“The Essentials of Peru”

Your tour of Peru starts properly today. A tour of Lima is planned for the morning: Lima is the capital of Peru, and is home to approximately a third of the country´s population. It is also a city of striking contrasts: between the colonial historical center and the modern, vibrant Miraflores district overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

In the afternoon, you will leave for Arequipa, Peru’s second city. Transfer to the Casa Andina Classic, in the heart of the city’s historical center. Night at the hotel.

A tour of Arequipa is planned for the morning, starting with the ancient district of Yanahuara, the Carmen Alto viewpoint over the city and its three volcanoes, the colonial center with the Company of Jesus´ cloisters, the markets and the Santa Catalina monastery, one of the biggest religious structures in Peru.

Free afternoon in the city.

Night at the hotel.

In the morning, you will leave for the Colca Canyon. You will ascend the “altiplano” and cross the Aguada Blanca natural reserve (at an altitude of 4000m), where you will discover vicunas, llamas, alpacas and possibly even viscachas…

You will then ascend up to 4900 meters, reaching the peak (literally) of your Peruvian tour, before descending back down to Chivay (3500 meters) in the Colca Valley for lunch (not included). After lunch, you will be able to take a stroll towards the thermal baths, where the water is nearing 40º C (optional entry which costs around 4 US$, not included).

Night at the Eco Inn Hotel.

Early-morning departure to the « Cruz del Condor » viewpoint, just along the valley. This viewpoint offers a stunning view across the canyon, and the river 1000 meters below. All being well, you’ll be able to watch the slow and majestic flight of the condors. According to our previous travelers, this is one of the highlights of the trip!

In the afternoon, you will leave for Puno: a 4-5 hour bus ride will take you through more infinite and beautiful landscapes.

Arrival in Puno, city located on the shores of the Lake Titicaca, in the late-afternoon. Transfer to the Hacienda Plaza hotel.

In the morning, you will depart to the Socca peninsula, which offers splendid views across Lake Titicaca. This peninsula is truly off the beaten path, inhabited by Aymara communities living essentially off the land. From this point you will walk for two hours (not a difficult walk by any means, apart from maybe the altitude) before reaching exceptional views over Lake Titicaca, its islands and the Royal mountain range across the other side, on Bolivian soil. Lunch: picnic by the lake, then return to Puno in the early afternoon. Night at the hotel.

We offer this excursion as an alternative to the more classic route, which includes the Taquile, Amantani and Uros islands, and which is usually flooded with tourists. The Socca population lead a more traditional life, and the landscapes and views across the Lake are just as beautiful. However if you wish, you are more than welcome to do the 1 or 2-Day excursion to the above mentioned islands.

Morning departure towards Cusco. You will make a first stop in Pukara, where the early altiplano civilization was developed, long before the Incas. You will then head across to the La Raya pass, at an altitude of 4370 meters, where you will leave the altiplano in your descent towards the Vilcanota valley. In the afternoon, you will visit Raqchi, an ancient Inca site, as well as the Andahuaylillas village and church. Towards the end of the afternoon, you will arrive in Cusco, the ancient Inca capital and without a doubt the most beautiful city in Peru.

You will later be taken to your hotel, the San Agustin Internacional, in the heart of Cusco’s historical center.

With its Inca ruins and colonial architecture, Cusco is definitely one of the highlights of any tour around Peru. In the morning you will be driven up to the heights of Cusco, in order to enjoy a panoramic view across the city. You will then visit Sacsayhuaman, an astonishing Inca stone construction, before walking back down to the city through the winding alleyways of the San Blas district.

Throughout this walk you will come across various ancient Inca stone walls, as well as the famous 12-angle stone. You will cross the historical centre of the city and its main squares until you reach San Pedro market, where you will truly experience the Andean atmosphere which makes Cusco so unique.

Free afternoon in Cusco, to explore at your own pace. Night at the hotel.

This visit includes 1 hour and 15 minutes/1 hour 30 minutes’ walk, downhill and across flat land, which we highly recommend. If you prefer, you may of course choose a more traditional excursion, including a visit of the temple of the sun, and sites such as Tambomachay, Kenko and Puka Pukara, (transportation by car).

Early morning departure towards the Sacred Valley (by private vehicle), where you will visit one of the most extensive and spectacular ancient Inca cities, Pisaq. The village of Pisaq is also famous for its artisanal market, one of the biggest in Peru. After lunch, your next destination will be the Inca terrasses in Moray and the salt basins in Maras, where the salt cultivation is still performed in an artisanal fashion. Your day will end with a visit of the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Night at the hotel Samanapaq.

In the morning, you will take a train to Aguas Calientes, from which a bus will take you up to Machu Picchu. Visiting Machu Picchu is the climax of any tour around Peru, and its position amongst the wonders of the world is very much justified. The beauty of the Inca constructions is in perfect harmony with that of its surrounding nature. You will have several free hours in order to explore at your own pace. In the afternoon, the bus will take you back to Aguas Calientes, so you can catch the train back to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco in the evening. Night at the San Agustin hotel.

Airport transfer to take flight back to Lima. End of your “Essentials of Peru” tour!

Please note that if your flight is early  in the morning, you must schedule in an extra night in Lima the night before your international flight.