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From Coast to the Andes 17 days

(3 Reviews)
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1702
  • Flights Not included
  • Hotel Standard category
  • Transportation/Entrance/Guides Included
  • English assistance 24/7 Included
  • HighlightsParacas, Nasca, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca with local families, Cusco, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu
Info

The classic route… From Lima we travel to the Paracas Reserve, the wondrous Ballestas Islands, Nasca and its mysterious lines, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, Puno and the spectacular Lake Titicaca, and to finish off Cusco: the ancient Inca capital, the lost citadel of Machu Picchu, and the mythical Sacred Valley. All paired with visits to rural communities and local realities to come into contact with this country’s spirit, like true travelers…

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Lima

International flight. Meeting with one of our staff members. Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel. Trip briefing and presentation by a team member of PeruEtico. Night at the hotel.

Day 2Free morning in Lima and trip to Paracas

Free morning to visit Lima. In the afternoon we depart by bus towards Paracas (a 3-hour trip). Meeting with one of our staff members at Paracas bus station. Night at the hotel.

Day 3Ballestas islands and Paracas Reserve

After breakfast, at 07:30 we depart to the port of Paracas where we board a boat that takes us to the Ballestas Islands. In this natural environment we observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, seals and a diverse variety of bird species. To end the excursion we visit the Paracas Museum and walk around the Reserve to admire its splendid landscapes and animals in their natural habitat. In the afternoon we take the bus to Nazca. Pick-up from the station and transfer to hotel.

Day 4The mysterious Nasca Lines

In the morning transfer to the airport to fly over the lines. At the end of the flight – about 45 minutes – you will be taken back to the center of Nasca; free time available (we recommend a visit to the Antonini Museum). Room available for the whole day and self-managed transfer to the bus station in time to travel to Arequipa (10 hours travel).

Day 5Arequipa, the White City

On arrival, appointment with our correspondent and transfer to the Hotel. Room available from your arrival. Free day in Arequipa, the “white city”. We advise you not to miss: the Convent of Santa Catalina, the Museum of the Mummy Juanita and the delicious traditional dishes of local cuisine. Night in the Hotel.

Day 6The Canyon and Thermal Waters

In the morning, between 06:15 and 06:30, we take a bus from Arequipa to Chivay where we arrive in the afternoon. Chivay is located in the Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon on Earth. There, we can enjoy beautiful landscapes and see the natural habitat of alpacas, llamas, guanacos, vizcachas, etc. Option to bathe in the thermal waters of the valley. Night in Chivay.

Day 7 The Condor of the Andes

In the early morning we depart towards “The Cross of the Condor,” a lookout point from where we are able to closely see this spectacular Andean bird in flight. After lunch we begin our trip to Puno. Night at the hotel.

Day 8Lake Titicaca- Uros and Amantaní

After breakfast, we head to the port and embark on a boat to Uros floating islands, located north of Puno’s bay. Then we reach Amantani island where we have lunch and spend the afternoon discovering the island. Dinner and night with a local family.

Day 9Taquile Island

After breakfast we go towards Taquile, the biggest island of the Lake Titicaca. We disembark on the northern side and walk till the main part of the island. Lunch in Taquile. We get back to Puno in the afternoon (estimated arrival at 18:00). Night in Puno.

Day 10En route to Cusco

We get picked up at 06:15 from the hotel and begin our journey towards the city of Cusco. The comfortable touristic bus (includes heating, air conditioning, chemical bathroom, DVD, on board service, and buffet lunch in Sicuani) will make a series of stops during the journey: Pukara, Rajchi, and Andahuaylillas. Pick-up from the bus station. Night at the hotel.

