Print this page

Discovering Peru 25 days 24 nights

CHAN CHAN, NAZCA LINES, COLCA CANYON, TITICACA LAKE, MACHU PICCHU, AMAZON RIVERchan chan, amazon river, machu picchu

Price per person in USD:
Tourist Class Hotel 3stars US$ 7492 
based on double occupancy

Both prices include domestic airfares:
Lima - Chiclayo
Trujillo - Lima

Arequipa - Cusco
Juliaca - Lima
Lima - Iquitos
Iquitos - Lima
* The costs can vary according to availability of flights

Include:
- 6 nights at a Lima hotel, 1 night at a Chiclayo hotel, 1 nigth at a Trujillo hotel, 1 night at a Paracas hotel, 2 nights at a Arequipa hotel, 1 night at a Colca Canyon hotel, 4 nights at a Cusco hotel, 1 night at a Aguas Calientes hotel, 3 nights at a Puno hotel, 3 nights at a Amazon river lodge
- Vista Dome train: Cusco - Aguas Calientes / Aguas Calientes - Cusco

Itinerary Outline

Day 1: Arrival to Lima
Day 2: Lima - City tour
Day 3: Chiclayo - Lord of Sipan
Day 4: Trujillo - Chan Chan
Day 5: Trujillo to Lima
Day 6: Paracas Sanctuary
Day 7: Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines
Day 8: Arequipa - City tour
Day 9: Colca Canyon
Day 10: Colca Canyon to Puno
Day 11: Titicaca Lake - Uros and taquile Islands
Day 12: Sun Island (Bolivia)
Day 13: Puno to Cusco
Day 14: Cusco - City tour
Day 15: Cusco - Museums, Churches and Centre Qosqo of Native Art
Day 16: Cusco - Sacred Valley
Day 17: Machu Picchu
Day 18: Machu Picchu
Day 19: Cusco to Lima
Day 20: Lima free day
Day 21: Lima to Iquitos
Day 22: Amazon river Lodge
Day 23: Amazon river Lodge Canopy walkway
Day 24: Iquitos Lima
Day 25: Lima - transfer out

* Departures every day


ITINERARY

Day 1 - LIMA PICK UP
Upon arrival reception and transfer to the select hotel - overnight (no meals)

Day 2 - LIMA CITY TOUR
This tour could start in the morning 9:30 am or 2:30 pm. You will be picked up from you hotel. This excursion offers the best combination of the different attractions in Lima and its three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary. In Lima, there were several different pre-Columbian cultures which are dated thousands of years back. Lima was part of the Inca Empire until was founded by the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro on the 18th. of January, 1535. During our guided tour we will travel along its millenary history.

ANCESTRAL LIMA. At the Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological precint build in the IV century A.C., we will have a panoramic view of this magnificent ceremonial and administrative centre which was considered by the Incas a holy village. We will learn about the life and rituals of its ancient inhabitants and admire its typical pyramidal building, very characteristic of sacred pre-Hispanic edifications which were adored in the coast of Peru. 

COLONIAL LIMA. The Peruvian Viceroyalty was the most important one in the Spanish Empire and Lima was its capital. The highlights of its historical centre are its architecture and the urban design of the city, found in the old streets filled with colonial houses adorned with Moorish-style balconies. Our trip includes the Paseo de la Republica (Promenade of the Republic), Plaza San Martin (San Martin Square) and the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), with their different buildings: Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), Palacio Arzobispal the (Archbishop's Palace), the Basilica Catedral (Cathedral Basilica) and the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace). We will enter the monumental Convento de San Francisco (Convent of Saint Francis), which displays the biggest collection of religious art in America. We can admire the Choir Room and the Monks’ Library, the Sacristy, with its collection of Zurbaran and Rivera paintings. The Big Patio of the Main Cloister, decorated with Seville tiles from the XVI century, its beautiful Moorish arches and its subterranean crypts known as The Catacombs, where you will feel the presence of Lima's colonial past. 

CONTEMPORARY LIMA Visit to the most traditional residential areas in the capital: The Olive Grove of San Isidro, Miraflores and Larco Mar, distinctive tourist centre of contemporary Lima.

