Meeting with a representative of the agency at the airport and private transfer to the hotel.
Along the way, our representative will provide information on the city and its places of interest as well as practical information such as where to change money, for example.
He will review the program, more precisely, and answer any questions.
After breakfast, meeting with our local guide at the hotel reception.
We will visit Lima, also known as the “City of Kings”.
The tour will begin with the panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana, a magnificent ceremonial and archaeological center considered a “holy village” by the Incas.
Our visit will continue towards the historical center of the capital.
We will make a brief stop at Plaza San Martín, one of the most representative areas of the city, where we will see the Gran Hotel Bolivar, the Teatro Colón, the statue of the Three Graces and the monument erected in honor in San Martin.
We will visit the Plaza Mayor, from where we will have the chance to see the Government Palace and the Renaissance Cathedral Basilica.
Our visit will then take us to the convent of San Francisco where we will visit the catacombs.
After lunch, the visit of the Peruvian capital will take us to the most traditional residential areas: Miraflores Central Park and Larcomar, a symbol of modern Lima. In addition to being a shopping center with restaurants and shops, it is also a privileged place as it offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.
Then we will visit the famous Parque del Amor, in Miraflores, and finally the Anthropology Museum, before returning to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, transfer to Lima airport and flight to Trujillo, where we will settle at the chosen hotel.
That afternoon will be devoted to the exploration of the city: the visit of the old colonial houses (Casa de la Emancipación, Iturregui Palace and the Archbishops Palace), the Cathedral, San Francisco’s Church as well as the Church and Convent of La Merced.
Overnight in the charming colonial town of Trujillo.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
During that morning, we will visit the impressive archaeological site of Chan Chan, considered as the capital of an ancient Chimú civilization and covering an area of about 20 square kilometers. It is entirely made of adobe (mix of straw and earth), making it the largest pre-Hispanic adobe plant in America.
From there, we will go to the beach of Huanchaco, where we will see the typical boats made of totora (reeds), called “sea horses”, skillfully maneuvered among the waves by artisanal fishermen, direct descendants of the Moche civilization.
We will enjoy a delicious lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean before returning to Trujillo.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
This day, we will visit the “huacas” (or pyramids) of the Moon and the Sun. These temples played a major role for the Moche civilization (100-900 AD). The Temple of the Moon, finely decorated, represents the spiritual center of the Mochicas. Among the wealth of its ceremonial objects having been discovered, there were also, in the same place, 40 skeletons of sacrificial victims. Many walls represent a deity known as the “Mountain God” (AiApaec) or the “Decapitator”. Walking through the Temple of the Moon, we will enjoy a panoramic view of the Temple of the Sun, considered one of the largest adobe structures in America.
We will continue our journey towards the city of Chiclayo.
On the way, we will visit the complex of El Brujo (located 21 miles north of Trujillo). The name “El Brujo” or “Dr. Brujo” comes from the fact that for hundreds of years healing teachers have gathered in this place to perform shamanic rituals. This archaeological complex includes three pyramids: Huaca El Brujo, Huaca Prieta and Huaca Cao. We will appreciate the multicolored friezes and reliefs of Huaca Cao depicting the deity Moche AiApaec, warriors, prisoners and scenes of sacrifice. From the top of Huaca Cao, we will enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding pyramids. At the local museum, we will see the mummy called “La Dama de Cao”. She is supposed to be the first woman known in Peru. This museum also exhibits objects from different cultures that have settled in this region, documenting 5000 years of history.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, our guide and our driver will pick us up at the hotel. Then, we will start our tour of the city of Chiclayo.
Our first stop will allow us to discover the tombs of Sipan, considered as one of the most important archeological discoveries of the last century. Unveiled only a few years ago, this archaeological site is just beginning to attract the attention of visitors from around the world.
Then we will visit the Pyramids of Túcume, which offer a panoramic view of the entire valley of the same name.
After lunch, we will explore the Royal Tombs Museum, an excellent continuation of our trip, as it houses the remains found in the tombs previously visited.
