PERÚ: LAND OF INCREDIBLE PLACES – 17 DAYS 16 NIGHTS

Breakfast. At the appointed time we will pick you up at your hotel to start your visit to the city of Lima, capital of Peru, whose Spanish foundation goes back to 1535. In the Historical Center, we will appreciate the Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and The Municipal Palace. We also visit the convent and church of San Francisco, the largest monumental set of Colonial Art in America, we will also admire the stone facades and wooden balconies of colonial houses, we will also appreciate the Huaca Pucllana: Ceremonial and Administrative Center of Culture Lima, built in the second century AD It continues through the most traditional residential areas: El Olivar de San Isidro with olive trees brought from Spain in the 16th century, Amor Park, Central Park of Miraflores, ending at the commercial center of Larco Mar, symbol of modern Lima located at seashore. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Lima, standard room (B)

03:45 a.m. Departure to the city of Paracas.
07:30 am. Arrival to the city of Paracas and transfer to the pier.
08:00 am. Boarding to Ballestas Island.
Excursion to the Paracas Peninsula, the most important wildlife sanctuary on the Peruvian Coast. Motor boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, in the Paracas National Reserve, where we can observe sea lions, birds, pelicans, penguins and other seabirds. On the way back we will have the opportunity to see the ”Candelabro”, a giant figure of the Nazca Lines style made in the sand. Free time before returning to take pictures of sea lions, seals and seabirds.
11:00 a.m. The Paracas Reserve. This is an immense protected area located to the south west of the city of Pisco. The name of this beautiful place is derived from a Quechua word meaning ”sand rain” probably due to the strong winds that whip in the afternoons in this place. The reserve of paracas is also very important because in its waters inhabit abundant amounts of zooplankton and phytoplankton, which allows a variety of fish that allow industrial and artisanal fishing. This is a very important activity in the town of Pisco. The Paracas Reserve is located in an area of 335,000 hectares and is considered one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. During our visit we will be able to appreciate the beautiful cliffs and beaches along this tour (red beach, yumaque beach, lagoon).
During this tour we will stop at lagunilla beach where we can taste the sea food and also take a refreshing bath. We can also see groups of flamingos feeding on the sea. To better appreciate these beautiful birds will be necessary to make a short walk to a small viewpoint from which you can appreciate them closer. According to some historys these were the birds who inspired the liberator San Martin to create the colors of our red and white flag. Then you can visit the interpretation center of the reserve, in this place we will be able to know about the flora and marine fauna of the Reserve of Paracas.
At the right time transfer to the bus station.
5:00 p.m. Exit towards the city Ica.
18:30 P.m. Arrival to the city of Ica and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Paracas, standard room (B)

Breakfast. Free morning. In the afternoon will have the following visits: the cathedral of the city of Ica, regional museum, some wine producers of the zone. The lagoon of the huacachina is a traditional place of rest for the Iqueños, the lagoon appears like an oasis in the middle of the desert, conformed a splendid landscape of dunes palm trees and huarangos. Optional: bugguis and samboarding.
18:25 Hrs. Departure to the city of Nasca.
20:00 hrs. Arrival to the city of Nasca.
Overnight in Nasca, standard room (B)

Breakfast. 10:00 a.m. Transfer to the airfield.
We will board a plane that will fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines from there we will be able to see the huge line drawings of animals, birds and geometric figures, drawn in the desert, which can only be appreciated from the air.
Lunch (not included).
At the indicated time transfer to the bus station to take our bus to the City of Arequipa.
14:30 P.m. Departure to Arequipa via the southern cross.
22:30 P.m. Arrival in Arequipa.
Overnight in Arequipa, standard room (B)

Breakfast. A.M. Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Arequipa.
Reception at the Arequipa airport and transfer to the hotel.
2:00 p.m. We will start the City Tour visiting the “Plaza de Armas” (square of weapons), one of the most beautiful squares in Peru, The Cathedral, an example of Peruvian architecture during the 19th century that houses precious treasures of gold and silver; And the Church of La Compañía, an old Jesuit temple, perhaps the most important in Arequipa because of its history and tradition, with a beautiful facade with columns carved with spirals, laurel wreaths, flowers, birds, etc. Then we will visit the convent of Santa Catalina, a ”small town” of the seventeenth century opened to the public in 1970 after 400 years of cloister, transporting its visitors four centuries in the past.
You will visit numerous spacious yards and gardens, the kitchen, the slave quarters and the stone laundries of the convent.
5:00 p.m. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Arequipa, standard room (B)

