- Nature and Discovery
- 19 days
- Year Round
- Private
- English speaking
Along the way….
Sandy desert, lakes, canyons, islands, valleys and jungle: all the elements are brought together for you to discover the true essence of Peru in all its splendor and off-the-beaten-track. There is, however, one small exception, being the un-avoidable stop, the fourth wonder of the modern world: the lost citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day 1 :
Reception upon arrival at Jorge Chavez airport, in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Day 2 :
In the morning, transfer to the Lima land terminal.
Departure by bus, for ICA, via the Pan-American Highway skirting the coastal desert.
A 1-hour adrenalin buggy ride to cover 15 miles of desert and dunes, led by an expert. We stop to learn how to practice sand surfing, before continuing on to the oasis of Orovilca to watch the sunset. Return to Ica and transfer to the hotel.
Meals open.
Note 1: Coach journey unaccompanied.
Note 2: Timetable and specific transport company details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.
Day 3 :
Departure by bus for Nazca. Arrival and transfer to the aerodrome for a 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!
Back to the hotel. Meals open.
Length of the low-altitude flight: 30-minute.
Note: the visitors are not accompanied on the bus journey. 2-hour of travel time.
Day 4 :
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 :
Departure in a private vehicle from the hotel. We start with a stop at San Camilio and its sand dunes. Then, we continue to Matarani where we board onto a motorboat for a 1-hour trip to explore some small islands, home to seals, penguins, pelicans and other birds…
At mid-day, we have lunch at Mollendo and possibly have a bath. In the afternoon, we drive to Mejia Lagoon, a natural preserve with various birds. We spend the rest of the day visiting an alfajore factory (milk cream shortcake) and tasting prawns in Cochachacra. Meals open.
Day 6 :
Departure in a private vehicle for the Colca canyon. Crossing of the volcano region (Huambo) and arrival in Cabanaconde. Hotel in Cabanaconde. In the afternoon, walk along the canyon to admire its depth. Panoramic view over the Sangalle Oasis and the village of Malata. Meals open.
Day 7 :
After an early breakfast, we head to the villages of Ichupampa, Lari and Madrigal. We 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). Arrival in the hotel at Yanque or Chivay. In the beginning of the afternoon, visit of the market and bath in the hot springs of the village.
Note: entrance fees for the hot springs to be paid directly on location.
Day 8 :
In the morning, departure by road for Arequipa, with a stop in Patabamba, located at an altitude of 4900 meters above sea level (el. 16072 feet a.s.l), to observe the volcanos Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca. Then, we cross the Pampa Cañahua area and the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Preserve, home to vicunas and other Andean camelids.
Day 9 :
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 10 :
In the morning, transfer to the port of Puno to embark for the islands of Uros.
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 the Capachica Peninsula.
We arrive at the small port of Llachon, where Felipe and his family welcome us in their community for lunch and make us discover their way of life.
Back in Puno at the end of the day.
Lunch included – dinner open. A true experience!
Day 11 :
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 12 :
In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Patabamba, small village of 600 inhabitants known for its handicraft as well as its textiles and dolls. Departure point of the trek in the direction of Sihua (el. 3880 m.a.s.l.). Crossing of a pass at 4050 meters of altitude and continuation towards Pucamarca, former Inca site. Wonderful view over the Sacred Valley and our main target: the ruins of Uchuy Qosqo also called “Little Cuzco”, an impressive site for its location. Steep descent to Lamay. Night in the valley. Cold lunch included. Dinner open.
Note: It is a 6-hour walk.
Day 13 :
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 descent by foot to the handcraft market. Typical lunch, and stop in a ceramic workshop in Urumbamba (Ayllu if open) and then in Maras: salt mines in the middle of the Cordillera! We walk down to the Urumbamba River meet our vehicle and continuation of the journey in the direction of the Incan village of Ollantaytambo. Visit of the fortress.
Departure from the train station in mid afternoon for a two-hour long journey to Aguascalientes.
Night in hotel. Meals open.
Day 14 :
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.
Suggestions: 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 15 :
Day open in Cuzco, at the heart of the Inca Empire. Night in hotel. Meals open.
Day 16 :
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 17 :
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 18 :
Open day.
Possibility to visit the fruit market of Puerto Maldonado, and then transfer to the airport.
Reception in Cuzco or 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.
Option: city tour of Lima – contact us.
Day 19 :
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