The Best of Peru 18D

Day 1: Welcome to Perú.

Upon you arrival in Lima airport you will be met by our local representative and then transferred to the hotel.

Meals: None

Accommodation in Lima

Day 2: Larco Museum and City tour

9:00am Larco Museum. Meet the largest and most impressive pre-columbian art collection in the world. Located in an 18th century vice-royal mansion, built on and pre—columbian pyramid of the 7th century. Its new galleries display the best and most complete collection of gold and silver of Peru together with its famous collection of erotic pottery. Lunch included.
14:00 City tour in Lima, known as “The City of Kings”. This excursion offers the best combination of the differents attractions in Lima and its three historical periods: pre-hispanic, colonial and contemporary. In Lima, there were several different pre-columbian cultures which are dated thousands of years back. Lima was part of the Inca Empire until was founded by the spaniard Francisco Pizarro on the 18th. of January, 1535. During our guided tour we will travel along its millenary history. Return to your hotel. Evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Lima

Day 3: Lima – Arequipa – City Tour

Transfer to the airport and flight to the white city of Arequipa. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.

Afternoon city tour and Santa Catalina Monastery: You will visit the the Main Square, one of the most beatifull main square in Perú, the Convent of Santa Catalina, founded in 1580, is like a small colonial town, with houses for the nuns and their servants, cloisters, narrow streets, kitchens and a laundry, etc. The excursion continues with a visit to the church of the Society of Jesus, a masterpiece of local baroque art, which houses some beautiful paintings. The sacristy, decorated with beautiful murals representing the jungle and the cloisters of the old seminary should not be missed. Finally, for a magnificent view of the volcanoes you will visit the residential districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Arequipa

Day 4: Arequipa – Colca Canyon

Between 7:30am to 8:00am we’ll pick you up from your Hotel to start our adventure to Colca Canyon tour, on the way we will pass through Pampa Cañahua Reserve where Vicuñas, Alpacas and Llamas can be seen. Afternoon free to relax in the thermal Waters. Overnight in Chivay town.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Colca

Day 5: Cruz del Condor –  Puno

We have breakfast early in the morning, we take the way to the Cruz Del Condor with our transport; this will take us about 2 hours driving. During the way we stop to take pictures of the villages of the other side of the canyon, like Coporaque, Ichupampa and Lari, finally we arrive to Cruz del Condor view point. From here we can appreciate the Colca canyon and the impressive condors fly, after this we return to Chivay to have lunch, visiting interesting villages like Pinchollo, Maca and other places. After having lunch in Chivay, we take the special bus service that runs between wonderful landscapes from Chivay to Puno arriving at 19:30 hours aprox.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Puno

Day 6: Uros and Amantani Islands

This excursion begins at 7:30am with a transfer from your hotel to the port. We then travel by motorboat to visit the Uros floating Islands. The boat is 35 feet long with a covered section in case of rain or cold weather. Stepping on the floating islands feels a lot like being on a waterbed but it is quite safe to walk on them. We see inside the houses, check out 2 of the 60 islands and rides on traditional reed boats can also be arranged. We then continue and after a 3-hour motorboat journey we arrive at Amantani Island. You will probably see local families running down the hill to welcome you. At the port our group breaks into smaller groups for home stays. Your designated host family will serve a typical lunch made from natural products. Then there is an optional football match with the locals, and a hike to the high point of the island to watch the sunset. After dinner your host family will dress you up in traditional local costumes and take you to the community hall for a small celebration, it is a lot of fun!. 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Homestay (basic facilities)

Day 7: Taquile Island – Puno

Have breakfast, then depart to Taquile Island. After an hour’s boat ride we arrive at this unique place. There, a long gradually ascending path will take us to the village. It takes approximately 50 minutes to walk up to the village to visit the communal cooperative and there are plenty of photo opportunities on the way. We’ll enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants; the views are simply magnificent. Then we descend 500 steps down to the port. We return to Puno, a 3-hour return journey, at about 1 pm. Upon arrival at Puno, at approximately 4pm we transfer you to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Puno

