DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA

 Upon arrival at the airport in Lima, one of our representatives will welcome you and take you to your hotel within the airport.

Note: In case you wish to tour the city, please let us know so we can customize your itinerary.

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 & ARRIVAL IN PUNO

 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 6 hour drive to the city of Puno which is located at a higher altitude than Arequipa. You can stay in one of the hotels with relaxing views of Lake Titicaca.

 DAY 5: LAKE TITICACA TOUR

 Get ready for this 9-hour adventure on the highest navigable lake in the world. Your adventure begins with a visit to Uros Island. The Uros are a pre-Inca ethnic group that inhabits these floating islands made of reed. You will get to know and experience the ancestral customs of the place. Then, you will continue your visit to Taquile Island; one of the largest in the lake; where you will have one of the best views of the lake and the surrounding peninsula. You will enjoy a local lunch before returning to Puno. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to relax and then choose where to have the last dinner of your tour.

DAY 6: ARRIVAL IN CUSCO

 After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up and take you to the bus station where you will board a first class bus to Cusco for a 10 hours trip. This trip includes a buffet lunch and a visit to different archaeological sites along the way. Once in Cusco, one of our representatives will be waiting for you to drive you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day free to explore Cusco on your own.

DAY 7: 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 in Cusco.

DAY 8: SACRED VALLEY TOUR

Get to know one of the most beautiful places in the Peruvian Andes, The Sacred Valley. In addition to its beautiful views, you will know why it was a very important place for the Inca civilization. Inca buildings, ancestral canals, megalithic constructions will be part of this magical adventure. The tour starts visiting the town of Chinchero with incredible views of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Then, you will visit the salt mines of Maras with its more than 3,000 wells. Later, you will visit Moray, considered by some scholars as an agricultural experimentation center. At the end of the tour, you will visit the town of Ollantaytambo, considered one of the most beautiful towns to visit, there, you can explore its archaeological park with its megalithic constructions.  You will spend the night in this picturesque village before your visit to Machupicchu.

DAY 9: MACHUPICCHU TOUR

 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: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO

 After lunch at your hotel, Peruvian Ride will arrange a private transfer from your hotel to Cusco airport, where you will take a flight to your next destination.

Extend your staying in Peru by choosing from a range exciting Peru destinations.