On this trip we will go from the beaches to the mountains of Peru, crossing the mountain range and the high plateau on this fascinating 12-night route. The main historical, cultural and natural attractions of Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Puno and Cusco will be visited; in addition to delighting the eye with unique landscapes, delighting the palate with bold flavors and nourishing yourself with the essence of the most traditional towns. The adventure ends with a visit to Machu Picchu, the impressive Inca citadel that the entire world falls in love with.

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Wonders of Peru itinerary

Day 1:

LIMA

Flight from your hometown to Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport Peru.

Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 2:

LIME

Breakfast and departure to explore the old town of Lima, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, full of fascinating historical buildings. The tour begins with the Larco Museum, located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district and housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion, which in turn is built on a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid. It has a very complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Then we continue to Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted in 1535 by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jerónimo de Aliaga. It is the only house from the period that still belongs to the same family. We continue with a scenic tour of the colonial center. Visit to the Plaza de Armas, where you can appreciate the great architecture of the Spanish Empire. There is its magnificent Cathedral, built in the 16th century. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.

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Day 3:

LIMA – PARACAS (overflight of the Nazca lines)

Breakfast and transfer to the station to leave by regular bus to Paracas. Arrival and transfer to the hotel for registration. Next, transfer to the Pisco airfield to enjoy a flight over the desert and appreciate the Nazca lines. Nazca is a small town that could go unnoticed on the map if it were not for the mysterious geoglyphs drawn in the sand that have made it world famous. A monkey, a spider and a condor (all large) can be seen from the air as you try to decipher their mysterious appearance. If weather conditions and airspace allow, fly over the recent finds in Palpa. After flying over its mountains, where marine fossils up to 150 million years old are found, the aerial experience ends. Free time to have lunch (not included) before transfer to the station to return by regular bus to Paracas. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.

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Day 4:

PARACAS – BALLESTAS ISLANDS – LIMA

Breakfast and transfer to the dock to leave by boat to the Ballestas Islands, a natural reserve with beautiful geological formations and impressive fauna, you can even see remains of pre-Inca cultures. The Ballestas Islands are home to birds, pelicans, sea lions, Humboldt penguins and other fascinating species. Along the way, you will be able to see the still inexplicable drawing drawn on the sand in the shape of a candelabra. At the end of the excursion, transfer to the station and departure by regular bus back to Lima. Arrival and accommodation.

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Day 5:

LIMA - AREQUIPA

Early breakfast and transfer to the airport to depart on a local flight to Arequipa (*). Arrival in what is known as the “White City” and transfer to the hotel. Once registration is done, departure to explore the city. The tour begins in the main square, called Plaza de Armas. You will be able to admire its elegant neo-Renaissance style cathedral basilica and the sensational Convento de Santa Catalina, which for centuries was a “forbidden city” in the heart of Arequipa, closed to prying eyes and the influence of the outside world. Founded in the 16th century, the convent was an almost self-sufficient town, made up of houses for the nuns and their servants, cloisters, squares and narrow streets, kitchens and refectory, among others. The nuns' families paid large sums of money to have their daughters admitted, which increased the wealth and prestige of the place. Today, walking through its colorful alleys is like going back in time and allows you to understand colonial Peru. The tour continues until reaching the Church of the Company, perhaps the greatest work of Peruvian baroque, with a fascinating façade. The sacristy is especially beautiful, thanks to its dome and walls covered in murals showing tropical flora and fauna. The Jesuit seminary is well known for its beautiful main cloister. Finally, we will arrive at the neighborhoods of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Misti volcano, which rises above the city. I'll go back to the hotel, then I have the rest of the day free. Accommodation.

(*) The client may choose to have this flight included in the package or buy it and reserve it on their own.

(Dress code for Churches: during the visit, the use of short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts or suspenders and pants over the knees are not permitted, otherwise you will not be able to enter).

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Day 6:

LIMA – COLCA VALLEY AND CANYON

Breakfast and departure by road to the Colca Valley, passing first through the Yura district, which is characterized by a series of impressive geographical features, such as ravines, mountain ranges and canyons. We continue through the Pampas Cañahuas Reserve, an extensive plain populated by vicuñas, one of the 4 native Andean camelids found in Peru. We will cross the pampas of Viscachani and Toccra, bordering the crater of the Chucura volcano to reach the Los Andes viewpoint in Patapampa, which is located 4,910 meters above sea level. From here you can see the different volcanoes that surround Arequipa. Lunch will take place in the picturesque town of Chivay and then transfer to your hotel in the Colca Valley to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Accommodation.

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Day 7:

COLCA VALLEY AND CANYON - PUNO

Breakfast. Get ready for an unforgettable day, with an impressive trip to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. Take a deep breath and appreciate the immensity of the Colca Valley, one of the deepest canyons in the world, with a height (in its highest areas) greater than 4,160 meters, double that of the Grand Canyon of Colorado. The emotion that is felt with this experience will increase when observing the natural spectacle of the immense condors over the canyon. Let yourself be surprised as you watch these elegant birds of prey fly over you, patrolling you with military discipline. We will descend to the bottom of the valley to discover some of the rural towns located on the banks of the Colca River, such as Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma and Yanque. You can also make a stop at the Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints to admire the majestic views of the valley. The trip continues towards Puno. The landscapes will enchant you, with their combination of high plains, unusual rock formations and lagoons populated by cranes flapping their wings over the water. Lunch en route. After six hours of travel, we arrive at our next destination, Puno. Accommodation.

