ESCAPE TO BEAUTY OF PERU’S ABUNDANT LANDSCAPES

Upon arrival to Lima’s Airport, make your way by taxi or shared shuttle to your hotel in the Miraflores district where you are free to relax and wander around at your own pace. Depending on the time of your arrival, we have plenty of suggestions so you can make the most of your first day in Lima. You can also meet with the rest of the group later for a welcome dinner.

Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Lima

Included Meals: None

Important note: We have included every breakfast in this package and have kept lunches and dinners extra as food choices are quite varied and inexpensive in Peru. You can therefore choose what to eat, share or even skip a meal if you want! All meals will be held together as a group in wonderful restaurants along the way. Budget between 30-50US per day for food and alcoholic beverages.

This morning we have an early departure. In our private transport we’ll be driving for 300km along the Panamerican Highway. We’ll be heading to the valley of Ica, located 4 hours south of Lima and surrounded by the endless sand dunes of the Ica desert. Ica is well known for its warm and dry climate, which is perfect for growing vines, so, when approaching Ica, we’ll make a short stop for a guided tour through a historical vineyard where our famous Pisco liquors are made. During this visit, we will learn about and taste the various types of Pisco that exist here in Peru.

After, we’ll have lunch at a traditional restaurant (not included), where we can try some delicious Afro-Peruvian dishes and, at about 3pm, we leave for the natural lagoon of Huacachina, known as the Oasis of the Americas. From this beautiful Arabian-like landscape, we’ll venture into the desert dunes aboard powerful sand buggies. During the ride we’ll be stopping at selected dunes where we can practice some sand boarding and test our skills in this fun sport. After observing the sunset from the vastness of the desert we go back to Paracas and relax in our charming hotel.

Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Paracas
Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we’ll board the fully equipped speedboats departing from the Libertador Pier towards the Ballestas Islands, also known as the little Galapagos because of the great variety of marine wildlife that inhabit them. En route, our boat stops to observe “The Chandelier”, an enigmatic figure that can only be seen from the sea. We’ll be circumnavigating the islands as we approach caves and other rock formations while we intent to spot the local wildlife which, amongst others, consist on Sealions, Humboldt Penguins and various other marine bird species.

Once we’re back again on dry land we’ll drive to the Paracas Reserve, one of Peru’s most important and protected natural area. First, we’ll visit the park’s visitor center and then walk along a trail to try and see the Parihuanas (Andean flamingos). After, we drive through a dirt road to some cliff top lookouts where we can admire the immensity of the ocean and beautiful beaches. We have lunch (not included) in the tiny fishing village of “Lagunillas” and then we return to Lima.

Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Lima
Included Meals: Breakfast

After an early breakfast we have a short drive to the airport to take our one hour flight to the city of Cusco. Some of the best views of the Andes can be seen from the plane. Upon arrival to Cusco airport we will be met by our local guide who will welcome us and take us on our private transport towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Because of its lower elevation (2,870 meters or 9,415 feet above sea level) and its peaceful atmosphere, the Sacred Valley is the perfect place to enjoy your first few days as you adapt to the high altitude of this region.

We’ll first introduce you to the archaeological site of Pisac, one of the Sacred Valley’s finest and most impressive Inca complex with terraces built on its hills. To visit the site, you must walk along winding paths on a mountain cliff. Among the most important buildings are Pisaca, which is a curved wall; the Intihuatana, a solar clock among a group of temples and the military zone called “Q’Allaqasa.

We’ll also spend some time at the actual village of Pisac itself. This charming town is located just under the Inca complex and features lovely cobblestone streets lined with colourful markets and restaurants. We’ll have some time to explore the town and enjoy our lunch before reaching our hotel in the late afternoon. The drive to our hotel is a scenic one as we drive pass fields, mountains and cozy Andean villages. It will take us about 1.5 hours to drive from Cusco to Pisac and then about 45 minutes from Pisac to our hotel in the Sacred Valley. The rest of the day is free to get settled in and enjoy the beauty of the rural countryside of Peru.

Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Cusco

Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning we’ll set off on a tour of the Southern segment of the Sacred Valley to reach Moray, one of the most unusual Inca sites consisting of circular terraces built upon a natural depression which seem to have been an agricultural experimental station used to adapt crops to different temperatures. Hike around these impressive crops and photograph the stunning views of the Andean landscape in the backdrop.
For those interested in walking, we will hike from Moray to the small town of Maras crossing through beautiful countryside surrounded by impressive views of the Andes.  Maras is an impressive salt-extraction complex consisting of thousands of small terraces. During the dry season they fill the pans every 3 days with salty water that comes from a natural spring, once the water is evaporated, they collect the salt they have been selling at the markets of the region since before the Inca times. After a fun explanation and some time to visit the site, you can enjoy the many little shops selling salt and other local products like maca, quinoa, crafts and more. We should be returning to our hotel around 4 or 5pm today allowing you some time to relax before dinner.

Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley
Included Meal: Breakfast
Optional: Traditional Huatia lunch ($29US per person) – Highly recommended!

This morning we’ll set off yet again in the Southern segment of the Sacred Valley. As we leave our hotel and on our way to Ollantaytambo, we’ll stop at Awanacancha where you can meet native weavers and see South American camelid species, including llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas. After this stop, we continue to the enchanting Inca site of Ollantaytambo, a village in the Sacred Valley of south Peru, set on the Urubamba River amid snow-capped mountains. It’s known for the Ollantaytambo ruins, a massive Inca fortress with large stone terraces on a hillside. Major sites within the complex include the huge Sun Temple and the Princess Baths fountain. The village’s old town is an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings.

Return to the lodge early this afternoon for some rest and maybe a spa treatment or massage. You can also join us for a rejuvenating yoga class on our beautiful platform overlooking the mountains.

On tonight’s menu is a traditional Pachamanca dinner where we’ll have the pleasure of having our food blessed by a Paco, otherwise known as an Andean Shaman. The Andean meal involves a mixture of spiced meats and vegetables buried amidst hot stones and cooked over the course of several hours in honor of Pacha Mama (Mother Earth).

Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley
Included Meal: Breakfast

Today is the big day! Early in the morning, we’ll board the train heading to Machu Picchu Town. The train journey is a spectacle in itself as we’ll be able to appreciate the changing landscape from green fields and eucalyptus forests to lush jungle, always travelling beside the meandering Urubamba River. Upon arriving we’ll drop our bags at the hotel and have a little time to relax. Then at midday we’ll head up to Machu Picchu. We take a 20-minute bus up the steep zigzagging road to Machu Picchu Citadel, located on an impressive mountain setting.

On arrival, we’ll decide if we would like to first hike up to the Inti Punku viewpoint (Sun Gate), a nice spot located about 1 hour away from the main site on the actual Inca Trail. Then, at around 2.30pm, it’s the ideal time to take our guided tour around the main areas of the citadel as most travelers should already be leaving at this point. We can tour the site until it closes around 5pm, at which time we’ll head down to the village.

The rest of the evening is free to relax. Enjoy some time exploring the small town of Aguas Calientes and the many colourful markets. We’ll also dine at a really fun restaurant that offers a Peruvian gastronomic experience.

Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes
Included Meal: Breakfast

This morning, after breakfast, we’ll begin an optional and easy 2.5 to 3-hour hike through the cloudforest. This is a very simple but scenic 11km or 7 mile walk, which offers great views. We’ll be following the train tracks all the way to a lovely flower garden that leads to a beautiful flowing waterfall. On your way along the track and in the gardens, spot various species of birds including Peru’s National bird, the Andean cock-on-the rock! Yep, that’s exactly what what you just read.

Those who prefer to take the morning off to sleep in and explore the town of Aguas Calientes can do so. Enjoy the many markets and restaurants as well as some lovely hot-springs!  We then return by train to Ollantaytambo followed by a short journey by road to Cusco.

Meet for dinner in one of the many amazing restaurants surrounding the town square and main Cathedral. In fact, the main square is considered one of the most beautiful in the world! Enjoy the mountains dotted with city lights, cobblestone streets and the crisp breeze of Cusco as you explore this beautiful UNESCO heritage city.

Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Cusco
Included Meal: Breakfast

Cusco is one of the most interesting places in all of Peru and South America. This morning join us on an optional visit to the most impressive Inca site in all of the country: Sacsayhuaman (often pronounced sexy woman). See the immense stones used to construct the base of many of their most cherished monuments and buildings. These same stones were then used by the Spaniards that came in the early 16th century to build what is now known as Cusco. Enjoy the rest of your day to explore the streets and plazas of this UNESCO World Heritage City at your own pace.

This evening we meet for our last group dinner in one of the many amazing restaurants in the City.

Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Cusco
Included Meal: Breakfast

Today, we’ll have some free time to maybe take a last walk around Cusco’s shops and markets and then, at the coordinated time, you’ll head to Cusco’s airport by taxi to board your flight to Lima and international connecting flights to your next destination.

Included Meals: Breakfast