Day 11Cusco Market, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Pisac

After breakfast, we walk through the city center with our guide and reach San Pedro market, where we feel the typical Andean flavors, aromas and colors. We get back to the city center to visit Qoricancha or sun temple, the most important temple of the Inca Empire. Then, using private transportation, we visit Sacsayhuaman fortress and Qenqo, a temple dedicated to the snake God who is the creator of life in Andean cosmology. During our walk, we stop in a textile workshop and meet alpacas, lamas and vicuñas. We continue up to Pisac, famous for its colorful handcraft market and its archeological site with great walls, palaces and towers, all made of huge stone blocs. Night in the Sacred Valley.

Day 12Sacred Valley of the Incas

Today, with our tour guide and by private transport, we explore the mythical “Sacred Valley of the Incas” to discover one of the most beautiful and magical places in Peru. We visit Moray, ancient and wonderful biological lab of the Incas; Maras, impressive salt ponds embedded in a beautiful landscape, which have been in operation for over 1000 years; and Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that is still inhabited today and is an extraordinary model of urban planning. In the afternoon we ride the train to Aguas Calientes to begin our Machu Picchu adventure. Night at the hotel.

Day 13Machu Picchu

At dawn we embark on a dream. We take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and enter the “lost city.” For the more adventurous there is also the possibility to climb to the top of Huayna Picchu or visit the Machu Picchu Mountain or the Huchuy Picchu. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, and then the bus to make our way back to Cusco. Night at the hotel.

Day 15Palccoyo, Alternative Rainbow Mountain

At 6am, we get picked up to start our trip to the alternative Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo, located approximately 100 km away from Cusco.
After a 4-hour journey by private transport, we reach the starting point of our gentle hike, which goes from 4700m to 4900m.
We walk for about an hour and a half in the surroundings of the rainbow mountain. On our way back, we have lunch in a family restaurant located in Cusipata. Return to Cusco expected around 18.00. Night at the hotel.
Note> if you wish so, you can visit Vinicunca instead of Palccoyo. It is the most famous rainbow mountain. But it is also much more touristy. Besides, the hike to Vinicunca is more strenuous (from 4600 to 5100 m). Between them, we recommend you Palccoyo because it is more “intimate”.

Day 14Free day and Cusco "Myths&Legends" tour

Free day to walk around the beautiful city of Cusco. Some must-see places we recommend: MAP (Museum of Pre-Columbian Art); San Francisco Convent; and the quaint neighborhood of San Blas. In the evening we go on a cultural and alternative walking tour. Strolling under the stars through the historic city center, we discover a less-known side of Cusco: myths, legends, tales, ghosts and saints. A unique experience to see the real Cusco, Peru’s iconic city. Night at the hotel.
Note: it is possible to include in this program a trip to Rainbow Mountain (at an extra cost) by adding an additional day to the itinerary (recommended option) or during this free day.

Day 16Back to Lima

Free morning in Cusco. Afternoon transfer to the airport, Cusco – Lima flight. Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel in Lima.

Day 17Return Home

Airport transfer, international flight. If your flight departs at night, we recommend you spend the day on our City Tour, where we take you to discover an authentic Lima.

Price

  • 2 people: 2825 USD
  • 3 people: 2500 USD
  • 4/6 people: 2400 USD
  • Price per person, in US dollar.

The Service Includes

  • Transportation
  • All transfers from airport to hotel and vice versa
  • Train service to and from Machu Picchu (PeruRail or Inca Rail in tourist class)
  • Bus service from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, and back
  • Comfortable tourist bus for the routes: Lima-Paracas, Paracas-Nasca, Nasca-Arequipa, Arequipa-Chivay, Chivay-Puno, Puno-Cusco
  • Accomodation
  • Standard category accommodation - similar to a 3-star category - double or twin rooms with private bathroom
  • A night in Amantani on Lake Titicaca, at the home of a local family (private room with shared bathroom)
  • Tours
  • Private tours: Cusco area, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Paracas National Reserve
  • Group tours: Cusco – Puno tourist bus (max. 50 people), Colca Canyon (max. 16 people), Lake Titicaca (max. 25 people) and Ballestas islands (max. 40 people)
  • Guide
  • Tours and excursions described in the program with an English-speaking tour guide
  • Entrance fees
  • BTC (Cusco touristic ticket) that includes entrance to: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, etc.
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu
  • Entrance fee to Uros, Taquile, Colca Canyon, Paracas Museum and National Reserve and Ballestas Island
  • Meals
  • Breakfasts
  • Lunch during the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour
  • Lunch in Sicuani on the Puno-Cusco route
  • Meals during the Lake Titicaca tour (Amantani and Taquile)
  • Assistance
  • 24/7 trip assistance, with dedicated WhatsApp number

