Description

DAY 01 / LIMA

Welcome to Lima, Peru! Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Lima. Free time to rest.

Overnight in Lima

Meals: Not included

 

DAY 02 / LIMA CITY TOUR – CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Today you will learn about the delicious and traditional dishes. At 9:30 am our guide will pick you from your hotel then take you to one of the local markets. There you will walk through the market, and the guide will explain all the different ingredients (vegetables, fruits, grains, and meat). Most of these ingredients are farmed in the mountains or valleys close to Lima and are available in the markets of Lima. After enjoying the walking tour, you will be ready to participate in the cooking class, the chef will start with an explanation of the different dishes and drinks you will prepare. You will enjoy the most popular and delicious dishes and drinks in Peru like Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Papa a la Huancaina and Pisco Sour.

Around 2 pm, you will continue with the city tour, visiting the center of Lima where the famous Presidential Palace, Plaza Mayor, and the Cathedral are located. After a nice explanation from your guide and a chance to take lots of pictures, you will continue walking to the famous San Francisco Convent and its impressive underground crypts known as the Catacombs. Other important places to see are the City Hall of Lima and the Plaza San Martin, a large park in the downtown of Lima. You will enjoy the colonial buildings with their unique characteristics. Your guide will stop often so you can take lots of great pictures and give a deep explanation of these historic places. Once your tour is over you will be driven back to your hotel.

Overnight in Lima

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

 

DAY 03 / BALLESTAS ISLANDS – SANDBOARDING IN HUACACHINA 

We will start from your hotel at 3:30 am, then it will be about 3 1/2 hours driving to Paracas, in the South of Lima. In Paracas, you will have breakfast and after that you will visit by boat the famous Ballestas Islands, where you will observe a large variety of marine fauna such as Humbolt penguins, sea lions, seagulls, and several coastal bird species. Another beautiful thing you will see on the way is the Paracas Candelabra, also called Candelabra of the Andes. This is a well-known prehistoric geoglyph located on the northern face of the Paracas Peninsula.

After the Ballestas Islands tour, we will continue with a drive for about 1 hour and 20 minutes to Huacachina for lunch. Huacachina is a tiny desert village, with a nice oasis surrounded by dunes. You will be able to enjoy the dunes and the unique beauty of the desert. After enjoying the dunes, we will continue with a 2-hour drive to your hotel in Nazca.

Overnight in Nazca

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 04 / NAZCA LINES OVERFLIGHT

After your breakfast, your guide will pick you up at 8:30 am from your hotel and transfer to Nazca Aerodrome. You will fly over the Nazca lines for about 40-minutes as you see the large line drawings of animals and geometrical figures that are only possible to appreciate and enjoy from the air. You will get a wonderful view of the main lines as the long-tailed Monkey, the Pelican, the Dog, the Hummingbird, the abstract Condor, the Parrot, the Spider, the Whale, and many others.

Then it will be another 2-hour drive to Ica where you will stop for lunch. Ica is well known for its wine and factories that produce wine and Pisco sour. It will take around 1-hour visiting this famous factory and tasting.

Today´s tour will end after the visit to the winery from where you will board your bus to Arequipa. Once in Arequipa, we will drop you off directly at your hotel.

Overnight in Arequipa

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 05 / AREQUIPA

Today will be a free day to be spent at your own leisure in the beautiful city of Arequipa (2,350 m/7,708 ft.). We highly recommend taking a stroll through the Arequipa’s main square to appreciate its imposing colonial buildings made from white volcanic rock called sillar. Sweeten your walk by trying the famous “queso helado”.

No activities will be arranged on this day unless requested.

Overnight in Arequipa

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 06 / COLCA CANYON TOUR

We will have an early start on this day to catch sight of the majestic flight of the condor in the Colca Canyon. Pick up will be between 03:00hrs to 03:30hrs from your hotel in Arequipa.

The ride to Colca Canyon is approximately 04 hours by car. Along the way, we will pass small villages and stop for breakfast at the quaint village of Yanque.

You will continue your drive to the highest part of the Canyon, known as the Cross of Condor. This is where the Andean Condor, one of the world’s largest flying birds, offers a truly breathtaking show for all visitors. It is important to be as early as possible in order not to miss the spectacular nature show. You will remain here for 1 hour and then you will have the option to join your tour guide for a short hike along the edge of the canyon (45m mild hike). This enjoyable trek is for everyone and will offer you spectacular dropping views of the canyon walls. Your transport will wait for you at the end of the hike and take you back to Chivay to have the opportunity to take some pictures of the Colca Canyon with its outstanding pre-Inca terraces along the valley.

