Comprehensive Peru

Arrival
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Now the capital of Peru and its largest city, Lima was once called the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors. If you look beyond the urban sprawl, you'll be rewarded with the National Museum's pre-Columbian treasures and Plaza Mayor's colonial splendour.

City Tour
Depart this morning on a 5 hour sightseeing tour exploring the most impressive sights of Lima along with some of our handpicked favourites. We will start in Miraflores market, a vibrant place visited by local chefs for its wonderful variety of fresh produce from the coast, the Andes and the Amazon. Take the chance to learn more about Peru’s diversity reflected in the colourful assortment of vegetables, fruits, fish and condiments.

On the way to Lima’s downtown we pass by ‘Huaca Pucllana’ an ancient adobe pyramid structure which served as one of the region’s most important ceremonial temples between the years of 200 AD and 700 AD. We continue to the San Isidro district and visit the impressive ‘El Olivar’ Park before stopping at the Pisco Museum where you have the chance to taste Peru’s national drink, the ‘Pisco Sour’ (optional, not included). Later we visit Lima’s downtown with its historic and traditional buildings: the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s palace and the Metropolitan City Hall surround the Main Square. Continue to San Francisco church and monastery, a 17th century jewel, recognised as a cultural heritage site by UNESCO.

This tour finishes with a guided visit of the Larco Herrera Museum. This is a fabulous private museum with an exquisite collection of gold and silver treasures from ancient Peru. Many pieces in this museum are now world famous after having been exhibited in the best museums around the world.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the city on your own.

Breakfast included.

Lima to Paracas By Bus
This morning we will transfer you to the bus station where you will take a first class bus ride along the South Coast from Lima to Paracas where you will have the afternoon at leisure to relax in your hotel pool.

Breakfast included.

Ballestas Islands
This morning we take a boat to the Ballestas Islands, an aquatic nature reserve that contains one of the highest concentrations of marine birds in the world. There are sea lions, penguins, numerous species of birds and the Paracas Candelabra, a curious pre-Inca design on the hillside, only recognisable from the sea. The boat trip lasts around two hours, and once we're back on dry land we depart to Nazca, approximately 3 hours' drive South.

Along the way, we enjoy a visit to the small Maria Reiche Museum, the former home of Dr. Maria Reiche (1903-1998), the German mathematician and archaeologist who dedicated more than fifty years of her life to study, protect and measure the Nazca Lines. Without her intervention, the drawings in Nazca would have remained undiscovered today, possibly even destroyed.

Also visit the Lagoon of Huacachina, which became famous due to the medicinal properties of its filtered waters. Continue to Nazca where we transfer you to your hotel.

Breakfast included.

Nazca to Arequipa
This morning you will see the remarkable Nazca Lines. Look for the giant figures of the hummingbird, spider, monkey, fish, shark, orca, llama, and lizard. Enjoy a 30-minute circuit scenic flight in a small 12 passenger plane over the Nazca Plains, which will provide you with an aerial view of these ancient drawings and the opportunity to appreciate their immensity.

In the afternoon you will take a touristic bus to Arequipa. Arequipa is known as the 'White City' due to the pale volcanic stone used to construct many of its colonial buildings. You arrive in Arequipa in the late night where you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Breakfast included.

Arequipa City Tour
Because some of the old buildings are made of white volcanic material (sillar) Arequipa is also known as the ‘white city’. You will visit the extraordinary Santa Catalina Convent. This cloister, built in the 16th century, is a huge construction which once served as a town within itself housing 450 nuns. Traditionally, the oldest daughters of Arequipa’s aristocratic families entered the convent in their early teens and spent their lives there, cloistered away. The convent complex has been beautifully refurbished, bringing the past vividly alive once more. After the visit of the convent you will head to the Yanahuara lookout point for a magnificent view of the Misti Volcano and the city.

Breakfast included.

