Discover Peru: white cordillera and South Peru

Day by day…
Discover White cordillera out of common ways! We will take you by roads only known by local people... Ascent to 4890m of alt., by a vertiginous trail, Admire the beauty of landscapes, eternal snow paradise and lakes.
Discover south of Peru : white city of Arequipa and its canyon, Cusco and its Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, meditate on the waters of the highest navigable lake the in the world…

Day 1: LIMA RECEPTION
Reception at Jorge Chavez airport, flight ? to ? and transfer to Ducado ** located in the Miraflores district.
Free for lunch

Day 2: LIMA CITY TOUR 1 DAY
Francisco Pizarro, the famous Conquistador founded Lima in 1535, in 1542, this town became the capital of the Spanish Empire in South America. Because of the political, strategic and economical importance of this capital the Spanish undertook many constructions in Lima between the 17th and 18th centuries.
09: 00 am guided tour of Lima with an English-speaking guide. In the morning, we will go sight seeing in the colonial districts of the center: the Plaza San Martin, the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral as well as the San Francisco convent. After lunch, we will head off to the archeology museum, which has a collection of pre-Columbian fabrics, jewelry, and mummies... We will finish our day with a visit of the Barranco district (the artists’ district)
Transfer to Ducado ** at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for meals.

Day 3: LIMA – HUARAZ (BUS)
Transfer in the bus terminal to go to Huaraz. Located in the central region of Callejon de Huaylas, Huaraz, the capital of Ancash State, is the main urbanized area in the valley. It is a starting point you cannot get away from for treks in the White Cordillera.
Reception and transfer to Steel guesthouse **.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: unaccompanied bus trip– 6h trip – Lunch stop (not included)
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking

Day 4: HUARAZ – CHACAS – TOUR DU HUASCARAN (6768 M D’ALT.) (PRIVATE)
Huaraz region is famous for its spectacular natural scenery with a view of the White Cordillera. The mountains are massive since their average altitude is about 5 500 meters… The Huascaran and its 6768 meters is always amazing for travelers. It is called « Peru’s roof of the world». In this region, about 22 natural thermal springs and over 600 lakes have been discovered.
This part of the Cordillera is also special for the kindness and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Departure to Chacas village early in the morning, in a private vehicle. We will go by a town called Yungay, which was totally destroyed during an earthquake. Today this site is a « a memorial garden » that can be visited. From Yungay, we will take a road that crosses the White Cordillera to reach the East valley. We will admire a panoramic view of one of the most famous lakes of the area: « Llanganuco lagoon». We will walk around this unique site to relax. Then we will pass a pass located at an altitude of 4767 meters and go back down to 3500 meters on the other side of the Cordillera. We will then have a view of a typical and unknown region. Arrival in Chacas (alt. 3360 m) at the end of the afternoon.
Night in an Inn.
Free time for meals.

Day 5: CHACAS – HUARAZ (PRIVATE)
Departure in the morning in a private vehicle to go back to Huaraz. We will pass the « Punta Olimpica » at an altitude of 4890 meters, one of the highest trails in Peru. From there, we have a magnificent view of lakes that have different colors and the massive Huascaran. Arrival in Huaraz at the end of the afternoon.
Night at the Steel Guesthouse **.
Free time for meals.

Day 6: HUARAZ – CHAVIN DE HUANTAR– HUARAZ (PRIVATE)
Departure in the morning, in a private vehicle, to the Chavin archeological site located 115 Km from Huaraz. Chavin was, more than 2500 years ago, an important peregrination center where people whom, sometimes came from very far, brought offertories to consult the temple’s famous Oracle. Chavin de Huantar was the capital of a highly hierarchical society endowed with advanced technological knowledge in hydraulic and agricultural engineering.
Visit of the site until lunchtime. Free for lunch in Chavin. Arrival in Huaraz at the end of the afternoon.
Night at the Steel Guesthouse **.
Free time for meals.

Day 7 HUARAZ – LIMA (BUS)
Transfer to the Huaraz bus terminal and connection to the « grand tourism bus » to Lima. Arrival in Lima and transfer to Ducado Hotel **
Note 1: unaccompanied bus trip.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking

Day 8: LIMA – AREQUIPA (AIRPLANE)
Early in the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Arequipa the white city (1h15 flight). Transfer and installation at Casa de Melgar Hotel **. 3 big volcanoes with snowy tops surround Arequipa: the Misti (5821m), the Chachani (6075m) and the Picchu Picchu (5425m). Arequipa certainly deserves its name: the white city because its buildings are principally made of Sillar, a volcanic rock that has an intense white color abounds in this area and embellishes the houses’ and temples’ facades.
In the afternoon, 3-hour guided visit of the colonial center and the Santa Catalina convent (official guide certified by the convent). Transfer to the hotel.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: unaccompanied flight.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking

Day 9: AREQUIPA – CHIVAY/YANQUE (PRIVATE)
The Colca Canyon is an impressive geological formation. This canyon is one of the deepest in the world since it is 3680 m high.
Departure in a minibus to drive along the beautiful road that leads to Colca canyon. On the way, we will observe vicunas. We will pass the Patapampa pass (alt. 4800 m). Installation at the Tradicion Colca Hotel ** and bathing in the Yanque village hot water thermal baths.
Free time for meals.

