FANTASTIC PERU 10-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: WELCOME TO PERU – LIMA. –

Airport pickup – Hotel, overnight stay in Lima.

DAY 2: LIMA CITY TOUR.

After breakfast at 9am, we will enjoy a tour of Lima in three stages: Ancient, Colonial, and Modern. We will begin the tour with a panoramic view of the “Pucllana Pyramid,” an ancient ceremonial and archaeological center built in the 4th century AD and considered a sacred site of the Incas. Then we will head to the Historic Center of Lima. Here we will see what was once the old Lima Cuadrada and admire more than fifty monuments and colonial buildings, including the Paseo de la República, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Municipal Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Cathedral Basilica, among others. Continuing the tour, we will visit the Central Reserve Bank Museum, where we will see the Collection of Treasures of Peru, which includes ceramics, gold objects, and textiles from various pre-Columbian cultures. We will also find the San Francisco Monumental Complex, which is the largest display of colonial religious art in the Americas. Its main attraction is a visit to its underground crypts known as Las Catacumbas. Finally, we will head to the contemporary area of Lima, where we will see the main buildings and residential areas of Lima, El Olivar de San Isidro, Miraflores, Larcomar, and the Parque del Amor. Free afternoon.

DAY 3: PARACAS – BALLESTAS ISLANDS – HUACACHINA. – 5 AM.

Departure for the Paracas Resort (approximately 4 hours) in a tourist vehicle from the chosen meeting point. 9:30 a.m. Arrival in Paracas to head to the pier, where we will depart for the islands in modern speedboats where you can see sea lions, guano birds, and Humboldt penguins. We will enjoy this wonderful natural wonder and the mysterious Candelabra. Then we will visit the city of Ica on a city tour, where we will visit the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of the Lord of Luren, and its sanctuary. We will visit the Nietto Artisan Market. Here we can learn the entire process of how pisco is made, guided by an experienced worker from the winery. After visiting the winery, visitors will be invited to taste the different types of wines. We will visit the Huacachina oasis, located just 5 km from the center of the city of Ica. In this beautiful lagoon, visitors can enjoy the tranquility of the place and walk around in search of good photos. The immense sand dunes in the lagoon allow visitors to practice one of the most fascinating sports in the area, such as buggies and sandboarding. P.M. Departure for the city of Lima.

DAY 4: WELCOME TO THE CITY OF CUSCO

After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport and travel to the city of Cusco. Welcome, transfer from the airport to the hotel, and coca tea to counteract altitude sickness. In the afternoon, you will have your first tour: CITY TOUR 1:00 PM – 6 PM – CITY TOUR EXCURSION: which includes a visit to the Plaza de Armas, the Temple of the Sun or Koricancha, and a visit to the four ruins surrounding the city: Sacsayhuamán Fortress, Qenko, Puca Pucara, and finally “Los Baños del Inca” Tambomachay.

DAY 5: SUPER SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

This tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas (VIP) begins at 7:00 AM. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco 10 to 15 minutes before the start of the excursion. We will start by visiting the typical village of Chinchero, known as the city of rainbows, to see the Church of Our Lady of Monserrat, built in 1607 on the palace of Tupac Yupanqui. We will also see the terraces and the handicraft market. We will continue our tour by visiting the town of Maras and the experimental terraces of Moray with their microclimates. In this fascinating place, the Incas created their own microclimate to adapt plants, flowers, and many other agricultural products from different parts of the Inca Empire. After this, we will head to the salt flats of Maras. These salt mines are made up of more than 3,000 small pools, which are owned by the people of Maras. They are filled with salt water that flows from a natural spring. We will then head to Urubamba for a buffet lunch in our private transportation. Then we will head to the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, a living Inca city where you can see houses, streets, and stone canals that have been inhabited since the 13th century. We will end with a visit to the archaeological complex of Pisaq, one of the most important agricultural and religious sites for administering control of the Sacred Valley. We will appreciate its constructions such as walls and watchtowers (probably to protect themselves from wild animals). This archaeological site comprises a series of overlapping terraces, displaying impressive large blocks of finely carved stone located on the upper terrace. Finally, we will visit the city of Pisaq. This impressive place gives us an idea of the advanced knowledge that the Incas achieved in architecture. As with other Inca constructions, some studies reveal that it was not a fortress, but a kind of royal estate, owned by the Inca Pachacutec, consisting of terraces, viewpoints, domestic and ceremonial areas, and aqueducts that provided water for agricultural exploitation. Another good reason to visit Pisac is its artisan market, where you can find some unique and authentic souvenirs. Finally, we will return to the city of Cusco at 7:00 p.m.

DAY 6: MACHUPICCHU

In the morning at 4:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel and take a 3.5-hour trip to the train station. Upon arrival in the town of Aguas Calientes, our guide will be waiting for us, and we will then take the bus to the Machu Picchu sanctuary. We will then have a guided tour of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and take photos of this marvel. At the appointed time, we will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch and finally take the return train at 3:20 p.m. (Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo, where our private vehicle will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco).

DAY 7.- MOUNTAIN OF COLORS, WINICUNCA

Our staff will pick you up at 5:30 am at your respective hotel, and we will board our private transportation to head to the town of Pitumarca. During the trip, we will pass through different towns and enjoy the incredible views of the Peruvian Andes. The trip takes approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival, we will stop to enjoy a delicious Andean breakfast and carry out the necessary activities to start the tour. After this short stop, we will continue the trip where we will observe beautiful landscapes, mysterious mountains, and deep valleys. We will arrive at the town of Chilca at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level. From there, we will begin our 3-hour climb to Rainbow Mountain. Upon reaching the top of the mountain at 5,100 meters above sea level, you will be able to observe breathtaking views of the Andes and the impressive wildlife that surrounds this area. With luck, we will be able to observe Andean wildlife such as llamas and alpacas. After enjoying the view and taking photos at the top, you will have enough time to take photos and enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, we will return on a 2-hour journey, then take our private transport back to the city of Cusco.

DAY 08: CUSCO – PUNO (SUN ROUTE)

After breakfast, transfer to the station to board the tourist bus to Puno, which will take approximately 8 hours. We will have 4 excursions and guided tours. We will visit the church of Andahuaylillas (the Sistine Chapel of America), the archaeological center of Raqchi, the La Raya pass (4,335 meters above sea level – the highest point of the trip), and the Pukara Museum. Each tour lasts 20 to 40 minutes, during which passengers can ask questions, take pictures, and walk around a bit. At each stop, we will have a professional guide who will provide explanations. We will also enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the tourist restaurant in Sicuani.

Arrival in Puno in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 09: LAKE TITICACA – UROS AND TAQUILE

After breakfast, transfer to the port of Lake Titicaca where we will board a motorboat that will take us to the floating islands of the Uros. During the tour, the guide will explain the history, culture, and construction of these islands made of totora reeds. We will then continue the trip to Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua natives who have developed an efficient social organization and a remarkable textile production system. We will take a walk along its trails and enjoy a typical lunch prepared by the locals.

In the afternoon, we will return to Puno and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 10: PUNO – JULIACA – AIRPORT

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the appropriate time, transfer to Juliaca airport to board your flight back to Lima.