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Enjoy a memorable 12-day highlights of Southern Peru and Amazon Basin
This 12-day Peru Holidays is perfect for those who want to experience the Andes in just over a week. The carefully crafted itinerary is designed to include core cities and sites of interest: Peru’s capital city Lima, flight of condors in the Colca Valley, ‘white city’ of Arequipa, navigate on the highest lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, visit the city of the Incas, Cusco, tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visit one of the 7 wonders of the world, the citadel of Machu Picchu and four days at Peruvian Amazon exploring forest trail systems, fauna-rich wetland ecosystems and meandering rivers, this tour offers a unique opportunity to discover a lively biodiversity of birds, mammals, reptiles and trees.
Highlight
- A comprehensive adventure package that covers all of Peru’s main attractions including Lima, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, Cusco & Amazon.
- Enjoy the beautiful panoramas surrounding the Sapphire Lakes and the high peaks in the mountainous regions of Peru.
- Explore the ancient and incredible regions of Machu Picchu.
- Witness Peru’s mix of Incan and colonial architecture.
- View the beautiful skies of Machu Picchu when the sun lights them up.
What's included
- 24 hour support by our local staff
- Accommodation in Hotel with breakfast included
- Accommodation in the jungle lodge
- All entrance fees and excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- All ground transportation
- All transfers airport, train station or bus station transfers, Hotel pickup and drop-off
- All transfers are assisted by English speaking staff
- Guided tours by local quality English speaking guides
- Meals: According mentioned in the itinerary (vegetarian or special diets are available)
- Train tickets
- Anything not specified in the itinerary description
- Domestic flight tickets
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
- Guidance in other languages
- International flight tickets
- Other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
- Tips for guides, drivers and other staff
- VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre and post tour accommodation
Trip code: BA-SPAN12
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
International Arrival in Lima
- Lima Airport Transfer: Arrive in Lima at any time. Our representative will be waiting for you at Lima airport with a customized sign with your name on it and private transfer to your hotel.
- There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and rest up.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Lima.
- Meals included: None.
Lima Colonial Tour
- Breakfast at Hotel; free morning.
- Pick up from your hotel at 14:00pm first, we will show you a panoramic view of “La Huaca Pucllana”. This magnificent piece of architecture was built back in the 4th century AD and possesses Incan religious significance.
- You will then visit the impressive Historical Downtown of Lima, also known as “the City of the Kings”, which is the cradle of its Colonial past. We will then stop at the Main Square of Lima which is home to the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s Palace.
- Afterwards, we will visit the San Francisco Convent. The highlight of this tour will undoubtedly be the interesting, cryptic Catacumbas (catacombs).
- Lastly, we will visit the residential and financial districts of San Isidro as well as enjoy an unforgettable view of the Pacific Ocean from the Miraflores district.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Lima.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Flight to Arequipa and explore Arequipa
- Breakfast at hotel; at 07:00am pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival to Arequipa reception and transfer to your hotel.
- Balance of the day is at leisure.
- In the afternoon join the optional Arequipa City tour - the tour will begin in Carmen Alto where we can see the Chili River. Our next stop will be the Yanahuara Viewpoint. This stunning place is famous for its lovely narrow streets. Afterward we will continue on to the Main Square of Arequipa. The scenery here is one of the most important aspects of the White City’s history since Arequipa´s foundation.
- During our visit to the main Square we will visit The Basilica Cathedral, where the Arch Bishop still resides, and the Jeusit Chruch of the Company of Jesus. We will have the opportunity to gaze upon golden alters, beautifully hand painted Polychrome Cupolas, hand painted stained glass cloistered windows, gorgeous 17th century Inca Art and awe inspiring Bell Towers. Lastly, we will visit the Santa Catalina Monastery. The monument´s foundations dates back to 1579 and are one of the most marvelous, important and religiously iconic monuments in Peru. The Monastery has conserved its traditional characteristics for centuries. Its narrow streets and gardens with typical Spanish names bring back memories of the old quarters of Sevilla and Granada.
- Optional: Arequipa City Tour (PM)
- Overnight at the Hotel in Arequipa.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Excursion to the Colca Valley
- Breakfast at hotel; pick up from the hotel at 07:30am land departure toward your exciting excursion towards the Colca Valley. In the route, we will drive across Pampa Cañahuas at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve. You will be blown away by the magnificent views of the volcanoes named Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu.
- Upon arrival to the reserve, you will be able to first-hand experience the wild vicuñas in their natural habitats, which is considered a national symbol. We then continue on to Vizcachani, Pampas de Toccra, up to the crater of the volcano Chucura and lastly on to the Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa (4800m) from where the volcanoes that frame Arequipa can be seen.
- Before arriving to Colca Valley our last stop will be at the Mirador, from where gorgeous pre-Columbian terraces that are still being cultivated by native Collaguas can be carefully observed. Once we get to the town of Chivay transfer to your hotel.
- There are no planned activities so check into the hotel and rest up.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Colca Valley.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Observe the flight of the Condors and Journey to Puno
- Breakfast at hotel; pick up at 06:00am we will make our way to the awe inspiring Cruz del Cóndor to gaze upon the Colca Valley (the second deepest canyon in the world, 4km at its deepest point!) and be blown away with amazement as we marvel at the great and majestic condors soaring only a few meters away.
- Afterward we will make our way to the town of Pinchollo as well as the Antahuilque Viewpoint to see an amazing terrace built 1500 years ago. On our way back to Chivay we will stop at the viewpoints of Choquetico and Tumbas Colgantes, meaning ¨hanging tombs¨ where hundreds of Inca & Pre-Inca souls have been laid to rest.
