From picturesque Peruvian coastal regions, through impressive mountain landscapes, alongside romantic lakes, to breathtaking Inca sites! Enjoy a 14-day round trip through a country of unique cultural and natural highlights: Peru!
On this round trip, you will discover the fascinating cities of Peru, experience the rich biodiversity of the Islas Ballestas, see the enchanting Oasis Huacachina, get caught by the mystical Nazca Lines and majestic Colca Canyon, walk along deep blue Lake Titicaca and finally enjoy the unforgettable view of the world-famous ruins of Machu Picchu.
Your 14-day tour will lead you to the most important cultural and natural highlights of Peru! You will visit the lively capital city of Lima and enjoy seals, sea lions and rare species of birds on the Islas Ballestas near Pisco, before you head on to the impressive sand dunes of Oasis Huacachina. You will then travel on south and puzzle over the mystery of the Nazca Lines; as well as stroll through the Peruvian “White City” of Arequipa. From there, you will ride to the abysses of the Colca Canyon where if you´re lucky, you can spot the impressive condors and their majestic flight through the air.
Your next destination is the legendary Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on earth. Later, you will follow the traces of the Inca in the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and learn impressive details about the history, traditions and way of life of the last indigenous empire prior to the arrival of the Spaniards.
Do you have more time to discover South America? If so, then you should extend your stay: How about a jungle experience or an exploration of the Galápagos Islands? Just let us know and we will add the finishing touches to your perfect vacation.
• City tour through the lively Peruvian capital of Lima including a visit to the famous “Museo de Oro” (Gold Museum)
• Pisco and a thrilling boat tour to the marvelous Islas Ballestas, rich in species – where cute fur seals, sea lions, cormorants and boobies await us
• Discover the fascinating landscape of Oasis Huacachina & optional sandbuggy and sandboarding tour
• Dive into the mysterious world of the famous geoglyphs of Nazca & optional flight over the Nazca Lines
• City tour through what is most likely is Peru’s most beautiful city, Arequipa, and the women’s monastery of Santa Catalina
• Excursion to the mighty Colca Canyon including the Condor viewpoint (Cruz del Condor) and visit to the hot springs of Calera (optional)
• Romantic boat tour on Lake Titicaca to the Floating Islands of the Uros Indians and visit to the impressive tombs of the Sillustani
• Excursion to the enchantingly beautiful Urubamba Valley with a visit to the colorful market of Pisaq, and the fascinating Ruins of Ollantaytambo
• City tour through Cuzco – the former capital city of the Inca, including the solar temple of
Koricancha as well as the ruins of Kenko, Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman
• Exciting ride on the Andean train through the splendorous Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes and from there by bus on to the mysterious Ruins of Machu Picchu
Lima - the Peruvian capital
Nazca Lines
Arequipa - the "White City"
Colca Canyon
Lake Titicaca
Cuzco - the Inca capital
Indigenous selling their arts and crafts in the Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu
Jungle impressions
Jungle impressions
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
Welcome to Peru! You arrive in Lima and are welcomed by your English-speaking guide who will take you to your 3*** hotel. Here you can spend the rest of your day quietly and relax from the long journey.
Lima is the capital of Peru and the biggest city in the country. Every neighborhood has its own history and attractions. Only a few years after it was founded, Lima had become the most important metropolitan city of all the Spanish colonies in America. The city shows that it once used to be one the richest cities in the world by its many impressive buildings from its colonial history – city palaces, churches, universities, elegant villas etc., and today offers an interesting blend of modern spirit and tradition. (-/-/-)
Day 2: Lima & Ride to Pisco
After breakfast, you start your exciting tour through Peru! First, you undertake a half-day city tour through the colonial and modern neighborhoods of Lima in order to get a first impression of the huge city. In the old town you can marvel at the beautiful colonial architecture around Plaza Mayor. The imposing cathedral and the church of San Francisco, the city hall and the palace of the archbishop at the Plaza Mayor are especially worth seeing. Your city tour also leads you through the lovely neighborhood of Miraflores which attracts many people with its several restaurants, shops, parks and gardens. In the afternoon, you will be taken to the bus terminal, and in a public bus head towards your next destination, Paracas. This little town is located on the wonderful coast of the Pacific Ocean and you will spend the night there in a 3*** hotel. (B/-/-)
Day 3: Islas Ballestas, Oasis Huacachina and Ride to Nazca
In the morning, you take a two-hour ride with an international group in a small boat to the group of islands called Islas Ballestas. Cute fur seals, dozing sea lions, cormorants, boobies and pelicans all await you there! After surrounding the island you ride back to the mainland. Then you continue your journey to the sand dunes of Huacachina. You will be impressed by this beautiful landscape. Optionally, you can go on an adventure ride through the dunes while on a sandbuggy & sandboarding tour (approx. 35 USD). Afterwards you will be taken to the bus terminal to continue your trip to Nazca by public bus where you will be spending your next night. (B/-/-)
Day 4: Nazca and Arequipa