After your tour, we will drop you off at the Colca Lodge for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Colca Valley

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 07 / AREQUIPA – PUNO

The morning will be free to be spent at your own leisure.

In the afternoon, we will board our bus to Arequipa. This ride will be with stops along the way to enjoy the surrounding landscapes iconic of this area. Our first stop will be at the Patapampa viewpoint located at 4,900 m.a.s.l. From here, you will see the majestic volcanoes of Misti, Chachani, Sabancaya and Ampato. You will also see apachetas – left by previous travellers as offerings to the Apus (mountain deities) to ensure their safe return home. Then, we will stop at Patawasi where we will grab a snack, hot tea, and make use of the restrooms before boarding the bus again. Our last stop will be at Lagunillas where you will be mesmerized by the view of the small lakes reflecting the vast skies. Here, we may also catch a glimpse at the bright Andean flamingos and other endemic species.

Once in Puno (3,827 m/12,555 ft.), we will drop you off directly at your hotel. You will have a free evening.

Overnight in Puno

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 08 / LAKE TITICACA – AMANTANI ISLAND

Pick-up will be between 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. You will be transferred to the port where you will take a boat to the Uros Floating Islands, where you will have time to explore around.
Then, you will continue your tour traveling by boat to the Amantani Island, where you will stay with a local family. You will enjoy the friendly hospitality and you will have the opportunity to see how the indigenous people of the lake live. In the afternoon, you will climb the mountain up to the pre-Inca Temple of Pachatata (Father Earth) to watch the sunset and party with the locals.

Overnight in Amantani Island

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

DAY 09 / LAKE TITICACA – TAQUILE ISLAND

You will have an early breakfast with the family and take a boat to Taquile Island. This island is known for its rich textile and weaving traditions and sustainable tourism practices. You will have the opportunity to walk around the island and enjoy a delicious lunch by the lake.

You will return to Puno around 3:30 p.m. and have a free evening.

Overnight in Puno

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 10 / PUNO – CUSCO

Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the station to take the tourist bus to Cusco (trip of 10 hours approx.). On the way, we will stop by La Raya, the highest point on the road between Puno and Cusco, from where we will get excellent photo opportunities. Then, visit to the complex of Racchi where we will appreciate the Temple of Wiracocha (Sun God). Continuing with the journey, stop in the charming town of Andahuaylillas to visit its beautiful church, called the Sixtine Chapel of America. Lunch at a local restaurant. Upon arrival, transfer to selected hotel in Cusco (3,350 m/10,988 ft.).

Overnight in Cusco

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

 

DAY 11 / CUSCO 

No activities will be arranged on this day. We highly recommend spending your day walking around Cusco´s charming cobblestone streets and visiting the colorful market of San Pedro.

Your briefing session for the Inca Trail hike will take place at 18:00 hrs at our headquarters. You will meet your guide and fellow hike members during your briefing session. We will use this time to check in as well.

Overnight in Cusco

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 12 / SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

Today we will visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas (2,800 m/9,184 ft.). Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 a.m. You will be taken on a road that winds around the mountains north of Cusco. On the way, we will stop at a famous point known as El Mirador (Lookout Point). From there, we will be able to see the Sacred Valley and gain some insight into Inca history. The Sacred Valley was one of the main areas where the Incas settled. There is an unusual abundance of fertile plains in this high area of the Andes. You will also witness vast terracing and irrigation channels left behind by the Incas.

Later, we will visit the majestic archaeological site of Pisac, located on top of a mountain in the valley. Then, descend again towards the town of Pisac, where we will find a colorful artisan market. We will continue the journey along the valley crossing different typical towns until arriving in the province of Urubamba to enjoy a delicious lunch buffet. This meal is not included in the tour, so if you prefer a different restaurant, just let your tour guide know.

In the afternoon, we will go by Calca and Urubamba on the way to the Ollantaytambo Fortress, built to guard the entrance of this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasions of the settlers of the jungle; this is made up by a series of terraces (each one put on top of the other). We will have the chance to walk by the mini streets of the town and have a good idea how was this military, religious and cultural center during the Inca Empire. We will spend the night at Ollantaytambo to start our Inca Trail early the next day.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 13 / SHORT INCA TRAIL

Your short Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu starts with you being picked up from your hotel at 4:00 a.m. Next, we will go to the train station and leave on the 6:10 a.m. train from Ollantaytambo. The trail follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km 104, where we will begin our trek. Along the way you will see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains, and the mighty Urubamba River. The Urubamba River is one of the sources of the massive Amazon River, so it is very impressive to see. At 104 km (2,000 m), we will begin our breathtaking trek. Once you are off the train and ready to go, we will provide you with snacks and take a group photo. Then, we will set off to visit our first Inca site. We will give you a short orientation about this historical Inca site as well as a walking tour. Then, we will begin hiking as we head for the Classic Inca Trail. We will have tremendous views of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba River, and other surrounding Inca Sites.

