21 Day Highlights Peru

Itinerary

Day 1: AIRPORT PICKUP – TRANSFER TO HOTEL

Stop At: Jorge Chavez International Airport

• Welcome to Peru! Upon your arrival you will be met by a friendly, English- speaking local representative and together you’ll head to Miraflores in private transport. After check-in at your hotel, you’ll be free to relax and wander around this beautiful part of Lima at your own pace. Depending on the time of arrival, we’ll offer plenty of suggestions for you to make the most of your first day in Lima. Note: When possible, we recommend arriving between 10.00 AM and 04.00 PM so that you have time to wander a little and get an initial feel of our capital city (and maybe try some of its amazing cuisine)

Day 2: LARCO MUSEUM – CITY CENTER – SANTO DOMINGO CONVENT

Stop At: Museo Larco, Lima, Lima Region

• This morning we pick you up from your hotel at 08.30 AM and depart on a tour that will take us back in time through the Colonial and Pre-Hispanic stages of Peruvian History. Our first stop we’ll be at the Larco Museum. The collection exhibited at Larco features the finest gold, silver and ceramics collection from Ancient Peru and offers the perfect introduction to Peru’s millenary history. After, we head to Lima’s City Center to have a look at its imposing architecture. Here we will visit the 16th Century Santo Domingo Convent and have a look at Lima’s main square. We should be returning to our hotel around 01.00 PM, just in time for some lunch!

Day 3: FREE MORNING LIMA – FLIGHT TO AREQUIPA

Stop At: Historic Centre of Arequipa, Arequipa, Arequipa Region

• Today, you´ll have the morning free to explore Miraflores and Barranco neighborhood on your own. After you’ll be transferred to the airport to take a 55 minute flight to the city of Arequipa. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and check in at the reception. One of the main advantages of this beautiful city is that everything is really close to its colonial city center, which means you can easily explore its main sites at your own pace. You’ll receive some maps and information so you can make the most of your first day in Arequipa. We recommend having a traditional Arequipa-style meal in La Benita, Victoria or any of the many good options in the city center.

Day 4: WALKING TOUR THROUGH COLONIAL AREQUIPA

Stop At: Historic Centre of Arequipa, Arequipa, Arequipa Region

• We’ll start today by visiting “San Camilo”, Arequipa’s main Market, founded in

1881. It is here where most “Arequipeños” do their shopping at low cost. After this, we’ll continue to the city’s main square and the “Compañía” Church, famous for its rich baroque style and the colorful Cúpula of Saint Ignacio. Next, we’ll have a look at “El Tambo La Cabezona”, a 17th-century apartment compound constructed in a classical colonial architectural style. Finally, we’ll walk to the Santa Catalina Monastery, a gorgeous 16th Century religious enclosure that was only opened to the public in 1970. This site is a city within a city and is probably the highlight of any visit to Arequipa. Our walking tour will last approximately 4 hours.

Day 5: COLCA CANYON – YANQUE

Stop At: Colca Canyon, Arequipa Region

• This morning you’ll depart to Chivay in the Colca Canyon. The route is incredibly scenic, offering views of volcanoes and classic Andean landscapes. You’ll cross Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Park, where it is very common to see wild vicuñas, llamas, alpacas and sometimes even Andean flamingos. Then you’ll pass by the volcano viewpoint of Patapampa before descending into the Colca Valley and reaching our final destination, the village of Yanque. During the afternoon, you can relax for a while at the hotel and enjoy the surroundings. You can walk through the village and visit its picturesque plaza, its colonial church and a local museum where you’ll see a replica of Juanita the Mummy.

Day 6: COLCA CANYON – CRUZ DEL CONDOR – OQOLLE’S AMPHITHEATER – UYU UYU RUINS – YANQUE’S HOT SPRINGS

Stop At: Mirador Cruz del Condor, Cabanaconde, Colca Canyon, Arequipa Region

• Today starts with an early journey to the “Cruz del Condor” viewpoint, the spot to observe the Andean condors and the depth of the canyon. On bright sunny days, we can usually see up to 10 condors overflying the canyon, only a few meters away. If it’s rainy the condors might choose not to appear. Then we’ll make our way back to Yanque, stopping on route at some traditional Andean villages and viewpoints of the canyon. This afternoon, you can join a complimentary hike, offered by the hotel, to Oqolle’s Amphitheater (Pre-Inca terraces), the Sifon Bridge (where you’ll see the colcas) and the Uyu Uyu ruins. Before returning to the hotel, you can visit Yanque’s hot springs located on the banks of the Colca River.

Day 7: LAKE TITICACA – VIEWPOINT AT LANGUNILLAS LAKE – PUNO

Stop At: Lake Titicaca, Puno, Puno Region

• Today, you can wake up late and enjoy stunning morning views of the canyon. Then, at the coordinated time, we begin our scenic 6-hour journey by land to Lake Titicaca. We’ll be crossing the heart of the Andeans high plains today. The views are great and the main highlight is the viewpoint at Lagunillas lake. Upon arriving to Puno in the afternoon we’ll check into our hotel.

