Activities: Cultural, Historic, Archeological, ecologic, adventure and gastronomic.
ITINERARY:
LIMA(CITY TOUR AND GASTRONOMIC TOUR) - NAZCA(BUGGYES TOUR AND SANDBOARD) - AREQUIPA(COLCA CANYON/CHIVAY) - PUNO(LAKE TITICAC AND FLOATING ISLANDS) - CUSCO(CITY TOUR, MACHUPICCHU, SACRED VALLEY) - PUERTO MALDONADO(JUNGLE TRIP, LAKE CONDENADO).
DAY 1. ARRIVAL TO LIMA
We will pick you up from the Lima Jorge Chavez airport.
Transfer to your hotel.
Given the fact that we don’t know the time of your arrival to Lima, we will have this day free just for resting (you’re probably going to arrive at night).
In the case your arrival is at morning, we could take advantage of this day and advance one day the complete itinerary of the Tour to the South of Peru and use this day adding some other thing.
DAY 2. CITY TOUR AND GASTRONOMIC TOUR IN LIMA. (FULL DAY)
Breakfast at the hotel
City tour Lima. Known as the City of Kings, Peru’s capital city Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in the Day of the Three Kings (Epiphany) in 1535. The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the old Lima city where we will find the Cathedral, Government Palace and Archbishop’s Palace. The construction of the Cathedral dates from the 17 hundreds and houses the remains of the conqueror Francisco Pizarro. To get a feel for colonial Lima, we will take a cab to the Plaza de Armas and watch the changing of the Palace Guard in the afternoon. Walk the streets surrounding the Jirón de la Unión for great examples of Spanish-colonial architecture and to get a taste of the life in a large South American city.
There are many fine museums around the city, including the Museum Rafael Larco Herrera, which houses an equally impressive collection of pottery, mummies and textiles from the Paracas and Nazca cultures.
Gastronomic Tour. The city is filled with excellent restaurants; seafood lovers in particular should be sure to try a ceviche and tiradito for which Lima is well known.
We will visit the most representative places to try the best dishes of Peruvian cousin; Sea food, Criollan food, Pisco sour & deserts and after that we’ll visit some of the most representative neighborhoods of Lima. The more affluent coastal districts of Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro offer good nightlife and cafés all within walking distance.
DAY 3. LIMA / NAZCA (NAZCA)
Early breakfast at the hotel.
We’ll be ready at 4am in the hotel lobby to start the trip. Continue south to one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines. The lines consist of patterns and pictures etched in the ground, crossing a wide area of flat desert. Some of the lines measure up to 10 Km (32 Miles) in length, and yet remain perfectly straight. The depictions of birds, insects and animals are only recognizable from the air. Who drew the lines and why is something modern archaeologists can only theorize about, but current beliefs suggest that they may be part of complex agricultural calendar. From the ground we can make out very little, the best view is from a light aircraft, we will take a half hour flight to surround , see all the lines and take pictures.
DAY 4. NAZCA / BUGGYES TOUR AND SANDBOARD. (FULL DAY)
Breakfast at the hotel.
During this day we will be riding a sand buggy. (Which is a unique and recommended experience with lots of adrenaline, fun and sightseeing)
Early departure to visit Nazca surrounds. The first place we will visits are the ancient Cantalloc aqueducts constructed by Nazca culture approximately 1500 years ago; they are still been used by the people of this areas and there aren’t many tourist around because is not known by many travel companies yet.
After the aqueducts we’ll visit the Cahuachi ruins which is a huge ceremonial temple of Nazca culture. This complex was built between 400 or 600 B.C. So far, the site is 25 years on excavation and study, and it is considered that a very small part has been discovered. After this we will see Usaca. Where we are going to have a little stop to get ready to heat the huge dunes on our buggy, which is going to take us to the highest dunes to practice some quality sand boarding.
We will follow our journey through the desert discovering passes between the dunes until reaching the entrance to the Huaricangana canyon which seems to be detained in time. Fossilized remains of giant whales, dwarfs, seals, dolphins, sharks and Megalodón Isurus (giant prehistoric shark), submerged at the bottom of a prehistoric sea that correspond to the Lower and Middle Miocene that now has become a desert where we can appreciate all its mysteries.
Finally, just around a hill, falls into the majesty of the landscape of the San Fernando bay, summit of our journey. After to observe this natural wonder from the top of the hill, we move to meet the marine life that has been protected by cliffs that also allow us to observe the animals with mutual confidence. In some seasons of the year Condors migrate from the Andes to feed, its majestic flight gives you more emotion but you have to have good fortune to see it.
