DAY 1: LIMA

Upon arrival, we will assist you and take you to the hotel. Overnight in Lima.

DAY 2: LIMA

After a nice breakfast at the hotel we will start our tour through the city. We will learn about its rich history and culture as we visit different landmarks.

We will begin with Lima’s historical centre, designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Site, to see some of its main colonial buildings. We will visit the beautiful Casa de Aliaga, a colonial mansion inhabited by the same family for 17 generations. Then, we will go to San Francisco’s Convent, a true jewel of colonial architecture and art.

We will tour the residential neighbourhoods of San Isidro and Miraflores, and stop by the Costa Verde cliffs for a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the beaches.

Overnight in Lima.

DAY 3: LIMA / AREQUIPA

Upon arrival to Arequipa, we will assist you and take you to the selected hotel.

Later, in the afternoon, we will tour the city. We will admire the beautiful Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and then, the famous Santa Catalina’s Convent. This gorgeous convent was founded back in 1582 and is similar to a small city from that time, with tiny houses built for the nuns and their maids, narrow streets, patios, kitchen, laundry and more.

We will continue our tour visiting the Compañía de Jesús Church, a jewel of baroque art and home to beautiful paintings. It is particularly interesting the sacristy, decorated with murals representing the jungle and cloisters of their old seminary.

To finish the tour, we will tour the residential neighborhoods of Yanahuara and Chilina, from where we will be amaze with the view of the great Misti, one of the volcanos guarding the city and the picturesque countryside.

Overnight in Arequipa.

DAY 4: AREQUIPA / COLCA

After an early breakfast, we will head to the Colca Valley. We will see Pampa Cañahuas, at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, the protected habitat of the local vicuñas and in the valley we will find pre-Hispanic terraces still in use by the native Collaguas to grow their produce.

Overnight in Colca at selected lodge.

DAY 5: COLCA / PUNO

After breakfast at the hotel we will head for the emblematic Cruz del Cóndor (Condor’s Cross), a privileged sightseeing spot to watch these magnificent and enormous birds from the Andes. From here, we will have a new perspective of the Colca Canyon and its 3,000 metres deep, with stunning panoramic views.

We will continue our trip to Puno, in a seven hour journey through the most diverse landscapes of the high Andes.

Overnight in Puno.

DAY 6: PUNO / UROS / TAQUILE

After breakfast at the hotel, we will start our excursion to Lake Titicaca. We will visit the floating islands of Uros. This community, also called “the Lake Town”, is known for building these islands by overlapping totora reeds that are later on used for housing and commerce.

We will continue our journey to Taquile Island to share a moment with this friendly community. The people of Taquile keep alive the old traditions, customs and colourful outfits. Taquile’s islanders are talented knitters with a technique that has been passed on for generations, shown in each hand crafted garment.

After lunch, we will head back to Puno. Overnight in Puno.

DAY 7: PUNO / CUSCO

After a nice breakfast at the hotel we will head to Cusco by bus. For about seven hours we will go through wonderful Andean landscapes, passing by picturesque villages and flocks of llamas or vicuñas.

On the way, we will stop at the archaeological site of Pucará. Then, we will continue to Raqchi for a sight of impressive vestiges of the past and to Andahuaylillas, to have a glance of its beautiful baroque church from the 17^th century, known for its murals as “the Sistine Chapel of America”.

After lunch we journey to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.

DAY 8: CUSCO / CITY TOUR + ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTRES

After breakfast at the hotel, free morning to rest or shop around the city.

This afternoon we will start our adventure in the land of the Incas, touring the city, admiring its buildings and wonders. We will visit Qorikancha, the former Temple of Gold, one of the main Incan religious centres. On top of its foundations, the Spaniards built the Church and Covent of Santo Domingo. Then, we’ll go to the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and the beautiful Cathedral to see some of the best colonial art and architecture.

Afterwards, we will board our bus to visit some archaeological sites on the outskirts of the city, like Sacsayhuaman, an impressive fortress with massive carved stone walls and terraces.

Overnight in Cusco.

DAY 9: CUSCO / SACRED VALLEY / AGUAS CALIENTES

After breakfast at the hotel we will start our Sacred Valley excursion.

Our first stop will be at the textile centre, to witness the art of the different native communities from the valley, and learn about their ancestral knitting techniques and their cultural diversity. We will also be able to see some llamas, vicuñas, guanacos and alpacas.

Continuing with our journey we will head to the Archaeological Complex of Pisac. We will visit the lower site of the complex, where the farming area and the largest pre-Hispanic cemetery of America is located. We will also visit the terraces, towers, bridges and streets of this old city. Afterwards, we will walk around the colourful art crafts market and will continue our way to Urubamba Valley for a delicious buffet lunch.

After lunch we will head for Ollantaytambo, one of the last Incan cities still inhabited. Its stone walls and narrow streets were part of a stunning agricultural and religious centre that became the last bastion of the Incan resistance to the Spaniards.

Finishing our tour we will go to Ollantaytambo’s train station to take a train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night.

DAY 10: MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO

After breakfast we will board the bus that will take us to the gates of Machu Picchu, after 20 or 30 minutes on a twisting road up the mountain.

Once in the citadel, prepare to bedazzle with a two hour guided tour walking around its streets, temples, terraces and houses while we learn more about this mysterious and majestic city on top of the mountain.

After the tour you will be able to spend some time on your own at this fantastic place before boarding the bus back to Aguas Calientes. At scheduled time we will board the train back to Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

DAY 11: CUSCO / LIMA

Breakfast at the hotel. At scheduled time, transfer to Cusco’s airport to take the flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, we will assist you and take you to the hotel.

Overnight in Lima.

DAY 11: LIMA

At scheduled time, transfer to the airport to board flight to next destination.

Included:

• All transfers scheduled in itinerary, entrance tickets to all archaeological centres detailed in itinerary
• Lunch service according to itinerary
• Lodging as detailed in itinerary
• Train ticket Ollantaytambo/Machu Picchu/Cusco (Expedition)
• Bus ticket Puno/Cusco
• Bus ticket Arequipa/Colca
• Personalized assistance.

NOT Included:

• Extras
• Tips (optional)
• Airfare

What’s to take?

• Ropa ligera, una chaqueta, un sweater
• Tenis o zapatos apropiados para caminar mucho
• Lleva consigo  bloqueador solar, agua, cámara, sombrero y gafas de sol.
• En la temporada de lluvias, por favor traiga un impermeable o una chaqueta impermeable