Peru Highlights
Duration - 13 days (min. 2 persons)
Route: Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Day 1 - ARRIVAL IN PERU
You will be awaited by AVENTURAS DE ORO in the arrival lounge of the airport in Lima. We take you to your accommodation in the safe district of Miraflores. (overnight stay in Miraflores)
Day 2 - LIMA TO AREQUIPA
Today you fly from Lima to Arequipa. Free day in Arequipa. We have a free afternoon in this wonderful city with a lot of colonial buildings, at the foot of three volcanos: Misti (5825m), Chachani (6075m) and Pichu Pichu (5571m). Most buildings are made of white volcanic rock. The facades are beautifully ornamented with fruit, flowers, animals and human faces. This architectonical style is unique and characteristic of this region and continues inwards on the route to the silver mines of Potosí (Bolivia). In Arequipa the world famous mummy Juanita is on display. She was a teenage girl that was sacrificed centuries ago to the mountains in the Colca Canyon. Of course you have to visit the beautiful Convent of Santa Catalina. (overnight stay Arequipa) (B)
Day 3-5 - COLCA CANYON (3 days-2 nights)
In the morning depart for Colca Canyon by bus and with a local guide. The Colca Canyon is one of the world’s deepest canyons and the condors fly out every morning from the Condor's Cross. During this trip you will see traditional Colca life, woman wear their traditional clothes, the dresses and jackets are beautiful embroidered and their hats are distinctive. Peru's famous cameloids (vicunas, llamas, and alpacas), the incredible landscape, the thousands of terraces that partly are still being cultivated, the medicinal hot springs and many more will conquer your hearts (overnight stay in a hotel with relaxing hotsprings) (B)
Day 5 - COLCA CANYON–SILLUSTANI-PUNO
On day 5 we have a long journey. We drive from the Colca Canyon to Puno. Its a long but very rewarding trip and at the end of the day we arrive at Sillustani a hilltop of the Umayo Lake peninsula are some impressive examples of chullpas (funerary towers) of the Collas (pre-Inca's) and we will observe a spectacular sunset. (overnight stay Puno) (B)
Day 6 - LAKE TITICACA
The city of Puno is located at the shore of the Lake Titicaca. At 3,900msmn it is the highest navigable lake in the world. From the harbour of Puno leaves our boat for our trip on the Lake Titicaca. We visit the reed Uros Islands and stay with native people in their primitive houses and interesting way of life on the Island of Amantani. Life is very primitive and with lots of traditions. Marriage is only allowed between others from the same island, men's knitted hats and handmade belts show if they have married, widow or still single. The inhabitants speak their own language -Quechua and Aymara-, communicate with the mountains, chew on coca leaves, keep guinea pigs and wear impressive colorful clothes. (overnight stay Amantaní) (B,L,D)
Day 7 - LAKE TITICACA-PUNO
Early in the morning we leave to the other unique Island of Taquile. We walk up the hill and all over the island we see the men knit with bicycle spokes intricate patterns. We can have our lunch here before we go down back to our boat. (overnight stay Puno) (B,L)
Day 8 - FROM PUNO TO CUSCO
Today we travel through wonderful landscapes to our final destination the Inca capital of Cusco. (overnight stay Cusco). (B)
Optional: By train from Puno to Cusco. (only on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) Please, let us know at moment of booking.
Day 9 - FREE DAY CUSCO
Cusco also known as The Navel of the Earth for the Incas with it is fascinating Inca buildings and ruins. Cusco was and will always be the capital of the Inca culture. Is shows a fascinating contrast between ancient cultures and the Spanish conquest. Although the Spaniards built their buildings on the foundations of the Inca palaces and buildings, they could not cover up the traces of the Inca's. This is obvious as we have a look for example at their customs, the traditional parties, where a lot of Inca rituals are demonstrated, the official Inca language Quechua that is still be spoken. You never stop exploring Cusco. The magnificent streets, colonial houses, the artisan neighborhood San Blas, museums, churches, its people and many more. (overnight stay Cusco). (B)
Day 10 - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
We take you on an nice journey to to the the Sacred Valley of the Incas outside Cusco. You wander through enormous, stroll over an Indian market and enjoy the country side. (overnight stay Sacred Valley) (B)
Optional: Inca Trail or other trek from day 9-12. (Please, let us know at moment of booking)
Day 11 - TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES
From the valley we go on a nice train ride slowly into the rainforest to Aguas Calientes, the village down Machu Picchu. You will be picked up from the train station and go on the bus to Machu Picchu. You will have an interesting guided tour and enough time to explore Machu Picchu alone and to climb Wayna Picchu. In the afternoon bus and train bus back to Cusco. (overnight stay Cusco) (B)
Day 12 - CUSCO
Free day in Cusco. To relax or to buy some last souvenirs. (overnight stay Cusco) (B)
Day 13 - BACK TO LIMA
Today you fly back to Lima. You will be awaited by Aventuras de oro in the arrival lounge of the airport. Transfer to Miraflores, some free time and later that day transfer to airport for your international connection. (B)
Optional: You can add some extra days to visit the jungle (Manu or Tambopata from Cusco or Iquitos from Lima or any other nice trip).
(B)= Breakfast (L)= Lunch (D)= Diner
Aventuras de oro reserves the rights to change the order of the trip or to offer other trips/accommodation due to circumstances she does not have control
INCLUSIVE:
Accommodation based on double bedded room with bathroom incl. breakfast, 2 internal flights, all transport and all excursions as in description with profesional guides and the entrance fees are included.
NOT INCLUSIVE:
International flight, (inter)national airport taxes (30 USD and 6 USD per person per flight), personal expenses, meals that are not indicated.
OBSERVATIONS:
Hostels and hotels publicize their breakfast hours (usually 7-10am) and check out time. In some cases you leave earlier than 7am from hotel (e.g. Inca trail) and you might not be able to have breakfast.
