10-DAY PERU VACATION

(Shared service up to 16 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

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 Catalina Convent, the Cathedral, the Compañía 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

(Shared service up to 16 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

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 (3,800 m / 12,464 ft), we will pass through the Aguada Blanca National Reserve where we will stare at long-neck fine vicuñas  (or vicunas) 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.

Finally, you will have the rest of the day free to better acclimate to a higher altitude (altitude: 3800 m / 12464 ft). If you choose to stay at the Colca Lodge, you will enjoy the natural hot springs located within the hotel’s premises, and an amazing bottom-up view of the Colca Canyon and the Colca River running through it. Otherwise, you have the option to visit ”La Calera” hot springs, if you stay at another hotel.

Evening free.

Overnight in Colca Valley.

Meals included: B L

(Shared service up to 16 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

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 Peru tour heading by land to Puno, located in the southeastern part of Peru (3800 m/12464 ft). 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

(Shared service up to 35 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

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, a 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 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

(Shared service up to 50 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

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 7:00hrs. On the way, we will notice the change in the landscape flora, as we go lower in altitude. We will stop by Puccara, 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). Before we reach Cusco, our last stop will be the town of Andahuaylillas, famous for its baroque-style church also popularly called the ”Sistine Chapel of America” because of the wonderful frescoes on its walls, carefully done in order to resemble the European ones. Once in Cusco, you will be picked up from the bus station and transferred to your hotel (3400 m /11152 ft / transfer with Spanish-speaking driver only, no guide’s assistance).

Travel Tip! We recommend adding an extra day to this itinerary to overnight in Checacupe and visit the Rainbow Mountain the next day before arriving in Cusco.

Evening free.

Overnight in Cusco.

Meals included: B L

(Shared service up to 16 travelers, English-speaking guide)

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

(Shared service up to 16 travelers, English-speaking guide)

We will meet you at your hotel and we will begin our visit at 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. In the afternoon, we will be stopping at the town of Yucay to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch.

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 (10-min walk from the main square), where you will easily find your Expedition Train*  (tourist class) departing at 19:00hrs and arriving in Aguas Calientes at 20:43 hrs. A hotel staff member will take you to your hotel.

*Please note that you can upgrade the train to the Vistadome (superior class). Surcharges are detailed in the ”Prices” section.

Evening free.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Meals included: B L D (only at 4- or 5-star hotels)

(Shared trains and bus. Private transfers & English-speaking guide)

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. Recommended time: 8:00 a.m. (duration: 2–3 hours).

Note: For dramatic views of the landscape that surrounds Machu Picchu, you can hike on your own either the Huayna Picchu Mountain for about 2 hours (entrance schedules: 7:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m.), the Machu Picchu Mountain for 3-4 hours (entrance schedules: 7:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m.), or the Huchuy Picchu Mountain for 1 hour (entrance schedules: 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m.). These treks are optional and not included in the price.

Once the tour has come to an end, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes (buses depart every 5 min) and get a taste of Peruvian cuisine at a local restaurant overlooking the Vilcanota river.

You can do some exploration in the small town and then head to the train station on your own, and hop on your Expedition Train (tourist class – upgrade to Vistadome with a surcharge upon request) to Ollantaytambo (2 hours from the city of Cusco). At your arrival in Ollantaytambo, a driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it to drive you to your hotel in Cusco.

Evening free.

Overnight in Cusco.

Meals included: B L

We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport in Cusco for your flight back to Lima (this service is with Spanish-speaking driver only, no guide’s assistance).

Meals included: B

– End of this 10-Day Peru Vacation Package –