Adventurous Peru 19 days

Day

1

ARRIVAL IN LIMA

Arrival in Lima, upon arrival at the Lima airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Lima.

Day

2

Culinary & CITY TOUR LIMA

Today you will discover the secrets of Peruvian cuisine. Our culinary adventure begins in a typical “Peruvian market”. Where you will find a wide range of Peruvian products and enjoy unique fruits such as “chirimoya”, “lucuma”, “aguaymanto” and “pacae”. We will visit the exclusive restaurant, where an expert bartender will teach you how to prepare the famous “Pisco Sour”. The chef of the restaurant will prepare with you the delicious “Ceviche” a typical Peruvian dish. Then you will have a delicious lunch with the most representative dishes of Peruvian cuisine.
In the afternoon we will explore Lima and its majestic past. This excursion offers the best combination of various attractions in Lima and its three historical periods: the pre-latino, colonial and contemporary periods. Lima has known several pre-Columbian cultures dating back thousands of years, but Lima was also part of the Inca Empire. However, Lima was only founded in the year 1535 by the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro. During our tour, we will travel along Lima’s millennial history. Overnight Lima.

Day

3

LIMA - AREQUIPA

You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport in Lima. This morning you will travel by domestic flight to the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa. Spend the rest of your day at your leisure. Taste traditional Arequipan flavors like stuffed peruvian peppers, or enjoy the amenities in your comfortable hotel. Overnight in Arequipa.

Day

4

AREQUIPA

Today you will see the beautiful colonial Arequipa with its magnificent Santa Catalina Monastery (UNESCO world heritage listed), visit the San Ignacio Chapel, the imposing Basilica Cathedral, and the Inca ice mummy ‘Juanita’. This mummy was found in the crater of a volcano. Of course, you can also sit on a terrace, relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the impressive volcano Misty. In the evening Arequipa has an exciting and lively nightlife.

Day

5

AREQUIPA - COLCA CANYON

We venture into the Andes for the first time on the tour. We ascend to an altitude of approximately 4.910 meters before descending again into the Colca Valley. During the trip we enjoy the extraordinary landscapes of the Reserva Nacional de Salinas y Aguada Blanca, and the majesty of several volcanoes . We spend the night in our lodge in the heart of the valley, here we will relax and enjoy the thermal baths that are part of this volcanic zone, Make sure you pack your swimming suit!

Day

6

COLCA CANYON

After an early breakfast, we will bring you to one of the highest points of the Canyon to watch the magnificent condor in flight in the Colca Canyon. The Colca Canyon is the world’s deepest canyon, which was formed by the Colca River eroding through the mountains. This harsh landscape and spectacular scenery are home to the majestic Andean Condor. Our tour is conducted by expert local guides, who know the best locations to view the Condor.

Day

7

COLCA CANYON - PUNO

Today we will transferred per bus to Puno, arriving there late in the evening.

Day

8

Puno - TITICACA LAKE

We sail to the floating reed islands of Uros. The Uros originally built these artificial islands to escape the Incas. At that time the Incas dominated the mainland. These islands, also called islas flotantes ‘Floating reeds islands’, are made of totora reed, then weave them together.

New totora reed are thrown on top each time, so that the islands continue to exist, and don’t rot away. After visit Uros, we sail to the Taquile island. Here we visit the island with its many traditions. This gentle lake is home to a myriad of communities, each with their own specific customs and traditions and with folklore often considered to be the richest in Peru. Later in the day we go back to Puno.

Day

9

puno - cusco

The trip from Puno to Cuzco takes us on a high and beautiful mountain pass of 4200m. and along wild rivers, steep slopes and Andean villages. Stay overnight in Cusco. The comfortable, first-class bus maximizes your time by including stops along the way at esteemed archeological sites including Raqchi and the “Sixtine Chapel of the Andes” Andahuaylillas.

Day

10

CUSCO city tour

Today you will visit the ancient capital of the Inca empire “Cusco” the most beautiful cities in South America, live the magic mix of this city between traditions and history of the Incas along with the traditions and history of the Spanish. In the afternoon, you’ll go on a walking tour through the top sites in the city of Cusco. You’ll visit the Cusco Cathedral and the most important temple of the Inca’s Empire: Koricancha, your journey continues high above Cusco where the Inca ruins of Q’enqo, Sacasyhuamán, Pukapukara and Tambomachay watch over the city. You will explore these enigmatic sites with your private guide who will point out important details and little known facts about these fascinating sites. You’ll be dropped off at your Cusco Hotel after your tour for a free evening to relax and rest.

