Arrival to Lima, reception and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel, the Antigua Hotel, a turn of the century mansion house.

After breakfast at the hotel, a private guided visit to Pachacamac, some 30 Km south of Lima. Thought to be an ancient oracle and royal dwellings, the Pachacamac site is clearly divided into three parts; the first and oldest temple of rustic design, the second, known as the temple of the sun, and the third or temple of the moon, known as Aclla Wasi, which is clearly of Inca design. After the tour, a visit to Mamacona, to watch the world famous Peruvian Paso Horse dance the Marinera, a typical Peruvian dance. The visit will also allow for an insight into the famous 'criolla fiestas' complete with cock fighting, and a folkloric presentation. Opportunity to enjoy some local cuisine. Return to Lima for a colonial and modern city tour including the cathedral, dating from 1654, the main square, which still houses the original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. Known as the city of the kings, Lima was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. One of the very few South American cities that preserve the colonial past, Lima was home to the Spanish viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonialists. The tour will include a visit to the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores, before stopping at Larco Mar to enjoy a view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Return to your hotel. Delicious dinner at the Huaca Pucllana restaurant, located adjacent to a pre-Inca archaeological complex.

After breakfast, a private journey along the northern coast of the Panamericana Highway stopping off for lunch in Barranca. Shortly after, we turn east and begin to gain altitude as we head through the spectacular mountain scenery of the Andes. We finally arrive at our destination after the 7 hour drive to the town of Huaraz, set amongst the giant snow peaks of the Andes and is the most beautifully located town in the whole of Peru. Arrival and transfer to your comfortable family home for three nights.
A light but traditional Huaracina dinner will be served by the owner of the home.

After breakfast, a day trip to Chavin de Huantar in private vehicle, site of the oldest pan-andean civilisation dating back to 2000BC. Located on the outskirts of the village of the same name, a tour of the ruins is followed by lunch. The site has many galleries and subterranean tunnels and houses many carved stone figures of anthropomorphic semblances reminiscent of the Maya culture. It is the oldest known pre-Columbian culture discovered and is known as Chavin-Kotosh. The most remarkable piece of carving is "El Lanzon", a granite carving 4.5 metres in height. Its head is built into the roof of the gallery and its base into the floor, making it immovable. An anthropomorphic figure with feline teeth, it is thought to indicate an important ceremonial, religious artefact. Return to Huaraz where the journey takes you over the continental divide at the high Kawish pass. Free evening to visit the town and dine at a variety of local restaurants.

Today, we embark on a trip never to be forgotten. We leave after breakfast and head towards Carhuaz, south of Huaraz. We visit the remains of Yungay, the town which as completely destroyed by the 1970 landslide from Mount Huascaran, the highest peak in Peru. We continue our trip to Chancos where we witness the natural thermal spa setting and sauna built into the caves which are used by the local community.
We drive further up to the small countryside community of Vicos where we will meet with some of the local community and enjoy a marvelous Pacha Manca meal in the countryside. Prior to the meal, the men folk will conduct a Pachamama or offering to the mother earth.
The Pachamanca lunch is a delicious traditional meal cooked in leaves and baked underground; comprising a variety of meats, potatoes and beans this is a traditional dish from the highlands of Peru. We shall see how the dish is prepared and enjoy the delicious meal after with the local people. After lunch, we shall dance with our hosts to music provided by local musicians playing on handmade, traditional musical instruments such as the quenua flute.
We shall also witness the weaving techniques of the ladies of the community to gain a better insight into their customs and traditions. We finally bid our farewells and return to Huaraz. Free evening.

After breakfast, early transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and connecting flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. Arrival in Cuzco, reception and transfer to the Casa San Blas Hotel.
Free day. Dinner at a restaurant frequented by local Cuzquenas, not a typical touristic restaurant.

After breakfast, a private full day excursion to the villages of Willoq and Patacancha. We first visit the authentic market town of Chinchero on the outskirts of the Sacred Valley where local people barter and sell their goods as they have been doing for hundreds of years. From the Sacred Valley we travel along the non-paved road 19 kilometres up along a narrow canyon lined with ancient agricultural terraces to the Village of Willoc, renowned as home to the most skilled weavers of the region.
Willoc, a native rural Quechua community, is located at 12,129 feet and is home to a group of families rich in cultural values. Most men earn their living as porters for the Inca Trail and are known as "Huayruros". Women also b and resourceful are outstanding weavers known for producing the highest quality textiles in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a boxed lunch, we return to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and to our hotel for the night, Pakaritampu Hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Enjoy a good night's sleep before boarding the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. Arrival to Aguas Calientes and board the bus for the short ride up to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel. A guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world with a Shamanic guide. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. Your guide will also reveal some less well known theories and alternative suggestions to the origin of Machu Picchu. A fabulous city nonetheless, it has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. Free time at leisure before returning to Aguas Calientes and boarding the return train to Cuzco. Transfer to your hotel, the Casa San Blas Hotel.

Today a trip to a rarely visited town, that of Paucartambo, some 110 kms from the city of Cusco, regarded as the folkloric province of Cusco and of Peru. Between July 15 and July 18, the celebrations in honour of the Virgen del Carmen will begin; a religiousfestivity having its roots in the days of the Colonial period where the exuberance of colourful dances and pageants gave an extraordinary touch to one the greatest manifestations of faith seen in Peru.
The origins of the consecration of the festivity of the Virgen del Carmen can be traced back to the verbal tradition of colonial and republican days. The cult to the Virgen del Carmen started during the 17th century when people from the "Qollas" in the high plateau arrived driving their packs of llamas, passing through Paucartambo and Kcosñipata, with the purpose of trading their products. During one of these visits, to the astonishment of migrants and natives, the face of the virgin was miraculously revealed embossed on a clay vase. This discovery was adopted to eternalize her full image, which was sculpted by craftsmen from Paucartambo. Boxed lunch provided. Return to Cuzco.

After early breakfast, opportunity to visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins continue to the city of Cuzco. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Lima and your connecting flight home. http://www.amazingperu.com/cusco/cusco_tours/cusco-info-archaeological-sites.asp