Best of Peru

• ARRIVE LIMA

  Arrive to Lima today.

  Lima, capital of Peru, which was founded by the great conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and soon became the capital of the extensive and tremendously wealthy Peruvian Vice Regency of Spain. By the end of the 16th Century it had grown into a city of fine palaces and churches and was the cultural centre of the southern hemisphere. Today, Lima still retains the essence of the Spanish colonialism.

  Upon arrival to Lima, you will be welcomed outside of Customs by an English-speaking assistant holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel to assist with check-in. (Private Transfer)

• LIMA

  You will visit the modern and colonial part of the city of Lima, known as The City of Kings, starting with the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro before heading to the Historic Center. Once there, you will visit the Main Square, where you can take pictures of the amazing colonial architecture that surrounds it.

  Then, walk to the Chocolate Museum to have an exquisite experience with Peruvian cocoa.

  Afterwards, you will visit the impressive Convent of Convent Santo Domingo, before heading back.

  You will pass through Huaca Huallamarca before reaching Miraflores, where you will get off at Love Park to take stunning photos of the landscape of the Lima coast. (B.) (Private Tour)

• NAZCA LINES & Huacachina Lagoon

  This tour package is perfect if you want to fly over the Nazca Lines from an airport near to Lima, but wish to avoid the expense of private transportation.

  The airport in Ica is just 4 hours from Lima, enjoying a light breakfast en route.
 We'll pick you up at your hotel around 6:00 AM in Lima and we will transfer you to the bus station in Lima.

  Then you will take a VIP first-class tourist bus to Ica. When you arrive, our driver will be waiting to transport you to the nearby airport in Ica, the most convenient place in Peru to fly over the Nazca Lines. 
There, our staff assist you with the check-in procedures, paying your airport tax, going through security, and being weighed. 
You will enjoy a thrilling flight over the incredible Nazca Lines, drawn on the pampas of the same name. You will see several figures of stylized plants and animals drawn in an enormous labyrinth of straight lines, trapezoids, triangles, and spirals scattered about the desert floor that has remained preserved for about 2000 years.

  You'll fly onboard a Cessna Grand Caravan, a highly respected 12-passenger aircraft with large seats. Every passenger is guaranteed a seat with a window.

  After your flight, head to the Huacachina Lagoon, a small oasis surrounded by some amazing sand dunes.

  After exploring the area, enjoy a typical lunch at a tourist restaurant.

  Finally, you will board the transport that will take you back to Lima.

  On arrival our driver will transport you back to your hotel. (B. L.) (Shared Guide)

  Note: This evening pack a small overnight bag for your stay in the Amazon; your main luggage will be locked in the office in Puerto Maldonado. We suggest you do not leave valuables in your main luggage. You must carry your passport with you.

• LIMA - PUERTO MALDONADO - AMAZON

  This morning we transfer you to the airport for your departing flight to Puerto Maldonado.

  Start your journey arriving to Puerto Maldonado, where our staff will welcome you and provide the necessary information for your stay.

  Navigate by outboard motorized canoe along the Madre de Dios River to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion for approximately 25 minutes.

  Enjoy lunch with organic ingredients and native flavors.

  After lunch, take a walk through Concepcion trails, our inside property nature trails, where you will discover and learn about primary and secondary rainforest, its components, uses, transformations by the human being, and its relevance for the world.

  At dusk navigate by outboard motorized canoe, at the twilight river excursion. By sailing on the Madre de Dios River, you will learn about its ecosystem, Amazonian creeks, nocturnal animals’ behavior, and the southern constellations.

  In the evening enjoy a nice dinner in the Casa Grande’s dining room. (B. L. D.) (Private Transfer) (Semi-Private Transfer) (Shared Guide)

• AMAZON

  New experiences are ahead and after taking a nutritious buffet breakfast, get ready for a long trek through terra firma into the Tambopata National Reserve towards Lake Sandoval. Here you will understand why Madre de Dios is called the biodiversity capital of Peru, while learning about the Reserve’s conservation efforts and the lake’s formation.

  Navigate by dugout canoe across this mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), blue and yellow macaw (Ara ararauna), red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus), black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), and one of the world’s biggest fresh water scaled fish, the paiche (Arapaima gigas).

  Back to the lodge for lunch, and later the Inkaterra canopy walkway & anaconda walk await for you.

