Grand Peruvian South

Itinerary :

Day 1: Lima: Arrive at Lima Airport and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your selected hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Overnight at the selected hotel in Lima.

Day 2: Lima: Breakfast in the hotel before hitting the streets of Lima’s old town; a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historical buildings. Start with the Larco Museum, located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district, which is housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts the world’s most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Then visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jeronimo de Aliaga, one of his captains. This is the only house from that time that to this day has always been owned by the same family. Continue to a scenic tour in the colonial downtown, which originates and spreads out from the Main Square. Here you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire and be amazed by Lima´s Cathedral. Erected in the 16th century, this building took more than 80 years to complete. After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel in Lima. (B)

Day 3: Lima – Paracas: Once you have had your breakfast at your hotel, you will be collected by a representative and accompanied to the bus station to take the bus from Lima to Paracas. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your chosen hotel, and you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight at the selected hotel in Paracas. (B)

Day 4: Paracas – Islas Ballestas – Nasca: After breakfast. Transfer to El Chaco pier to embark on a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands. The Ballestas are a collection of rocky islets with beautiful geographical formations, just a few kilometres off the western coast of Peru. The islands are the ideal habitat for various species of birds and an eclectic mix of wildlife like seals, boobies, pelicans, sea lions and the endangered Humboldt penguin. Cruise around the islands’ dramatic cliffs and watch large herds of noisy sea lions relaxing on the rocks, birds stretching their wings and if you’re lucky, dolphins near to your boat. While you will not disembark onto the islands, you will get startlingly close to this impressive array of wildlife. As you sail, you will also pass the Paracas Candelabra, a huge geoglyph that has been dated to around 200 BC, although the purpose and the creator of this three-pronged carving remain a mystery. At the end of your boat tour, you will be taken to the bus station for your transfer to Nasca. Overnight at the selected hotel in Nasca. (B)

Day 5: Nasca Lines – Arequipa: After breakfast. Enjoy a flight over the desert observing the mysterious Nasca lines. The small town of Nasca would go unnoticed on the map if it were not for the ancient geoglyphs etched into the sand that has given it worldwide fame. As you fly over the desert, lines take shape to form simple geometric designs, then some of the swirls and zigzags start to form more distinct shapes: a spider, a condor, a monkey, to name a few. If the weather conditions and the airspace allow, you will also fly over the recently discovered drawings in Palpa. Continue your flight over the mountains where marine fossils that date back millions of years were found and then fly back to Pisco to end your aerial experience. Once again on land, you will be transferred to the bus station to catch your transport to the next destination: Arequipa. After the 10-hour journey, you will arrive at your hotel to enjoy a well-deserved rest. Overnight at the selected hotel in Arequipa. (B)

Day 6: Arequipa: After breakfast. Today it’s time to get to know the city. Start your journey in the main square, called ‘Plaza de Armas’. Admire its elegant neo-Renaissance basilica cathedral and the sensational Monastery of Santa Catalina, which for centuries was a ‘forbidden city’ in the heart of Arequipa, closed to prying eyes and the influence of the outside world. The convent was founded in the 16th century, and it was an almost self-sufficient town, made up of houses for nuns and their servants, cloisters, squares and narrow streets, kitchens and refectories, among others. The families of the nuns paid large sums of money for their daughters to be admitted, which increased the wealth and prestige of the place. Today, strolling through its colourful streets is like going back in time and allows you to understand colonial Peru. Continue until you reach the Church of the Company, perhaps the greatest masterpiece of Peruvian baroque, where you can analyze its fascinating facade. The sacristy is exceptionally beautiful, thanks to its dome and walls covered with murals that show tropical flora and fauna. The Jesuit seminary is well known for its beautiful main cloister. Finally, head to the neighbourhoods of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Misti volcano, which rises above the city. In the end, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel in Arequipa. (B)

Day 7: Arequipa – Colca: After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, it is time to say goodbye to Arequipa and head to the Colca Valley. The route will take you through the Yura district, an area characterised by impressive geographical features, ranging from deep ravines to high mountains, waterfalls and lush vegetation. The route continues to the Pampa Cañahuas. This extensive Andean plateau is home to the vicuña, an indigenous Andean camelid that is closely related to the alpaca, guanaco, and llama. Cross the pampas of Viscachani and Toccra and skirt the crater of the now-extinct Chucura Volcano to reach the Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa, 4,910 metres above sea level. This viewpoint offers impressive views of the numerous volcanoes surrounding Arequipa. Enjoy lunch in the picturesque town of Chivay before being transferred to your selected hotel in the Colca Valley for a free afternoon. Overnight at the selected hotel in Colca Valley. (B, L)

