Along the way......

This itinerary is open to those who wish to discover the main attractions of Peru. From the Pacific coast to the Amazonian forest, by way of the Andean Cordillera, this circuit allows you to explore this vast country brimming with history, customs and diverse geology...
Have a good trip!

Day 1 : LIMA – RECEPTION

Reception upon arrival at Jorge Chavez airport, in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.

Day 2 : LIMA – PARACAS – NATURE PRESERVE - PARACAS

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle on the Pan-American Highway.
Arrival at the hotel in Paracas in the late morning. Relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, walk through the Paracas Nature Preserve, located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Return to the hotel. Evening open. Meals open.
Please note: 163 miles; around three and a half hour travel-time.

Day 3 : PARACAS – BALLESTAS ISLANDS– HUACACHINA – REGIONAL MUSEUM (ICA) - NAZCA - LOW-ALTITUDE FLIGHT OVER THE LINES

In the morning, departure for the port of Paracas. Excursion to the Ballestas Islands, where we peacefully observe the numerous seals, pelicans, penguins, Bougainville cormorants and flamingos.
Continuation of the journey to the ’Adolfo Bermudez Jenkins’ Museum, a true gem, exhibiting a collection of objects: fabrics, ceramics, mummies and trepinated skulls from the coastal Paracas and Nazca cultures, as well as from the Inca period. Lunch open at the Huacachina Oasis.
In the afternoon, transfer to the hotel in Nazca and then to the Nazca’s aerodrome. Low-altitude flight over the famous lines - strange geometrical drawings, some of which easily exceeding 300 yards in length and only visible from the sky! Meals open.
Note 1: 113 miles – around 2½ -hour of travel time.
Note 2: collective boat for the 2-hour visit of the islands.

Day 4 : NAZCA – CHAUCHILLA – AREQUIPA

Departure for Arequipa in a private vehicle. Stop at the Chauchilla’s cemetery that offers an odd spectacle to its visitors. Continuation of the journey to Arequipa. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Note: 351 miles – 9-hour of travel time.

Day 5 : AREQUIPA / COMPLETE CITY TOUR

Day dedicated to the exploration of the White City. In the morning, visit of the colonial center (Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, church and the Compaña Convent) and of the Santa Catalina Convent, genuine city within the city with its alleys bordered with colored houses.
Lunch in a picanteria (included). In the afternoon, excursion to the watchtowers of Yanahuara and Cayma, offering a panoramic view over the fabulous surrounding volcanoes.
The end of the day will be dedicated to the visit of the Sanctuarios Andinos Museum, well known for its collection of mummies found in the ice of the surrounding mountains, where they had been preserved for more than five hundred years. Back to the hotel. Dinner open.
Please note: visit of the Convent with a specialized guide.

Day 6 : AREQUIPA – AGUADA BLANCA PRESERVE - PATAPAMPA – COLCA CANYON

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Colca, whose canyon is one of the deepest in the world, with 3680 meters depth (12073 feet). Crossing of the National Preserve and of the Patapampa pass.
On the way, we admire magnificent landscapes and possibly observe vicunas and other camelids.
Transfer to the hotel in Colca. Option to take a bath in the village hot springs (not included). Meals open.
Please note: 99 miles – around 5-hour of travel time.
Option: entrance fees to the hot springs to be paid directly on location.

Day 7 : COLCA CANYON – CRUZ DEL CONDOR – MACA - AREQUIPA

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Arequipa, the White City.
First stop at Cruz del Condor, at the heart of Colca, to observe the condors. Visit of picturesque villages, including Maca.
Transfer to the hotel in Arequipa. Meals open.

Day 8 : AREQUIPA – PUNO (TITICACA) (BY BUS)

In the morning, transfer to the Arequipa land terminal. Journey by bus to Puno, town located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This itinerary gives you the opportunity to discover the rather unusual landscapes of the Altiplano.
Reception and private transfer to the typical village of Llachon, which overlooks Lake Titicaca, at 3820 meters above sea level (12532 feet). Felipe and his family welcome us in their community. Evening meal and night in the community. Lunch open.
Note 1: visitors are not accompanied during the journey. 5-hour of travel time.
Note 2: timetable and specific transport company details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.

Day 9 : PUNO – UROS - TAQUILE – PUNO (TITICACA)

In the morning, transfer to the port of Puno to embark for the islands of Uros and Taquile.
After a 25-minute cruise, we visit of the floating islands. These islands are not natural; the Uros tribe, whose main activity is fishing, built them. We then head for Taquile (around 2-hour cruise), an island of great cultural interest, where residents live in harmony with the ancestral traditions. Visit and lunch in a typical restaurant, not included. Back to Puno in mid-afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Please note: Option to plan a two days excursion with one night at a local resident’s place on the island.

