Inca Mysteries
Package tour ex Australia
Explore the intriguing final bastions of the great Inca civilisation on this finely tuned cultural experience. Wonder at the architectural marvels of Cuzco, Machu Picchu and timeless La Paz, cross Lake Titicaca by hydrofoil and traverse the Altiplano by train on this enriching adventure.
Day 1 - Friday
Sydney - Santiago
Fly to Santiago via Auckland. Cross the International Dateline en route and gain a day, arriving Santiago early afternoon. Chile’s elegant capital is set in spectacular mountain surroundings, with a mixture of colonial and modern architecture. Food is a highlight - with exceptional seafood and world class wines.
Day 2 - Saturday
Santiago
Morning tour of Santiago’s principal sights - Providencia, San Crist-bal Hill, Santa Lucia Hill, Parque Forestal, Santiago Cathedral and the main avenues, plazas and buildings in this picturesque city. Afternoon at leisure.B
Day 3 - Sunday
Santiago - Lima
Fly to Lima, capital of Peru, founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro. The most important city in South America for three centuries, Lima still boasts beautiful colonial architecture with ornate wooden balconies, excellent museums, restaurants and nightclubs. Afternoon tour, visiting the Government Palace in the colonial setting of the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the modern residential suburbs of Miraflores and San Isidro with their lovely homes and gardens. The tour ends with a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, housing the world's largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian art, comprising approximately of 45,000 pieces of gold, silver, ceramics, textiles, stone and wood and an erotic pottery collection.B
Day 4 - Monday
Lima - Cuzco
Fly to Cuzco upon arrival transferred to your hotel. This afternoon your tour visits historic highlights of the city and outside town to the spectacular Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay, Puku Pukara and Kenko.B
Day 5 - Tuesday
Cuzco - Machu Picchu
Today is set aside for an experience you will never forget! You will be transferred from your Hotel to the train station to travel by train through lush valleys and terraced hillsides, following the course of the tumbling Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes. Disembark and travel by bus up the winding mountain road to the hidden “Lost City of the Incas” - spectacular Machu Picchu. The Inca’s last refuge from the Spanish, Machu Picchu remained undiscovered until 1911. Your guide will explain the intricate layout of the city and you will marvel at the remains of the watch tower, magnificent palaces, temples, tombs, and rock-hewn steps. After lunch you have time at leisure to explore the ruins - perhaps walk to the Inca Sun gate. Travel by bus to your hotel and spend the night situated at the nearby town of Aguas Calientes.BL
Day 6 - Wednesday
Machu Picchu - Cuzco
This morning you may like to rise early and watch the effects of sunrise over the ruined city. You could also climb to the summit of Huayna Picchu for spectacular views. Early afternoon board your train to Cuzco. On arrival at the train station you will be met and transferred to your hotel.B
Day 7 - Thursday
Cuzco - Pisac Market
Full day tour to Pisac and it’s colourful Indian market where you can purchase Peruvian weavings and pottery and perhaps attend a religious service of the inhabitants, before continuing to the Inca fortress of Ollantaitambo.BL
Day 8 - Friday
Cuzco
Day at leisure to explore the charming cobblestoned streets and market stalls of this fascinating city.B
Day 9 - Saturday
Cuzco - Puno
This morning you will be transferred to the station, to begin your fantastic rail journey across the Altiplano (high plateau) to Puno. A totally fascinating experience, with Indians in different local garb crowding the platforms at every stop selling food and handicrafts. Enroute, view Alpacas, Llamas and perhaps Vicuna - native animals of the Altiplano.BL
Day 10 - Sunday
Puno - Huatajata
Departure by bus to Juli. Visit the church of Juli and the local native market . Cruise by hydrofoil to Moon island where you will visit the Sun Virgin Temple Inak Uyu. Continue to Sun island and visit the Inca Staircases and Sacred fountain. Lunch, then continue on the small lake Huiñay Marca to Quewaya Island and visit the authentic Uru-Iruitos Floating Island and a unique Sustainable Tourism Project consisting of green houses with one of them built on a floating island. Explore the history of 4.500 years of this Ethnia considered the mother of the much later Aymaras and Inca cultures. A new and fantastic experience. Continue to the little port of Huatajata with the most panoramic view of the lake, and the Royal Range of the Andes. Spend the night here at the Inca Utama Hotel, situated on the lake. Visit the Eco and Altiplano Museums and witness an audio-visual show. You will be treated to a candlelight dinner this evening.BLD
Day 11 - Monday
Huatajata - La Paz
This morning visit the Limachi brothers, builders of Thor Heyerdahl’s rafts, the Ra II and the Tigris. Travel to La Paz by road arriving around lunchtime. One thousand years ago Bolivia was part of the fabled Inca Empire.B
Day 12 - Tuesday
La Paz
This morning visit the city, and a few miles away, the Valley of the Moon where erosion has given the clay an “other world” appearance. You will see the fascinating and timeless Indian markets and beautiful colonial churches, as well as the modern residential areas.B
Day 13 - Wednesday
La Paz - Santiago
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Santiago.B
Day 14 - Thursday
Santiago - Sydney
Day at leisure. Perhaps take an optional tour to the beach resort of Vi-a del Mar and the colourful seaport of Valparaíso. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney.B
Day 15 - Friday
In Flight
Re-cross the International Dateline, losing the day you gained at the beginning of your trip.
Day 16 - Saturday
Sydney
Arrive Sydney this morning and your journey comes to a close, leaving you with enduring memories of the fascinating highlights of your Inca Mysteries tour.