Day 8: Tourist Bus Puno – Cusco

6:15am Transfer to the bus station. Special bus service that stops along the way, showing you the highlights of this road with a bilingual guide on board. We will stop first at the Community of Pukara to visit the Museum, an interesting place that houses ancient monolith and human remains from the Pukara culture. Afterwards we will continue our journey throughout the Andean plateau till we reach the highest point on this route, a freezing place called “La Raya”, surrounded by huge snow-capped mountains at 4,335 meters high. At this point we will get off the bus for pictures and also, if you wish, to purchase some hand-made products of Alpaca or Vicuña wool, in one of the little shops nearby. Afterwards we will descend towards the picturesque “village of Sicuani”, where we will enjoy a nice Buffet lunch, which is served with native products of this region. We continue with “Inca Temple of Racchi”,It’s the only Inca place where visitors can see circular constructions, and walls of mud bricks, something you won’t see anywhere else on your trip. Our trip continues to the traditional town of “Andahuaylillas”, to visit an impressive Cathedral built on the colonial era. Arrival in Cusco around 5:00pm, transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Cusco

Day 9: Cusco City tour

13:20pm guided visit to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, continue to the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, an Inca architectural masterpiece; Qenqo, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins. Return to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Cusco

Day 10: Awanacancha – Pisaq – Ollantaytambo – Urubamba

8:00am This morning we continue our drive to Awanacancha this is a weaving center with the goal to keep alive the traditional textile arts.
Here you can see four members of the cameloid family – llama, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos.  Alpacas have thick wool and is the most commonly used while the vicunas are small and delicate with fur considered the finest. You can meet these four cameloids, learn about the the harvesting of the different wools and the natural dying techniques and have a chance to see native weavers from different areas showing their different weaving styles and dress.
We continue our tour to the top of a switchback road leading to the ancient upper city of Pisac, the mythic ruins of which are situated in a spectacular location atop a buttress ridge, with agricultural terraces—constructed by the ancient Inca people—curling around the hill in graceful curves, and gorges on either side.
We take a short trek into the ancient city, where we explore its well-built stone dwellings and temples, and enjoy sweeping vistas both up- and downstream in the Urubamba Valley. Pisac’s highly defensible site guarded both the Valley and a high jungle pass to the northeast.
We continue to the splendid Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. We’ll walk amid the remains of this ancient fortress of gray and rose-colored granite, discover its ancient baths, and climb up the huge terraces guarding its hilltop temples. Then, we’ll enjoy a chance to meet some of the local people who dwell in the traditional town nearby.
From Ollantaytambo, we depart for our hotel in the Sacred Valley – Urubamba 

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Urubamba

Day 11: Chinchero – Maras – Moray – Aguas Calientes

9:00am Chinchero is home to the famous Peruvian weaving and also has a colouful market. It is a lot smaller than the one in Pisac we does offer some beautiful crafts. There is a great display of Inca architecture, ruins and megalithic carved rocks. A beautiful adobe church sits on the plaza, that can be visited daily. Chinchero is also believed to be the birthplace of the rainbow.
The salineras of Maras known by some as “salt mines” are constituted by some 3000 small wells with an average area of about 5 m², built on one side of the slope of the mountain of “Qaqawiñay”, which during the dry season they are filled or “watered” every 3 days with salt water that emanates from a natural source located in the upper part of the wells so that when the water evaporates, the salt contained in it gradually solidifies.
We continue with the deep bowl shaped hollows of Moray look like a Roman amphitheater. They are circular in shape and have stair like terraces climbing up to the valley floor above. The full purpose behind these concentric terraces isn’t fully known. However, it is widely believed that the ruins were once an agricultural laboratory used by the Incas. The circular terraces that lie here are thought to have been used as an agricultural research station.
Their depth, design, and their orientation with regard to the sun and wind are all telltale signs that they have a specific purpose. Because of the different conditions at each level of the terraces there is a difference in temperature from the top to the bottom.
Late this afternoon we´ll take a train ride through the Sacred Valley, we arrive in the village of Aguas Calientes and spend one night here.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Aguas Calientes

Day 12: Machupicchu – Cusco

Excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy a beautiful sunrise in Machupicchu, you’ll take a 30 minute bus drive, climbing 6km of winding road to the incredible Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we’ll participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. After the tour you will have time to stroll around the archeological site at your leisure.
For the most adventurous people, if it’s not raining we suggest going up Huayna Picchu, this ticket you need to book in advance (not included in the overall tour price) from where you can appreciate the immensity of MachuPicchu, even more amazing being high and distant. An exciting adventure for the travelers who want to see, from the top, the nature and the carved stone emerging from the ground as a geological miracle. Return train leaves Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, arrival in Cusco and transfer to hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Cusco

