DAY 1: RECEPTION AT LIMA AIRPORT – TRANSFER TO HOTEL IN LIMA
Day 1 will start with a personal reception at Lima airport by your driver, who will accompany you in your private transport to your hotel in Lima.
The rest of the day is yours to settle in and relax, before the tours begin the following day.
DAY 2: 1/2 DAY CITY TOUR OF LIMA AND LARCO MUSEUM
Day 2 will begin with breakfast in your hotel in Lima, followed by a 1/2 day city tour of Lima from 9:00 AM to 1:30 p. m.
The tour will be a visit to the historic center of the Peruvian capital and other important places at Miraflores district, Sites include:
- The Plaza de Armas (the main square)
- The Government Palace
- The Cathedral of Lima
- The Archbishop’s Palace
- The Cordano Bar (Lima’s oldest bar)
- San Franscisco Museum
- Miraflores district.
At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Lima.
Night of hotel in Lima.
DAY 3: PARACAS, BALLESTAS ISLANDS, ICA, HUACACHINA – ICA – NASCA
5:00 AM Pick up from your hotel in Lima. We will travel 245 kilometers along the Pan-American Highway South until we reach Paracas, a tourist resort in the province of Pisco. On the way, we will make a brief stop in the city of Chincha to use the restrooms and/or enjoy a typical breakfast (optional). We will then continue on to our destination, Paracas, arriving at approximately 7:45 AM.
8:00 AM – DEPARTURE FOR THE BALLESTAS ISLANDS: On a motorized boat, we will see the famous Candelabro, a huge petroglyph located in Independence Bay, Paracas. Continuing our journey 30 minutes out to sea, we will observe the biodiversity of marine fauna residing in the Ballestas Islands, such as guano and marine birds like the famous Peruvian booby, Guanay cormorant, red-footed cormorant, Zarcillo, Peruvian pelican, Humboldt penguin, sea lions, and dolphins. After a 2-hour tour, we will return to the private port of Independence Bay to continue with our next excursion, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Departure for the city of Ica at 11:00 a.m. – – WE WILL VISIT THE ARTISANAL WINE CELLAR “EL CATADOR” or “NIETO,” winner of national awards. Here we will learn how wine and pisco are made using traditional methods and taste the winery’s spirits.
We will then have free time for lunch. 4:00 p.m. VISIT TO THE HUACA-CHINA OASIS AND LAGOON: This is a natural oasis located five kilometers west of the city of Ica, surrounded by immense dunes and emerald green waters. Around it there is abundant vegetation consisting of palm trees, eucalyptus trees (introduced species), and the carob tree species known as Huarango, which serves as a resting place for migratory birds passing through this region. Here we will take a 1 hour 30 minute tour in a buggy (tubular), ideal for people who like to feel the speed, adrenaline, and wind brushing their faces, and who are not interested in getting covered in sand when our buggy begins to climb up and down the largest dunes in this place.
At the end of the tour, we will board our private transportation to head to the city of Nazca (approx. 2.5-hour trip).
Overnight stay in Nasca.
DAY 4: FLY OVER THE NAZCA LINES – AREQUIPA
AM Breakfast at the hotel.
At 8:00 AM, we will board our private transportation for the 15-minute transfer to the Nasca airfield.
Fly over the Nazca Lines and observe up to 12 of the most enigmatic figures for 35 minutes: 1. The Whale, 2. Trapezoids, 3. Astronaut, 4. Monkey, 5. Dog, 6. Condor, 7. Spider, 8. Hummingbird, 9. Gannet/Flamingo, 10. Parrot, 11. Hands, 12. Tree.
After the flight, in the afternoon after lunch, we will board a tourist bus and head to the city of Arequipa, the “White City.” During this scenic trip, we will enjoy beautiful landscapes and extraordinary valleys, which are abundant in flora and fauna. Upon arrival in Arequipa, you will be transferred to your hotel located in the historic center of this beautiful city.
Overnight stay in Arequipa.
DAY 5: AREQUIPA – CITY TOUR
- AM: Breakfast at the hotel.
- After the long and tiring journey, you will have the morning free to rest before starting our tour.
After lunch, at 1:30 p. m, our guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and begin the tour of the “White City,” including the Convent of Santa Catalina, undoubtedly the jewel of Arequipa. It was opened to the public in 1970 after being closed for 400 years and contains countless pieces of colonial art. You will also visit the Plaza de Armas, the cloisters of the Society of Jesus, and the neighborhoods of Cayma and Yanahuara, with a magnificent view of the Misti volcano, and visit a traditional colonial mansion called the Founder’s Mansion. 6:00 p. m: Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Arequipa.
DAY 6: AREQUIPA – CHIVAY
Day 6 will begin with breakfast in your hotel in Arequipa.
At 7:30 a. m you will be collected in the tourist bus and journey for 4-hours along the Yura road towards Chivay, the capital city of the Colca Valley. Chivay is renowned for its religious festivals and cultural heritage and is considered to be the gateway to the Colca Canyon.
