Living Peru

Explore Peru and discover its heritage, fauna and inhabitants during 10 dreamy days of crossing the country. This unforgettable circuit from and to Lima invites you to visit beautiful colonial cities, archaeological sites left by ancient civilizations and some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet. Admire the condor of the Colca Valley and the native camelids of the Andes. Discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas, travel back in time on the islands of Lake Titicaca and ascend Machu Picchu, the 'lost city of the Incas'.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Lima: Peru’s capital is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site containing a many architectural wonders, such as the historical Casa Aliaga, the Cathedral and the Larco Museum.

Arequipa: Walk through the 'forbidden city' of Santa Catalina, visit the Jesuit church and enjoy the majestic views of the Misti volcano.

Colca Valley: Appreciate the elegance of the condor flying over 4,000 metres of deep valley and visit some remote villages of the area.

Lake Titicaca: Visit Taquile and the floating islands of Uros.

Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of pre-Columbian ruins and Spanish colonial architecture. Visit the Cathedral, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara.

Machu Picchu: The lost city of the Incas is hidden on the top of an Andean peaks and offers fascinating views not only of the mountain range but also of the Inca’s past.

Day 1: ARRIVAL LIMA

Arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima. Upon arrival, a representative will be waiting to greet you at the airport and the transportation service will transfer you to your hotel at the scheduled time. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure in Lima, the capital of Peru and a city steeped in history. During Colonial times, the Historic Centre of Lima, known as the “Ciudad de Los Reyes” (City of Kings), was the political, administrative, religious and economic centre for the Spanish in Peru. The historical centre is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Lima is now a modern metropolis and is currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic change. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru´s sprawling capital city. Alternatively, you can book our optional Magic Water Circuit with Dinner: 

Magic Water Circuit with Dinner (shared basis):

A modern system of fountains certified as the largest in the world by the Guinness World Records. Built-in Exhibition Park, the Magical Water Circuit attracts crowds during summer and winter, being one of the new favorite attractions of Lima. See yourself and enjoy our water cruise that is followed by a unique gastronomical experience at a restaurant, accompanied by a delicious dinner.

Notes: Shared service. Not available on Sundays and Mondays. Start time: 17:30 hours. Duration 4 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Magic Water Circuit, and Dinner 

Overnight in Lima

Day 2: LIMA

Wake up to breakfast in the hotel before hitting the streets of Lima’s old town, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historical buildings. Start with the Larco Museum, located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district, which is housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts the world’s most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Then visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains. This is the only house from that time that to this day has always been owned by the same family. Continue to a scenic tour in the colonial downtown, which originates and spreads out from the Main Square. Here you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire and be amazed by Lima´s Cathedral. Erected in the 16th century, this building took more than 80 years to complete. After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Overnight in Lima.

Day 3: LIMA - AREQUIPA (90 mins by flight; not included)

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a transfer to Lima airport. Once you land in Arequipa, a transportation service will take you to your hotel. Then, after a representative informs you about the attractions and services the city has to offer, go enjoy a tour of the town. The route begins in Arequipa´s Main Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Peru. Facing this square is the imposing Cathedral, built in the 17th century. From there, continue to the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a cloister and small religious citadel built-in 1579, still in use to this date. Then, visit the Church of the Compañia de Jesus (1590). Considered a classic example of local baroque architecture, it houses an exceptional collection of paintings and murals. Lastly, visit the districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto for a panoramic view of the Arequipa countryside. In the end, take a transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight in Arequipa.

Day 4: AREQUIPA - VALLEY AND COLCA CANYON (180 km - 3.5 hrs)

Charge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel before leaving the city via Yura, a district characterized by its rugged scenery, hills, and cliffs. Then enter the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve, an extensive grass plain where vicuñas (an Andean camelid and a national symbol) can be spotted. Head through Vizcachani and Pampas de Toccra up to the crater of the Chucura volcano. From there, continue one last leg of the way to reach the Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa, a stunning viewpoint 4,800 metres above sea level with impressive views of the volcanoes surrounding Arequipa. Lunch is served in the town of Chivay and in the afternoon you can rest in the hotel.

Overnight  in Colca.

