Along the way......

Un-avoidable program for those passionate about archaeology and history.
This circuit takes you on a tour through the largest pre-Hispanic civilizations of Peru: more than 5,000 years of history is offered you, from the mother civilization Chavin de Huantar to the celebrated Incas. You will discover their impressive constructions as well as the exceptional artwork, which spans centuries and includes frescos, petroglyphs, fabrics, pottery as well as gold and silver treasures.

Day 1 : LIMA / RECEPTION

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

Day 2 : LIMA – CARAL – LIMA

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Caral, the most ancient city of the Americas, located around 125 miles north of the capital city. Visit of the site, discovery of the pyramid-shaped buildings, and visit of a residential area.
Back to Lima by mid-afternoon. Transfer to the hotel.
Meals open.

Day 3 : LIMA – HUARAZ (BUS SERVICE)

Transfer to the Lima land terminal. Journey by bus with destination Huaraz, main departure point for the numerous treks in the White Cordillera and Huayhuash.
Reception and transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Note 1: Visitors are not accompanied by a guide on the bus journey – around six hours of travel-time.
Note 2: Timetable and specific transport company details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.

Day 4 : HUARAZ – CHAVIN DE HUANTAR – HUARAZ

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Chavin de Huantar.
Visit of the archaeological site that used to be, more than 2500 years ago, an important pilgrimage centre, where people traveled great distances to bring offerings in order to consult the prestigious oracle of the temple.
In the late morning, return by road and transfer to the hotel in Huaraz. Free time at the end of the day.
Meals open.
Please note: around 70 miles.

Day 5 : HUARAZ – SECHIN - CHIMBOTE – TRUJILLO

In the early morning, departure in a private vehicle for Trujillo, city of eternal spring. On the way, visit of Sechin, one of the most ancient sites of Peru, famous for its ‘low relief’ warrior head sculptures. Continuation of the journey via Chimbote, the main fishing port of the country.
Reception in the hotel of Trujillo.
Meals open.
Please note: around 8 hours of travel time.

Day 6 : TRUJILLO / VISIT OF THE COLONIAL CENTER – MUSEUM - HUACAS

Day dedicated to the visit of Trujillo, the city of “eternal spring”. Visit of the main tourist interests: colonial houses, Plaza Mayor (Main Square), and the Cathedral. Then, excursions to the Temple of the Sun and to the Temple of the Moon; religious centers of the Mochica culture, built during the 5th century.
In the afternoon, visit of the Archaeological Museum of Trujillo.
Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Note: duration of the excursion: 5 hours.

Day 7 : TRUJILLO – EL BRUJO – CHICLAYO (PRIVATE)

Departure in a private vehicle for the site of El Brujo (1 hour from Trujillo). More than 4500 years of history will make you discover the impressive structures decorated with colorful frescos, the most famous one being “the prisoner”.
Continuation of the journey to Chiclayo. Meals open.
Note: around 5 hours drive.

Day 8 : CHICLAYO / CITY TOUR

Day dedicated to the visit of the archaeological destination of Chiclayo. In the morning, excursion to the impressive Huaca Rajada necropolis, funerary center of the Mochica culture where numerous graves have been discovered.
Discovery of the mausoleum of Señores de Sipàn (3rd and 5th centuries). In the afternoon, visit of the Tumba Reales Museum, that includes an interesting collection of jewelry found in the graves.
Continuation with a visit to the archaeological complex of Túcume, ‘the Valley of the Pyramids’.
Back to the hotel in Chiclayo. Meals open.

Day 9 : CHICLAYO – LIMA (BY PLANE) + VISIT OF LIMA (4 HOURS)

Transfer to the airport of Chiclayo for a flight to Lima, the Peruvian capital city. Reception and transfer to the hotel. In the eraly afternoon, visit of the capital city. Discovery of the colonial areas of the city centre via the Plaza San Martin and the Plaza de Armas.
Visits of the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs, and of the Archaeological Museum exhibiting a collection of pre-Columbian fabrics, goldsmith’s art and mummies …
Transfer to the hotel at the end of the day. Meals open.
Note 1: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.
Note 2: the Convent and the museum are closed on Mondays. Instead, it is possible to visit the Church of San Pedro or Santo Domingo and the Larco Herrera Museum. There will be an extra charge for this.

Day 10 : LIMA – AREQUIPA (BY PLANE) – HALF-DAY CITY TOUR

Transfer to the Lima airport for a flight with destination Arequipa, the White City. Reception and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon dedicated to the discovery of the city: visit of the colonial center and the Santa Catalina Convent.
Back to the hotel at the end of the day. Meals open.
Note 1: Visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.
Note 2: Visit of the Convent with a specialized guide.

Day 11 : AREQUIPA - TORO MUERTO – QUERULPA - AREQUIPA

In the early morning, departure in a private vehicle for Toro Muerto located in the fertile Majes Valley. The site, in the middle of the desert, reveals thousands of petroglyphs over 5 km2, carved on the volcanic stones. Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, observation of dinosaur footprints that have been preserved in the rock for millions of years, in Querulpa. Back to the hotel in Arequipa at the end of the day. Lunch included. Dinner open.

Day 12 : AREQUIPA – PUNO (BY BUS) – SILLUSTANI – PUNO (TITICACA)

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 transfer to the archaeological site of Sillustani. This site reveals numerous funerary towers, some of which exceeding twelve yards in height, that were first used by the Collas, a pre-Incan civilization, and then by the Incas.
Transfer at the hotel in Puno. Meals 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 13 : PUNO – UROS – AMANTANI – PUNO (TITICACA)

In the morning, transfer to the port of Puno to embark for the islands of Uros and Amantani. 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 Amantani (around 2½-hour cruise).
In the afternoon, visit of sites dedicated to the Pachamama and the Pachapapa. Back to Puno and transfer to the hotel.
Lunch at a local resident’s place (included). Dinner open.
Note 1: The sailing on the lake cannot be carried out at night.
Note 2: Option to plan a two days excursion with one night at a local resident’s place on the island.

Day 14 : 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 15 : 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 16 : 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 17 : 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 18 : SACRED VALLEY – MORAY – MARAS – PISAC – 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! Lunch in Pisac, followed by a visit of the site and descent by foot to the handcraft market.
Drive back to Cuzco and transfer to the hotel. Meals open.

Day 19 : CUZCO – LIMA (BY PLANE)

Transfer to the Cuzco airport for a flight to Lima, the Peruvian capital.
Reception and transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
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.
Option: for a city tour of Lima – contact us.

Day 20 : 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