Day 1

Pick-up at airport and transfer to Minka Wasy, lodging at Minka headquarters in Lima.

 

Day 2

After breakfast, a MINKA FAIR TRADE representative will present the association, born in 1978, which represents a net of producers’ organizations.

During this presentation, we’ll hear about fair-trade business and its impact on the community, problems in the Southern Hemisphere, the relationship between fair-trade business and ethical tourism, and the ways in which the annual funds are distributed among the communities. Transfer from Minka Wasy to the airport. Flight Lima-Cusco. Pick-up at the airport. Free day to allow your body to get used to the altitude (3,300 m/10,890 ft above sea level). Around 7 p.m., we’ll meet with a PeruEtico representative, who will explain the work that the travel agency does to support Children’s Homes in Peru. Night in Cusco in hotel.

 

Day 3

Around 9:30 a.m., after breakfast, trip via private transportation to San Pedro Market, where we’ll be surrounded by Andean tastes, colors and smells. This is a real glimpse into local life and is thus the perfect starting point for a visit to Cusco. Next, we’ll go visit the Incan ruins on the outskirts of the city: Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a walk through the center of town and visit the neighborhood of San Blas, with its aromatic alleys and local artists’ workshops. In the Coca Shop, our friend Kristo (Italo-Peruvian) will tell us about coca’s alternative properties and how it can be used to make various products (infusions, chocolate, cakes, ice-creams, etc.).

Welcome dinner in the Osteria della Piccola Locanda. Night in hotel.

 

Day 4

At 9:30 a.m., we’ll set off, via private transportation, to explore the mythical Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the most beautiful, magical places in Peru. We’ll visit the astounding Incan agricultural terraces of Moray and Maras, impressive salt mines set against a landscape that will take your breath away. (The salt mines are still in use today, after 1,000 years!)

Around 3:30 pm., we’ll continue on to Chinchero (4,000 m/13,200 ft above sea level), where we’ll visit its Rainbow Temple. In the late evening, we’ll return to the hotel in Cusco for a well-deserved rest.

 

Day 5

At 8 a.m., we’ll head back into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to Intihuatana, about an hour from Pisaq. There, in the communities Cuyo Grande and Cuyo Chico, live a hundred indigenous farming families, who dedicate themselves to agriculture, handicrafts and Andean plant extracts. They’re particularly well-known for working with clay. Because the community members follow a system of rotation in the tourist visits, we may sleep in Cuyo Grande or Cuyo Chico, in a local family’s home.

 

Day 6

Departure at 8 a.m. to go to Pisaq, with its ruins and famous market. Next, we’ll go on to Ollantaytambo, the Incan wonder, with its fortress and town perfectly preserved. In the afternoon, we’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes to begin our Machu Picchu adventure. Night in hotel.

 

Day 7

We recommend waking up at 5 a.m., eating a big breakfast and taking one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. We’ll visit the lost city (and hike up Huayna Picchu) until around 2 p.m. In the afternoon, we’ll take the train from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco, where we’ll arrive in the late evening. Pick-up at the San Pedro train station and night in hotel.

 

Day 8

Public bus option: We’ll come pick you up at 7 a.m. and take you to the bus terminal; the bus leaves at 7:30 for Puno. The “First Class” tourist bus (with heating, air conditioning, chemical toilet, DVDs, service on board and buffet lunch in Sicuani included) will make a series of stops along the way: Andahuaylilla, Rajchi and Pukara. Pick-up at the Puno bus terminal.

Private minibus option: After breakfast, around 9:30 a.m., we’ll start our journey towards Puno. We can make stops when we like along the way. Lunch in Sicuani (not included).

 

Upon arrival in Puno, meeting in our hotel with a member of the Huayllano community. Night in hotel.

 

Days 9 and 10

Early wake-up call and breakfast. At 7:30 a.m., the Huayllano community representative will come pick us up at the hotel. From there, we’ll go to the harbor and get in a boat (of a kind used by Taquile locals) to explore Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

First, we’ll visit the floating Uros Islands, north of Puno bay. Next, we’ll head to Taquile, the lake’s biggest island, and dock on the north side of the island. From there, we’ll go to the small harbor of Huayllano. The Huayllano families will show us the island’s ancestral traditions; as their guests, we’ll eat their typical dishes and, for a night, live like locals.

In the evening, we’ll have dinner with our host family and watch a typical dance. Night in the host family’s home.

