Day 1: international arrival in Lima.
Assistance on your arrival to Lima and transfer you to the selected hotel. Free time to rest and prepare for the beginning of your trip around this unusual and beautiful country.
Day 2: Pachacamac – city tour and Larco Herrera Museum.
After breakfast, we take a 45-minute drive to the ancient pre-Columbian Pachacamac Pilgrimage Centre overlooking the fertile Valley of Lurin and the Pacific Ocean. This was a temple for worshipping the Sun God, the complex is mostly constructed from mud bricks or adobe. The archaeological site includes palaces, plazas and temples that have been recently restored. Return to your hotel.
In the afternoon, guided city tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the “City of Kings”. The tour includes Lima’s Historical Centre, passing by Plaza San Martin, The Main Plaza, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo, with the tombs of Santa Rosa and San Martin de Porras, and Lima’s Colonial Balconies.
We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters, Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library of the Monks, Then we visit Larco Herrera Museum, for an excellent overview of Peru’s ancient past as it holds the best private collection of pre-Columbian art in the country.
And finally we will go to the residential Districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by the Huaca Pucllana, a Ceremonial and Administrative Centre of the Lima Culture. We will also visit Larcomar, a symbol of modern Lima this place is a privileged site to enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. Late afternoon transfer to your hotel.
Day 3: Lima – Chiclayo.
After breakfast, early morning, transfer to Lima Airport to board your flight to Chiclayo. A person of our staff will meet you and transfer to your hotel.
Begin with an excursion to the impressive Necropolis of Huaca Rajada, a Mochica Funeral Centre where a great number of tombs have been discovered and where the tombs of the Old Lord of Sipan and the Lord of Sipan, famous for its objects in gold and semi-precious stones, were unearthed in the decade by Peruvian archaeologists.
In the afternoon, we will visit to the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, where we will be able to appreciate a Lord of Sipan Tomb replica, additionally we will be able to see several ceramic pieces. Nowadays, this Museum is one of the best and most modern in South America.
Day 4: Chiclayo – Sican Museum – Pomac – Tucume – Brunning Museum.
After breakfast, we will go for a visit to the Sicán Museum, which is located 36 km. Northeast and 20 minutes from Chiclayo where we will be able to appreciate different treasures from the Sicán Culture, The exhibit shows a recreation of the tomb, but it goes further than that and, at the same time, it shows an interpretation of society at that time, its artefacts, the daily life of its people and their ways of thinking.
We will continue our excursion towards the Historical and Cultural Sanctuary of the Pómac Forest, located in the Village of Batangrande, District of Pitipo in the Province of Ferreñafe, where we will find a Pyramid Complex of 20 adobe Pyramids in an area covering 46 square kilometers.
After lunch, we will visit the Archaeological Complex of Túcume, which on its 220 hectares holds up to 26 adobe Pyramids, and where we will find a Pyramid structure known as Huaca Larga, which length of 700 m, width of 280 m and height of 30 m makes it the largest of its kind in South America. After this we will visit to the Brûning Museum, which contains valuable archaeological collections of the pre-Hispanic Cultures of Moche, Lambayeque or Sicán, Chimú and Inca.
Day 5: Chiclayo – Trujillo.
After breakfast, transfer to Trujillo in private car (2 hours 30 minutes approx.) en route we will visit the Archaeological Complex of El Brujo (the Shaman) containing three large buildings constructed in different eras: Huaca Prieta, Huaca El Brujo and Huaca Cao Viejo, with an old Christian Church. Actually, scientific works are being done on its magnificent and recently discovered remains. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
We will visit the largest adobe Archaeological Complex of pre-Hispanic America, Chan Chan, ancient Capital of the Chimu Empire, visiting the Templo del Arco Iris (Rainbow), the Site Museum and the Tshudi Palace.
We will proceed to Huanchaco Beach, well frequented by beach-goers and surfers, where you will have the opportunity to appreciate the local fishermen surfing the waves in their traditional “Caballitos de Totora”, Totora reed boats used for fishing since pre Inca times by Northern Peruvians.
