Discovering Peru

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Lima

  Welcome upon arrival of your international flight at Jorge Chavez airport, in Lima, and transfer to the hotel. A French-speaking representative will be waiting for you at the airport and will give you your travel documents. Overnight at Barranco's Bed & Breakfast hotel Included: private transport, welcome by French-speaking guide, room & breakfast.

• day 2

  Lima - Arequipa

  Transfer to Lima airport. Flight to Arequipa. Transfer to your hotel in Arequipa. Half-day dedicated to discovering the white city. Guided tour of the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, the church and the convent of La Compaña. Then, visit of the Santa Catalina convent, which is a real city within the city, with its alleys lined with small houses painted in ochre, blue, and white, its squares and fountains, a setting reminiscent of distant Andalusia. Night at the Casa de Melgar hotel. Included: private transport, departure transfer, domestic flight, airport taxes, arrival transfer, French-speaking guide, entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, room & breakfast.

• day 3

  Arequipa - Colca Canyon

  In the morning, departure between 07:30 and 8:00 in a shared service (15 to 30 people) for the Colca Valley (4 to 5 hours by road). Crossing the Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve and passing a pass at 4910 meters altitude, known as the "Mirador de los Volcanes". On the way, magnificent landscapes and observation of vicuñas and other camelids. Check-in at the Tradición Colca hotel around 13:30 and lunch. In the afternoon, a 3-hour hike to the ruins of Uyo Uyo, former capital of the Collagua nation, and optional bathing in the thermal waters of Chacapi (bath entrance to be paid on site: 15 soles). On the way, you can admire the beautiful church of Yanque, the amphitheater of Occolle, the "Colcas" of the Colca river and finally the beautiful terraces of the valley. Overnight at the Tradición Colca hotel. Included: room & breakfast, lunch (excluding drinks), local guide, excursion (shared service), transport in shared service, entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program.

• day 4

  Colca Canyon - Cruz del Condor - Chivay - Puno

  We start our day at 6:30 am at the Cruz del Condor, in the heart of Colca, to observe the majestic Andean Condor. You will also enjoy a breathtaking view of the Colca River, with the canyon reaching a depth of 1000 meters at this point. Visit to the village of Maca. Return to Yanque at the end of the morning. Lunch at your leisure. Transfer to Chivay at the beginning of the afternoon. In the early afternoon, departure by tourist bus to Puno with an English/Spanish-speaking guide. On the way, stop at the Patapampa volcano viewpoint (4950m), then at the Chucura volcano. Last stop at the edge of lagoons to observe the landscape. Welcome upon your arrival at the Puno bus terminal and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Intiqa hotel. Included: local guide, excursion (group service), transport in group service, bus ticket, arrival transfer, room & breakfast.

• day 5

  Puno - Uros - Taquile - Puno

  In the morning, transfer to the port of Puno at 7am for a departure by collective boat to the Uros and Taquile islands with an English/Spanish-speaking guide. After about twenty-five minutes by boat, visit the floating islands. These are not natural; they were built by the Uros tribe, whose main activity is fishing. Continue sailing (about two hours) to Taquile, an island of great cultural interest whose inhabitants remained without contact with the outside world for four centuries and thus preserved their ancestral traditions. The men knit, the women weave; you will discover the meaning of the different ways of wearing hats. Visit and free lunch in one of the island's typical restaurants. Return to Puno in the middle of the afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the Intiqa hotel. Included: local guide, excursion (group service), public transport, room & breakfast.

• day 6

  Puno - Cusco

  Transfer from the hotel in Puno to the bus terminal. At 7:00 am, departure by tourist bus to Cusco (unaccompanied journey), the navel of the Inca Empire. This route allows you to enjoy beautiful landscapes throughout the journey, via the Raya pass, at 4,320 meters above sea level. Stop at the village of Pukara and its small main square before continuing to Raqchi to visit the temple of Wiracocha (the creator of the world), built with lava from the Quinchasata volcano. Discover the remains of the great administrative city which notably contains more than 160 circular constructions used as warehouses by the Empire. The day ends with a visit to the village of Andahuaylillas and its church, nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of the Andes for its rich interior (mural paintings layered over 3 centuries, paintings, sculpted and gold-leafed altar, organ). Arrival in Cusco at the end of the day. travel time / duration: 11:00 Reception at the Cusco bus terminal and transfer to the hotel. A French-speaking guide will accompany you to the hotel. Night at the Amaru I hotel. Included: departure transfer, entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, bus ticket, lunch, arrival transfer, reception by French-speaking guide, room & breakfast.

• day 7

  Cusco

  Departure for a half-day dedicated to discovering the historic center: visit of the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Cathedral, which features many paintings from the Cusquenian School as well as numerous treasures of goldsmithing, silver, and precious stones. Stroll through the San Blas district and its typical streets. Free afternoon in Cusco, navel of the Inca world. Night at the Amaru I hotel. Included: entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, French-speaking guide, room & breakfast.

• day 8

  Cusco - Pisac - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

  Departure in a private vehicle to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First stop: Pisac, one of the major sites of Inca culture, with different districts (administrative, religious, military) scattered across the mountain. You will observe the important terraces intended for agriculture and protecting against erosion. Then, a stroll through its colorful handicraft market, one of the largest in the Sacred Valley! Next, head to Ollantaytambo. This village is also called "the last living Inca village," as its inhabitants maintain very ancient customs and traditions. Then, visit the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and its cyclopean stones, which was the site of fierce battles between Incas and Spaniards. If time permits, after the visit, you can stroll through the town's cobbled streets. You board a train to Aguas Calientes, the starting point for Machu Picchu. Afternoon train. Note: The train company allows travelers to carry a cabin suitcase of up to 10 kilos per person. You will need to leave your checked luggage in storage at the hotel in the Sacred Valley or in Cusco (possibility to transfer luggage from one hotel to another). Night at the Rupa Wasi hotel. Included: private transport, French-speaking guide, guide fees, train ticket, room & breakfast.

• day 9

  Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

  Shuttle ascent to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu. Departures, both for the ascent and descent, take place every 5 minutes. Note: 1st shuttle to the site: 05H30 Last shuttle to the site: 15H30 / Last shuttle to Aguas Calientes: 16H45 Travel time: 30 minutes Arrival at the Machu Picchu site, wonder of the world. Machu Picchu is an ancient 15th-century Inca city in Peru. Abandoned during the collapse of the Inca Empire, the sacred city of the Incas, forgotten for centuries, is considered a masterpiece of the architecture of this civilization. It was revealed by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. Since 1983, the site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list. On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World by the NewOpenWorld Foundation, an unofficial and commercial organization. Finally, the site is part of a whole cultural and natural ensemble known as the "Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu." Visit of the citadel with your site guide (about 3 hours). Access to the site from 06H00 to 12H00. You board a train to Ollantaytambo. Afternoon train. Note: The train company allows travelers to carry a cabin suitcase of 10 kilos maximum per person. You will need to leave your checked luggage in storage at the hotel in Sacred Valley or in Cusco. Reception at Ollantaytambo station and transfer to the hotel in Cusco. Night at the Amaru I hotel. Included: bus ticket, entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, French-speaking guide, train ticket, private transport, room & breakfast.

• day 10

  Cusco - Lima

  Transfer from your hotel to Cusco airport. Your French-speaking guide will accompany you to the airport. Flight to Lima. Possibility of a 4 days / 3 nights extension in the Amazon from 620 euros per person.