On route to Chivay you will pass by the National Reserve of the Salinas y Aguada Blanca, home to South American camelids, vicuñas and flamingos. You will pass through the extinct volcanic crater of Chuchura, before the bus takes a stop at the viewpoint of the volcanoes at 4,910 m / 16,109 ft for breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of Misti, Pichu Pichu and Chachani.
Upon arrival in Chivay, you will check into your hotel and have lunch in one of the local restaurants. After which, you’ll be transported 4 k.m up the valley, to the hot springs in the nearby town of Calera. Here you will relax in thermal baths of up to 38°C before returning to Chivay for the evening.
At 7 p. m, you will regroup with your guide for a restaurant dinner, and an evening of cultural entertainment in Chivay.
Overnight at a hotel in Chivay.
DAY 7: CHIVAY – COLCA CANYON – PUNO
Day 7 will begin with breakfast in your hotel in Chivay.
At 7 a. m you will be picked up in your group transport and begin the 1-hour drive towards Mirador Cruz del Condor. At 3,800 m / 12,467 ft, the viewpoint is the second most visited tourist site in Peru, after Machu Picchu, and is one of the best places in the country for those hoping to see the flight of the Condors. The sacred birds of the Incas thrive in this part of the canyon, and regularly visit the skies over the viewpoint in the mornings, before the sun gets too hot.
After experiencing the spectacle of the Andean Condors in flight, you will continue on through the breathtaking Colca Canyon, alongside stunning views of stepped terraces and the settlements of Pinchollo, Madrigal, Lari, Maca, Achoma and Yanque.
Around midday you will return to Chivay for lunch, and then continue on for 5-hours to the city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. At around 6:30 p. m, you will be escorted to your hotel and then left to explore the city alone for the evening.
Overnight stay in Puno.
DAY 8: PUNO – LAKE TITICACA TOUR (UROS FLOATING ISLANDS AND TAQUILE)
Day 8 will begin with breakfast in your hotel in Puno.
Your private transport will then pick up from your hotel in Puno at 6:45 a. m. You’ll then be driven to the nearby port of Puno where you will take the 7:15am boat to the floating islands of Uros, located 10 km (30 mins by boat) from the port.
The indigenous Uru people, construct their islands out of huge blocks of Totora Reed, an aquatic plant native to Lake Titicaca. The islands are covered with a fresh layer of reeds every 20 days, and are able to float due to porosity of the blocks that release gases produced by decomposition. These blocks are then joined together and anchored to the lake bed using eucalyptus sticks.
The Uru culture is one of the oldest ethnic groups on Lake Titicaca, who have inhabited its waters since the Incas began expanding their territories over the plateau hundreds of years ago. They dedicate themselves to fishing and bird hunting and are entirely dependent on the Totora reed with which they build their islands, houses, rafts and also serves as food and fuel for the people.
After saying goodbye to the Uru people, you’ll take the boat a further 1-hour to the island of Taquile. When you arrive, you’ll walk along a wide trail to the Plaza de Armas, all the while admiring the breathtaking deep blue shores of Lake Titicaca. Throughout your tour of the island, you’ll visit places where local artwork is made and take lunch at a local family home.
After lunch, you will return by boat to the port of Puno and be transported by car back to your hotel in the city for 5pm. The evening is then yours to rest and explore at your leisure.
Overnight stay in Puno.
DAY 9: PUNO – TOURIST BUS TO CUSCO
Day 9 will begin with breakfast in your hotel in Puno.
At 6:45am you will be collected in private transport from your hotel and driven to the bus terminal ready for the 7:20am departure.
The Bus tour takes you on the scenic route from Puno, a Peruvian city on the shores of Lake Titicaca, to Inca city of Cusco. The 10-hour journey will take you through picturesque Andean towns and mountainous valleys, showcasing the beauty of the Cusco/Puno region.
The bus makes 5 stops along the way, treating you to 3 guided tours. These include the Sistine Chapel of America, the Temple of the god Wiracocha, and the Lithic Museum of the Pukará Culture. Aswell as a buffet lunch in the Andean town of Sicuani and an opportunity to take breathtaking photos atop the highest point of the route, the Abra La Raya Pass.
The tourist bus will be equipped with everything you’ll need for a comfortable journey to Cusco. This includes; heating and air conditioning, toilets and sanitary facilities and refreshing drinks served on board such as tea, coffee, Coca Cola and water.
At 5pm, the bus will arrive in the city of Cusco, where you will be met by your private transport and transferred to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
DAY 10: 1/2 DAY CITY TOUR OF CUSCO
AM Breakfast at the hotel.
You will have the morning free to rest after our exhausting journey and also to acclimatize to the altitude of Cusco.
1:30 p. m: We will begin our City Tour, meeting you in the lobby of your hotel to start our tour. We will visit the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, the Plaza de Armas, the main streets, and we will also visit the 04 inka ruins near the city, the Sacsayhuamán Fortress, finally Qenqo, Pukapukara and Tambochay the temple of the water. p. m transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
DAY 11: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY TOUR – AGUAS CALIENTES
Day 11 of the tour starts with breakfast at your hotel in Cusco.
