Discover Peru

Assistance for check in on your flight to Cusco (2 hours before the flight departure). Flight Lima – Cusco (not included). We recommend arriving in Cusco before 10:30 am. Welcome to Cusco city and then, we will head towards the Sacred Valley. Visit to the Sacred Valley: Pisac Market and Yucay Living Museum. Lunch at a 20th-century colonial hacienda. This morning, we will take the road to the Sacred Valley and discover Pisac, a beautiful place where the Inca and the colonial coexist perfectly and are part of the daily life of its inhabitants. We will visit this picturesque town, famous for its craft fairs and where you can buy the most delicate ceramics, textiles, and jewellery. We will make a stop on the tour to enjoy lunch in a colonial hacienda. A warm and welcoming atmosphere, nuanced with baroque and classical music, accompanies our meal and magically transports us to a sense of peace. The house, surrounded by green areas, wonderful orchards, gardens with beautiful flowers and trees are just a sample of the good taste of its owners. The food has a special mention, with a particular homemade flavour, without losing the sophisticated presentation and the use of organic ingredients so valued today, many of them produced on the farm itself. We continue to Yucay Living Museum. An interpretation centre for Andean traditions, where demonstrations of textile production are carried out, including washing, dyeing, spinning and the wool weaving process; as well as pottery techniques, agricultural activities of the area, ceramics, and silverware in the same way in which they were worked in antiquity; an original recreation of Inca traditions. Also, in this place you will find alpacas, llamas, and sheep, where you will have the opportunity to feed them. Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Overnight in the Sacred Valley: Sol y Luna Relais & Châteaux.

Full day excursion to Maras and Moray with picnic lunch. This morning, we will go to the archaeological site of Moray, used as an agricultural laboratory. Its system of circular platforms that descend 150 m below our feet will confirm the knowledge of the Incas when building masterpieces in harmony with nature. We will continue our tour until we reach the saltpans of Maras. Exploited since Inca times until today, this salt pans will surprise us with its very white steps that descend abruptly against the green slopes of the hills. Facing a beautiful landscape, our chef will be waiting for us with a delicious gourmet picnic lunch. Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Overnight in the Sacred Valley: Sol y Luna Relais & Châteaux.

Full day visit to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. At the agreed time, we will pick you up from your hotel to go to the train station. From here we will depart on the Vista dome train that will take us to the Machu Picchu Pueblo station, on a journey full of spectacular views. Upon our arrival, we will take the shared bus that will take us to the entrance gate of the citadel of Machu Picchu. Discovered for the modern world by Hiram Bingham more than a century ago, Machu Picchu is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Its architectural beauty, its spectacular natural landscapes and the energy contained in its enigmatic constructions will leave us breathless. Let’s follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas on a tour of the magical citadel with our guide. Before we return to the Sacred Valley, we will enjoy a repaired lunch in a restaurant located just a few steps from the main entrance to the citadel. Before nightfall, we will board the shared bus back to Machu Picchu Pueblo, then a short walk to the station to board the Vista dome train back. Upon our arrival at the train station, private transfer to the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Overnight in the Sacred Valley: Sol y Luna Relais & Châteaux.

Full day tour to Sacred Valley: Fortress of Ollantaytambo and Alqa Museum. Lunch at Wayra restaurant with a show of Peruvian Paso Horses. Today we will visit Ollantaytambo, one of the last living towns of the Inca culture, which was jealously guarded by a colossal fortress. We will discover the great archaeological complex of what was a tambo or city of rest and lodging for the royal retinues that travelled long distances. Its architectural remains still preserve walls and towers that were used to protect it from invasions. The Alqa Museum of Andean popular art is a truly sensory experience. The exhibition halls are designed to engage not only our sense of sight but also our sense of smell and, most notably, our sense of touch. That is why, logically, it encourages the manipulation of objects. Thus, an almost unconscious choice and relationship of the visitor with the pieces of art and the intimate environment that surrounds him is produced, which leads the viewer to new degrees of consciousness, through possible provoked associations. Everything previously described is a strategy, an operation that is carried out by the museum with the purpose of generating in the viewer an integral understanding of the piece of art as of the artist, of his daily activity, the reasons for his production and the real context that it faces. Note: Alqa Museum is closed on Mondays, instead, we will visit the Seminario Ceramic workshop. Before returning to Cusco, we will enjoy a delightful lunch in Wayra and then enjoy a show of Peruvian Paso Horses, known throughout the world for their smooth movements and galloping with an unusual spirit. No other horse combines strength, intelligence, and beauty as perfectly as the Peruvian Paso Horse. Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Overnight in Cusco: Inkaterra La Casona Relais & Châteaux.