Before leaving for a walk and fully enjoy this great natural spectacle, we took a box lunch, and after the hike we descend down to the beach to relax a bit and swim if we are on summer season. We will return to the city of Nazca around 5 pm.
After our arrival we will take a shower and a dinner to start our road trip to Arequipa, during all the night. Approximately 10 hours that we are going to spend in the bus for taking advantage of our time.
DAY 5. AREQUIPA / COLCA CANYON. (Arequipa/Chivay: Taking 4 hours).
Early breakfast.
Between 07:45 To 08:30, we will leave Arequipa and pass behind the snow covered mountain Chachani, Pampa Cañahuas, Aguada Blanca national reserve where we will see Vicuñas in wild life, we also will see the traditional high plateau landscape covered with Andean grass or Ichu, bushes like: Tola, Ccapo or Yareta. We will appreciate some small lagoons and birds like the Kara-Kara or mountain hawk, Black Ibis, Guallatas or Andean goose, ducks, some flamingos, Vizcachas or wild rabbits and more.
Then we will continue by the Patapampa route and lookout an excellent view of the Volcanoes and Mountains Ampato, Hualca-Hualca, Sabancaya and more. We will be at a maximum Altitude of 4,800 meters and we will also have a great view of the Colca Valley. Approximately at 12:00 in the afternoon we will descent to the town of Chivay, capital of the Colca Valley, transfer to the hotel; we will have a traditional lunch and then visit the Hot Springs and pools in La Calera where we can relax, after that we have free all the rest of the day.
DAY 6. COLCA CANYON / PUNO
We will start our journey at 06:30 approximately and leave by the left side of the Colca river to CRUZ DEL CONDOR lookout, we will be able to see part of the deepness of the Colca canyon, in that point approximately at 1,200 meters we will appreciate the majestic “Flight of the Condor”, which is the biggest alive bird in the world, it measures 2.5 meters when their wings are open.
We also will have the opportunity to visit the typical towns of Yanque, Maca and some other more; We will appreciate the "Stones scale model", hanging pre Incas tombs, beautiful typical dresses from each locality and a incredible amount of pre Inca terraces (andenes) that are still cultivated with Andean crops like Potatoes, Corn, Quinua, Kiwicha, Olluco, and more. Lunch in Chivay and then we will start our trip to Puno. Arrival to Puno approximately 19:00 Hrs. for a resting night.
DAYS 7 AND 8. PUNO / FLOATING ISLANDS / PUNO (3 ISLANDS)
Breakfast at the hotel
The first day, we will navigate in the Titicaca Lake. Lake Titicaca is the world's highest lake navigable to large vessels, lying at 3,810 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level in the Andes Mountains. We are going to visit two islands this day, Uros Island that is a floating Totora island, meet there their people, customs and traditions. Then we will continue navigating to Amantani Island where we are going to get rest at night. The community will organize an Andean religious ceremony. Upon arrival, we expected a reception organized by the island's inhabitants, one family of the community will take encharged of us and we will spend the night with them in their traditional homes.
This family will host and feed us (lunch, dinner and breakfast the next day), after lunch, we will visit the two most important hills of the island Pachatata and Pachamama. We will be able to admire magnificent landscapes and splendid sunsets. At night, the families organized a small and special party for us and we will be considered as their special guests.
The next day we are going to the island of Taquile where we are going to walk around a little bit and know the town of Taquile, after that we are going to have a traditional lunch and then approximately at 1 pm. we will return to Puno city where we are going to have fun and have some rest.
DAY 9. PUNO / CUSCO
Breakfast at the hotel
Early departure from Puno, our final destiny will be Cusco. We will visit some oblige attractions on our way to Cusco: La Raya, Pukara, Andahuaylillas and Raqchi.
La Raya: Is the highest passé on the route; this point is the conjunction of the cordilleras and origin of the Vilcanota knot. There is much to admire in the area like: snow covered peaks. Herds of alpacas and vicunas and more.
Pukara: Archeological complex consisting of pyramidal structure. It is here where we found the first sign of civilized culture in the Peruvian plateau.
Andahuaylillas Town: Famous because its church is considered the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”, inside the church we can find a variety of paintings and murals dating from the XVI and XVII centuries. The church is an outstanding example of colonial art.