After the tour transfer to you hotel. Overnight. (breakfast included)

Day 3 - LORD OF SIPAN
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiclayo (airfare included) upon arrival Chiclayo, "The Capital of the Friendship" and transfer to Hotel. Then we'll visit Sipan, where the tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered. The Lord ruled around 200 AD over the Moche culture, and his gold-laden tomb is considered to be the richest in the Americas. We will travel to the town of Lambayeque to visit the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum where many of these riches are displayed After lunch, we'll visit the 26 pre-Columbian pyramids of Tucume. These pyramids were excavated by Thor Heyerdahl (of Kon-tiki fame), who discovered burial sites, textiles, Incan figurines and depictions of reed boats. This, together with goods from far-flung corners of the South America, allowed Heyerdahl to prove that the ancient people of Tucume were experienced voyagers and traders. We'll return to Chiclayo for the night.

Day 4 - CHICLAYO TO TRUJILLO
In the morning, we'll travel by private car or bus to Trujillo. This city keeps the colonial atmosphere and it was was founded in 1534 on the orders of Francisco Pizarro. Optional tour : Visit a local hacienda with delicious lunch and Peruvian Paso Fino horse show. In the afternoon, we'll head south of town to visit the Temples of the Sun and Moon, built by the Moche Culture in around 500 AD. These 130-foot-tall pyramids are thought to be the largest adobe structures in the Americas. We return to Trujillo to spend the night. Overnight at select Hotel (B)

Day 5 - TRUJILLO TO LIMA
Take a short tour of Trujillo in the morning, including the Casa del Mayorazgo, Casa Orbegozo, Casa de la Emancipacion, and La Merced Church. You'll stroll along the grand central plaza and the streets lined with colonial mansions. We'll then visit the royal palace complex of Chan Chan, built by the Chimu culture in pre-Inca times. This enormous complex, the largest in pre-Columbian America, is divided into nine separate citadels. We'll travel to the charming seaside town of nearby Huanchaco for lunch, before returning to the airport for a late afternoon flight to Lima (airfare included) upon arrival reception and transfer to select hotel - overnight (B).

Day 6 - PARACAS
Early in the morning transfer to the bus station, at 7:30 am you'll take the Royal Class motor coach (best available) to Pisco (3 hours). Upon arrival transfer to Hotel, then excursion to Paracas of about 2 h. 30 min. Paracas is one of the best marine reserves, with the highest concentration of marine birds. In the afternoon return to the hotel and overnight (B)

Day 7 - BALLESTAS ISLANDS, NAZCA LINES
At 7:15 in the morning transfer to the private dock in Hotel Paracas where you will take a motorboat excursion to the Ballestas islands. This islands are spectacular, eroded into numerous arches and caves, which provide shelter for thousands of seabirds, some of which are very rare, and seas lions. The islands are known as "the Galapagos of Peru", at the end transfer to Nazca where we will admire the famous Nazca lines. Cut into the stony desert are large number of lines, not only parallels and geometrical figures, but also designs such as a dog, an enormous monkey, a bird with a wing span of over 100 meters, a spider and a tree. The lines, that represent some sort of vast astronomical pre-Inca calendar, are best seen from the air. We will take a half hour flight above the Lines then you'll visit tothe Chauchilla cemetery, where skulls, mummies and pottery shards littering the desert. At 9:30 pm. you will take the motor coach Royal Class to Arequipa where you will arrive early in the morning (6 am on day 8) transfer to select Hotel .

Day 8 - AREQUIPA - CITY TOUR
Afternoon: City tour to Historical Center , taking in the Plaza of Armas, the Jesuita Church of the Society of Jesus, the Santa Catalina Monastery, then visit to the Yanahuara Neighborhood, the beautiful colonial district, where we visit the "Mirador". Finally return to your hotel - Overnight

Day 9 - COLCA CANYON 2/1 (See more about Colca Canyon)
Early in the morning, depart on a wonderful four hours bus trip to the ColcaCanyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world (3,400 mts.). On the trip we drive across Pampa Cañahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, inhabited by herds of vicuñas and alpacas (South American camelids). 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 logde.
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.