Day 10: CHIVAY / YANQUE – FREE
We will make an early departure to Cruz del Condor where we will watch the famous Peruvian condor fly. We will visit some of the small villages and towns around Colca Canyon including, Achoma, Maca, Picholo, the lookout at Antahuilque, and Choquetico. In the afternoon, we will be able to enjoy the natural hot springs of Chivay or visit the pre-Inca archaeological site of Uyo, previously known as Yanque (3-hour hiking trip). Late in the afternoon, we will return to Tradición Colca Hotel**.
Meals not included

Day 11: CHIVAY/YANQUE –LAC TITICACA- PUNO (PRIVATE)
In the beginning of the morning we will be on our way to observe Condors at Cruz del Condor. We will also visit a few villages in the Canyon. We will cross the Andes and arrive at Lake Titicaca. On the way you will see the Altiplano’s unique scenery. We will reach Juliaca after a 4-hour trip on a tarred road. We will continue our tour and go to Puno where we will visit Sillustani archeological site. This site unveils many funeral towers amongst which some are higher than 12m high. They were used by the Collas, a pre-Inkaic and later by the Inkas. We will continue our dayney and after 45 minutes we will arrive in Puno. Installation at the Balsas Inn **.
Free time for meals.

Day 12: PUNO – UROS – AMANTANI (BOAT)
Transfer to Puno’s port to board early in the morning to go to Uros and Taquile islands. After a 40-min boat ride, guided tour of the Uros floating islands. These islands are not natural; the Uros tribe built them. This tribe’s main activity is fishing. After a 40-min tour, departure by boat to Amantani located 2h30 away from the Uros Island.
Arrival in Amantani in the end of the morning and a family will receive you in their house. Lunch with the family. In the afternoon we will visit sites that are dedicated to the Pachamama and the Pachapapa.
Lunch, dinner and night, in your family’s house.
Everything is included

Day 13: AMANTANI –TAQUILE – PUNO (BOAT)
Departure by boat at 08: 30 to Taquile Island located at 1 hour from Amantani. Taquile is an island of great cultural interest. The inhabitants still follow the ancient traditions and the Inca laws. Guided tour of the island and its Inca ruins. Free time to have lunch in one of the island’s typical restaurants. Time to relax and return to Puno in the middle of the afternoon.
Transfer to Balsas Inn **.Free time for meals.
Note 1: it is forbidden to navigate by night on the lake.

Day 14: PUNO – CUSCO (BUS)
Transfer to the bus terminal to head off to Cusco. Beautiful scenery all along the way. Visit of the Raqchi and archeological sites as well as Andahuaylillas village and its famous « Sixtine Chapel » that was built in the middle of the 17th century. Lunch on the way in Sicuani (included)
Departure: Puno at 08: 00 p.m., arrival in Cusco at 5: 00 p.m.
Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel **.
Lunch included.
Free for dinner.
Note 1: unaccompanied bus trip.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking
Option: The Andes Orient Express train– runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Day 15: CUSCO CITY TOUR 1 DAY (Alt.3399 m)
Departure at 09.00 a.m. from the hotel. In the afternoon we will visit Cusco and its surroundings. We will begin our tour with a visit of Koricancha (Temple of the Sun); main religious building the Inkas built dedicated to the cult of the sun. We will continue our tour visiting the Cathedral. Its construction began in 1560 and ended in 1669. This church has many paintings from the Cusuqenian School, and a large collection of jewelry, silver and precious stones. Then we will head off to the heights of Cusco to visit the 4 Inca ruins overhanging Cusco: Tambomachay Q'enko - Pukapucara - Sacsayhuaman -. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel**at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for meals.

Day 16: CUSCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – URUBAMBA (PRIVATE)
9.00 a.m. Departure to the Sacred Valley in a private vehicle. After a 1-hour trip, we will be arriving at the Pisac ruins, which was once one of the most important fortresses of the Inca Empire mainly built to stock the Empire’s food supplies. Guided tour of the Inca site. We will walk back down to Pisac, the colonial village and walk around the Indian market (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays). Lunch in a restaurant to taste a typical buffet. In the beginning of the afternoon, we will continue our tour to see Ollantaytambo, which is an Inca village, and we will visit the fortress, which was a military, religious and agricultural strategic center. At the end of the day we will walk around this village’s streets. Transfer to Casa de Campo Hotel **.
Free time for dinner.
Note: 40-minute walk.

