12 Days Tour
Lima, Cuzco, Puno, Colca, Arequipa
From $2049 (Land only) or $2559 (Air & Land)
Highlights
• Tour of Colonial Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Discover Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire
• Discover the astonishing ancient citadel of Machu Picchu via The Voyager Inca Rail Train
• Drive through the Andean Plains to pristine c
• Excursion by boat to the fascinating Uros Floating Islands
• Journey to the Colca Canyon, the deepest in the world
• See the exquisite shimmering architecture in the "White City" of Arequipa
Itinerary
DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Peru
Depart for Lima, Peru; arrival and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure with time to rest, relax and acquaint yourself with Peru’s vibrant capital, founded in 1535 by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro
Overnight: Lima
DAY 2, Sunday - Lima City Tour
This morning’s tour of Lima, with its 2000 years of history, begins at the colonial center of the city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic buildings surrounding the splendid Plaza Mayor. View the impressive Palace of the Archbishop with its fine carved balcony, the opulent Government Palace, official residence of the President, and the 16th century Cathedral of Lima whose first stone was laid by Pizarro. Continue to the 17th century Monasterio de San Francisco complex with its magnificent tiles, ornate carved ceilings, exceptional paintings and world-renowned library. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure or join the optional Pachacamac Pre-Inca Ruins tour. Visit the archaeological site of Pachacamac, one of the largest religious centres in pre-Inca times on the Peruvian coast. This afternoon, join your Tour Manager for an orientation meeting about the wonderful journey that awaits you. Tonight, perhaps attend the optional Evening Larco Herrera Museum with dinner. Experience one of Lima’s most magnificent museums by night on this tour, that also includes a light supper. Admire the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian masterpieces and a stunning exhibition of gold and priceless jewels
Optional: Pachacamac Pre-Inca Ruins (PM)
Optional: Evening Larco Herrera Museum with dinner
Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3, Monday - Fly to Cuzco, Afternoon at Leisure
Depart Lima this morning by flight to Cuzco in the Peruvian Andes. This ancient capital of the Inca Empire is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in this historic city and spend the rest of the day acclimating to the altitude. Or, attend the optional tour Half Day Cuzco Ruins which explores some of Cuzco’s most unique Inca Ruins
Optional: Half Day Cuzco Ruins (PM)
Overnight: Cuzco ▲
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Tuesday - Discover Machu Picchu
Early morning transfer to the Sacred Valley's Ollanta Station to board The Voyager Trainthat travels through misty peaks to the astonishing ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas", designated by UNESCO as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu was virtually unknown to the western world until Hiram Bingham's rediscovery in 1911. Spend the morning viewing the unforgettable wonders of this 15th century retreat, abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the conquistadors. See the highlights of the site including the imposing Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved rock likely used as a sundial by the ancient Incas. The images of this significant archaeological site will be a long-lasting memory. Return to the Sacred Valley in the early evening and transfer to your hotel in Cuzco for overnight
*Approximate time spent at the ruins of Machu Picchu is 2 hours
Overnight: Cuzco
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Wednesday - Cuzco City Tour
Enjoy this morning at leisure in the "Imperial City" of Cuzco. Take time to explore some of the city’s stunning sights or shop for some of the finest handicrafts and textiles in all of Peru. Perhaps, participate in the optional Cuzco Behind the Scenes Tour, offering a glimpse into the other side of life in Cuzco. On this tour, visit a local market and taste fresh-baked Chuta bread. Stop at the Cuzco cemetery to learn more about Andean life and death and meet with a local "shaman" (holy man). After the cooking demonstration, enjoy a delicious meal. In the afternoon, depart for a tour of Cuzco, view the impressive Colonial Cathedral, which contains over 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School in addition to colonial art. Continue on to visit the Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun, once the most important religious site of the Incas, whose walls and floors were allegedly once covered by sheets of solid gold. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a buffet dinner, featuring delectable Andean specialties
Optional: Cuzco Behind the Scenes (AM)
Overnight: Cuzco
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Thursday - Raqchi & Puno
