Day 1
Arrive in Lima
Start your Peruvian adventure in Lima, the vibrant capital. Upon airport arrival, transfer to your hotel and meet your group and local leader at 6 pm. Explore Lima's colonial mansions-turned-bars for a pisco sour if early. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a top restaurant amidst ancient ruins, where a creative chef blends traditional Peruvian cuisine with modern flair, offering a unique dining experience.
Accommodation: Pullman Lima Mireflores or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2
Lima- Arequipa
Embark on a morning walking tour in Lima with your leader, exploring Plaza Mayor's colonial architecture and the Saint Francis Monastery's catacombs. Venture to Alameda de Chabuca Granda, a local favourite spot. Later, fly to Arequipa, the stunning 'White City', for an orientation walk. Admire its unique white sillar architecture and the impressive El Misti volcano backdrop.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Select Arequipa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3
Arequipa
Join a local expert for a morning tour of Arequipa, starting at the Plaza de Armas. Discover the historic Santa Catalina Monastery and marvel at the colonial murals in San Ignacio Chapel. Explore the Basilica Cathedral's layered history with another guide. Spend the afternoon freely, perhaps visiting Mundo Alpaca, engaging in outdoor activities, or seeing 'Mummy Juanita' at the museum, an exceptionally preserved Inca girl from the 15th century.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Select Arequipa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4
Arequipa- Colca Canyon
Journey across the Altiplano high plains to the stunning Colca Valley and Canyon, observing wildlife like vicunas, llamas, and alpacas, and indigenous stone cairns. Marvel at the canyon's depth, pre-Inca terraces, and traditional villages. Stop at 4910 meters for panoramic views, then visit Chivay for hot springs. Stay at the Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca Hotel, a serene riverside resort with waterfalls, organic gardens, pools, and top-notch amenities, offering a memorable experience in a breathtaking setting.
Accommodation: Hotel Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5
Colca Canyon- Lake Titicaca
Visit the Cruz del Condor viewpoint early to see majestic Andean condors in flight. Post-lunch, drive to Puno, stopping at the Sillustani archaeological site to explore ancient 'chullpas' or funeral towers. Puno, rich in Aymara and Quechua culture and famed for its traditional dances, sits by Lake Titicaca.
Accommodation: Hotel Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6
Lake Titicaca
Embark on a captivating Lake Titicaca cruise, starting with the floating Uros Islands, ingeniously constructed from totora reeds by the Uros people. Visit Taquile Island, ascending a hill to view traditional attire and handicraft shops. Return to Puno for a scenic sunset at your hotel, complemented by wine and cheese in the garden.
Accommodation: Hotel Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7
Lake Titicaca- Cusco
Depart early for Cusco, with a visit to Raqchi Archaeological Site en route. Arrive by late afternoon in this ancient city, a unique blend of Inca and Spanish cultures. At 3450m altitude, acclimatize with a leisurely Plaza de Armas walk, getting dinner suggestions from your leader.
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8
Cusco
Embark on a Cusco walking tour, starting with a historian-led exploration of the World Heritage-listed Cusco Cathedral, rich in art and history. Visit the gold laden Coricancha Temple, repurposed by the Spanish, followed by the vibrant San Pedro market. Spend the afternoon in a cooking class or the Inkilltambo trek, guided by your leader's suggestions.
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 9
Cusco- Ollantaytambo
Journey to the Sacred Valley from Cusco, starting with the impressive Sacsayhuaman fortress ruins. Marvel at the Inca's architectural prowess before exploring the fertile Sacred Valley, heart of Andean agriculture. Experience a traditional pachamanca lunch in Willoq and learn textile crafting. Visit AMA restaurant, supporting single mothers, for a snack. End the day in Ollantaytambo, exploring Inca engineering marvels with a local expert, witnessing aqueducts, irrigation canals, and terraces, a testament to their advanced skills.
Accommodation: Inti Punku Sacred Valley or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10
Ollantaytambo- Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu
Travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes on the scenic 360 Machu Picchu Train, featuring dome windows and an open-air carriage for panoramic Andes views. Arrive in Aguas Calientes, check into your hotel, then bus to Machu Picchu. A guide will explain the ruins' history and mysteries, possibly the 15th-century seat of Emperor Pachacuti. Get tips from your leader for an enriching visit. Return to Aguas Calientes for the night, gearing up for a second Machu Picchu visit in the morning.
Accommodation: MAPI Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 11
Machu Picchu- Cusco
Embark on an early journey back to Machu Picchu, delving deeper into its temples, palaces, and residences. Embrace the awe-inspiring view of the ruins against a verdant mountainous canvas, perfect for memorable photographs. After capturing missed shots, return to Aguas Calientes and board a train to Ollantaytambo, then drive back to Cusco for the evening.
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 12
Cusco- Amazon Jungle
Fly to Puerto Maldonado and journey by bus and motorized canoe into the Amazon, spotting wildlife like macaws and alligators. Stay at Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion, nestled in a 380-hectare ecological reserve, featuring private cabanas and local expert guides. After lunch, explore Concepcion Trails, enjoy a twilight riverboat ride spotting caimans, and savour a locally-inspired a la carte dinner.
Accommodation: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13
Amazon Jungle
Enjoy a serene canoe ride across Lake Sandoval after breakfast, watching for red howler monkeys, giant river otters, and macaws. Post-lunch, traverse the 344m Inkaterra Canopy Walkway for aerial views of toucans, woodpeckers, monkeys, and sloths. Opt for a night walk, lodge spa visit, and group dinner.
Accommodation: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14
Amazon Jungle- Lima
Return to Puerto Maldonado in the morning and fly to Lima, arriving early afternoon. Use your free time to revisit Lima's highlights, then reunite with your group for a farewell dinner. Savor Peruvian cuisine at a restaurant with views of a pre-Inca site, creating a memorable end to your Peruvian journey.
Accommodation: Pullman Lima Mireflores or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15
Depart Lima
Your adventure in Peru comes to a close, take a transfer to the airport for your onward journey. If you wish to extend your stay please consult with our agents.
Meals Included: Breakfast