Travel to Colca Canyon
In the early morning we leave Arequipa and head towards Colca Canyon. On our way we pass three awesome volcanoes: Mismi, Misti & Chachani, which tower over Arequipa. As we climb on to the altiplano you'll begin to spot wild vicunas, llamas and guanacos, as well as some interesting bird life on the lakes. After reaching the highest point at about 4,900 metres you'll descend into the town of Chivay, Colca's most important town, where we have lunch. This afternoon you will have the chance to relax at La Calera hot springs before you continue on to your hotel.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Travel to Lake Titicaca
Early morning drive to an observation point located between Maca and Cabanaconde, one of the deepest parts of the canyon. Here, you will find the perfect spot to look down 1,200m (3,937 ft) into the canyon at ‘Mirador Cruz del Condor'. It's here that the legendary condor, the bird with the largest wingspan in the world, can be seen rising and circling on the morning thermals, silhouetted against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery. You will then stop in some of the picturesque towns to visit their colonial churches. You then say goodbye to the Colca Canyon and continue your trip towards the Altiplano: landscapes featuring volcanoes, lakes and vicuna and alpaca herds as well as different kinds of cacti. The average altitude en route reaches 4,500 m (14,700 ft). After a 6-hour ride you will reach Puno on the shore of Lake Titicaca.

Breakfast included.

Uros and Taquile Islands
This morning we board our speed boat for the cruise to the Uros and Taquile Islands. By taking a speed boat we save 2 hours travel time giving you more time to explore the islands.

Our first stop is to visit the Uros Indians, who live on islands of floating reeds and, save for a few modest concessions to the modern world, still live as their ancestors would have done centuries ago. We continue on to Taquile Island where we will tour around the ruins and visit these beautiful people, world famous for their intricate and fascinating weavings. After lunch we will return to Puno and transfer back to your hotel.

* If you have an extra day then we recommend spending this evening in an authentic Lake Titicaca island home. On the following day you will return to Puno via Taquile Island.

* Please note, this tour requires you to climb the steep Taquile island known for its number of stairs to eat lunch. If you feel this does not suit you please contact us for alternatives.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Cusco
At the appropriate time today you will be transferred from your hotel to the bus station where you will board a bus and travel along the Vilcanota River and onto the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle. This spectacular journey gives adventurers another taste of the vivid Andean landscape of Peru. Although it is quite a long drive, it is interesting and often spectacular. There are scheduled short tours at interesting sites like Rachi, Andahuayillas and La Raya to help break up the day and all along the route we get a feeling for the immensity of the Andean landscapes. On arrival in to Cusco you will be met by our representative who will transfer to from the bus station to your hotel. In the evening there are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Cusco.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

City & Ruins Tour
Your first morning in Cusco can be spent at your leisure, enjoying breakfast before exploring Cusco or relaxing at your hotel.

In the afternoon you will be met for your guided tour of Cusco and its archaeological sites. Your Cusco tour will include highlights such as Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and Koricancha Temple. We also visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed ruins of Sacsayhuaman just outside of Cusco which were once the former capital of the Incan Empire.

Breakfast included.

Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas on this full day excursion. This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. Your first stop will be in Awana Kancha (weaver's palace in Quechua), where you will have the opportunity to learn about the different ancient weaving and dyeing Andean techniques which are still used today. You will then visit a breeding centre for South American camels (guanacos, llamas, alpacas and vicunas).

Continue on to Pisac where you will first visit the archaeological complex, the ruins of the fortress of Pisac which are set high above a valley by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing. The stonework and panoramas at Pisac's Inca citadel are magnificent. You will visit the lower part of the complex where the agricultural area and the pre-Hispanic cemetery are located. Afterwards, visit the colourful local market and have free time to search for a souvenir or two before enjoying a typical Andean lunch at a local restaurant.

We then continue our journey along the River Urubamba to Ollantaytambo, where you will visit Ollantaytambo Ruins and one of its best preserved areas, Hanan Hucaypata. You will be transferred to the local train station where you will catch the scenic afternoon train to Aguas Calientes. On arrival you will be escorted to your hotel by the hotel's staff. Enjoy a free evening and prepare for your early morning visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

*Option to add a night in the Sacred Valley and continue to Machu Picchu early tomorrow, giving you the opportunity to enjoy 2 visits to Machu Picchu.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Guided Tour
This morning you will have an early start to meet your guide and take the shuttle bus to the entrance to the citadel for your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. You will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemeteries. During your guided tour you will experience the uniqueness of the location and the genius that went into its construction. Making use of the provided headsets, you will be able to take pictures freely while enjoying the live briefings. The citadel was discovered in 1911 by the American explorer and academic, Hiram Bingham. Many theories on the citadel exist, but most agree it was a holy site, hidden for centuries and never found by the invading Spanish.

