Based in comfortable hotels, we explore Peru - the sacred land of the Incas. We visit the historic remains of Machu Picchu and sail along Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable lake in the world. Along the way we visit the ancient Inca capital Cusco, the colonial streets of Lima and the beautifully preserved city of Arequipa.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour Lima; afternoon city tour.
Arrive Lima and check-in at hotel. After an introductory briefing from our Tour Leader and meeting the rest of group, this afternoon we head out on a city tour of the colonial heart of Lima.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Jose Antonio, Lima
Jose Antonio, Lima
Situated in Miraflores, the attractive commercial and residential district of Lima, the Jose Antonio offers a comfortable place to start our tour. With recently refurbished rooms and a good range of facilities that you would expect from a international 4-star hotel. The hotel is also located just a few blocks away from the Pacific coast.
2
Fly to Arequipa; free afternoon
This morning we transfer to the airport where we will take our flight to reach the beautiful city of Arequipa.You will have the afternoon free to explore and acclimatise.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Casa Andina Classic (Arequipa)
Included meals: Breakfast
Casa Andina Classic (Arequipa)
Built out of white volcanic stone, this hotel enjoys stunning views towards El Misti volcano from its 4th floor terrace. It is situated just a short, 6-block walk away from central Arequipa, so enjoys a more tranquil location. The rooms are well finished with modern fixtures and fittings and feature cable TV, safes, internet access and hair dryers in the bathrooms.
3
In Arequipa; visit the Santa Catalina Convent
This morning we visit Santa Catalina Convent, a miniature walled town which once housed 450 nuns and serving ladies in total seclusion. The rest of the day is free to explore this beautiful city, situated at 2380m and surrounded by snow-capped mountains including the perfect conical peak of El Misti (5822m). Arequipa is famed for it’s colonial architecture and the arcaded city square, dominated on one side by the twin towered cathedral, is among the finest to be found in South America.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Casa Andina Classic (Arequipa)
Included meals: Breakfast
4
Drive to Chivay
This morning we head north where we enter the world of the altiplano. We pass behind the volcanoes that ring Arequipa and onto Chivay. Passing herds of llama and alpaca – if lucky we may spot the elusive vicuña. Today we briefly reach the highest point of our trip at 4910m where we stop for a photo before descending towards the Colca Canyon.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Casa Andina Classic (Chivay)
Included meals: Breakfast
Casa Andina Classic (Chivay)
A charmingly rustic and cosy hotel, designed in the form of a small village. The rooms are built in individual ‘casitas’ (small houses) each with a private bathroom. Enjoy wandering around the hotel's garden, with its pretty flowers, fountain and vegetable growing area. In the evening there’s the chance to visit the on site planetarium for a better understanding of the night sky.
5
Colca Canyon; drive to Puno
From Chivay we make an early start to the Mirador Cruz del Condor in the hope of spotting the rare Andean Condor. Seeing these magnificent birds in flight is a highlight of any tour. We continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca: the highest navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 3820m, and the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation. The local Aymara and Quechua–speaking Indian people have adapted over generations to life at altitude and have larger lungs, hearts and spleens, and blood that is particularly rich in red corpuscles.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Casa Andina Tikarani
Included meals: Breakfast
Casa Andina Tikarani
This friendly hotel has several public areas, such as the fireplace lounge and courtyard that fit in to the easy-going atmosphere. Just a 5 minute walk from downtown Puno, but far enough away for quiet and restful sleep. The rooms come well furnished with the usual facilities. There is even oxygen available on request from reception and there are not many places you’ll stay where you can say that!
6
In Puno; boat trip to the Uros Islands and onto Taquile Island
From Puno we take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to explore the floating reed islands, home to the Uros people who live on the lake itself. Their islands are made from totura, a reed-like papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in most aspects of their life, including the construction of their boats and homes. We then continue to the less visited island of Taquile which has preserved much of its Inca and pre-Inca heritage and the islanders still speak the language of the Inca – Runa Simi or Quechua. We take our time walking across the island and we will have the chance to buy locally produced embroidery – the men’s handiwork for once! After lunch we then descend to the jetty to board our boat back to Puno.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Casa Andina Tikarani
Included meals: Breakfast
7
Andean Explorer train to Cusco
Today we follow the legendary route taken by the first Inca ruler – Manco Capac – on his way to find Cusco. Travelling aboard the comfortable first class Andean Explorer train we can relax and enjoy the spectacular Andean scenery roll past our window. Shepherds graze their flocks of llamas or alpaca on the altiplano grasslands in scenes little changed since Inca times. We’ll enjoy a sumptuous meal aboard the train, with perhaps the chance to try some local delicacies before we arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon and head to our hotel. Rail strikes are common in Peru and so there is the possibility that the train may not always be running. In the event that you have chosen the optional train ride and it is not operating, then we will make the journey from Puno to Cusco by public bus. Lunch is not included on the bus journey.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Eco Inn
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Eco Inn
Recently opened, this beautiful hotel situated a few blocks from the main square and overlooking Cusco’s craft market, makes a welcome retreat at the end of a day’s sight-seeing. With comfortable rooms and good facilities, the hotel also has a spa, where a wide range of treatments are available.
