Travel the 6 highlights of Peru
After arriving in the modern metropolitan of Lima, you will fly directly to the classic white city of Arequipa. Surrounded by snow capped volcanoes Arequipa is the starting poitnt of this tour.
From Arequipayou will travel to the impressive Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, ruled by the mighty condor! Traveling from the depts. Of the Colca Canyon, over the Andean Mountains, your will reach the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. Here you can visit the interesting Uros, Taquile, or Sillustani cultures.
Then it is time to step in the footsteps from the first Inca, Manco Capac who rose out of Laka Titicaca, looking for a place to live for his sons. When he found the fertile Sacred Valley, he constructed Cusco and the empire of the Inca began. In only 100 years of ruling, the Inca’s became the most known culture of South America and Machu Picchu recently became one of the new Seven World Wonders, an impressive accomplishment!
Short itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
Day 2: Lima – Arequipa
Day 3: Arequipa – Colca Canyon
Day 4: Colca Canyon – Puno
Day 5: Puno – (optional: Uros – Taquile and/ or Sillustani)
Day 6: Puno – Cusco
Day 7: Cusco
Day 8: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes
Day 9: Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu – Cusco
Day 10: Cusco – Lima – End of tour
The 6 Highlights of Peru, complete itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Day 2: Lima – flight to Arequipa
You arrive in the morning and have the afternoon free to explore this impressive city.
Arequipa is also called ‘The White City’, because most of the buildings in the city centre are build with stones of volcanic white sillar. To most Peruvians their ‘Ciudad Blanca’, surrounded by impressive snow capped volcanoes, is the most beautiful city in Peru. Discover for yourself if you agree with them. We recommend to visit at least the famous Juanita Ice Princes and the huge Santa Catalina Convent.
Day 3: Arequipa - Colca Canyon
After crossing a mountain pass at 4900m altitude, the bus descents towards the village of Chivay (3600m). You will get free time here to walk around on your own and have lunch on the market or in a local restaurant.
After lunch you will be brought to your hotel in Chivay, or one of the surrounding villages. Around sunset you can go to the hot springs were the spring water is so hot that it needs to be cooled down before it enters the several small swimming pools.
Day 4: Colca Canyon - Chivay – Puno (3830m)
After saying goodbye to the condors, you drive back to Chivay. Here you have time to lunch before going to Puno.
Day 5: Puno - Lake Titicaca (optional: Uros, Taquile, or Sillustani)
In the morning you can decide for yourself if you want to visit the famous Uros Islands. Here the descendents of the Uros will give you a warm welcome and explain you more about their history, present culture and floating reed islands.
You can extend this tour with an afternoon visit to Taquile, the island where men have to knit hats to ‘conquer’ their wife. While you walk across the island your guide will explain more about the history and culture of Taquile.
Another option for the afternoon is to visit the mysterious towers of Sillustani. The Collas who supposedly had contact with the Tiawanaku culture, build these towers to bury their death. The Inca’s later adopted and improved these techniques to build their cities.
Day 6: Puno - Cusco
Day 7: Cusco
Day 8: Cusco - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes
Your tour will start with a visit of the archeological site of Pisac. Passing along the ruins and enjoying the great views over the valley the guide will explain you most of the impressive Inca history. After visiting the archeological site of Pisac, you will have time to stroll around on the colorful market of the village of Pisac and/or relax and have lunch.
On the way to the village of Ollantaytambo, you will also bring a visit to Salineras. This is a pre-Inca salt winning place from the Maras culture. Hundreds of years ago they started to collect the water from a mountain in small shallow pools. The sun would dry the water and what was left is salt. Even now this system is still working and the white ‘salt pans’ provide a great view in the green valley. From Salineras you drive further to the town of Ollantaytambo.
After a short walk through the village, your guide will lead you around the ancient Inca fortress of this village. The fortress of Ollantaytambo is one of the very few places where the Inca’s won a big battle against the Spanish conquistadors.
After visiting this interesting site you will say goodbye to your guide and take the train to Aguas Calientes (now officially called Machu Picchu Pueblo).
We recommend you to go to bed early in this tourist village and get a good night of sleep for the exciting day of tomorrow.
Day 9: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Although the site is famous, it is also still covered with mysteries about its original purpose, how the Inca’s could build this city on and between the mountain tops and even about its original name. For more information: About Machu Picchu
After the guided tour you will have free time to explore the ancient site of Machu Picchu by yourself. We recommend to visit the viewpoint at the Care Takers Hut and maybe even walk a bit in the direction of the Inti Punku Sungate. Your train and bus back to Ollantaytambo and Cusco will leave late in the afternoon, or evening, which gives you enough time to relax and have lunch in the lush surrounding of Aguas Calientes.
Day 10: Cusco - Lima
Please inform us with your booking around what time you prefer to fly.
Tour extention options:
For more information about extending this tour with an adventures trekking, please visit: Recommendable trekking options in Peru!
Another highly recommendable extention of this tour can be to visit the Amazon Rainforest. Please check out our tour options for more information: Our Amazon Tour Selection in Peru!
Inclusive and recommended to bring on this tour:
Price note: During high season, from half May until half of September, this tour will cost 50 US$ p.p. more.
This tour includes:
– ALL transfers with private transport!
– Overnight stays in 3 stars hotels, including all breakfasts
– A flight from Lima to Arequipa + a flight from Cusco to Lima
– A tour into the Colca Canyon in shared service with an English speaking guide, incl.: transport (Arequipa – Colca Canyon – Puno), one night in the Colca Canyon and one breakfast.
– A guided tourist bus ride from Puno to Cusco, incl.: interesting stops, an English speaking guide and lunch
– A private tour into the Sacred Valley, including transport, guide lunch and entrance fees
– A train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and back
– The bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back
– The entrance fee of Machu Picchu
– A guided service on the archeological site of Machu Picchu
– 24h emergency support in English
The price doesn’t include:
– International flights and taxes
– Optional excursions and extensions of the tour
– Entrance fees and meals not mentioned in the itinerary
– Alcohol, soft drinks, food and other personal expenses
– Tips (in restaurants, for guides, drivers and more) during the tour
– Additional price for one person a room, 240 US$
– Optional: customized hotel upgrade
– International banking costs
– Obligated travel and health insurance
- Optional: climbing the Huayna Picchu, or Machu Picchu Mountain. 15 US$ additional.
We recommend you to check the local visa and vaccination obligations.
We recommend you to bring at least with:
– Valid identification and travel documents and when needed a valid visa
– The information of your travel insurance
– Valid vaccinations, ask you countries health centre for more information
– A small day (back)pack
– Good shoes
– Sandals
– A warm jacket/ fleece
– A rain jacket/ poncho
– A warm sweater
– Two light trousers
– One pair of shorts
– 3 T-shirts
– A flashlight
– Something to be able to back-up your photos
– Protection against the sun and mosquito’s (you can also buy in Peru)
Be aware that Peru is not a Third World Country anymore, so most things are available. If you do have any doubts about what to bring, please feel free to ask us.
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