Highlights of Peru

DAY 1: LIMA
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your HOTEL.

DAY 2: LIMA
This morning explore Lima’s historic downtown district. Overnight at your HOTEL. (B)

DAY 3: LIMA – PARACAS – NAZCA
After breakfast, you will depart for Paracas. Upon arrival you will be taken to the pier for a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands here you can see the intriguing Paracas Candelabra carving on the peninsula and witness a variety of sea birds, pelicans, Humboldt penguins and sea lions. Afterwards, you will be taken to the city of Ica to visit its regional museum before enjoying lunch at your leisure. You will be transferred by bus to Nazca where you will be met and taken to your HOTEL for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 4: NAZCA – AREQUIPA
After breakfast you will be taken on a flight over the Nazca Lines to witness the mystical drawings of the geoglyphs. The Nazca Lines are one of archaeology’s greatest enigmas due to their quantity, nature and size. Afterwards, you will be transferred by bus to the city of Arequipa where you will be taken to your HOTEL for a three-night stay. (B)

DAY 5: AREQUIPA
Today you will be taken on a tour of Arequipa starting with the imposing Arequipa cathedral (17th Century). From here you will visit the Monastery of Santa Catalina. The tour concludes with a visit to the districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, both offering picturesque views of the Arequipa countryside. (B)

DAY 6: AREQUIPA – COLCA CANYON
This morning you will visit Pampa Cañahuas Reserve and head to Vizcachani, Pamaps de Toccra, up to the crater of the volcano Chucura and on to Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa. Enjoy lunch at the local town of Chivay followed by an afternoon at your leisure spent back at the hotel or visiting the thermal springs at La Calera. (B, L)

DAY 7: COLCA CANYON – PUNO
Today, you will be taken to the Colca Valley where you will visit the Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma and Yanque towns as well as the Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints. Your journey continues to Puno via Patahuasi where you will see stone forests and sky blue lagoons. Overnight at your HOTEL in Puno. (B, L)

DAY 8: PUNO
Today you will be taken on a boat ride on Lake Titicaca to visit the Uros, an indigenous community living on floating reed islands. After lunch, you will return to Puno. (B, L)

DAY 9: PUNO – CUSCO
After breakfast, you will be transferred by bus to Cusco where you will stop en route at the town of Pucara with a visit to the Pucara Lithic Museum. After lunch you will stop at Raqchi, an Inca site built in honor of the powerful Andean God, Wiracocha. Continue to the Church of Andahuaylillas and the districts of Huaro and Checacupe before arriving in Cusco. The next two nights will be spent at your HOTEL in Cusco. (B, L)

DAY 10: CUSCO
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day then an afternoon tour of Cusco beginning in Coricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun. The next stop is the 17th century Cathedral in Main Square and then on to Sacsayhuaman, one of the 15th century emblematic buildings of the Incas. Your tour will continue on to the archaeological complex of Qenqo concluding with a visit to Puka Pukara then back to your HOTEL in Cusco. (B)

DAY 11: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
Today your tour will start at the Sacred Valley, where you will visit Awanakancha, a farm of South American camelids. You will then visit Pisac and the local craft markets. After lunch you will continue on to Ollantaytambo where you will visit the huge archaeological complex and fortress which is one of the most grandiose works of the Inca Empire. (B, L)

DAY 12: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This morning you will be taken by train to Aguas Calientes. After exploring the town, you will be taken to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Machu Picchu, a masterpiece of engineering and
architecture. At the end of the tour, you will be taken by bus back to Aguas Calientes, enjoying lunch at “Café Inkaterra” before returning to Cusco by train. (B, L)

DAY 13: CUSCO
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (B)