Day 1 : Welcome to Lima

From the moment you arrive in Lima, we will be waiting for you at the airport and take you, on private transport, to your hotel. Then you will have all day to relax and enjoy the beauty of Lima and its surroundings.

Overnight in Lima.

Hotel: Hotel Casa Andina Standard Miraflores   

Room: Traditional Room

Overnight in Lima.

Day 2 : Lima City of Kings!

The first stop on our Lima city tour is Huaca Pucllana, a huge archaeological site in Miraflores, one of Lima’s most popular districts. Huaca Pucllana was an important ceremonial and administrative center of the Lima culture, which developed along this part of the Peruvian coast between 200 AD and 700 AD. This sacred place was built from seven staggered platforms surrounded by a plaza and large walls. It’s a very impressive site, and certainly not what you expect to find in lively Miraflores!

After exploring Huaca Pucllana with your bilingual guide, we’ll drive to the historic center of Lima, of which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll go to the beautiful Plaza de Armas (Lima’s main square) which is surrounded by impressive colonial and Republican-era buildings, many of which have ornate wooden balconies. Some of Peru’s most important buildings surround the square, including the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop's Palace of Lima, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of the Union. We’ll visit the Cathedral of Lima, which was completed in 1649. The cathedral is also home to the tomb of the conquistador Francisco Pizarro.

Next, we’ll walk one block to the Convent of Santo Domingo. Founded in the 1530s and completed in 1766, it is one of the most important religious buildings in Peru, and its large bell tower is a landmark in the historic center of Lima. As we walk around the interior of the convent, we’ll see the beautiful Sevillian azulejos (ceramic tiles) that decorate the walls, dating from 1604 and 1606. There is also a series of paintings that present passages of the life of Saint Dominic, the founder of the Dominican order, which date to around 1608.

Hotel: Hotel Casa Andina Standard Miraflores   

Room: Traditional Room

Day 3 : Lima to Arequipa

After Breakfast, we will pick you up from the hotel (time to be confirmed) and take you to the airport where you will take your flight

Hotel: Casa Andina Standard Arequipa   

Room: Traditional Room

Day 4 : Arequipa to Colca

Day 4 begins early in the morning as we leave the White City of Arequipa and set off along the route to the Colca Valley. It’s a beautiful drive, passing snow-capped volcanoes, rugged pampas, traditional terraced farms and picturesque villages where the old traditional ways of life are still very much alive.

We’ll make a few stops along the way, the first at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where we can watch innumerable guanacos, alpacas and vicuñas as they graze on the plains. The reserve, which covers almost 366,936 hectares, was created to preserve the local flora and fauna and their natural environment, which was previously deteriorating at an alarming rate. The reserve also protects the local vicuña population through its repopulation program. Apart from the vast herds of camelids, the reserve is also home to the southern viscacha (a large and loveable rodent), foxes, condors and Andean flamingos (also known as parihuanas). In total, 169 animal species have been identified in the reserve, including 23 mammals and 138 species of birds, such as blue-billed ducks, eagles and kestrels. During their migration period, flamingos also arrive to spend time wading through Salinas Lake.

Leaving the reserve, we’ll drive around the edge of Chucura Volcano until we reach the Patapampa Andes viewpoint. We’ll now be at 4,900 meters above sea level, and from here we can look out across the beautiful landscape to the peaks of snow-capped mountains and volcanoes in the Arequipa Region, including Hualca Calca, Sabancaya and Ampato. Our next stop will be the town of Chivay, where one end of the Colca Valley begins. The traditional terrace systems found here, built by indigenous inhabitants of the area, are remarkable for their scale and precise construction. Chivay itself was founded by the Spanish, a fact reflected in its church and other colonial buildings. You can have a traditional lunch in the town (not included) before we check in to our hotel.

You’ll then have the afternoon to explore the town on your own, and, if you like, visit the hot springs at La Calera, about 3 km from Chivay. Colca Canyon and the Colca Valley are dotted with natural hot springs and thermal baths, thanks to the seismic activity in the region. La Calera has public thermal baths which are said to have healing properties, with temperatures around 38 C (98 F).

Overnight in Colca.

Hotel: Casa Andina Standard Colca   

Room: Traditional Room

Day 5 : Colca Canyon to Puno

Here, strong winds rise up from the canyon, providing a favorite spot for Andean condors. They soar on the thermals, often in pairs, normally in the early morning and late afternoon. There’s a good chance you’ll see these huge condors, with their three-meter wingspans, flying very close to the lookout point, providing a truly majestic sight. From the lookout point you’ll also have incredible views down into the depths of Colca Canyon.