After breakfast, we will leave Chiclayo by private transport to go to Chachapoyas.
Along the way, we will cross the different departments of Peru to reach the one called Amazonas. From the coast, in the morning, we will reach the cloud forest of Chachapoyas, in the late afternoon.
Chachapoyas, which means “people of the clouds,” is the name of a civilization that fought from the high fortresses of the forests, in resistance to the expansion of the Inca empire and the Spanish invasion. It is one of the last kingdoms to have succumbed to the Incas. The legacy of this civilization includes one of the archeological wonders of South America: the defensive fortress of Kuelap.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
During that morning, we will take a horse ride to visit the colorful funerary buildings of Revash, perched on a ledge, at the top of a cliff. They overlook a valley and a tributary of Utcubamba, near the city of Santo Tomas.
The cliff walls of Revash are decorated with geometric patterns and figures of camels. Some of the tombs are decorated with a T and cross-shaped niches.
Subsequently, our tour will continue to the city of Leymebamba to visit the Museum inaugurated in June 2000. It houses more than 200 mummies and their funeral offerings, recovered from Lake Condors by the emergency archeology project led by the Mallqui Center. It is a precious archaeological collection.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
This day is dedicated to visiting the site of Kuelap, a spectacular pre-Inca fortified town hidden on a steep mountain. Perched on the heights of a mountain of almost 10000 ft, this citadel of the 9th century includes an urban complex of more than 400 stone buildings: houses, palaces and temples, all surrounded by a stone wall of more than 65 ft. Although Kuelap was discovered 60 years before Machu Picchu, it is not very famous in the world. However, recent surprising discoveries in neighboring areas, related to Kuelap and its history, have caught the attention of archaeologists, international magazines and film companies.
After our visit of Kuelap, we will return to Chachapoyas.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, we will leave by transport to reach Cocachimba.
From there, we will begin a walk of about 2 hours, to go to one of the natural wonders of northern Peru: Gocta Falls. With a height of 2568 ft, it is the third highest waterfall in the world.
We will walk through pristine landscape and have great opportunities to observe the local fauna, including several species of monkeys and birds.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
Early in the morning, we will leave for Tarapoto Airport and board our flight back to Lima.
Upon arrival, we will be met and transferred to the chosen hotel.
Meals included: breakfast.
At the appointed time, our representative will join us at the hotel.
He will accompany us to Lima airport to take the flight to the white city of Arequipa.
Arrival in Arequipa and hotel check-in.
The afternoon will be devoted to the discovery of the city, also known as “the white city” because of the predominance of the white volcanic rock, called “sillar”, used in the construction of its buildings.
We will begin our tour by visiting the magnificent convent of Santa Catalina, founded in 1580 and located in the historic center of Arequipa; a real little village itself, with its houses for the nuns, its cloisters, its narrow streets, its kitchens, its old ovens and its laundry, magnificently maintained.
From there, we will continue our discovery of the city, by visiting the Andean Sanctuary Museum (Museo Santuarios Andinos) in which the impressive “Mummy Juanita” remains, a young Inca sacrificed as an offering to the Inca deities. The mummy was found only 10 years ago in the Ampato volcano after the eternal snows of glaciers were stirred by an earthquake.
We will continue our journey by going to the Jesuit church. Built by the Jesuit order, it has a beautiful baroque facade, an impressive dome, and a famous cloister.
We will end our visit in the residential areas of Yanahuara and Chilina, which both offer spectacular views of the Misti volcano.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, departure from the hotel.
Our journey will begin with a land trip to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. On the way, we will drive through Pampa Cañahuas and several cities like Pulpera, Callalli, Sibayo, and Tuti, reaching an altitude of 11,152 ft above sea level.
We will probably have the opportunity to see herds of alpacas and llamas, and perhaps also vicunas.
Inactive volcanoes and curious geological formations due to erosion will also be characteristic of our itinerary.
