Essential Peru Experience |
Trip code: trip040Type Service: Group Tour
Itinerary: Customizable
Starting Price
$2619
Trip Length
14 Days

- Trip Overview
- Destinations: Lima, Ica & Nazca, Arequipa & Colca, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu
Activities: Cultural and History,Multi-Activity,Family
Highlights: Lima, Ballestas Island, Nazca Lines, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Andes Mountains, Cusco, Pisaq ruins and market, Ollantaytambo ruins, Mandor Valley Bird watching.
Comfortable in-depth exploration of the highlights of southern Peru: All the highlights on our best-value two week trip; a spectacular journey through Peru's varied landscape encompassing coastal desert, snowy Andean peaks, the high Altiplano and lush cloud forest. We visit the most famous sites including the mysterious Nazca Lines, the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu in its incredible mountaintop setting, Lake Titicaca, where we spend the night in an island homestay, and the stunning 3000m deep Colca Canyon, ancient Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - International Arrival in LimaOur representative will meet with you at International Lima Airport and escort you to your hotel.
There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and rest up. Overnight at Lima HotelMeals Included: None
Day 2 – Lima Sightseeing TourBreakfast at the Hotel; morning free to relax; we recommend you to take a long rest and be prepared to begin with this unforgettable journey through our wonderful country.
At 2:30pm start your guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". This excursion offers the best combination of the different attractions in Lima and its three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary. In Lima, there were several different pre-Columbian cultures which are dated thousands of years back. Lima was part of the Inca Empire until was founded by the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro on the 18th of January, 1535; back to Hotel - Overnight at Lima HotelMeals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 – Bus Lima to Ica - Over flight Nazca LinesBreakfast at your hotel; pick up service from your hotel will be at 6:00am and transfer to Bus Station the bus depart 7:00am, you will be driven 325 Km. (202 miles) south along the Pan-American Highway from Lima to Ica, through arid desert and lush coastal oasis; we will arrive in Ica at 11:30am approx.
Around 12:00pm transfer to Nazca by private transport (it takes around two hours) and flight over the mysterious Nasca Lines (Airfare included) this aerial tour will allow you to see the most spectacular Nazca drawings, such as the monkey, the hummingbird, the condor, the spider, the astronaut and many others.
Then archaeological tour includes visit the Mirador de Palpa, Cantalloc Aqueducts and Paredones.
At 5:30pm approx. return to Ica. Overnight at Ica HotelMeals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 – Ica - Ballestas Island & Paracas – Back to LimaBreakfast at your hotel; pick up from the Hotel at 7:00am and transfer to Paracas a 60 Km. (37 miles) drive north to Paracas. On the route is appreciated the fields of crops in some export products such as paprika, asparagus, artichokes, etc. driving north to Paracas for an excursion by boat to the Ballestas Islands to view thousands of birds, sea lions and fur seals in their natural surroundings. The famous candlestick design, a Nazca civilization figure etched on the desert face, can also be seen from the boat and at the end transfer to the national reserve of Paracas. Where we will visit the Interpretation Centre of the Reserva Nacional Paracas, the Cathedral, Lagunilla beach, Red Beach and Yumaque beach to see petrified dinosaur eggs (in studio) and finally the Independence Obelisk.
Then at 2:30pm departure Bus time - Bus to Lima arriving at 7:30 approx. upon arrival, reception and transfer to your Hotel in Lima - Overnight at Lima HotelMeals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 - Flight to Arequipa - Arequipa Sightseeing TourBreakfast at the hotel; transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Arequipa, upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel, morning free time to relax
In the afternoon Arequipa; including Mirador de Carmen Alto, Mirador de Yanahuara, Plaza de Armas and the Monasterio de Santa Catalina. We visit the Monastery of Santa Catalina, called "a city within a city", a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios, and plaza. It is a masterpiece of colonial architecture, and houses some of the finest examples of Spanish American religious art, during colonial times were the refuge of female nobility who had decided to shut them away from the world and dedicate entirely to prayer.
Overnight at Arequipa HotelMeals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 - Arequipa - Colca ValleyBreakfast at the hotel; excursion to Colca Canyon 2 Day; pick up from the Hotel at 07:45am then leave Arequipa to a journey to the center of the Earth, our end Colca Canyon, towards nor west direction behind snow-covered Chachani, Yura, small valley with thermal springs, see wild vicuñas in Pampa Cañahuas national reserve, Alpacas & llamas in Tocra, some birds like flamingoes, ibis, andean gooze, ducks, Andean eagle "Kara Kara" view point of the Volcanoes and snow covered mountains in Patapampa (4,800m)(15,000ft.), See the Ampato, Sabancaya, Walca Walca, etc.) Chivay Capital of the valley afternoon visit to the thermal springs & pools in La Calera
(Admission to the pools not included, about US$ 5 per person) - Overnight at Colca Valley HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 - Colca Canyon - Condor's Cross - Bus to PunoBreakfast at the hotel; In order to see the mighty Condor, you will wake up at 5:00am, breakfast will be served at 5:30am, and by 6:00am we will be driving towards the “Cruz del Condor”, a natural lookout point where you can see the spectacular flight of the majestic Condor can be appreciated. On the way back to Chivay, visit to the Mirador of Chinina, where we will find the famous Cliffside Tombs and the Hanging Bridge of Sifón that joins the Town of Yanque with Coporaque. To have spectacular views of the Colca Valley, we will drive to the Lookout points of Choquetipo and Artahuilque.
