Southern Peru Self-drive Tour 14D/13N

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  LIMA

  Arrival at Lima airport and welcome by our local driver. Transfer to the Miraflores district and check-in at the Santa Cruz hotel*. Lunch and dinner at your leisure. *Room available from 1:00 pm.

• day 2

  LIMA – PARACAS

  Breakfast. 8:30 am: Start of your self-drive tour, free visit of the Pacific coast. On this day, we recommend you discover: Pachacamac: This site features ruins ranging from the Inca civilization (200-600 AD) to the Incas (1450-1530). It includes several impressive constructions and reveals a city that, at different times, served as a religious center, a commercial crossroads, and an administrative center. Pisco: Located 230 km south of Lima, it was founded in 1640 and gave its name to the national drink: Pisco. Visitors usually go to the city of Pisco to take a boat trip to discover the Bay of Paracas or the Paracas National Reserve, located fifteen kilometers further south. The Paracas Reserve is a large protected natural area located south of the city of Pisco. The word “paracas” comes from the Quechua language and means “rain of sand.” It was used to refer to this place where strong winds blow in the evening. The Paracas Reserve covers 335,000 hectares and represents one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. The fishing port of Paracas, where you can see colorful boats and some pelicans by the sea. Arrival in Paracas, check-in at the Emancipador hotel. Lunch and dinner on your own.

• day 3

  PARACAS – ICA – NASCA

  Breakfast. Visit of the Pacific coast at your own pace. On this day, we recommend you discover: The Ballestas Islands. This is an archipelago of Peruvian islands, off the coast of Pisco. This archipelago is accessible from the fishing port of Paracas. The Ballestas Islands are a true bird sanctuary where multiple colonies of seabirds and a large number of sea lions coexist. The Pisco cellar “El Catador”. The Ica region is inseparable from pisco, an emblematic drink of the country which means "bird" in the Quechua language. Visit this artisanal Pisco cellar where the production process of this alcohol will be explained to you, which often ends, for enthusiasts, with a tasting! Huacachina Lagoon: this natural oasis is located in the heart of the Nasca desert, in the middle of gigantic dunes. Possibility to take a buggy excursion in the desert from this oasis. Nasca Lines viewpoint. Two Nasca lines can be observed from a viewpoint located a few kilometers upstream from the city of Nasca. Arrival in Nasca, check-in at the Oro Viejo hotel. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 4

  NASCA – AREQUIPA

  Breakfast. Visit of the Pacific coast at your own pace. On this day, we recommend you discover: The Nasca Lines (Flight): Discovered in 1926 in southern Peru, the Nasca geoglyphs are large figures drawn on the ground, often stylized animals, sometimes simple lines several kilometers long, located in the Nasca desert. Flight possible from the Maria Reiche airfield. Cantalloc Aqueduct: The Cantalloc aqueducts are underground galleries whose main function was to transport water from one place to another within the valley. Their roofs are made of flat stones and, in some sections, Huarango trunks were used. There are more than 130 aqueducts in the region, which suggests that the ancient inhabitants of Nazca were experts in hydraulics. Chauchilla Cemetery: About 20 km south of Nasca, a very strange cemetery lost in the middle of the desert is worth a visit. In the open air, you will find many skulls, abundant hair, bones, and even complete skeletons. It is the extreme dryness of the Peruvian coast that has allowed the preservation of these burials. Arrival in Arequipa, check-in at the Santa Rosa hotel. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 5