Half day Cusco city tour: Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman, Manos de la Comunidad Textile Centre, Koricancha Inca Temple, and Cathedral. We will start the day by visiting the archaeological park of Sacsayhuaman. This colossal building of huge stones carved and joined with precision, is an outstanding example of Inca military architecture. Undoubtedly, one of the largest constructions in Tahuantinsuyo. En route we will make a stop to visit the Manos de la Comunidad Textile Centre, a place where we will meet and feed Andean came lids such as llamas and alpacas; In addition, local people will show us their weaving and dyeing techniques for traditional textiles. Then, we will go to the Koricancha, “golden enclosure” in Quechua. Temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun god, who, according to the stories, had entire walls covered with gold inside. We will continue to the Plaza de Armas in the historic centre of Cusco, from there we will have an incomparable view of the church of De La Compañía de Jesús that was built on the site of the old Amarucancha, “old Inca palace”, in Quechua, which was the palace of the Inca Huayna Capac. Finally, we will discover the mysteries of the Cathedral on a guided tour and admire its beautiful atriums and priceless paintings from the Cusco school of the 17th and 18th centuries. Afternoon at leisure. Note: The Cathedral and the Koricancha are closed on Sunday mornings. The visit could be scheduled in the afternoon. Meals: Breakfast. Overnight in Cusco: Inkaterra La Casona Relais & Châteaux

At the appropriate time we will transfer you to Cusco airport to board the flight that will take you to your next destination. Flight Cusco – Arequipa (not included). We recommend arriving in Arequipa before noon. At arrival in Arequipa, our representative will be waiting for you. Then, private transfer to your hotel. Half day Arequipa city tour: Santa Catalina Convent, Main Square, Mirador of Carmen Alto and Yanahuara. We will begin the tour with a visit to the Santa Catalina convent. Founded in the 16th century as a cloister, in its early days the convent was home to a small group of clergies who came from the local elite. Walk through its beautiful buildings as a journey back in time through one of the largest holdings of colonial art in the Americas. We will continue towards the Plaza de Armas considered the most beautiful in Peru, from where we will appreciate the Church of the Society of Jesus and its Sistine Chapel and the Cathedral. Then, we will head towards the Mirador of Carmen Alto where we will be able to enjoy a spectacular view of the Chili River Valley and of the majestic Misti. Next, we will stop off in the neighbourhood of Yanahuara and get a chance to walk along its wide cobblestone avenues and see its old ashlar stone mansions, which still preserve their traditional gardens. Meals: Breakfast, dinner. Overnight in Arequipa: Cirqa Relais & Châteaux

Visit Colca Valley. Early in the morning, we will embark on a journey across a land of snow-covered volcanoes, inhospitable pampas, and incredibly beautiful quaint villages, arriving finally in the Colca Valley. Our first stop will be in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, whose rugged plains are home to vast herds of guanaco, alpaca, and vicuña. We will continue the journey riding along the edge of the crater of the Chucura Volcano, until reaching the Mirador de los Andes (Lookout Point of the Andes) in Patapampa. This lookout point, at 16,100 ft. (4,900 m), will offer spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks of the various volcanoes surrounding Arequipa, including the Hualca, the Sabancaya, and the Ampato. Next, we will head to the town of Chivay (close to where the Colca Valley begins) for a closer inspection of the impressive system of platforms and terraces built by the ancient Collagua and Cabana inhabitants. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. We will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to take advantage of the hotel’s amenities, enjoy the tranquillity of the surroundings, or simply rest and recover for the next day. Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Overnight in Colca: Las Casitas, A Belmond Hotel.