Finally, we will arrive at Chivay, the largest and most populous city in Colca Canyon, near which most hotels are located.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy a relaxing bath in the thermal waters of La Calera, which are naturally warm due to the volcanic presence in the region.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
This day, we will leave our hotel very early in the morning. We will drive on the left side of the canyon to the viewpoint of Cruz del Cóndor, from where we will see the Andean condor, considered the largest bird in the world with a wingspan of more than 10 ft. We will also appreciate the impressive depth of the canyon.
On our way back to the hotel, we will drive through beautiful typical villages such as Yanque and Maca, with charming colonial churches, and we will have the opportunity to meet the locals wearing their typical outfits of the region.
Along the roads, we will see hundreds of pre-Inca terraces, where people still cultivate Andean products such as corn, quinoa, kiwicha, among others.
In the afternoon, we will have several options: hiking with our guide in order to continue the visit of Colca Valley or simply relaxing at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, we will begin our journey, first taking a dirt road, then the main road that connects Arequipa to Puno.
From Puno, we will continue our way to Lake Titicaca, marking a stop at the archaeological site of Sillustani, located only 21 miles away from the city. It is one of the largest cemeteries in the world. Built once by the Collas, the “chullpas” are gigantic funerary monuments perched at more than 13120 ft above sea level, above a plain surrounded by the beautiful Lake Umayo.
Arrival in Puno and hotel check-in.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, we will meet our guide at the hotel and head towards the port of the city.
We will board a boat that will take us first to Uros floating islands, a set of living artificial surfaces built with reeds. Its inhabitants, the Uros, descend from an ancestral people currently concentrated on the Collao plateau and the floating islands.
Each of the islands is inhabited by 3 to 10 Uro-Aymara families, who build and carpet their houses with totora mats (reeds).
Then, we will take the boat heading towards Taquile, an island mainly known for its traditions and weaving, an activity performed by men.
We will have lunch in a typical restaurant of the locality and will have the opportunity to discover this extraordinary place.
Return by boat to the port of Puno, then to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
Departure from the hotel towards the bus station.
From there, we will leave by bus, to go to the imperial city of Cusco.
On the way, we will mark the first stop at “La Raya”, the highest point and natural border between Cusco and Puno, from where we will have a magnificent view of the Altiplano (the highlands) and the possibility of making beautiful shots.
Afterwards, we will visit the Inca archaeological site of Raqchi, known for its imposing temple dedicated to the god Wiracocha.
We will make a stop at the village of Andahuaylillas, where there is a real architectural jewel from the 17th century: its main church, nicknamed the “Andean Sistine Chapel”. The church surprises with its richly decorated interior and finely painted murals.
Arrival in the city of Cusco in the late afternoon and hotel chek-in.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
This day will be dedicated to exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Our first visit will be Pisaq, home to one of the largest archaeological centers. The city was probably built in the 15th century, during the expansion of the Inca empire. In addition to the Inca remains, we will discover its colorful market, which will not fail to attract our curiosity.
We will have lunch at Casa Hacienda Orihuela where we will be welcomed by the Lambarri-Orihuela family. This place is a private residence that has an impressive collection of Inca and colonial art, among others.
In the afternoon, we will take the road back to Ollantaytambo, a living Inca village located below an ancient Inca fortress and a temple. We will visit the site and places. Ollantaytambo offers breathtaking views of the valley and gives us the impression of a return to the 15th century.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, we will head towards the other part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, starting with the visit of the village of Chinchero, where we will visit the Inca remains and the colonial church.
Then we will participate in a beautiful session in a traditional weaving workshop while enjoying a delicious muña tea (Andean mint).
We will continue our tour towards the terraces of Moray. The landscapes are really impressive. We will spend some time there, in order to discover the true history of the Inca agricultural laboratories.
Picnic and continuation of our journey to the small town of Maras, where we will live a new experience. This time, we will have the chance to taste and appreciate the famous “chicha de jora”, the most famous drink in the Peruvian Andes. It is a corn beer, prepared naturally. During our visit, we will have the chance to see how and where it is made.
