Peru: 20 Days – 19 Nights
From the north of the country, knowing better the legacy of the Lords of Sipán, Sicán and the Ms. of Cao, also we visit the city of Chan Chan to discover finer the treasures of the Mochica and Chimú Cultures. Like them, the Nazca Culture also preceded the Inca Culture. We continue our Trip, flying over the mysterious Nazca Lines, and then enjoying the White City of Arequipa, to see the flight of the condors in the deep Colca Canyon. Navigate in Lake Titicaca, and move to Cuzco – The Center of the World – in order to find the beautiful Machu Picchu, a citadel on the edge of the jungle, and then learn more about the Amazon flora and fauna and end the trip in the gastronomic capital of Lima.
Lima – Chiclayo – Trujillo – Ica – Arequipa – Puno – Cuzco – Puerto Maldonado
DAY 01 / ARRIVAL IN LIMA:
Reception at the International Airport Jorge Chavez in the Peruvian Capital City of Lima by our personnel and transfer to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 02 / LIMA – CHICLAYO (B): Túcume Archaeological Complex, Lord of Sipán, Brüning Museum
Transfer to the Lima airport to board the flight to the City of Chiclayo. Transfer to the hotel of your choice to leave your luggage. Then we will start our tour by visiting the Huaca Sipán and the Royal Tombs of the Sipán Museum, where we will be able to appreciate all the funeral trousseau of the Lord of Sipán, his sceptre of command, earflaps, necklaces, pectoral, protective coaxals, his semi-circulate crown and then we will go to the Túcume Archaeological Complex where we will be able to know a little more of the Mochica Civilization and finally we will visit the Brüning Museum, where a collection of archaeological objects gathered by the German ethnographer Enrique Brüning is displayed. The four floors of the museum show ceramics, textiles, stone and wood worked artefacts. Taken together, they demonstrate the vigorous artistic and technological character of the regional cultures of the past 5000 years. Transfer to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 03 / CHICLAYO (B): Archaeological Area of Túcume, Sicán Museum
Today we will start our visit by going to the Archaeological Area of Túcume, where important discoveries have been carried out. And we will visit its site museum; which architecture was inspired by the traditional Lambayeque chapels, then we will visit the Sicán Museum located in Ferreñafe, about 25 minutes from the City of Chiclayo. It shows the different aspects of daily life of the Sicán culture; including pottery making and metal crafts. In addition, the Sicán Museum has an interesting display of the tombs of the Sicán nobility. Return to your hotel. Overnight.
DAY 04 / CHICLAYO – TRUJILLO (B): El Brujo Archaeological Complex, Señora de Cao (Lady of Cao) Trujillo City Tour
After breakfast in your hotel, transfer to the City of Trujillo. On the way we will visit the El Brujo Archaeological Complex, Huaca Cao Viejo, where archaeological excavations are being carried out and where archaeologists have found a large polychrome mural from the I Century that belongs to the Ancient Mochica Civilization. In that same place the remains of the Señora de Cao (Lady of Cao) were found). We will continue the trip to City of Trujillo where we will do a City Tour visiting the Main Square and the Republican style Manor Houses like Casa Colange, Casa Orbegozo, Casa de la Emancipación and other places. Transfer to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 05 / TRUJILLO – LIMA (B): Temples of the Sun and the Moon, Chan Chan, Tshudi Palace, Huanchaco Beach
We will visit the Temples of the Sun and the Moon that belong to the Mochica Civilization. We will appreciate a sample of the mural image paintings in high relief and elegantly decorated ceremonial squares. We will visit Chan Chan, the world´s largest Adobe Mud Brick City and the Museum of Chan Chan and the Tshudi Palace. Then we will visit the Huanchaco Beach where we will be able to appreciate the famous Caballitos de Totora (Totora reed rafts). Then transfer to the Trujillo Airport to board your flight to Lima. Reception at the Lima Airport and transfer to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 06 / LIMA – PARACAS – NAZCA (B): Ballestas Islands
