From the Nazca Desert to the Andes of the Incas, 15 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  LIMA

  Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and taken to the Britania hotel in Miraflores. Overnight at the hotel. Note that, on this first day, there is generally no activity, as flights often arrive in the evening in Lima. However, if your flight arrives earlier, a visit to Lima can be scheduled.

• day 2

  LIMA-PARACAS

  Lima is much more than just a starting point for the journey; it is a capital city of nearly 9 million inhabitants, both modern and rich in history. You will visit the colonial center, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the modern district of Miraflores overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Then, depart by first-class bus along the coast to the seaside resort of Paracas, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight at the Paracas Sunset hotel.

• day 3

  PARACAS-NAZCA

  In the morning, embark on a tour to the Ballestas Islands, sometimes called the Galapagos of Peru, due to the abundant wildlife these islands shelter: many sea lions, but also cormorants, pelicans, penguins, and many other birds. You then leave by first-class bus to Nazca, where you settle in at the Don Agucho hotel. In the middle of the afternoon, excursion to Palpa and its geoglyphs. Less known than the Nazca lines, these figures were drawn around the same time, more than 1000 years ago. On the way, you can climb an observation tower to see two figures belonging to the Nazca lines. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  NAZCA-AREQUIPA

  In the morning, if you wish, you can take a half-hour flight to observe the famous Nazca lines (optional, not included in the indicated price). In the afternoon, for your last coastal stop, you will travel to Arequipa by first-class bus. Upon your arrival in the evening, you will be transferred to the Maison du Soleil hotel, in the historic center of the city. Optional: if you do not wish to fly over the lines, you can visit the Chauchilla cemetery and its pre-Hispanic mummies or the Cahuachi archaeological complex.

• day 5

  AREQUIPA

  Day dedicated to discovering Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru and one of the most pleasant of the trip, located between the coastal desert and the Andean plateaus, at an intermediate altitude of 2300 meters. In the morning, guided tour of the city: its colonial center with the famous Santa Catalina Monastery, the cloisters of the Compagnie, the San Camilo market, the Yanahuara district, and the Carmen Alto viewpoint over the city and its 3 volcanoes. Free afternoon to enjoy the charm of the city. Night at the Maison du Soleil. You can replace this visit of Arequipa with a descent of the Chili River by rafting or a Peruvian cooking class.

• day 6

  AREQUIPA - COLCA CANYON

  Departure in the morning towards the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in Peru and in the world, famous for its condors. You will first pass through the Aguada Blanca natural reserve on the altiplano, where you will see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, and climb up to 4900 meters in altitude, the highest point of your trip to Peru! You will be in Chivay, in the Colca Valley, for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, you can take a short walk and enjoy the thermal pools (entrance not included, about 4 US$). Overnight at the Tradición Colca hotel.

• day 7

  COLCA CANYON - PUNO

  Early in the morning, departure for one of the highlights of the trip. You will follow the Colca Valley to the Cruz del Condor, from where there is a magnificent viewpoint over the canyon, which is more than 1000 meters deep here. You will probably be able to spot the condors that usually fly over this part of the canyon. In the afternoon, you will take a tourist bus towards Puno. You will cross a large part of the Peruvian Altiplano and arrive at the end of the day. Located on the shore of Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3800 meters, Puno is the highest stop of your trip. Transfer and overnight at the Conde de Lemos hotel.

• day 8

  PUNO: LAKE TITICACA

  In the morning, off-the-beaten-path excursion on the shores of Lake Titicaca. We will head towards the Socca peninsula, far from the traditional tourist routes, and cross villages and Aymara Indian communities living from agriculture. We will take a short walk of about 2 hours, which will offer us some breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca. We will enjoy a picnic in nature before returning to Puno in the early afternoon. This excursion is an alternative to the classic tour on Lake Titicaca, which offers visits to the Amantani or Taquile islands and the Uros floating islands, which are much more touristy.

• day 9

  PUNO-CUZCO

  Transfer day to Cuzco by tourist bus. You will make several stops and visits along the way: at Pukara, where a highland civilization that preceded the Incas developed; at the La Raya pass (4370 meters), where the Cuzco region begins; at the Inca site of the Viracocha temple; and at Andahuaylillas, a lovely village that houses one of the most beautiful churches in the region. You arrive in Cuzco, one of the prettiest cities in Peru, at the end of the afternoon. Check-in at the Inkarri hotel, in the historic heart of the city.

• day 10

  CUZCO

  Capital of the Inca Empire, Cuzco is one of the must-see wonders of any trip to Peru. In the morning, you will drive up to Cristo Blanco, which overlooks the city of Cuzco. From there, you will discover one of the most impressive Inca constructions: Sacsayhuaman, where stones of colossal size fit together with astonishing precision. The descent back to the city will be on foot, passing through the narrow and steep streets of the lovely San Blas district, then by the walls of the ancient Inca palaces and the famous 12-angled stone. You will then go to Cuzco's main market, where you can feel the Andean identity of this city and its vibrant culture. The afternoon will be free to enjoy the charm of the city. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 11

  CUSCO-SACRED VALLEY

  This day will be dedicated to discovering the superb Sacred Valley of the Incas. In the morning, you will visit the Inca site of Pisaq, one of the largest in the region, as well as the craft market of the same village. In the afternoon, you will visit the Inca village of Ollantaytambo and its fortress. Overnight at the Samanapaq hotel.

• day 12

  Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Sacred Valley

  Here it is, without a doubt, the most anticipated day of your trip: the discovery of Machu Picchu! You will leave early in the morning by train, following the Urubamba River, to Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo), from where the bus will take you to the Machu Picchu site. Rediscovered a little over a century ago, this Inca city still holds its mysteries and continues to fascinate all travelers. A few hours on the site will allow you to discover its main corners, and possibly to climb up to Huayna Picchu. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then by train to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon. Transfer and overnight at the hotel.

• day 13

  Sacred Valley - Cuzco

  Departure in the morning by private vehicle to the village of Moray. On a plateau overlooking the Sacred Valley, you will discover the astonishing concentric agricultural terraces from the Inca era. Very close by, the Maras salt mines, still in use today, offer a spectacular landscape of thousands of salt basins. You will then visit the village of Chinchero, dominated by a beautiful Spanish church built on an ancient Inca site. Return to Cuzco in the early afternoon. End of the day free and overnight at the Inkarri hotel.

• day 14

  CUZCO

  Nothing like a free day to end your trip smoothly and enjoy this magnificent city of Cuzco. Whether it's strolling through its charming little streets, discovering museums about the history of the Incas, shopping in small stores offering colorful and rich handicrafts, eating in a restaurant near an Inca wall, or simply soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city, both very Andean and, thanks to tourism, cosmopolitan, Cuzco offers a unique setting to end your trip and say goodbye to Peru. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 15

  CUZCO-LIMA-RETURN

  Transfer to Cuzco airport to take your flight to Lima. End of our services. Connection with your international flight.