Day
1. (Tuesday) LIMA
Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to
the hotel.
Day 2. (Wednesday) LIMA - NAZCA
(Breakfast)
After
breakfast, a guided visit of colonial and modern Lima, including the
cathedral, dating from 1654, the main square, which still houses the
original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent
and its catacombs. Known as the city of the kings, Lima was founded in
1535 by Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year that UNESCO declared
it a world heritage site. One of the very few South American cities that
preserve the colonial past, Lima was home to the Spanish viceroy during
the time of the Spanish colonialists.
After lunch at Rosa
Nautica, the foremost seafood restaurant in Lima, private transfer to
Nazca. Arrival and overnight accommodation in Nazca.
Day 3. (Thursday) NAZCA - PARACAS
(Breakfast)
Today a tour flight over the enigmatic Nazca Lines;
gigantic drawings and geometrical figures engraved in the driest desert
of Peru and dating back to 250 AD. Drawn throughout over 1000 Km2 of
desert on the Pampas of San Jose in Ica, and due to their enormous size
and largely unknown origin, leaves an indelible impression on all who
visit this most mysterious archaeological site. With representations of
animals, such as a spider, a monkey and several birds, they are believed
to be an enormous astronomical calendar or possibly an offering to the
gods. First discovered in 1550 it was not until the advent of flight, in
the 1920’s that the lines were first realised for their significance.
The drawings are not in actual desert sand but on small rock debris,
varying in length from 150m to 300m and with a depth of 20cm.
A tour of Chauchilla cemetery before
transferring to Ica, located on the coast of Peru. Overnight
accommodation.
Day 4. (Friday) BALLESTAS ISLANDS
- LIMA (Breakfast)
After
breakfast, transfer to the port for a guided tour in boat of the
Ballestas islands. Commonly referred to as the "little Galapagos", here
you will see an amazing concentration of sea birds and sea lions in
their natural habitat. Return to the mainland and a trip to the Paracas
National Reserve, the only Protected Coastal Reserve in Peru.
Lunch is not included. Return to Lima
in the late afternoon and overnight accommodation.
Day 5.
(Saturday) LIMA - CUZCO
(Breakfast)
Morning
transfer to the airport for the flight to Cuzco. Arrival in Cuzco,
reception and transfer to the colonial Royal Inca hotel. Welcome drink
of coca tea to help acclimatise to the 3400m setting of Cuzco. Afternoon
guided visit of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress
overlooking the of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, 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 continue
to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha
or Temple of the Sun. Return to your hotel.
Day 6. (Sunday) SACRED VALLEY-PISAC-OLLANTAYTAMBO
(Breakfast & buffet lunch)
Full-day
excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Inca
situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is an exceptionally fertile
valley that was and still remains the larder of Cuzco. Visit the village
of Pisac, founded during colonial times, and set at the foot of a hill
crowned by the remains of an ancient Inca city. On Sundays, Tuesdays and
Thursdays, Indians barter their products in the main square and artisans
from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos,
engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc. On Sundays it is
also the meeting place for Mayors from all the villages in the region,
dressed in their traditional costumes to attend morning mass. After a
buffet lunch, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which was not
defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which
tower above. Overnight
accommodation in Ollantaytambo.
Day 7. (Monday) CUZCO - MACHU PICCHU
(Breakfast)
Early transfer to the railway station for the 06.00
departure to Aguas Calientes in Vistadome class train and then a bus
ride up to the spectacular Machu Picchu ruins (25 minutes).
Guided
visit of Machu Picchu. Built by the Inca Pachacutec and comprising stone
blocks fitted with masterful precision that harmoniously blends into the
mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind
Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the
sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the
Incas. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large
central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is
surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for
agriculture. After the tour, free time to enjoy this magical and
spiritual wonder. Opportunity
for a trek (approx 1 hour) up to the sungate (Intipunku), which is a
part of the Inca Trail, for a magical view of the sanctuary. Free time
before overnight accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
Day 8. (Tuesday) CUZCO - MACHU PICCHU
(Breakfast)
Opportunity to revisit
Machu Picchu at sunrise. Free time to enjoy this unforgettable site
before returning to Cuzco aboard the afternoon train. Last night’s
accommodation in the Inca capital.
Day 9: (Wednesday) CUZCO – PUNO
(Breakfast)
Departure
by private vehicle to Puno visiting en route several Inca ruins and the
remains of the great Viracocha temple, Raqchi. We shall also stop at the
highest point along the way, La Raya before arriving to Puno and
transferring to your hotel for overnight accommodation.
Day 10:
(Thursday)
LAKE TITICACA
(Breakfast)
After
breakfast, transfer to the port for the boat trip on Lake Titicaca to
the reed islands of Uros. A visit to the Aymara island of Taquile before
returning in the afternoon to Puno. Overnight accommodation.
Day 11: (Friday) AREQUIPA
(Breakfast)
Morning
flight to Arequipa, the most beautiful city in Peru. City tour of the
"white city", including the 16th century convent which is built entirely
of volcanic lava. The Misti Volcano stands as a sentinel behind this
colonial city. Overnight accommodation.
Day 12. (Saturday) AREQUIPA – COLCA CANYON
(Breakfast)
After breakfast,
early departure, passing the thermal
baths of Yura and climbing up towards the National Reserve of Pampa de
Cañahuas at 3800m. Here groups of alpacas, vicuñas and sometimes
guanacos can be seen. After driving several hours more, the descent to
the Colca Valley begins. On the way, if time permits, you shall visit
some caves to see prehistoric drawings before arriving at Callalli,
where huge rock formations resembling medieval castles are found and
onward to Sibayo, a small village with a primitive church, on the Colca
River. The trip continues down the valley, passing next to several
villages until you arrive at Chivay, the most important town of the
valley. Accommodation at the fabulous Colca Lodge set in the Colca
Valley itself. With its very own hot springs, relax in the fabulous
surroundings of the Canyon.
Day 13. (Sunday) COLCA CANYON – AREQUIPA
(Breakfast)
After
breakfast
an early departure to descend into the valley to visit some of the
villages, all of which have beautiful, colonial-style churches. You
shall also see the Inca terraces, some of which are still in use and can
be seen all along the valley. Start the ascent up to the Cruz del
Condor, a few kilometers before Cabanaconde. Here one can appreciate a
fine view of the flight of the condors as well as of the depth of the
canyon. A stop for lunch before returning to your hotel in Arequipa.
Day 14: (Monday) AREQUIPA – LIMA
(Breakfast)
Return
flight to Lima and transfer to your hotel. Last night’s accommodation in
Peru.
Day 15: (Tuesday) LIMA
(Breakfast)
Free day
in Lima before your transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
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