Visit Colca Valley and departure towards Puno. Early in the morning, we will travel to the Mirador de la Cruz del Condor (Condor Cross Lookout). With its incredibly vast and breath-taking expanses, it is the best spot in the world to see the majestic Andean Condor in flight. Be on the lookout for the sudden appearance of this emblematic bird on the verge of extinction. With a little luck, we will enjoy a truly awe-inspiring experience as we watch this awesome bird soar, almost magically, ever higher into the infinite blue sky. From this vantage point, we will be able to look out across one of the world’s deepest canyons (13,650 feet [4,160 m] deep at the northern end and 11,800 feet [3,600 m] deep on its southern end). On the way back to Arequipa, we will stop to visit three great villages: Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, and Yanque. Two more must-see stops include the Miradores de Antahuilque, where we will be able to appreciate the sheer magnitude of the region’s terraces. Then, we will make a road trip to Puno. We will enjoy a box lunch on the route before arriving to our hotel. Upon our arrival at Titilaka hotel, we will be welcomed by the resident manager. There, we are invited to choose from a range of activities on the waters near the hotel, including kayaking, canoeing, and sailing. We can also choose to go bike riding in the countryside of the Platería district, or to walk the local rural trails, in search of birdlife as we admire the beautiful Puno countryside. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Puno: Titilaka Relais & Châteaux.

This will be a day filled with activities. We will get up early to see the magnificent sunrise. After a nutritious breakfast, we will visit the famous Uros floating islands, on the edge of the Titicaca National Reserve. Here, we will meet one of the indigenous families that live on these unique islands. The Uro-Aymara people are proud of their culture. The menfolk skilfully navigate the waters of the lake on reed rafts, and the women are expert weavers. We will continue our exploration of Lake Titicaca by visiting Taquile Island, where we will learn why their textile art has been declared one of the masterworks of Oral and Intangible Heritage by UNESCO. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Puno: Titilaka Relais & Châteaux.

Today will also be a day filled with activities. Getting up early will mean that we can witness a magnificent sunrise over the lake. During the morning, we will explore the Aymara Route, with its landscapes, wildlife, small communities, and exceptional views. Our guide will share with us their knowledge of oral traditions, through which we can travel back in time to the world of the Incas, and we will learn about the central role Lake Titicaca plays in the way of life and belief systems of Andean people, as well as the close bond between local people and nature, which has survived to this day. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Puno: Titilaka Relais & Châteaux.

After breakfast, and depending on our flight schedules, we can enjoy a short excursion on our way to the airport or a range of activities in the vicinity of the hotel. During the excursion on the way to the airport, we can visit the mysterious ancestral site of Sillustani, home to the best-preserved group of the ancient burial towers known as “chullpas.” This was once a burial site for the Pre-Inca Pucara, Tiahuanaco and Colla cultures, and later it was used by the Incas to bury their dead. Sillustani is an impressive archaeological site where visitors can learn more about Peruvian history, and this excursion is highly recommended. Our time on and around Lake Titicaca will end at Juliaca airport, or at the train station in the city of Puno. Flight Juliaca – Lima (not included). We recommend arriving in Lima after noon. Upon your arrival at Lima airport, our representative will be waiting for you. After collecting your luggage, walk through the doors and look for a sign with your name. Private transfer to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast. Overnight in Lima: Hotel B Relais & Châteaux.

Full day Lima city tour: Cathedral, Santo Domingo Convent, Larco Museum and Barranco. We will pick you up from your hotel to visit the main attractions of the city. We will start by visiting colonial Lima and we will go to the Plaza de Armas. There, we will make a stop to admire it on foot and observe the Government Palace, the Municipality, and the Cathedral of Lima. We will enter the Cathedral where we will discover different architectural styles and part of the religious history of Peru. The tour will continue to the Santo Domingo Convent, a religious and architectural jewel that keeps relics of Peruvian saints, paintings, images, and stories that testify to the work of the Dominicans throughout the national territory. We will be able to visit the church with three naves in which the dome and a beautiful choir stall carved in cedar stand out. The walls of the convent are adorned with Sevillian tiles and Baroque carvings can be seen in its chapter house. In 1551 the National University of San Marcos was founded in the convent, the first university that the Spanish crown created in America. Note: the Santo Domingo Convent and the Cathedral are closed on Sunday mornings, the visit will be panoramic. Later, we will go to the Larco Museum in the Pueblo Libre district, an 18th century viceroyalty mansion that houses more than 3,000 years of pre-Columbian Peruvian history. Currently it has the finest collection of gold and silver jewellery and worship items and has a famous collection of erotic pottery that demonstrate aspects of the sexuality of the pre-Columbian settler. Finally, we will leave for the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco. A place where innumerable artists, photographers, and writers live. We will make a stop to walk through its peculiar streets with republican houses, appreciate its beautiful views and visit the Bridge of Sighs, witness to countless past and current romances and source of inspiration for our great composer Chabuca Granda. Meals: Breakfast. Overnight in Lima: Hotel B Relais & Châteaux.

At the scheduled time, private transfer from your hotel to the airport. Meals: Breakfast