After the tour take the bus to Puno journey will take around 6 hours. Upon arrival reception and transfer to the Hotel in Puno - Overnight at Puno HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 - Lake Titicaca - Floating Islands of Uros and TaquileBreakfast at the hotel; pick up from the Hotel at 7:30am we take a two-hour motor boat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique Floating "Islands" of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own "islands" by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed unique to the area called "Totora". Their homes and boats are also made from this material. We continue our motorboat trip to Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives who have developed efficient and unique social systems, as well as fine hand weaving techniques, down through the generations. Upon arrival at the Town of Taquile we will have a lunch. Then we will walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6km long island. In the afternoon, return to Puno - Overnight at Puno HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 - Bus to CuscoBreakfast at the hotel; pick up from the hotel at 07:00am and transfer to the Bus Station to head off to Cusco. Beautiful scenery all along the way, visit of the Raqchi and archeological sites as well as Andahuaylillas village and its famous "Sixteen Chapel" that was built in the middle of the 17th century. Lunch in Sicuani; upon arrival; reception and transfer to Cusco Hotel - Overnight at Cusco HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 - City Sightseeing TourBreakfast at the hotel; free time in the morning
After lunch at 1:30pm; Cusco tour including the Cathedral, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay. Our tour will beginning on to the Main Square of Cusco. You'll enter the Cathedral of Cusco and see the beautiful woodwork and colonial paintings containing extensive Incan iconography. Visit the Korikancha (Temple of the Sun) on which the Santo Domingo Convent was built. Legend says this temple was completely gold coated, which impressed the conquerors upon their arrival.
Ascend to the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman and visit the Cuidadela. This is the royal house where they admired the Sun God but also worshiped younger gods. Admire this large structure and enjoy the magnificent landscape which brings peace and tranquility. Next, visit Qenqo, the old temple of the Puma. Inside you can see a sacrificial altar made of a huge stone. At Tambomachay, you'll see the sacred fountains of life and health. Pucapucara safeguarded the city gates and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The tour ends with a detailed visit of the city of Cusco – Overnight at Cusco HotelMeals Included: Breakfast
Day 11 – Sacred Valley of the TourBreakfast at the hotel; pick up from the hotel at 8:30am for your full day tour to the impressive Sacred Valley of the Incas, explore the beautiful Peruvian countryside with a full-day tour of the magical Sacred Valley. First place, you will visit the town of Pisaq, famous for its bustling market. This native town was once where “exchange transactions” took place. In this type of transaction, customers would exchange one good for another instead of using currency. Visit the market of Pisaq where you can purchase beautifully crafted products hand-made by the locals.
On Sunday, the main attraction is a mass celebrated in Quechua and conducted in Spanish. It is attended by the mayors and their attendants who play traditional musical instruments called "pututos."
Afterwards, you'll enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch (included in price) before visiting the fortress of Ollantaytambo.
Next, you will visit the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo fortress. These magnificent ancient ruins serve as great vantage points to look out over the valley. Originally the royal estate of Emperor Pachakuteq during the Inca Empire, this site later served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui in the Inca´s final rebellion against the Spanish. In the afternoon back to Cusco - Overnight at Cusco HotelMeals Included: Breakfast
Day 12 – Train to Aguas Calientes & Mandor Valley Bird watchingBreakfast at the hotel; Pick from the Hotel for your Excursion to Machu Picchu 2 Day, early transfer to the nearby train station to Poroy for the train journey to the mysterious lost city of Machu Picchu, the train ride to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful journeys that visitors can experience in our country. The trip offers a great natural, so many staggering views of the Andes and a jungle atmosphere after descending to the (2000m/6560ft). After around 3 ½ hours, we will have arrived in Aguas Calientes, transfer to the Hotel after check in; Lunch in Aguas Calientes at Indio Feliz Restaurant
Mandor Valley Bird watching; after lunch you’ll visit Mandor Valley; we walk along the Vilcanota River following the railroad tracks into the Mandor Valley to visit its waterfall. The valley is inhabited by varied and fascinating birdlife, including Speckle-faced Parrots and Green Jays, and we have opportunity to find Cock-of-the-Rock. We will relax and perhaps bathe under the waterfall before walking back to the hotel in the shadow of Machu Picchu
Overnight at Aguas Calientes HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13 - Full Day Machu Picchu & Back to CuscoBreakfast at the hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, early transfer at 5:30am to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you'll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure.
Then, you will have time to perform some of the following activities by yourself (not included in the price):
1. Climb to Wayna Picchu; for the most adventurous people, we suggest to go up the Wayna Picchu from where you can appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being high and distant.
2. Walk to Sun Gate; opportunity to walk (approx. 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant in Machu Picchu (included in the price)
Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you'll return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Cusco - train departure to Cusco; upon arrival to Cusco reception and transfer to the Hotel
Overnight at Cusco HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14 - Depart Cusco - Lima International departureBreakfast at the hotel; transfer to the airport for departure flight to Lima and then take your connecting flight at homeMeals Included: Breakfast - Prices & Includes
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- 2619
- Tour cost per person
- Trip includes:
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- Type
- Package
- lenght
- 14 Days
- Service
- Group Tour
- Itinerary
- Customizable
- $2619
- Total cost per person:
Index More Information:
Includes ^ Back To TitleServices Included
All mentioned private land transport (bus, train, etc.), Hotel accommodation with breakfast, entrance to parks and cultural sights, guided visits and mentioned excursions, English/Spanish speaking guide to accompany visits and excursions, all private transfers, meals as indicated in the itinerary, Train tickets Expedition Class.
Services not included
International airfares, domestic flights
Airport departure (US$ 30 per person for international flights and US$ 6.5 for national flights) taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature, personal equipment, obligatory personal insurance and meals which are not mentioned, Entrance fee to Wayna Picchu Mountain
- Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class: add US$ 50
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