“The Three Faces of Peru”

In the morning, you will set off from your hotel with your guide for a Lima city tour.

Lima, which was the continent’s most important city for over two centuries, concentrates all the cultural and geographical contrasts of Peru, as well as being home to over 8 million inhabitants. Around noon, you will set off for Paracas in a bus of superior comfort. Arrival in Paracas in the late afternoon.

Transfer and night at the “Posada del Emancipador” hotel.

In the morning you will visit the Ballestas Islands, which are considered the « Galapagos of Peru » and are home to thousands of sea lions and marine birds. Then, return to the port, where a bus will be waiting for you, to take you to Nasca. Arrival in Nasca in the afternoon and transfer to the Casa Andina Classic hotel. Then, departure by private vehicle to the Palpa Valley where you will be able to observe the anthropomorphic figures which were drawn in the desert over 1000 years ago.

You will also stop at a viewpoint from which you will be able to see 2 figures drawn there by the ancient Nasca civilization. You will also be able to see these enigmatic lines from the top of a hill, where you will have a view over 10 km’s worth of mysterious figures.

Free morning : those who wish may take a flight over the Nasca lines. In the early afternoon, transfer to the bus terminal, and departure towards Arequipa in a bus of superior comfort. Arrival in Arequipa late at night, transfer to the Casa Andina Classic hotel.

Option: visit of the Chauchilla pre-colombian cemetery, with its 1000-year old mummies, or the Cahuachi pyramid complex. 

Arequipa is the first stop of your tour at a high altitude (2300 meters) before reaching the Andean Plateau. Located between the coast and the Plateau, this colonial gem of a city offers spring-like weather all year round and is a very pleasant stop on your tour. On the first morning, you will visit the picturesque district of Yanahuara, the Carmen Alto viewpoint with its stunning views across the whole city and the surrounding volcanoes. You will then visit the colonial center, the central market, the Company of Jesus cloisters and the Santa Catalina monastery, one of the most beautiful colonial monasteries in South America. Free afternoon and night at the hotel.

An alternative for these visits would be rafting down the river Chili, or taking a Peruvian cooking class.

In the morning you will be departing for the Colca Canyon. Arriving at the top of the Altiplano, at an altitude of over 4000 meters, you will cross the Aguada Blanca reserve, and will be able to observe local fauna: vicunas, llamas, alpacas…

You will then reach the highest point of your tour at 4900 meters, before driving down to the Colca Canyon for lunch (lunch not included). In the afternoon you will take a short hike in order to acclimatize to the altitude, after which you will be able to take a dip in the thermal baths, with waters nearing 40 degrees (optional, entrance around 4 US$, not included).

Night at the Eco Inn hotel.

Breakfast around 6am. Your vehicle will take you through the Colca Valley up to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, from which you will enjoy a breath-taking view across the Canyon, the river 1000 meters below and the 2500 meters’ high cliffs opposite. At this viewpoint you will also be able to watch the majestic flight of the condors which sometimes fly very low, only a few meters above you. One of the highlights of the tour!

Then you will return into the agricultural part of the valley to make a few stops in some typical picturesque villages. In the afternoon, you will cross the Plateau once again to return to your hotel in Arequipa around 5pm.

Night at the Casa Andina Classic hotel.

In the morning, departure for Puno in a superior-class bus. After traveling for several hours through some of the Andean plateau’s most beautiful scenery, you will arrive in Puno, on the banks of Lake Titicaca. Transfer to the Hacienda Plaza hotel and late afternoon free to visit the city and acclimatize to the altitude.

Night at the hotel.

Optional: upon your arrival in Puno, departure by private vehicle to Sillustani. Overlooking the Umayo Laguna, this spectacular site boasts several dozens of “chullpas”, or prehispanic funeral towers.

Early-morning departure to the Socca peninsula, where you will discover the stunning scenery surrounding Lake Tititcaca, after crossing rural aymara communities, completely off the beaten track.

Here you will take an easy 2-hour walk which will offer unique views across the lake and the Royal mountain range, on the other side of the lake in Bolivia. After a picnic on the banks of the lake, you will return to Puno in the early afternoon. Night at the hotel.

This is an alternative to the classic, more touristic visit of the Uros, Amantani or Taquile islands. The views across the lake are just as beautiful, yet the way of life of the local population you will meet is a lot more traditional. However, if you prefer, you may of course do the traditional 1 or 2-day excursion to the islands.

In the morning, departure by bus to the archeological site Pukara, one of the first civilisations up in the Andean Plateau, even outdating the Incas. Then you will make a stop at the La Raya pass (4370 meters), which marks the end of the Andean Plateau and the beginning of the andean valley where the inca civilization first developed. Your tour will continue with a visit of the Inca temple Viracocha and the village of  Andahuaylillas, where the “Sistine chapel of Peru” is located. Arrival in Cusco, capital of the Inca empire, in the late afternoon.

