Peru Panorama 15 Days

DAY 1: LIMA ARRIVAL  

A member of our staff will be waiting for you at the airport, with a sign with your name on it, to transport you to your hotel, where all will be set for your arrival. Lima is a friendly city, so relax and get ready for the next morning.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 2: LIMA CITY TOUR!  (B,)

Lima is a beautiful and historic city. During colonial times it was the center of the economy and, on your visit to the Plaza de Armas, the main square, you will see many buildings reminiscent of those in Spain. Particular highlights are the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral (just a short walk away from the plaza, located in the Santo Domingo Church on the Plaza de la Vera Cruz) and San Francisco Convent. The Convent is one of the most visited religious buildings in the city due to its famous catacombs which hold the remains of around 70,000 people. We will also visit the Huaca Pucllana archaeological complex, another jewel in the cultural mix of the city.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 03: LIMA – BALLESTAS ISLANDS – ICA

Early in the morning (3:00 am) we will catch a local bus to head south. After three hours we will arrive in the coastal fishing town of El Chaco. We will then take a tour to the Ballestas Islands, Peru´s equivalent of the Galapagos. Home to a hundreds of sea birds and sea lions, it is often possible to observe dolphins and Humboldt penguins weaving in and out amongst the waves. After this excursion, we will take a bus back to Ica. After lunch, we will head to Huacachina Oasis, where you can take some time to relax under the shady palms. The more adventurous among you, may climb the highest sand dune and ride back down on a sand board (similar to snowboarding). At 4:00 pm we will start travelling in the sand dune buggies for a fun ride across the Ica desert until sunset.

We will spend the night in Ica.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 04: NAZCA – CHAUCHILLA CEMETERY – NIGHT BUS TO AREQUIPA

During the morning, we will visit an ancestral Nazca cemetery located in the arid desert. The ancient civilization resided here. We will discover how they thrived despite the rough climate of the region. Afterwards, we will ride on a comfortable night bus to the city of Arequipa. Nazca is the name of a system of valleys and deserts on the southern coast of Peru, and is also the name applied to the culture that flourished in this region between 300 B.C. and 800 A.D. These people designed the mysterious Nazca Lines, which were enormous drawings of animals, plants and geometrical lines on the desert that can only be seen from the air. Some famous figures in these lines are the monkey, the spider, the hummingbird, the condor and the lizard.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 05: AREQUIPA –AFTERNOON CITY TOUR

Transfer from the bus station to the hotel. Arequipa is the most beautiful city in Peru and is located at 2330 m above the sea level and sits in the shadow of the imposing Misti volcano. After lunch, we will take a guided city tour throughout Arequipa. The majority of the buildings are made of an white volcanic rock, leading to Arequipa being called the white city. The city tour includes a visit at the beautiful cathedral, the Santa Catalina convent, a visit at Yanahuara’s neighborhood and the church. Please bring along some water for this day.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 06: AREQUIPA – COLCA CANYON – CHIVAY

The trip towards the Colca Canyon will take us 5 hours through breathtaking scenery. As we drive through the amazing Andean landscape of snow-capped mountains and volcanoes (at the highest point we’ll be at 4,900m above sea level), keep watch for the llamas, alpacas and vicuñas that live in this area. Finally, we arrive at our beautiful lodge after which you might want to take a swim in the natural hot springs of Chivay while drinking a Pisco Sour. The Colca Canyon is considered the second deepest canyon in the world and is shaped by hundreds of Inca terraces where mostly potatoes and Andean cereal crops are cultivated. The majority of these terraces are still used by local farmers.

Please note: during this day we will reach a high altitude. That means the weather fluctuates between severe heat during the days and extreme cold nights. This is a prime opportunity to purchase an alpaca scarf or sweater for an unbeatable price.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 07: CRUZ DEL CONDOR – CHIVAY – PUNO

Today we will visit the Cruz del Condor to observe the majestic condors flying, followed by an adventurous walk over the canyon. Afterwards we will take a bus to reach Puno (3820m), situated on the South at the shore of Lake Titicaca

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 08: LAKE TITICACA: UROS ISLAND – TAQUILE ISLAND

At 7:00 am we will transfer you from the hotel in Puno to the port. We continue our journey in a motor boat with a covered section in case of rain or cold weather. After 2 hours, we are going to arrive at our first stop, the Uros Islands, a group of artificial floating islands made with reeds that grow in the shallows of the lake. The reeds are fundamental resources for the life of Ureños (inhabitants of these islands). The second stop will be at the island of Taquile. The inhabitants of Taquile have preserved their unique lifestyle and their native culture for hundreds of years. Here, men do all the knitting, while the women do the spinning. Additionally, we take a descending walk, which includes 500 steps down to the main port of the island. At approximately 2:30pm we will head back to Puno City.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 09: TOURIST BUS PUNO – CUSCO

Breakfast at hotel; you will be picked up at 06:00 am from your hotel in Puno and then transferred to the bus station where you will board the bus to Cusco.