Breakfast. 8.00 a.m. We will start our journey to Yura to enter Pampa Cañahuas, where we will be able to appreciate the tropics of vicuñas and the back of the volcanoes Chachani, Misti and Pichu Pichu, entering the Pagodas where we can appreciate the geological formations of the area. Then stop at a restaurant where we will have lunch (not included) we will continue to the bofedales where we will appreciate the large number of birds, both migratory and place, later we will arrive at the Mirador de los Volcanes, where we can appreciate the Cordillera del Chila and all the volcanoes Of the area, entering Chivay at approximately 13.30hrs.
In the afternoon we will visit the thermal baths of La Calera where we will take a refreshing bath in Aguas Termales.
Overnight in Colca, standard room (B)

Breakfast.
In the morning we will visit the Cruz del Cóndor, where we will appreciate the overpass of the condors and the depth of the Canyon, then visit the villages of Pinchollo, Achoma and Yanque and we will have several stops in the main viewpoints of the Canyon, where we will appreciate Colcas, litomaquetas and others, arriving at Chivay where we will have lunch (not included) and then start our trip to the city of Puno approx at 19:00 hours.
Arrival to the city of Puno and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Puno, standard room (B)

Breakfast. 07:00 hrs. Transfer from the hotel to the port to board our motorboat and visit the floating islands of Los Uros, which are approximately 30 minutes away. After a short visit (40 min. Approx.) we will continue the trip to the Natural Island of Taquile.
Its inhabitants are mainly engaged in agriculture, handicrafts and fishing. The villagers continue to live according to their ancient traditions and Inca laws with costumbrist manifestations, religious and folk rituals such as: Marriage (Sirvinacuy), payment to the land (Pachamama). 12.00 Hrs. (Half a day), typical lunch. After lunch you will have two free hours to visit the craft center of the village and take pictures with panoramic views and then return to the city of Puno (to their respective hotels).
Overnight in Puno, standard room (B)

Breakfast. Departure in the morning by bus to the city of Cusco. We travel along the high plateau of the Collao, stopping in the village of Ayaviri, an important textile and animal breeding center, to visit the impressive Kalasaya Temple, ruins of the ancient Pucara culture. On the way, we stop at Rachi, where we can see a spectacular Inca sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec and dedicated to the great Inca God Wiracocha. It has a large central wall with a stone base of fine Inca architecture. The other walls are made of giant adobe bricks. The structure also has two circular side columns. Around the Temple we find several buildings once used as housing or warehouse. Approximately 70 km later, we pass by the ranch La Raya where we can appreciate herds of vicunas and llamas. During the trip, we pass by the charming lake Wacarpay that offers us spectacular views of the mountains reflected in its calm waters.
We continue to the beautiful town of Andahuaylillas, and visit the church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, better known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, because of its polychrome roof. Buffet lunch in a quiet country restaurant, where you can enjoy the delicious culinary art of the region.
Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Cusco, standard room (B, L)

Breakfast. Between 13:20 and 13:45 pm we will pick you up from you hotel to begin with the visit to the city and nearby ruins: the tour will show us the impressive colonial city built on Inca bases; We will visit the CATHEDRAL, with Renaissance structure and fine paintings of the ”Cusco School”, KORICANCHA, or Temple of the Sun. We continue with the visit to the four ruins near Cusco: SACSAYHUAMAN (great fortress located 5 Km. From the city), QENQO (sacred amphitheater, center of worship to the god Puma, place where human sacrifices were made), PUCAPUCARA (”red fortress” due to the tonality that acquires its rocks with the light of the twilight) and TAMBOMACHAY (Temple to worship the water). Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Cusco, standard room (B)

