A Magical Journey

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

[Places Visited] Cusco, Chalwanka, Nazca Lines, Paracas & Ballestas Islands
[Tour Length] 5 Days
Breathtaking landscapes, enormous pre Columbian complexes and mysterious desert figures are some of the highlights of this exciting trip. Embark on this amazing five day journey, where you will be able to discover Peru in a unique way traveling from the Andes to the Pacific coast.

• Amaze yourself with the spectacular beauty of Caraybamba Complex, featuring thousands of Pre- Inca terraces on the steep hillsides of the Andes Mountains.

• Watch Vicuñas run freely in their natural environment in the biggest Vicuña Natural Reserve of the World.

• Discover the enigma of the Nazca Lines. Ancient and mysterious desert figures which can be seen only from the air.

• Enjoy a boat ride down the Pacific Coast and explore these singular islands, where you will learn about the diversity of the Peruvian marine fauna.

SUMMARY

Day 1: CUSCO – CHALWANKA

Depart journey from Cusco to Zurite Complex.
On the road visit Zurite, Killarumiroy and Tarawasi Complexes.
Lunch in Abancay city.
Dinner and overnight in Challwanka.
Meals: L, D

Day 2: CHALLWANKA – NAZCA

Visit Challwanka Market & Caraybamba Complex.
Pass through Chulucanas & Pampas Galeras Natural Reserve.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Nazca.
Meals: B, Box Lunch, D

Day 3: NAZCA – ICA

Overflight Nazca Lines.
Pre- Inca cemetery tour.
Lunch at Majoro Hotel in Nazca.
Visit Maria Reiche Museum & the Nazca lookout point.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Ica.
Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: ICA – PARACAS

Ica city tour & Regional Museum
Lunch at local restaurant.
Desert buggy tour at sunset
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Paracas.
Meals: B, L, D

Day 5: BALLESTAS ISLANDS – LIMA

Ballestas Islands tour.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Transfer to Lima Airport and assistance for international flight.
Meals: B, L

Note: Subject to availability and change without prior notice.

Day 1: CUSCO – CHALLWANKA

Early in the morning your guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin this Magical Journey, a wonderful experience from the Andes to the Pacific Coast on the brand new Interoceanic Highway.

After leaving Cusco, you will start visiting the Zurite Archaeological Complex, which boasts the largest group of terraced hillsides fashioned by the Incas as well as an exceptional view of the Anta plateau. Then, you will stop at Killarumiyoc or “Stone of the Moon”. Officially discovered in 1995, the site was specially known for its sacred temple set underneath, an ancient terrace system used for agriculture but also for the large rock carved representing a half moon with seven indentations. It was a ceremonial site dedicated to the worship of water but more importantly, to the moon goddess “Killa”. From here you will enjoy the spectacular views of Salkantay, often translated as “Savage Mountain”, with its green valleys and mighty rivers. The road passes through the town of Limatambo and you will continue on to Tarawasi, a beautiful Inca temple with flower shaped stones. The road now follows the Apurimac River, considered one of the deepest canyons of the world. Here you will be able to appreciate a spectacular and unique Andean landscape: deep rocky canyons, exuberant nature, rivers and astounding countryside. Along the way you will observe the change in vegetation, from orchids and cantutas (Peru’s National flower) to passion flowers, native trees, etc., while crossing into different habitats.

You will have lunch in Abancay city and you will finally arrive in the town of Challwanka where you will spend the night.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Challwanka.

Day 2: CHALLWANKA – NAZCA

After breakfast at the hotel, you will continue this amazing journey taking a brief stop at the Challwanka Market, a traditional colorful market where we will see local people trading their produce. Later, you will visit the spectacular Caraybamba complex. Caraybamba is an impressive archaeological Pre – Inca site with terraced slopes that rise for over 30 square miles from the banks of the Caraybamba River to the top of the mountains. There is no other place like this on Earth and this will be a once in a lifetime experience!
You will journey through charming Andean towns and see the locals dressed in their colorful, traditional outfits. You will go up and down winding road, where you will be able to see llamas and alpacas. We will pass through the town of Lucanas until reaching the impressive natural giant rocky formations in Puquio.

Our picnic lunch will be served on our way and in the afternoon we will stop at the Pampas Galeras Natural Reserve. This reserve is considered a Vicuña Sanctuary, home of two American camels, the Vicuñas and Guanacos, which can be seen running freely through the Andean plateau. This animal possesses the finest wool in the world and we will have the opportunity to get real close to them.
The Vicuña Reserve of Pampas Galeras houses roughly 70% of vicuñas in the world, therefore a tour to Pampas Galeras guarantee any visitor a good experience with these wonderful Andean camels. It is also possible to watch condors soaring in the sky and most likely we will see eagles, falcons, Andean geese and other animals like vizcachas.

You will continue descending through towering mountains that flaunt all different colors and by bluish green lakes. At this point, the landscape changes dramatically from mountains to sand dunes crowned with gigantic cacti. This will be an unforgettable experience!
In the evening your journey ends in the city of Nazca where you will enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Overnight at selected hotel in Nazca.

