Day 1 :Lima
Welcome to Peru!
Arrival to Lima’s airport, reception and transfer to the hotel in Miraflores district.
Day 2: Lima Reality Tour. (B- L)
Get a truly real life experience visiting "both sides" of Lima city; the impressive shanty town where you will meet and interact with the locals and children, then you will have lunch in a typical local restaurant, after lunch, your local tour guide will take you to the great historical center to enjoy a walking tour visiting the highlights: palaces, castles, beautiful wooden balconies and mysterious underground catacombs.
Day 3: Nazca Lines - Paracas National Reserve. (B)
After breakfast, we’ll drive Approximately 3h 20 minutes along Peru's scenic southern coast, until we arrive at the airport in the coastal city of Pisco. There, you will climb onboard a Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft for an unforgettable flight over the Nazca Lines. From your window seat aboard the aircraft, you will see 12 of the world-famous Nazca Lines. After your tour we will take you to visit the impressive and isolated Paracas National Reserve; this natural reserve is part of the world guiness "Dryest .dessert on heart" called "Atacama". Here you will get a detailed explanation of the history and importance of this place. See the Port of Don Jose de San Martin, the cathedral , the Inrena Center, Flamingo Viewpoint and Lagunillas Beach.
Day 4: Ballestas Island (B)
Today we will take a boat out to the Ballestas Islands an unforgettable wildlife sanctuary filled with Humboldt penguins, sea lions, terns, blue footed boobies, and a mysterious symbol carved into a cliff centuries ago, called the Candelabra.
Afterwards, we will transport you back to your hotel in Lima. ( 3h 15m by car)
Today we recommend booking a table at one of Lima's top restaurants - the capital of Peru is home to four of the World's Top 50 Restaurants (2018-19) and Peru proudly lays claim to being the ultimate culinary destination in South America.
Day 5: Arequipa (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the regular flight to Arequipa.
Free day
Day 6: Arequipa City Tour (B)
Today we will start the excursion with an escape to the past, walking through the Monastery of Santa Catalina monument that belongs to the most important attractions of Arequipa city, keeping behind their malls more than three centuries of history. We will continue the tour visiting Arequipa’s Main Square (Plaza de Armas) and the Compañia de jesus Church, famous for its incredible baroque style and its colorful Cupola of Saint Ignacio. In the end we will visit the Andean Santuarios museum where the lady of the Ampato is found, and other mummies whose stories are a sample of the magical religious beliefs and the man - nature relationship that supported their purpose of life in this world.
Day 7: Arequipa - Colca Canyon. (B)
In the morning, you will be met at your hotel and taken on an incredible four hour journey to Chivay. Have your camera ready as you will stop at various stunning viewpoints including the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve, which is home to many exotic Andean animals including vicuñas, alpacas, llamas, flamingos, ibis and the Andean eagle. You will see astonishing landscapes as you drive past lakes, glaciers and some magnificent volcanoes, such as Ampato, Sabancaya, Huallca and Misti. During the journey we will reach the highest point of 4800m (15,000ft). Afterwards, we head down the canyon to Chivay and transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will have time to spend at leisure. or if you wish, you could start a guided trek of approximately three hours. During this trek we’ll visit Oqolle’s Amphitheater (Pre-Inca terraces), we’ll cross the Sifón Bridge (where you’ll see the colcas) and arrive at the Uyu Uyu ruins, from where you will see a panoramic view of the Canyon and the town of Yanque.
Day 8: Colca Canyon - Cruz del Condor(B)
Today we will take you to the most wonderful places in the Colca Canyon. Along the way, we will make a few stops in small Andean villages where time seems to have stood still and Colonial architecture remains to be well saved. We travel along the canyon until we get to ‘Mirador Cruz del Condor’, which is the best viewing point where you can look into the depths of the Colca Canyon. Also, we will visit “Mirador de Tapay”. This viewing point is 1200m deep. From here you will most likely always see a few condors flying with an amazing scenery in the background., During the return we’ll pass through the towns of Pinchollo, Maca and Achoma. There, we’ll see archaeological remains, Pre-Inca agricultural terraces and astonishing panoramic views of the canyon.In the afternoon you can rest and relax in your private balconies, terraces, or visit the hot spring located only 20 minutes away (by foot) from the hotel.
Day 9: Colca Canyon - Puno (B-D)
After breakfast, we will drive direction Puno, crossing through amazing scenarios of the Altiplano and leaving behind the Colca Canyon. On our way, we continue ascending a small road until we reach the highest point of our trip, the lookout point of the Andes (4800 m/15,748 ft). At the very top, we will get off of the bus for a few minutes and enjoy the stunning landscape with the great volcanoes including Mismi, Misti, Chachani, Sabancaya (active) and Ampato.
