Have fun, enjoy your time in the Andes visiting the most exciting places in Peru. Visit Arequipa, also known as the white city, taste their great food and experience their religious past and rich architecture. Then, drive to the Colca Valley, the world’s deepest canyon (arguable) with its colorful valley and towns founded in Colonial times.
Several activities await you here, like horseback riding, hiking, embroidery workshops, biking, among others. A spectacular drive along fields and pastures will take you to Puno, a city overlooking the Titicaca Lake, the highest navigable lake in the world where, you will cruise and visit its islands.
Take a trip back to Cusco, the heart of the Andes. En-route, you will visit archaeological sites and important towns. Once in Cusco, you will be able to bike through impressive valleys and sites, visit towns and of course, visit Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the World.
Duration: 10 days & 9 nights.
Prices:
- US$1830 per person in 3-star hotels (Casa Melgar/Casa Andina Classic Colca/Colon Inn/Casa Boutique San Blas), based in a party of 4 and double accommodation.
- US$2329 per person in 3-star hotels (Casa Melgar/Casa Andina Classic Colca/Colon Inn/Casa Boutique San Blas), based in a party of 2 and double accommodation.
- US$2035 per person in 4-star hotels (Sonesta Arequipa/Casa Andina Classic Colca/Sonesta Puno/Novotel Cusco), based in a party of 4 and double accommodation.
- US$2534 per person in 4-star hotels (Sonesta Arequipa/Casa Andina Classic Colca/Sonesta Puno/Novotel Cusco), based in a party of 2 and double accommodation.
- US$2992 per person in 5-star hotels (Casa Andina Private Collection Arequipa/Colca Lodge/Casa Andina Private Collection Lake Titicaca/Monasterio del Cusco-Orient Express), based in a party of 4 and double accommodation.
- US$3490 per person in 5-star hotels (Casa Andina Private Collection Arequipa/Colca Lodge/Casa Andina Private Collection Lake Titicaca/Monasterio del Cusco-Orient Express), based in a party of 2 and double accommodation.
We can tailor made this tour and adjust the price depending on the number of participants.
- *You can cancel the tour up to 12 hours before without cancellation fees.
- *Children under 12 have 50% discount
- *On Main Holidays: January 1st, Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, May 1st, July 28, July 29, December 24, December 25, December 31 have an additional cost of 50%.
Quote your tour now! Just send us a message, we will contact you as soon as possible.
1
Day 1
Arrival in Arequipa and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the morning at leisure to acclimatize to altitude.
Arequipa is also known as “The White City” because of the white volcanic rock that was used in the buildings during the colonial era. The city had become the chief commercial hub of southern Peru. In the year 2000, Arequipa’s historic city center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.Afternoon guided visit of the city. You will have an overview of the highlights of Arequipa: including a museum where Inca mummies are kept, a Jesuit Church, the Santa Catalina Convent, and a colonial house built in 1730.
Arequipa is also known as “The White City” because of the white volcanic rock that was used in the buildings during the colonial era. The city had become the chief commercial hub of southern Peru. In the year 2000, Arequipa’s historic city center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.Afternoon guided visit of the city. You will have an overview of the highlights of Arequipa: including a museum where Inca mummies are kept, a Jesuit Church, the Santa Catalina Convent, and a colonial house built in 1730.
2
Day 2
Depart from Arequipa and drive northbound to the Colca Valley. It takes around 4-5 hours with sightseeing stops en route. You will be reaching the 3800m where you will enter the Puna highlands, home of the condor and the vicuna. You will enter the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, protected area to preserve Andean camelids. You will cross the highest point at Patapampa (4914m), and you will start your descend until you arrive in the Colca Valley with astounding landscapes.
3
Day 3
Drive down the valley toward the Condor Cross, the best lookout point for Condors, the largest flying bird in the world and native to the Andes. The lookout point stands a thousand meters above the river, and 2,400 meters below the top of the cliff faces. You will then drive around the valley visiting some of the traditional populations with its lovely Spanish colonial churches (14 in the 14 different villages). Alternatively, you can go on a hike to a pre-Inca site, go to the thermal baths, do horseback riding, join embroidery workshops, or biking (surcharge may apply).
4
Day 4
Today you will be driven to Puno in a journey of approximately 7-9 hours with a box lunch en route. The drive will go through wonderful scenery and traditional towns. Maximum altitude is reached in Chuchura (4500m), where there is a lookout point for snow-capped mountains. Other brief stops may include Las Salinas, Lagunillas (a reservoir) and Cabanillas (church and town).
5
Day 5
Today you will visit the floating reed Island of Uros, to then sail to the lesser known Community of Llachon, on the northwestern shores of the lake. You will walk around the peninsula and will observe the local people who still use traditional weaving techniques. Lunch will be in a local house where your hosts are community members. Return to Puno.
6
Day 6
Today you will drive to Cuzco. This road will take you off the beaten path, to visit unique and interesting landscapes. You will first visit Sillustani: Giant Pre-Inca burial towers on the banks of Lake Umayo; Lampa: A lovely little Andean village, preserving its traditional architecture and boasting a superb 16th century church; Tinajani Canyon, where you will encounter stunning geographic formations; and finally you will visit Raqchi: a remarkable and unusual Inca archaeological site with some unique features: the height of its walls, the columns and the construction in stone and adobe. Some of the roads are unpaved, so be prepared for adventure.
7
Day 7
Morning for a deserved rest. Otherwise you may want to stroll around this restless city. In the afternoon your guide will take you to visit the highlights of the city: such as the Jesuit church, “Korikancha” or the Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral, whose stonework is the most impressive in Cuzco, and the ruins in the outskirts of the city: Sacsayhuaman, Quenco, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
8
Day 8
Today you will head to the valley, around 62km from Cusco to visit Moray, Andean platforms to recreate several microclimates for agricultural purposes. Visit the saltpans of Maras as well. Transfer to have lunch. Afternoon visit to the fabulous ruins of Ollantaytambo, and its town, unique, in that it still preserves original Inca architectural layout.
9
Day 9
Today is the great day! You will first get into the train that will take you to Machu Picchu, Peru’s main tourist destination and it is magnificent – never a disappointment! Enjoy the panoramic views from the skylights of the Vistadome train. The journey takes around 3 hours to reach Aguas Calientes where you will catch a bus for the final 30 minute ride uphill to the Sanctuary. Enjoy a 2-3 hour private guided visit of Machu Picchu. After lunch, you will start your way back to Cusco.
10
Day 10
Transfer to catch flight back to Lima.