At 7:30 a. m you’ll be collected in private transport from your hotel and driven 1-hour through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the town of Chinchero. Here you’ll participate in a short cultural experience with the local community and their resident alpacas. Your guide will then accompany you around the local market and take you on a tour of the Colonial Temple.
The next destination of the day will be the circular, agricultual platforms of Moray. An experimental and research centre of the Incas, due to its ever changing micro-climate and surrounding mountain range. After visiting Moray, you’ll be driven the short distance to the salt mines of Maras. A unique collection of salt wells that have been formed into stepped terraces, fed by a nearby irrigation channel. Here your tour guide will educate you on the traditional ‘mining’ practices of the local people and the historical significance of the salt mines to the region.
The afternoons’ tour will begin surrounded by the natural beauty of Urubamba. The largest town in the sacred valley and our lunch destination for the day. With a multitude of restaurants to choose from, you can treat yourself to anything from local cuisine to a buffet lunch.
After lunch, your transport will take you alongside the Urubamba River, to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo. Here your guide will accompany you through the bustling local markets and the famous Inca fortress that towers above the town. The strategic position and architectural sophistication of the site, offers visitors some of the most spectacular views of the sacred valley from above. The exquisite stonework and rich history of Ollantaytambo will take you and your guide on an impressive journey through Inca antiquity, before you complete the days’ tour of the sacred valley at Ollantaytambo train station.
The final journey of the day will be aboard the tourist train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). The 1 hour 45 minute train ride will treat you to breathtaking scenes of snow-capped mountains, Inka farming terraces and of course more remarkable Inka ruins. After which you will once again be greeted by your tour guide, and escorted to your hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes, the home of Machu Picchu.
Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
DAY 12: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU TOUR – CUSCO
Day 12 will begin with breakfast in your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
At 6:30 a. m your guide will escort you the bus station where you will board the tourist bus to Machu Picchu. The scenic route from Aguas Calientes takes you on a 30 minute bus ride up the mountainside to the entrance of the Inca citadel. Once inside, you will be taken on a 3-hour tour of Machu Picchu where you will make your way through the Inca city with your personal guide. Aswell as visiting the famous sites of the temple of the sun, the central plaza and the stepped terraces, you will have plenty opportunity to take the bucket list photos you came for atop the panoramic viewpoint of Machu Picchu. Before boarding the bus back down the mountain, your guide will also allow you time to explore the mysteries of the sanctuary alone.
Once you have regrouped with your guide and taken the bus back to Aguas Calientes, there will be time to take lunch in one of Machu Picchu towns’ many restaurants (optional extra), before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There you’ll be greeted by your guide and private transportation who will take you on the 2-hour drive back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco is approximately 6.30pm.
There will also be time to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain in this tour after your guided tour of the Inca citadel. However please be aware, this will be an extra cost of $75 USD per person and will involve an extra 2-hours hiking. Return to Cusco will therefore be aboard a later train and arrival time in Cusco will be approx 8.30pm.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Cusco.
DAY 13: FREE DAY IN CUSCO
Day 13 will begin with breakfast in your hotel in Cusco.
After many days of travelling, this day is free for you to explore the Cusco region without a guide.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Cusco.
DAY 14: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR – CUSCO
The Rainbow Mountain tour starts with pick up at 5am from your hotel in Cusco.
Your private transportation will take you on a 2-hour drive through the picturesque towns and valleys of the Peruvian Andes until we reach the town of Cusipata. Here we will stop for a delicious breakfast in a local restaurant amidst the stunning backdrop of the surrounding mountain range.
After breakfast, your driver will transport you a further 90 minutes up the valley to the start of the hike. Accompanied by your guide, you will begin at elevation 4,650 m / 15,255 ft. If you do not wish to hike the 90 minute trail to the first viewpoint, our Rainbow Mountain tour offers you the option to hire the services of a horse to carry you for the first hour up the trail to viewpoint. Please bear in mind that if you wish to reach the highest viewpoint, you will need to hike the final 20 minutes on foot, to the summit at 5,040 m / 16,535 ft.
Once you have arrived at the viewpoint, you will be treated to the beautiful views of Vinicunca and its natural formation of mineral rich striking colours, including vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.
The mountains surrounding Vinicunca comprise the breathtaking hills of the Red Valley. The mountains get their name from the distinct presence of iron oxide in the rock, giving visitors a unique viewpoint of a deep red mountain range.
Once you have taken in your surroundings and bagged as many photos as you can carry, you will descend back down the mountain with your guide. Your driver will be waiting for you to return at the end of the hike, ready to transport you back to the restaurant in Cusipata for a well deserved rest and lunch.
The final leg of the tour will be the 2-hour drive back to Cusco. Arrival at your hotel is approximately 4 p. m.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
DAY 15: CUSCO – AIRPORT TRANSFER – RETURN FLIGHT TO LIMA
Day 15 will begin with breakfast in your hotel in Cusco.
At the appropriate time you’ll be picked up by your guide and driver, and transferred to Cusco airport in plenty time to board your return flight to Lima.,
The scheduled time of the return flight from Cusco to Lima will depend on the departure time of your international flight.
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