For those looking for adventure, we recommend the one and one half hour trek up unguided Huayna Picchu Mountain, which overlooks Machu Picchu and allows for spectacular views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. Includes guided tour and return bus from Aguas Calientes village.

Return to Cusco
THE BEST SCENIC TRAIN IN LATIN AMERICA, THE 360° MACHU PICCHU TRAIN.

The only train in Peru with an entertainment app on board which will allow you to learn more about the train journey and the Inca civilization. Enjoy our appetising selection of cold and warm drinks, prepared using fruit juices and Andean herbs, and our delicious gourmet and organic delights made with products from the Sacred Valley. Experience a unique way to travel to Machu Picchu from Cusco, exploring the Andean landscape like never before with wider and taller panoramic windows and an observation outdoor carriage including a bar.

You will take the 360° Machui Picchu train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo station where you will continue your journey by bus/van to Cusco. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. In case you have left any luggage in the hotel in the Sacred Valley, it will be picked up en route.

Breakfast included.

Depart
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

3 Day Amazon Lodge Stay
The accommodations that we use for this package are as follows:

- Comfort: Posada Amazonas Traditional
- Superior: Posada Amazonas Comfort
- Deluxe: Reserva Amazonica Superior
Amazon Lodge Arrival Day
Upon arrival at Puerto Maldonado we travel by motorised canoe to our lodge in the Tambopata Rainforest area, which holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.

During our voyage you will have the chance to see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as Black Skimmers, Pied Lapwings, Capped Herons, Jabiru Storks, Roadside Hawks and several species of kingfishers, swallows, and flycatchers. The Tambopata area includes habitats ranging from the Andean highlands around the rivers' headwaters through some of the last remaining intact forests to the lowland rainforests of the Amazon basin. The area is renowned for its diverse plant and animal populations and include over 1,300 bird species. Some of the more famous residents are the Harpy Eagle, the prehistoric looking Hoatzin, tapir, peccary, jaguar, ocelot and playful river otters who live in the area’s oxbow lakes.

During your stay at the lodge all meals and activities are included.

Lunch and Dinner included.

Amazon Lodge
Today you will enjoy guided excursions by expert naturalists to spot wildlife at nearby oxbow lakes, clay licks and treetop towers.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Amazon Lodge Departure Day
After an early breakfast we return by motorised canoe for the return trip to the Puerto Maldonado Airport, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here you’ll fly to Cusco or Lima (flight included) where your arrangements end or you meet your connecting international flight. For those requiring an extra night in Lima we can easily add this in for you.

Breakfast included.

3 Day Posada Amazonas

Day 1: Arrive
Upon arrival from Lima or Cusco, we will welcome you at the airport and drive you ten minutes to our Puerto Maldonado headquarters. While enjoying your first taste of the forest in our gardens we will ask you to pack only the necessary gear for your next few days, and leave the rest at our safe deposit. This helps us keep the boats and cargo light.

We will then travel by motorised canoe to our lodge in the Tambopata Rainforest area, which holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.

During our voyage you will have the chance to see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as Black Skimmers, Pied Lapwings, Capped Herons, Jabiru Storks, Roadside Hawks and several species of kingfishers, swallows, and flycatchers. The Tambopata area includes habitats ranging from the Andean highlands around the rivers' headwaters through some of the last remaining intact cloud forests to the lowland rainforests of the Amazon basin. The area is renowned for its diverse plant and animal populations and include over 1,300 bird species. Some of the more famous residents are the Harpy Eagle, the prehistoric looking Hoatzin, tapir, peccary, jaguar, ocelot and playful river otters who live in the area's oxbow lakes.

During your stay at the lodge all meals and activities are included.

Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 2: Excursions
Today you will enjoy guided excursions by expert naturalists to spot wildlife at nearby oxbow lakes, clay licks and treetop towers.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 3: Depart
After an early breakfast we return by motorised canoe for the return trip to the Puerto Maldonado Airport, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here you'll fly 45 minutes to Cusco or to Lima.

Breakfast included.