Arrive into 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.

Note: Medical “Assist Card” insurance for the entire journey within Peru, with 24 hours medical assistance is provided to assist any relevant issues with altitude or any sickness.

 (Private Transfer)

Today you will visit the modern and colonial parts of the city of Lima, known as The City of Kings.

You will head to the Historical Center and arrive at the Main Plaza, where you can take pictures of the amazing colonial architecture that surrounds it.

Then, visit the Cathedral, where you will appreciate the Renaissance style of decoration, as well as its apostles’ statues.

Then, you will walk to the impressive Santo Domingo Convent, which will astonish you with its colonial style.

Upon leaving the Historical Center, you will head to the HuacaPucllana, a pre-Inca archaeological complex in the district of Miraflores, which was an important ceremonial and administrative center of the Lima culture, between 200 and 700 AD. In a guided tour, you will explore the different areas of the huaca and learn about the lifestyle of its former inhabitants.

Once all activities are completed we will transfer back to your hotel.

Balance of day at leisure.

(B.) (Private Tour)

Suggested Restaurant: Huaca Pucllana.

The view of the 1,500-year-old, pre-Incan ruins is reason enough to visit this beautiful restaurant, but the food is a close second. Rough-hewn columns hold up the dining room’s soaring ceiling, but the best tables are outside, with a view of the huaca (ruins), which are spectacularly lighted at night. The novo andino cuisine includes a crunchy quinoa salad with soterito (fresh cheese, tomato, onion, fava beans, corn, and rocoto chilis) and grilled alpaca in a porcino mushroom sauce with corn soufflé. House versions of popular dishes such as chupe de corvina (a creamy sea bass soup) and cabrito al horno (roasted kid) are simply works of art.

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

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.

Note: Due to the altitude, we recommend that you avoid any strenuous activity for the remainder of the day. We suggest that you rest for one to two hours after checking in to your hotel, prior to commencement of any physical activity. To further reduce the effects of altitude sickness, we recommend you also drink plenty of fluids: water, fruit juices, herbal tea or the local ‘mate de coca’. It is highly recommended to avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol.

Remember: Altitude affects each person differently so symptoms may vary greatly, so please be alert to any possible symptoms and if in any doubt seek medical advice.

(B.) (Private Transfer)

Today we discover the best of the Sacred Valley of the Incas through this route starting on the Inca’s Balcony, in Chinchero, a beautiful place with an impressive view, where twelves families still preserve their traditional costums, showing you the ancestral way in which they process the wool, and obtain those vivid colors for their textiles.

Afterwards, we will get to Ollantaytambo, one of the most monumental architectural complexes of the ancient Inca Empire, one of the few places where the Spanish conquistadors lost a major battle. Very well known for its “andenes” (terraces dug into the slopes of mountains for agricultural purposes), Ollantaytambo was a highly effective fortress, that also served as a temple.

Then, we will follow to the town of Ollantaytambo, “the unique living Inca town”: the best surviving example of Inca city planning, with narrow cobblestone streets that have been continuously inhabited since the 13th century.

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)

(B.) (Private Tour)

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.

Please 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

(B. L. D.) (Shared Guide) (Private Transfer)

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.

There are many things to see and do at the site, including the hike to Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun.

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.

Note: you MUST bring the previous day’s ticket to enter Machu Picchu today without a guide.

(B.) (Private Transfer)

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.) (Private Tour)

Suggested Restaurant: Cicciolina

Around the same time that Cusco started hosting a new type of tourism other than backpackers, four friends decided to open a Bodega, a place to meet, chat over a plate of tapas and share a drink. Eight years later, Cicciolina restaurant Cusco has kept this energy, especially at night, where conversations in various languages can be heard at the long candle-lit bar or high wooden tables.

Here sharing is made easier by the warm, inviting atmosphere of this old colonial building combined with the mediterranean influence felt in the decor (red walls, peppers and garlic hanging from the ceiling…) and in the menu. Everything is orchestrated in two tiny open kitchens, where you can observe the choreography of creation from the cozy bar, feeling almost like part of the family.

“Cicciolina” is worth a visit to enjoy a glass of wine or a coffee and the relaxed atmosphere, but you only truly discover the dimension of this restaurant by trying a few of its dishes.

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 17^th 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. Characterize by a series of satire platforms, the ruins also reveal some lito-sculptures and tombstone, all witnesses of pre Inca civilization, 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) (Private Transfer)

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)

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.) (Shared Guide)

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.) (Shared Guide)

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)

Today at schedule time we will meet you and transfer you to Arequipa Airport for your direct flight to Lima.

Upon arrival to Lima International Airport your tour comes to an end.

(B.) (Private Transfer)