Along the paved road, we will see many small towns as well as the beautiful lagoon Lagunillas, where we can observe Andean flamingos among many Andean birds. Following an ascending road we will then reach the Viscachani. We have a short break and stretch our legs, use the bathroom if needed and drink a typical coca tea or coffee at the local restaurant.
Later on, we will drive through the national reserve park of the Peruvian Altiplano to finally reach the city of Puno close to Titicaca Lake..
Day 10: Uros - Taquile (B-L-D)
Today, you’ll enjoy a guided private tour around Lake Titicaca. Travel by boat to the floating islands of Uros, home to an ancient community whose ancestral lineage stretched back to pre-Inca times. Thanks to their self-made reed islands, which require continual renovation, the Uros people have managed to preserve their unique way of life and survive not just the Incas and the Spanish, but also the threat of encroaching modernity.Next, sail out to the less touristy area of Taquile Island. We then hike along a pre-Inca trail with spectacular landscapes of the island, visiting families of weavers to learn about their textile art and symbolism. In 2005, "Taquile and its Textile Art" were proclaimed "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO. Then experience the preparation of "Pachamanca", a traditional way of cooking meat, fish, and potatoes using underground ovens, and one of the main dishes of Peruvian cuisine. Enjoy these delicacies prepared by the hospitable islanders, before returning to our Lodge.
Day 11: Puno - Cusco (B)
After breakfast, we will drive around 50 minutes to Sillustani archaeological site. Here we will have the chance to observe impressive examples of pre-Inca architecture considered masterpieces even by modern architectural standards. Huge funerary towers are set in spectacular landscapes formed by the surrounding mountains and the Umayo lagoon. This tour will give us a wide perspective of the regional history and understand the origin of the Incas, archeologist are still finding traces of different cultures overlapped on the same site, After the tour, we will drive to the airport of Juliaca to take our domestic flight to Cusco. Free afternoon to discover the cozy old town, to visit one of the many museums or to taste the delicious local cuisine.
Day 12: Rainbow Mountain (B-L) Distance (140km- 3h 30m)
Today we will start early in the morning at 7:00 A.m with a pick up from your hotel in our private transport. We will head out through the South Valley passing very quaint Andean towns to trailhead located at an elevation of 4,400 m / 14,432 ft, Throughout the hike you will pass through a vibrant green valley with the impressive Ausangate Mountain showing its majestic presence in the horizon. You will experience how locals live in the mountains and even have a chance to speak with them. As you get closer to the Rainbow Mountain, you'll begin to see the first signs of the colored minerals that formed the painted hills. The hike from the starting point to the Rainbow Mountain takes around 1.5 hours. Your guide will explain what makes up the existence of the Rainbow Mountain, and finally you will hike up to a vantage point that gives you a 360-degree view of the beautiful landscape that makes up the sacred land. Our next place to explore is the Red Valley, a stunning reddish valley with reddish hills, a must-see place after the Rainbow Mountain. Once we have enough time at this stunning place, we’ll walk for about one hour to get our transportation where we will take our picnic lunch. After enjoying our lunch, we will drive back to Cusco with some stops on the way.
Day 13: Cusco City Tour (B)
After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel. Then we go to the San Pedro market, where sellers sell everything, including different kinds of meat, bread, fruit, medicinal plants, herbs and Peruvian delicacies. From there we walk to the Plaza de Armas to learn about the history of Cusco and the Incas. In the afternoon we will visit The Cathedral, Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the nearby ruins: Qenqo (Ceremonial and Ritual center, place where sacrifices were made), Puca Pucara (this complex was probably used by Emperor Pachacutec as a tambo), Tambomachay (also called “The Bath of the Inca”) and Sacsayhuaman Fortress (place where the main Inca Festivals, Inti Raymi and Warachicuy take place). Return to the hotel.
Day 14: Cusco - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes (B-L)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning departure for our visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will visit the textile center Awanacancha, then we will go to the town of Pisac, where we will visit a picturesque craft market where we can see how until today the locals maintain the tradition of exchanging their things or food, just like it was done in the past. Buffet Lunch at local restaurant. Later we will go to the town of Ollantaytambo where we will visit the fortress that bears the same name. Here we will visit the most important attractions of the place, and our guide will give us an explanation about its history.
