Day 1

Flight into Lima. Pick-up at airport and transfer to the CEPROF Project. Dinner (if your flight gets in before 7 p.m.) and overnight at CEPROF, a Home for girls, ages 6 to 18, who have been abandoned or who are in physical and psychological danger.

Day 2

Tour of the CEPROF project. In the afternoon, transport Lima-Paracas by bus or private car (or minibus). Approximately three-hour journey. Night in hotel.

Day 3

Around 7:30 a.m., after breakfast, we’ll go to the Paracas harbor, where we’ll get in a motorboat that will take us to 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. Around 4:30 p.m., we’ll take a bus or a private car (or minibus). Night in hotel.

Day 4

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).

Public bus option: At around 10:30 p.m., we’ll take a comfortable, fully-equipped bus (heating, air conditioning, chemical toilet, DVDs, service on board) to Arequipa (approx. 9 hours), arriving the next morning. Pick-up at bus terminal and transfer to hotel.

Private minibus option: Night in Nazca at hotel.

Day 5

Public bus option: Free day in Arequipa, the "white city." Don't miss: the Santa Catalina Convent, the Museum of Juanita the Mummy and the delicious local cuisine. Night in hotel.

Private minibus option: Departure around 9 a.m. Lunch in Chala (not included), where the specialty is the excellent fish. Arrival in Arequipa around 5 p.m. Night in hotel.

Days 6 & 7

Around 7:30 a.m., after breakfast, we’ll get on a bus (10-17 seats) with other travelers to go to the Colca Canyon. During the 4 hour ride, we’ll cross the magnificent altiplano, admiring its views and animals (alpacas, llamas, vicunas, guanacos, vizcachas, etc.). In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at the hotel, and those who want to can bathe in the valley’s renowned hot springs.

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 8

Public bus option: Departure at 8:45 a.m. and arrival in Puno around 2 p.m. Pick-up at bus terminal, free afternoon. In the evening - between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. - meeting in the Hotel with a representative of the community of Huayllano. Night in hotel.

Private minibus option: Free morning in Arequipa. Departure after lunch and arrival in Puno after approximately 5 hours. In the evening - between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. - meeting in the Hotel with a representative of the community of Huayllano. Night in hotel.

Days 9 & 10

Early wake-up call and breakfast. At 7:30 a.m., we’ll go to the harbor and get in a private boat 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. 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

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 Cusco. 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 Cusco bus terminal and night in hotel.

Private minibus option: After breakfast, around 8 a.m., we’ll start our journey towards Cusco. We can make stops when we like along the way. Night in hotel.

Day 12

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.

For lunch, we’ll go to the Larapa neighborhood, where we’ll eat with the children and teenagers of the Hogar de las Estrellas, a wonderful project that supports differently-abled children.

In the afternoon, we will go back into town, and you will choose one of the following places to visit (entrance fees not included): the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas; the beautiful MAP (Museum of Pre-Columbian Art); Qoricancha or the Temple of the Sun; the striking neighborhood of San Blas with the Coca Shop (where they use coca leaves to make infusions, chocolates, cakes, ice creams, etc.); an artisan market where you can buy presents. Night in Hotel.

Day 13

Around 9.30 am, with private transport, we’ll go and discover the Sacred Valley. We’ll visit: Chincheros andt the Rainbow Temple, Moray, ancient Inca laboratory and Maras with its impressive salt mines, landscapes that will let us speechless. Successively we’ll head for Urumbamba where the children of Mosoq Runa will be waiting for us for lunch. Back to the hotel in late afternoon.

Day 14

After breakfast, at 8.30am, once more we’ll head for the Sacred Valley. We’ll visit Pisaq with its imposing ruins and its unique colourful handicraft market, where colours and flavours are merged with the colonial architecture. Subsequently we’ll go to Ollantaytambo, the Inca wonder with its fortress and village perfectly well-preserved. And finally, we’ll catch the train to Aguas Calientes to start the adventure “Machu Picchu”. Night in hotel.

Day 15

At dawn, we’ll take the bus to go to Machu Picchu (it’s advisable to wake up at 5.00am, have an abundant breakfast and take one of the first buses). We’ll be able to visit the incredible archaeological complex (and also the Wayna Picchu) till 2.00 pm. Then in the afternoon we’ll catch our train back to Cusco (Ollantaytambo). We’ll arrive at Cusco in late evening. Pick-up and night in hotel.

Day 16

Free morning. In the early afternoon, flight from Cusco to Lima. Transfer airport-CEPROF. Dinner and night at CEPROF.

Day 17

If your flight out of Lima leaves in the evening, we’ll do an alternative Lima city tour. Transfer CEPROF-airport. Flight out of Lima.

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:

During visits to the Children’s Homes, we are guests. Please always ask permission to take photographs. In addition, it is expressly forbidden to give gifts or candy to the children. All donations can be given directly to the project director or representative.

If the Sacred Valley tour of Moray/Maras/Mosoq Runa/Chinchero falls on a Sunday, the Mosoq Runa children are not there, as they go home to their families. In this case, the itinerary will be modified so as to guarantee a visit to the project (by pushing ahead the visit to Machu Picchu).

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

Tours with other travelers: Colca Canyon, Ballestas Islands.

On Taquile, 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.

The project contribution will go to the projects Mosoq Runa, Hogar de las Estrellas and CEPROF. You will also be supporting the Hogar de las Estrellas and Mosoq Runa through the lunches you eat there and CEPROF through the dinners you eat and the nights you spend there.

This tour includes:

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

All transfers airport-hotel and vice versa.

All bus and train trips listed in the itinerary, whatever means of transportation you choose (public bus or private minibus).

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

Two nights at CEPROF (22 beds divided into 6 rooms with both private and shared bathrooms).

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

All meals during the two days on Taquile.

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

Dinner at CEPROF upon arrival in Lima (if your flight gets in before 7 p.m.) and coming back from Cusco.

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).

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

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

This tour does not include:

International flight to and from Peru.

Project contribution (US$100 per person). The contributions will be given in full to the three Children’s Homes, so they may finance their own projects planned for 2010. 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).

Lunches and dinners (except those specifically listed above).

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

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

Flight over the Nazca Lines (around US$85 per person).

Lunches at the Hogar de las Estrellas and Mosoq Runa. Each lunch costs US$15 per person (total US$30).

Lima city tour on last day.

Suggested packing list:

Both light and heavy clothing

Windbreaker

Rain jacket

Hiking boots

Swimming suit

Insect repellent

Sunscreen

Sunglasses