Raqchi: Temple dedicated to Wiracocha (Sun god), supreme god of the Incas. The temple was built out of sundried mud brick walls and stone. The site contains remains of terraces bridges, warehouses and cottages.
We will arrive to Cusco at 5 pm. and rest until night falls, then we will go to have a welcome show dinner which includes a great show with classical music in Andean instruments and party after that.
DAY 10. CUSCO / SACRED VALLEY
Breakfast at the hotel.
We have to be in the hotel lobby at 8:30am for our departure.
Full day tour on the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with a visit to the traditional Andean market of Pisac for a blend of color, tradition and people. Situated at 30 km. (19 miles) from Cuzco and at an altitude of 2,970 meters (9,700 ft.), Pisac is located right at the gateway to the Sacred Valley. Lunch is included at the Posada del Inca restaurant at Urubamba city.
In the afternoon you will visit the fortress of Ollantaytambo which is huge religious, military, social, administrative and agricultural complex from the Tahuantinsuyo times. Ollantaytambos narrow streets and canals are unchanged since Inca times, recall its ancient heritage. Return to Cusco and your hotel. In the way of return to Cusco we will visit the town of Chincheros. We will be in Cusco by 7 pm. and then we will have dinner and party.
DAY 11. CUSCO / MACHUPICCHU /CUSCO
Breakfast at the hotel.
We have to be in the hotel lobby at 6:30am for our departure.
Early departure from the hotel to the train station for a full day at the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas", one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture. Bearing in mind the limited mechanical devices available in Inca times, Machu Picchu truly lives up to its status as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The city is located on a mist-shrouded mountaintop surrounded by lush forest. Lunch is included in Aguas Calientes. Return to Cusco by train in the afternoon. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 12. CUSCO / PUERTO MALDONADO (jungle trip)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Early departure to the Velasco Astete Airport of Cusco to take our plain to Puerto Maldonado, and journey to the lodge. Following your early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado from Cusco, you will be met at the airport by your naturalist guide and transferred to a dugout canoe for the trip up the Tambopata River to the lodge. On the journey the vegetation changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rainforest. A box-lunch is provided on board. On arrival you'll have a welcome drink and meet the rest of the staff.
In the late afternoon you set off for an introductory walk into the "terra firma" forest behind the lodge (Trail 2), dominated by giant Brazil-nut and Dipteryx trees. Frequently seen mammals on this trail are Saddle-back Tamarinds, Brown Capuchins, Agoutis, Pacas, Blue-Morpho butterflies, Trogons, Toucans and many other species of birds. After dinner a night walk to find nocturnal animals or insects by their eye-shine, a specialization for increasing light and seeing better. About 50% of the animals are nocturnal in the rainforest.
DAY 13. Hike to Lake Condenado.
After an early breakfast you and your nature guide will board the motorized canoe once again for the short journey to the trail head to begin a morning's exploration by foot and paddle canoe of the lake system of Condenado, rich in bird and aquatic life. A family of giant otters lives in the vicinity of the lake and are often observed. Birds abound especially Rufescent Tiger-herons, Great Egrets, Wattled Jacanas, Hoatzin, the noisy Donacobius and many others. Remember to bring your hat and sun cream for there is no shade out on the water. You will return to the lodge in time for lunch.
The afternoon is for exploring the forest close to the lodge (with or without your guide), relaxing and bathing in the Gallucunca, a cool clear stream beside the lodge, or visiting our tree platforms, going up with ropes and harnesses for a bird's eye view of the forest and for close-ups of arboreal orchids and the many other species of plants and animals that are never seen near the ground (extra cost). After dark you will go searching for caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal animals by motorized canoe along the Tambopata River.
DAY 14. PUERTO MALDONADO / LIMA
Departure. A dawn start is required for the canoe trip back to Puerto Maldonado, giving memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Look out for the early morning wildlife, which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard, as they stakeout their territories. Your guide will take care of you on arrival in Puerto Maldonado and will deal with all the necessities at the airport prior to your departure.
END OF OUR SERVICE.
INCLUDES:
All meals
Transfers and Transportation
English speaking guides
Tour and entrance tickets for all the attractions
Hotels at Lima, Nasca, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco and Puerto Maldonado.
Flights from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado / Lima
Tour leader which is going to help you with anything you could need during the trip.
NOT INCLUDED:
Extra luggage charges
Drinks
Tips
Calls