  AREQUIPA / VISIT OF THE WHITE CITY

  Breakfast. Visit of Arequipa at your own pace (walking tour without vehicle). On this day, we recommend you discover: The city cathedral. It is considered one of the first religious monuments of the 17th century in the city. It was built in sillar (volcanic stone), with brick vaults; it was destroyed by a fire in 1844 and rebuilt in 1868 by the Arequipan architect Lucas Poblete. Its style is neoclassical and the entrances to the temple are located in the side naves. It was severely hit by the earthquake of 2001, which seriously affected its towers. The San Camilo market is one of the most beautiful covered markets in Peru where you can observe the very colorful displays in the fruit and vegetable section. The church and complex of the Compañía: this ensemble consists of several buildings constructed by the Jesuits, both for religious purposes and as housing, and it forms a representative monument of the religious architecture typical of the 17th century (1660). The temple rises in the middle of this ensemble. The church of the Compañía was built in 1573 by Gaspar Báez and was destroyed by an earthquake in 1584. The current structure dates from 1650. It has approximately 66 paintings from the Cuzco school, by artists such as Bernardo Bitti and Diego de la Puente. The Monastery of Santa Catalina is an impressive architectural monument of the city that represents a miniature city in which sisters from Arequipa lived for more than 400 years. The Santuarios Andinos Museum. In this museum is the Dama de Ampato, an Inca mummy of a 12 or 14-year-old girl, found at the summit of the Ampato volcano by mountaineer Miguel Zárate, archaeologist José Chávez, and anthropologist Johan Reinhard, on September 8, 1995. According to specialists, it is very likely that the child, whose body was found frozen, died from a blow of a five-pointed granite macana – an Indian club – to the temple. Apparently, it could be an offering to the Apu Ampato, and its age goes back about 500 years. Lunch and dinner at your leisure. (It is recommended to eat in a picanteria – traditional restaurant of the city) Night at the Santa Rosa hotel.

• day 6

  COLCA CANYON / AREQUIPA – CHIVAY – CABANACONDE

  Breakfast. Visit the Colca Canyon on your own. On this day, we recommend you discover: To enter the Colca Canyon, there is a tourist ticket (this is included). The Pampas Cañahuas Reserve is located at more than 3,000 meters above sea level and is home to many species of wild vicuñas. You will be able to observe magnificent views of the Chachani, Misti, and Ubinas volcanoes. The Mirador of the Andes, a spectacular site on your way, is located at 4,910 meters above sea level. The village of Chivay is located at 3,651 meters above sea level, on the road leading to the Colca Canyon and 40 km from the condor viewpoint. The Yanque hot springs: the volcanic water emerges at over 80°C but is tempered to 38°C in the final pool. The villages of Yanque, Maca, Pinchollo, located on the Chivay / Cabanaconde road. Arrival in Cabanaconde, check-in at the Kuntur Wassi hotel. Lunch and dinner on your own.

• day 7

  COLCA CANYON / CABANACONDE – PUNO

  Breakfast. Visit the Colca Canyon at your own pace. On this day, we recommend you discover: The Mirador de la Croix du Condor. This is an impressive natural viewpoint where a number of condors nest under this rocky outcrop. This sacred bird of the Incas soars and glides effortlessly on the rising currents. Sillustani: this is a funerary site, made up of tower-shaped tombs called "chullpas." These were built by the Colla people, Aymaras who were conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. They hold the remains of several individuals, certainly grouped by family (up to ten individuals) and accompanied by offerings. Arrival in Puno, check-in at the Conde de Lemos hotel. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 8

  LAKE TITICACA / UROS ISLANDS – TAQUILE ISLAND

  Breakfast. Visit to Lake Titicaca (organized excursion). Discovery of Lake Titicaca. Transfer to the main port of Puno to board a shared boat that will first take you to the Uros Islands. These islands, which number 50, have existed for hundreds of years. The Uros fish, hunt birds, and live off lake plants, especially totora reeds which they use for their boats, their houses, and even the very foundations of their islands. Departure towards Taquile Island. This island has preserved many pre-Inca remains as well as Inca ruins and terraces. You will walk on an easy path that will lead you to the Plaza de Armas. There, you can enjoy their typical clothing shop and a magnificent view of the Royal Cordillera of Bolivia. In the afternoon, you will descend the famous 526 steps to the main port, then you will take your boat back to the port of Puno. Arrival in Puno, return to the Conde de Lemos hotel. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 9

  PUNO – CUSCO / ROUTE OF THE SUN

  Breakfast. Visit of the Sun Route at your own pace. On this day, we recommend you discover: The Pukara site, dating from the pre-Inca era. In the heart of the Altiplano, at almost 4000 meters altitude, the Pukara site features six stepped truncated pyramids. You can also admire domestic and agricultural constructions there. The Raqchi site, dedicated to the founding god Wiracocha. This Inca site is very important because it is unique. It was a major religious and administrative center. You can admire a temple, well-preserved dwellings, and storage warehouses there. The village of Andahuaylillas, famous for its colonial architecture. The most remarkable monument in the village is the church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, the "Andean Sistine Chapel." Indeed, the interior is entirely decorated with baroque murals. Arrival in Cusco, check-in at the Amaru Colonial hotel. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 10