Day 3: NAZCA – ICA

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Nazca Airfield for a 45 minute flight over the Nazca Lines.
The Nazca Lines are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Although some local geoglyphs resemble Paracas motifs, scholars believe the Nazca Lines were created by the Nazca culture between 650 BC. The hundreds of individual figures range in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fish, sharks, orcas, and lizards.
Flying over the Nazca desert you can marvel looking at the perfect shape of different gigantic figures including humming birds, sea birds and the mighty Andean Condor.
Afterwards, you will visit Chauchilla, a pre Inca cemetery where you will see several tombs containing ancient pottery and even human remains. Your guide will lead you throughout the place and explain about this old culture that flourished in the zone from 650 BC. In addition to the tombs, you will also enjoy a beautiful desert landscape surrounded by colorful hills.
After touring around Chauchilla, you will enjoy lunch at the best restaurant in town.
In the afternoon, you will head towards Ica. On the way, you will visit The Maria Reiche Museum. Maria Reiche was notable for her research in the Nazca Lines and her success in gaining recognition and preservation of the property. This interesting Museum provides information about her life and work. Afterwards, we will have a brief stop at the lookout point to observe part of the fantastic Nazca lines.
Finally, you are headed to Ica where you will spend the night.
Dinner and overnight at your selected Hotel in Ica.

Day 4: ICA CITY & ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR

After breakfast, you will visit the Regional museum of Ica, where you will be able to learn about the Paracas, Wari, Chincha, Nazca and Inca cultures, through an interesting display of the textiles, funerary bundles, utensils and pottery in addition to the surgical techniques of cranial trepanation, reflecting the high level of scientific knowledge of the Paracas culture.
This tour continues through the Huacachina Oasis and marvel at its picture surrounded by sand dunes, palms, Huarangos trees and beautiful houses around the shore. Ica is very famous because of its Pisco (grape liquor) and wine; your next stop will be a local winery where they produce excellent wines and high quality of Pisco liquor. Here you will be able to learn all about the Pisco and wine process.
You will enjoy lunch at the best restaurant in town.

In the afternoon, you will ride a dune buggy across the amazing Peruvian dessert, which stretches along the Pacific Coast. Dune buggy tours are one of the best ways to see this other-worldly, natural terrain in this area. Here you will be able to see an impressive natural wonder of endless shifting sand, unique tree islands and enjoy a spectacular sunset. This one hour dunes tour, also include the practice of Sandboarding.
In the evening, we are headed to Paracas where we will spend the night.
Dinner and overnight at your selected hotel in Paracas.

Day 5: BALLESTAS ISLANDS – LIMA

After breakfast, you will take a two hour boat ride from Paracas to visit the splendid natural beauty of the Ballestas Islands.
Ballestas Islands is a natural group of small Islands that house a huge numbers of birds including pelicans, Inca terns, cormorants, penguins and many others sea creatures. In addition you will also see large groups of sea lions resting on the beaches and swimming nearby.
During the boat tour you will see the world-famous Candelabro figure. This is a large-scale geoglyph that may have functioned as a beacon for sailors. Additionally exotic wildlife such as sea lions, blue-footed boobies and if you are lucky, dolphins, can also be seen. After the cruise you will have around 40 minutes to explore the area of Paracas before being transported back to Lima.

Then, you will head northbound on the Pan-American Highway towards Lima, where you will enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Chincha, arriving to Lima in the afternoon.
For your departure, our Guest Services Representative will assist you on your departure flight.

* Pricing per person based on double occupancy

INCLUDED:

• Hotel accommodations as indicated in the itinerary, including taxes (VAT 18%) and service charges.
• Meals as specified: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.
• Private airport transfers as indicated in the itinerary.
• All ground transportation by private vehicle as indicated in the itinerary.
• All private guided excursions as indicated, inclusive of admission fees.
• Expert English-speaking Tour Guide services during included transfers and excursions.
• Vistadome Valley Rail tickets to / from Machu Picchu.
• 24 / 7 Concierge Live Assistance.
• Baggage handling assistance and tips to airport porters.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Any international airfares or internal airfare unless specifically mentioned; Airport Taxes ($32.00 per person International Departures Tax); Passport and visa fees; Travel insurance; Excess baggage charges; Items of personal nature such as gratuities, telephone / fax / internet charges, laundry, beverages, meals and services not specified in the itinerary.

NOTES:

• This is a sample itinerary which can be customized according to your needs and travel wishes. Please contact our Destination Specialists at sales@peruvianodyssey.com
• Extensions among other destinations in Peru are available upon request and at an additional cost.
• Before your trip, please get a copy of your Peru Information Guide for a most unforgettable experience!
• Local Tax (VAT 18%) for accommodation and meals taken in hotels, only applicable to travellers having remained in the country for 60 consecutive days or more (residents). In order to be exempt from this tax, non-resident travellers must present their original passport and Andean Immigration Card to our staff at the moment of check-in. In absence of these documents, the VAT exemption does not apply and the tax will have to be paid by guests directly at each hotel.