Mysteries of the Inca Empire

4.5/5 Based on 2 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor

Mysteries of the Inca Empire

4.5/5 Based on 2 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Coach Group Scenic
Our Price From 4,358 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 70 Per Person
 Trip Length
11 Days
 Trip Starts
Lima
 Trip Finishes
Lima
11 Day Mysteries of the Inca Empire Itinerary (Cosmos)
Countries Explored: Peru
Our Price From 4,358 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 70 Per Person
 Trip Length
11 Days
 Trip Starts
Lima
 Trip Finishes
Lima
11 Day Mysteries of the Inca Empire Itinerary (Cosmos)
Countries Explored: Peru
Trip Style
Regional Discovery
Departures
Accommodation
3 - 4 Star
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
1300
Trip Style
Regional Discovery
Departures
Accommodation
3 - 4 Star
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
1300

Overview

Read 2 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Cosmos 11 Day Mysteries of the Inca Empire. On this Peru tour, delve into the past as you spend time in Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca. Along the way, visit ancient ruins, see beautiful scenery, and enjoy guided sightseeing with Local Guides and a Tour Director dedicated to bringing you these destinations and to helping you learn about the local cultures.

History comes alive on this tour through Peru. Imagine what life was like in the 15th century as you tour the ancient...read more ruins of Machu Picchu, where you’ll see this famous Inca complex of palaces, plazas, temples, and homes set in a majestic setting. More history awaits at Ollantaytambo, the archaeological site of the Incas’ resistance during the Spanish conquest, and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress with some of the best examples of Inca masonry. Guided sightseeing in Cusco features the Santo Domingo Monastery, where the Inca foundations remain under the Spanish baroque structures, and the Cathedral, housing a magnificent collection of artwork.

On this Peru tour, you’ll also learn about the local culture. On your motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca, you’ll visit Taquile Island, where you’ll see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past, and the Uros Floating Islands, where you’ll learn how the Uros Indians construct their islands, homes, and boats from totora reed, a centuries-old practice. In the Incan town of Ollantaytambo and in Sillustani, visits with locals in their homes give you insight into their way of life. Spend time at the Indian market in Pisac and in Awanakancha, learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) to Inca culture. These are just some of the many highlights of this Peru tour. Designed for savvy, value-minded travellers, it’s a holiday of a lifetime!
Read 2 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Cosmos 11 Day Mysteries of the Inca Empire. On this Peru tour, delve into the past as you spend time in Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca. Along the way, visit ancient ruins, see beautiful scenery, and enjoy guided sightseeing with Local Guides and a Tour Director dedicated to bringing you these destinations and to helping you learn about the local cultures.

History comes alive on this tour through Peru. Imagine what life was like in the 15th century as you tour the ancient...read more ruins of Machu Picchu, where you’ll see this famous Inca complex of palaces, plazas, temples, and homes set in a majestic setting. More history awaits at Ollantaytambo, the archaeological site of the Incas’ resistance during the Spanish conquest, and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress with some of the best examples of Inca masonry. Guided sightseeing in Cusco features the Santo Domingo Monastery, where the Inca foundations remain under the Spanish baroque structures, and the Cathedral, housing a magnificent collection of artwork.

On this Peru tour, you’ll also learn about the local culture. On your motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca, you’ll visit Taquile Island, where you’ll see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past, and the Uros Floating Islands, where you’ll learn how the Uros Indians construct their islands, homes, and boats from totora reed, a centuries-old practice. In the Incan town of Ollantaytambo and in Sillustani, visits with locals in their homes give you insight into their way of life. Spend time at the Indian market in Pisac and in Awanakancha, learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) to Inca culture. These are just some of the many highlights of this Peru tour. Designed for savvy, value-minded travellers, it’s a holiday of a lifetime!

Itinerary

Welcome to Lima, Peru. Heralded as the "City of Kings" by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums.

Sightseeing today focuses on Lima's colonial heritage. Founded in 1535, Lima was once capital of Spain's South American Empire. Visit the baroque 11th-century San Francisco Monastery, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and was once the home of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima and conqueror of Peru. Nearby, see the cathedral where Pizarro's remains are buried. The remainder of your day is free to explore. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B/D)

Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop at Awanakancha and learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuna, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into precious fibers for ancient weaving techniques still in use today.

