusco late afternoon (around 6:30 pm) (breakfast and lunch included)

Day 5 MACHU PICCHU 2days 1 night by train
Early morning 5:30 am and after breakfast, we'll depart to the train station to our journey to Machu Picchu on Vistadome Train (4 hours) at 9:40 am you will arrive to the Aguas Calientes Town from where you will go by bus to the Archeological site (20 minutes); Once there where you will have a guided tour with an English speaking professional guide follow by some time at leisure. You can stay in the area or relax in the hot springs near the Aguas Calientes town (entrance to hot springs not included) Overnight in your Hotel (breakfast included)

Day 6 MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
Morning at leisure to explore by your own, you can visit the citadel early when the full magnificence of the site reveals itself in all its majesty, you will have the option to hike up to Huaynapicchu, the pyramid-shaped peak that overlooks Machu Picchu (entrance and bus fee for this day not included on the rate) return to Cusco where you will arrive around 7:30 pm. (breakfast included)
Day 7 RAINBOW MOUNTAIN FULL DAY
Early morning at 04:15 am you will start your excursion to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), after two hours you will arrive at Cusipata town (breakfast), then you will continue your trip until Wasipata town, there you will begin the trek excursion until Rainbow Mountain (5036 masl). In the site, you will have 3 0 minutes to rest and take pictures. Return to Cusipata (lunch). Return to Cusco (arrive around 5 pm). Transfer to your Hotel (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 8 HUMANTAY LAKE, FULL DAY
Early (4.50 am), you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco. Then, we will transfer you to Mollepata, a small town located in the province of Anta (5 am - 7.30). There we will enjoy a delicious breakfast at a local restaurant in Mollepata. We continue driving to Soraypampa, a small town located at the base of the Humantay Mountain. At 9.30 the hike to the Humantay Lagoon begins, which takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. At 11.30. We arrive at the Humantay Lagoon and enjoy the stunning views of the turquoise blue water and the surrounding mountains, explanation from the guide. You will be able to take photos, relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Then, we will descend back to Soraypampa, lunch in Mollepata and return to Cusco (6 pm - the itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, traffic and other factors) (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 9 TRANSFER OUT
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the airport - end of our services (breakfast included)

INCLUDE:
Domestic airfares, nights at select hotel based on double occupancy, all transfers, professional bilingual guide service, entrance fee, transportation and meals as specify in the program.

NOT INCLUDED:
International airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, extra expenses for flight cancellations, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, reconfirmation of international flights and items of personal nature.

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN - VINICUNCA

Leaving the city of Cusco, one can arrive to Vinicunca through the Longitudinal Race of the Peruvian Sierra del Sur in the direction of the town of Checacupe where we take the fork to the town of Pitumarca, and from this town along a tricky trail passing through several rural communities such as Ocefina, Japura, Hanchipacha, until arriving at the community of Pampa Chiri. The road ends, requiring one to start a 5 kilometer walk to the Vinincunca pass, where you can see the natural formation in the shape of a rainbow, considered the Mountain of Colors.

The entrance to the Rainbow Mountain is made by a village of Pitumarca, two hours from the city of Cusco, then a walk on foot, by car or motorcycle on the slopes of the mountain and then you can go up on horseback or on foot the rest of the way until you reach the Montaña de Colores. If you decide for 45 minutes hike instead of 2 hours hike from Pitumarca, then you have to travel by car for an additional one and half hour drive on a non-paved road through the mountains. The drive is beautiful containing view points where you'll see the valley, lamas and alpacas been herd by the Shepard on the mountains.

WHERE IS HUMANTAY LAKE?

Humantay Lake is one of the many hidden gems of Peru’s highland region. The emerald waters and the hugely imposing glacier come together in flawless harmony for the truly incredible sight that you see. It truly is a hidden gem, as it is nestled between two different peaks and the only way to access it (safely) is from below. This means there are no tantalizing glances of the water to spur you on, simply the mystery of what is to come.

Sandwiched between the Salkantay Peak and the Humantay Mountain, this magnificent mountain lagoon is located 120 kilometers from Cusco, which makes it the perfect day trip into the mountains. The closest village to the Humantay lake is the village of Soraypampa, where you will have time to grab a bite to eat and have a quick break before you begin the ascent. Soraypampa is also where you will also eat lunch after you descend from the hill.

GETTING TO HUMANTAY LAKE

Humantay Lake is most commonly accessed with the Salkantay Trek, a four-day journey to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek is widely considered to be the best, most scenic alternative to the Inca Trail, which is often sold out months in advance. You can find plenty of different options and operators on the comparison website FindLocalTrips.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MACHU PICCHU AND RAINBOW MOUNTAIN - VINICUNCA TOURS?

Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake