Discovery of South Peru with Terra Andina, receptive tour operator in Peru

Day by day…
A true combination of culture and history in 15 days.
You will visit the capital, Lima, the Ballestas islands, Nazca, the White city Arequipa and the magnificent Colca Canyon, the mysterious Titicaca Lake and at the end you will finish your travel in Cusco and its Inca citadel.
Have a good trip!

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 – PARACAS (PRIVATE)
We depart in the morning by private bus together with the guide. We go on for Paracas.
Paracas is a natural reserve, which protects flora and marine life crossed by the cold Humboldt Current. Located in a Coastal desert, this area benefits from one of the richest seas in the world, this is also due to the presence of marine outcrops that make large quantities of plankton go up toward the surface, vital food for innumerous fish species. Paracas is the land of many birds and great sea lion colonies.
Arrival at Paracas Hotel *** at the end of the morning. Time to relax by the pool. Free time for lunch. After lunch, we will go for a walk in the reserve on the Pacific coast. Back to Paracas Hotel ***.
Free time for meals

Day 3: PARACAS – NAZCA (PRIVATE)
At 8: 00 am, excursion on a boat to the Ballestas islands where many seals and birds are waiting for us. We will pass off the « Candelabre » which has had a mysterious history up until today. After a 2-hour trip, we will be back in Paracas and depart in a private vehicle to go to Nazca. Trip through the coastal desert. Installation in Alegria Hotel **. Free time for meals.
Note 1: 182 km – estimated time: 2h30

Day 4: NAZCA – PUERTO INKA – AREQUIPA (PRIVATE)
Early morning transfer: hotel - airfield to fly above the Nazca lines in a private plane. The flight lasts 30 min then we will be back on our way to Arequipa. Free for breakfast in Puerto Inka, located on the Pacific coast. Long road that crosses the coastal desert until Arequipa. Transfer to Casa de Melgar Hotel **.
Free time for meals.
Note: 565 Km – estimated time: 6h30

Day 5: AREQUIPA CITY TOUR
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). 3 hour guided visit of the colonial center and of Santa Catalina convent (official guide certified by the convent)
Transfer to Casa de Melgar Hotel ** at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for meals.

Day 6: 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 7: CHIVAY/YANQUE – AREQUIPA (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 and then return to Arequipa. Transfer to Casa de Melgar Hotel **.
Free time for meals.

Day 8: AREQUIPA – PUNO (BUS)
Transfer to the bus terminal at 09.03 AM for a direct trip to Puno located on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Reception in Puno and transfer to the Balsas Inn **.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: unaccompanied bus trip., 5 hour-trip
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking – 6-hour trip.

Day 9: PUNO – UROS - TAQUILE – PUNO (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 Taquile located 2h00 away from Uros.
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 the Balsas Inn **.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: it is forbidden to navigate by night on the lake.

Day 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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 13: URUBAMBA - OLLANTAYTAMBO - 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 at 08.35 a.m. by train (backpacker class) to reach Aguascalientes village. Arrival at about 10.10 a.m. and direct connection by bus to reach Machu Picchu citadel. Day 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 08:20 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 14: CUSCO – LIMA (AIRPLANE)
Transfer to the Cusco airport for a flight to the Peruvian capital. Reception at the airport and transfer to Ducado Hotel **.
In the beginning of the afternoon, visit of the Peruvian capital with an English-speaking guide. We will go visit the colonial districts in the center walk by the Plaza San Martin, the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and we will visit the San Francisco convent.
Transfer to Ducado Hotel ** in the Miraflores district.
Free time for meals.

Day 15: 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, 1 domestic flight, mentioned meals, double room in 2/3 star hotel with breakfast, entrance to parks and cultural sights, guided visits and mentioned excursions, flight above Nazca Lines, English speaking 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.