The next day, after breakfast, we’ll have time to explore the bay’s surroundings, the beach and some archeological ruins. Then, we’ll walk to Taquile town, where we’ll have lunch. Eventually, we’ll walk down to the harbor and return to Puno, arriving around 6 p.m. Night in hotel.

 

Day 11

A member of one of the Collasuyo communities will come pick us up at the hotel and take us to the altiplano near Juliaca, at an altitude of 3,800 meters (12,540 ft). Collasuyo is home to more than 500 indigenous, rural families, who are experts in the transformation of alpaca fiber. We’ll eat, talk and dance with them, and they’ll take us through the process of working the alpaca fiber, from its selection to the final product: beautiful, warm sweaters. Night in Puno hotel.

 

Day 12

Public bus option: Free morning in Puno. Departure at 2 p.m. and arrival in Arequipa around 7 p.m. Pick-up at the bus terminal and night in hotel.

Private minibus option: Morning departure; arrival in Arequipa after approximately 4 hours. Free afternoon. Night in hotel.

 

Days 13 and 14

Around 7 a.m., after a hearty breakfast, we’ll set off for the Colca Canyon, one of the most enthralling places in Peru. During the 4 hour ride, we’ll cross the magnificent altiplano at altitudes above 4,500 meters (14,850 ft), admiring its wonderful views and its animals (alpacas, llamas, vicunas, guanacos, vizcachas, etc.). In the afternoon, we’ll bathe in the valley’s renowned hot springs. Night in hotel.

The next day, we’ll leave at dawn to get to the Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor, a perfect viewpoint for observing these majestic birds, who will fly close by us. Then, we’ll start the return journey to Arequipa, stopping in some of the valley’s villages along the way. Arrival in Arequipa around 6 p.m. Night in hotel.

 

Day 15

Public bus option: Free day in Arequipa. You’ll be able to leave your bags in the hotel and wander around the “white city.” (Don’t miss the Santa Catalina Convent!) Around 9 p.m., we’ll come pick you up at the hotel to take you to the bus terminal, where we’ll take a comfortable, fully-equipped bus (heating, air conditioning, chemical toilet, DVDs, service on board), arriving in Nazca at dawn the next day. Pick-up and meeting with Enrique, our colleague in Nazca, who will explain all the details of the day’s tour.

Private minibus option: Departure around 9 a.m. Lunch in Chala (not included), where the specialty is the excellent fish. We’ll arrive in Nazca around 5 p.m., at which point you’ll have time to relax in the hotel. Meeting with Enrique, our colleague in Nazca, who will explain all the details of the next day’s tour.

 

Day 16

Today, we’ll uncover Nazca’s mysteries. Around 7:30 a.m., our guide will come pick us up and take us to visit the pre-Incan ceremonial site of Cahuachi, around 30 km (48.3 miles) from Nazca.

Then, we’ll head to the airport, where we’ll take a half-hour plane ride to see the incredible, enigmatic Nazca lines from above. (The departure schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions.) The flight is optional and is thus not included in the tour price. For those who don’t want to take the plane, we can go to an observatory near the Pan-American Highway, where you can make out a few figures.

After lunch, we’ll visit the Cantalloc Aqueduct, 2 km (3.2 miles) from Nazca. Then, we’ll introduce you to Tobi, a really nice potter who makes Nazca, Paracas and Wari handicrafts, using the same instruments and techniques as 1,500 years ago. Lastly, we’ll go to the Antonini Museum (Italian Center of pre-Columbian Archeological Study and Research). At around 5 p.m., a car or private minibus will take us to the Huacachina Oasis (both those who chose the public bus option and those who chose the private minibus). Night in hotel.

 

Day 17

Free day to enjoy our hotel pool, in the middle of the oasis, surrounded by giant sand dunes. Those who want to can go sand-boarding on the dunes or ride through the desert on a dune buggy to see the sunset. Night in hotel.

 

Day 18

Around 7 a.m., after breakfast, we’ll go to the Paracas harbor, where we’ll get in a motorboat that will take us to the Ballestas Islands. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Paracas Museum and walk around the Reserve, where we’ll admire the beautiful terrain and see animals in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, transport Paracas-Lima (approx. 3 hours). You’ll travel by car or private minibus (both those who chose the public bus option and those who chose the private minibus). Night at Minka Wasy.

