Peruvian Adventure

Peru

This 12-day adventure of Peru commences in the colonial city of Arequipa and it’s backdrop dominated by a skyline of Andean volcanoes. To the north of Arequipa you will travel through and stay in the magnificent Andean Valley known as the Colca Canyon, home to condors and traditional communities. Spend a day on the highest navegable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, visit the island inhabitants and their ancient communal way of life. The journey continues through the Andes to Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire, and then onto the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the town and fortress of Ollaytaytambo and enjoy some shopping in the colorful Indian market of Pisac. Machu Picchu, known as the lost city of the Incas, retains its mystery, allure and spectacular beauty. This itinerary provides you with a guided tour of this historic site and also the opportunity to visit the site the following day on your own. Finally enjoy a complete day in Cusco, a tour of the city and surrounding ruins including the renowned fortress and religious site of Sacsayhuaman.

Day 1  Arequipa

Arrive in Arequipa. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to become acclimatised to altitude.

Day 2  Arequipa

Buffet breakfast. In the morning, tour of the "White City", including the Plaza de Armas (main square), the Cathedral, La Compañia Church, and the famous Santa Catalina Monastery. Afterwards, visit the city's picturesque surroundings. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 3  Arequipa/Colca Canyon

Buffet breakfast. Departure to the Colca Canyon. Enjoy the spectacular Misti and Chachani volcanoes. Go through the National Reserve of Aguada Blanca, where vicuñas and possibly guanacos can be seen. Visit Mollepunku's rupestrian paintings. Observe beautiful terraces built by the pre-Incas for agriculture. Quaint colonial villages can also be admired. Box lunch included. In the afternoon, arrival at the hotel in Colca. Dinner.

Day 4  Colca Canyon

Buffet breakfast. In the morning, stop at observation points of Cruz del Cóndor and Tapay, sanctuaries of the condors. Here, appreciate the beauty of one of the deepest canyons in the world. Visit the towns of Maca, Pinchollo and Yanque. Lunch. In the afternoon, nice walk to the town of Uyu Uyu (pre-Inca ruins), visit the town of Coporaque and enjoy thermal baths in Yanque or Chivay. Dinner.

Day 5  Colca Canyon/Puno

Buffet breakfast. Departure by private transportation to enjoy a 6-hour trip from Colca to Puno appreciating on the way splendid landscapes of the Cordillera de los Andes. Box lunch included. Arrival at your hotel in Puno.

Day 6  Puno/Oros/Taquile/Puno

Buffet breakfast. Full-day boat excursion to Taquile, an island located 38 km (24 miles) from Puno. On the way, visit the floating “totora” islands of the Uro Indians, ancient inhabitants of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The Taquile Island, inhabited by 2,000 Quechua-speaking Indians, is considered a paradise. World famous hand weavings and an ancient communal way of life will be admired. Lunch included.

Day 7  Puno/Cusco

Buffet breakfast. Transfer to the station. Departure by bus to Cusco, visiting on the way Pucara ruins, Raqchi with its temple to the God Viracocha and Andahuaylillas with its main church, known as the Peruvian “Sistine Chapel”. Lunch included. Upon arrival in Cusco, reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 8  Cusco/Pisac/Ollantaytambo

Buffet breakfast. Excursion to the village of Pisac located 32 km (20 miles) from Cusco and shopping at the colorful Indian market. Lunch in Urubamba, followed by a town tour and fortress of Ollantaytambo located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Overnight at your hotel in Ollantaytambo.

Day 9  Ollantaytambo/Machu Picchu

Buffet breakfast. Short walk to Ollantaytambo train sation. A scenic 1 hour 30 minute train trip through the Urubamba Valley, followed by a 30-minute bus ride up to the breathtaking Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Guided tour through the ruins. After a buffet lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, a free afternoon exploring the ruins. Overnight at the hotel in Aguas Calientes (at the base of the mountain).

Day 10  Machu Picchu/Poroy/Cusco

Buffet breakfast. A full free morning to visit and enjoy the ancient citadel on your own (bus fee and entrance fee are payable locally). In the afternoon, return to Cusco by train (Poroy station) and transfer to the hotel in Cusco.

Day 11  Cusco

Buffet breakfast. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, city tour including: the Plaza de Armas (main square), the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church (Koricancha), the surrounding ruins of Puka Pukara, Kenko, Tampu Machay, and the renowned fortress and religious site of Sacsayhuaman - famous for its cosmic energy.

Day 12  Cusco

Buffet breakfast. At the agreed time, transfer from the hotel to Cusco airport.

The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is a South American bird in the New World vulture family, Colca Canyon, Arequipa region, Peru.Aerial drone view of Arequipa main square and cathedral church, with the Misti volcano as background.Uro men sailing on a totora boat at titikaka lakeCity of Cusco in Peru, South AmericaOllantaytambo, Cusco, Peru
Young adventurous boy with backpack walking on a suspension bridge between the trees of the humid and tropical jungle of the amazonas, near the river "madre de dios" during his trip through Peru.
Pair of Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna)
View of Sandoval Lake with a typical row boat, Puerto Maldonado, Peru

For nature lovers, we can offer this optional 3-night extension to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in the Amazon Basin.

Day 1  Cusco/Puerto Maldonado/Reserva Amazonica

Buffet breakfast. Transfer to Cuzco airport at the agreed time. Reception at Puerto Maldonado airport. Transfer to the Inkaterra butterfly farm for check-in before continuing to the river port. Depart in a motor dugout canoe to Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, which is located 45 minutes down the Madre de Dios River. After lunch, free time to relax or take a siesta. Then, share a refreshing tea time and get ready for the afternoon excursion. Choose from a variety of excursions available at the Inkaterra lodge: A guided walk along the trail system into the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica natural area to discover the Amazon Basin. This trail offers an excellent introduction to the forest environment, winding past impressive trees such as the Shihuahuaco and the uniquely beautiful strangler fig. It also offers excellent opportunities for bird watching and exotic insect observation; twilight river excursion. A guided afternoon boat ride on the Madre de Dios River to witness the Amazon’s transformation from a diurnal to a nocturnal world, as animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the night. Learn about their habits, while you search for nightjars, owls, capybaras and big caimans. Dinner.

Day 2  Reserva Amazonica

Buffet breakfast. In the morning, visit Lake Sandoval in the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe across a beautiful mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered Giant River Otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Inkaterra canopy walkway and take the anaconda walk. Ascending the first tower, 29 metres above the forest ground, begin your encounter with the tree top realm. Walk through the rainforest canopy on a suspension bridge network linking eight observation platforms. Be on the lookout for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and three-toed sloths. If you wish, you may extend your excursion and appreciate the sunset from one of the towers. Afterwards, experience the anaconda walk for about 30 minutes walking along the 200-metre wooden bridge over the Aguajales swamps. In this lush ecosystem, you may observe various species of amphibians, birds, mammals, abundant flora, trees and possibly the serpents of this flooded marshland. Dinner.

Day 3  Reserva Amazonica

Buffet breakfast. Enjoy a 45-minute boat trip to Gamitana Creek. Explore the rainforest along the banks of a winding, dark-water creek that is home to many piranha, caiman, turtles and birds. Board a canoe and navigate your way back downstream, appreciating the abundant flora and fauna. Return to Gamitana Farm for a picnic lunch. Followed by a short guided tour to see how local farmers raise fruits and vegetables. Return to the lodge. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner.

Day 4  Reserva Amazonica/Puerto Maldonado/Lima

Buffet breakfast, return trip to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the airport.

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