Day 1 – 4 Accommodation = hotel + 1 night home stay Out tour commences in the cultural city of La Paz, Bolivia’s administrative capital. We cross the border into Peru to arrive on the shores of Lake Titicaca. We will take an overnight trip out on to the lake to visit the Islas Uros, where the Uros Indians have made their home on floating reed islands. Arriving to Amantani Island we will enjoy an overnight homestay with a friendly local family and the opportunity to be welcomed into their homes and truly experience their traditional way of life.
The next morning, bidding farewell to your host family, we will cross the lake again to Taquile Island, famous for its traditional handicrafts and isolated way of life. After exploring the village and wandering through the terraced fields used for farming we will make our way back across the lake to the town of Puno.
Day 5 – 8 Accommodation = hotel We drive north across the Andean plains, where Vacuna and Alpaca roam, arriving in Cusco, the archaeological capital of the Americas, and our base to explore the Inca culture and the famous ruins of Machu Picchu.
Not only is Cusco stepped in history, tradition and legend, it is also full of great restaurants, lively plazas, art galleries, cathedrals and museums. We will enjoy a walking tour of the city as well as plenty of leisure time to stroll through the walled alleys, enjoy coffee in the busy plazas and market places as well as explore some of the many ruins scattered around the cities edge. There are also many adventure activities on offer from white water rafting on the Urubamba River, motor-bike or mountain bike trips through the countryside to hot air-ballooning through the Sacred Valley, there is something available for everyone.
After a couple of days exploring Cusco we head off into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the colonial village of Pisac famous for its lively market that attracts traditionally dressed locals from the surrounding countryside and its Inca Fortress that lies on a hilltop above the village. We will also visit the massive fortress of Ollantaytambo and learn the history of this impressive site.
Day 9 – 13 Accommodation = hotel + 3 nights camping Having spent a relaxing evening in the town of Ollantaytambo, the best surviving example of Inca City planning, we begin our Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu. This world famous hike takes us along the Urubamba river, up through valleys and over mountain passes as we wind our way through spectacular cloud forest to reach the ancient Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu. Following the footsteps of the ancient Incas you will be amazed and intrigued to learn from your expert guide all there is to know about this mysterious race.
On the morning of the fourth day we will arrive at the Inca Sun Gate and your first view of the magnificent lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. To see the sunrise over this ancient site is a moving and rewarding experience. One of the wonders of the world Machu Picchu remained undiscovered until almost stumbled upon by historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. Visiting this spectacular and awe-inspiring location is without a doubt one of the best experiences South America has to offer.
Retuning to Cusco we have a free day to relax and unwind in this beautiful city before we continue on our journey.
Day 14 – 17 Accommodation = hotel We wind our way through the Peruvian highlands, past rural communities and over scenic mountain passes to Colca Canyon, arguably the worlds deepest canyon, and home to numerous Andean Condors. Enjoy an early morning trip out to the Cruz del Condor view point where we can view Condors circling on the thermals rising up from the canyon floor followed by some time hiking in the Colca Canyon before relaxing in the evening in the areas hot thermal springs.
Dropping in altitude now we arrive in Arequipa, a beautiful city surrounded by spectacular mountains. Peru’s second largest city, a UNESCO cultural heritage site, still harbours’ many buildings dating back to colonial times that were built from the white coloured volcanic rock named sillar giving the buildings a dazzling shine. Here we will explore the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a huge convent with a fascinating history and stunning architecture. We will also visit “Juanita” – the Ice Princess, a frozen ice maiden who was sacrificed on the summit of Mount Ampato (6288m) over 500 years ago.
Day 17 - 23 Accommodation = hotel Descending onto the coast of Peru we stop at the ancient Inca Port, aptly named Puerto Inca, where we can stroll through Inca ruins at leisure and enjoy a night on the coast. After a leisurely morning of exploration will visit the fascinating Chauchilla cemetery, housing numerous ancient mummies, scattered in sandy tombs throughout the desert before continuing on to the town of Nazca, named after the ancient culture that inhabited the area in around 200AD. Enjoy a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines that to this day remain unexplained by scientists and archaeologists alike.
A short drive inland will take us to Huacachina, a tiny desert oasis nestled amongst huge sand dunes. On the way lies a palaeontologists treasure chest, rarely visited by tourists. Here in the middle of a sandy desert it is possible to view fully intact whale fossils, including fossilized baleen, that remain from millennia ago when this area was once an ocean lagoon. Fossilized sharks teeth lay scattered through the sand dating at approximately 30 million years in age. After enjoying a guided tour of this fascinating area we stop in Huacachina where we will take a thrilling ride through the sand dunes in specially designed buggies and enjoy dinner beside the palm lined Oasis.
The next day we will visit a winery that specializes in producing Pisco, one of Peru’s traditional alcoholic beverages. We will learn about how this has been traditionally made for centuries and enjoy lunch and tasting’s at the winery. We then head back to the coast and the Paracas Marine reserve, the most important wildlife sanctuary on the Peruvian coast containing one of the world’s highest concentrations of rare and exotic sea birds and mammals. We will take time to explore the Paracas Peninsular as well as take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, commonly referred to as “Poor Man’s Galapagos”.
Our final stop is the colonial city of Lima where will enjoy our last evening together before our tour concludes.
Note about the Inca Trail: Due to tight regulations on the Inca trail availability is limited on a first in first served basis only. We cannot guarantee your place until we have received your booking and deposit and have processed the request for an Inca Trail ticket. To ensure your space on the trail we advise you book early. However if space is unavailable we offer alternative treks which all include a visit to the ruins Machu Picchu. For more information on the Inca trail regulations and other hikes available in the area please refer to our website |