Day 13: Cusco – Amazon

Morning transfer to the Cusco’s Airport to take the flight to Puerto Maldonado; Upon arrival, we will welcome you at the airport and drive you ten minutes to our Puerto Maldonado headquarters. While enjoying your first taste of the forest in our gardens we will ask you to pack only the necessary gear for your next few days, and leave the rest at our safe deposit. This helps us keep the boats and cargo light.
Transfer Pto Maldonado Headquarters to Tambopata River Port: Skirting Puerto Maldonado, we drive 20 kilometers to the Tambopata River Port, entering the Native Community of Infierno. The port is a communal business. Boxed Lunch
Transfer Boat – Tambopata River Port to Posada Amazonas: The forty five minute boat ride from the Tambopata Port to Posada Amazonas will take us into the Community´s Primary Forest Private Reserve.
Orientation: Upon arrival, the lodge manager will welcome you and brief you with important navigation and security tips.
Canopy Tower: A twenty minute walk from Posada Amazonas leads to the 30 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A bannistered staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. From atop you obtain spectacular views of the vast expanses of standing forest cut by the Tambopata River winding through the middle. Now and then toucans, parrots or macaws are seen flying against the horizon, or mixed species canopy flocks land in the treetop next to you. Dinner
Ecotourism Lecture: A daily presentation on the Infierno ecotourism project is available every night from a staff member.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Posada Amazonas Lodge

Day 14: Amazon

Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake: After the breakfast you will go to Tres Chimbadas which is thirty minutes by boat and
forty five minutes hiking from Posada Amazonas. Once there you will paddle around the lake in a catamaran, searching for the resident family of nine giant river otters (seen by 60% of our lake visitors) and other lakeside wildlife such as caiman, hoatzin and horned screamers. Otters are most active from dawn to eight or nine AM.
Parrot Clay Lick: This clay lick is only a twenty minute walk from Posada Amazonas. From a blind located about twenty meters away you will see dozens of parrots and parakeets descend on most clear mornings to ingest the clay on a river bank. Species such as Mealy and Yellow- headed Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot and Dusky headed Parakeet descend at this clay lick. The clay lick is active at dawn, during the late mornings and mid-afternoons.Lunch
Ethnobotanical Tour: A twenty minute boat drive downriver leads you to a trail designed by the staff of the Centro Ñape. The Centro Ñape is a communal organization that produces medicines out of forest plants and administers them to patients who choose their little clinic. They have produced a trail which explains the different medicinal (and other) uses of selected plants. Dinner
Night walk: You will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals are active but rarely seen. Much easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Posada Amazonas Lodge

Day 15: Amazon –  Lima

Breakfast. Transfer Boat – Posada Amazonas to Tambopata River Port, then to Pto Maldonado Headquarters
Transfer Puerto Maldonado Headquarters to Airport: We retrace our river and road journey back to Puerto Maldonado, our office and the airport. Depending on airline schedules, this may require dawn departures.
Arrival and transfer to hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation in Lima

Day 16: Lima – Ica – Dunne Buggie and Sandboarding

6:00am. Transfer to the bus station Bus Cruzero “Cruz del Sur” to Ica (5 hours).
11:40am City Tour in Ica, Plaza de Armas, Huacachina Lagoon, Cachiche (Bruges town where once existed), wineries,wine tasting and Temple of Luren.
PM. Tour Dunne Buggie and Sandboarding. Free Afternoon for personal activities.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Ica

Day 17: Ica – Nazca – Lima

08:00 am Transfer to the bus terminal to take the bus to Ica.
11:30 am reception and transfer to the aerodromo for the Overflight in Nazca Lines (35 min) to observe the gigantic Geometric figures, animal figures including a monkey, a hummingbird and spider located in the desert of the Peruvian coast. Free time for lunch. Transfer to the bus terminal to take the bus to Lima (8 hours).

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation in Lima

 Day 18: Transfer to the airport

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: None

– End of service –

What is Included:

• Private tourist transportation airport – hotel – airport
• Full day City Tour in Lima with professional guide, tranportation and entrance fee.
• City tour in Arequipa with professional guide, transportation and entrance fee.
• Colca Canyon tour with transportation, professional guide and entrance fee
• Tourist transportation from Chivay to Puno
• Tour Uros, Amantani and Taquile with transportation, professional guide and entrance fee.
• Tourist Bus from Puno to Cusco with bilingual guide, entrance fee and buffet lunch
• City tour in Cusco with guide, entrance fee and tourist transportation
• Sacred Valley tour with guide, tourist transportation, entrance fee and buffet lunch.
• Machupicchu tour with transfers, train round trip in Expeditions class, bus tickets to MP, entrance fee, tour guide 2 hours.
• Amazon tour with boat transport, professional guide, lodging, entrance fee and full board.
• VIP bus in “CRUZ DEL SUR” from Lima to Paracas / Ica / Nazca / Lima
• Tour Ballestas, city tour in Ica, tour Dunne Buggie and Sandboarding
• Overflight of Nazca lines with taxes and fees.
• Accommodation: 4 nights in Lima, 1 night in Arequipa, 1 night in Colca, 2 nights in Puno, 1 night in homestay, 3 nights in Cusco, 1 night in Urubamba, 1 night in Aguas Calientes, 2 nights in the Jungle, 1 night in Ica.
• Meals as per itinerary