Very early pick up at your hotel and transfer to the bus station for transfer to Paracas where you will take a motorboat excursion to the Ballestas Islands. These Islands are spectacular, eroded into numerous arches and caves, which provide shelter for thousands of seabirds, some of which are very rare, and also Sea lions and Southern Fur seals. We will also see the famous “Candelabro” an enigmatic figure carved out in the sand. Transfer to the City of Nazca and the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 07 / NAZCA – AREQUIPA (B): Nazca Lines
Transfer to the local airport where you will take the flight over the famous Nazca lines. Carved into the stony desert are large number of lines, not only parallels and geometrical figures, but also designs such as a dog, an enormous monkey, a bird with a wing span of over 100 meters, a spider and a tree. The lines, that represent some sort of vast astronomical and irrigation pre-Inca calendar, are best seen from the air; we will take a half hour flight above the Lines. Afterwards we will board a bus to the so called White City of Arequipa, thus named because its Centre is built with a white volcanic tuft called Sillar. Upon arrival in the City of Arequipa, reception and transfer to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 08 / AREQUIPA (B): City Tour, Monastery of Santa Catalina, Yanahuara Viewpoint
In the morning we will initiate the tour visiting the White City of Arequipa. We will visit the Main Square, which presents a beautiful bronze fountain of three plates crowned with the figure of a soldier of XVI century. Here we will be able to appreciate the Jesuit Order Church La Compañia. Next we will visit the Monastery of Santa Catalina which was a center of absolute closure and retreat for nuns for centuries but which today is harmoniously restored and parts of it open to the public. It allows us to appreciate in small how the City of Arequipa was in the XVII century. We will see its streets, gardens, walls of sillar, etc. Afterwards we will continue on to the beautiful and green countryside of the Yanahuara Viewpoint, where we will have a privileged view of the City and Volcanoes like the Misti, Pichupichu and Chachani. Return to the Hotel, rest of day free for personal activities. Overnight.
DAY 09 / AREQUIPA – COLCA (B): Colca Canyon, District of Yura and Pampa Cañahua
Early in the morning we will start our trip to the Colca Canyon located at 3 600masl. On our way we will pass by the District of Yura and Pampa Cañahua, where vicuñas can be appreciated. We will pass through the old crater of the Chucure Volcano. Later, we will arrive at Patapampa, the highest point of the tour (4 800masl). From this point, the maximum number of volcanoes that exist together in the Department of Arequipa can be appreciated. Afterwards we will continue on to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 10 / COLCA – PUNO (B): Cruz Del Condor – Cross of the Condor
This day we will visit the so called Cruz Del Condor – Cross of the Condor, a place that has an impressive view of the Valley and from there we will be able to appreciate the flight of the condor and the full depth of the Canyon. During the return trip we will be able to visit the Town of Pinchillo, see from a distance the so called Hanging pre-Inca Tombs, as well as huge boulders with their surface showing layouts of towns and geographical models carved into the living rock by Inca engineers to be used as models for future works by the Inca Empire builders. We will visit the Towns of Maca, Achola, Yanque and Chivay, this last from which we will board our bus to the City of Puno, where you will be transferred to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 11 / PUNO (B-L): Lake Titicaca (Peru), Floating Islands of the Uros, Taquile Island
In the morning, we will go to the Port of Puno, where we will begin our lake adventure in very fast boats. We will arrive quickly to the Floating Islands of the Uros, which are a set of floating islands made out of Totora reeds, originally inhabited by the Uros, people who descended from one of the oldest civilizations of the Americas. We will be able to appreciate the raft peoples´ distinct lifestyle and creations, like the elaboration of fine weavings. Next we will visit the Taquile Island where we will have lunch in the village and we will have time for exploration and shopping. We will return in the evening to Puno and your hotel. Overnight.
