fondo copia

THE GRAND TOUR PERU
17 days / 16 nights

The programme includes a visit of Lima city, Nazca lines, Ballestas Islands, Arequipa, Puno Lake Titicaca, Uros Islands, Sillustani, Cusco city, Sacsayhuaman, Sacred Valley of the Incas, full day excursion by train to Machu Picchu Inca citadell and the Tambopata Madre de Dios Reserve.

ITINERARIO

Day 1 : Arrival in Lima
Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and registration.

Day 2 : Lima
Breakfast at your hotel. Tour of colonial and modern Lima - This half-day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of this "City of Kings." Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza de Armas with its cathedral and palace, and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima we drive through the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro. (B)

Day 3 : Lima / Paracas / Nazca
We 280 km south along the PanAmerican highway along the desert coast through fertile irrigated valleys where farmers grow cotton, asparagus, and other crops. In the afternoon we visit Paracas National Park, which was once home to the culture of the same name, seeing one of the world's most beautiful desert landscapes and visiting the small fishing ports in the area. The park is the natural habitat of seals, pelicans, seagulls and many other species. Transfer to hotel

Day 4 : Nazca / Arequipa
Upon arrival a host will meet you and assist you in transferring to the hotel and with registration. In the afternoon, we tour the city. Your half-day sightseeing tour of this beautiful city includes a visit to the Spanish Colonial site of Santa Catalina, called "a city within a city", which lay closed to the layman and shrouded in mystery for over 400 years. This remarkable relic of colonial times is now open to the public. (B)

Day 5 : Arequipa / Colca Canyon
Breakfast at your hotel. Colca Canyon 3 days 2 nights - Early departure heading toward the highlands passing through Yura-Pampa Cañahuas and La Pulpera. Here there is a good possibility of observing groups of wild vicuñas. Stop en route to see petrogliphs in the Caves of Mollepunco and in the town of Callali to see natural hill formations with the appearance of enchanted castles.(B,L,D)

Day 6 : Colca Canyon
Breakfast at your hotel. Today, visit La Calera to enjoy the thermal baths. Return to Chivay. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Colca Canyon / Arequipa
Breakfast at your hotel. To maximize the probability of seeing condors we depart very early toward the "Cross of the Condor" at an altitude of approx. 15,000 feet. We drive a little further in to the canyon to see some pre-Inca ruins and watch the way of life in this remote land. Return to Chivay for lunch and afternoon return to Arequipa.(B,L)

Day 8 : Arequipa / Puno
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to bus station to take the regular

service motorcoach to Puno. Upon arrival a host will meet you and assist you in transferring to the hotel and with registering.(B)

Day 9 : Uros Island and Taquile Islands on Lake Titicaca
Breakfast at your hotel. Visit the Uros Indian and Taquile Island at Titicaca Lake. This half day excursion will take you to the highest navigable lake in the world, to visit the floating islands of the Uros Indians. They considered themselves to be "Lords of the Lake" and were convinced they had black blood because they did not feel the cold of the lake in the winter. Continue to Taquile, a native community of about 400 families that still live with XIV century Inca traditions. Taquile is a very important site on Lake Titicaca for it archaeological remains, the sacred and ceremonial sites, festive activities, and daily rituals. Taquile´s inhabitants are devoted to farming, textile production and fishing.(B,L)

Day 10 : Puno / Cusco
Breakfast at your hotel. Today one of South America's most extraordinary overland trips takes you by bus to Cusco passing through striking highland scenery and picturesque Andean villages. Upon your arrival in Cusco, a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and with registration. Lunch is included. (B,L)

Day 11 : Cusco
Breakfast at your hotel. Afternoon tour of the ancient capital of the Inca empire. Visitors will be caught up in the excitement of this city. The tour includes a visit to the Cathedral and Santo Domingo Church, visiting the main streets and Plaza de Armas. You will walk through the most astonishing Cusco streets to reach the San Blas Church. Cusco is a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour includes a visit to the ruins of Qenko, Puca-pucara, Tambomachay and the Sacsayhuaman fortress.(B)

Day 12 : Cusco / The Urubamba Valley
Breakfast at your hotel. Full-day excursion to the Pisac Indian market and the Ollantaytambo fortress (Tues, Thurs, Sun). The tour begins with a drive through the fertile countryside to the colonial village of Pisac. During your visit to this bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the local artisans for many different types of Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry. After lunch, the tour continues to the village of Ollantaytambo, an ancient fortress consisting of numerous temples and terraces that tower majestically over the valley. (B,L)

Day 13 : The Urubamba Valley
Breakfast at your hotel. Toward the west of Cusco, at an altitude of 3300 m. (10824 feet); is the unique archaeological site of Moray. Enormous natural depressions or hollows in the ground surface are found here. The Incas used it as a greenhouse or experimental biological station, and it was very advanced for its time. We continue along the dramatic "Andes" from which it is possible to observe the range of Urubamba mountains. We head toward Maras. the famous " Inca Salt pans" that are comprised of 3000 small pools constructed in the slope of a mountain. People still use traditional

Day 14 : Urubamba Valley / Machu Picchu
Breakfast at your hotel. Morning transfer to Ollantaytambo´s train station for your train ride through the sacred valley of Urubamba to the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Lunch at Sanctuary Lodge Hotel is included. (B,L)

Day 15 : Machu Picchu / Cusco
Breakfast at your hotel. This morning you´ll enjoy one of the most incredible sights on earth, the ruins of Machu Picchu. We can explore and study the mysterious ruins, and climb the pyramid-shape mountain above Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu). You can walk to the Inca Bridge, a secret entrance used by the Inca's army, or toward the Inca Trail to find the historic Sun Gate. Guide is included. In the afternoon, we board the train back to Cusco. Transfer from train station to the hotel.(B)

Day 16 : Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy a guided walking tour of the most traditional areas of Cusco and the artisan neighborhood of San Blas with narrow winding streets and the local marked.(B)

Day 17 : Cusco / Lima
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival a host will meet you to visit the Gold and Larco Herrera Museums. Late afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight home.(B)

End of services.

INCLUDED