Hotel transfer and night at the San Agustin International hotel, located in the historical heart of the city.

In the morning, departure by private vehicle towards the heights of Cusco where you will have stunning views upon the city. Then you will visit the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an incredible archeological site made from huge blocks of stone which were assembled by the Incas with bluffing precision. You will walk down to the city through the quirky district of San Blas, admiring the Inca stone walls and the famous 12-angle-stone as you go along. You will then continue your city walk through many of Cusco’s main squares, finishing near the central market, a colorful and picturesque center of trade and commerce in Cusco. Free afternoon to enjoy the charm of Peru’s most beautiful city.

Night at the hotel.

We recommend this visit which includes one hour/one hour and a quarter’s easy walk (downhill and across flat land). You may however opt for a more traditional visit, with vehicle transportation, which also includes small Inca sites such as Kenko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, and the temple of the sun.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas stretches between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, and includes several first-order Inca constructions as well as some of the most beautiful scenery in the tour. Your first stop of the day will be in Pisac, where you will be able to stroll around its artisan market (one of the biggest in Peru) and its ancient Inca city. You will discover the mysterious Inca circus of Moray, the Maras salt mines, where salt is collected by local artisan, followed by the Inca village of Ollantaytambo and its citadel which overlooks the valley.

Night at the Samanapaq hotel in Ollantaytambo.

Early morning departure by train, following the narrow gorge of the Urubamba river up to the Aguas Calientes village (recently renamed Machu Picchu Pueblo), from which a shuttle will take you up to Machu Picchu. The lost city of the Incas, rediscovered barely a century ago, fascinates everyone who sets foot upon it: not only because of the mystery which surrounds it, but also because the incredible beauty of the actual site and the surrounding scenery. This will no doubt be one of the highlights of your tour around Peru. You will have a good part of the day to discover this extraordinary place at your own pace.

You will then take coach back down to Aguas Calientes in order to take the return train. Arrival in Cusco in the evening, hotel transfer and night at the San Agustin International hotel.

Free day around Cusco so you can make the most of the city’s charm at your own pace. Cusco is definitely the most fascinating city in Peru, with its narrow streets boasting colonial architecture and the astonishing nature of the Inca stone foundations.

There are so many things you can get up to on your free day: strolling around Cusipata square or around the San Blas district, visiting the stunning cathedral, or any of the numerous museums around the city, sampling more delicious Peruvian food at a local restaurant, or shopping in some of the many artisan markets whilst soaking up the Andean atmosphere… you won’t run out of possible activities!

Night at the hotel.

In the morning, airport transfer and then flight to Puerto Maldonado. You are now entering the last phase of your Peruvian tour, i.e. the discovery of the Amazon. Upon your arrival at the airport you will be taken over to the Corto Maltes lodge by boat. After lunch, it’ll be time to start exploring the jungle!

On this hike, you will get to know a great variety of medicinal plants, tropical trees, birds, insects, butterflies and other animals. You will make a brief stop at a viewpoint to observe some unusual birds in their natural habitat. Return to the Lodge, then pre-dinner night-time boat ride for a caiman-spotting safari!

Dinner and night at the lodge.

5.30am wake-up call for a 20-minute walk over to the parrots’ natural habitat: a beautiful display of color! After breakfast, you will depart along the river for an expedition which will bring you over to Monkey Island, where several species live in complete freedom. You will then walk for 3 miles through exuberant vegetation as you make your way through the jungle, until you arrive at Sandoval lake in the Tambo-Candamo national reserve. Many different animal species live in this environment: birds (sanshos, kingfishers, anhingas), different monkey species (wasitas, capuchin monkeys) otters, caimans and piranhas.  Crossing the lake by canoe whilst the sun is setting is sure to be an unforgettable part of your trip.

Dinner and night at the lodge.

After breakfast, you will make your way down the river for about an hour and a half until you reach the native community of the Gamita island. Two families will walk you through their customs, their traditional clothing and their ways of life. You will then visit a plantation where tropical fruit and other local produce (cocoa, bananas, coffee, cocona) and you will then be able to enjoy a typical lunch there. Back at the lodge, you’ll be able to relax around the pool before dinner.

Night at the lodge.

After breakfast, your guide will take you back to Puerto Maldonado where, according to the time of your flight, you might be able to visit the local market. You will then fly back to Lima in the late morning.

Arrival in Lima and transfer to the Britania hotel.

Free afternoon in the Peruvian capital to wrap up the tour as you wish. You could fit in one last museum visit, stroll along the ocean front or do some last-minute shopping in one of the many artisan markets around the center of Miraflores.

Night at the hotel.

Airport transfer for your international flight. End of your “Three Faces of Peru” tour.