Discover Peru

Day by day

The itinerary

1. Day 1 · Lima

   Arrival in Lima

   Lima, the “City of Kings” famous for its Spanish Colonial architecture, extraordinary museums and cuisine. Lima is internationally recognized as the “Gastronomic Capital of the Americas”, and its cuisine is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world on par with French cuisine. Upon arrival at airport in Peru, you will be warmly met by a representative, who will provide assistance and transfer to your accommodation to check-in. Overnight: Lima

2. Day 2 · Lima

   Lima City Tour

   Activities: • Tour of Modern and Colonial Lima – This half-day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of Lima. Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, San Francisco Church and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima, drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro. Overnight: Lima – (B)

   Breakfast

3. Day 3 · Arequipa

   Lima - Arequipa

   Activities: • Transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa at an elevation of 7,300 feet. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering. • Also known as the “White City” for its many constructions built of white volcanic stone, Arequipa is at the foothills of the Misti Volcano (the guardian of the city) and it has a splendid Cathedral that is considered one of the first seventeenth century religious monuments of the city. • Arequipa City Tour and Santa Catalina Convent – Your half day sightseeing of this beautiful city, placed on the World Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO, features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the colonial period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, The Main Square is bordered by various arched walkways and the Cathedral, it showcase a beautiful bronze fountain of three plates crowned by the figure of a sixteenth century soldier. Around the square, you see three granite portals with brick and lime bases. • The Santa Catalina Convent is called “a city within a city”, a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios, and plaza, it is a masterpiece of colonial architecture, and houses some of the finest examples of Spanish American religious art. Since 1970 visitors have been able to stroll through the streets and cloisters that during colonial times were the refuge of female nobility who had decided to isolate from the world and dedicate entirely to prayer. Overnight: Arequipa – (B)

   Breakfast

4. Day 4 · Chivay

   Arequipa - Colca Canyo

   Activities: • Departure towards the highlands passing through Yura-Pampa Cañahuas and La Pulpera with good possibility of observing groups of wild vicuñas and fighting cattle. The road to the Colca Canyon reaches a high point of 13,000 feet before dropping down to the valley, an area of breath taking landscapes surrounded by terracing and snow-capped peaks. Far below, at a depth of 10,000 feet, the Colca River winds along the bottom of the canyon, the world’s deepest. Overnight: Colca Canyon – (B, L)

   Breakfast, Lunch

5. Day 5 · Puno

   Colca Canyon - Puno - Lake Titikaka

6. Day 6 · Puno

   Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titikaka

   Activities: • Boat excursion to Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titikaka. This full day excursion will take you to the highest navigable lake in the world to the floating islands of the Uros Indians, man-made islands by tying totora reeds. The Uros considered themselves Lords of the Lake; they hunt wild birds and maintain traditional fishing methods. The men have developed an extraordinary skill in weaving reeds; producing houses, boats and handicrafts, and the women are expert knitters. • Continuing to Taquile where a native community of about 400 families still lives with the traditions and high principals of the Incas. Taquile is a very important site on Lake Titikaka for its archeological remains, the sacred and ceremonial sites, the festive activities and their rituals. Taquile is characterized by its friendly inhabitants, who maintain their customs and traditional clothing. They distinguish themselves by their detailed, fine, and colorful textiles with symmetrical decorations and symbols that reflect their way of life and Andean beliefs. Overnight: Puno – (B, L)

   Breakfast, Lunch

7. Day 7 · Cusco

   Puno to Cusco

   Activities: • Bus journey through the Peruvian Andes from Puno to Cusco – Today one of South America’s most extraordinary overland trips takes you by coach to Cusco passing through striking highland scenery and picturesque Andean villages. • Brief stops at Raqchi to see the remains of the remarkable temple of Viracocha, considered by the historians an important Inca construction, and at the town of Andahuaylillas, a showcase of the colonial art in Peru, sometimes called “the Sistine Chapel of America”. Overnight: Cusco – (B, L)

   Breakfast, Lunch

8. Day 8 · Cusco

   Cusco City Tour and Nearby Ruins

   Activities: • Tour of Cusco and Nearby Ruins – Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. • The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco’s Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha “The Temple of the Sun”. • This tour of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere also includes the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay as well as the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture. Overnight: Cusco – (B)

   Breakfast

9. Day 9 · Ollantaytambo

   Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex

   Activities: • Full Day Excursion to the Pisac Indian Market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress – Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside of the Urubamba Valley to the colonial village of Pisac where a unique Indian Market takes place daily. The variety of products offered is overwhelming, from pottery with reproductions of archaeological pieces, to all kinds of textiles, jewelry and Peruvian handicrafts. During your visit to this bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the artisans and indigenous traders. Grab the items you like, you will hardly see the same one again. • Continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex, the Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a “Living Inca Town” since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs. Overnight: Cusco – (B, L)

   Breakfast, Lunch

10. Day 10 · Machu Picchu

    Machu Picchu with overnight stay and with lunch at Belmond’s Sanctuary Lodge

    Day 10 Machu Picchu with overnight stay and with lunch at Belmond’s Sanctuary Lodge

    Lunch

11. Day 11 · Machu Picchu

    Machu Picchu Free Day - Return Train Ride

12. Day 12 · Cusco

    Cusco - Lima - Home

    Departure: Transfer to the airport for your departure to Lima and your connecting international flight. Arrive home full of great memories of the rich tradition of Colonial Lima, the snowcapped roaring Andean mountains and lush valleys, and the zig-zag road to the overwhelming sight of Machu Picchu, the amazing legacy the Incas. – (B) Meals as per itinerary: (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) We can personalize this tour just for you! Call: 1 800 263 2995 / 416 391 0334 or complete form in: CUSTOM-CRAFTED tab on this page.

    Breakfast