Duration: 12 days and 11 nights

Description:
Peru

Day 1
Arrival in Lima – City Tour: Colonial and Contemporary Lima

Upon arrival, reception at the airport and transfer to hotel. Our representative will give you a documentation kit with detailed programme explanation. Luggage and hotel registration assistance will be offered. In the afternoon, a trip to the essential Lima, “The City of Kings” including the most important architectural icons of the city, such as the Main Square, where you can find the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. Then, a visit to the San Francisco Convent—an architectonic jewel dating back to the 16th century. On our way to the modern area of the city, we will cross the exclusive district of San Isidro, the new financial heart of the city, to take a look at pre-inca Huaca Huallamarca. Finally, we conclude our circuit in Miraflores, where we will visit the “Parque del Amor” (Love Park) an excellent spot to enjoy a great view of the Pacific Ocean. 

Overnight in Lima. 

Day 2
Departure to Ica – Nasca Lines Overflight (B)

At the scheduled time, transfer to the station to take the bus to Ica (4 hrs. approx.) Upon arrival, you will be assisted with the check-in and accommodation at the hotel. Then, you will be taken to the local airport to take a light aircraft and enjoy an overflight to the Nasca Lines. There, you will spot various figures drawn on the sandy soil, representing animals and stylized plants, distributed in a huge labyrinth of lines, trapezes, triangles and hairsprings recorded over the land and preserved for almost 2000 years, according to the specialists. The rest of the day is free to rest and enjoy the hotel facilities; make an optional city tour, dune buggy ride or sandboarding. 

Overnight in Ica.

Day 3
Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Return to Lima (B)

Transfer to the Paracas Bay, where our two-hour motorboat excursion to the Ballestas Islands will begin. These beautiful islands, located in front of the Paracas National Reserve, are the biggest natural sanctuary in our shores and are home to thousands of migratory birds, which share their habitat with huge groups of sea lions and fur seals. During the excursion, you will find a mysterious design over the hill, called “El Candelabro” (The Chandelier) According to legend, it was a reference for pirates or sign for the independence army to disembark. At the scheduled time, return by bus to Lima. Upon arrival, reception at the station and transfer to the hotel. 

Overnight in Lima.

Day 4
Cusco – City Tour, Sacsayhuaman & Nearby Ruins (B)

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, reception by our representatives and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the morning is free to rest and get acclimatized to the altitude. In the afternoon, we will visit the Imperial City, living example of the mixture of the Andean and Spanish cultures. We start our trip visiting the Santo Domingo Convent, built over the Koricancha, and ancient Inca palace and main worship center of the Sun God. Later, we will stop at the Main Square, where you can find the Cathedral and the beautiful Church of La Compañía. Continuing with the tour, we will visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, imposing sample of military Inca architecture which domains the city. Finally, we will take a look at the archaeological sites of Qenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, located north east of the city. 

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 5
Sacred Valley of the Incas – Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo (B/L)

We will drive towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, taking the direct route to Pisac. We will stop on the way to have a classic view of the Urubamba valley, with crops dressing the mountains like carpets. We will arrive at the colorful market of Pisac, where we will have free time to interact with the local craftsmen, or to purchase their hand-made souvenirs. We will move to the town of Urubamba for a buffet lunch. Finally, we will visit Ollantaytambo, attractive town of Inca origin with remarkable channels and stone streets. In its high part one rises to an impressive ceremonial center of cult to the water and a fortress that guarded the access to the inferior part of the valley. 

Overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Day 6
Machu Picchu “The Lost City of the Incas” (B/L)

You will visit one of the most important energetic centers of the world: Machu Picchu. The excursion will be by train and during the trip we will have an amazing view of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, our representatives will assist you to board the bus which will take you to the citadel. It will be an unforgettable experience, where a professional tour guide will enlighten us about the history around this mysterious and charming place. After the guided tour, you are free to explore the zone on your own. Buffet lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge of Orient Express. At the scheduled time, we will go down to the Aguas Calientes town. 

Overnight in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu. 

Day 7
Optional Second Visit to Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco (B)

Morning at leisure. Optionally, you can make a second visit to Machu Picchu and have the chance to know hidden places, such as the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun). Those with a sense of adventure can enjoy a hike full of adrenaline to the top of Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) to visit the Temple of the Moon and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. In the afternoon, you will board the train that will take you back. On arrival, our collaborators will be waiting in the train station, from where we will transfer you to the hotel. 

Overnight in Cusco. 

Day 8
Free Day – Explore the City on your Own! (B)
On this day you will be able to perform optional activities.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 9
Departure to Puno – Andahuaylillas / Racchi / La Raya (B/L)

We will leave from the station to start our trip by bus to Puno, so you can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the South Valley of Cusco. We will visit Andahuaylillas, a town where a precious church from the 17th century boasts an amazing organ decorated with angels and cherubs. We will continue with a visit to the Racchi ruins, known as “The Temple of God Wiracocha”. Lunch will be served in a restaurant on route. Stop at Pucara and then at La Raya, highest point on the road between Cusco and Puno, from where we will get excellent photo opportunities. The arrival to Puno is in the afternoon and then, you will be taken to your hotel. 

Overnight in Puno. 

Day 10
Lake Titicaca – Floating Islands of the Uros and Taquile (B/L)

Excursion to the Lake Titicaca and we start by visiting the floating islands of the Uros, also called Lake Town. These islands are built using totora reed and are used as home and trade centers for the natives, who use hand-made boats of the same material as their means of transportation. We will go on to Taquile Island, where the community kindly welcomes tourists, keeping their traditions alive, as well as their costumes and colorful typical dresses. These people are very skilled artisans and this is evident in every piece of work and all the techniques developed for centuries. Lunch included. 

Overnight in Puno.  

Day 11
Sillustani Mausoleum and Umayo Lake – Return to Lima (B)

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Lima. On the way we will visit Sillustani, an archaeological site located 34 km north of Puno. It has the famous Chullpas, which are funerary towers with circle base, built in stone. They can reach upto 12m high and were used by the Collas and by the Incas. These ruins are above Lake Umayo, which adds to the beauty of this mystic and wonderful place. Upon arrival, reception by our representatives and transfer to the hotel. 

Overnight in Lima

Day 12
International Departure

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take your international departure flight.