Continue to Pisac, a charming village with a famous Indian market, where you have plenty of time to browse the many colourful stalls selling handicrafts ranging from alpaca sweaters and blankets to painted vases and sterling silver. Later, arrive at your hotel in the peaceful Sacred Valley. (B/D)

Start the day with a visit to the village of Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins of the same name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the Spanish conquest-the only place ever to resist Spanish attacks. See how the temple area at the top of the terraces was the perfect defensive stronghold, then visit a local home in this Incan town to experience life in a traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved.

Next, visit the Seminario ceramics workshop to learn about Peruvian ancient and modern art. End your day at a local chicheria for a taste of a chicha, a typical Inca drink in Peru. (B)

Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the picturesque Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the quaint town closest to the "Lost City of the Incas." Ascend the mountainside through tropical forest to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Listen as your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the terraced ruins dating back to the 15th century. Abandoned when the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish, these remarkable ruins remained undiscovered for nearly 400 years. Many mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu remain to this day. (B/D)

Enjoy some free time this morning to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later this afternoon, return to Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire. (B)

Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco that focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epicentre of the Incas until the Spanish toppled it. In fact, Inca foundations can still be found in Cusco, with the Spanish baroque structures built on top. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, where these two forms of architecture are melded together with the temple of both cultures atop one another. Also, see the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, housing a magnificent collection of artwork, including a depiction of The Last Supper that portrays the apostles dining on cuy (guinea pig).

Continue to the hillside overlooking Cusco for a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles that took place here, then see the ruins of Kenko and Puca Pucara before returning to Cusco. (B/D)

Fly to Juliaca, visit the pre-Incan burial grounds of Sillustani en route to Puno. See the above-ground tombs, chullpas, in which the Aymara Indians buried their high priests. Continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Legend says the first Inca, Manco Capac, arose from the waters of the lake by the power of the sun god to found the Inca Empire. (B)

Experience fascinating Lake Titicaca today as you embark on a motorboat tour of the highest navigable lake in the world and its man-made islands. On Taquile Island, see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past. This is evident by the Spanish peasant dresses made of Andean textiles-the islanders make some of the finest in all of Peru.

Continue to the Uros floating islands, a group of approximately 40 artificially made islands. Learn how the Uros Indians construct their islands, homes, boats, and many other resources completely of tortora reed, a centuries-old practice. Enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director this evening. (B/L/D)

Return to Juliaca, where you will be welcomed into a local home for an inside look at life here. Later, a short flight returns you to Lima, where you will transfer to your hotel. (B)

Your holiday ends after breakfast this morning. (B)

Welcome to Lima, Peru. Heralded as the "City of Kings" by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums.

Sightseeing today focuses on Lima's colonial heritage. Founded in 1535, Lima was once capital of Spain's South American Empire. Visit the baroque 11th-century San Francisco Monastery, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and was once the home of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima and conqueror of Peru. Nearby, see the cathedral where Pizarro's remains are buried. The remainder of your day is free to explore. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B/D)

Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop at Awanakancha and learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuna, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into precious fibers for ancient weaving techniques still in use today.

Continue to Pisac, a charming village with a famous Indian market, where you have plenty of time to browse the many colourful stalls selling handicrafts ranging from alpaca sweaters and blankets to painted vases and sterling silver. Later, arrive at your hotel in the peaceful Sacred Valley. (B/D)

Start the day with a visit to the village of Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins of the same name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the Spanish conquest-the only place ever to resist Spanish attacks. See how the temple area at the top of the terraces was the perfect defensive stronghold, then visit a local home in this Incan town to experience life in a traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved.

