From the world's driest deserts to the largest known macaw clay lick, this spectacular trip includes the Paracas National Park, the Titicaca National Reserve, the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary and the Tambopata National Reserve.
Our journey begins on Peru's arid coast, where the Humboldt and El Niño
ocean currents combine to create the world's most fertile oceans, home to colonies
of sea lions and penguins and the cradle of ancient fishing cultures.
Travelling inland, we cross the Andes into the realm of the Incas. The snowy peaks
of still-sacred mountain gods watch over us as we explore the vestiges of an
empire that rose to greatness in isolation from the rest of the world and was
superseded by another empire, which crossed the ocean and left in its wake the
colonial splendour of Arequipa and Cusco.
From the Andes we journey to the Amazon, to the most biodiverse region on Earth.
The dense forests beyond Cusco shelter more than 1000 species of birds, 13 species
of monkey, 1200 species of butterfly and more than 15,000 flowering plants, as well
as communities of forest dwellers who have lived in harmony with their lush
environment for countless generations.
Complete Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Arrive lima airport. Meet on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Lima - Pisco
Depart Lima for Pisco, journeying along Peru’s desert coast and visiting the pre-Inca oracle of Pachacamac en route. Arrive Pisco. Afternoon visit to the Paracas National Park and Paracas Regional Museum.
Day 3: Ballestas Islands
Drive to Nazca, visiting the Huacachina oasis on the way. An opportunity to visit the Ica Regional Museum and a local winery. Continue on to Nazca. Early evening arrival at hotel.
Day 4: Flight over the Nazca Lines
Visit pre-Inca cemetery and Inca aqueduct p.m.
Day 5: Arequipa
Continue along the coast to Arequipa. Lunch at Puerto Inca, continue in the afternoon to colonial city of Arequipa. Arrival early evening.
Day 6: Arequipa
A relaxed day. Arequipa city tour (including Santa Catalina Convent). Lunch at a typical local restaurant.
Day 7: Colca
Overnight trip to Colca Canyon.
Day 8: Colca
Early start for the drive to Cruz del Condor in time to see the condors rise on the morning thermals, passing through colonial villages, with plenty of opportunities to stop along the way. Afternoon, continue to Lake Titicaca, arriving in the evening.
Day 9: The islands of Uros
Amantani and Taquile. Overnight on one of the islands. Return to Puno.
Day 10: The islands of Uros
Amantani and Taquile. Overnight on one of the islands. Return to Puno.
Day 11: Cusco
Drive to Cusco (visiting pre-Inca sites and picturesque colonial churches such as Sillustani, Pucará, Raqchi, Huaro and Andahuaylillas).
Day 12: Cusco
Morning free for orientation walk with tour leader). Afternoon city tour.
Day 13: Cusco
Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.
Day 14: Cusco
Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.
Day 15: Cusco
Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.
Day 16: Cusco
Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.
Day 17: Cusco
Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.
Day 18: Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley and Willoq. Return to Cusco.
Day 19: Rain forest excursion
Rain forest activities.
Day 20: Rain forest excursion
Rain forest activities.
Day 21: Rain forest excursion
Rain forest activities.
Day 22: Lima.
Flight Puerto Maldonado to Lima.
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