Day

11

CUSCO - Sacred valley

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, we leave towards the Sacred Valley. Our first stop is Caccacollo, a local community where mainly women work. They will show you their weaving skills. You will have some free time to wander around the cozy local market and enjoy the artisanal local goods.

Next, we stop in Pisaq. Pisaq is an important tourist destination. The Inca ruins located near Pisac used to be an important Inca religious center. After Pisac, we continue our journey along the river to Ollantaytambo, where during lunch we enjoy a delicious “Pachamanca”, an ancient Quechua cooking technique in which food is prepared in leaves under a heated ground.

Pacha means earth and manca means oven in Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire that is still widely spoken in the Sacred Valley and the Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

The first step here involves making the stones arranged around a wood fire to heat them up. When they are extremely hot, the stones are placed in a pit dug into the earth. The ingredients are arranged on the stones in the order of the cooking time required. The whole heap is covered with spices and finally an organic cloth. Finally, the whole pile is covered with earth, carefully checking that there are no holes through which steam can escape.

After lunch we visit Ollantaytambo. Here you can find the remains of a huge Inca fort where a famous battle took place between the Incas and the Spanish invaders. This battle was still won by the Incas, you’ll see some of the most impressive functioning series of aqueducts and fountains out of all the Incan ruins in Peru. Transfer to the hotel in Urubamba. Here we have time to relax. We stay in the Sacred Valley.

Day

12

SACRED VALLEY - MACHUPICCHU (iNCA TRAIL)

Today you have a private transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo, from here we take the train, the train will take us to Km 104, the starting point of the hike, which is considered one of the most beautiful trips to Machu Picchu. From Km 104, we begin a peaceful walk to the other side of the Vilcanota River, descending towards the ruins of the Chachabamba archaeological site (2,150m).

We then embark on an 4 km ascending trail that takes us, after 4 hours, to the impressive archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna (2,650m). Wiñay Wayna features an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector, and an urban area. After lunch in Wiñay Wayna, we continue our journey through a cloud forest teeming with bromeliads, orchids, and fern trees approximately 8 km.

The final leg of the hike follows the original ‘Inca Trail,’ with its enormous stone steps and tambos (resting places). We climb the 60 steps leading to the Inti Punku or ‘Sun Gate.’ Here, we will spend some time taking pictures and enjoying the view. With a bit of luck, you can admire a beautiful sunset.

Afterwards, we take a 30-minute bus ride to the town of Aguas Calientes. You will dine in a pleasant restaurant and spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. During dinner, your guide will inform you about the plans and arrangements for the next big day. Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.

Day

13

machupicchu

Today we leave early in the morning to the world-famous site of Machu Picchu the” Lost city of the Incas”. Partly due to its ingenious architecture and unique location in the heart of tropical vegetation, this magical place evokes mystery and admiration. The site was discovered in July 1911 by the young American archaeologist Hiram Bingham.

The sunrise view is known as one of the most beautiful views in the world. After this experience, you will be offered a very comprehensive tour by your private English-speaking guide after which you will also have a few hours of free time to spend in the complex. Today you can climb the Huayna Picchu mountain on your own. Climbing Huayna Picchu is optional (not guided by our staff) and is at your own risk and responsibility.

Tickets for the ascent of Mount Huayna Picchu can be booked combined with a ticket for Machu Picchu. Return to Aguas Calientes and we take the train back to Ollantaytambo, from here transfer to Cusco.

Day

14

CUSCO

Today you can explore again the Cusco city of take a breath from the rigors of touring, to relax in the peaceful surrounds of the beautiful city of Cusco.

Day

15

CUSCO - LIMA

Enjoy a final breakfast at your Cusco hotel. Our Inca Expert representative will meet you in time to transfer you to the airport to begin your journey back home.

Day

16

LIMA

Today, enjoy a free day to rest and unwind after your exciting adventures. Take a leisurely stroll from Barranco to the sea or visit local art galleries. In the late afternoon, treat yourself to world-famous Peruvian flavors at a top restaurant or a cozy local eatery.

Lima, the culinary capital of South America, boasts some of the world’s best restaurants, such as Central, Maido, and Astrid y Gastón. Peruvian cuisine, with its unique blend of indigenous, Spanish, African, and Asian influences, attracts food enthusiasts from around the globe.

Make the most of your last day in Peru by savoring a refreshing Pisco Sour or indulging in the exquisite Peruvian cuisine.

Day

19

LIMA- DEPARTURE BACK HOME

We will check out of the hotel today and then proceed with our transportation to the airport. Depending on the departure time of your international flight, 4 hours in advance transfer to the airport in Lima.

Example Journey