Day 17: URUBAMBA - OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUASCALIENTES (TRAIN)
Departure at 08.35 a.m. to catch a train to Aguascalientes. Arrival at about 10: 00 a.m. Installation at Presidente Hotel **. Free for lunch. Time to relax or walk to a waterfall. In the end of the afternoon a specialized guide will show us orchids that grow naturally in the region located halfway between the cordillera and the Amazonian jungle (Andean foothills).
Free time for dinner.
Note: the train timetable will be confirmed when you book the trip.

Day 18: AGUASCALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU- CUSCO (TRAIN)
Hiram Bingham, an American anthropologist discovered Machu Picchu, in 1911. The archeologists estimate this citadel was built in the middle of the 15th century. Today several hypotheses have been ventured on the function this inaccessible citadel. Was it for military purposes? A kind of secret harem dedicated to the Inkas? A place to rest for the Inkas? It is still an enigma!
Departure early in the morning at 06.30 a.m., by bus to reach Machu Picchu citadel. The day will be dedicated to visiting the site. Free for lunch. Return to Aguascalientes by bus and connection to catch the train to Cusco at 03:55 p.m., arrival at 8:20 p.m. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel ** in Cusco.
Free time for meals
Suggestions: You can also reach Huayna Picchu peak. The hike up there is quite difficult. You will need good shoes, light backpacks and not to be afraid of heights. From the top, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Machu Picchu. You will need about 2 hours to go up and come back down.
Or you can walk to the Sun gate. Less dangerous and you will also have a beautiful view. It will take you about an hour and a half, both ways.
Note: the train timetable will be confirmed when you book the trip.

Day 19: CUSCO – PUERTO MALDONADO (AIRPLANE)
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Puerto Maldonado: « the gate of the Amazonian forest » Reception at the airport for your arrival in Puerto Maldonado. City tour in a minibus, then departure to your lodge on a boat. A welcome drink will be offered at your arrival, and then you will have time to get installed in your bungalow. Lunch. After lunch, departure with a specialized guide to the island of the monkeys 5min from the lodge by boat. During this day trip you will see the diversity of Amazonian wildlife and flora. You will be amazed by the diversity of monkeys and bird species you can see. Back to the « Corto Maltes Lodge *** » at the end of the afternoon when the suns sets behind the jungle.
Everything is included
Note 1: unaccompanied flight.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking

Day 20: PUERTO MALDONADO
Western style breakfast. Departure on a motor boat on the Rio Madre de Dios. Short walk in the selva (about 1h30) until we get to the beautiful Sandoval Lake, which has extraordinary scenery with its tranquil turquoise water, surrounded by palm trees and other hundred-year old trees. Ride on the lake in a rowboat. Walk back to the Rio Madre de Dios to board on the boat. Return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, we will go to a local farm where we will observe the different Amazonian cultures and then we will continue by boat until we reach the Rolín et Monos islands where we will see up to 6 monkey species. Return to the lodge and typical dinner.

Day 21: PUERTO MALDONADO
Western style breakfast. Departure on a motor boat to go to the beautiful and still virgin Gamitana island. We will contemplate the birds, monkeys, lizards and even turtle eggs during the reproduction season (between March and November). On this island, we will also be able to observe the laborious and ancestral work of the gold finders. Most of the Peruvian gold is in the loops of the Rio Madre de Dios.
Return to lodge and lunch. Rest and then departure on a motor boat to the famous Fitzcarrald boat that was stranded several years ago and is now covered with vegetation. Return to the lodge and typical dinner.

Day 22: PUERTO MALDONADO-LIMA (AIRPLANE)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a return flight to Lima.
transfer to Ducado Hotel** located in the Miraflores district.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: unaccompanied flight.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking

Day 23: LIMA – DEPARTURE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
3 hours before landing Transfer to the airport and connection for the international return flight. Free time for meals

Included:
Mentioned transport, 3 domestic flights, mentioned meals, double room in 2-star hotel with breakfast, 1 night in houses in communities visited, entrance to parks and cultural sights, guided visits and mentioned excursions, full board in Puerto Maldonado, local guide to accompany visits and excursions.

Not Included:
International flights; Airport tax (US$28 per person for international flights and US$5 for national flights); meals which are not mentioned, drinks, tips, etc.; Personal equipment; Obligatory personal insurance.