Day 15: Machupicchu (B)
This day will be the highlight of our trip, the visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Very early we will depart from Ollanta train station towards the city of Aguas Calientes, the travel time is approximately 01 hour 30 minutes. Arrival to Aguas Calientes town, from here we will board the buses to ascend to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the 7 wonders of the world. The tour will be 02 hours and 30 minutes and the visit includes the Intihuatana (the Solar Clock), the Palace of the Incas, the Three Windows, etc. After this depending on your interests, there are a variety of excursions available. Hike to Inti Punku, or “Sun Gate,” the original gateway to Machu Picchu that approaches the site along the Inca trail. Another option is to take a strenuous hike up Huayna Picchu, the mountain behind Machu Picchu, which provides unique and stunning views of the ruins below.
Day 16: Maras - Moray - Chinchero (B)
Today we will visit the enigmatic archaeological site of Moray where new crops were developed by the Inca using varying altitudes on a terraced system, and later you will visit the complex of Maras, the Salineras, where a salt water spring gushes forth from these high altitude mountains and tumbles down the mountainside into individual evaporation chambers which have been fully operational in bringing the people of the highlands salt until today. We will close the tour visiting the traditional town of Chincheros and its popular market.
Arrival at Puerto Maldonado airport. Greeting and transportation from the airport to the river port. Begin to experience the enchantment of the rainforest as you take a 45-minute boat ride along the Madre de Dios River, to arrive at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica lodge. After gathering with your Inkaterra Interpreter, choose from the 14 different excursions available at the Inkaterra lodge. On your first day, we recommend a guided walk along the trail system, into the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica natural area, where you will discover the Amazon Basin. This trail offers an excellent introduction to the forest environment, winding past impressive trees such as the Shihuahuaco, and the strangely beautiful strangler fig, offering excellent opportunities for bird watching and observing exotic insects.
We also recommend on the first night our Twilight River excursion — a guided afternoon boat ride on the Madre de Dios river. Witness the transformation from a diurnal to a nocturnal world: animals and birds of the day time give way to species specially adapted to the night. As you enjoy their paradise, you will learn about their habits, while you search for nightjars, owls, capybaras and up to three different caiman species. Enjoy dinner served in the main dining room from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. After dinner, you may retire early to your own cabana, or share your experience of life in the rain forest with other guests and interpreters, as you listen to the intriguing sounds of the jungle at night.
Rest in bed or rise early — the choice is yours. Breakfast begins at 5:30 a.m., for those who want to avoid the heat, and enjoy nature at its fullest. A full buffet breakfast is served from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This morning you may visit the Lake Sandoval excursion into 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 Inkaterra lodge for lunch. After lunch, consider the remarkable Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. Ascending the first tower, 29 meters above the forest ground, you begin your encounter with the treetop realm. For more than a quarter of a mile, you will literally walk through the rain forest canopy on a suspension bridge network linking eight observation platforms. During this hour-and-a-half expedition, be on the lookout for colorful toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys, and sloths. If you wish you may extend your excursion and appreciate the sunset from one of the towers. The excursion finishes by returning to the lodge. Once at the lodge, enjoy the daily nature presentation in the Eco media Center.
Enjoy at rip to Gamitana Creek, located 25 minutes by boat from the Inkaterra lodge. For one and a half hours, explore the rain forest along the banks of a winding, dark-water creek that is home to many piranha, caiman, turtles and birds, until the Sanipanga landing point. Navigate your way back downstream, appreciating the abundant flora and fauna along the way. You will return to Gamitana Farm to do a short guided tour to see how local farmers raise fruits and vegetables. Return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, enjoy the Native Experience excursion, located 25 minutes by boat from the lodge. Visit an indigenous Southeastern Amazon family, where you will learn about their customs, traditional daily living, basic hunting skills, farming and food preparation. You will also have the opportunity to produce banana flour that the local communities consume. Return to the lodge to enjoy lunch. Then consider the Rain forest by Night excursion through the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve at night for an approximately 2-hour excursion. Biological activity differs greatly between night and day in the Amazonian ecosystem. Venture into the forest and experience the mystery of the animal activity that awakens in the rainforest after dark, enhancing animal resources to create new adaptation mechanisms. Listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot species that only emerge at night. Return to the lodge.
Day 20: Departure Day Puerto Maldonado - Lima - Home (B)
Enjoy a full breakfast before departure. A 45-minute return trip by boat on the Madre de Dios River takes you to Puerto Maldonado, where you may visit Inkaterra Butterfly House. Peru boasts the greatest variety of butterflies in the world, with 3,700 known species. Many of these can be seen at the Butterfly House, as how case for the variety, beauty and adaptability of these fascinating insects. After lunch Transfer to the airport to board the domestic flight to Lima and then the international flight to home.
This is a sample itinerary and can be tailored to your interests and travel style.
