Along the way......

Peru is a country rich in culture; certain Andean communities still live in a traditional fashion with habits and customs taken from their ancestors. This program, emphasizing meetings with the local people, combines nights spent at the home of a local with visits to the main tourist attractions in the South of the country. The Indians will open their doors to you to offer shelter, and you will be allowed to share with them in their daily life.

Day 1 : LIMA / RECEPTION

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

Day 2 : 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 3 : AREQUIPA – COLCA CANYON – NIGHT IN A COMMUNITY

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest of the world with 3680 meters below sea level (el. 12070 feet a.s.l). Crossing of the National Reserve and the Patapampa Pass. On the way, we admire wonderful landscapes and possibly observe vicunas and other camelids.
Open lunch on the way. In the afternoon, visit of the market of Chivay and bath in the hot springs of the village.
Transfer to the village of Coporaque and arrival in the families of the community. Dinner included.
Note: entrance fees for the hot springs to be paid directly on the site.

Day 4 : COPORAQUE – CRUZ DEL CONDOR - AREQUIPA

After an early breakfast, we head to the villages of Ichupampa, Lari and Madrigal and arrive at Cruz Del Condor, at the heart of the Colca, to observe the condors (two hours stay on the site).
Then, continuation of the journey to Chivay via the Antahuilque Mirador (another viewpoint to observe the width of the Canyon and its terraced crops); Choquetico and its pre-Inca cemetery (with hanged graves) and Maca, Achoma and Yanque with their colonial churches of baroque style.
Lunch open in Chivay. Back to Arequipa in the early afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner open.
Note: possibility to go directly from the Colca to the region of Puno by private vehicle.

Day 5 : AREQUIPA – PUNO (TITICACA) (BY BUS) + TRANSFER LLACHON

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 6 : LLACHON – AMANTANI (TITICACA)

In the early morning, departure for the small port of Llachon, from where we embark on the one hour cruise to Amantani.
Reception in one of the families of the island. Lunch in the family and visit of the Incan vestiges dedicated to the ‘Pachapapa’ and to the ’Pachamama’.
Lunch, dinner and night in a family. All included.

Day 7 : AMANTANI –TAQUILE – PUNO (TITICACA)

In the morning, departure by boat for a one-hour cruise to Taquile, 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.

Day 8 : PUNO – JULIACA – RAQCHI

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Raqchi. Wonderful landscapes along the way.
Lunch on the way (not included). Arrival in Raqchi and reception in a family of the Raqchi community.
Dinner and night in the community (included).

Day 9 : RAQCHI – ANDAHUAYLILLAS – TIPON - CUZCO

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Cuzco, heart of the Incan Empire.
On the way, stop in the village of Andahuaylillas to visit the famous “Sistine Chapel” of the Andes, as well as in Tipon.
Transfer to the hotel in Cuzco at the end of the afternoon. Meals open.

Day 10 : 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 11 : CUZCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CHINCHERO – NIGHT IN THE COMMUNITY

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. Typical lunch and continuation of the excursion to the Incan village of Ollantaytambo.
Visit of the fortress and stop in a ceramic workshop in Urubamba (Ayllu if open). Continuation of the journey to Chinchero. Night in Chinchero.
Lunch, dinner and night in the community included.

Day 12 : CHINCHERO - PATACANCHA – HUILLOC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUASCALIENTES (train)

We leave for Patacancha, where villagers from the community await for an original encounter. Continuation of the journey to meet the Huilloc
community known as “the Land of the Huayruros” for the red and black decorations of their garments.
Drive to the Ollantaytambo train station for a journey to Aguascalientes, at the base of Machu Picchu.
Diner and night in a hotel in Aguascalientes. Meals included (cold lunch).

Day 13 : AGUASCALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU - CUZCO

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 to Cuzco by train. Reception and transfer to the 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.
Note 1: train timetables to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Cuzco.
Note 2: depending on availabilities, the return journey can be done by train to Ollantaytambo and then by private vehicle to Cuzco.

Day 14 : 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 15 : 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