  Take a 20-minute ride by outboard motorized canoe to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center where you will learn about its construction and the conservation projects of ITA-Inkaterra Asociación (NGO). Ascend one of the two 98-foot towers (30 m.) and cross the 7 hanging bridges that connect the treetops at 91 ft. high (28 m.). Enjoy the breathtaking vistas and get the chance to watch white-throated toucans (Ramphastos tucanus), woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) and the three-toed sloth (Choleopus hoffmani).

  After descending keep on feeling the incredible primary rainforest energy going along the 200-meter wooden bridge over the swamps (aguajales). You will learn about the fauna and flora of this flooded ecosystem.

  At night get ready for an adventure at the rainforest by night excursion, where you will explore the Amazon rainforest that gives way to nocturnal animals who display intriguing behavior patterns, and enhanced senses as adaptation mechanisms. Listen to nocturnal living nature sounds, and penetrate this hidden world.

  Return to the lodge and enjoy a nice dinner. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• AMAZON

  The sun rises once again and after an early breakfast you will take our Native Farm excursion where you will be able to learn local techniques of cultivation and taste some of the products during the visit.

  Then visit the Botanical Garden, discover the immense variety of medicinal plants considered part of the “natural pharmacy” used by the habitants at the amazon region. Compare the medicinal uses of local medicine with traditional remedies.

  Getting back to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion you will have lunch.

  Take a rest and get ready for the cocha water excursion. Enjoy a dugout canoe ride on the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion natural pond (cocha). Try native fishing applying the “catch and release” techniques, as you enjoy the scenery observing hoatzins (Opisthocomus hoazin), a diversity of fly catchers, and gray-necked woodrails (Aramides cajanea).

  Disembark at the remains of Fitzcarrald steam boat; learn about its history and how it inspired Inkaterra to ask Werner Herzog to film the award-winning “Fitzcarraldo”, best director at Cannes, 1982.

  You will be able to participate in the inland collpa during the evening, where you will see different species and their night routines by observing through our “blinds”.

  End up your day with a pleasant dinner. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• AMAZON - PUERTO MALDONADO - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

  After breakfast buffet, take a ride back to Puerto Maldonado by outboard motorized canoe.

  Arrive at the Butterfly House where you may wait for your flight to Cusco, while visiting this beautiful Butterfly House and learning about the fascinating transformation of these colorful insects.

  On arrival to Cusco you will be met at the airport by a local representative who will transport you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (8,500 feet elevation), a long, fertile river valley surrounded by snowcapped peaks that lies between Cusco (11,000 feet elevation) and Machu Picchu (8,000 feet elevation). Starting here helps you adjust to the high altitude of the Andes and is a great way to see how the local people continue to live in the traditional Andean manner.

  Rest of afternoon at leisure. (B.) (Semi-Private Transfer) (Private Transfer)

• SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

  Today we discover the best of the Sacred Valley of the Incas You will head towards Moray, a fascinating archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Its huge concentric terraces were used by the Incas as a botanical laboratory.

  Then, you will visit the Andean Misminay community, where your local hosts will welcome you with music and dancing, invite you to experience a bit of their daily life activities and serve you a delicious meal made with native products.

  After experiencing living culture in Misminay, you will continue to Ollantaytambo, where you can visit the archaeological complex of the same name, one of the largest in Peru, strategically located on top of a mountain.

  Afterwards, you will descend to the town of Ollantaytambo, which stands out for maintaining the Inca urban planning as part of its original urban layout, with some buildings and narrow stone streets. Here you can tour the town and visit the local market. (B.) (Shared Guide)

  Note:This evening, pack an overnight bag for your stay at Machu Picchu, your main luggage will be transferred back to Cuzco and placed in secure storage and will be made available to you when you check in to the hotel. You must carry your passport with you. 
When packing your bag please bear in mind the below luggage requirements for Peru Rail passengers travelling to Machu Picchu: Each Due to limited space for luggage storage on trains, luggage restrictions apply: one bag or backpack (carry-on luggage) with a maximum weight of 5.0 kg/11 lb, measuring no more than 62 linear inches/157 linear cm (height+ length + width)

• SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU

  Awaiting you today is by far and away one of the high points in world tourism: Machu Picchu, where you will definitely have an experience you will never forget.

  You will be transferred from your hotel to the train station in Ollantaytambo this morning. Your luggage will be collected and transferred to your hotel in Cuzco for storage while you are at Machu Picchu. We recommend you do not leave valuables in your luggage.