Day 10 - CONDOR CROSS / PUNO
We leave early in the morning to the "Condor's Cross", where the biggest bird in the world can be usually seen flying. On the way back we visit the colonial towns and churches of Pincholo, Yanque, Achoma and Maca. Lunch at Chivay town restaurant. At 6:00 pm aprox. You will go to the selected hotel in Puno Breakfast and lunch included

Day 11 - TITICACA LAKE / UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS
We will pick you up from your hostel at 07.15 a.m. and we will go to our boat. Today we will visit the floating islands of Uros, located inside the bay of Lake Titikaka only nine miles away from the city (20 to 30 minutes of navigation). It is believed that the Uros were one of the first ethnic groups populating the Andean region. When the Spanish chroniclers encountered the Uros by the end of the XVI century, the Uros were still living on the lake in small reed-boats that they used as floating houses. Only in the early 60's, the Uros started to build small artificial islands with reeds for their homes. Then we will discover Taquile, the biggest island of the lake. Taquile has approximately 1,200 inhabitants. The people from this island have a Quechua origin and they are mostly small farmers. We will arrive in the northern dock of the island and we will start 1 hour hike as far as the main village of Taquile, where we will visit the plaza and the market. After lunch we will return to Puno from the main dock. We will arrive in Puno at 17:30 p.m.
Note: Take note that there are 533 steps to get on top of the Island

Day 12 - TITICACA LAKE, SUN ISLAND FULL DAY
Puno - Copacabana - Sun Island -Inti Wata Complex - Copacabana - Puno
Puno Departure: 06:30 Puno Arrival :17:30 Puno - Copacabana Bus 3 hrs escort guide Copacabana Land tour
Visits: Cathedral, Main Squaree 1/2 hr bilingual guide Copacabana - Sun Island Catamaran Buffet lunch on board 1 hr bilingual guide Sun Island (South Side) Land tour
Visits:
Inca Garden
Inca Stairs
Inca Water Spring
Inti Wata Complex® (Exclusive)
2 hrs bilingual guide
Sun Island (South Side) RA Replica (Reed Vessel)
Activities: Ancient Sailing demonstration (Exclusive)
Visits: Pilkokaina Inca Palace
Sun Island - Copacabana / Catamaran 1 hour bilingual guide Copacabana - Puno / bus 3 hours escort guide Sic basis
Note: departure from Puno might modified o 6:00am (PT) due to expansion in our services at Sun Island

Day 13 - PUNO / CUSCO
7:00 am pick up from your hotel and transfer to the bus station to depart to Cusco 8 hours journey, on the way you will visit some archeological sites, arrival reception and transfer to select Hotel - overnight (B+L)

Day 14 - CUSCO CITY TOUR - pm.
In the afternoon 1:00 pm you will be taken on a city tour and visit a local archeological sites, the Cathedral, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman and surroundings returning later afternoon 5:30 pm to your hotel around and enjoy the hospitality of the local people (B).

Day 15 - CUSCO - MUSEUMS, CHURCHES AND CENTER QOSQO OF NATIVE ART
Enjoy a visit of this magical city as you drive through the main streets with their Inca walls. Visit the San Pedro Local Market where you will see the real life of Cusco and then proceed to “San Blas”, the Artisans’ Neighborhood of narrow and high streets, beautiful little plaza, where the fibers of wool, the pieces of clay and the wood pieces turned into real art pieces. Continue to see the famous Twelve Angles stone, part of the largest Inca wall of Cusco, which used to be the Hatunrumiyoc (Big Stone) palace, built by Inca Sinchi Roca. This is an example of Inca skill with polygonal masonry. Center Qosqo of Native Art (Inca's Dance and Music) (breakfast and lunch included)

