Itinerary

DAY 01: LIMA

Arrival at LIM Airport.

Meet on arrival at the airport and transfer to selected hotel.

Sightseeing tour of Colonial and Modern Lima passing by outstanding monuments such as the Government Palace, the City Hall, and the Cathedral (closed on Sundays) and the 17th century San Francisco Convent. Then, visit the Larco Herrera Museum, located in a Vice-Royal mansion from the 18th century that was constructed above a pre-Columbian pyramid from the 7th century and after five years of extensive renovation, the museum portrays to the visitor a comprehensive narrative of the development of 5000 years of Peru’s pre-Columbian history, making it the ideal way to understand Ancient Peru. Before returning to the hotel, short tour of the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores where there is a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean.

Overnight at selected hotel.

DAY 02: LIMA-AREQUIPA (CITY TOUR)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa (flight not included)

Arrival at the airport and transfer to selected hotel.

City tour, the tour starts with the visit to the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, the most astonishing site in Arequipa, was opened to the public in 1970 after almost 400 years as a cloister. During its heyday, little heed was paid to the vows of poverty and silence and this convent’s sleeping cells were luxurious, with English carpets, silk curtains, and cambric and delicate lace sheets. Entering the cloister, you see the spacious patios, the kitchen and slave quarters, and stone washtubs. Entrance requirements were among the      strictest in Peru, with novices having to prove Spanish origin and come up with a dowry of at least 1,000 gold pesos. The narrow streets, arches, and gardens of the convent bear the original names, such as Calle Sevilla.

The city tour also includes the Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas is one of the most beautiful plazas in Peru. Wander around it before you start your tour of the city, taking in the facade of the cathedral (closed on Sundays) and the two-story arcades that grace the other three sides of the plaza, with its palm trees, old gas lamps, and a white stone fountain nestling in an English-style garden. The plaza’s thick stone buildings with busily carved portals, their Moorish touches evident, breathe 460 years of history. The Jesuit Cloister and the residential areas of Cayma and Yanahuara, we will visit the viewpoint of “Mirador de Yanahuara” for a superb view of the volcanoes and then we will visit the The Molino de Sabandia was the first stone mill. Built in 1785, the site provides an excellent example of sillar stone architecture, which is typical of Arequipa. Moreover, visitors can view stone grinding wheel techniques used to process wheat (shared services).

Overnight at selected hotel.

DAY 03: AREQUIPA – VALLE DEL COLCA

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for a two days package to Colca Valley (shared services).

This tour is impressive not just due to the beautiful you can appreciate, but also due to the cultural symbiosis of the ancient Andean cultures and the Catholic religion introduced by the Spanish. In the early morning we’ll leave Arequipa and head towards the valley.

On our way we’ll pass Yura, Pampa de Arrieros, Pampa Cañahuas (where we’ll find the Vicuna National Reserve of Aguada Blanca), Vizcachani and Tojra (all the year we can see here a variety of migratory birds resting in so called “bofedales”, a sort of peat bog). Entering the Colca canyon we will arrive at its most important town, Chivay where we will also have lunch.

Overnight at selected hotel.

DAY 05: PUNO – UROS Y TAQUILE – PUNO

Breakfast at the hotel.

At 07:00 hrs. we start a full day to visit Uros and Taquile islands (shared speedboat). Visit to one of the native Uros communities located on a man-made floating island in the lake. The Uros people live totally interwoven with the “Totora” reed which grows abundantly in the shallows of the lake. Continue to Taquile. The community here lives in perfect harmony with the environment. “Taquileños” wear colorful traditional clothes which they make themselves and maintain a strong air of group individuality.

Lunch based on set menu at Taquile.

In the afternoon, return to Puno.

DAY 06: PUNO – CUSCO

Breakfast at the hotel.

At 07:00hrs. depart by regular tourist bus service to Cusco (shared service – 8hrs trip approx.)

This journey features some stops at main interesting places such as: Museum of Pukara. Pucara is a district of the province of Lampa, Puno region.  In ancient times this territory was occupied by Qaluyo cultures, Pucara, Tiwanaku and kingdoms Qolla altiplano. The museum of Pucara is 61 km north of Juliaca, in the road to Cuzco, it now houses all the sculptures found in Pucara culture that developed between the years 100 BC and D.C. 300: In the museum, monoliths and stelae (carved and sculpted in granite) of various sizes, as well as pottery, human bones, tissues and fragments of various objects.

Raqchi or the temple of the God Wiracocha, this Inca temple is monumental: 100 meters in length, 26 meters in width and 14 meters in height. Divided in two naves, each of these still retains the base of eleven giant columns. The base of the walls consists of Imperial Inca stonework with a top section of adobe.

Lunch on route included in a local restaurant

Andahuaylillas church, referred to as the Andean Sistine Chapel because of its magnificent frescoes.

Arrival in Cusco and transfer to selected hotel.

Overnight at selected hotel.

DAY 07: CUSCO CITY TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel.

At 13:00hrs we will start the tour of the city including the best of Cusco: The Koricancha Temple (Temple of the Sun) and the Cathedral with its magnificent chapels and baroque altars and paintings from the Cusquenian School. The tour also includes surrounding ruins: The fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the Inca baths of Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the amphitheatre of Kenko. (Shared services)

Overnight at selected hotel.

DAY 08: CUSCO – URUBAMBA – CUSCO

Breakfast at the hotel

Full day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the village of Pisac and attend the local agricultural open market where artisans from all over the area congregate to sell their crafts.

Lunch on passengers own. Continue to the north to visit Ollantaytambo, a fortress built during the Inca Empire, excellent sample of military architecture, Finally visit to the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero, where we find the remains of the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, appreciate its well preserved Inca walls in the main square and visit the beautiful colonial temple with interesting frescoes on the portal, built on the bases of an Inca building.  Return to Cusco.  (Shared services).

Overnight at selected hotel.

DAY 09: CUSCO -MACHU PICCHU -CUSCO

Breakfast at the hotel.

07:15hrs. transfer to the Poroy train station.

09:15hrs. departure by Vistadome train ride across the Andes to Aguas Calientes (2400 m / 7500 ft) at the foot of the mountains. At 10:51hrs arrival and short transportation to the entrance of the ruins where the guided tour of the Lost City will start. (Shared services). Enjoy a buffet lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary lodge restaurant. At 16:43hrs. take the Vistadome train back to Poroy train station. At 18:31hrs arrival to the Poroy train station and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at selected hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel

Transfer to the airport for flight back to Lima (flight not inlcuded).

Arrival and connection on your own to your international flight.