Christmas in Peru 2012
Christmas in Peru 2012: The celebration of Christmas in Peru is one of the most exciting times to visit. People from all over the world love to join the Peruvians for this exciting week, from Christmas to New Years. Even the country people come into the city, often from high up in the Andes where families live alone and raise animals, often without electricity.
They come in their traditional dress of beautifully hand-woven clothing, so their children can partake in the celebration and perhaps receive a gift. Christmas day is also the day of Cusco's largest craft fair. The colors, hand-crafted items and original works, often made entirely with natural materials, are truly amazing to see. To be caught up in the energy and enthusiasm and ceremony is an experience you'll never forget and will always want to return to.
December 21.- Lima
Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to the hotel of your choice.
December 22.- City Tour Lima.
After breakfast, full city tour of modern and colonial Lima, declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991. Tour in an air conditioned bus with a bilingual guide. The tour includes a visit to the Cathedral, Main Square, San Francisco Convent and its Catacombs, and the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores. Time for lunch in a internationally restaurant, strategically located and with a wonderful view to the Pacific Ocean. After lunch, a visit to the Gold Museum. Originally from a private collection, the museum houses numerous gold, silver and copper artefacts from several pre-Hispanic cultures. The most precious piece in the collection is the solid gold Tumi (ceremonial knife) belonging to the Lambayeque culture (350AD). Return to your hotel. Free evening.
December 23.- Lima - Cusco - City Tour.
After breakfast you will fly to Cuzco where you will be greeted at the airport and taken to the hotel of your choice to acclimate to Cusco's 3,400 meter elevation. In the afternoon after resting you can take a guided tour of four nearby ruins; 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; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Dinner and folkloric show in the evening.
December 24.-Sacred Valley .
After breakfast enjoy a full-day excursion to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the village of Pisac, founded during Colonial times. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays the Indians barter their products, and artisans from all over the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions and jewellery. On Sundays this is the meeting place for the local Mayors of the region, who come dressed in their traditional costumes, to attend morning mass. After buffet lunch at the Tunupa Restaurant, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which is still inhabited. Explore the ruins above Ollantaytambo before returning to Cuzco via the traditional market town of Chinchero. Return to your hotel.
December 25.-Cusco - Machu Picchu.
Get ready for an early start by Vistadome train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. Guided visit of the most spectacular ancient city in the world. This fabulous lost city contains houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square; all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. Time for christmas lunch at the Sanctuary Hotel in front of Machu Picchu. After the tour, free time to enjoy this spiritual wonder. Opportunity for a guided trek (approx 1 hour) up to the sungate (Intipunku), which is a part of the Inca Trail, for a magical view of the sanctuary or alternatively an unguided climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary (recommended for fit individuals only). Accommodation at the hotel of your choice.
December 26.- Machu Picchu - Cusco
Opportunity to return to the Sanctuary for a more personal appreciation of Machu Picchu. Time for lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel located in front of Machu Picchu before returning in the afternoon by train to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
December 27.- Cusco - Lima - Home
Transfer at the airport and return home.
End our services.
