DAY 1: LIMA
You will be welcomed at Lima airport by one of our drivers, and driven to the hotel. There are no activities planned for the first day as most international flights arrive in the late afternoon/evening.
Your hotel transfer is guaranteed, no matter what your arrival time.
DAY 2: LIMA – PARACAS
Lima is much more than than just the starting point of your Peruvian tour, it’s a capital city which is home to more than 9 million Peruvians, both modern and full of history. Your first stop in Lima: the colonial center, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the modern, buzzing district of Miraflores, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
You will then take a first-class bus along the coast towards the coastal town of Paracas, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Night at the hotel.
DAY 3: PARACAS – NAZCA
In the morning, you will board a boat for a tour of the Ballestas Islands, which are sometimes called the Galapagos Islands of Peru, due to their abundance of wildlife, including otaries, cormorants, pelicans, penguins and other varieties of birds.
You will then depart towards Nasca where you will make yourself at home at the hotel. Next will be a mid-afternoon excursion to see the geoglyphs of Palpa . Less known than the Nasca lines, these figures were drawn around the same era, over 1000 years ago. On the way, you will be able to ascend a viewpoint, from which you’ll be able to see two of the figures belonging to the Nasca lines.
Night at the hotel.
DAY 4: NAZCA – AREQUIPA
If you wish, in the morning you may take a half-hour plane ride over the famous Nazca Lines (optional, not included in tour price).
In the afternoon, you will set off for Arequipa, for the last leg of your coastal adventure. Upon your arrival in the evening, you will be taken to your hotel, the in the historical center of the city.
Optional: if you do not wish to do the Nazca Lines flight, you may visit the Chauchilla cemetery with its pre-hispanic mummies, or the Cahuachi archeological complex.
DAY 5: AREQUIPA
During day 5 you will explore Arequipa, the second biggest city in Peru and one of the most pleasant stops on the tour. Located between the coastal desert and the Andean plateau, Arequipa sits high at an altitude of 2300 meters.
In the morning: a guided tour of the city, its colonial center with the famous Santa Catalina monastery, the Company of Jesus cloisters, San Camilo market, the Yanahuara district, and the Carmen Alto viewpoint over the city and its three volcanoes.
Free afternoon to explore at your own pace and discover more of the city’s charm.
Night at the Hotel.
DAY 6: AREQUIPA CAÑON DE COLCA
Early-morning departure for the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in Peru and in the world, famous for its condors and stunning views.
You will then ascend up to 4900 meters, reaching the peak (literally) of your Peruvian tour, before descending back down to Chivay (3500 meters) in the Colca Valley for lunch (not included). After lunch, you will be able to explore Chivay and if you wish, go for a soak in the thermal baths, where the water is nearing 40º C (optional entry which costs around 4 US$, not included).
Night at the Hotel.
DAY 7: CAÑON DE COLCA – PUNO
Early-morning departure to the « Cruz del Condor » viewpoint, just along the valley. This viewpoint offers a stunning view across the canyon, and the river 1000 meters below. All being well, you’ll be able to watch the slow and majestic flight of the condors. According to our previous travelers, this is one of the highlights of the trip!
In the afternoon, you will leave for Puno: a 4-5 hour bus ride will take you through more infinite and beautiful landscapes. You will drive through most of the Peruvian “altiplano” and will arrive in Puno in the late afternoon. Puno is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3800 meters, and is the highest stop of the tour.
Transfer to the hotel for the night.
