A tour of Peru's marvels including the Sacred Valley, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, the Colca Valley, and Lake Titicaca.
Day 1:Arrive in Lima
Day 2:Lima - Arequipa
Day 3:Arequipa - Colca Valley
Day 4:Colca Valley - Arequipa
Day 5:Arequipa - Puno
Day 6:Lake Titicaca
Day 7:Puno - Cuzco(By Tourist bus)
Day 8:Cuzco city tour
Day 9:Cuzco - Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 10:Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Day 11:Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Day 12:Cuzco -Lima - Departure home
Hotels used in this tour (hotels can be changed on request for most tours)
| | | | | |
| Lima | | | | |
| Arequipa | | | | |
| Colca Valley | | | | |
| Puno | | | | |
| Cuzco | | | | |
| sacred Valley | | | | |
| Aguas Calientes | | | | |
Day 1: Arrive in Lima
Upon arrival in Lima, assistance at the airport and transfer to your selected hotel.
(Included meals : N / A)
Day 2: Lima - Arequipa
Transfer to Lima airport, assistance on departure flight. Upon arrival in Arequipa, transfer to your hotel.
Later today tour the City tour of Arequipa, also known as the White City because of the white volcanic rock, sillar, used in its buildings. You will visit the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, founded in 1580. This convent is an almost self-sustained village, made up of houses for the nuns and their servants, cloisters, plazas and narrow streets, kitchens, refectory and laundry. From there proceed to the Jesuit Church, where you will be impressed by the beauty of its facade, considered the best example of the mestizo baroque style in Arequipa.
The ancient vestry is particularly beautiful with its cupola and walls covered in murals representing the jungle. The ancient Jesuit seminary is famous for its beautiful principal cloister. After visiting the Main Square continue to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina, where you will have a magnificent view of Arequipas countryside and Mount Misti volcano.
(Included meals : Breakfast).
Day 3: Arequipa - Colca Valley
Early departure from Arequipa. Leaving the city via Yura, you enter Pampa Caahuas Reserve, an extensive
plain where you can see vicuas, the indigenous Andean camelid that is a national symbol. Then to Vizcachani, Pampas de Toccra, up to the crater of the volcano Chucura and on to Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa (4,800 m) where the volcanoes surrounding Arequipa can be seen. Lunch will be served in the village of Chivay and in the afternoon you can rest in the hotel, or visit the thermal springs at La Calera.
(Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Day 4: Colca Valley - Arequipa
Depart early in the morningto visit to Cruz del Cndor to see the Colca Valley (the second deepest canyon in
the world, more than 4 kilometres at its deepest part) followed by an astonishing sight: the great and majestic condor flying only a few metres away. On the way back to Chivay you will pass through the villages of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, Yanque and the vantage points at Antahuilque and Choquetico. Return to Arequipa after lunch. Overnight in Arequipa
(Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch).
Day 5: Arequipa - Puno
Transfer to Arequipas airport, assistance on departure flight. Upon arrival to Puno transfer to selected hotel.
(Included meals : Breakfast).
Day 6: Lake Titicaca
Take a motor boat trip to some of the most unique islands of Lake Titicaca, starting with Taquile Island, which is inhabited by quechua speaking natives
who have developed both an efficient and original social system and a fine hand weaving technique over several generations.
Then travel to the utterly fascinating Uros Islands, a group of 40 large floating islands completely man made of reeds, located 6 kms. from the port of Puno and at 3,812 m, where its inhabitants still live like their ancestors and continue to maintain them as they were since pre-columbian times, using Totora reeds from the lake. Return to Puno,and overnight at your selected hotel.
(Included meals : Breakfast,Lunch).
Day 7: Puno - Cuzco(By Tourist bus)
Transfer from your hotel to the bus station, and assistance on departure.
Bus ride to Cusco along the dramatic landscapes of the highland plateau,
only spotted by little andean villages and herds of llamas and vicuna.We will stop at the archaeological site of Pukara (200BC-AD300) as well as in Raqchi an Inca temple built to worship Wiracocha, one of the most important Inca gods.
Finally we will stop at Andahuaylillas, a beautiful baroque church built at the beginning of the XVIIth century and very well known thanks to its beautiful mural paintings. We will have lunch on a restaurant en route. Upon arrival in Cusco we will assist you at the bus station and transfer you to the hotel.
(Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch).
Day 8: Cuzco city tour
City tour of Cusco, including the Santo Domingo convent monastery. This former
Colonial monastery was previously the Korikancha temple, one of the most important temples devoted to the worship of the sun.
According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold Leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Visit also the Cathedral, the most important temple of the city which houses the headquarters of the Diocese. After touring the most interesting sites of the city, you will be driven to the countryside outside Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area. Included are the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.
Finally the tour will take you to visit Tambomachy, It consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks. The function of the site is uncertain: it may have served as a military outpost guarding the approaches to Cusco, as a spa resort for the Incan political elite,
or both. At the end of the tour, transfer to the hotel.
(Included meals : Breakfast)
Day 9: Cuzco - Sacred Valley of the Incas
Take a trip to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will begin your tour
visiting Awanakancha, where South American camelidae are bred. Learn about the llamas, alpacas and vicuas superb fibres, as well as the ancient weaving techniques which are still in use. Proceed to Pisac where you will have the opportunity to bargain with vendors at its local handicrafts market. Enjoy lunch at a pleasant hostelry in the countryside and continue to the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. The site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and evidence of how it was is still visible.
(Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch).
Day 10: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Transfer to Ollanta station to board the train to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival to
Aguas Calientes you will take a 25-minute motorcoach ride to "The Lost City of the Incas", which was discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Located on the left bank of the Vilcanota river lies the wonderful old city of Machu Picchu, which in quechua means "Old Mountain". According to research, Machu Picchu would have been one of the vacation residences of Pachacutec, the first Inca emperor between 1438 and 1470.
However, some of its finest buildings and the evident ceremonial purpose of the main access road to the village, prove that it was used as a religious shrine. Machu Picchu is considered both a masterpiece of architecture and engineering
because of its unique architectural and landscaping features. Prominent constructions among its buildings are the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds, among others of singular architecture and importance.Your guide will narrate and explain all about this splendid citadel, which is a truly amazing experience.
After the guided tour you will have free time to stroll around the archaeological site.Lunch at caf InkaterraOvernight in Aguas Calientes
(Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch).
Day 11: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Morning at leisure. (No guide is included this day). Early rise is recommended to admire Machu Picchu at sunrise, a truly mystical experience. For the hiking enthusiasts, going up the Huayna Picchu peak overlooking the site is suggested (Optional tour). Afternoon Vistadome rail coach service to Ollantaytambo train station then car or van service to Cuzco. Upon arrival, transfer to the selected hotel.
(Included meals : Breakfast).
Day 12: Cuzco -Lima - Departure home
Transfer from your hotel to Cusco airport, assistance on departure flight. Arrive in Lima in time to connect with your international flight home.
(Included meals : Breakfast)