DAY 12 / PUNO – CUZCO (B-L): Raqchi, Pukara and Andahuaylillas
In the morning transfer to the bus station to board the bus to the City of Cuzco. On the way we will visit Raqchi, Pukara and Andahuaylillas. We will enjoy a buffet lunch in the Town of Sicuani, arriving in Cuzco late at night. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 13 / CUZCO (B): HD City Tour
This day we will visit the City of Cuzco (Half Day) on a guided sightseeing tour visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha. Then, we drive out of the City to visit the Inca sites of Qenqo, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, strategically built on a hill overlooking Cuzco, famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 9 m / 30 ft high and weighing over 350 tons, forming a snakelike defensive zig zag pattern. Return to your hotel, free time for personal activities. Overnight.
DAY 14 / CUZCO (B-L): Sacred Valley of the Incas (Pisac Ruins and Market, Urubamba, Fortress of Ollantaytambo, Chinchero)
In the morning we will go to the town of Pisac where we will have the chance to visit the Typical Artisan Market and the Ruins, we continue by one side of the Vilcanota River, until arriving in Urubamba, where we will have lunch. After that, we will explore Ollantaytambo, one of the last living Inca towns. This is so because its streets maintain the same layout as in the time of the Incas. We will visit the wonderful archaeological complex located there. On our way back to Cuzco we will visit the Town of Chinchero, a small Colonial Inca town, where we will appreciate its Main Square and Church. We will return back to Cuzco and the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 15 / CUZCO (B-L): Machu Picchu
After breakfast at Your Hotel transfer to the Poroy Train Station to board the Train to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”, one of the most renowned examples of surviving Inca architecture. Upon arrival at the Aguas Calientes train station at the foot of Machu Picchu you will do a 30-minute bus drive, climbing 6km of winding road, up to the marvellous Citadel. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. After the tour you’ll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure; Lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes and a late afternoon return train ride to the Cuzco Poroy Station. Transfer to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 16 / CUZCO (B): Free Day for personal activities
Free day for personal activities. Overnight.
DAY 17 / CUZCO – PUERTO MALDONADO (B-L-D): Jungle lodge
In the morning transfer to the Cuzco Velasco Astete airport to board your flight to Puerto Maldonado, arrival in Puerto Maldonado, then transfer to the River port where we will board our boat and begin our unforgettable journey down the Madre de Dios River. Activities in the jungle. Overnight in lodge.
DAY 18 / PUERTO MALDONADO (B-L-D): Jungle lodge
Activities in the jungle. Overnight in lodge.
DAY 19 / PUERTO MALDONADO – LIMA (B-L): Lima City Tour
After breakfast transfer to the Puerto Maldonado Padre Aldamiz to board the flight to Lima. Reception by our personnel at the Lima International Airport Jorge Chavez and we will start the visit to the Historic Centre of Lima, known since its foundation as the “City of the Kings,” which was the Capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. We will visit the Main Square, The Government Palace, the Lima Cathedral, and The Archbishop´s Palace, The Museum of the Central Reserve Bank and Main streets and Colonial Mansions with balconies in Mudejar style. After this, we will visit the Convent of San Francisco, a real jewel of Colonial architecture dating from 1546; we will walk through its main Cloister decorated with tiles from Seville from the Seventeenth Century, the Sacristy with paintings by Rivera and Zurbaran and the world famous Catacombs. Transfer to the hotel of your choice. Overnight.
DAY 20 / LIMA – OUT (B): Peruvian Gold Museum
The last day we will start our visit to the Peruvian Gold Museum, this excellent collection includes pre-Columbian gold, silver and bronze, ceramics, weavings, mummies, etc. Upstairs is a remarkable arms collection with an impressive exhibition from Spanish colonial times, afterwards you will be transferred to the airport to board your outbound flight.
END OF OUR SERVICES
Included:
– Transfer In-Out
– Bus Lima-Paracas-Nazca-Arequipa
– Touristic Bus Puno-Cuzco
– 19 nights in your selected Hotel.
– 19 breakfast, 08 lunches, 03 dinners.
– All visits detailed in the program
– Train Poroy-Aguas Calientes-Poroy
– Official Tourism Guide (Spanish or English)
– All Entrance Fees
– All services in SIC
– Peruvian Domestic Flights
Not included:
– Others meals not detailed in the program
– Tips, extras, alcoholic drinks
– Personal expenditures