ADepart Cuzco early in the morning on a long drive today. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you drive through the Andes mountain range and the Andean plains to Puno on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. In this area, South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) graze on the immense plateaus and plains. En route visit the 15th century Temple of Wiracocha, with its elaborate stonework, the largest Inca temple ever discovered. Today, Raqchi remains home to many farmers, ranchers and artisans. Then, arrive at pristine Lake Titicaca sitting majestically at 12,500 feet above sea level, backed by the snowcapped peaks of Bolivia's Cordillera Real range. This is the highest navigable lake in the world and South America's largest fresh water lake. A box lunch will be provided en route
Overnight: Puno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 7, Friday - Excursion to Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca
This morning, an excursion by boat transports you from Puno to the fascinating Uros Floating Islands where the indigenous people of the area, the Uros, live on islands that dot the lake. The Uros live very much the same way as their ancestors did and still follow the ancient customs and traditions. These islands are completely man-made structures, using the totora reeds from the lake to build the islands and houses. Return to Puno for the remainder of the day at leisure. Or, take the optional tour to the Sillustani Tombs, the pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo. The tombs here are built above the ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, vestiges of the Colla people before they were conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. Evening is at leisure in Puno
Optional: Half Day Sillustani Tombs (PM)
Overnight: Puno
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Saturday - Travel through Andean Hills to Colca & Discover Colca Canyon
The scenic drive to Colca takes you into some of the most magnificent terrain you’re ever likely to see. Admire tiny villages on an unspoiled countryside of Andean hills and terraced farmlands sloping into vast valleys. Perhaps you will see shepherds, some of who are descended from indigenous tribes like the Collagua and Cabana, tending to their alpaca. Upon arrival in Colca, settle into your comfortable accommodations at Colca Lodge. The land here is fed by hot springs, and there will be time to relax and enjoy the medicinal benefts of thermal baths, that are due to the high content of calcium, zinc and iron. Tonight, turn your gaze upward to a blanket of stars
Overnight: Colca
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9, Sunday - Full Day in Colca Canyon
This morning's journey takes you to the Colca Canyon, reportedly the deepest in the world, thought to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The Colca River has carved this geologic wonder over millennia and some of the terraced hillsides are known to predate Incan civilization. Here, the Canyon is home to the extraordinary Andean condor. Although the population of condors in South America is dwindling, at the Colca Canyon they can be seen soaring gracefully overhead. The floor portions of the canyon are surprisingly habitable, with fields still supporting agriculture and human life. Colca Valley has been known by many different names including The Valley of Wonders, The Valley of Fire and The Territory of the Condor - and now is recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
Overnight: Colca
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10, Monday - Explore Arequipa
This morning, enjoy a scenic drive to Arequipa. Arrive in time for lunch. Afterwards explore this remarkable colonial city, guarded by three dramatic volcanoes. Its beauty lies in its cultural purity; Arequipa’s remote location has allowed its Spanish-based culture to thrive with little outside influence. Much of the city’s breathtaking architecture was built with sillar, a white volcanic rock. The shimmering stone lends a bright air to the streets - and has earned the city the nickname "La Ciudad Blanca," the White City. You'll visit two striking 16th-century structures in the historic Plaza de Armas - the massive cathedral and the Santa Catalina Monastery, beloved for its vividly painted façades. You'll also browse the local San Camilo Market, whose stalls overflow with colorful produce and textiles. Sample some local fruit here and mingle with farmers who cart in their harvest from the Andean countryside. Enjoy the evening at leisure
Overnight: Arequipa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11, Tuesday - Fly to Lima, Farewell Dinner
Transfer to the airport after breakfast for your flight to Lima. Afternoon is at leisure for individual pursuits. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at a restaurant in the trendy Miraflores District
Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Wednesday - Depart Peru
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your departure flight*
*Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 12 and will require a transfer on Day 11. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.
Meals: Breakfast