AMAZING PERU VACATION PACKAGE

On this tour, you will learn that Arequipa is an enchanting city also known for its many baroque-style colonial buildings made out of white volcanic rock called sillar. Surrounded by 3 volcanoes, being the most outstanding one El Misti.  Arequipa’s historic center is considered a Cultural, Historical, and Monumental Heritage by UNESCO.

We will be visiting Arequipa’s main square, the traditional and picturesque Santa Teresa Convent, the Compañia Church (Jesuit order), the Colonial House del Moral, Carmen Alto, and Yanahuara Viewpoints, and San Lazaro Traditional District. Return to your hotel.

Evening free.

Overnight in Arequipa.

Meals included: B

Situated about 160 km northeast of Arequipa, the Colca Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world.  At 4,150 meters deep, it is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in Colorado US. The name Colca comes from the words Collaguas and Cabanas, two ethnic groups that lived along the Colca River.  In addition to its grandeur, the Colca Canyon is a fantastic place to witness closely the majestic flight of the Condor (only found in the Andes).  It’s a great opportunity to take close-ups of this spectacular vulture.

On our way to the Colca Valley (3,800m/12,464ft), we will pass through the Aguada Blanca National Reserve where we will stare at long-neck fine vicuñas running freely on the ichu (Andean thick grass), as well as other camelids and mammals such as the Guanaco, Alpaca, Taruca, Vizcacha, Colocolo (Andean mountain cat) and the Andean fox. On the “Mirador de los Andes” viewpoint you can admire the Andean landscape, here you will also notice many piles of rocks carefully placed separate one from the other, made by the people for the Apus (Sacred Mountains) as they are meant to represent their wishes in an offering. As you can see you can capture life in the highlands in a moment and why not! In a photo as well.

At your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel/lodge.

Evening free.

Overnight in Colca Valley.

Meals included: B L

On our way to the Colca Canyon viewpoint, we will go through some of the charming little old towns of the highlands, Coporaque, Yanque, and Maca, the town that survived a Sabancaya volcano eruption! An exciting drive on the left side of Colca Canyon will finally lead us to the “Cruz del Condor” viewpoint to admire the majestic flight of the Andean Condors, as they fiercely fly into the appealing depth of the canyon pulling our eyes down, allowing us to live an exciting experience! And also a great chance to take wonderful close-ups.

Then, we will continue our Perú tour, heading by land to Puno located in the southeastern part of Perú (3800m/12464ft) by land. Along the way you will notice the subtle changes in the landscape as we go higher, we will be entering the highest places in the country where Peruvians have been able to harness nature and build their civilizations. Once we arrive in Puno you will be transferred to your hotel.

Evening free.

Overnight in Puno.

Meals included: B L

Puno was part of the vast territory of the ancient advanced pre-Inca civilization of Tiahuanaco in the middle of the first millennium. It is believed that the first ones to start cultivating potatoes 8,000 years ago were the Tiahuanacos in the highlands of Perú and Bolivia.

To continue exploring more about the civilizations in the highlands, we will visit the pre-Inca cemetery of Sillustani, the “chullpas” vertical burial structures which contained the mummified corpses of Collas or Aymara people, in a fetal position, facing east according to the tradition, at the shores of the superb and peaceful lake Umayo. It is no wonder why the Collas chose this place to put their ancestors to rest, the scenery is spectacular and spiritually nurturing.  Enjoy the beautiful landscape at sunset and then return to your hotel.

Evening free.

Overnight in Puno.

Meals included: B

We will pick you up at your hotel, head to the port, and get on a boat to the Uros Floating Islands where you will learn how locals constructed these long-lasting artificial islands with solely Totora or large reed which not only allowed them to live safe from invasion in past but also kept them warm because of a “greenhouse effect”. In the present islanders continue this lifestyle complemented by modern technology. Then we will continue our tour traveling by boat for 3 hours to the Amantani Island inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives. It is believed the invigorating energy of this island is so powerful that it is known also as the “Island of Love”. Enjoy the friendly hospitality and environment of an Amantani home where you’ll stay for the night. You can explore this soothing and at the same time colorful island by foot and visit the pre-Inca Temple of Pachatata (Father Earth) dedicated to the masculine archetype of the world complemented by Pachamama (Mother Earth) the feminine archetype.