The trip from Puno to Cusco takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery on route as you travel through the high Altiplano region. You will enjoy several short stops to take in panoramic views and visit historical ruins in Pucara, La Raya, Raqchi, Andahuaylillas and Sicuani, where you’ll have a delicious buffet lunch and taste the unique Andean flavor.

Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your Cusco Hotel.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 10: CUSCO – AFTERNOON CITY TOUR

The city tour will start at 1:00 pm. On this day, you will have a guided tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins. The city, once a capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Francisco Pizarro’s men took the city with such apparent ease in November 1533. We will explore the city by foot to appreciate its superbly constructed Inca walls and architecturally extravagant colonial churches and palaces. This also includes a visit of Qoricancha, the ancient Golden Temple of the Sun. After this, we will take a short drive to visit the monolithic walls of Sacsayhuaman along with Tambomachay, better known as ‘the bath of the Inca’. Both sites are spectacularly set above the city. In the afternoon you may have time to explore some of the central parts of the city and a chance to look at some of the great varieties of local craft work.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 11: SACRED VALLEY – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

We will leave Cusco at 8:00 AM and drive to the city of Pisac (or Pisaq), through which the River of Urubamba flows. Here we will enjoy the weekly market where you can buy textiles, pottery and other little souvenirs. We will then take the bus uphill to the ruins complex of Pisac, an Inca citadel perched on a mountainside. Our journey continues to Ollantaytambo, where we will visit the archaeological complex. In the afternoon, we will travel to Agua Calientes by train, where we’ll spend the night.

Overnight at: HOTEL.

DAY 12: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

After a good night´s sleep, we will travel by train and then by bus to the mountain of Machu Picchu. The tour will be guided for 2:30 hours. We will visit the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. You will have some free time to discover the secrets of that mysterious place on your own.

In the afternoon, we will return to our hotel in Cusco.

Overnight at: HOTEL

DAY 13 – FLIGHT TO PUERTO MALDONADO – AMAZON LODGE

Arrival to Puerto Maldonado (Biodiversity Capital of Peru)

Day 1. Reception at the airport or bus station and transfer to the office of Monte Amazoníco Lodge for relevant information about the tour.

Transfer to the port where we will take the boat for an hour to our lodge.

Welcome meeting with a refreshing fruit juice of our region. Check in into our respective rooms.

After a short rest you will have an introductory hike for two hours in the dense tropical forrest, guided by an expert local guide who will take you through our trails to see a variety of tres, some of which are more than five hundred years old. You may also observe some species of wild animals such as toucans, orioles, parrots, monkeys, snakes, butterflies, etc. You will have the opportunity to experience the magic of our Amazon Rainforest within the Tambopata National Reserve (278,000 hectares protected under Peruvian laws).

After lunch, we will visit the “Monkey Island”, located in front of our lodge across the Madre de Dios River. At this place there are different species of monkeys such as brown capuchin, squirrel monkey, saddle back tamarin, and white capuchin.

In the night, we will go on a cayman search. They are generally found on the banks of Madre de Dios River. You will need to bring a flashlight or headlamp. With luck, we may see the capybara – the world’s largest rodent that can weigh 60 kilos. We will then head back to the lodge, have dinner and sleep.

DAY 14 – SANDOVAL LAKE & TAMBOPATA PARK (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, we will do a short boat ride to the entrance of Lake Sandoval. After passing the check point, we will walk 3 kilometers (2 miles aprox) to Lake Sandoval (piranha habitat) – one of the largest in the Tambopata National Reserve. After the nice walk, the guide will take us on a rowing boat, navigating on the lake to appreciate many different birds and monkey species (Hoatzin cormorant Jacanas, puma heron, eagles, howler monkey, squirrel monkey, black capuchin, tamarins and sloths), and the largest alligator recorded (over 4 meters long). Maybe we will meet a the family of giant river otters (almost two meters long). They are in danger of extinction. Following this, we will return to the lodge to enjoy a typical lunch, then return to the city.

Included: Hosting Service, Guidance, Transportation, Airport – Lodge – Airport and Food

Not included: bar consumption (alcoholic beverages)

IMPORTANT.- we recommend you to bring mosquito repellent, flashlight, binoculars, personal items, sunscreen, hiking shoes, long shirts and pants.

DAY 15 – DEPARTURE FROM LODGE – FLIGHT TO LIMA – CONNECT AT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

Breakfast at lodge; transfer by boat – Lodge to Tambopata River port then to Puerto Maldonado. We retrace the river and road journey back to our office in Puerto Maldonado, and then to the airport so you can take your flight back home. We at ATV CUSCO hope you enjoyed, like we did, this challenging adventure, with the aim of being able to see you again soon and enjoy another remarkable story together.