“Peru: Off The Beaten Track”

In the morning : transfer to the Callao port where you shall board a boat to the Palomino islands, which are home to several thousands of sea lions and birds (pelicans, terns, penguins…). You will be able to swim amongst the sea lions (wearing a wetsuit, as the Pacific ocean water is rather cold in Peru), an unforgettable experience.

Return to the port in the early afternoon. Return to the hotel in Lima in the afternoon, and the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city as you desire. Night at the hotel.

In the morning you will fly to Arequipa, where you will be staying at the Casa Andina Classic hotel.

Nicknamed “The White City”, Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru. It is a colonial city of medium altitude, which boasts a sunny climate almost all year, one of the most pleasant stops in the tour. In the afternoon you will take a guided tour of the city, from the Carmen Alto viewpoint which offers stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes, to the historical center and the colonial district of Yanahuara. In the center, you will visit the famous Santa Catalina monastery, one of the most beautiful religious structures in Peru. Night at the hotel.

Early morning departure to the Majes Valley. On the way, you will see some very unusual landscapes of coastal Peru and its oasis valleys. After approximately two and a half hours’ drive, the desert plateau will suddenly open onto the immense Majes Valley, about 1000 meters deep. Next activity: a visit of the Toro Muerto archeological site, where thousands of figures have been carved in the stone since pre-hispanic times.

In the afternoon, you’ll have various activities to choose from: strolling through the valley on foot, taking a bike ride, or rafting down the river.

An excellent way to experience the rural life of the valley, away from the traditional tourist paths. You will spend the night in a comfortable rural cottage.

In the morning, you will have the option to do some of the activities from the day before. In the afternoon, you will visit a paleontological site which boasts dinosaur prints and ancient Querullpa paintings, as well as a “bodega” where Pisco is distilled, the national alcohol of Peru. Return to Arequipa at the end of the day.

Night at the Casa Andina Classic hotel.

What could be better during a tour than tasting the local gastronomy? And even better, learning to prepare its dishes! The Arthur restaurant will be host to your cooking class, where you will learn how to prepare two of Peruvian cuisine’s symbolic dishes: fish “ceviche” and “Lomo saltado”. You will then tuck into the dishes you’ve prepared.

Free afternoon to explore Arequipa further and enjoy its charm at your own pace. Night at the hotel.

In the morning, bus departure to the Colca Canyon between 7.30 and 8.00. You will make some stops en route to observe the wildlife of the Andean Plateau, living up at 4000 meters’ altitude: llamas, vicunas and alpacas, to name a few! You will then drive through to the highest point of the tour, at an altitude of 4900 meters, before driving back down to the Colca valley. Upon arrival at the Coporaque village, you will meet your host family and settle into their home. After lunch, your family will guide you around the village and offer various activities.

Dinner and overnight stay at the host family´s home.

You will depart in the early morning, along a route which offers some stunning views across the depths of the Colca Canyon. Here, you will be able to see the condors in their natural habitat, and then witness their flight over the cliffs: a truly unforgettable sight!

In the afternoon, you will continue your crossing of the Andean Plateau until you reach the city of Puno, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Puno is located on the banks of the immense Lake Titicaca, which stretches between Peru and Bolivia. Located at an altitude of 3800 meters, Puno is the highest stop on your tour in Peru.

Night at the Hacienda Plaza hotel.

Today you will cross part of Lake Titicaca, and will experience complete immersion in rural Peruvian life, by staying in a host family.  In the morning, you will be taken from the hotel to the port, before crossing the lake. After visiting the Uros floating islands, you will continue your crossing of the lake until you reach Amantani island. You will settle into your host family’s home, before walking up to the ruins at the top of the island, where you will watch the sun set over the lake: definitely one of the most relaxing moments of your Peruvian trip. Dinner and night at your host family’s home, (basic comfort, no running water).

On the morning of day 10, you will set off for Taquile island, where the local population still lives according to ancient Andean traditions and community laws. You will walk up to the village at the top of the island, where you will find a viewpoint offering splendid views of the lake and of the Royal mountain range in Bolivia. In the afternoon, you will walk back down to the port, and then cross the lake again towards Puno, where you will arrive in the afternoon.

Transfer and night at the hotel.

In the morning, a private vehicle will take you through the Andean Plateau. If you wish, you can make a half-hour stop to visit the Sillustani “chullpas” (funeral towers), a fascinating archeological site.

You will then get settled into the Tambo Queque Norte, a traditional “hacienda” located up on the Plateau at 4100 meters’ altitude, at the foot of Nevado Kunurana. During the afternoon you’ll be able to visit the hacienda’s cheese farm and stroll around the surrounding nature. It is also possible to take a horse ride around the area (at a small additional cost). Dinner and night at the hacienda (basic comfort, shared bathroom).

In the morning: departure for Cusco, by private vehicle. You will drive through the La Raya pass, at 4375 meters above sea level, located towards the end of the Andean plateau where the Vilcanota valley begins, which is where the Inca civilization first started. You will also have the possibility of making some stops along the way, especially to visit the Inca temple of Raqchi, and the village of Andahuaylillas. Arrival in Cusco, capital of the Inca empire, in the afternoon. Transfer and night at the San Agustin Internacional hotel, located in the historical heart of the city.

Day 13 will be spent discovering the city of Cusco, 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 which looks over the city, one of the biggest and most impressive pre-Colombian constructions; 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.

In the afternoon, the cocoa and chocolate museum awaits! “ChocoMuseo” is located in the heart of Cusco, and you will take part in one of its fun workshops which involes making your own chocolate bar using chocolate from the region.

Night at the hotel.

Your « off the beaten track » tour will continue with a day of fresh air: hiking between two of the most fascinating places in the Sacred Valley.

In the morning, you and your guide will take a private vehicle to the Inca terraces in Moray, where you will start the trek. Your trek will take you towards the Maras salt mines, an unusual and spectacular sight: thousands of salt mines which have been used since pre-Colombian times and are still in use today. From there, the next stop will be the village of Pichingoto, where you will cross the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley.

Night at the Samanapaq hotel, in Ollantaytambo.

Easy hike (approximately 3 hours long), downhill and across flat land.

Early morning departure by train, following the Urubamba river to the Machu Picchu village (or Aguas Calientes, its original name). From there, a bus will take you up to Machu Picchu. This stunning Inca city is the climax of any trip to Peru, and definitely deserves its reputation as one of the wonders of the world. You can walk around at your own pace, or accompanied by a guide in order to learn more about its intriguing history.

Train back to the Sacred Valley in the afternoon, and night at the hotel in Ollantaytambo.

Your trip to Peru will soon be coming to an end, but you still have a few extraordinary places to discover! In the morning you will visit the impressive Inca fortress located in Ollantaytambo, along with its Sun Temple. You will then be driven back up the Sacred Valley to Pisac, a village which is famous for its artisan market- you might find some gems to take back home! From there you will head over to the ancient Inca city of Pisac, overlooking the Valley from high up.

Return to Cusco at the end of the day, and night at the hotel.

Last day of your tour : enjoy a free day around Cusco to make the most of the city’s charm and beauty, and to say your goodbyes to Peru. Night at the hotel.

Transfer to Cusco airport. Flight back to Lima and end of your « Off The Beaten Track » tour. Connection to your international flight back home.