Today, in the morning you have the opportunity to book an optional flight to discover the mysterious world of the geoglyphs of Nazca, whose origin still today is a puzzling mystery (approx. 120 USD, flight depends on the weather conditions). Over an immense extension, there are images of up to 100 m in length, which, due to their huge size, cannot be seen from the ground. Later on, your tour program foresees an excursion to Chauchila. This is the impressive Inca cemetery with countless mummy graves belonging to the Nazca culture. Afterwards, you go on a long ride on the Pan-American Highway to Arequipa – past green oases and along the deep blue Pacific Ocean. A marvelous city (900,000 inhabitants) awaits you, standing out for its nice pleasant climate and surrounded by imposing volcanoes (Mt. Misti 5,825 m, Mt. Chachani 6,075 m and Mt. Pichupichu 5,664 m). Indeed, this city built of white volcanic stone invites you to stay for a while. There are marvelous monasteries here (especially the Santa Catalina monastery), churches and buildings from colonial times – it was not for nothing that Arequipa was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. (B/-/-)
Day 5: Arequipa – the White City
After a delicious breakfast, you go for a walk through the colonial heart of this city embedded amongst icy giants, visiting the cathedral and the market of San Camillo. Next is a visit to the monastery of Santa Catalina. Built in the second half of the 16th century, it is among the most impressive experiences in the region of Arequipa. The monastery, which has only been to the public since 1970, is actually a miniature city in itself, where formerly up to 400 nuns lived. During the period of the Viceroys, the architectonically imposing monastery operated almost independently from the outer world. After this interesting city walk, the afternoon is free so that you have sufficient time to further explore the city on your own. As with the day before, you spend the night in Arequipa. (B/-/-)
Day 6: Transfer to Chivay
In the morning, you go for a private ride across the Altiplano to Chivay. After checking in at the hotel and unloading your luggage, you go for a little walk to Calera, in order to adapt to the altitude, where you will have an opportunity to take a relaxing bath in the volcanic hot springs (optional). (B/-/-)
Day 7: Colca Canyon & Puno
Early in the morning, you head for Cruz del Condor, a viewpoint at the edge of the spectacular Colca Canyon, from where, good thermals provided, you may spot a dozen or so condors rising from the depths of the canyon. On your return to Chivay, you ride to Puno, located at the shore of the legendary Lake Titicaca. With a size of approx. 8,300 km², it is the largest lake in South America. It is situated at an altitude of approx. 3,820 m above sea level, a fact that makes it the highest navigable lake in the world. (B/-/-)
Day 8: Lake Titicaca: Excursion to the Uros Islands and Isla Amantaní
After breakfast, you enjoy a romantic boat ride across the deep blue lake to the floating Uros Islands, made of a local type of grass. The islands are unique since their bottom is made completely out of slowly rotting Totara reed. This is why new reed layers are constantly put on top of the old ones. Also houses, boats, view towers, the school: pretty much everything is made of reed. Later you continue to the marvelous island of Amantaní, where you will spend the night with a warm and friendly Indian family (very simple accommodation; scarce sanitary facilities, but an incredible, unique experience!). (B/L/D)
Day 9: Lake Titicaca: Excursion to Taquile Island and Return to Puno
In the morning, you say good-bye to your friendly hosts and head across the gigantic lake to Isla Taquile by boat. Here, a little walk awaits you in a picturesque landscape. You wave the island good-bye and return to Puno. (B/L/-)
Day 10: From Puno to Cuzco
Today you will go for a long ride by public bus across the Altiplano to the former capital city of the Inca Empire, Cuzco. On your way there will be several stops in order to visit Pucara, La Raya Pass (4,350 m a. s. l.), the Ruins of Raqchi and the church of Andahuaylillas, also called the Sistine Chapel of Peru. (B/L/-)
Day 11: Cuzco – City Tour
After breakfast, you go on a city tour through the ancient Inca capital. Apart from the cathedral and the impressive Solar Temple of Koricancha, you will also visit the Ruins of Kenko, Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman. After prostrating and conquering the Inca Empire in 1533, the local population was humiliated by the Spaniards. All Inca buildings, especially the sanctuaries, were demolished and replaced by colonial buildings, especially churches. By bringing in even more pomp and gaudiness, they tried to convince the Indians that the Spaniard's religion was mightier than that of the locals. You have the afternoon at your own disposal to explore the city and its fascinating surroundings on your own. (B/-/-)
Day 12: Rio Urubamba Valley
Today, you are in for a full-day excursion to the magnificent Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Inca. Your first stop is in Pisac, where you participate in the gaudy buzz of the colorful Indigenous market. Richly colored ponchos, hammocks, joyful marketers and delicious flavors enchant you! In the afternoon, you continue along the Urubamba River to Ollantaytambo. There, after a steep ascent over farming terraces, you reach the archaeological Inca site. After your excursion, you will go to the train station to catch your train to Aguas Calientes. Here you will stay at a 3*** hotel. (B/-/-)
Day 13: Machu Picchu
Early in the morning, you go by bus to the mysterious Ruins of Machu Picchu (2,300 m), the world famous city in the clouds. On this steep and windy path up there you will be impressed by the beautiful views. As soon as you arrive in Machu Picchu, your local cultural guide takes you to the archaeological zone of this unique Inca city. Here you are shown to the most important sectors of Machu Picchu. The attraction that emanates from this place is also due to its exceptional location, high between the peaks of the Andes. For more than four centuries the city had been forgotten until the American Hiram Bingham discovered it while searching for the last city of the Inca, Vilcabamba, in 1911.
