PERÚ: LIMA, AREQUIPA, PUNO & CUSCO – 10 DAYS 9 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)

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)

We will start our journey to Yura to enter Pampa Cañahuas, where we can appreciate the vicuña ravines and the back of the volcanoes Chachani, Misti and Pichu Pichu, entering to 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. Check in at the Hotel. In the afternoon we will visit the thermal baths of La Calera where we will take a refreshing bath in Aguas Termales.
Overnight in Chivay/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 to Chivay where we will have lunch (not included) and soon we will begin our trip to the city of Puno.
Arrival to the city of Puno and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Puno, standard room (B)

7 a.m. Transfer from the hotel to the port to board our motor boat 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. Whose people are engaged in agriculture, handicrafts and fishing mainly. 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).
12.00hrs. (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.
Later we return to your hotel on the Puno city.
Overnight in Puno, standard room (B, L)

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. 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 Cusco Airport to take your flight to return home. (D)