  CUSCO / VISIT OF THE SACRED CITY OF THE INCAS

  Breakfast. Visit Cusco at your own pace (walking tour without vehicle). On this day, we recommend you discover: The Cathedral of the Compania de Jesus, an architectural jewel dating from the 16th century. Composed of three churches, it houses a very rich collection of art. Erected on the famous temple of Qoricancha, the temple of the sun of the Incas, the Convent of Santo Domingo is, according to Inca cosmology, located at the center of the world. The visit includes the temple of the sun, the royal chambers, the sacred temples of the moon, the stars and the rainbow, as well as the circular tower that characterizes this monument from the outside. In the afternoon, stroll around the Plaza de Armas and admire the arcades, the beautiful facades, and the walls dating from the Inca era. Visit the temples of La Merced, representative of colonial architecture, and the Compania, which is a temple belonging to the Jesuit order. Take a walk in the San Blas district: this picturesque artisan neighborhood is located on the very site of the former Inca district T’oqokachi. Lunch and dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the Amaru Colonial hotel.

• day 11

  CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

  Breakfast. To visit the 4 ruins of Cusco and the sites of the Sacred Valley, there is a General Tourist Ticket (BTG) to plan for (this is included). Visit Cusco and its region at your own pace. On this day, we recommend you discover: Sacsayhuamán (BTG), an ancient fortress where the Inti Raymi, or "festival of the sun," is celebrated every year on June 24th. Next, you can head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the direction of Pisac. This region, located 600 meters lower than Cusco, enjoys a pleasant climate and fertile soils that the Incas knew how to take advantage of. - You can make a stop at Pisac (BTG), a small Andean village with its archaeological site overlooking the valley, where a sundial, an irrigation system, and an astronomical observatory still remain. But Pisac is also famous for its craft market, certainly one of the richest in the country. - Moray (BTG): features a main amphitheater and two smaller secondary ones nearby. They consist of several terraces arranged in concentric circles. In fact, it was an Inca agricultural research center where crop experiments were conducted. - The Maras salt mines house hundreds of basins suspended in terraces on the mountainside. Still exploited today, the salt mines date back to pre-Inca times and have been developed over time. - Ollantaytambo (BTG), nicknamed the "living Inca village." Indeed, its inhabitants keep very ancient customs alive. You can discover there an ancient Inca fortress including a temple, terraces, and an urban sector. At the end of the afternoon, you will reach Aguas Calientes, the small town at the foot of Machu Picchu, by taking the famous Andean train that winds through the mountains. 7:27 pm: Departure aboard the Inca Rail train No. 67 to reach Aguas Calientes. 9:00 pm: Arrival at Aguas Calientes, welcome and transfer on foot to the Hatun Samay hotel. Lunch and dinner on your own.

• day 12

  MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

  Breakfast. Visit of Machu Picchu at your own pace (entrance fee included). Shuttle ascent from Aguas Calientes to the foot of the archaeological site. Free visit of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu to learn more about this citadel, its Inca people, and its culture. The citadel is divided into two sectors: The agricultural sector is surrounded by a succession of terraces of different types and sizes. It houses 5 magnificent granaries called colcas. The urban sector, on the other hand, contains the main architectural elements of an Inca city. The city is U-shaped and, to the north, you can observe a large religious sector while to the south, you find the residential city. In this area, you can see the Intiwatana, considered by many as the Incas' sundial. Given its location, it is thought to have been a sacrificial altar. Shuttle descent from Machu Picchu to the village of Aguas Calientes. 16:12: Departure aboard the Inca Rail train no. 64 to the village of Ollantaytambo. 17:50: Arrival in Ollantaytambo, welcome by our local driver and transfer to Cusco. Check-in at the Amaru Colonial hotel. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 13

  CUSCO – LIMA

  Breakfast. Return to Lima and free visit of the city (walking tour without vehicle). In the morning, transfer to Cusco airport and check-in formalities for a regular flight to the city of Lima. Arrival in Lima, welcome by our local driver and transfer to your hotel San Agustin Riviera, located in the center of Lima. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 14

  LIMA

  Breakfast. Visit of Lima at your leisure (walking tour without vehicle). On this day, depending on the time of your international flight, transfer to Lima International Airport and check-in formalities for your international flight. Lunch and dinner at your leisure. End of our services.