Travelling to the highlights of Southern Peru promises an unforgettable adventure. Begin your journey in the vibrant city of Arequipa, known for its colonial architecture and the majestic Santa Catalina Monastery. From there, venture to the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons, where you can witness the awe-inspiring flight of the Andean condors. Continue to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, and explore its floating islands and indigenous communities. Finally, no trip to Southern Peru is complete without a visit to the enigmatic Nazca Lines, ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert floor. Prepare to be captivated by the rich history, stunning landscapes, and cultural diversity that Southern Peru has to offer.
Lima may be the political capital of Peru, but when it comes to gastronomy, it is one of the capitals of the world! Food is certainly going to be a theme during your stay in Lima that is for sure. On arrival in this culinary paradise, your private guide will be waiting at the airport to assist you to Lima´s Airport Hotel for check-in.
Unearth the city's treasure trove of fantastic restaurants and bars at your leisure. Restaurants Astrid & Gaston or Central are just two of many in the city, which regularly rank among the top 100 in the world. Lima has some of the best eateries and food markets in Latin America, which you can explore while also taking in the history behind the streets, which house them.
This fascinating walking tour will help you gain a little insight into the local Limeño culture and history. After being picked up from your hotel at 9 am, the taxi will take you to the Miraflores market, where Peruvian merchants will enlighten you on the local produce and outline the different types of potatoes, corn and fruits that can be found in Peru. Feel free to grab some samples and don't forget to try the coca leaves! Following a short meander through the market, you will then hop on the public bus 'Metropolitano' to the historic centre, where you can admire grand colonial buildings. The Historic Center of Lima has been the seat of the Colonial and Republican governments since the Spanish foundation of the city in 1535 and is also an important indigenous centre. Until the 1940s, it also housed Peru's richest and most influential families. As you stroll through the city centre, pay attention to the changing style of architecture and the beautiful interior balconies. Upon arriving at Plaza San Martin, you will taste some delicious Peruvian pastries before heading to the main square. There, you will stop by a small outlet of the ChocoMuseum and will receive fun facts and information about the process of transforming the cocoa bean into the delicious chocolate that you will be savouring. Following this tasty treat, the tour will proceed to the Cordano Bar, where you will taste a typical Peruvian drink, the Chicha Morada, made from sweet purple corn. From here, you can either grab the Metropolitano bus back to Miraflores or you are welcome to stay in the historic centre to continue exploring on your own terms.
On time for your flight, you will be picked up and transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Arequipa!
Upon arrival, you will be privately transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be free for you to spend at your leisure. We recommend immersing yourself in Arequipa's lively restaurant scene, which is recognized by many Peruvians as the best and true home of Peruvian food.
Our self-guided walking tours of Arequipa will allow you to explore the ins and outs of the charming city of Arequipa. The guide includes 4 walking tours designed for you to enjoy many different aspects of this beautiful city. These are Highlights of Arequipa: a 3-hour walking tour that ticks off all of Arequipa's famous highlights; the Daily Life of Arequipa, which guides you through the hustle and bustle of Arequipa's local spots; a Cultural tour of Arequipa, that leads you to discover the city's cultural heritage, both colonial and modern and finally; the Nightlife of Arequipa, so you know where to stop off for a drink or a fun night out with your friends. This guide will take you off the beaten track and also includes a section on recommended restaurants and Arequipa's best activities with kids.
After breakfast in your hotel, you will be picked up for your journey to the Colca Canyon. It's a scenic route, you'll enjoy beautiful views of the Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu volcanoes as you climb to the Canahuas National Reserve. Along the way, you will stop at the Andean village of Pata Wasi, located at 12,465ft. above sea level to drink some coca tea to counteract the effects of altitude sickness. As you climb, yet further up onto the Altiplano you will begin to spot wild vicunas, llamas and guanacos as well as some interesting birdlife on the lakes. After reaching the highest point at about 14,760ft. above sea level, you will begin descending to the quaint town of Chivay before continuing to your boutique lodge in the Colca Canyon.
It's time to hit the road again as you make your way to the town of Puno at Lake Titicaca where the journey will take you right across the endless highland plains where you'll be treated to stunning views of Peru's diverse landscapes. Upon arrival at Lake Titicaca passengers staying at Comfort and Superior class accommodation will head towards your hotel where you'll have the remainder of the day free to spend at your leisure.
Passengers in Luxury Class will be privately taken to Titilaca Lodge, located on the lakeside and which offers impressive views over Lake Titicaca's beautiful waters. As a result of Puno's altitude, we highly recommend having a light dinner this evening at your hotel.
Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia in the Andes Mountains is one of South America's largest lakes and the world's highest navigable body of water. Said to be the birthplace of the Incas, it is home to numerous ruins and islands where tradition remains. Today's excursion will allow you to experience the lake and its inhabitants. You will be picked up from your hotel at around 7 a.m. and will be transferred to the port so you can board a fast boat (33km/h) that will take you to Taquile Island. After approximately 2 hours, you will arrive at the pristine sandy beach on Taquile Island and will walk over a pre-Inca path with the most spectacular views of the Island. You will visit a typical house of weavers, and learn about their ancient culture and textile techniques. After 3 hours of cultural exploration, you will depart to Llachon-Santa Maria, where at 12:20 pm you will be quickly introduced to an intensive cross-cultural experience, participate in the preparation of the Pachamanca, a traditional way of cooking using underground ovens, and be part of a small ritual to honour Mother Earth. The boat leaves after lunch to Uros Titino Islands, where you will see the last authentic floating island. Afterwards, at 4 pm approx, you will return to Puno, arriving around 5 pm.
