Peru Trips Southern Jewels

Assistance at your arrival to Lima International Airport and transfer to your hotel (Not included). There you will receive a briefing on your tour; receive vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peru trip.

Meals Included: None

Breakfast. Guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical Centre, passing by Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo, with the tombs of Santa Rosa and San

Martin de Porras, and Lima's Colonial Balconies.

We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters, Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library of the monks, a Museum showing 11 paintings of the Rubens School, the Sacristy with paintings of Zurbaran and Ribera, its great patio decorated with Seville tiles of the XVIth Century, Moorish arches and underground Catacombs. And finally we will go to the residential Districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by the Huaca Pucllana, a Ceremonial and Administrative Centre of the Lima Culture built in the II Century A.C. that the Incas considered as "Ñaupallaqta" or Sacred Town. We will also visit El Olivar Park with olive trees brought from Spain in the XVth Century, the Central Park of Miraflores and Larcomar, a symbol of modern Lima and a tourist and entertainment centre as well as a privileged site to enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. Return to your selected hotel in Lima. Time for lunch. Transfer to the bus station where you can take the bus to Ica. Once in Ica Transfer to the selected hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Early in the morning before sunrise we will set off to Paracas. Paracas holds the most important wildlife sanctuary of the Peruvian Coast. Guided boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, where we can observe Sea lions, Boobies, Pelicans, Penguins and other Marine birds. On way, from the boat, we can also see the "Candelabro"(Candelabrum), a giant figure etched in the sand on the side of a hill in the style of the Nazca Lines. Transfer by bus to the City of Nazca, transfer to the hotel where you can leave your belongings, after that you will be taken to Nazca’s airstrip in order to get onboard a light aircraft that will fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines which can only be appreciated from the air. In the afternoon you will have the chance to rest a little in the hotel. At night we will leave for the City of Arequipa (10 hours approx.) going through deserts and coastal valleys.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Morning sightseeing tour of Arequipa, including the Main Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Peru, and the Cathedral, a prime example of XIXth Century Peruvian architecture, housing beautiful treasures in gold and silver. We also visit the La Compañia Church, an ancient Jesuit temple, maybe the most important one in Arequipa due to its history and tradition, with a beautiful façade with carved columns, laurel crowns, flowers, birds, etc. A more careful look at the façade, however, reveals the limits of European influence, as the angels have Indian faces; and indeed one face is even crowned with feathers. Then, we will visit the Santa Catalina Convent; a "small town" built in the XVIIth Century and opened to the public in 1970, after 400 years as a Cloister. Perfectly preserved for four centuries, you go back in time as you enter the Cloister and see the numerous, spacious patios and gardens, the kitchen and slave quarters and stone washtubs of this Convent. About 20 nuns, of what were once 500, still live in a section of the Convent. Transfer to your selected hotel and free time for lunch. We recommend the Sol de Mayo Restaurant.

Evening free. We suggest to dinner at the hotel and have an early night as the next day you will have an early rise to begin your trip towards the Colca Canyon.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Early in the morning, depart on a wonderful four hours bus trip to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest Canyons in the World (3180 mts.). On the trip we drive across Pampa Cañahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, inhabited by herds of vicuñas and alpacas (South American cameloids). The highest point of the road is at 4350 m.a.s.l.

We also see beautiful pre-Columbian terraces, still being cultivated by native Collaguas. Box lunch. On your arrival at Colca Valley, transfer to the selected lodge. In the afternoon, we recommend you to rest and get used to the altitude. If you are in good shape, you will have free time to stroll around the Lodge's surroundings or you could take a repairing bath at the hot springs nearby the Lodge. Dinner and overnight at selected Lodge at the Colca Valley.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

We leave early in the morning to the "Condor's Cross", where the biggest flying bird in the world can be usually seen soaring amongst the peaks. On the way back we visit the Colonial Towns and Churches of Yanque, Coporaque, Achoma and Maca. Good opportunity to appreciate the life of these people that has changed little since Inca times. Lunch at a local restaurant. Late afternoon return to the selected hotel in Arequipa. Evening free. We recommend to have dinner at the Sambambaia's or La Truffa restaurants.

