BEST OF PERU
Peru tailor-made travel
This tailor-made travel to Peru goes through the rich Inca past and impressive Andes landscapes. Wander through the ruins of Machu Picchu and enjoy the splendid terraces in the Sacred Valley. Drive through the desert that leads to the ocean! You also can’t get around the inexplicable Nazca lines during a trip though Peru. Visit Arequipa and Cusco, the most beautiful colonial cities of the continent, see how the Uros natives live on the floating islands in the Lake Titicaca and how the condors dominate the valleys in Colca Canyon. A trip to never forget!
Day 1 - Lima
Day flight to Lima. Upon arrival at the airport, there’ll be a transfer to the hotel.
You are free to spend the evening as you wish. Did you know that Peru was voted best culinary destination in the world multiple times? In the evening, you can enjoy yourself at one of the great local restaurants or perhaps in one of the Michelin star restaurants that can be found in South America. Here, ingredients are still used in the same way as the inhabitants of the Andes used them centuries ago.
Day 2 - Lima
City tour of Lima: Historic centre, Pisco Sour tasting and Larco Museum
Our city tour takes you through 3 historical periods: Pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern. The tour starts with a panoramic view across the impressive Huaca Huallamarca. You visit the colonial centre where you view the Convent of St. Dominic, which has been declared a Cultural Heritage. At the end of the tour, you stop for a Pisco Sour tasting, the most delicious and famous drink of Peru. Lastly, you visit the beautiful Larco Museum, which shows the most beautiful collection of the pre-Peruvian art of the country. This helps you understand the 5000 year old history of Peru, giving an even greater appreciation of the country.
Day 3 - Paracas
Private transfer from your hotel to the bus station in Lima. A Royal Class bus brings you to Paracas taking around four hours. Travelling by bus is comfortable, with nice seats, air conditioning and toilet. The road is parallel to the coast, which is blanketed with a typical Peruvian mist.
Upon arrival in the fishing town of Paracas, there’s a private transfer that brings you to your hotel, a few hundred meters from the beach. Paracas is a picturesque but popular seaside town. You can eat delicious, fresh ceviche, a local speciality of raw fish in marinated
Day 4 - Ballestas boat ride
Boat ride of Ballestas Islands
From the pier of Paracas, you leave by boat for a small group of islands in the Pacific. Loudly growling sea lions welcome you as you approach the islands, also called the mini-Galapagos of Peru. These islands off the coast of Peru are inhabited by thousands of penguins, dolphins, sea lions and pelicans. A tour past the Islas Ballestas is an absolute highlight of your round trip through Peru.
You then go into Inca territory by bus.
Day 5 - Hucachina
Start the day with a hike through a fairytale-like palm oasis! The desert oasis of Huacachina is the home of the ‘dune buggy’ and sandboarding. This tour is breathtaking and beautiful. Youll be whisked deep into the desert to admire the high sand dunes on the coast. The mountains of sand are surreal and beautiful. An absolutely recommended tour, you’ll be surprised!
In the afternoon, you go to Nazca by bus. There’s a private transfer from the bus station to your hotel.
Day 6 - Nazca lines
From your hotel, you’re brought to Nazca’s airport for a spectacular flight across the Nazca lines. These can be seen much better from the sky. You’ll see beautiful geoglyphs, which consists of dozens of figures of animals, hundreds of geometric forms and 300 meter lines in the desert sand. The Nazca lines were engraved into the earth around 2000 years ago.
Day 7 - Arequipa
Arequippa, also known as the White City, has an attractive picturesque colonial centre and is surrounded by three volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. The Santa Catalina convent, one of the most beautiful colonial religious buildings of Peru is in the heart of the city. It was built in the 16th century and is definitely worth a visit. Saunter through the small streets and see how the native population weaves their splendid garments. In the evening, you can choose from the many nice restaurants and cafés, and taking a Peruvian cooking course is definitely a possibility to consider!
Day 8 - Colca Canyon
In the early morning, a group excursion to the Calcola Canyon commences. An impressive ride through a landscape of barren, rocky desert and a chain of volcanoes leads you to the plateaus of Peru. On the way, you’ll see groups of vicuñas and alpacas in the Aguada Blanca Salinas national reserve. You’ll have lunch in the village of Chivay in the green Colca Valley. The hillside of the canyon are covered with beautiful agricultural terraces and villages. The rest of the afternoon, you’re free to enjoy the hotel facilities or visit the hot water springs of the Calera.