Leaving Puno and Lake Titicaca behind, you will start your journey by a comfortable touristic bus to Cusco. The drive is approximately 10.5 hours long and you will stop off along the route at some of the most beautiful and authentic locations. Stopping at the once-great pre-Hispanic city of Pukara, characterized by its huge pyramids, you will visit the Litic Museum where several artefacts of this period can be admired. The village is also known for its traditional ceramics known as Torito de Pukara. Following your tour of Pukara, which will last around 35 minutes, you will board the touristic bus and head towards your next stop at La Raya. At 14,222ft (4,335m) above sea level, this marks the highest point of the route and is here where the Vilcanota River otherwise known as the Sacred River of the Inca is born and flows down through the mountains before joining the Amazon River. The tour lasts around 10 minutes before continuing your journey to the fascinating archaeological complex of Raqchi. Stare in amazement at the monumental size of Raqchi and its temple, which has walls reaching up to 49ft (15m) and is unique in the Inca Empire. The tour of Raqchi lasts for around 40 minutes and then you will continue to the last stop before arriving at Cusco, Andahuaylillas. This charming 16th Century village has a beautiful Main Square with the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas; the pride of the town and its people. It is one of the most beautiful Baroque churches built under Spanish influence in the Americas and is often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas. Your tour of Andahuaylillas will last for about 25 minutes before the tourist bus will take you to the final destination of the Capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco.
Upon arrival to Cusco, you will be met and transferred to your hotel located in the historical centre and within walking distance of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Plaza de Armas, the main square of Cusco. Cusco is a place, that has it all, busy local markets, grand colonial architecture, rich archeological history, relaxed café's, beautiful surrounding scenery and much more. The evening is free for you to spend at your leisure and with many excellent Cusco restaurants to choose from.
Walk around the Imperial City of the Incas, starting at the local market of Cusco, where you will experience a bit of Peruvian Culture and daily Cusqueño life. In the market, you can find the best variety of vegetables, breads and fruits in the country. Continuing this pleasant walk you'll visit the impressive Colonial Cathedral in Cusco containing over 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School and several beautiful altars. Afterwards, you'll visit Koricancha, which is considered a religious centre of Cusco, geographical and political. The Temple of Koricancha, was where the Inca paid homage to the Sun god called Inti. Qori means goldwork and Kancha means an enclosed space, bounded by walls. Then you'll walk uphill a bit to enter the artisan quarter of San Blas, where you'll be able to appreciate a religious painting and many workshops where, if they are available, you can watch artisans in action. After this, you'll return to your hotel.
After being picked up from your hotel your tour will start with a brief pit stop at the Mirador de Qorao or Awanacancha before heading up to Pisac. A famed hill town, Pisac is a great place to purchase top-quality Andean knitwear at lower prices than you will find in major cities during your trip to Peru. Woven blankets, tapestries and alpaca garments such as sweaters and mittens, colourful fabric and accessories are found in abundance at the Pisac market in addition to pottery, jewellery and other handicrafts. Then, you will visit the archaeological site of Pisac. You will go to the 'Tanqanamarca Cementery', where existed an estimated 10000 burials and to the 'Qantusraqay neighborhood' area, for farmers. It is composed of rustic stone buildings built on the edges of the cliffs. Afterwards, you will go for a buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley, set in extensive gardens with beautiful views across the Valley. Then, you continue to an attractive little town located at the western end of the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo. The town has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The temple area is at the top of steep terracing which helped to provide excellent defences. The stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba River - an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers.
After breakfast, your private transfer will pick you up from your accommodation in the Sacred Valley and take you to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. We recommend exploring the beautiful cobblestone streets, the colourful textiles and the charming cafes before your train leaves for Machu Picchu. Boarding the Vistadome train from the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes shaves 2 hours off what normally is a 4-hour journey from Cusco, beginning at the most beautiful part of the stretch, leaving from Ollantaytambo. The Vistadome train has a glass-viewing dome, with large windows allowing you to see from the peaks of the Andes as they fall down into the flowing rivers on the valley floor, all from the 1st Class comfort of your seat.
Arriving at your hotel of choice in Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu, we recommend that you spend a few hours exploring this quaint little town, connected to the world by train. Situated in a deep gorge below Machu Picchu the charm of Aguas Calientes is scattered in its cobblestone streets lined by small local restaurants and shops, enclosed by steep cliffs, a misty cloud forest, and two rushing rivers. We suggest having an early dinner tonight as tomorrow you'll have an early start going to Machu Picchu at sunrise.
Your private guide will accompany you to the Guard Shack at Machu Picchu where you'll get the best view of this World Wonder, as well as an extended tour and explanation of the history, surrounding areas, and the sacred legend of Machu Picchu. The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu keeps a profound essence of sacred and mystery, which harmonizes with the natural landscape, It is a place of great scientific and cultural significance as an expression of the architectural development of Inca culture.
Taking the Vistadome train from Aguas Calientes you'll head through the dramatic landscape of the Sacred Valley until you reach Cusco. Having acclimatized to the altitude the last few days, Cusco's altitude (11,150ft. above sea level) should be no problem at all at this point, allowing you to really get out and enjoy the town this evening, or get some rest at one of our lovely boutique hotels in Cusco.
It is time to hit the road again as you make your way to your next destination where if you are planning to, you can enjoy exploring the beauty and culture of Peru further. Private transfer to the airport.
To book this amazing trip, contact your Travel Counsellor today and you’ll benefit from our 24-hour duty office ready to assist you before, during and after your trip.
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