  Board the Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes; a 90 minute journey. Your Vistadome service departs at (to be advised) and you need to be on the platform 30 minutes prior to departure. The Vistadome is the ideal train for those who want to be in contact with the environment and appreciate the wonderful journey to Machu Picchu. Surrounded entirely by glass and wagons with large panoramic windows offering incomparable scenic views and numerous opportunities to capture amazing pictures, Vistadome travellers feel connected and part of the impressive landscape of Peru. Perurail provide travellers on board personalized and first level service to give them an unforgettable life experience.

  Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes train station one of our local staff will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name/s on it. After a short briefing, explaining about your full day tour inclusions & timings you will be introduced to your expert guide for the rest of the day. At this point your luggage will be taken by a porter to your hotel. Your guide will walk with you for about 5 min to catch a bus, which takes 30 minutes to reach Machu Picchu (buses depart every 10 minutes and the first bus departs 05:30)

  A 2 hours 30 minutes guided tour of the ruins will have you wondering about the lives of the priests, craftsmen, and servants who inhabited this citadel and what drove them to build it on a mountain-top. Excavations have revealed skeletons, artefacts and woollen clothing, but no gold. The same precise stonework as in other Incan sites in evident. Overlooking the raging Urubamba River and discovered in a hidden tangle of vines and trees atop the mountain, the city of Machu Picchu will forever hold the secret of its destruction as the Incas left no written record.

  You will visit following points in Machu Picchu:
  01 Entrance
  
02 Ceremonial Baths
  
03 Inka House

  04 Temple of the Sun

  05 Botanical Garden

  06 Square of the Temples
  07 Intiwatana

  08 Llamacancha

  09 Sacred rock
  
10 Temple of the Condor
  11 Agricultural Zone

  12 Exit
  The guided tour will end a few meters from the Machu Picchu exit. It is not allowed to return on the way that has already been visited.

  At the proper time, you should exit the citadel and enjoy your buffet style lunch at the Sanctuary Hotel.

  Your return mini-bus transfer to Aguas Calientes is included; buses leave approximately every 15 minutes.

  The village of Aguas Calientes is very small; on arrival please ask for directions to your hotel. Most properties are within a 5- 10 minute walk from the bus terminal. Your luggage will be made available to you after you have checked in.

  Tonight enjoy a la carte dinner. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide) (Private Transfer)

  Note: if you would like to climb Wayna Picchu the next morning(the mountain that rises over the ruins) you will need to let us know as the number are restricted.

  The climb to Huayna Picchu is considered one of the best short hikes in the world. Reaching its summit is a great feat and will be the greatest adventure of your life, climbing its zigzag paths and stairways carved in stone, you can test your physique and the temper of your nerves. But once at its summit you will feel a great sense of satisfaction and peace, the view of Machu Picchu and its surroundings is spectacular and unique. Also in the mountain Huayna Picchu you will be able to find excellent Inca remains, like their viewpoints, rooms and platforms; You can also see the magnificent Temple of the Moon, an attraction that can only be seen climbing Huayna Picchu.
  There are 2 entry schedules for the Huayna Picchu Climb. From 07:00 - 08:00 or 10:00 - 11:00.

  We highly recommend booking the first entry as the views are spectacular.

  As per the regulations of your ticket you are entitled to 4 hours within the citadel. The trek will take approximately 3 hours, so you will another hour to explore the Machu.

• MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

  Return to Machu Picchu this morning to continue your unguided exploration of this extensive site; your return mini-bus tickets and entry to Machu Picchu are included. We recommend rising early and taking one of the first buses; the ruins are much quieter in the morning and seeing the mist clear as dawn breaks is a wonderful sight.

  Morning visitors to Machu Picchu must leave the ruins by 12pm.

  Take a mini-bus back to Aguas Calientes and have some free time for lunch or visiting the souvenir shops. Please make sure you allow enough time to collect your luggage from your hotel before returning to the train station to take the afternoon Vistadome train back to to Ollantaytambo, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Cuzco, where the bulk of your luggage will be waiting.

  You will have the balance of the day free to relax and explore this historic city.

  Cusco is another of the highlights of a trip to Peru, a fascinating city built on the foundations of the former Incan capital. You can observe massive Incan walls along many of the streets of the city. The city has a vibrant atmosphere and many excellent restaurants. (B.) (Private Transfer)

• CUSCO

  You will visit the city of Cusco, known as the Imperial City and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

  Here you will start your tour at the iconic San Pedro market, a local market where you can explore the colors, flavors and traditions of modern Cusco.