Evening free.

Overnight at the island.

Meals included: B L D

After breakfast, we will travel by boat to Taquile Island, where you will learn about the Quechua islanders’ traditions and admire their colorful customs. We will visit the main part of the island, the main plaza, and the artisan market. We will climb up a path to get to the center of Taquile where we will enjoy lunch with a spectacular view and then return to the port to take our boat back to Puno in the afternoon.

Evening free.

Overnight in Puno.

Meals included: B L

We will pick you up and transfer you to the bus station to take the tourist bus to Cusco, the ancient capital city of the Inca Empire (duration of the trip: 10 hours approx.). We will depart at 07:00hrs. On the way, we will notice the change in the landscape flora, as we go lower in altitude. We will stop by Pucará, named after the important culture, whose art and construction techniques influenced the Inca culture, then the complex of Racchi where we will appreciate the impressive Temple of Wiracocha (Sun God), and before we reach Cusco, our last stop will be at the town of Andahuaylillas, famous for its baroque-style church also popularly called the Sixtine Chapel of America because of the wonderful Frescos on its walls, carefully done in order to resemble the European ones. Once we arrive you will be picked up from the bus station and transferred to your hotel (3400m/11152ft).

Evening free.

Overnight in Cusco.

Meals included: B L

We will meet you at your hotel and begin your excursion in the city of Cusco. We will make a first stop at the Cathedral of Cusco, part of our colonial legacy considered of high importance amongst the catholic population in the present. Then we will continue with Koricancha (or Temple of the Sun) the most important sacred Inca place within the city, which sheltered all Gods and Goddesses brought by the nations that integrated the Empire centuries ago. After a short drive, we will be at the formidable archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman, a magnificent stonework with finely cut polygonal blocks; a little further we will stop at the archeological sites of Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay, all part of the limits of the city in the old days. What nowadays we would call Customs checkpoint! After our excursion, we will take you back to your hotel.

Evening free.

Overnight in Cusco.

Meals included: B

We will meet you at your hotel and we will begin our visit to the citadel of Pisac, an archeological site with extensive agricultural terraces, naturally divided by the mountain ridges, famous because of its impressive cemetery constituted by more than a thousand burial niches on a mountain wall. Later on, explore and perhaps shop in the historical artisan market located on the main plaza of the town of Pisac. For lunch, we will be stopping at the town of Yucay to enjoy some delicious lunch buffet.

We will continue the tour in the next archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, with awe-inspiring construction on a steep mountain, build for military, agricultural, and religious control purposes as a watchtower over the Sacred Valley, once you make it to the top you may experience a sense of spiritual communion with nature, you will be stepping in the Wind Shrine, which offers an incredible sight of the magnificent landscape along the Sacred Valley. The tour ends at around 16:00 to 17:00 hrs. You will be instructed to walk on your own, to the Ollantaytambo Train Station (10min walk from the Main plaza) you will easily find your Expedition Train Departing at 19:00hrs, arriving to Aguas Calientes at 20:43. A hotel staff member will take you to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Evening free.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Meals included: B L

Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and together you will take the bus up to Machu Picchu citadel early in the morning so you can explore this formidable architectural complex at a less crowded time.

Also, if you want to admire impressive panoramic views of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, we highly recommend you hike the Huayna Picchu Mountain and visit the Temple of the Moon, or hike the Machu Picchu Mountain (not included).

You may leave the archeological site on your own and enjoy lunch at the place of your choice (not included), take the bus back to Aguas Calientes (the last bus departs at 17:30).  You can do some exploration in the small town or you may wish to try bathing in the town’s Hot Springs (from which the town owes its name) and then head to the train station on your own, and hop on your Expedition Train departing at 16:43hrs, arriving at 20:13hrs in Poroy (15-20min from Cusco). At your arrival in Poroy, a pickup person will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it, he will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.

Evening free.

Overnight in Cusco.

Meals included: B

We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport in Cusco for your flight back to Lima (morning or afternoon).

Meals included: B

– End of this 12-Day Amazing Peru Vacation Package –