This ultimate tour of Peru explores the best highlights of Peru in just 2 weeks. Start your journey in Peru's capital city of Lima, continue onto the Colca Canyon, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and end your journey with a 3 day exploration of the Amazon Rainforest and the Tambopata National Reserve.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Miami/Lima. Flight from Miami to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, you will be met after clearing customs and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Lima City Tour. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, a trip to the essential Lima, “The City of Kings” including the most important architectural icons of the city, such as the Main Square, where you can find the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. Then, we continue with a visit to the San Francisco Convent, an architectonic jewel dating back to the 16th century. On our way to the modern area of the city, we will cross the exclusive district of San Isidro, the new financial heart of the city, to take a look at pre-inca Huaca Huallamarca. Finally, we conclude our circuit in Miraflores, where we will visit the “Parque del Amor” (Love Park) an excellent spot to enjoy a great view of the Pacific Ocean. Overnight in Lima.
Day 3: Lima/Arequipa. Early morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival to Arequipa, reception and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the "White City" including the Santa Catalina Convent, beautiful citadel from the 16th century, in the style of Spanish cities of that time. The Main Square, with its three portals, the Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesus (Church of the Company of Jesus) which is a beautiful sample of the Peruvian and Spanish baroque art from the 17th century, along with the multi colorful paintings of the San Ignacio’s Dome, known as the Sistine Chapel of America. Continuing with the trip, we will see the typical districts of Cayma and Yanahuara, a nice overlook, and its church. Overnight in Arequipa.
Day 4: Colca Canyon. You will be picked up from your hotel to start the trip through the town of Yura and the National Reserve of Salinas/Aguada Blanca and Pampa Cañahuas, where you can see many species of birds in their natural habitats, and also South American camels, such as vicuñas and llamas. We will make a stop in Patahuasi to freshen up and enjoy a coca infusion, and later keep going to the town of Chivay. Depending on the schedule, you may have lunch in town or have a picnic enjoying the beautiful scenery from one of the natural viewing spots of the zone. In the afternoon, we highly recommend you to visit La Calera and enjoy an invigorating bath in the hot spring waters or just to spend a delightful afternoon in the hotel. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight in Chivay or Yanque.
Day 5: Very early, we will start the trip to Cruz del Condor (Condor Cross), which will allow us to enjoy a spectacular view of one of the deepest canyons in the world, and with luck, have a chance to take pictures of the biggest and most impressive flying bird in the Andes, the majestic Condor. Depending on the schedule, we could make a stop in the town of Pinchollo, the only pre-Inca town still inhabited, and the Maca town, with its beautiful craft market and colonial church. We will have lunch in Chivay and later we will continue with the return to Arequipa. Overnight in Arequipa.
Day 6: Arequipa/Cuzco. After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the morning is free to rest and get acclimatized to the altitude. In the afternoon, we will visit the Imperial City, living example of the mixture of the Andean and Spanish cultures. We start our trip visiting the Santo Domingo Convent, built over the Koricancha, and ancient Inca palace and main worship center of the Sun God. Later, we will stop at the Main Square, where you can find the Cathedral. Going on with the tour, we will visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, imposing sample of military Inca architecture which domains the city. Finally, we will take a look at Qenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 7: Machu Picchu “The Lost City of the Incas”. You will visit one of the most important energetic centers of the world: Machu Picchu. The excursion will be by train and during the trip we will have an amazing view of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, our representatives will assist you to board the bus which will take you to the citadel. It will be an unforgettable experience, where a professional tour guide will transmit us the history around this mysterious and charming place. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore the zone on your own, relax and meditate. Buffet lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. At the scheduled time, we will go down. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 8: Morning at leisure. You can make a second visit to Machu Picchu and have the chance to know hidden places, such as the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun). Those with a sense of adventure can enjoy a hike full of adrenaline to the top of Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) to visit the Temple of the Moon and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. In the afternoon, you will board the train that will take you back to Cusco. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 9: Cuzco/Puno. We will leave from the Cuzco bus station to start our trip to Puno, so you can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the South Valley of Cusco. We will visit Andahuaylillas, a town where a precious church from the 17th century boasts an amazing organ decorated with angels and cherubs. We will continue with a visit to the Racchi ruins, known as “The Temple of God Wiracocha”. We will have lunch en route. Stop at Pucara, and go through Raqqchi, the highest point on the road between Cusco and Puno, from where we will get excellent photo opportunities. The arrival to Puno is in the afternoon and then, you will be taken to your hotel. Overnight in Puno.
Day 10: Lake Titicaca – Floating Islands of the Uros and Taquile. Excursion to the Lake Titicaca and as a first starting point, visit the floating islands of the Uros, also called Lake Town. These islands are built using totora reed and are used as home and trade centers for the natives, who use hand-made boats of the same material as their means of transportation. We will go on to Taquile Island, where the community kindly welcomes tourists, keeping their traditions alive, as well as their costumes and colorful typical dresses; these people are very skilled artisans and they show in every piece of work all the techniques developed for centuries. Lunch included. Overnight in Puno.
Day 11: Juliaca/Puerto Maldonado. Early morning transfer to the airport to take your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, reception by our representatives and transfer to the river port for your departure by motor canoe to the selected lodge. If it’s required, there will be a stop in the way for last-minute shopping of basic utensils. In the afternoon, arrival to the lodge and accommodation. All possible activities will be announced by our tour guide: nature walks and canoe excursions for bird-watching and ecology. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 12: Tambopata. Choose your days adventure from a list of possible activities including: jungle treks, canoe excursions, bird watching and many more (activities may vary due to weather). Overnight in the selected lodge.
Day 13: Puerto Maldonado/Lima. Rest until departure time. If you wish, it is possible to coordinate with your tour guide for an optional activity. At the scheduled time, return by motor canoe to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the airport to take your flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel.
Day 14: Lima/Miami. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Round-trip air transportation from Miami to Lima round-trip, Lima to Arequipa, Arequipa to Cuzco, Juliaca to Puerto Maldonado, Puerto Maldonado to Lima, coach class (You do not need to fly via Miami; we will fly you the most direct way to your destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin);
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfers;
- Hotel accommodation including breakfast daily and taxes;
- Guided tours in English including all entrance fees;
- Deluxe option comes with private guided services the following Orient Express hotels: the Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu, Monasterio in Cuzco and the Park Plaza in Lima;
- Meals as per itinerary.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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