The Service Does Not Include

  • Flights
  • International flight
  • Cusco - Lima flight
  • Flight over the Nasca Lines (100/120 USD per person)
  • Insurance
  • Travel insurance: medical assistance and luggage
  • Meals
  • Breakfast in Nasca
  • Lunches and dinners (except those mentioned in the previous section)
  • Entrance fees
  • Huayna Picchu, Montaña Machu Picchu or Huchuy Picchu (50 USD per person, subject to availability at time of booking)
  • Entrance fee to Qoricancha, Palccoyo, Maras, archaeological sites along the Cusco-Puno route (approx. 25 USD per person)
  • Transport tax at Arequipa's bus station (approx. 1 USD per person)
  • Tour
  • Lima City Tour with your own driver on the last day
Trip notes

City to city transfers in comfortable tourist buses: restroom on board, heating, air conditioning, and reclining seats.
If your international flight arrives in Lima in the morning, please note that the room is available from 3 pm. You can then leave your luggage in the hotel luggage storage for free, but you cannot enter the room before the check-in time. In this case we recommend to include a room available from the moment of your arrival, with an extra cost.
PeruEtico does not directly organize the group tours described in the program. We work with selected local and professional agencies.
Qoricancha: it is closed on Sunday; if the city tour of Cusco coincides with this day of the week, you can visit the archaeological site yourself during the free day.
Machu Picchu: travelers are limited to a 20lt/5kg backpack; the rest of your luggage is to be left in custody at the hotel in Cusco or Urubamba.
Palccoyo: we reach 4900 meters above sea level so you will feel the altitude. We recommend you walk slowly. This tour is only for fit people. During the rainy season (from December to March), it is not always possible to visit Palccoyo due to bad weather. If necessary, this tour will be replaced by an excursion to the Huatanay Valley (south of Cusco), including Tipón, Piñipampa Pikillaqta.
Housing in Taquile is very basic. Rooms are cozy and there are enough thick blankets to keep you warm. Bathrooms are located outside the house.
Rainbow mountain: during the walk we reach 5100m and altitude will be felt. It is recommended to walk slowly. It is also possible to rent a horse. This tour is only for fit people.
Housing in Amantani is very basic. Rooms are cozy and there are enough thick blankets to keep you warm. Bathrooms are located outside the house.
In Arequipa, the hotel checkout time is 11:00. Luggage can be left in the hotel storage. (To keep the room for the rest of the day there is an extra charge of 30 USD per person).
As from the arrival in Peru, the passenger is responsible for any additional costs caused by a variation in the program (net cost plus agency rights).

Responsible tourism

Through the stay and experience in Amantani, and the visit to the Maras salt ponds, you are directly helping and supporting the local families and their projects.
Any of our employees, from guides to local communities, receive a fair salary and remuneration for the work done, above the average in Peru.
Peruetico is committed to reducing the environmental impact and the use of plastic and paper during your travels.