Day 8: LAKE TITICACA’S COMMUNITIES – TAQUILE ISLAND – LUQUINA – UROS ISLANDS – PUNO

Stop At: Taquile Island, Puno, Puno Region

• After picking you up from your hotel at 7am, we’ll set sail to Taquile, a Mediterranean-like island where we’ll spend around three hours relaxing and exploring its beautiful surroundings. You’ll be able to observe how the traditions of Taquileans have been kept alive for centuries. Their colorful clothing, as well as their unique knitted and woven textile handicrafts, are also spectacular to see. After, we’ll board our boat to continue our journey to the village of Luquina where we’ll enjoy lunch at a nice restaurant overlooking the lake. In the afternoon, we continue to the floating reed islands of Uros, located just out of Puno Bay in Lake Titicaca. Upon arrival, we’ll spend some time at a Uros community. Finally, we return to Puno.

Day 9: PUNO – CUSCO

Stop At: Cusco

• This morning you’ll be picked up and transferred to board our tourist bus and set off on a beautiful journey departing the highlands of Puno and heading towards the city of Cusco. We’ll pass various Andean towns, herds of llamas, alpacas and vicuñas, all of it next to breathtaking views of snow capped mountains in the background. We shall also stop to visit different interesting attractions such as Pukara, La Raya, Racchi and the famous Andahuaylillas Church baptized as the “Sistine Chapel” of America. We’ll also stop en route to have a buffet lunch which includes Andean and international food. We’ll be arriving at Cusco at approximately 5:30pm. You’ll be transferred to your hotel located in the lovely San Blas neighborhood.

Day 10: WALKING TOUR CUSCO – FREE AFTERNOON

Stop At: Cusco

• This morning, you’ll go on a walking city tour which takes you not only through the most touristic sites in Cusco such as the Main Square, Cathedral and Koricancha or “Temple of the Sun”, but also along ancient streets, local markets and traditional neighborhoods where you’ll discover the magic of this beautiful city. The afternoon is free for you to wander around by yourselves. We’ll be more than happy to give you our best recommendations of restaurants, shops and additional activities in the city.

Day 11: MORAY – MARAS – SACRED VALLEY

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco Region

• Today you’ll visit some of the Sacred Valley’s most impressive sites. First, we reach Moray, one of the most unusual Inca sites consisting of circular terraces built upon a natural depression. Then we continue to Maras, an impressive salt-extraction complex consisting of thousands of small terraces. They collect the salt from the pans and they’ve been selling it at the markets of the region since before the Inca times. We then continue to our hotel in the Sacred Valley to have lunch. If time allows, we’ll stop at Chinchero, where we can visit a traditional textile workshop, appreciate the well- preserved Inca walls and visit the beautiful Colonial Temple with invaluable portraits, built over Inca Bases.

Day 12: OLLANTAYTAMBO FORTRESS – TRAIN RIDE TO AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU

Stop At: Machu Picchu

• Today you’ll be exploring two of the most interesting Inca sites we know of. In the early morning, you’ll walk from the hotel to the Ollantaytambo archaeological site. Ollantaytambo is one of the best examples of Inca architecture we can see nowadays. This should take us roughly 1,5 hour. Around 10.00 or 11.00 AM, you’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, you’ll take a 20-minutes bus up the steep, zigzagging road to Machu Picchu Citadel. Around 01.00 PM, you’ll go on a 2 to 3-hour guided excursion where you’ll explore just about every corner of the famous citadel. Machu Picchu closes at 5pm, time at which you’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes.

Day 13: TRAIN RIDE BACK TO CUSCO – FREE AFTERNOON

Stop At: Cusco

• This morning, after a long but fun day in Machu Picchu, you can sleep in and have a late breakfast. When ready, we’ll take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Cusco, the old Inca Capital. The journey to Cusco takes about 2 hours. Cusco is one of the most interesting cities in Peru and of South America. You’ll have most of today to explore the streets, plazas, and markets of this UNESCO World Heritage City at our own pace.

Day 14: FLIGHT TO TRUJILLO – TEMPLE OF THE MOON

Stop At: Huaca del Sol y la Luna, Trujillo, La Libertad Region

• In the morning you’ll catch a flight from Cusco to Lima and then connect with a flight to Trujillo. (Flights are not included). Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the hotel, where we brief you on your upcoming program. Depending on your arrival time, you may have a free morning to relax at the hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the Temple of the Moon, a pre-Hispanic mud pyramid (100 – 750 A.D.) and famous for its stunning mural paintings. These murals depict the daily lives of the Moche people as well as their main deities. The Moches (or Mochicas) are one of the most intriguing pre-Hispanic civilizations of Peru, and it’s fascinating to compare how different they were to the Incas.