Day 16 - SACRED VALLEY, PISAC, OLLANTAYTAMBO, CHINCHEROS
After breakfast at 8:00 am you will be taken through the Inca Sacred Valley where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. You will visit the impressive village of Pisac and the Indian market, enjoy the beautiful handicrafts on sale and wonder at the many ethnic tribal costumes worn, not just for tourists, but as part of their heritage by the local people. The tour also include the visit to Ollantaytambo fortress and the Chinchero Market Before returning to your hotel in Cusco late afternoon (around 6:30 pm)(breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 17 - MACHU PICCHU 2days 1 night by train (See more about Machu Picchu)
Early morning 5:30 am and after breakfast, we'll depart to the train station to our journey to Machu Picchu on Vistadome Train. (4 hours) at 9:40am you will arrive to the Aguas Calientes Town from where you will have to take 20 minutes bus to the Archeological site; Once there where you will have a guided tour with an English speaking professional guide follow by some time at leisure, stay overnight in the area or town relax at the nearby hot springs (entrance not included) (breakfast included)

Day 18 - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
Morning at leisure to explore by your own, you can visit the citadel early when the full magnificence of the site reveals itself in all its majesty, you will have the option to to hike up to Huayna Picchu, the pyramid-shaped peak that overlooks Machu Picchu (entrance and bus fee for this day not included on the rate) return to Cuzco where you will arrive around 7:30 pm. (breakfast included)

Day 19 - CUSCO / LIMA
You will be picked up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, upon arrival reception and transfer to the select hotel. Overnight(b)

Day 20 - DAY AT LEISURE IN LIMA - OVERNIGHT (B)

Day 21 - LIMA / IQUITOS Explorama Lodge /AMAZON RIVER
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Iquitos (airfare included) upon arrival reception at the airport or hotel, brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Fifty mile journey down the Amazon River to Yanamono Stream where Explorama Lodge is located. Afternoon hike along the "Lake trail" through lowland rainforest which is seasonally flooded. During the high water season, this excursion is done by open boat! Night walk or open boat ride to enjoy the sounds of the rainforest and stars of the Southern sky.
Lunch, Dinner Overnight Explorama Lodge

Day 22 – EXPLORAMA LODGE
Early morning birding excursion. Morning walk along the "Bushmaster Trail", where scientific studies by the Missouri Botanical Gardens have found the world's highest biodiversity of trees per square hectare. Continue on to visit a small village of Yagua Indians where your guide will explain their culture and how it has been affected by the passing of time. There will be an opportunity to trade for or purchase some of their local crafts and for a demonstration of the use of the blowgun which some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting. Afternoon boating excursion in search of sloth, found in Cecropia trees at the water’s edge, and the two species of freshwater river
dolphin, pink and grey, found in Amazonian waters. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight Explorama Lodge

Day 23 – EXPLORAMA LODGE / CANOPY WALKWAY / EXPLORAMA LODGE
Early morning departure from the Lodge by boat to the mouth of the Napo River where in 1542, the intrepid explorer Francisco de Orellano, became the first European to discover the Amazon River. Continue on the Napo River to ExplorNapo Lodge for breakfast. Hike to the spectacular Canopy Walkway spanning over 500 meters (one-third of a mile), connected by tree platforms, and reaching a height of over 35 meters (115 feet) but accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. After lunch, visit the "ReNuPeRu" Ethnobotanical Garden where over 240 medicinal plants are cultivated by a local shaman who will explain the nature of Amazonian natural healing and the uses of some of the plants. Return to Explorama Lodge in time to relax in the hammock house or at the Tahuampa Bar before dinner. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight Explorama Lodge

Day 24 – EXPLORAMA LODGE / IQUITOS - LIMA
Morning walk along a local Amazon River trail stopping at a "ribereños" house, corner store and sugar cane rum factory. Afternoon return to Iquitos and on to the airport for your flight to Lima (airfare included) upon arrival reception and transfer to the Hotel in Lima - overnight (B). Breakfast, Lunch (if departure flight permits) Due to the everchanging nature of the rainforest, day-by-day activities may vary due to local conditions.

Day 25 - LIMA - TRANSFER OUT
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the airport - end of our services
Note: check out 11:00 am (Breakfast included

INCLUDE:
Domestic airfares, nights at select hotel based on double occupancy, all transfers, professional bilingual guide service, entrance fee, transportation and meals as specify in the program.

NOT INCLUDED:
International airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges,  extra expenses for flight cancellations, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, reconfirmation of international flights and items of personal nature.


 

Site Meter