- The we continue to the towns of Maca and Yanque where you will be able to set eyes upon the valley’s most beautiful church and have lunch the towns’ quaint small town square.
- After arriving in Chivay again you can enjoy a hearty lunch at a local eatery.
- At 13:30pm, take the bus to Puno.
- On the way, we will see the stone forest and stop at the lagoon called Lagunillas that is home to a great wild variety of birds and flora. This journey will take around 6 hours.
- Upon arrival, you will be received and transferred to your Puno hotel.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Puno.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Lake Titicaca (Uros Floating Islands & Taquile)
- Breakfast at hotel; you will be picked up from your hotel at 07:00am and transferred to Puno´s port. Our journey will begin with the Uros Floating Islands. The Uros are the native people who live on these man-made islands made with cattail which is grown on Lake Titicaca. The houses are built atop, while the cooking is done outside to avoid fires.
- After spending an hour on the Island of Uros, you will proceed to the Island of Taquile. Here you will become aware that these locals speak Quechua instead of the predominant Aymara. The Island of Taquile was once a part of the Inca Empire, which still influences the style of the buildings today.
- Upon arrival to the island, you will receive some brief information as well as a tour until lunchtime. In the afternoon, the boat will take you back to Puno.
- From Puno´s port, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Puno.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Travel by bus from Puno to Cusco with stops
- Breakfast at hotel; you will be picked up at 06:00am from your hotel in Puno and then transferred to the bus station where you will board the bus to Cusco.
- The trip from Puno to Cusco takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery in route as you travel through the high Altiplano region. You will enjoy several shorts stops to take in panoramic views and visit a historical ruin in Pucara, La Raya, Raqchi, Andahuaylillas and Sicuani where you’ll have a delicious buffet lunch and taste its unique Andean flavor.
- Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your Cusco Hotel.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Tour to the Sacred Valley (Pisac & Ollantaytambo)
- Breakfast at hotel; pick up from your hotel at 07:30am. We will embark on a journey back in time to the Inca´s Sacred Valley beginning in Pisac, 31 km from Cusco. The ancient Incan archeological site and city is located on the top of a mountain. There you will have the chance to witness the impressive stonemasonry skill of our ancient ancestors.
- Afterward you will go down into the quaint little town and wander through its colorful market where you can buy intricate, beautifully hand-crafted products.
- Then we will continue to Ollantaytambo, a military, religious, and agricultural center of the Incas located at the top of a mountain. Note: unlike other small towns, this one has maintained its original Incan design including outstanding stone buildings and narrow streets. It was once used as a fortress, administrative and urban center.
- After the tour we will make our way to the Ollantaytambo train station where we will catch the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals Included: Breakfast.
Visit to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu & Back to Cusco
- Breakfast at the hotel; at 06:00am you will ride a bus to Machu Picchu archeological site (2,430m/7,972ft) declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the hilltop citadel deserved every bit of its fame.
- Around 07:30am the guided tour begins, the guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can then wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered to be the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. The guided tour takes around two hours.
- From 10:30am to 12:30pm once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own.
- From 12:30pm to 13:30pm take bus to Aguas Calientes.
- From 13:30pm to 15:00pm take lunch on your own.
- Return to Cusco: later board the train for the return trip to Cusco. You will stop at the Poroy station and then be picked up and driven to your hotel in Cusco.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast.
Flight to Puerto Maldonado – Amazon Lodge
- Breakfast at the hotel; pick up from the hotel and transfer to Cusco airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. You will be welcomed by a guide when you arrive at the airport. The guide will take you to the office which is located 5 minutes away from the airport at Puerto Maldonado. You will then head towards Puerto Nuevo on an unpaved road for a one-hour long journey. After which you will go onboard a boat through which you will enter Bahuaja Sonene National Park and the Tambobata National Reserve’s buffer zone.
- Your arrival at the lodge at lodge will be welcomed by the staff. Around noon, you will be accompanied by a guide on a walk through the jungle where you will observe birds like wild turkeys and quails, as well as flora like kapok trees and ironwood. You may also witness spiders like tarantulas during night fall, along with other nocturnal animals.
- Overnight at Amazon Lodge
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
La Torre Clay Lick & Tres Chimbadas Lake
- You will awake really early in the morning to go for a 15-minute walk upriver for observing animals’ activities. You will be able to see parakeets, parrots, macaws and other mammals while they feed from the La Torre Clay Lick. This bank of mud has 4-meter height and 20-meter width. It is very significant for the animals as it is the main source of food for them.
- You will be served a delicious breakfast when you return to the lodge and after a short rest, you will head towards Tres Chimbadas Lake.
- Tres Chimbadas Lake is situated at a distance of 15 minutes from Lodge. You will hike deep in the jungle with your guide for 45 minutes. A catamaran with a single oar will take you on the rest of your journey. You will see a variety of birds, vegetations along the river bank, witness different mammals and reptiles. You may also be able to do fishing while on the catamaran.
- You will return to the lodge around noon and head over to the houses of the local families. They will tell you about their life, traditions and ways of living. They will allow you to try different exotic fruits like Yucca, Arazá, Copazú and many more which are daily utilized by these local people.
- Overnight at Amazon Lodge
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departure from Lodge – Flight to Lima – Connect at International Flight
- Breakfast at lodge; transfer by boat – Lodge to Tambopata River port then to Puerto Maldonado, we retrace our river and road journey back to Puerto Maldonado, our office and the airport. Depending on airline schedules, this may require dawn departures.
- Flight to Lima where you can connect at the same airport for International flight. Most groups will take the flight from Puerto Maldonado to Lima connecting from there to international flights.
- Meals included: Breakfast