8
In Cusco; visit Sacsayhuaman
The old capital of the Inca empire survives only in its ruins, imbued with an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur. The Spanish colonial city, with its attractive pink tiled roofs, arcaded plazas and steep winding alleyways, stands upon tremendous Inca foundation stones. This morning we take a walking tour of this lovely city to see important Inca and Colonial monuments, such as the Plaza de Armas (main square) and the Inca wall of Hatunrumiyoc with its famous twelve-sided stone. The stone, measuring some 5 feet across, has the typical bevelled joints which create the patterns of light and shadow on Inca walls. We will continue on by bus to the outlying Inca site of Sacsayhuaman which broods high above the town, its huge, zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire. 20,000 conscripted workers toiled for 90 years to finish it. The afternoon is left free for some further exploration of Cusco.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Eco Inn
Included meals: Breakfast
9
Free Day in Cusco
Today has ben left free for you to enjoy further optional activities in and around Cusco or perhaps finish off the final souvenir shopping in the winding streets and alleys of the city.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Eco Inn
Included meals: Breakfast
10
Train to Aguas Calientes; visit Machu Picchu
We take an early morning train along the side of the Rio Urubamba, flanked by high cliffs and peaks, then climb by bus to Machu Picchu – the famous ‘lost city’ at 2400m. The existence of this exquisite masterpiece of ancient civilisation remained unknown to the outside world until it was ‘discovered’ by an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham in 1911. We explore this mountain-top stronghold – the most spectacular feat of engineering in ancient America. Returning to the valley floor, we stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, with the chance to soak in the nearby natural hot baths.
Overnight Standard Hotel
in Inti Inn Machu Picchu
Included meals: Breakfast
Inti Inn Machu Picchu
This rustic-style hotel, built out of natural materials, in the cloud forest town of Aguas Calientes and base for our explorations of Machu Picchu makes for a comfortable yet simple place to spend the night.
11
Morning re-visit Machu Picchu (optional); train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Yucay
We have another chance this morning to explore Machu Picchu and if you want to have a very early start it may be possible to catch sunrise. You may also have time to climb the steep and difficult peak of Huayna Picchu to look down on the Temple of the Sun or it is possible to walk along part of the Inca trail to the Gate of the Sun. Later we take the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to our hotel in Yucay, nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley where we can relax and enjoy the views as the sun sets.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Casona Yucay
Included meals: Breakfast
Casona Yucay
Situated in the heart of the Sacred Valley in the small village of Yucay, this converted colonial hacienda dates back to 1810. A family owned and run hotel, it strives to provide home-from-home comforts and service. Each room is tastefully decorated in the local style with simple facilities. One of the highlights of our stay here will be the excellent local cuisine served in the Don Manuel restaurant.
12
In the Sacred Valley
Today is a free day with a wide choice of things to do. For river-lovers there is a the opportunity of a full-day raft-trip (optional) down the Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is an exciting way to see the valley and no previous experience of rafting is necessary – full instruction and safety equipment are provided. Please note: Participation in rafting requires that you are able to swim 25 metres unaided.There is also the opportunity to visit Misminay, home to many of the porters who work along the Inca Trail and within the valley itself. We can learn a little more about the lives of these descendants of the ancient Inca during our visit. Alternatively you could visit Maras and Moray where hot springs at the top of the valley have been diverted into terraced saltpans. Ollantaytambo itself is also worth spending time in; during the Inca Empire it was the royal state of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region and built the town as a ceremonial centre. Tonight we stay in the Sacred Valley and enjoy the spectacular views of the peaks of the Cordillera Urubamba.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Casona Yucay
Included meals: Breakfast
13
Fly to Lima
A morning transfer back to Cusco for our flight back to Lima. This afternoon is free for you to perhaps visit more sites of interest in Lima, such as the Larco Herrera museum or relax back at the hotel.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
in Jose Antonio, Lima
Included meals: Breakfast
14
Tour ends Lima
The tour ends in Lima this morning after breakfast.
Included meals: Breakfast