Day 10 : PUNO – CUZCO (TOURIST BUS)

Transfer to the Puno land terminal. Journey by bus to Cuzco, Navel of the Inca Empire. This itinerary allows you to enjoy wonderful landscapes along the road, via the Raya Pass, at 4320 meters above sea level (14173 feet). Visit of the Pukara Museum, the archaeological site of Raqchi and the “Sistine Chapel” of the Andes in Andahuaylillas.
Reception and transfer to the hotel in Cuzco. Lunch included (buffet lunch at Sicuani). Dinner open.
Note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on the bus journey. However, a Spanish/English-speaking guide, exclusive to the bus company, participates to the journey and gives information along the way.

Day 11 : CUZCO / COMPLETE CITY TOUR

Day dedicated to the discovery of Cuzco and its surrounding areas. In the morning, visit of the archaeological sites overlooking the city: Tambomachay, Q’enko, Pukapucara and Sacsayhuaman.
We then walk down to the San Blas quarter (the artists’ place). We pass by the famous 12 angles stone and continue to the San Pedro market to familiarize ourselves with local products.
In the afternoon, visits of the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), and of the Cathedral, exhibiting some paintings from the School of Cuzco and many goldsmith’s art, silver and precious stones treasures. Transfer to the hotel at the end of the afternoon. Meals open.

Day 12 : CUZCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUASCALIENTES (MACHU PICCHU)

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley. First stop at the ruins of Pisac. Visit of the site and walk around the handicraft market.
Lunch and continuation of the journey to the Incan village of Ollantaytambo and visit of the fortress.
On the way, stop in a ceramic workshop in Urubamba (Ayllu if opens). Departure from the train station in mid afternoon for a two hours journey to Aguascalientes. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Note: The visit of Ollantaytambo can also be planned on the way back from Machu Picchu.

Day 13 : AGUASCALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – SACRED VALLEY

In the early morning, direct connection to the shuttle service that will drive you to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day dedicated to the visit of the site; one of the wonders of the world, discovered in 1911 by the American anthropologist Hiram Bingham. In the afternoon, return by train to Ollantaytambo. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Meals open.
Suggestion: ascent of Huayna Picchu – make sure you wear comfortable shoes, do not carry too much weight, and hope you are not suffering from vertigo – or to La Puerta del Sol.

Day 14 : SACRED VALLEY – MORAY - MARAS - CHINCHERO – CUZCO

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley. First stop at the cultural site of Moray, a former Incan agricultural ‘laboratory’.
Then, continuation of the excursion to Maras: salt mines in the middle of the Cordillera! Visit of the village of Chinchero and its colonial church. Walk around the traditional handcraft market on Sundays or visit of the Awana Wasi Tocapo textile association on the other days.
Drive back to Cuzco and transfer to the hotel. Meals open.

Day 15 : CUZCO – PUERTO MALDONADO (BY PLANE) – LODGE / GROUP

Transfer to the airport for a flight with destination Puerto Maldonado, the getaway to Amazonia.
Reception and transfer to the Lodge located forty minutes away by boat. In the afternoon, walk in the forest to familiarize ourselves with the local flora and fauna.
Later, nocturnal photo safari to observe caimans.
Please note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.

Day 16 : OBSERVATION OF PARROTS – MONKEY ISLAND – LAKE SANDOVAL / GROUP

In the early morning, observation of parrots that gather by the dozen, at the Collpa de los Loros.
Breakfast and then departure for Monkey Island. Continuation by foot, for a 5-mile walk to Lake Sandoval to observe giant otters, kingfishers and even piranhas. Night at the Lodge.

Day 17 : DAY IN THE JUNGLE AND RELAXATION / GROUP

Expedition in a paddleboat on a small river that takes us deeper into the jungle.
An occasion to spot a great variety of tropical birds and fish. Relaxation time back at the lodge in one of the hammocks of the terrace of the bungalow. Night at the Lodge.

Day 18 : LODGE – PUERTO MALDONADO – LIMA (BY PLANE) / GROUP

Open day. Possibility to visit the fruit market of Puerto Maldonado, and then transfer to the airport. Reception in Lima and transfer to the hotel.
Please note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.

Day 19 : LIMA / INTERNATIONAL RETURN FLIGHT

Three hours before take-off, transfer to Jorge Chavez airport in Lima.
Connection with the international return flight. Meals open.

Included:

  All tours mentioned in this program

  Private English-speaking guide

  Aforementioned transport: domestic flights, trains

  Private transfer to airport / station / bus terminal / hotel with Spanish-speaking chauffeur

  Entrance to sites, museums and natural parks

  Hotels with double or triple room including breakfast

  Aforementioned meals

  Guide expenses (transport, hotels, meals, etc…)

Not Included:

  International return flight

  Individual equipment (sleeping bag, torch lamp, etc…)

  Obligatory travel insurance

  Entrance fees if mentioned

  Drinks

  Tips

  Airport tax ($US 6 per person for national flights, $US 30 per person for international flights)

  Aforementioned free meals

General information Peru

Equipment to bring

Travel and health advice

Altitude stays

Climate