Essential Peru

Upon arrival at Lima, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to the hotel.

At scheduled time, you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport to take the departure flight.

Upon arrival at Arequipa, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to the hotel.

This tour starts in the Main Square, which is surrounded by the city's most representative buildings. This is followed by a visit to the Jesuit church, the oldest and most important example of religious architecture employing sillar. Then on to Santa Catalina Convent, founded in 1580, with its cloisters, picturesque streets and plazas that remain the same as they were centuries ago. You will also learn about the lives of the select group of nuns who lived there. Afterwards, a visit to the Santuarios Andinos Museum at Santa María Catholic University, where the mummy Juanita or the "Lady of Ampato" is kept, an Inca adolescent sacrificed to the mountain deities -Apus- who was found on Mount Ampato after being buried in the ice for around 500 years.

You will leave your hotel and start with an unforgettable trip. Go through the town of Yura, through the Aguada Blanca and Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve. Make a stop at Patahuasi to freshen up before heading to Chivay, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch. You will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hotel's facilities.

You will head towards the Cross of the Condor, the best location to admire the Colca Canyon and -if weather allows it- you will get the chance to observe the majestic flight of the condors. On your way back, you will visit the colorful towns of Pinchollo and Maca, before arriving at Chivay, where you will have lunch. Then, you will have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hotel's optional activities or to take a walk through the Uyo Uyo ruins. Finally, you will return to your hotel in Colca to enjoy dinner and rest.

You will visit the town of Coporaque, where you will walk towards the San Antonio ruins. Then, you will go through the Chivay Indian Market, before returning to the city. Afterwards, you will enjoy a delicious lunch in Chivay before leaving to Arequipa, stopping in Patapampa along the way, where you will observe 8 volcanoes at 360 degrees. Finally, you will depart to your hotel in Puno. Visit Sillustani on way.

Today, you will have your excursion to Amantani Island, located at an elevation of 4150 meters and famous for its terraced hillsides where its people used to farm. Pre-Incan peoples claimed that this island was a sacred place, and that is why, if you allow it, you can feel its mystical energies flow around you. Upon arrival, the locals will welcome you, leading you to your homestay accommodations, where they will show you their day to day activities, like weaving, farming, mystical ceremonies, and others. Next on the itinerary is a stopover at the handicraft center and the main square. Then, it's time for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, before returning to Puno, you will visit the famous floating Uros Islands made out of reeds, whose inhabitants still live according to the customs of their ancestors.

Early in the morning transfer to the bus station.

Leave the station at the start of a bus journey to Cusco; on route enjoy the magnificent scenery of the valley south of Cusco. First stop is Andahuaylillas, which has a beautiful 17th Century church containing an impressive organ decorated with angels and cherubs. After that, the ruins at Racchi -also known as the "Temple of Wiracocha"- the different zones of which were used for different purposes. After this visit, you will enjoy a typical and delicious buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Then you will visit the archaeological site of Puca-Pucara, basically a military camp that also functioned as an administrative center.

Upon arrival at Cusco, assistance and transfer to the hotel.

Day at leisure.

The excursion starts at Sacsayhuamán fortress, an impressive example of Inca military architecture. Then heading towards the town of Pisac to tour its impressive archaeological site on the mountain top, one of the most important in the Valley, featuring incredible terraced hillsides and a high degree of urban planning. After the tour, you will descend to the town and spend some time in the local market, interacting with the people, observing the local identity, and doing a little shopping.

A visit to the village of Chinchero to the north west of Cusco. This picturesque village was an important Inca centre and is known for the traditional Andean weaving techniques still used by its people. Wearing traditional clothes, the people of Chinchero meet in the Main Square to sell local handicrafts to visitors -a colourful and beautiful spectacle. Then on to Ollantaytambo, an Inca military, religious and agricultural centre built on a mountain summit. There you can see the narrow streets of the eponymous village, together with canals unchanged since the Inca Empire. Lunch is included.

At schedule time transfer to the train station.

A visit to one of the most important tourist destinations in the world: Machu Picchu. The excursion starts with a train trip to the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. The natural beauty of the surroundings makes the train the best way to start your visit. When you arrive, you will start the ascent to the ruins, which will without a doubt be one of your most unforgettable experiences. At Machu Picchu you can see every part of one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World, with free time to explore on your own, relax and take some impressive photos.

Lunch in Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.

Visit the Machu Picchu archaeological site for a second time with your guide.

Lunch at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo

At schedule time, board the train to Ollantaytambo.
At arrival, transfer from the Train Station to the Hotel.

At scheduled time, you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport to take the departure flight.