Machu Picchu
The ruins are situated approximately 112 km north west of Cuzco, at an altitude of 2,450 m between the two mountain peaks Mt. Huayna Picchu ("Young Summit") and Mt. Machu Picchu ("Old Summit"). On three sides, the mountain faces a steep decline of 600 m toward Rio Urubamba, which surrounds the rock in a u-shaped slope. No one knows the Inca name of this old town. Especially in Machu Picchu, the fate of the Inca architects to adapt their settlements to the topographical conditions can be seen. There are approximately 200 buildings, arranged on large, parallel terraces around a large central square.
One district of the city was probably the residential area whereas the others were used for religious and ceremonial purposes. In the ceremonial district in the west, "El Torreón" is located, a massive round tower which probably served as an observatory. Furthermore, you can find the main temple, the temple of three windows, the sun temple and the famous Intihuatana. The residential areas are narrow and long. Thereby the space on the terraces is used in an ideal way. There are streets, stairs, small squares and a remarkable water supply system. You can also admire the typical Inca architecture: trapezoidal windows, niches and pegs in the walls.
You dedicate the entire day to this fascinating place, exploring the ruins extensively. After an impressive day, in the afternoon the train takes you back to Cuzco, where you will spend the last night of your tour. (B/-/-)
Day 14 – Departure
Alas, the time has come to say good-bye to this beautiful and diverse country. After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport, where the plane for your departure to Lima already awaits you. (B/-/-)
POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS: JUNGLE EXCURSION or GALÁPAGOS CRUISE / ISLAND HOPPING
Sample Itinerary: Jungle Experience in the Ecoamazonian Lodge in Peru– 4 days
Day 1: Monkey Island
Today, you will start your jungle adventure. At the airport in Cuzco you will catch your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Here, your guide is already waiting for you and will take you to the village. There, you will get on your boat and begin the unforgettable journey on the Madre de Dios River. On the way, you can already spot alligators, turtles, herons and other animals. Once you arrive at the Amazon Lodge, you will enjoy an exquisite and typical welcome drink. Then you will settle in your comfortable bungalow before a nice lunch is served. Afterwards, your specialized nature guide accompanies you during your visit to Monkey Island. Located at only five minutes from the lodge in the middle of the Madre de Dios river, the monkey island hosts different monkey species: starting from the noisy Maquisapas, the happy Achuñis, and the very impressive Frailes to the very little and funny “leoncitos”, the little lions. On your way to the island, you will pass beautiful landscapes with all different flora and fauna and you will enjoy an amazing sunset in the jungle. (B/L/D)
Day 2 : “Cocha Perdida” (Lost Cocha)
After breakfast, you will start an adventure through the jungle accompanied by your local guide. You will hike into the “Cocha Perdida” (Lost Cocha) which constitutes an ecosystem that is considered a refuge for a huge variety of animals like nutrias, caimans, turtles, sachavacas, multicolor feather birds, the majestic jaguar (Andean lion) and fish. This area is unique and belongs to the Eco-Amazon lodge, because it is still maintained intact, like the huge swamps and a diversity of “Aguajal” forests. Then you will arrive at the amazing Amazon observatory, built at the top of the biggest tree - the shihuahuaco. From here you may observe the magical jungle, and later have a pleasant ride in a canoe around the lake. Then you will return to the lodge to have a nice lunch. In the afternoon a canoe ride and a visit to a typical local family is on your program. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Briolo and Gamitna Rivers
After breakfast, you will start another excursion across the magical jungle where you will sail down the Madre de Díos River till you get to the beginning of a hiking trail to the rivers Gamitna / Briolo. Then you will return by canoe and observe animals like turtles, caimans, butterflies and a great variety of insects. Once we arrive at the lodge a delicious dinner will be served before you spend your last night in the jungle. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Flight from Puerto Maldonado to Lima / Departure from Lima
Time to say goodbye to this unique jungle experience. After breakfast, your guide takes you to the airport in Puerto Maldonado. Here you will catch your flight to Lima where your plane back to your home country already awaits you. (B/-/-)
Services Included
• Fixed English speaking guide
• Tours and transfers as mentioned in the description
• Accommodation as mentioned in the description
• Meals as mentioned in the description
• National flight: Cuzco – Lima
Not Included
• Entrance fees
• Meals which are not mentioned
• Tips and personal expenses
• National and international airport taxes / fees
• Tours, services and transfers which are not mentioned
• Optional: sandboarding & buggy tour in Huacachina (approx. 35 US$ p. P.)
• Optional: flight over Nazca Lines (approx. 120 US$ p. P.)
• Optional: trek to Calera (approx. 10 US$ p. P.)
• International flights
Please note
• Participants must have a valid international health insurance.
• We reserve the right to change the tour program due to force majeure, weather conditions or organizational reasons.
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Ecuador - Peru - Venezuela - 2014