We’ll then head back to Chivay, first stopping off at the traditional village of Pinchollo and the Antahuilque viewpoint. This viewpoint (or mirador, as they are known in Spanish) offers wonderful views of the 1,500-year-old agricultural terraces that curve along the hillsides like an amphitheater. You can also spot some of the enchanting lagoons of the Colca Valley.

Next is the lookout point of Choquetico, where we can see two very interesting features. First are the hanging tombs, or tumbas colgantes, built by the Aymara-speaking Collaguas around 1200 AD. These funerary niches were cut into the cliffs of Cerro Cabanaconde and then sealed off with rock walls. In order to reach these otherwise inaccessible cliff faces, the builders likely worked their way down using ropes suspended from trees up above. The second interesting feature we can see here is the litomaqueta, a model of the canyon terraces carved into a rock.

Moving on, we’ll visit the small Andean village of Maca, which sits on the lower slopes of Sabancaya Volcano and Nevado Hualca Hualca. Then we’ll pay a visit to the village of Yanque, which is home to a pretty white church, a small archaeology museum and thermal baths down by the river. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are horse-riding facilities and mountain-bike rental available in Yanque. Around 13h00 we'll start our drive to Arequipa.

Overnight in Puno.

Hotel: Casa Andina Standard Puno   

Room: Traditional Room

Day 6 : Floating Islands to Amantani

when we pick you up from your hotel in Puno and head down to the port. We’ll then take a comfortable motorboat out to the floating islands of the Uros people. The artificial islands are located about 14 km from the port, and it takes about 30 minutes to get there – but you won’t be in any rush, as the scenery is spectacular.

When we arrive at the floating islands, you’ll probably be amazed by the scale of these floating reed constructions. The Uros originally built these islands for defensive reasons: if a threat appeared, they could move their island homes to a safer location. The islands are made from the totora reeds that grow around the lake, and each island is in a constant state of reconstruction, as old reeds are preplaced by new.

Stepping onto the islands is quite an experience, as the springy reed floor feels strange beneath your feet. We’ll explore the main island, and see the houses, watchtowers and other structures, all built of reeds. One of the locals will then give a brief presentation about how the islands are made, and then you can meet one of the local families to see how they live.

After the Uros islands we’ll head to the natural island of Amantani, which is home to about 4,000 Quechua-speaking locals. On Amantani you’ll have a wonderful cultural experience, as you will stay with one of the local families. They’ll take you to their home, where you can freely participate in any of their daily activities, including cooking and playing soccer! Later you’ll hike up to the highest point of the island to visit the Temple of Pachamama (or Pachatata), from where you can watch the awe-inspiring sunset over Lake Titicaca.

Back at the family home, you can have a wonderful dinner with your host family and then head to the local community hall for a small celebration. It’s all great fun, and most people absolutely adore their friendly hosts! After your day of cultural immersion, it will be time for bed in your cozy room in the family home on Amantani.

Overnight in Amantani. 

Hotel: Home Stay Amantani

Room: Traditional Room 

Day 7 : Uros & Takile Island

We’ll then head back to the pier on Amantani. At around 08h00, we’ll board a boat for the wonderful Taquile Island, which is about an hour away.

We’ll arrive at a secluded and picturesque section of Taquile Island, from which we’ll set off to explore this stunningly beautiful island. We’ll go to the less touristy northern area, where we’ll have spectacular panoramic views across Lake Titicaca. After relaxing here for a while, we’ll hike along a pre-Inca trail, visiting families of weavers to learn about their textile art and the rich symbolism that decorates their textiles. After a traditional lunch in a local restaurant – quinoa soup and grilled trout being particularly popular – we’ll walk to the main port and descend some steps to the pier. At around 12:30 p.m. we’ll board a boat for the return trip to Puno. When we arrive, we’ll take you back to your hotel.

Overnight in Puno.

Hotel: Casa Andina Standard Puno   

Room: Traditional Room

Day 8 : Puno to Cusco

We will pick you up at 07h00 and take you to the bus station to catch the bus to Cusco. The bus trip is more like a tour - it stops at four interesting sites along the way where you have guided tours:

• Pukara: This is the most important and oldest ceremonial center of the altiplano. There are interesting sculptures and tombs.

• La Raya: This is the halfway point between Cusco and Puno and the highest point (4335 meters above sea level). The landscapes here are stunning and it is common to see typical Andean animals like the llama, alpaca and vicuña. It is also the geographical border between the two cultures - Quechua and Aymara.

• Raqchi (Wiracocha God Temple): This was an Inca church of monumental dimensions; 100 meters long, 26 meters wide and 14 meters high. The temple is divided into two naves, and each nave has eleven giant columns – huge!

• Andahuaylillas: This is the Sistine chapel of South America: this church is one of the most beautiful examples of Andean popular religious art. Arrival time to Cusco will be around 5pm.