Day 9 - Colca Canyon
Tour of the Condor Cross & Route from Colca to Puno. This morning, you’ll visit the Condor Cross, the best location to admire the Colca Canyon and if the weather allows, observe the majestic condors. Afterwards, the trip to Colca Valley, takes in stops by the picturesque villages of Pinchollo, Maca and Chivay. You’ll have lunch on the way, en route to Puno
Day 10 - Lake Titicaca by boat
You’ll visit Lake Titicaca on a comfortable speedboat. You moor at one of the floating islands of the Uros natives. The life of the Uros is strongly linked to the sedge that covers the waters of the lake. The sedge is used for all kinds of things, for example for food but also to build houses and boats. Then, you continue on to Taquile, a rocky island which you’ll explore on foot. The inhabitants have strong Spanish influences and keep the ancient weaving traditions alive. Enjoy the colourful traditional clothing and beautiful panoramas across the Lake Titicaca!
Day 11 - Puno-Cusco
You’ll travel to Cusco by bus. On the way, you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the southern valley of Cusco. In La Raya, the highest point of the route, you’ll stop for a fabulous photo moment and visit the ruins of Racchi. The last stop is in the town of Andahuaylillas with a splendid colonial church. Finally, you’ll arrive in Cusco!
Day 12 - Cusco
Cusco! Seductive, striking and natural. History is alive in the streets, squares, valleys and villages. In the ruins surrounding the city, you see the remains of refined architecture.
You will get a guided city tour through the old Inca capital, located at 2400 metres. You start at the Plaza de Armas square with its beautiful cathedral and walk through the narrow cobblestone streets with old Inca walls and nicely preserved colonial homes. After a short stop at the market, you’ll visit the Corichancha, the most important temple of the Inca empire, dedicated to the sun god Inti. The temple was, just like Machu Picchu, an Inca masterpiece.
Day 13 - Sacred valley
After a free morning you will have an afternoon trip to the village of Ollantaytambo. Steep terraces lead to the actual fort. In the village itself, many houses are now built on top of the Inca ruins. For the free morning, there’s ample choice of possibilities: 1) Pisac market: a large traditional market, is held here on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. 2) Moray and Maras: the excursion starts in Moray, the village that’s famous for the circle-shaped agricultural terraces that are laid out as an amphitheatre. Scientists think it used to be a farming station in the time of the Icas. The salt terraces of Maras are spectacular to see: the thousands of small basins, filled with salt spring water, are found in all stages from wet to dry. 3) Rafting on the Urubamba: rafting for one and a half hours at level 2-3. 4) Cycling in the Sacred Valley: go along trails past the Urubamba by mountain bike. How great is that! 5) Walk through the Sacred Valley. Level: hard. With a climb from the valley to the hills for beautiful panoramas!
Day 14 - Machu Picchu
At an altitude of 2430 meters, on the border of the misty Amazon and the high Andes is the location of the Inca’s masterpiece: Machu Picchu. The city was built around the year 1440 and inhabited for almost a century. The masterpiece is hidden in such a way that the Spaniards never discovered it and as such, the city is excellently preserved!
You don’t see much of it in the valley, but the drive towards it is therefore spectacular. With the Vistadome train, you’ll drive to the village of Aguas Calientes in a breathtaking ride. The train has panorama windows so you’ll become one with the landscape. From Aguas Calientes take a short bus ride to the gates of Machu Picchu. The guide will take you through the streets, down stairs and past alleys in the old city; a magical experience. You also have plenty of time to walk around by yourself. You travel back to Cusco in the same way.
Day 15 - Amazone (Puerto Maldonado)
Transfer to the airport for the inland flight to Puerto Maldonado.
In a motorised canoe, you sail to a comfortable jungle lodge where you’re welcomed with a delicious lunch of local produce. You’ll be accompanied by a guide that shows you the tropical trees, medicinal plants and abandoned nature. At sundown, from our lodge lookout, you can see toucans, macaws and other bird species. You can relax by the pool or take a nap in the hammocks. After dinner, there’s an evening safari for wildlife observation where you can observe caimans from the canoe and enjoy the orchestra of night-time sounds.
Day 16 - Amazone
A hike with guide to the Tambopata National Reserve. On the way, you’ll receive an explanation about the ecosystem and its use by the native population. You will then explore the splendid lake in an outrigger canoe. You spot animal wildlife on the banks and in the trees, like red howler monkeys, colonies of parrots, caimans, piranhas and river otters. Using the canopy, and a network of walkways, you observe flora and fauna from a great altitude. Come face to face with a squirrel monkey, observe the rare toucans and cuddly looking sloths. In the evening, there’s a second night safari, it’s exciting to see what you can run into in another part of the jungle at night, with a torch!
Day 17 - Lima
End of an unforgettable trip through Peru.
Included:
* All accommodations with breakfast
* Mentioned meals
* Domestic flights
* Transport like mentioned in the program
* Excursions like mentioned in the program, unless stated otherwise
Not included:
* International flights
* Not mentioned meals
* Entry fees national parks, unless mentioned differently
* Optional and not mentioned services and excursions