Day 15: CHAN CHAN – PASO HORSE PRESENTATION – HUANCHACO

Stop At: Chan Chan, Trujillo, La Libertad Region

• Today, we’ll head to the largest mud-brick city of the Americas: Chan Chan. Once home to over 100,000 inhabitants, this place represents the resistance of the Chimu civilization to the expansion of the Inca Empire. Around 1 pm, you’ll witness a Peruvian Paso horse presentation and enjoy lunch. For centuries, these horses’ gentle pass has inspired dancers to perform beautiful movements in the romantic Marinera dance, a typical dance of Peruvian folklore. Afterwards, we’ll continue to Huanchaco, a traditional fishermen’s beach town, well-known for its totora reed boats called locally “Caballitos de Totora” (Totora Reed Horses). Lastly, on our way back, we can stop for a while to explore the small, historical city center of Trujillo.

Day 16: EL BRUJO TEMPLE – TÚCUME

Stop At: Tucume Pyramids, Tucume, Lambayeque Region

• This morning, we’ll set off for the pyramids of Tucume in the neighbouring region of Lambayeque. On route, we’ll also stop at the archaeological site “Huaca El Brujo”, an ancient mud stepped pyramid which rises 98 ft above the surrounding desert. El Brujo is famous for the discovery of The Lady of Cao (“Señora de Cao”), a mummified, tattooed young woman from the Moche Royalty who changed our modern perception of the role of women in pre-Hispanic societies. She is preserved and exhibited in the Cao Museum, which we’ll also visit. For lunch we’ll stop at the seaside town of Pacasmayo before continuing to our hotel in the tranquil village of Tucume, in the countryside of Lambayeque.

Day 17: TUCUME PYRAMIDS – TUMBAS REALES MUSEUM – NIGHT BUS TO CHACHAPOYAS

Stop At: Tucume Pyramids, Tucume, Lambayeque Region

• After breakfast, we’ll explore the archaeological site of Tucume, an imposing complex of the Lambayeque culture surrounded by arid desert and dry, tropical forest. This tour includes a hike up to a lookout for a breathtaking view of Tucume, as well as a visit to the small museum. Our next stop for the day will be the superb “Tumbas Reales” Museum, where we’ll learn more about the Lord of Sipan, the most important archaeological discovery in Latin America during the last 30 years. This museum is considered among the top museums in the country, and has been highly praised internationally as well. In the evening, we head to the local bus station to board our 10 hour night bus to Chachapoyas. We’ll reach our destination the next morning.

Day 18: CHACHAPOYAS CLOUD FOREST – HUANCA

Stop At: Chachapoyas

• Upon arrival at Chachapoyas in the early morning (around 6:00am), reception at the bus station and transfer to your hotel where you can rest, have breakfast and take a warm shower. Then, at the coordinated time, we’ll begin today’s activities with a nice drive to the town of Huancas, famous for its high- quality handcrafts. On route we’ll visit the canyon and viewpoint of the Sonche River. If possible, we’ll also visit a local ceramic workshop and even participate in the process of making some handcrafts. After the visit we’ll head to Luya Urco, the viewpoint of the city of Chachapoyas and from here we’ll descend into the city to visit the Santa Ana Museum and the Orchids Garden of the city.

Day 19: GOCTA WATERFALL

Stop At: Gocta Waterfall

• This morning, after a good breakfast, we’ll drive to the town of Cocachimba from where we’ll start our 2 to 3-hour hike (approximately 6 km) to the famous Gocta Waterfall, one of the highest on Earth (2530 feet in height). The trail crosses sugarcane fields and leads us to a misty cloud forest, home to the magnificent cock-of-the-rock. It’s a fantastic hike, and those brave enough may want to take a dip at the base pool of the waterfall when we finally get there (be warned – it’s cold!). Later, after soaking in the beauty of this magical place, we’ll hike back Cocachimba and drive back to Chachapoyas where you can enjoy a delicious local coffee.

Day 20: TINGO – CABLEWAY TO KUELAP FORTRESS – COCACHIMBA

Stop At: Kuelap, Tingo, Amazonas Region

• Today, you’ll be picked up early and head to Tingo on an hour-long ride. Here you’ll board a cable car to visit the historical site of Kuelap, ancient fortress of the Chachapoyas people with massive walls 65 ft high still standing today. History tells us that it was inhabited by the Chachapoyas for 400 years until the Incas took over in 1470, followed by the Spanish in 1534. You’ll walk 25 minutes to the site, which sits above a mountain ridge at 9,500 ft. Nicknamed “Machu Picchu of the North”, Kuelap will amaze you with its towering walls and round stone houses surrounded by cloud forest. The site offers stunning views of the valley and the possibility for bird-watching. This will last approximately 2 hours, then we’ll head back to Cocachimba.

Day 21: TRANSFER TO JAEN AIRPORT

Stop At: Jaen Airport

• This morning, after seeing the best of Peru’s Northern treasures, we’ll head to Jaen Airport (about 4 hours away) to board our return flight to Lima and connect with your international flight home.