12-Day The Best of Peru

Day 1: Welcome to Lima, The City of The Kings

1. Centro Historico de Lima
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Arrival in Lima, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon we will have a tour through Lima’s streets and plazas. Starting at the Love Park in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, and then heading to the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of the Lima culture. After this, we go on to the Main Square where the Government Palace and the Town Hall are located. We will visit the Cathedral and explore the Santo Domingo Convent, along which corridors San Martin de Porras and San Rosa de Lima used to walk around in 17th century, and where their remains rest today. Stay in Lima.

Day 2: Lima to Paracas by bus: Pampas de Nasca Enigmas

1. Nasca Lines
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Early in the morning we will be transferred to the bus station to depart to Paracas. hen, we will go to the local airfield to fly over the Nazca lines, huge drawing that can only be seen from the sky and which represent several insects and animals like a monkey, hummingbird, condor or a spider. The origins are unknown, while many think it is a big astronomic calendar. Free rest of the day to enjoy the hotel facilities and surrounding areas. Overnight stay in Paracas.

Day 3: Paracas National Reserve & Bus to Lima

1. Las Islas Ballestas
   2h · Admission ticket included
   In the morning, pier to embark on a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands. The “Chandelier” a giant figure marked in the sand in the style of the Nazca lines can also be seen on our way to the islands. On the islands you will be able to observe sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins and other sea birds. Transfer to the bus station to depart to Lima. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay at Lima.

Day 4: Lima to Arequipa by air (flight not included). City tour

1. Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Transfer to the airport. Departure to Arequipa (fligh not included). Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Free morning. In the afternoon, you will see the highlights of the white city: beautiful Colonial district of San Lazaro, Carmen Alto viewpoint to see the landscape of agricultural terraces and volcanoes surrounding the city: Misti, Chachani and Pichu-Pichu, Yanahuara Colonial district, famous for its Andalusian style church and its viewpoint, architecture jewel surrounded by sillar (volcanic stone) arches, Santa Catalina Monastery, impressive religious monument which was closed for about 400 years; with narrow streets, squares and gardens reminiscent of the old quarters of Seville or Granada; Main Square to see its beautiful Cathedral and the stone arches that surround it, and finally, it is time to visit the Church of the Society of Jesus, founded in the seventeenth century by the Jesuits, famous for its cloisters and its magnificent San Ignacio Dome. Overnight stay at Arequipa.

Day 5: The volcanos route, Pampa Cañahuas and Chivay

1. Colca Canyon
   3h · Admission ticket included
   We set off to the spectacular Colca Valley going up the foothills of Chachani volcano and admiring the Misti and Picchu Picchu Volcanoes. Then we cross the vicuñas reservation of Pampa Cañahuas where we can see them running free in the high Andean lands. Peculiar villages around us. We will stop for lunch on our way to the hotel. Free afternoon to rest and enjoy the hotel and the optional visit to the thermal baths in the area. Stay at Colca Valley.

Day 6: Colca Canyon, Observation point of the Cruz del Cóndor and Route to Puno

1. Colca Canyon
   2h
   Early in the morning we will go to the Condor Cross viewpoint. Before us the shocking flight of the condors, huge Andean birds on the brink of extinction and symbol of the Andes Mountain Range. The view at this place allows us to appreciate the canyons depth, considered as one of the deepest in the world. We will then visit the Maca and Yanque towns which still keep the colonial churches. After lunch, we will set off for Puno on bus. The trip takes about 5 hours and we will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel upon our arrival. Overnight stay at Puno.

Day 7: The Titicaca Sacred Lake and its islands

1. Taquile Island
   3h
   A full day tour to explore Lake Titicaca. First we will visit the Uros, the friendly inhabitants of these handmade islands made of totora reeds. Then it’s off to Taquile Island, a place in which the settlers still maintain their ancestral traditions and colorful typical clothes. A great opportunity to explore the island and get the best view of the lake. A typical lunch is provided in the island. Return to the city in the afternoon.