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Day 8:

PUNO – LAKE TITICACA - PUNO

Breakfast and transfer to the port of Puno, where a boat is waiting to take you to the beautiful islands of Uros. The Uros are an ancient society that inhabits a series of artificial islands built on a base of woven reed reeds that grow in the lake itself. At the top, the inhabitants build their houses, also made of reeds. After a fantastic excursion of an hour and a half, the navigation continues towards the island of Taquile, a beautiful piece of heaven that belonged to the Inca Empire. Vestiges of this culture can still be seen in its structures. Once there, there will be an information session about the island and you will be able to witness a cultural activity. After a delicious lunch, return to Puno. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.

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Day 9:

PUNO - CUZCO

Breakfast and departure to the heart of the Inca Empire. Transfer to the bus station and departure on the tourist bus that will take you to Cusco. The route runs through amazing landscapes of the mountain plateau, with villages and native animals around. Stop to take a break at the archaeological site of Pucará, which dates back to 200 BC. to 300 AD Brief stop at La Raya, the highest point between Puno and Cusco, located more than 4,313 meters above sea level. Lunch in Sicuani. Then we will visit Racchi, where the Wiracocha temple is located, a surprising rectangular construction 30 meters wide by 20 meters high. Shortly before arriving in Cusco, stop in the town of Andahuaylillas to see its main attraction: the church of San Pedro, nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel of America” for the impressive works of art found inside. Once you arrive at the Imperial City bus station, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

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Day 10:

CUZCO

Breakfast and free morning to rest or stroll through the squares and beautiful cobblestone streets of the city. In the afternoon, departure for a guided tour of this charming city that was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour begins by visiting the Convent of Santo Domingo, built on the Inca temple of Coricancha and one of the most important sites dedicated to the cult of the sun. Ancient chronicles say that its walls were covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then visit the Cathedral, the most impressive monument in the Plaza de Armas. Then departure towards the Cusco hills where the Sacsayhuamán fortress is located, whose imposing walls offer an impressive panoramic view of Cusco. We continue towards Qenqo, an archaeological complex for religious use where it is believed that the Incas practiced rituals related to agriculture. The tour ends in Puca Pucará, in Quechua "red fort", an architectural complex supposedly for military use, with multiple environments, squares, baths, aqueducts and towers. It is believed that it was used by the Inca entourage while the leader rested in Tambomachay. After finishing the visit, return to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation.

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Day 11:

CUZCO – SACRED VALLEY

Breakfast and departure to the town of Chinchero (*). This traditional Cusco urban center is special not only for its privileged view of the landscape of the Sacred Valley, but also because its inhabitants preserve the traditions and knowledge inherited from the Incas that is reflected in their clothing and crafts. In addition to its cultural legacy, in Chinchero you can visit the agricultural terraces and its beautiful 17th century church, built on an old Inca palace and considered one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. The trip continues through the Sacred Valley towards Ollantaytambo, making a stop en route to enjoy the landscape from a viewpoint before arriving at the Living Museum of Yucay. This museum is actually a center for the interpretation of Andean traditions, with demonstrations of textile work, adobe handicrafts, ceramics, and silverware using the same ancient Inca techniques. Alpacas, llamas and sheep live here, which you can see up close and even feed. Finally, there is a tour of the town of Ollantaytambo, where a delicious lunch will be taken. Enjoy the Andean essence that is breathed in the place by walking through its streets, which still maintain the Inca urban planning and have been inhabited since then, or go up the iconic fortress built on the side of the mountain. After the visit, transfer to your hotel to rest full of the Inca spirit. Lodging.


(*) The visits that take place on Sundays include the Chinchero market.


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Day 12:

CUZCO – MACHU PICCHU – CUZCO

Breakfast and transfer to Ollanta station to leave by train to Aguas Calientes, through spectacular Andean landscapes and where we will arrive after an hour and a half. Arrival and continuation by bus to Machu Picchu, the “lost city of the Incas”. It is believed that the archaeological site was built around 1450 by the Inca Pachacutec as his vacation residence. However, a century later, the city was abandoned after the Spanish conquest, saving it from the destruction that came to other Inca settlements. Instead, the jungle hid her and protected her. During the guided tour, you will learn about the origins of this impressive citadel, presenting its most notable monuments. Once the visit is over, return to Aguas Calientes to have lunch and then take the train back to Ollanta station. Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Cusco. Accommodation.

(Lunch time may vary depending on the entrance to the citadel)

(Very important : Due to the limited capacity of the citadel, it is recommended to buy tickets to Machu Picchu well in advance since they are subject to availability at the time of requesting the reservation and payment. Once the ticket is purchased, it is non-refundable).

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Day 13:

CUZCO

Breakfast and free time until transfer time to the airport.

Day 14:

ARRIVAL TO THE ORIGIN CITY

Arrival, end of the trip and of our services.