Day 6: Trujillo – Temple of the Sun and the Moon – Lima
After breakfast, we will make an excursion 15 minutes South of Trujillo to visit the enormous adobe constructions built by the Mochica Culture, called Temple of the Sun, considered the largest adobe Pyramid in Peru, and the Temple of the Moon, housing an extensive burial ground and some fine polychrome murals in which their deity is often depicted, one Administrative and the other Religious. Transfer to the Airport and assistance on your departure to Lima. Upon arrival our staff will transfer you to your hotel required.
Day 7: Lima – Paracas – Ballestas Island – Nazca.
After breakfast early in the morning, leave from Lima by private transportation to the Paracas Peninsula, where we can find the most important Wildlife Sanctuary on the Peruvian Coast. Boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, where we can observe Sea lions, Boobies, Pelicans, Penguins and other Sea birds. On the way back, from the boat, we can also see the “Candelabro”(Candelabrum), a giant figure etched in the sand on the side of a hill in the style of the Nazca Lines. In the afternoon continue by private transportation to the City of Nazca for overnight.
The rest of the day will be free and you can enjoy the facilities of your hotel.
Day 8: Nazca Lines – Arequipa.
After an early breakfast, transfer to Nazca Airport for a 45-minute flight over the enigmatic Nazca Lines. These enormous lineal drawings of animals, birds and geometric figures remain etched in the
desert and they can only be appreciated from the air.
At noon, travel by private transportation to the City of Arequipa (About 8 hours) along the Desert and Coastal valleys. During the journey, we will make some stops in different outstanding points to rest and enjoy the views.
Arrival at the White City of Arequipa. It receives this name due to its white rock buildings, a white rock that flows out of the Misti Volcano. Upon your arrival in Arequipa, our staff will transfer you to your hotel.
Day 9: Arequipa – City Tour.
Morning city tour of Arequipa, including the Main Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Peru, and the Cathedral. We also visit the La Compañia Church, an ancient Jesuit temple, maybe the most important one in Arequipa due to its history and tradition, with a beautiful façade with carved columns, laurel crowns, flowers, birds, etc.
Then, we will visit the Santa Catalina Convent, a “Small Town” opened to the public in 1970, after 400 years as a Cloister. Perfectly preserved for four Centuries, you go back in time as you enter the Cloister and see the numerous, spacious patios and gardens, the kitchen and slave quarters and stone washtubs of this Convent. About 20 nuns, of what were once 500, still live in a section of the Convent. Transfer to your selected hotel and free time for lunch. In the afternoon, tour of Arequipa’s beautiful countryside, including the Mill of Sabandia, a still functioning flourmill built in 1621 powered by a nearby waterfall, and the Founder’s Mansion, a fully restored XVIth Century Hacienda that belonged to the City’s founder. Then it was sold to the Jesuits, who used it as a Retreat Centre, and finally passed on to the Goyeneche family. You will also visit its beautiful fully restored Church.
Evening free. We suggest to dinner at the hotel and have an early night as the next day you will have an early-rising to begin your trip towards the Colca Canyon.
Day 10: Arequipa – Colca Canyon.
Early in the morning, depart on a wonderful four hours bus trip to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world (3400 m.a.s.l.). On the trip we drive across Pampa Cañahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, inhabited by herds of Vicuñas and Alpacas (South American cameloids). We also see beautiful pre-Columbian terraces, still being cultivated by the native Collaguas. Box lunch. On your arrival at Colca Valley, transfer to the selected lodge.
In the afternoon, we recommend you to rest and get used to the altitude. If you are in good shape, you will have free time to stroll around the lodge surroundings or you could take a repairing bath at the hot springs nearby the lodge.
Dinner and overnight at selected lodge at the Colca Valley.
Day 11: Colca Canyon – Arequipa.
We leave early in the morning to the “Condor’s Cross”, where the biggest bird in the world can be usually seen flying. On the way back we visit the Colonial Towns and Churches of Yanque, Coporaque, Achoma and Maca. Good opportunity to appreciate the life of these people that has changed little since Inca times. After the lunch in a local restaurant, we will arrive late in the afternoon to Arequipa and transfer to your hotel.
Day 12: Arequipa – Juliaca – Sillustani – Puno.
Early morning transfer to Arequipa Airport to board your flight to Juliaca. Upon your arrival we will continue to Puno. On the way, we will visit the famous Chullpas of Sillustani: Stone cylinder Burial Chambers used by the Aymaras to bury their important leaders. Arrival to Puno and transfer to your hotel, free afternoon in the city.