After hiking for three hours, we will reach the most beautiful Inca site on the Inca Trail Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,600 m/8,500 ft. Few people get the opportunity to see these elaborate water fountains, temples, and agricultural terraces. These provide a perfect opportunity to learn about the history of the Incas. The backdrop of this site is a dramatic cliff drop with beautiful mountains surrounding the area.

After a few minutes of walking from there, you will arrive at the campsite used by hikers who have chosen to do the Classic Inca Trail. Here you will be able to enjoy the hot homemade lunch that has been freshly cooked by our chefs. You will also get a chance to refill your water and get a little rest.

From Wiñay Wayna, we will walk to the Sun Gate. This is where we will see the picturesque landscape of the famous Machu Picchu. After taking in the once-in-a-lifetime views, we will begin our descent to Machu Picchu.

One of the many advantages of this trek is that by the time you reach Machu Picchu, the day travelers will have left. This leaves you the whole area to explore with no interruptions. After taking photos and exploring the area, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and head to your hotel. After that we will head to Indio Feliz for dinner (included). This restaurant is considered to have the best food in Aguas Calientes. After dinner, we recommend going to bed early to make the most of the next day.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

DAY 14 / MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Pick up from your hotel to take the bus up to Machu Picchu (2,350 m/7,710 ft.) and explore the great “Lost City of the Incas”.

Once there, you will have a guided tour of the Sanctuary, visiting the Royal Palace, Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Intihuatana (sacred solar clock), the Royal Rooms, the Three Windows Temple, the Condor, the Circular Tower and the Cemeteries. After the tour, you will have time to explore the Sanctuary on your own.

After exploring you can either take a bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) for a free afternoon. You will need to remember to catch your train, which will depart that afternoon to Ollantaytambo. Once you arrive at the station in Ollantaytambo we will be there to meet you and drive you back to Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 15 / RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

We will pick you up for the Rainbow Mountain hike at 4:00 – 4:30 am from your hotel in Cusco. It will be a 2½ hour drive to the trailhead. We will arrive at around 7:00 am. Here at the trailhead, our chef will make a delicious breakfast, including coffee, hot chocolate, teas, bread, fruit salad, eggs, and hot drinks. Cusco’s elevation is 3,300m/11,300ft, and the trailhead called Phulawasipata is at 4,200m/14,300ft.

After breakfast, we will hike about 2 hours uphill to the Rainbow Mountain range. At a slower pace, it could be 2¾ hours, or if you are really fit, quick and acclimatized well, some people can do it in 1½ hours. The hike up includes some short breaks where the guide will explain some important information about the mountains and the geography of the area. Perhaps you will have a chance to catch sight of some of the locals, including llamas and alpacas that frequent this area.

The trail itself is quite wide and helpful for those with vertigo or fear of heights. The trek is best during the dry season as the trails are not paved. The trail can be a bit dusty, and in the rainy season, it can be slippery since it may be wet. However, with good waterproof hiking shoes and trekking poles, it will be just fine. This is your opportunity to see why Rainbow Mountain has become an Instagrammers delight according to CNBC.

Upon your arrival at the top of Rainbow Mountain, around 9-10:00 am, you will have about 1 hour to explore the spectacular views of the surrounding areas – valleys, mountains and to view the highest glacial mountain in Cusco – Ausangate, whose summit is at an elevation of 6,384m / 20,944ft, making it one of the tallest mountains in Peru.

After giving you a bit of time to take some treasured photos, your guide will tell you some intriguing facts about this fascinating place and he will also share some detail about the Incan history. A few last photos of this spectacular mountain and we will begin our descent. We do this a little differently than other groups. Instead of hiking the same route as they do, we hike to a lookout point to see the Red Valley and continue with our hike.