Map
Photos
3 Reviews
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Anna & Niccolò

Couple Traveller

WHAT DID YOU LIKE MORE DURING THE TRIP???
If we talk about places visited we can think of the days spent in the Amazon, a wonderful experience that we will never forget. We also liked the accommodations, even if in some cases we would have appreciated even simpler and less tourist realities. The experience on Lake Titicaca and the stay at Julian’s family was simply wonderful.
We loved the Cusco tour ‘myths and legends’, just as we enjoyed the days spent with Marina, a wonderful person who provided us with a lot of interesting information.
WHAT DIDN’T YOU LIKE?
We did not really like the lodging at Mancora, ‘Suite del Mar’, perhaps because it was not in line with our idea of the trip and with the surrounding reality.
Another thing that we did not like at all is the journey from Puno to Cusco in a very touristy bus (a bit cold in terms of tourist-guide interaction).
The Nasca Arequipa trip also lasted a little longer than expected in our case (three hours more), we would gladly have skipped the flight if we had known the duration of the trip because it was a bit rough despite the undisputed comfort of the bus.

January 20, 2019

Eleonora, Michele & Sophia

Group Traveller

WHAT DID YOU LIKE MORE DURING THE TRIP???
If we talk about places visited we can think of the days spent in the Amazon, a wonderful experience that we will never forget. We also liked the accommodations, even if in some cases we would have appreciated even simpler and less tourist realities. The experience on Lake Titicaca and the stay at Julian’s family was simply wonderful.
We loved the Cusco tour ‘myths and legends’, just as we enjoyed the days spent with Marina, a wonderful person who provided us with a lot of interesting information.
WHAT DIDN’T YOU LIKE?
We did not really like the lodging at Mancora, ‘Suite del Mar’, perhaps because it was not in line with our idea of the trip and with the surrounding reality.
Another thing that we did not like at all is the journey from Puno to Cusco in a very touristy bus (a bit cold in terms of tourist-guide interaction).
A Personalized 19-day trip from the coast to the Andes. Not a simple tourist trip but a nice experience with great places and people. Breathtaking landscapes and imposing ruins of the Incas. Thanks to the excellent organization we have enjoyed the journey in complete safety even with travel autonomy. Good value for the services received. Thanks to Carlos, John, David, Francisco, Jorge, Louis and the prompt presence of Gianni!

August 28, 2018

Ester & Mattia

Couple Traveller

WHAT DID YOU LIKE MORE DURING THE TRIP???
If we talk about places visited we can think of the days spent in the Amazon, a wonderful experience that we will never forget. We also liked the accommodations, even if in some cases we would have appreciated even simpler and less tourist realities. The experience on Lake Titicaca and the stay at Julian’s family was simply wonderful.
We loved the Cusco tour ‘myths and legends’, just as we enjoyed the days spent with Marina, a wonderful person who provided us with a lot of interesting information.
WHAT DIDN’T YOU LIKE?
We did not really like the lodging at Mancora, ‘Suite del Mar’, perhaps because it was not in line with our idea of the trip and with the surrounding reality.
Another thing that we did not like at all is the journey from Puno to Cusco in a very touristy bus (a bit cold in terms of tourist-guide interaction).
We both had awaited this trip for years. The idea was born out of a promise when we were children, which materialized when we began our life together. The wonderful people, the landscapes that extend beyond kilometers in the horizon and leave you breathless, the most elaborate and exotic dishes or the traditional food that surprise every food lovers without exceptions, … these are only a few of the marvels that have filled our senses and our hearts during this adventure. The entire trip was completely beyond the expectations we had. However, we have yet to live and discover many places and things. We are left to think that, paradoxically; the ‘World Wonder’ is just the tip of the iceberg, at least for us. Taquile, an heavenly island. A trek that must not be missed: the Vinicunca or Rainbow mountains. An archeological site: Moray. A must try: Ceviche. We had a lot of luck during this trip, thanks to our way of getting involved and adapt. We think it is fair to point out some details in the planning: We arrived in Lima on a Monday and it was a holiday, so it would have been helpful to receive information on which places and museums were open. In Paracas, the hotel tried to take advantage of a small confusion that was resolved with the local tour operator. Nazca, in spite of having been advised of the prices beforehand, it proved to be very expensive, especially if we compare with other flight fares or local guides. But nothing else, if we could we would depart again right away!!

January 2, 2017