 

Day 19

Final meeting with a Minka representative. You’ll be able to tell us what you thought of your travel experience and your interaction with the producers’ communities. Depending on the time of your flight, you can take tours of Lima, through both the colonial and modern neighborhoods. Transfer Minka Wasy-airport. Flight out of Lima.

 

Project Contribution of US$150.00 per person (to be paid separately) allotted to  MINKA FAIR TRADE that will divide it at the end of the year according to the requirements of the communities of the producers. For more information, please go to the PeruEtico Italia Association website.
 

During this tour we will visit the following communities:

Huayllano - Taquile, Lake Titicaca
Collasuyo (Alpaca) - Juliaca
Cuyo Grande e Cuyo Chico - Pisaq, Sacred Valley

If the length of your vacation isn’t the same as the length of our tour, write us! Together, we’ll draw up an itinerary that suits you. Remember that our tours don’t have fixed departure dates; you decide when to travel!

 

Please note the following:

Private tours: Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, Nazca, Paracas Reserve, Lima.

Tours with other travelers: Colca Canyon, Ballestas Islands.

Minka Wasy has twin, triple and quadruple rooms, with a shared bathroom. The rooms are at the Minka Fair Trade headquarters in Lima’s central, modern neighborhood of San Isidro. We’ll be able to see the exportation of fair-trade products close-up!

On Taquile and in Cuyo Grande/Chico, the houses are very simple and the services basic.

During the flight over the Nazca lines, the plane will tilt and circle so that you can see the designs. We don’t recommend this to people who have a fear of flying. It’s quite normal to feel a little sick afterwards!

From July to September, flights over the Nazca lines are sometimes cancelled because of low visibility due to the fog.

Public bus option: We’ll travel from Nazca to Paracas and Paracas to Lima in a private car. In the afternoons, there aren’t any good-quality buses that leave from Nazca or Paracas. Therefore, for your safety and comfort, we like to use private transportation.

The project contribution goes to MINKA FAIR TRADE, which will divide all funds at the end of the year among the producers’ communities, according to needs and requests.

All fair-trade tours guarantee the publication of the “transparent price,” that is, the communities’ net earnings from tourist services. Click here for details.

 

This tour includes:

Flight Lima-Cusco with airline LanPeru (economy class).

All transfers airport-hotel and vice versa.

All bus and train trips listed in the itinerary.

When applicable, lodging in a family-run, three-star hotel, in double or twin rooms with a private bathroom and breakfast included.

One night on Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca in a Huayllano family home.

One night in Cuyo Grande or Cuyo Chico, near Pisaq, in a community family’s home.

All meals during the two days on Taquile and the visit to Cuyo Grande/Chico.

Two nights at Minka Wasy in Lima.

Lunch in Collasuyo.

Lunch in Sicuani during the trip from Cusco to Puno (only for those who choose the public bus option).

Welcome dinner in Cusco at the Osteria della Piccola Locanda (the day after arrival).

All excursions listed in the itinerary, with a Spanish and English-speaking guide.

Private, English-speaking guide at Machu Picchu (for about two and a half hours).

Entrance fees for museums and archeological sites during guided visits (except those included in the BTC (Boleto Turistico del Cusco – Cusco Tourism Ticket): Cusco, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Tipon and Pikillaqta).

Private minibus option: private minibus with driver Cusco-Puno, Puno-Arequipa, Arequipa-Nazca, Nazca-Ica and Ica-Lima.

Public bus option: fully-equipped public bus Cusco-Puno, Puno-Arequipa and Arequipa-Nazca. Private care Nazca-Ica and Ica-Lima.

 

This tour does not include:

International flight to and from Peru.

Project contribution (US$150 per person). The contributions will be given in full to MINKA FAIR TRADE. For more information, please go to the PeruEtico Italia Association website.

Travel insurance policy (mandatory) that covers: emergency assistance, medical, baggage, ground transport, flight.

Airport taxes (around US$6 for domestic flights, around US$25 for international flights).

Lunches and dinners (except those specifically listed above).

Lunch in Lima the second day.

Entrance fees for archeological sites along the Cusco-Puno route.

BTC (Boleto Turistico del Cusco – Cusco Tourism Ticket).

Flight over the Nazca Lines (around US$55 per person).

Extra activities in the Huacachina Oasis (sand-boarding and dune buggy).

Lima city tour on last day.