This valley is the icing on the cake, and many of our hikers say that it is even nicer than Rainbow Mountain. It is about 2½ hours downhill from Rainbow Mountain to the end of the trail, which is near where we started the hike. Here you will enjoy a fresh meal prepared by your chef, which includes cold drinks, appetizers, soup, and the main course.
After lunch, it will be another 2½ hour drive to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel at around 5:30 – 6:00 pm.

Overnight in Cusco

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

 

DAY 16 / CUSCO – PUERTO MALDONADO

Today, our representative will come to your hotel in Cusco ready to take you to the airport for your departure flight to Puerto Maldonado. This flight should be arranged in the morning hours, as your arrival to Puerto Maldonado should be by no later than 12:00 hrs.

Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, you will be met at the airport by your naturalist guide and transferred to a dugout canoe for the trip up the Tambopata River to the lodge. On the journey, the vegetation changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rainforest. A box lunch is provided on board. Once you arrive, you will be offered a welcome drink and meet the rest of the staff. In the late afternoon, you set off for an introductory walk into the “terra firme” forest behind the lodge, dominated by giant Brazil-nut and Dipteryx trees. Frequently seen mammals on this trail are Saddle-back Tamarins, Brown Capuchins, Agoutis, Pacas, Blue-Morpho butterflies, Trogons, Toucans, and many other species of birds. After dinner, there will be a night walk to find nocturnal animals or insects by the eye-shine, a specialization for increasing the light and to see better. About 50 percent of the animals in the rainforest are nocturnal.

Overnight in Tambopata Ecolodge

Meals: Breakfast, boxed lunch, dinner

 

DAY 17 / AMAZON JUNGLE

After an early breakfast, you and your nature guide will board the motorized canoe, once again. You will partake in a short journey to the trailhead to begin a morning’s exploration by foot and paddle canoe of the lake system of Condenado, which is rich in bird and aquatic life. A family of Giant Otters lives in the vicinity of the lake and is often observed. Birds to look forward to are: Rufescent Tiger-herons, Great Egrets, Wattled Jacanas, Hoatzin, and the noisy Donacobius, among many others. Remember to bring your hat and sunscreen because there is no shade out on the water. You will return to the lodge in time for lunch. The afternoon is for exploring the forest close to the lodge (with or without your guide) or relaxing and bathing in the Gallucunca (a cool clear stream beside the lodge). After dark, you will go searching for caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal animals by motorized canoe along the Tambopata River.

Overnight in Tambopata Ecolodge

Meals: Breakfast, boxed lunch, dinner

 

DAY 18 / AMAZON JUNGLE

After an early breakfast, you will take a short boat ride down river to the trailhead. Here, you will embark on a longer trail which leads to a spectacular hidden lake, requiring the crossing of streams and swampy ground, past the giant Lupuna trees (Kings of the Jungle), which abound in this part of the forest. On the walk you are introduced to more aspects of the forest and its animals. At the lake itself, it is possible to spot the elusive Black Caiman and Giant Otters. We will return for lunch. The afternoon is free for relaxation and bathing.

Overnight in Tambopata Ecolodge

Meals: Breakfast, boxed lunch, dinner

 

DAY 19 / AMAZON JUNGLE – LIMA

Your morning activities will be based on when your flight is leaving Puerto Maldonado. Try to schedule your flight departing around noon. If time allows, you will enjoy the morning watching the wildlife that is particularly active at this time, often the sounds of howler monkeys surround you. When you are ready, you will make your way back to the airport for your next adventure.

Once in Lima, our representative will be waiting for you ready to take you to your hotel. No further activities will be arranged on this day.

Overnight in Lima

Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 20 / LIMA

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your flight back home.

 

END OF OUR SERVICES

 

INCLUDED

• Transfers in/out Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco, and Puerto Maldonado.
• Transfer Chivay – Puno.
• Transfer Puno – Cusco (Ruta del Sol Bus).
• Hotel accommodation according to itinerary.
• Meals according to itinerary.
• English speaking professional tour guide.
• Lima city tour & culinary experience.
• Ballestas Islands & Sandboarding in Huacachina.
• Nazca Lines overflight.
• 2d/1n Colca Canyon Tour.
• Full Day Lake Titicaca – Los Uros, Amantani and Taquile Islands.
• Full day tour Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• Full day tour Machu Picchu.
• Expedition Train to/from Aguas Calientes.
• Bus to/from Machu Picchu.
• Rainbow Mountain tour.
• All entrance tickets.

 

NOT INCLUDED

• Domestic and International flights.
• Travel insurance.
• Drinks.
• Tips.
• Airport transfer, hotels and tours in Lima.
• Huayna Picchu entrance.