Day 8: Route of the Altiplano

1. Centro Historico De Cusco
   4h
   Departure on a tour bus to Cusco. On the way we’ll stop to visit the attractions this beautiful route has to offer. Our first stop: the in site Pucara Museum and a chance to get one of the local classic bull shaped ceramics. Then it’s lunch time and the opportunity to see the view at La Raya, natural border between Puno and Cusco. We will continue our trip to Racchi, Temple of the Wiracocha god where the walls and narrow streets stand out. Before our final destination, we will stop at Andahuaylillas for a visit to its beautiful chapel. We will arrive in Cusco at the end of the afternoon. Stay at Cusco.

Day 9: Cusco, Capital of the Empire and the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman

1. Sacsayhuaman
   2h · Admission ticket included
   In the morning we will distance from the crowds and visit Sacsayhuaman, a huge and impressive fortress of colossal constructions and surrounded by beautiful views blending together perfectly. Our adventure continues at the Inca Shrine Qenqo, to see the sacrificial altar embedded inside a rock cave. Finally we will arrive to the Puca Pucara viewpoint and Tambomachay, monument of impressive architectonic knowledge considered as one of the pillars of Andean Cosmo vision.
   
   In the afternoon our exclusive city tour starts with a visit to the San Cristobal Plaza to enjoy its panoramic view of the city. Then, we will visit the San Pedro Market to soak in its local flavors and to learn about more of the products grown in the area which supply the whole city. After this, the Korikancha temple will welcome us in all his magnificence; this temple, whose Quechua name means “Gold Enclosure” still bedazzles us with the thought of its gold covered walls. Then it is the turn to visit the Santo Domingo Church. We will walk from San Blas, the artisans’ neighborhood, to the Hatun Rumiyoc street, stopping at the Inca Roca Palace, nowadays home to the Archbishop’s Palace and also at the famous Twelve Angle Stone. We will continue our walk to the Main Square to visit the Cathedral and its valuable and beautiful colonial masterpieces. Stay in Cusco.

Day 10: Inca Village of Chinchero, Terraces of Moray and the Inca Village of Ollantaytambo

1. Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo
   8h · Admission ticket included
   This day we shall visit the most outstanding places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will depart towards the Village of Chinchero, the most typical and colorful of the Sacred Valley. This village is famous for its weaving women. Short stop in a textiles center to appreciate the old Inca techniques for the dyeing and spinning using alpaca wool. After visiting the Inca plaza with its beautiful colonial church, we will continue towards Moray, a beautiful Inca archaeological site made up of concentric agricultural terraces that served as a lab to recreate microclimates. Lunch. Later visit to the last living village of the Incas, Ollantaytambo. Also, a visit to the Temple of the ten windows, the bath of the princess, and the Sun Temple. The postcard pictures that we will take from the heights of Ollantaytambo will close this magical day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Lodging in the area.

Day 11: Machu Picchu, the Lost City

1. Machu Picchu HotSprings
   8h · Admission ticket included
   The much-awaited day to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Boarding at the Ollantaytambo station. Departure in the selected train. Arrival at the Machu Picchu station. Assistance, from our staff to board the bus that will ascend up a winding road, with a spectacular view of the Urubamba river which forms a deep canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will greet us with its incredible terraces, staircases, ceremonial sites and urban areas. Energy exudes from the whole place. Lunch. At the coordinated time, return by train and transfer to the hotel in Cusco. Lodging.

Day 12: Farewell day

1. Pass by
   Departure transfer

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants. Otherwise, your tour may not be confirmed.
• Upon time of booking, please provide flight itinerary for international flights and domestic flights
• Important: If you go suffer from altitude sickness, please bring medicine or ask your doctor for advice before you depart
• The plane in Nazca holds up to 12 passengers
• Overflight is not recomendable for children less than 8 years old.
• Machu Picchu has implemented new visitor circuits, with three main routes with specific differences to distribute passengers in various areas. These changes are intended to improve the visitor experience and preserve the integrity of the archaeological site. The circuit with route 2 will be given as priority and if it is not available, the options of taking circuit 3B or circuit 1B will be informed so that you can confirm your decision before the tickets are issued.
• The admission ticket of Machu Picchu is NOT REFUNDABLE and date changes or amendments are NOT accepted. *If you need to change your visit date, you will need to purchase a new entrance ticket.