Day 13: Puno – Titicaca Lake – Floating island Uros – Taquile Island.
After breakfast early in the morning, we will have an unforgettable motorboat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique “Floating Islands” of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own “Islands” by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed called “Totora” , vegetable fibre of the Papyrus family. Their homes and boats are also made from this material. We continue our motorboat trip to Taquile island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives who have developed, down through generations, an efficient and unique social system, as well as fine hand weaving techniques.
It is necessary to go up a stairway of more than 567 steps – steps of stone that wind their way among green platforms – to arrive at the Town of Taquile where we will have a break to eat. After lunch in a local restaurant, we have a walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6 km long Island. In the afternoon, return to Puno for overnight at your hotel. Evening free.
Day 14: Puno – Cusco.
After breakfast, early departure by bus to the City of Cusco. We travel along the High Plateau of Collao, stopping at the Town of Ayaviri, an important livestock and textile centre, to visit the impressive Temple of Kalasaya, ruins from the ancient Pucara Culture. On the way, we stop in Raqchi, where we can see a spectacular Inca Sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec, and dedicated to the great Inca God of Wiracocha. It has a great central wall with a stone base of fine Inca architecture. Other walls are made of giant adobe bricks. The structure also has two circular lateral columns. Around the Temple are several buildings once used for housing and storage about 70 km further on, we pass through the La Raya Ranch where we can see troops of vicuñas and llamas. During the trip, we pass by the lovely Wacarpay Lake.
We proceed to the beautiful Town of Andahuaylillas, and visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, better known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, due to its decorated polychrome ceiling.
Buffet lunch in a quiet countryside restaurant, where we can enjoy the delightful culinary art of the Region. When you will arrive to Cusco our staff will transfer you to your hotel.
Day 15: Cusco – City Tour.
After breakfast you will have a free time to visit the main square and walk around, In the afternoon, guided tour in Cusco visiting the main square, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha, then, we go out of the City to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive complex of Sacsayhuaman, strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco, famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 9 m / 30 ft high and weighing over 350 tons. Return to the hotel and get ready to enjoy a dinner with a folklore show in a typical restaurant where the musicians play their melodies with Andean instruments of beautiful sounds, while typically dressed dancers will show you different ancient Peruvian dances.
Dia 16: Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Incas.
After breakfast, full day excursion to the “Sacred Valley of the Incas”, along the Vilcanota River. We will have the opportunity to share closely the peasants’ customs and bargain with vendors at the typical Indian market of Pisac, after to visit this market we will continue to Urubamba town where we are going to have our lunch in a local country side restaurant. In the afternoon, passing through the villages of Yanahura an Sillacancha we will arrive to Ollantaytambo where we visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this part of the Valley, and protect it from possible invasion from the tribes in the Lower jungle. You can walk around, and get a good idea of what this strategic military, religious, and agricultural centre was like during the era of the Inca Empire, back to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
Dia 17: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu.
After breakfast you will have a free time to make some shopping or visit the city on your own in the afternoon we transfer to Ollantaytambo Train Station for a two hours by bus and then we will catch a train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Arrive at Aguas Calientes Station, transfer to your hotel and evening free or you can enjoy the hot waters in the town. Overnight at your selected hotel.
Day 18: Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco.
Excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy a beautiful sunrise in Machu Picchu as well.
You will make the 25 minutes by bus ascent to the “Lost City of the Incas”, known as Machu Picchu. We will have a guided tour into the ruins for around 3 hours; our guide explains the astounding degree of technology achieved by the builders of this famous site. The tight construction, the water channels, the staircases carved from the living rock of the mountain, and the Intihuatana, which served as an astronomical calendar, all show technological advancement far beyond anything this area of the world was thought to have achieved. These, along with the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Priests’ House, the Inca Baths and the Temple of the Three Windows, all allow us to glimpse back into the past and, with the help of our guide, revisit the lives of these truly remarkable people. We will enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes in the afternoon train takes you back to Ollantaytambo. Our staff will transfer to Cusco and your hotel.
Day 19: Cusco – Lima.
Breakfast. Transfer to Cusco Airport to take your flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, assistand for our staff and will help you about your international flight.
Our service includes:
Our service doesn’t include:
We suggest you to bring:
