Treasures of Peru

Upon arrival, on the first day of your trip to Peru, you will be welcomed by our personnel at Lima airport and transferred to the selected hotel. After check in you will have a briefing in which you will be handed your “Travel kit” which includes all your travel documents such as itinerary, flight, train and bus tickets, and hotel information.

In the morning, you will visit colonial Lima, the Cathedral, located in the Main Square; it is in the same place as the original building of 1555. After the earthquake in 1746, the Cathedral was rebuilt on the same site under the direction of Jesuit priest Juan Rehr. Both its facade and interior are austere with its remarkable wooden choir stalls, altars and the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, who died in 1541. Later, you will visit the Church of San Francisco, its convent, Art Museum, cloisters and catacombs. Afterwards, you will have a panoramic view of the Main Square with the Government Palace, the Municipal Hall, the “Desamparados” Train Station, before driving through the old streets, where you will have a spectacular view of traditional mansions and Moorish style balconies. You will then continue through classic and modern Lima. Finally, you will enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean.

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Arequipa, which is a beautiful Spanish Colonial city nestled beneath the magnificent and majestic Misti Volcanoes. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel prior to beginning your tour of Arequipa. In the afternoon, you will begin your City tour, including the famous Santa Catalina Convent, the most important in Peru and a walled citadel of more than 20,000 m2 , which for four centuries served as the only physical world for several generations of Cloistered nuns. During the city tour you will visit the Church Cloisters of the Company, a tremendous collection of Domes, Arches, which can all be found in its galleries and Alters. Other places of interest are the Complex of San Francisco and the Cathedral, located in the main square, considered to be one of the biggest in South America. Finally, the Spanish Colonial district of Yanahuara, 2 km from the city’s centre, consisting of narrow cobblestone streets and old white volcanic stone houses. From the viewpoint there is a magnificent view of the city of its three volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. Return to the Hotel.

You will leave for Pampa Cañahuas, a place of impressive landscapes and habitat for a large number of vicuñas and local fauna. Then, you will make a stop in Patahuasi, before making another stop in Tocrapampa, where you can see beautiful landscapes and take stunning photos. There you can also see various species of birds typical of the area. Then you will go to the town of Chivay, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch. Finally, you will be transferred to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the afternoon free or take the optional tour to the Hot Springs of La CaleraIn the afternoon, visit the hot springs of La Calera thermo-medicinal baths (own expense).

You will leave your hotel and head to the Cruz del Condor, the best location to admire the Colca Canyon and, if the weather allows it, you can observe the flight of the majestic condors. Then, you will arrive at the town of Maca, where you will visit the church and the local market. Continue to the town of Chivay, where you can take beautiful photos and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. Then, you will go to Patapampa where you can see the impressive landscape of the volcanoes that surround the area. Afterwards, you will make a stop in Patahuasi and in Lagunillas, where you can observe local fauna, before returning to your hotel.The mountains surrounding the area provide a very quintessential scene of the Peruvian Andes. There will also be small little farms with sheep and llamas along the way. You will also border the altiplano lake of Lagunilla with a variety of wild birds and flora passing by the towns Santa Lucia and Juliaca- Puno. Arriving at Puno, you will be transferred to your hotel where you will spend the night.

This tour begins at Huayllano, the lake port for the Isle of Taquile, whose inhabitants give a friendly welcome to visitors. Traditions, customs and colourful costumes are maintained on the island. The islanders are skilful craftsmen and employ the techniques developed over the centuries by their ancestors. You will be welcomed into one of the houses to share their activities, such as weaving. After this is a delicious lunch made from local ingredients. Then, a walk back to the Main Square to board the launch that will take you to the floating islands of Uros. These islands consist of layers of totora and are their inhabitants’ homes and workplaces. In the afternoon you will return to the hotel, where you will spend the night.

In the morning, you will be transferred to the local bus station, to board the regular tourist class bus to the city of Cusco (in group with other passsengers). It is a full day trip starting at 6:45 a.m., crossing the great Altiplano with the ever presence snowcapped Andean Mountains. On route, you will pass by the villages of Pucara, Racchi and Andahuaylillas. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you will spend the night.

Visit Chinchero, a small picturesque Andean village. Enter the home of a textile artisan, where you will see some of his original work and learn about his techniques, as well as his creative process. Then visit its important Inca ruins dating back to the end of the 15th century, as well as you can observe in a panoramic way its beautiful and traditional church. Afterwards, on the road to Ollantaytambo, you will stop at a viewpoint, for one of the best views of the Sacred Valley. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Then it is on to Ollantaytambo, one of the most representative building complexes of the Inca Empire and site of one of the Spanish Conquistadors’ rare strategic defeats. Famous for its terraced fields, Ollantaytambo was a very effective fortress and also a religious center.

*In regular services do not include Pisac Ruins.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the train station to board the tourist Class Train to Machu Picchu, a great World Heritage Site. This archaeological site was hidden for centuries, until it came to light during the early 1900s, by the famous discoverer Hiram Bingham. It is impossible to describe in words, how you will feel when faced with the citadel, a huge complex located between the mountains and the jungle and a wonderful challenge to your imagination.Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, reception at the train station and transfer uphill to Machu Picchu (approximately 20 minutes). On arrival to Machu Picchu you will begin your tour of the Citadel where you will appreciate the history of this enigmatic and impressive place. The citadel was built on a very special spot covered in vegetation between two mountains: the Machu Picchu (old mountain) and Huayna Picchu (young mountain), at the foot of which meanders the Urubamba or Vilcanota River (lower Jungle featuring abundant flora and fauna). In the afternoon, you will return to Aguas Calientes to explore the village by your own. At coordinated time, you will be transferred to the train station to board your return train to Cusco. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel.

Get to know the city of Cusco, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and possessor of a style all its own. The tour begins at the Koricancha Temple, an old Incan palace and main center for the worship of the sun god, Inti. Once the Spanish conquered Peru, the Dominican order built a church over this temple’s foundations: The Temple of Santo Domingo. Your next destination is the Main Square, then the adventure continues at the Sacsayhuaman Fortress built of enormous stone blocks expertly shaped by the Incas. The tour continues with visits to three archaeological sites: Kenko and Tambomachay, important religious and administrative centers for the Incas. You will return to your hotel.

*In regular services, the service only is available in the afternoon.

Transfer to the airport for flight back to Lima. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Day Use of Hotel and transfer to Lima Airport.