Finally, we will visit one of the most beautiful and incredible salt mines in South America. We will walk among the 5,000 “wells” of the area and learn about salt production. It is important to mention that the salt of this place has been produced and extracted in the same way since before the time of the Incas.
Back to Ollantaytambo and accommodation at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
Depending on the train schedule, we will head towards Ollantaytambo’s train station. The train is a great experience, in Peru, and this journey, which lasts a little less than 2 hours, will allow us to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes.
Arrival in the city of Aguas Calientes and hotel check-in.
We will then board the bus that will take us to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
We will enjoy a delicious lunch at the famous Machupicchu Sanctuary Lodge, a privileged and unique location, next to the site entrance.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Inca sacred citadel, exploring its main temples and places.
Return to the city of Aguas Calientes and accommodation at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
Option 1: continue to freely explore the paths of the sacred city and/or do one of the 2 possible ascents (Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain).
Option 2: stay in Aguas Calientes and visit the craft market.
In the afternoon, we will take the train and a vehicle to return to Cusco.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast.
After breakfast, we will visit the legendary Qoricancha. This is the most important temple, dedicated to the worship of the sun’s deity, the Inti. Its walls were once covered with golden leaves.
We will continue our visit by going to Plaza de Armas, the main square, to visit the cathedral.
Our tour will then take us to San Blas, the city’s bohemian district, where Cusco’s most renowned artisans and workshops are located, including Mendivil and Merida.
Afternoon free to stroll through the charming colonial streets of Cusco and perhaps buy souvenirs or beautiful alpaca fabric items, which can be found in the beautiful shops of the city.
Meals included: breakfast.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Puerto Maldonado.
Meeting with our local representative who will accompany us to the port of the river Madre de Dios.
A 30-minute trip on the Madre de Dios by motorized boat will take us to Sandoval Lake Lodge, located on the banks of the river. From there, we will take a 20 miles trail through the primeval forest until reaching a small canal. We will board canoes and sail on this canal, through a forest of tall palm trees, to the lodge.
After lunch and a short break, to avoid the heat of the afternoon, we will learn a little about the history of the lodge and the philosophy of its founders.
Once again, we will take the boat and undertake to explore the entire western part of the lake.
In this forest of tall palm trees, we will advance to the sound of hundreds of red-bellied macaws, on their way back to the palm forest to spend the night. This species of macaws is found locally in parts of the Amazon, and still lives in the forests of large palm trees, such as the beautiful palm grove of Lake Sandoval. With 500 to 800 parrots, the Sandoval Lake Macaw Society is currently the largest in the world for this species.
At dusk, we will look for black alligators of great size and extremely rare. If the night is clear, illuminated by the stars, we will also let the boat float simply in the middle of the lake, to admire the brightness of the sky and listen to the sounds of the forest.
We will return to the lodge to view a short informative video or attend a slide show and have dinner.
Whenever we want, we will be have the opportunity to leave the lodge to admire the wide variety of nocturnal butterflies, beetles and mantes, attracted by our black light lamp, in the clearing of the refuge.
Our guide will take those who want to take a short walk in the evening, in the forest, behind the lodge.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Very early, at the edge of the lake, dawn will allow us to admire the sunrise. We may have a meeting with the family of giant otters that frequent the lake and are more active at this time of day.
Sandoval Lake offers abundant wildlife including more than 40 resident bird species. The majority of water-birds, who eat lake fish, actively fish early in the morning.
This small tour should provide excellent views and allow us to admire the crested hoazins, prehistoric birds. These are easy to observe and photograph from the boats.
After lunch and an hour break, to relax, we will go by boat, once again, to explore the eastern part of the lake where we may be able to see one or more of the five monkey species living in the nearby forest, such as the Capuchin monkey and the squirrel monkey.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
After an early breakfast, we will leave at dawn and make a last detour to get to the western end of the lake, to try to see the giant otters. Then, a 35-minute motorboat ride will take us back to Puerto Maldonado.
Transfer to the airport and flight to Lima. Then, connection with the international flight or departure for any other destination.
Meals included: breakfast.