  The visit continues with the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and cult center of the Sun God, above which the order of the Dominicans built a church, which remains standing to this day.

  You will continue ascending to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive example of Inca military architecture.

  Afterwards, you will explore  Q’enqo archeological site, where important Inca ceremonies took place. 

  Finally, you will arrive to the Plaza de Armas (main square), where you will visit the Cathedral, the most important temple in the city. (B.) (Shared Guide)

• CUSCO - LAKE TITICACA

  Transfer to the station for your morning bus trip across the Altiplano (Spanish for high plain), where the Andes are at their wildest.

  Sightseeing on the way:
  • Andahuaylillas: Referred to as the Andean Sistine Chapel because is magnificent frescoes, the church is but one example of the mestizo baroque architecture typically of the Cusco school which was prominent in the 17th century. You will marvel at the ceiling of carved panels covered with gold leafs.

  • Raqchi: Also named the Temple of the God Wiracocha. The Inca temple is monumental: 100 meters in length, 26 meters in width and 14 meters in high. Divided in two naves, each of these still retains the bases of eleven giant columns. The base of the walls consist of Imperial Inca stonework with a top section of adobe. Adjacent to the temple, we can see many storehouses, used for various purposes: social, religious and military.

  • Sicuani: in this village you will be able to enjoy a delicious lunch buffet and buy handicrafts.

  • La Raya: The highest pass on the route between Cusco to Puno. Beautiful landscapes await you, as well as the animals that are symbolic of the Andes: llamas, alpacas and vicunas. This is a region situation between two cultures Quechua and Aymara, as well as composite of two terrains: the dry and arid Altiplano and the more verdant Quechua valleys and rivers.

  • Pucara: This is the most important and oldest ceremonial site this side of Tiahuananco. Characterise by a series of satire platforms, the ruins also reveal some lito-sculptures and tombstone, all witnesses of pre Inca civilisation, possible one at the origin of the Andean culture of the Altiplano.

  On arrival into Puno, you will be met and transferred to your hotel located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B. L.) (Shared Guide)

  Note: Upgrade: Ride aboard the PeruRail train to Lake Titicaca. Depending on the season, service is limited to 3-4 weekly departures.

• LAKE TITICACA

  Today will be a full day excursion on Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake at 3808 meters.

  First, you will sail to the floating Uros Islands. The Uros are the descendants of a pre-Inca group who live on forty-two self-fashioned floating islands on Lake Titicaca. The Uros use bundles of dried totora reeds to make reed boats and to make the islands themselves. The purpose of the island settlements was originally defensive, and if a threat arose they could be moved.
  Your guide will discuss the Uros way of life, culture and history and explain how these unique islands are built and maintained.

  Continue to Taquile Island, located around 45km east of Puno. We walk along a gently inclining path - streaks of stone that wind their way among greenery platforms - to arrive at the village of Taquile where we have lunch.
  Taquileños run their society based on community collectivism and on the Inca moral code 'ama sua, ama llulla, ama
qhilla' (Quechua for do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy). The island is divided into six sectors or 'suyus' for crop rotation purposes. The economy is based on fishing, terraced farming horticulture based on potato cultivation, and income from the approximately 40,000 tourists who visit each year.

  Later this afternoon we take the boat back to Puno and your hotel. (B. L.) (Shared Guide)

• LAKE TITICACA - COLCA CANYON

  Early morning, we transfer you to the bus terminal to aboard the Bus to Chivay and travel by the endless highland plains covered by “Ichu” a type of straw adapted to high altitudes.

  Slowly we ascend and cross the occidental Andes range, stop at a high lookout point that domains the views over the “Lagunillas Lagoon” observe some rare Andes birds such as “Ajoya” the giant Andean coot and the Andean goose. At “Pampa Cañahuas” we observe herds of Vicuñas a type of Andean camelid.

  On the way we get to another high pass (4,950 m) called the Volcanoes lookout. Before descending to Colca Valley.

  At 12:00h. Arrival to Chivay city.

  Transfer to your exclusive Colca Lodge Hotel located near Yanque Village, then you just remain at The hotel because it has private thermal waters and excellent facilities like SPA, warm pool, and others. (B. L.) (Shared Guide)

• COLCA CANYON - AREQUIPA

  Early after Breakfast our guide will take you to “Mirador Cruz del Condor”, one of the best view points to see the impressive depth of canyon stretching nearly 4,000 ft bellow, and the spectacular flight of the condor, in days with the ideal thermal air currents can be seeing many of them mastering the deep canyon.