Day 5: VALLEY AND COLCA CANYON- PUNO (255 km - 4.5 hrs)

Once breakfast is over, head to Condor’s Cross, from where you can contemplate the view of the Colca Valley (one of the world´s deepest canyons) and see the large, majestic condor soaring over the valley, only a few metres away from where you stand. Back in Chivay, visit the towns of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma and Yanque, and in between snap some more memorable photos at the Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints. Then later on continue to Puno with a detour that takes you through Patahuasi. Along the way, observe the amazing stone forests and sky-blue lagoons populated by cranes that fill this area 4,000 metres above sea level. Arrive at Puno after this amazing journey and enjoy a well-deserved rest at the hotel.

Overnight in Puno.

Day 6: PUNO - LAKE TITICACA: UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS (1 hr by boat)

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the port of Puno where a boat will be waiting to take you to the beautiful Uros Islands. The Uros are an indigenous people of Peru that live on a series of man-made islands, created entirely from the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. The islands are composed of layers of woven totora, which are constantly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom. The Uros people also use reeds to construct their homes, so cooking is done outdoors to avoid possible fires! After visiting this fascinating island for an hour and a half, sail to Taquile, a small slice of heaven that once belonged to the Inca Empire and whose residents speak Quechua.  Look around and you will notice traces of its Incan past in the ruins that still exist around the island. After a brief introduction, the local community will give you an insight into their customs and traditions with a cultural demonstration. Lunch is enjoyed on the island before the return trip to Puno.

Overnight in Puno.

Day 7: PUNO - CUSCO (360 km - 7 hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel, and at the agreed time, a transportation service will transfer you to the bus station, where a representative will help you catch your bus to Cusco. On the way, you’ll make a number of interesting stops. The first is the town of Pucara and the Pucara Lithic Museum. This was the first urban settlement on Lake Titicaca, established between 100 and 300 A.D. After a brief break at La Raya, the highest point of the trip between Puno and Cusco, at the dizzying altitude of 4,313 metres above sea level, the bus stops at Sicuani, where lunch is served. We then head on to Racchi, home to the Wiracocha Temple, an Inca site built in honour of a powerful Andean god. The rectangular construction boasts thatched rooftops 20 metres above the ground; these are thought to be the highest in the Inca Empire. Later, visit Andahuaylillas, a town located around 40 kilometres away from Cusco. The main attraction here is the local Church, known as the "Sistine Chapel of America" owing to the high quality of art found inside. The church was built during the 16th century on top of Wari remains. Afterwards, a last 40 kilometre drive gets you to Cusco, today’s destination.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 8: CUSCO

Wake up to breakfast in the hotel, and then enjoy a guided tour of the former capital of the Inca Empire. The tour begins at the Santo Domingo Convent, a building constructed on the site of Coricancha, one of the most important Incan complexes dedicated to sun worship. According to historic records, the original temple walls depicted scenes of nature and were covered in gold leaf. After Coricancha, visit the imposing cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, then head to the Cusco hills, where you’ll find the fortress of Sacsayhuamán and panoramic views of Cusco. Continue on to Qenqo, an archaeological site where it is believed the Incas carried out religious rituals to improve harvests. Your tour ends in Puka Pukara, meaning ‘red fortress’ in Quechua. Puka Pukara is believed to be an ancient military site comprising numerous rooms, courtyards, baths, aqueducts and towers. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 9: CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO (150 km - 8 hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel, your journey to Machu Picchu begins with a train ride Aguas Calientes, also known as "Machu Picchu Pueblo", the last stop before entering the most important archaeological site in Peru. In Aguas Calientes you’ll find a craft market, restaurants and, for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and climb early in the morning, hotels for all budgets. Take a short bus ride up to Machu Picchu, the architectural and engineering masterpiece that once served as a sanctuary and refuge for the Inca ruler Pachacútec. Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain", is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and one of the seven new wonders of the world. At the end of the tour, take a bus back to Aguas Calientes and have lunch at Café Inkaterra. In the afternoon you’ll be taken to Aguas Calientes station, where you’ll board the train back to Cusco. 

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 10: DEPARTURE CUSCO

After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport. Although this is the last day of your journey, we hope that your memories of this remarkable region, bursting with both culture and history, will last a lifetime.

Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.