What is not Included:

• International & domestic flights, airport taxes
• Hot springs in Aguas Calientes 10 soles, la Calera in Chivay 15 soles
• Meals not mentioned on the itinerary
• Personal items and gratuities
• Travel Insurance

Creating unique, creative and personalized programs based on your goals, budget, expectations and schedule is our specialty. Discover the Peruvian wonders with us!

Type of Tours 

All of our tours are offered in both Group and Private services; however, as we like to maintain control of the quality of our tours, even our group tours include PRIVATE transfers.  This is important, as when you get picked up; you will go directly to your hotel without having to drive around the city to drop off other people in their hotels.  Transportation is just for you.

Accommodations 

We offer all level of accommodations.  When creating an itinerary it would be important to know which your preferred level of accommodation is.  Please be sure that at all levels our recommended hotels offer great service and nice comfortable rooms. Our team has personally tried all our recommended hotels.

We mostly work with accommodations that have availability for taking reservations in advance which include communities with home stays, B&B, guest houses, apartments to two and three star hotels as well as luxury all-inclusive facilities. We periodically inspect hotels we use for cleanliness, hygiene and safety to make sure that services are in line with pricing to guarantee customer satisfaction

STANDARD
A standard room is the cheapest in the hotel. The standard room has the basic amenities, usually a television, telephone, closet and private bathroom. Other offerings in the standard room depend on the hotel. For example, two-star hotels may offer little more than the basics. A five-star hotel’s standard room may have a Jacuzzi tub, flat-screen television, honor bar and designer interior decorating.

MODERATE
3-star Superior: These are 3-star that should really be considered has 4-star Hotels. Nice location, great rooms and charming decoration. Excellent service, with restaurant, room service, business centre, laundry, etc. Buffet breakfast. Best value. Perfect for someone looking for an inexpensive option and still have some superior services.
4-star Hotels: Good location, very nice rooms, great decoration and excellent service. This hotel includes more services such as room service, business center, laundry, spas, more room features, etc. Some have gourmet restaurants. Buffet breakfast. Perfect for someone looking for some luxury and special services and do not need a 5-star option.

LUXURY
4-star Suites: Some 4-star hotels have suites that offer the same room features of a 5-star option. Perfect for someone looking to upgrade from a 4-star standard room and get more space and features.
5-star Hotel: What you usually imagine a 5-star hotel is. Great location, luxury accommodations and excellent service. Gourmet restaurants, spas, room service, business center, etc. Perfect for someone looking for a 5-star service but do not need the 5-star Deluxe option.
5-star Deluxe: These 5-star deluxe hotels offer ultimate luxury with outstanding service, luxurious rooms with deluxe room features and “you ask-you will get” concierge service. Properties have privileged locations or particular history behind it. Gourmet restaurants and spas. Ideal for the luxurious traveler.

Trains 

Expedition: The least expensive tourist train, recently renovated offers nice seats and good train service.
Vistadome: A higher category of train service, with panoramic roof windows. It offers a snack and fashion show.
Hiram Bingham: Luxury train which offers lunch, tea-time and dinner service.
Andean Explorer: Train service from Cusco to Puno or Puno to Cusco. Departs only on certain days of the week, depending on the season.

Flights 

LOCAL AIRLINES
Peruvian Airlines: Peruvian owned airline that offer the least expensive prices but has few frequencies. Both Peruvian and Foreigners pay the same.
Star Peru: Peruvian owned airline. It flyes to many destinations and offers good value prices, but has few frequencies. Both Peruvian and Foreigners pay the same.

INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
Avianca Airlines: Central American owned airline that offers great service but few frequencies to Cusco. It is moderately expensive. It offers sale prices for Peruvian Residents ONLY that cannot be purchased by tourists.
Latam Peru: Chilean owned airline.  It offers great service and many frequencies to Cusco (almost 13 flights per day).  Prices are the highest on the market. It offers sale prices for Peruvian Residents ONLY that cannot be purchased by tourists.

DOMESTIC TICKETS
Lima/Cusco/Lima: From US$350.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depends on the airline, date and time of booking.