DAY 8: LAGO TITICACA UROS – TAQUILE
This excursion begins at 6:30am with transfer from your hotel to the port. Then by motor boat we visit the Uros floating Islands. Stepping on them feels very much like a water bed (but it is quite safe). We see the houses, the islands and meet its friendly inhabitants.Uros people are descendents of one of the oldest South American groups. Rides on traditional reed boats can be arranged. In the mornings these islands can be crowded. We visit two of the 80 islands before continuing on to Taquile Island. we get to Taquile island. There a unique community can be observed. A long path gradually ascending will take us to the village, the views are unique and worth’s. (45 min. hike approx) to visit the communal cooperative where you will find handy craft textiles of high quality. Lunch at one of the many local restaurants. The views are magnificent. Then we descent 500 steps down to the main port of the island. at 2:30pm approx. depart back to Puno City (3 hour return journey). At 5.30pm Arrival to Puno. we transfer you to your Puno hotel.
DAY 9: PUNO – CUSCO
Morning departure towards Cusco. You will make a first stop in Pukara, where the early altiplano civilization was developed, long before the Incas. You will then head across to the La Raya pass, at an altitude of 4370 meters, where you will leave the altiplano in your descent towards the Vilcanota valley. In the afternoon, you will visit Raqchi, an ancient Inca site, as well as the Andahuaylillas village and church. Towards the end of the afternoon, you will arrive in Cusco, the ancient Inca capital and without a doubt the most beautiful city in Peru.
You will later be taken to your hotel, the San Agustin Internacional, in the heart of Cusco’s historical center.
DAY 10: CUSCO
We’ll pick you up from your hotel, with our guide we are going to visit the Cathedral there are magnificent colonial art and paintings, after we will visit some of the most impressive Inca stonework and the most important religious center at Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun). Then we will visit the impressive Incan fortress of Sacsayhuaman and Archaeological sites including Qenqo, Puca Pucara and the spring shrine of Tambomachay. We will end the tour at San Pedro market. In the afternoon you have free time. Hotel accommodation.
DAY 11: CHINCHERO – MORAY – MARAS – OLLANTAYTAMBO.
Early morning departure towards the Sacred Valley (by private vehicle), where you will visit one of the most extensive and spectacular ancient Inca cities. Chinchero is also famous for its craft workshops., your next destination will be the Inca terrasses in Moray and the salt basins in Maras, where the salt cultivation is still performed in an artisanal fashion. Your day will end with a visit of the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Night at the hotel
DAY 12: OLLANTAYTAMBO – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
In the morning, you will take a train to Aguas Calientes, from which a bus will take you up to Machu Picchu. Visiting Machu Picchu is the climax of any tour around Peru, and its position amongst the wonders of the world is very much justified. The beauty of the Inca constructions is in perfect harmony with that of its surrounding nature. You will have several free hours in order to explore at your own pace. In the afternoon, the bus will take you back to Aguas Calientes, so you can catch the train back to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco in the evening. Night at the hotel.
DAY 13: CUSCO – PISAC
In the morning our guide he will take you to Pisac. Along the way, visit manitos de la comunidad where you can see llamas and alpacas, famous South American camelids. and then visit the Inca site of Pisac. Located on a ridge overlooking the Urubamba Valley, this fortress was used to control. The Incas had installed a large administrative center that ruled the entire province. This consists of a solar observatory or Intihuatana, a sacred area dedicated to the worship of the Andean deities, an agricultural space consisting of terraces and an area reserved for the accommodation of residents. Continue to the town of Pisac. where you will have free time in the handicraft market, you will discover all the Andean crafts: ponchos, alpaca and sheep textiles, jewelry, antiques, paintings and many other quality items. Night at the hotel.
DAY 14: CUSCO
Nothing like a free day to finish off your tour and to enjoy more of the beautiful Cusco. Whether you wish to stroll around its charming streets, explore some history museums, go shopping in the various artisanal boutiques or enjoy some traditional Peruvian food in a charming little restaurant, Cusco offers a perfectly typical Andean yet cosmopolitan backdrop to say your goodbyes to Peru.
Night at the hotel.
DAY 15: CUSCO – LIMA – RETORNO
Transfer to Cusco airport to take a flight back to Lima. End of our services
Connection with your international flight.
Please note that If your international flight is scheduled for the morning, you should spend the night before in Lima.
