14-DAY TOUR OF PERU

(Private service, English- or Italian-speaking guide)

You will be greeted by your guide at the hotel lobby. Start your Lima city tour by having a panoramic view of the traditional suburbs of San Isidro and Miraflores. You will pass by Parque del Amor (Love Park) and enjoy magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and by the Huaca Pucllana – an impressive pyramid-shaped temple of pre-Inca times that stands in the middle of the city. Your visit will continue with Lima’s historic center, starting at the San Francisco Convent and its famous underground crypts known as the Catacombs. Afterward, you will make a quick stop at the Plaza Mayor, where the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral are located, and then drive through Plaza San Martín – a large park in the downtown of Lima, surrounded by colonial buildings that still display wood balconies (duration: 4 hours). Return to your hotel.

NOTE: all visits are panoramic, except the San Francisco Convent and its Catacombs.

Afternoon and evening free to take a stroll along the coastal area and the cliffs above the ocean, watch the sunset or discover the food scene in the Culinary Capital of South America.

Overnight in Lima.

Meals included: B

Transfer to the station in Lima to take the bus to Paracas (second-floor seats / this service is with Spanish-speaking driver only, no guide’s assistance), departing at 7:30 hrs (duration: 3 ½ – 4 hours approx.).

Paracas National Reserve Tour:

(Private service, English- or Italian-speaking guide)

Upon arrival at the bus station, you will visit the Interpretation Center of the Paracas National Reserve and the Museum of Julio C. Tello. Then, transfer to the natural rock formation known as the ”Cathedral”, due to the whimsical way it has (damaged by the 2007 earthquake). Finally, you will make a circuit through Playa Roja and Yumaque (duration: 3 hours). Transfer to your hotel.

Buggy Ride & Sandboarding:

(Shared service up to 5 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

Pick-up from your hotel. You will be transferred outside Paracas to experience an exciting buggy ride and practice sand boarding (optional) along the desert dunes (duration: 1 hour). Return to your hotel.

Evening free.

Overnight in Paracas.

Meals included: B

Ballestas Island Tour:

(Shared service up to 22 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to a private port for your boat ride at 8:20hrs. Visit the Ballestas Islands, where you will observe a large variety of marine fauna such as Humboldt penguins, pelicans, sea lions, seagulls, black-footed booby, and several coastal bird species. You will also admire the Candelabra (similar to a Nazca line) along the way (duration: 2 hours).

City Tour of Ica:

(Private tour with English- or Italian-speaking guide)

After Ballestas, you will travel to Ica (duration: 1 hour) to visit a local artisanal pisco/wine farm, the natural oasis of La Huacachina, and the Regional Museum of Ica. This museum features artifacts from several indigenous cultures of Peru, such as the Inca, Ica, Nazca, Chincha, Wari and Paracas. The anthropology-related exhibits include trepanations and deformations of skull remains (duration: 3 hours approx).

Transfer to Nazca visiting sites along the way:

(Private tour with English- or Italian-speaking guide)

Then, you will head to Nazca, stopping in the geoglyphs of Palpa and the Maria Reiche Museum, named after the archaeologist who lived and passed away in this house. Here she carried out her studies on the Nazca lines. The museum houses maps, photos and plans of all her research. Finally, you will make a stop at the Nazca Lines viewpoint, from where you will observe 3 Nazca Lines (the hand, the tree and the lizard). At your arrival in Nazca, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Evening free.

Overnight in Nazca.

Meals included: B

Nazca Lines Overflight:

(Shared service up to 6 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the Nazca Aerodrome. At your arrival, you will take the Nazca Lines Overflight for the next 30 min (subject to weather conditions). The Nazca Lines, a series of geoglyphs in the Nazca desert, are hundreds of individual figures, ranging in complexity from simple to more complex detailed figures. You will get a wonderful view of the main lines as the trapezoid, the compass, the long-tailed monkey, the dog, the detailed hummingbird, the abstract condor, the symmetrical spider, the hands, and many others.

Afterward, transfer to a local restaurant to have lunch.

Antonini Museum and Cantalloc Aqueducts Tour:

(Private tour with English- or Italian-speaking guide)

Before or after the Nazca Lines overflight, you will visit the Antonini Museum to learn about the citadel of Cahuachi, and finally the Cantalloc aqueducts.

Then, pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the station to take your bus Nazca – Arequipa (1st-floor seats) departing at 14:30 hours (duration: 9-10 hours approx). Upon your arrival (around midnight), you will be picked-up and transfer to your hotel in Arequipa (altitude: 2350 m / 7708 ft).

Meals included: B L

(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, Santa Catalina Convent, the Compañía Church (Jesuit order), the Cathedral, the Colonial House del Moral, Carmen Alto, and Yanahuara Viewpoints, and San Lazaro Traditional District (duration: 4 hours). 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 4150 meters deep, it is more than twice the depth of 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, up close, 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 (3800m/12464ft), 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 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)

Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the port to travel by boat to the Uros Floating Islands, where you will learn how locals constructed these long-lasting artificial islands with solely Totora, 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 by boat towards Taquile Island, where you will discover their customs and traditions and their particular way of life. You will also visit the main part of the town to see their main square and artisan center. To get there, you will take a path through the village to the center of Taquile, where you will enjoy lunch and then return to the port and to your hotel in Puno, arriving in the late afternoon.

Evening free.

Overnight at the island.

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 7:00 hrs. On the way, we will notice the change in the landscape flora, as we go lower in altitude. We will stop at 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 archaeological 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! (duration: 4 hours). 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 with 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 an 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. Transfer to the Ollantaytambo Train Station to take your Expedition Train* (tourist class), departing at 19:00hrs, arriving to Aguas Calientes at 20:43. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

*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 (dinner only at 4 & 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 together. Recommended time: 8:00 a.m. (duration: 2 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 14-Day Tour of Peru –