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

Breakfast. Then we shall leave towards Arequipa's beautiful countryside, including the Mill of Sabandia, a still functioning flourmill built in 1621 powered by a nearby waterfall, and the Founder's Mansion, a fully restored XVIth Century Hacienda that belonged to the City's founder. Then it was sold to the Jesuits, who used it as a Retreat Centre, and finally passed on to the Goyeneche family. You will also visit its beautiful fully restored church.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to the Airport to board your departure flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Morning free to rest in your hotel in order to avoid altitude sickness. In the afternoon, we will visit the City of Cusco on a guided sightseeing tour visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha. Then, we drive out of the City to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacasayhuamán,strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco, famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 9 m / 30 ft high and weighing over 350 tons. Return to Cusco (Plaza Regocijo).

Meals Included: Breakfast and dinner

Early morning excursion to the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit to the picturesque Indian Pisac Market held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, the shopping paradise of the Andes where barter is still practiced. Enjoy the unique atmosphere during a typical lunch. In the afternoon, passing through the Towns of Calca and Urubamba, we visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this part of the Valley, and protect it from possible invasion from the tribes in the Lower jungle. You can walk through the quaint streets of the nearby Town, and get a good idea of what this Strategic Military, Religious, and Agricultural Centre was like during the era of the Inca Empire. Late afternoon return to Cusco for overnight (Plaza Regocijo). Evening free. We suggest strolling around the Main Square and enjoy the night atmosphere trying a delicious Pisco Sour in some of the many pubs around the Square.

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

The day starts with an early morning rise to transfer to Cusco Train Station for a three hour train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas". Arrive at Aguas Calientes Station followed by a 30-minute bus drive, climbing 6km of winding road, to the incredible site of Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival, we'll participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. After the tour you will have free time to stroll around the archaeological site on your own. Lunch at a local restaurant. Evening free. Overnight at your selected hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

Excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy a beautiful sunrise as well as stroll around the Town of Aguas Calientes and visit its Hot Spring Thermal waters. Then, you will have time to perform some of the following activities: (not included in the overall price):

Early departure by bus to the City of Puno, (3860 m.a.s.l.). During the trip, we pass by the lovely Wacarpay Lake, offering spectacular views of the mountains reflected in its calm waters. We proceed to the beautiful Town of Andahuaylillas, and visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, better known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, due to its decorated polychrome ceiling. On the way, we stop in Raqchi, where we can see a spectacular Inca Sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec, and dedicated to the great Inca God of Wiracocha. It has a great central wall with a stone base of fine Inca architecture. Other walls are made of giant adobe bricks. The structure also has two circular lateral columns. Around the Temple are several buildings once used for housing and storage. About 70 km further on, we pass through La Raya Ranch where we can see herds of vicuñas and llamas. Then we travel along the High Plateau of Collao, stopping at the Town of Ayaviri, an important livestock and textile Centre, to visit the impressive Temple of Kalasaya, ruins from the ancient Pucara Culture.

Lunch in a countryside restaurant, where we can enjoy the delightful culinary art of the region. Afternoon arrival in Puno and transfer to your selected hotel. Evening free.

Note: This regular bus journey is available on private transportation upon request.

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

Early in the morning, we will have an unforgettable motorboat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique "Floating Islands" of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own "islands" by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed called "totora" (Scirpus Totora),

vegetable fiber of the Papyrus family. Their homes and boats are also made from this material. We continue our motorboat trip to Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives who have developed efficient and unique social systems down through the generations, as well as fine hand weaving techniques. Upon arrival at the Town of Taquile we will have a lunch. Then we will walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6 km long Island. In the afternoon, return to Puno for overnight at your hotel. Evening free.

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

Early morning transfer to Juliaca Airport to board your flight to Lima. On the way to the Airport, we will visit the famous Chullpas de Sillustani: stone cylinder burial chambers used by the Aymaras to bury their important leaders. Lake Umayo, located in front of the Chullpas, adds further beauty to the place. Here you also have the

opportunity to observe several local typical birds. Upon arrival in Lima, meet and transfer to your selected hotel. At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport to board your International homebound flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast