Best of Peru - 15 days / 14 nights

Best of Peru  - 15 Days /14 nights

Day 01- Arrive in Lima- our representative will meet you outside the customs immigration area at the airport and drive you to selected hotel.

Afternoon, half day guided sightseeing tour of the city visiting Cathedral, San Francisco Church and Catacombs, Plaza Mayor and historic buildings around.

Overnight selected hotel

Day 02 – Lima/Ica - Pisco –Early morning transfer  to Station and departure by Royal Class bus to Ica, driving south from Lima by the Pan-American Highway, and after approximately 4 hours of drive we reach Ica and overflight from Ica, the enigmatic Nasca lines shown geometric designs mostly of animals and birds, which are thought to have been built between 900 BC and 600 AD. The designs are only visible from the air (approx 1.10 hours), return to Ica and if time permits you can visit on your own the Huacachina lagoon the City of Ica and Regional Museum. At proper time transfer by private vehicle to Pisco, (approx 30, to 40 minutes drive), arrival and accommodation at hotel..

Overnight selected hotel (lunch and dinner not included)

Day 03 – Pisco/Paracas/Lima  – early morning transfer to private pier El Zarcillo for first turn yatch excursion to Ballestas Islands, famous for it’s wildlife of marine birds and mammals, including sea-lions, Humboldt penguins, dolphins, blue-footed boobies and even Andean condors! and the Paracas Peninsula with the giant “Candelabra” engraved in the sand (the excursion takes approx 2 hours). Around 12.00 0r 13.00 hrs transfer to Station in Pisco or Paracas to take the Royal Class bus to Lima,  late afternoon arrival and transfer to hotel

Overnight selected hotel

Day 04- Lima/Arequipa - Morning transfer to airport and flight to Arequipa, on arrival transfer to selected hotel, rest of the morning at leisure for relax and acclimatize to the altitude (2,300 mosl)

Afternoon will enjoy a half day city tour with a visit to the Santa Catalina convent, perhaps the most fascinating colonial religious building in the country and famous for it’s secluded quarters, the colonial architecture of the churches and houses made of volcanic rock will introduce you through the history of this unique city.

Overnight selected hotel

Day 05- Arequipa Colca – Early in the morning departure by bus to the Colca Canyon, known as the deepest in the world. Leaving the city behind we slowly ascend to the highland Savannah or Puna with a close-up view of Mt. Misti and surrounding volcanoes.  On this high altitude desert (4,900 mosl) there is a chance to see small herds of vicuñas, an endangered species of camelids, and the impressive landscape with the backdrop of the fuming Sabancaya volcano. Box lunch en route or lunch at hotel on arrival. Descend into the upper Colca Canyon at Chivay  (3,500 mosl) and late afternoon arrival to selected hotel.

Overnight selected hotel

Day 06 - Colca/Arequipa – Very early in the morning departure to the natural observatory “La Cruz del Condor”, the viewpoint over the deepest part of this world-famous canyon will let you see Condors at their best as they leave their rocky sanctuary with the morning warm air currents, to slowly ascend over the horizon. After lunch on your own, in the afternoon we will drive back to Arequipa and in the route will appreciate the magnificent pre-Inca agricultural terraces (andenes) still in use for the farmers of the region, on arrival accommodation at hotel

Overnight selected hotel

Day 07- Arequipa/Puno –Morning transfer to airport for flight to Puno, arrive to Juliaca airport, at 3,800 (mosl)  Reception and transfer to selected hotel. Balance of the day at leisure for rest or explore the city on your own,

Note – with an extra cost is possible to stop en route and have a visit to the Sillustani Burial around Umayo Lake

Overnight selected hotel 

Day 08 –Puno –early morning transfer to pier for full day excursion to Titicaca Lake, including Taquile Island, leaving from the dockside at the Puno harbor we travel by boat via the famous floating Uros islands, we will continue to the island of Taquile where their inhabitants conserve their style of life since their origins. Titicaca lake is a unique experience navigating at 4,000 mosl. on the highest navigable lake in the world. Evening back to Puno and overnight at Hotel. Box lunch or lunch included.

Overnight selected hotel

Day 09 – Puno/ Cusco – Early morning transfer to station and departure by First Class BUS to Cusco (3,400 mosl) the ancient capital of the vast Inca Empire. After an approximately 10 hours of fascinating ride through the andes including visits en route: Raqchi and Viracocha Temple, Pucara, Andahuayllas Chapel, lunch at typical restaurant will be provided en route. Arrive late afternoon to  Cusco and transfer from station to hotel.

Overnight selected hotel (dinner not included)

Note – You can select First Class train instead of bus

Day 10 – Cusco – Morning at leisure – afternoon half day city tour including the cathedral, Temple of Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the nearby Inca remains of Kenko, with its zigzag channels, the ceremonial bath of Tambo Machay, and majestic Sacsayhuaman fortress, most impressive of them all with its perfectly fitted, mortarless stone blocks and zigzag walls. 

Have many fine restaurants to choose for lunch and dinner on your own, and then stroll around the central square where many colorful Quechua handicrafts are offered for sale.

Overnight selected hotel hotel

Day 11 - Cusco & Urubamba - After breakfast, all day will be spent visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We take the road southeast located above Cusco, and continue on until we reach Pisac, a quaint little town.  Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays there is a picturesque and colorful native market in Pisac.  We continue down the Urubamba Valley, after lunch at a typical restaurant El Maizal, will proceed to visit Ollantaytambo, it is a small town surrounded by an Inca complex an impressive landscape on a hill overlooking the whole area with huge monolithic carved blocks. Late afternoon return to Cusco

Overnight hotel

Day 12- Cusco/ Machu Picchu –Early morning transfer to San Pedro station, to take the train (Vistadome or Backpackers) to Machu Picchu and follow the ever-narrowing gorge of the Urubamba River until we reach the “Lost Citadel of the Incas”, an incomparably archaeological site with staircases, terraced hillsides, altars, temples, and fountains, nestled between striking peaks high above the Urubamba Valley. After a guided tour will proceed with a buffet lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant, then will take the bus down to town and walk few blocks to our hotel, located at Machu Picchu Town (ex-Aguas Calientes)

Overnight selected hotel

Day 13 -Machu Picchu/Cusco- this morning is free, you can awake early to experience the sunrise over Machu Picchu, and to explore the Citadel before the train arrives with day visitors.

Included 2nd entrance and 2nd round trip bus from town to Citadel.

For those who like can hike up the steep peak of Huayna Picchu for dramatic vistas of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba Valley, and the Cordillera Vilcabamba. In the afternoon will take the train back to Cusco (about a 3 hours ride). Evening arrival to San Pedro Station and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Overnight selected hotel

Day 14 – Cusco – Day at leisure to explore the city on your own or just go shopping.

Overnight selected hotel (lunch and dinner not included)

Day 15 – Cusco/Lima/ Home - Transfer to the airport and flight to Lima, upon arrival, assistance at airport for international connecting flight.