Day 1 Lima

Upon arrival to Lima, transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 Lima

Half day tour of colonial and modern Lima, “The City of the Kings”. Visit the magnificent 17th century San Francisco Convent and its unique cloisters. Stroll to the Main Square where the Government Palace and the Cathedral are located. You will appreciate wood carved balconies in the facades of the colonial mansions and beautiful churches that host masterpieces. Continue on to the modern area through residential districts and enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean.

Optional:

Visit the Larco Museum to appreciate an extensive pottery collection, and gold and silver artifacts. This private museum located in an old 18th century colonial mansion and built on a pre-Columbian pyramid of the 17th century, displays more than 3000 years of the Pre-Columbian history. You will also appreciate its erotic art section.

Day 3 Lima - Paracas

Transfer to the station and depart for a 3.5-hour bus ride to Paracas Peninsula. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Opportunity to visit the National Reserve, take an adventurous dune buggy tour or just relax.

Day 4 Paracas - Nazca

Morning boat ride to Ballestas Islands, inhabited by boobies, sea lions, penguins and seals which showcases wild sealife of the area. From the sea, appreciate the spectacular “candelabro” (chandelier), etched on the desert sands.

Transfer to the station and depart by bus for an estimated 4-hour ride to Nazca. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 5 Nazca - Arequipa

Transfer to the local airport for a special flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines. Enormous figures traced on the desert sands and preserved for almost 2000 years that can be seen only from the air, and distributed in a huge labyrinth of lines, trapezoids, triangles, animals such as an enormous monkey or a hummingbird with a wingspan of 100m, are still an enigma.

Transfer to the bus station and depart by bus for an estimated 10-hour ride to Arequipa. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Alternative:

Night bus ride and morning arrival to Arequipa.

Day 6 Arequipa

Day at leisure to enjoy this colonial city at your own pace.

Optional:

Explore Arequipa, known as “The White City” because of its buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic stone. Visit the Santa Catalina Convent, a fascinating religious building from the 16th century different from other colonial heritages, like an old Spanish quarter. Appreciate the Main Square, one of the most beautiful plazas in the country, where the magnificent Cathedral is located and visit the Jesuit church, a masterpiece with its beautiful facade of mestizo baroque style, and the districts of Carmen Alto and Yanahuara to enjoy beautiful views of the city and the Misti Volcano (dormant). By walking the Arequipa’s typical streets you may feel a certain closeness with the colonial times.

Day 7 Arequipa – Colca Valley

Trip to Colca Valley, 165 kms (102 miles) away from the city of Arequipa. Along the way, you will enjoy fine views of the volcanoes of the area and drive across the National Reserve of Aguada Blanca and Pampa Cañahuas, habitat of many species of birds, vicunas and llamas. Pre-Columbian terraces are still used by the local farmers, who mainly grow corn and potatoes. Arrive in Chivay, a community whose citizens are warm and welcoming, with a lively market, an 18th century colonial church and a pre-Inca bridge. Free time to enjoy an optional invigorating bath at La Calera hot springs waters. Overnight at the valley.

Day 8 Colca Valley - Puno

Early morning drive to the Condor Cross observation point to enjoy a spectacular view of one of the deepest canyons in the world, the perfect spot for watching the majestic condor flying in its domains. Drive to Puno observing typical villages en route. Afternoon arrival to your hotel.

Day 9 Puno – Lake Titicaca

A day in Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. A boat ride takes you to the floating islands of the Uros, artificially made since ancient times using the reeds (totora) to form a natural mat. After the visit, continue sailing to Taquile Island, where a traditional community will welcome you. Once part of the Inca Empire, its inhabitants wear their colorful traditional attire and preserve both a special social system and one of the most remarkable weaving techniques of the country. Stunning views of the serene lake from this point. Afternoon return to Puno and to your hotel.

Day 10 Puno – Cusco

There are two options to enjoy the beautiful land route between Puno and Cusco:

-Travel by bus to Cusco through a picturesque Andean route, making stops in areas of interest. Visit the lithic museum of Pukara, important urban settlement of the lake plateau and stop in La Raya Pass, the highest point of the route and a prime location for taking photos. After lunch in a typical village, continue on to Racchi Inca archaeological site and admire its impressive Temple dedicated to Viracocha God. Proceed to Andahuaylillas town and visit its magnificent main church known as “the Americas Sistine Chapel” with its finely painted interior. Evening arrival to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

-Travel by train to Cusco, a breathtaking experience crossing the Peruvian Andes with spectacular views while passing through valleys and beautiful traditional villages. This 10.5 hour journey allows you to admire the scenery in style and connecting with nature. The train has dining cars decorated as the Pullman cars of 1920s, a bar and an observation car -perfect for photographers -, and you will enjoy a snack, a gourmet lunch and an afternoon tea on board as well as entertainment. Local musicians provide background music while boarding this train which route is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Evening arrival to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

Day 11 Cusco

Morning at leisure.

The afternoon tour will lead you to discover the captivating city and the impressive nearby archaeological sites. Start visiting the Koricancha, known as the Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral, a colonial masterpiece with beautiful wood carvings and places of worship. Head uphill to Sacsayhuaman, a vast fortress built with huge stones showcasing the exceptional work performed by the Incas, and continue on to the archaeological complex of Kenko with its zigzagging structures. Following this ancient route of the empire, get to the “Red Fortress” of Puka Pukara, presumed to be a military post, and the Inca Baths of Tambomachay with its sophisticated canal system.

Day 12 Sacred Valley

Full day overland excursion to the gorgeous Sacred Valley of The Incas. Visit the colorful market at Pisac, where you can interact with the artisans and shop for handicrafts and souvenirs. Buffet lunch in a countryside restaurant and continue on to Ollantaytambo, an Inca town with narrow cobbled stone streets and place of a great complex of buildings at its upper part, with an impressive ceremonial center used for water worship. Ollantaytambo, an example of Inca urban planning that is still live today, is undoubtedly one of the master works of the Incas. On the way back to Cusco, make a stop at the picturesque village of Chinchero, famous for its weaving and its colonial church.

Day 13 Machu Picchu

An unforgettable experience. Transfer to the station and depart on a scenic train ride to the breathtaking Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Upon arrival to Machu Picchu town (former Aguas Calientes), you will be driven to the citadel nestled in a location that can only be described as magnificent. Overseeing a deep canyon of the Urubamba River, fine stone carved stairways will take you to ceremonial shrines, the Sun Dial, agricultural terraces, squares and the urban areas. With a history dating back to the 15th century, this enigmatic site where the energy can be felt all around has not revealed yet the mysteries behind its construction. After the guided tour, free time to explore this wonder. Afternoon return to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

Optional:

You may extend your trip and include an overnight.

Day 14 Cusco

Transfer to the airport to board your flight to the next destination.