DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA

Upon arrival at the airport in Lima, you will be met by one of our representatives, who will take you to your confirmed hotel. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the city. We recommend visiting the Malecon Armendariz with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.

DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN AREQUIPA & CITY TOUR

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to the white city of Arequipa, so called because it was built with white volcanic material known as sillar. A representative will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel. Once you are settled in your hotel, your designated guide will pick you up from your hotel to tour the highlights of the city.

The historic center of Arequipa has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Part of the tour of the historic center is the visit to the chapel of San Ignacio, the main square, the Cathedral, the convent of Santa Catalina which is a city within the city which was built in colonial times.

The tour ends with a visit to the viewpoint of Yanahuara, which offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding volcanoes, Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu Pichu; have your camera ready.

Arequipa is also known for its famous gastronomy, we recommend not to miss tasting some of its local dishes.

DAY 3: COLCA CANYON

This day, we will visit one of the deepest canyons in the world with a depth of about 10,725 feet (3,270 meters) from the highest point of the canyon to the river at its base. After breakfast at your hotel you will be taken to this geological wonder that is also considered a cultural and natural treasure. This tour features beautiful high altitude Andean views and the sighting of wildlife such as Vicunas (relative of llamas) and vizcachas (similar to rabbits). The highest point will be the Patapampa pass located above 15,000 feet. On the descent, you will see pre-Inca agricultural terraces with the view of volcanoes in the background, an impressive sight worthy of a postcard.

You will enjoy a local lunch (not included) in the village of Chivay and then relax in the hot springs as a reward for your hike.

DAY 4: COLCA CANYON & RETURNING TO AREQUIPA

Early in the morning, after breakfast, your guide will take you to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, the best viewpoint in the canon and home of the giant Andean condors.

The road to the viewpoint passes through picturesque Andean villages, pre-Inca ruins and beautiful views of glaciers such as Ampato and Hualca, creating breathtaking views of the place. After lunch in Chivay, you will start your back trip to Arequipa where you will have the rest of the evening at your leisure.

DAY 5: CUSCO ARRIVAL

Peruvian ride will arrange a private transfer from your hotel to the Arequipa’s airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, one of our representatives will welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to explore Cusco on your own in order to acclimatize as Cusco is located at 11,300 ft . You will discover the magic of the nights in the capital of the Inca Empire.

DAY 6: CUSCO CITY TOUR

You can have breakfast at your hotel before starting the first day of the tour. Your designated guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on the famous pedestrian tour. In the first part of this interesting tour, you will visit Cusco’s main square, the Cathedral (exterior), the 12 corners stone, stone buildings and streets, and the main Inka ceremonial center; the Qoriqancha.

Afterwards, you will enjoy a local lunch in a tourist restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the archaeological centers surrounding Cusco, the Sacsayhuaman Sanctuary, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Each of the places to visit attracts more than one visitor. You will enjoy this first day tour.

DAY 7: SACRED VALLEY

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the most impressive and popular tours in the region. In addition to beautiful views of the Vilcanota mountain range, you will witness Inka engineering and architecture. You will start this tour visiting the town of Chinchero with its archaeological park and the beautiful views of the Veronica and Salkantay mountains. You will have the opportunity to visit a textile center where you will learn how the Incas obtained their clothing from alpaca fiber and other South American camelids. Then, you will visit Moray, a fascinating spectacle. Concentric terraces inside a bowl-shaped formation. Some theorize that Moray was a laboratory for agricultural experimentation. Afterwards, you will visit the salt mines of Maras, more than 3000 salt ponds exploited by more than 600 local families in an artisanal way.

You will enjoy a buffet lunch in the town of Urubamba before your last visit.

You will finish this day tour visiting the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo and its archaeological park. In this town, traditions and customs from Inca times are still preserved. Its archaeological park is characterized by its megalithic constructions.

You can enjoy a special night in this beautiful village and enjoy a local dinner before your visit to Machupicchu.

DAY 8: MACHUPICCHU

After breakfast, you will board a train to Machupicchu, The lost city of the Inkas. The train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes is a scenic delight. The train winds its way through the breathtaking Urubamba Valley, passing by lush green mountains, meandering rivers, and Inca buildings. Once in Aguas Calientes, your designated tour guide will meet you and take you on a 30 minutes ride up to the citadel.

You will explore the most important sites of this wonder of the world, including the Sun temple, the room of the 3 windows, the room of the mirrors, among others. At the end of your visit, you will return to Aguas Calientes to choose from a variety of options a good place to have lunch. At the end of the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

DAY 9: ARRIVAL IN PUERTO MALDONADO & AMAZON RAINFOREST LODGE

You will enjoy your last breakfast in Cusco before being taken to the airport to board your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Once in Puerto Maldonado, one of our representatives will meet you and drive you to the dock for a 2 1/2 hour boat ride across the Tambopata River to your lodge. You will leave behind the human occupation to enter the tropical magic of the Amazon, a totally different world.

Once at the lodge you will be told of all the activities that will take place during your stay.

After lunch, you will be able to visit the lookout point; a 3 to 5 kilometer hike with magnificent views of Tambopata.

In the evening, you will have the option of a night walk, when most of the mammals are active. Enjoy your first day in the Amazon rainforest.

DAY 10: AMAZON TOUR

Sunrise in the Amazon rainforest is a unique experience. On most clear mornings, dozens of macaws and hundreds of parrots congregate on the banks of the river making raucous noises and creating a colorful landscape seen on Amazonian postcards.

You will observe colorful macaws and parrots of various species ingesting clay. Mornings are the best time to appreciate a variety of wildlife in the Amazon.

After lunch, you will continue your tour on a 5 kilometer trail through tropical forests with huge trees, through waterfalls and ponds and with sightings of a variety of monkeys. You will visit a small island, home to many aquatic birds such as woodpeckers, mallard ducks, bitterns and others.

In the evening, after dinner, one of the local scientists will give you an explanation about the lifestyle of the macaws.

DAY 11: AMAZON TOUR

This day, after breakfast in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, you will start a hike along the path of peaceful leaf-cutting ants. You will meet the smallest bird of the Amazon, the most elusive monkey and the most spectacular plant life, all this accompanied by your professional guide, will leave you with unforgettable memories of this magical place.

In the late afternoon, under the thick rainforest canopy, you will experience one of the most breathtaking sunsets in the world that you will never forget.

DAY 12: DEPARTURE FROM PUERTO MALDONADO

It’s time to say goodbye. After breakfast you will be taken to Puerto Maldonado by boat and transferred to the airport to board your flight to Lima with connection to your city or your next destination.

You can customize this package with more days exploring the Amazon or you can choose one of the different destinations in Peru that is of your interest.