  On the way back we will stop at Maca and Yanque villages and see its picturesque colonial churches with some snow peak glaciers behind on the distance.

  From the lookouts of Choquetico and Antahuille you will observe impressive Incan and pre – Incan terracing system covering part of the valley. As well your guide will show you lytic models that demonstrate the advanced hydraulic planning of the ancient engineers.

  Back at Chivay main square we enjoy of lunch before continuing to Arequipa.

  The bus ride takes again scenic landscapes, arrival to Arequipa at 17:30 hour approximately.

  On arrival we transfer you to your hotel. (B. L.) (Shared Guide)

• AREQUIPA

  This morning you will tour the famed "White City", stopping by the Santa Catalina Convent, a lovely 16th century city in miniature that mimics the styles of different Spanish cities of that time, the Main Square with its three different entrances, and the Church of the Society of Christ, a supreme example of 17th century Mixed Baroque and Spanish Baroque Churrigueresque art, as is the multicolored frescos of the San Ignacio cupola.

  Following this, you will visit the traditional districts of Cayma and Yanahuara that boasts a lookout and a lovely church.

  During the afternoon explore this gorgeous city by your own and enjoy the recognized local cuisine in one of the recommended Arequipa Restaurants. (B.) (Private Tour)

• AREQUIPA - LIMA

  This morning your tour comes to an end with a private transfer to Arequipa airport for your direct flight to Lima. (B.) (Private Transfer)

  PLEASE NOTE:
  We can offer you the possibility to extend this tour to other incredible destinations like:

  • BOLIVIA: La Paz & Uyuni salt flats
  • ECUADOR: Quito & Galapagos Islands
  • COLOMBIA: Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena
  • CHILE: Atacama Desert and Santiago

The below hand-picked properties feature good location, superior service, and all facilities necessary for a comfortable stay.

PERU

• Lima: Arawi – Miraflores
• Amazonas: Hacienda Concepcion
• Sacred Valley of the Incas: Pakaritampu
• Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu): Mapi by Inkaterra
• Cusco: Hilton
• Lake Titicaca: Sonesta Posada del Inka
• Colca Canyon: Casa Andina
• Arequipa: Hotel Katari

NOTES:

• Hotel accommodation quoted in lead-in hotel guest rooms unless specified otherwise
• Hotels can easily be changed at the customer request. We have a wide selection so you can be assured of a great place to stay
• Occasionally due to circumstances out of our control, hotels quoted may not be available at the time of booking. In these circumstances when hotels are unavailable, South America Tours Pty Ltd will provide the best possible alternative.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Accommodation with private facilities as mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary:

(B.) = Breakfast

(L.) = Lunch

(D.) = Dinner

• All transfers, transport, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary unless specified otherwise:

(Private Transfer / Transport) = Your own exclusive driver. No queuing for taxis, no stopping en route at tour booking agencies. All private transfers / transport are operated on a private basis – i.e., you won’t be sharing with others

(Semi-Private Transfer) = transport provided by the hotel or lodge to their guest only

(Private Tour) = Your own, personal tour guide and an exclusive vehicle

(Shared Guide) = Meet other like minded travellers and share the services of a guide / vehicle during the plan activity. Typical group size is 10 travellers which really works well and makes for a fun experience for all.

• Parks and monuments entrance
• Professional English speaking local guides throughout
• Total assistance coverage up to $2,000 per person during your stay in Peru (for more information please contact us)
• Professional English speaking local guides throughout
• Return Vistadome train tickets to Machu Picchu
• Service charges and taxes.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• International and internal air-tickets. We have access to wholesale fares and work closely with LATAM Airlines, contact us before organize your flights independently.
• Reciprocal fees and tourist visas are not included.
• Travel insurance
• Any items not specifically mentioned as included, phone call, laundry, tips, etc.

NOTES

• Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events
• You should ensure you have travel insurance in place to cover the possibility of unforeseen circumstances which result in the inability to participate in the tour
• All routes are subject to change without notice due to unexpected circumstances or weather conditions
• Certain countries require that you obtain official authorization (a visa) before entering the country. It is your responsibility for verifying and obtaining any necessary travel documents for entry and exit to the countries visited, as these requirements vary depending on the specific country and nationality of the traveler
• South America Tours Pty Ltd does not provide visa services.