Overnight in Cusco.

Hotel: Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral   

Room: Traditional Room

Day 9 : Cusco Free Day

After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore Cusco at your ease. The capital city of the Inca Empire is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, as well as the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city.

Optional Shared Tour:

Classic Cooking Class USD100 per person

With an approximate duration of 3 hours, this service starts at 11 am, picking up the user from their hotel on the way to the house of the chosen cook. Once in the place, the tourists receive a brief explanation of the activities they will carry out, and they will receive the appropriate clothing for the class. What we will do next is practical cooking classes where tourists learn the preparation of traditional plates of the city, presented by experienced chefs, who teach various conventional recipes. In this service, all the ingredients are already at home. Lunch/Dinner at the cook's house: We want all the tourist to feel immersed in the local culture, for this, each chef has prepared various stories and experiences that are transmitted in the table and surrounded by local people (the cook and his family) while tasting the food made in the cooking class.

Rainbow Mountain USD90 per person

We will Pick you up from your hotel around 05h30 – 06h00. We´ll head to the community of CUSIPATA, we’ll get there in about 2 hours. Then we continue some 30 minutes more, to the Town of CHILLIHUANIl, where we will pass through picturesque places like TINTINKO and RIO TIGRE and the Mountain of Surina in LLACTO, where you will also could enjoy the flora and fauna in its natural habitat. (Llamas, Alpacas, Vicunas, etc.). 20 minutes later we will reach the starting point of our walk to the Rainbow Mountain. This walk will last about 1 hour and a half, We’ll enjoy panoramic views such as the Red Valley and Nevado Ausangate and small lagoons just before arrive to the spot where we can watch the whole colourful mountain. Our guide will explain you the science behind the colors and we`ll have some hot tea and something to eat. Then we will begin to descend to our starting point. Our vehicle will be waiting for us there to return to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 18h00.

Maras Moray USD45 per person

We will pick you up from your hotel around 08h00 to take you to Moray “The Inca agricultural greenhouse or laboratory.” We will drive for about 1 hour and 20 minutes through the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, through lush yellow fields of wheat, past some villages. Finally, you will arrive at the fascinating display of terraces in Moray. Moray boasts three amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. These terraces, which are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape, were thought to be used to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops. When we finish exploring Moray, we will continue and visit the salt mines of Maras, which is about 2 miles away. This village is known as a former salt-producing center that is thought to date back to pre-Inca times. There are over 3000 salt pools all carved into the mountainside; the highly salty water emerges at a spring, a natural outlet of the underground stream. The flow is directed into an intricate system of tiny channels constructed so that the water runs gradually down onto the several hundred ancient terraced ponds. The water, which is exposed to the sun, leaves salt on the land. After this fantastic visit, we will drive back to Cusco.

City Tour with visit to Cathedral – Cost per person $ 45 (Not Incl. Entrance Fee).

We will pick you up at 14:00am from your hotel to start the tour and visiting the following places:

• The Koricancha: Temple of the sun.

• Sacsayhuaman: Majestic place with impressive works in stone, some up to 120 tons.

• Q´enqo: (Labyrinth) a religious center dedicated to the adoration of the Earth.

• Puca Pucara: (reddish place) that was used as a military control center.

• Tambomachay: (Temple of the Water) a center of adoration and worship of water.

The Sacred Valley – Cost per person $ 75.

This is a full day excursion to the Urubamba Valley visiting the colourful Indian market in Pisac, where you will be able to appreciate the mixture of colour and tradition. Here you will have the opportunity to test your bartering skills, interact with the local craftsmen and purchase hand-made souvenirs. After Pisac travel to Urubamba, and continue on to Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied town on the American continent. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their canals, have not changed much from the time of the Inca Empire. The last visit will be the Chinchero market. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colourful Sunday market, which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. At the end of the tour, return to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.

Overnight un Cusco.

Hotel: Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral   

Room: Traditional Room

Day 10 : Cusco to Machu Picchu

Early morning, we will pick you up and transfer to the Sacred Valley's Ollantaytambo Station to board Train that travels through misty peaks to the astonishing ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas", designated by UNESCO as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu was virtually unknown to the western world until Hiram Bingham's re-discovery in 1911. Spend the morning viewing the unforgettable wonders of this 15th century retreat, abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the conquistadors. See the highlights of the site including the imposing Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved rock likely used as a sundial by the ancient Incas. The images of this significant archaeological site will be a long-lasting memory. After this, you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves.

This afternoon, you will board the train back to Poroy. Upon your arrival at the train station, we will pick you up and take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Hotel: Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral   

Room: Traditional Room

Day 11 : Cusco Back Home

After breakfast enjoy your last day at leisure before transferring to the airport for your return flight to home.