Explore Peru 12 Days / 11 Nights

Day 1: International Arrival – Lima

Welcome to Lima.

Upon arrival you will be assisted at the Lima airport and then transferred to your hotel.

You will have the morning free to rest.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in Lima.
• Food included: None

Day 2: Lima

Visit the city of Lima: Historic Center, Santo Domingo Convent and Larco Museum (Half day tour)

You will visit the modern and colonial part of Lima, “The City of Kings”, starting with the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro and passing by a huaca or pre-Inca sacred place, before heading to the Historic Center. There, you will go through some of the most important streets in the history of the city, which will lead you to the Plaza Mayor, where you can enjoy and take pictures of some of the main examples of colonial architecture. You’ll also get a glimpse of an iconic building* that has served the people of Lima for centuries and continues to be an important cultural space to this day. In addition, you will visit the Santo Domingo Convent, one of the most important colonial-style religious buildings. After exploring the historic center, you will head to the Larco Museum, which houses the unsurpassed private collection of Treasures from Ancient Peru.

• On Mondays, the House of Literature is closed, so an alternative visit will be provided on those days.
• Accommodation at selected hotel in Lima.
• Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 3: Lima – Arequipa

Transfer from your hotel in Lima to the airport to board your flight to the City of Arequipa

Upon arrival in Arequipa you will be assisted at the Arequipa airport and then transferred to the chosen hotel

Arequipa City Tour: Santa Catalina Monastery and Church of the Company of Jesus (Half Day Tour)

You will start the tour at the meeting point, in the cloisters of the Company of Jesus, to begin your walk through the Plaza de Armas, as well as through the most representative streets of the city. Along the way, you will see the facades of the San Francisco and the Third Order Church, as well as its beautiful square decorated with Jacarandás. Then, you will go to the Monastery of Santa Catalina, founded in 1580, where you will be able to appreciate its cloisters, picturesque streets and squares, which have remained intact over the centuries. In addition, you will learn about the way of life of the select group of nuns who inhabited the place. Later, you will go to the beautiful Barrio del Solar to visit the Church of La Compañía de Jesús, a temple that constitutes the oldest and most important testimony of religious architecture made with ashlar.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in Arequipa.
• Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 4: Arequipa – Colca

Route from Arequipa to Colca

You will leave your hotel to start an unforgettable trip. You will travel through the town of Yura, through the Aguada Blanca and Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve. You will make a stop in Patapampa to refresh yourself, before continuing to the town of Chivay, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel facilities or take the optional visit to the thermal waters of La Calera. In the evening, you can dine at the hotel.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in Colca.
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5: Colca – Puno

Visit to the Cruz del Condor and route from Colca to Puno

You will leave for the Cruz del Cóndor, the best location to admire the Colca Canyon and -if the weather permits- you will be able to observe the flight of the majestic condors. Later. You will start the journey out of the Colca Valley, visiting the picturesque towns of Pinchollo, Maca and Chivay. You will enjoy lunch en route, while traveling the route that will take you to Puno.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in Puno.
• Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 6: Puno

Visit of Lake Titicaca: the islands of Uros and Taquile

In the morning you will travel to Taquile Island, where the community kindly welcomes tourists, keeping alive their traditions, customs and colorful old-fashioned clothing. The islanders are skilled craftsmen and each piece embodies amazing techniques developed over centuries by their ancestors. Then you will visit the floating islands of the Uros, also called the Pueblo del Lago, since these islands are built with layers of reeds and serve as homes and trade centers for the natives of the same name who move around on handcrafted rafts.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in Puno.
• Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 7: Puno – Cusco

Route from Puno to Cusco: Visit to La Raya, Racchi and Andahuaylillas

You will leave the station to start the bus trip to Cusco, to be able to enjoy the wonderful landscapes of the South Valley of Cusco. You will continue with a visit to La Raya, the highest point on the road between Cusco and Puno, from where you will have excellent photographic views. Then you will visit the ruins of Racchi, also known as “The Temple of the God Wiracocha.” The last stop will be in Andahuaylillas, a city where there is a beautiful XXVII century church with an impressive organ decorated with angels and cherubs. Finally you will arrive in Cusco.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in Cusco.
• Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 8: Cusco

Enjoy the morning free.

13:00 Half-day visit: San Pedro Market, Korikancha Temple, Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán, Kenko

You will visit the city of Cusco, also known as the Imperial City and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will begin your tour at the iconic San Pedro Market, where you will explore the colors, aromas, and traditions of contemporary Cusco. You will continue to the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and center of worship to the Sun god, on which the Dominican order built a church that remains standing to this day. You will continue ascending to the Sacsayhuamán Fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture. After this tour, you will delve into Inca architecture visiting the archaeological site of Q’enko, to finally be transferred to the Plaza de Armas, where you will visit the Cathedral, the most important Catholic temple in the city.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in Cusco.
• Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 9: Cusco – Sacred Valley

Full day excursion: Treasures of the Sacred Valley, Moray, Misminay & Ollantaytambo

You will leave in the direction of Moray, a fascinating archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will visit its huge concentric terraces, which were used by the Incas as a botanical laboratory. Then, you will get to know the Andean community of Misminay, where your local hosts will welcome you with music and dance, invite you to share some of their daily activities, and serve you a delicious lunch with local ingredients. After experiencing the living culture in Misminay, you will continue to Ollantaytambo, where you can visit the archaeological complex of the same name, one of the largest in Peru, which is strategically located on top of a mountain. Afterwards, you will descend to the town of Ollantaytambo, noted for preserving Inca urban planning as part of its original urban layout, with some buildings and narrow stone streets. You can tour the town and visit the local market.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in the Sacred Valley.
• Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 10: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu

Visit to Machu Picchu with Voyager or Expedition train to Machu Picchu round trip (Full day tour)

You will visit one of the most important energy centers in the world: Machu Picchu. You will go by train to the town of Aguas Calientes, an experience in which you will see the amazing landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Upon arrival, you will visit the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu and discover this new wonder of the world heritage and UNESCO: An unforgettable experience. At the agreed time, you will descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch and, later, you will board the train for your return trip.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

 Day 11: Machu Picchu – Cusco

Visit to Machu Picchu (Second entrance optional)

You will have the morning free and you will be able to visit Machu Picchu for the second time, this time to walk on your own, relax in the place or take impressive photos. Afterwards, you will descend again to the town of Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, you will board the train that will take you back to Cusco through the corresponding station. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

• Accommodation at selected hotel in Cusco.
• Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 12: Cusco – International Departure

At the scheduled time you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight.

• Meals included: Breakfast.