Next, visit the Seminario ceramics workshop to learn about Peruvian ancient and modern art. End your day at a local chicheria for a taste of a chicha, a typical Inca drink in Peru. (B)

Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the picturesque Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the quaint town closest to the "Lost City of the Incas." Ascend the mountainside through tropical forest to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Listen as your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the terraced ruins dating back to the 15th century. Abandoned when the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish, these remarkable ruins remained undiscovered for nearly 400 years. Many mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu remain to this day. (B/D)

Enjoy some free time this morning to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later this afternoon, return to Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire. (B)

Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco that focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epicentre of the Incas until the Spanish toppled it. In fact, Inca foundations can still be found in Cusco, with the Spanish baroque structures built on top. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, where these two forms of architecture are melded together with the temple of both cultures atop one another. Also, see the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, housing a magnificent collection of artwork, including a depiction of The Last Supper that portrays the apostles dining on cuy (guinea pig).

Continue to the hillside overlooking Cusco for a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles that took place here, then see the ruins of Kenko and Puca Pucara before returning to Cusco. (B/D)

Fly to Juliaca, visit the pre-Incan burial grounds of Sillustani en route to Puno. See the above-ground tombs, chullpas, in which the Aymara Indians buried their high priests. Continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Legend says the first Inca, Manco Capac, arose from the waters of the lake by the power of the sun god to found the Inca Empire. (B)

Experience fascinating Lake Titicaca today as you embark on a motorboat tour of the highest navigable lake in the world and its man-made islands. On Taquile Island, see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past. This is evident by the Spanish peasant dresses made of Andean textiles-the islanders make some of the finest in all of Peru.

Continue to the Uros floating islands, a group of approximately 40 artificially made islands. Learn how the Uros Indians construct their islands, homes, boats, and many other resources completely of tortora reed, a centuries-old practice. Enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director this evening. (B/L/D)

Return to Juliaca, where you will be welcomed into a local home for an inside look at life here. Later, a short flight returns you to Lima, where you will transfer to your hotel. (B)

Your holiday ends after breakfast this morning. (B)

Trip Inclusions

Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available).

  • 10 Breakfasts
  • 1 Lunches
  • 5 Dinners

  • Lima Jose Antonio Lima Hotel (First-Class)
  • Sacred Valley Sonesta Posadas del Inca - Sacred Valley - Yucay (First-Class)
  • Machu Picchu El Mapi by Inkaterra (First-Class)
  • Cusco Jose Antonio Cusco (Moderate First-Class)
  • Puno Xima Puno Hotel (First-Class)

  • Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
  • Maximum elevation on this tour is 13,000 ft. Maximum enjoyment of this holiday requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge.

Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available).

  • 10 Breakfasts
  • 1 Lunches
  • 5 Dinners

  • Lima Jose Antonio Lima Hotel (First-Class)
  • Sacred Valley Sonesta Posadas del Inca - Sacred Valley - Yucay (First-Class)
  • Machu Picchu El Mapi by Inkaterra (First-Class)
  • Cusco Jose Antonio Cusco (Moderate First-Class)
  • Puno Xima Puno Hotel (First-Class)

  • Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
  • Maximum elevation on this tour is 13,000 ft. Maximum enjoyment of this holiday requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge.
Why Travel with Cosmos?
Why Travel with Cosmos?

Enjoy inside visits to Latin America's must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more

Personalise Your Adventure
Personalise Your Adventure

Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more

Cosmos's Expert Guides
Cosmos's Expert Guides

Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more

Why Travel with Cosmos?
Why Travel with Cosmos?

Enjoy inside visits to Latin America's must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more

Personalise Your Adventure
Personalise Your Adventure

Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more

Cosmos's Expert Guides
Cosmos's Expert Guides

Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more

Trip Reviews (2) Most Recent 'Mysteries of the Inca Empire' Reviews

4.5
AVG. RATING 4.5 / 5
2 Reviews
5 Star
50%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
11 Day Mysteries of The Inca Empire 2 , QLD, Australia, Sep 2018
The highlights of the trip were Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the Uros Floating Islands on Lake Titicaca. It's amazing how the families live on these floating islands of reeds.
Excellent Tour 4 , QLD, Australia, Sep 2016
A well organised tour full of history scenery and challenging walks. Our tour guide Paulo was very informative and kept the tour flowing with his expertise. We would recommend this tour to everyone.
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. For all itineraries that include a cruise, Cosmos may apply a surcharge depending on the cabin categories available on your selected departure. Your Travel Advisor will provide this information in your quote if applicable. Your Travel Advisor will also apply any appropriate discounts automatically and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'.
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Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Cosmos. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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