Breakfast. 08:30 hours. Tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visit the town of Pisac, picturesque colonial mestizo town, just as on Sundays we celebrate Mass in Quechua, then visit the villages of Ccoya, Lamay, Calca and Urubamba on the way.
Buffet lunch. In the afternoon the guided tour of the village of Ollantaytambo, where the archaeological park of Ollantaytambo is located, a gigantic religious administrative and military agricultural complex in the time of Tahuantinsuyo. Return to Cusco by the town of Chincheros, old agricultural center Inca of beautiful Andean landscape stands out its colonial church.
Overnight in Cusco, standard room (B,L)

Breakfast. At the coordinated hour, transfer to the train station to start our trip to the citadel of Machu Picchu. After 3:15 hrs we will arrive at Puente Ruinas station, where we will take the buses that will take us to the Lost City of the Incas, ”Machu Picchu”, the most famous example of Inca architecture, was discovered in 1911, to hear Hiram Bingham. We will enjoy an excursion guided by the main buildings of the citadel as: El Mirador, Temple of the Three Windows, The Intihuatana, The Main Square, etc. At the end of this tour we will take the bus down to the city of Aguas Calientes where we will have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon departure from the train station in Aguas Calientes.
P.m. Departure by train to the city of Cusco
P.m. Arrival to the city of Cusco and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Cusco, standard room (B,L)

Breakfast. At the right time transfer to the airport to take the flight to the city of Puerto Maldonado. Reception at the airport and transfer to your lodge where you will receive our welcome with a delicious cocktail or tropical juice. Transfer on our boat to the lodge, its take approximately 3 ½ hours along the Tambopata River, to WASAI Tambopata Lodge (Box lunch en route). During the trip we will observe the farms of settlers and birds of various species. Opportunity to see on the way families of capybaras, the largest rodents in the world. Reception, accommodation in the lodge. After a short break, we will make a nocturnal walk to the forest to observe and hear insects, bats, frogs, and perhaps an occasional encounter with other nocturnal mammals. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge. The different sounds of the jungle will accompany our first night in the Amazon.
Overnight in Puerto Maldonado, standard room (B,L,D)

We will get up early (4.30 a.m.) and start our 40-minute trek upstream to the El Chuncho Guacamayos Collpa in the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. We will have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful natural scenery and wildlife on the banks of the Tambopata River. Upon arrival, whenever weather conditions allow, we can observe one of the biggest wildlife shows: hundreds of parrots and macaws of various species descending a food from the mud of a ravine, an experience you will never forget!
Afterwards, we had a snack.
In the middle of the morning, we will return to the lodge for breakfast and enjoy free time, whether for rest, adventure activities or enjoy the facilities and amenities offered by Wasaí. Also, they will have opportunity to bathe in the Tambopata River. Those who wish to do Kayak or fish some of the more than 250 species of fish that inhabit the area.
After lunch, we will enter the jungle taking a walk. Walking through the Tambopata trade, learning about the plants and medicinal trees of the area, observing the impressive ecosystem of the Amazon, where we can see palm trees that walk, millenary lupunas, Serpents, etc.
In the evening, we will take a nocturnal boat ride in search of alligators. Dinner.
Overnight in Puerto Maldonado, standard room (B,L,D)

After breakfast we will return to the WASAI Maldonado Ecolodge where we will leave our luggage, have lunch and rest for a short time. Then we will transfer again by boat for 30 minutes to Lake Sandoval. We will have a 3 km walk to the lake shore where we will board a canoe to roam, enjoying the beauty of the landscape and observing the wild fauna of the lake, such as fishermen, herons, monkeys, exotic birds. With a little luck we will see the family of river wolves (giant otters) that inhabit the lake. We will observe the transition from day to night, progressively the sounds of birds and diurnal insects will give way to the sounds of the night. Then we will start the return to the Mother of God and Puerto Maldonado rivers. After dinner we can rest or walk around the city on foot or on bicycles. Rest of the night free to enjoy the nightlife of this cozy city.
Overnight in Puerto Maldonado, standard room (B,L,D)

Breakfast. At the right time transfer to the Airport to take your flight to return home. (D)