Day 8: Colca Valley: After breakfast at the hotel then get ready for a day to remember at the Cruz del Condor viewpoint of the Colca Canyon. This impressive valley is one of the deepest in the world, reaching depths of approximately 3,400 metres, double the depth of the Grand Canyon. As you take in the sheer vastness of this area, you may witness the majestic condors gliding by on the thermals rising from the canyon. Descend the valley to discover some of the traditional towns located on the banks of the Colca River, such as Chivay, Pinchollo, Maca, Achomaand Yanque, where the peaks of the Andes backdrop beautiful colonial churches. You may also stop at the Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints, both offering majestic views of the whole valley. Continue to the Ocolle lookout to admire ‘the Amphitheatre’, a collection of pre-Inca terraces that demonstrate the impressive agricultural technology of the past, and then visit the UyoUyo archaeological site before returning to your hotel for the night. Overnight at the selected hotel in Colca Valley. (B, L)

Day 9: Colca Valley – Puno: Start the day with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and then take advantage of your free morning to enjoy the hotel facilities. In the afternoon, you will begin your journey to Puno. The route cuts through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve and takes in the stunning stone forests of Patahuasi. The landscapes and scenery are both dramatic and enchanting; you will pass high plains, volcanoes, unusual rock formations and even lagoons, where you can spot cranes drying their wings above the water. There are several viewpoints, remote cafés that offer visitors coca tea and artisans selling traditional textiles and handicrafts along the route. On arrival in Puno, you will be transferred to your hotel, and you will have the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight at the selected hotel in Puno. (B, L)

Day 10: Puno: After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the port of Puno where a boat will be waiting to take you to the beautiful Uros Islands. The Uros are an indigenous people of Peru that live on a series of human-made islands, created entirely from the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. The islands are composed of layers of woven totora, which are regularly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom. The Uros people also use reeds to construct their homes, so cooking is done outdoors to avoid possible fires! After visiting this fascinating island, sail to Taquile, a small slice of heaven that once belonged to the Inca Empire. Look around and notice traces of its Incan past in the ruins that still exist around the island. After a brief introduction, the local community will give you an insight into their customs and traditions with a cultural demonstration. Lunch is enjoyed on the island before the return trip to Puno. Overnight at the selected hotel in Puno. (B, L)

Day 11: Puno – Cusco: After breakfast at the hotel, a transportation service will transfer you to the bus station, where a representative will help you catch your bus to Cusco. On the way, you’ll make some interesting stops. The first is the town of Pucara and the Pucara Lithic Museum. This was the first urban settlement on Lake Titicaca, established between 100 and 300 A.D. After a brief break at La Raya, the highest point of the trip between Puno and Cusco at the dizzying altitude of 4,313 metres above sea level, the bus stops at Sicuani for lunch. We then head on to Racchi, home to the Wiracocha Temple, an Inca site built in honour of a powerful Andean god. The rectangular construction boasts thatched rooftops 20 metres above the ground; these are thought to be the highest in the Inca Empire. Later, visit Andahuaylillas, a town located around 40 kilometres away from Cusco. The main attraction here is the local church, known as the “Sistine Chapel of America” owing to the high quality of art found inside. The church was built during the 16th century on top of Wari remains. Afterwards, a last 40-kilometre drive gets you to Cusco, today’s final destination. Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco. (B, L)

Day 12: Cusco: After breakfast at the hotel, take advantage of your free morning in Cusco to rest at the hotel or to explore its cobblestoned streets and shop for local handicrafts.In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the former capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose impressive ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit PukaPukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to your hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco. (B)

Day 13: Cusco – Sacred Valley: During the morning, you are picked up from your hotel to visit the town of Chinchero, a traditional Cusco urban centre located at an elevated point with a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve the artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas and display them in their clothes and customs. In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. Then, you are transferred to the Living Museum of Yucay, an Andean traditions interpretation centre with demonstrations of the production of textile work, adobe, pottery and silverware, following the techniques used by the ancestors. Also, residents of the museum include llamas, sheep and alpacas, and they can be fed! Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, have a superior Andean gastronomy experience in a restaurant and feel the true spirit of the Sacred Valley, transmitted in a cosy atmosphere! Later, climb the iconic fortress, built next to a mountain. At the end of this activity, you are transferred back to your hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel in the Sacred Valley. (B, L)

Day 14: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco: After breakfast. Transportation service will pick you up and transfer you to the Ollanta Station to board the train to AguasCalientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Following a scenic journey through dramatic Andean landscapes, arrive at the station in AguasCalientes. Here you board a coach for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel, presenting its most prominent landmarks such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial, and the Burial Grounds. Return to AguasCalientes for lunch and then board the train back to Cusco. Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco. (B, L)

Day 15: Cusco: After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, your representative will assist you with check out and accompany you on the short transfer to Cusco’s airport. (B)