Simply “the journey” in Peru, the most complete, the most interesting …We will take you to know the most famous places of the “classic” route of the south of the country : Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, Machu Picchu, the lost city, the mythical Sacred Valley of the Incas, we will then go southwards, Puno and the spectacular Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and its colonial architecture, Nasca with its mysterious lines, the oasis of Huacachina with the desert and its very high dunes and finally a bit of sea and unspoiled nature with the Paracas nature reserve and the fantastic Ballestas islands. All accompanied by visits to community and local realities to really get on tiptoe in the spirit of this country, like real travelers…
International flight. You meet one of our staff members at the airport. Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel.
Transfer to Lima airport to take the flight to Cusco. Airport pick-up and transfer to the hotel where we get time to rest so our bodies can adjust to the altitude. Free afternoon, we recommend resting and eating light. Night at the hotel.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
We get picked up at 06:15 from the hotel and begin our journey towards the city of Puno. The comfortable touristic bus (including heating, air conditioning, chemical bathroom, DVD, on board service, and buffet lunch in Sicuani) will make several stops during the journey: Andahuaylillas, Rajchi, and Pukara. Pick-up from the bus station in Puno. Night at the hotel.
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.
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.
In the morning, between 06:15 and 06:30, we take a bus from Puno 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.
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 Arequipa, stopping at various villages along the valley. Estimated arrival at 18:00. Night at the hotel.
Free day in Arequipa, “The White City.” A few spots you cannot miss: Santa Catalina Convent, Museum of mummy Juanita, and the delicious traditional dishes of Arequipa. At night we are picked up from the hotel and taken to the bus station where, on a comfortable touristic bus (that includes heating, air conditioning, chemical bathroom, DVD, on board service) we embark towards Nazca. Note: For those who are not interested in visiting Nazca it is possible to go directly from Arequipa to Huacachina oasis and save one day of travel.
Meeting with one of our staff members on our arrival in Nasca. Transfer to the airport to fly above the Nasca lines. Once the flight is over (duration: 45 minutes), we get transferred to the bus station and take our bus to Ica. Self-managed transfer to the Huacachina oasis. Night at the hotel.
Free day to enjoy the hotel swimming pool in the middle of this oasis surrounded by high dunes. Those who wish can do sandboarding on the dunes or explore the desert by buggy to watch sunset. Night at the hotel.
After breakfast, at 07:30 we depart to the port of Paracas, where we board on a boat that takes us to 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 Lima. Pick-up from the station and transfer to the hotel.
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.
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 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).
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.
We have chosen the ‘All Peru’ package for our honeymoon, twenty days in which everything was organized perfectly. The hotels were comfortable and clean, punctual transports, exceptional guides, trained and able to make us immerse in the Peruvian atmosphere. Gianni always ready to solve any problem. An intense and immersive experience that remains in your heart. Thank you very much.
Peru Etico has fulfilled the dream of a lifetime by allowing us to visit the land of the Incas. The tour allowed us to see Cusco in all its facets and its mountains, the famous Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and its colors, the desert and the capital, especially thanks to the preparation and sensitivity of the guides who accompanied us during the various excursions. The tour also had some free time that allowed us to explore the places on our own, go shopping and confront ourselves with this wonderful reality. The proposed accommodation were always complying good standards and in strategic and convenient places to visit the city, not to mention the super abundant breakfasts. Furthermore PeruEtico advised us some restaurants where we could taste the typical cuisine and we enjoyed them so much. What to say, thanks to PeruEtico it was possible to know this land, its smiles and an unforgettable experience!
Incredibly beautiful journey, all the 3-star hotels satisfied our needs, the guides who accompanied us on this trip really fabulous to make you discover the real Peru. I highly recommend the experience!
We chose PeruEtico because for our honeymoon we wanted to make a trip that was also a sustainable choice. And it was a really “right” choice for the experience that was given to us. Peru is a splendid and fascinating land and the personalized itinerary allowed us to discover some of its wonders. The organization was truly exceptional and we could always count on someone. Many thanks to Emanuele, Gianni, David and all those who accompanied us on this wonderful journey. Bye guys and see you soon!!!
What did we like and not about the trip to Peru?
The most exciting and engaging journey ever made. Everything was perfect, not only for the organization but also for the way PeruEtico’s team and guides made us feel. Highly recommended for those who want and desire to experience strong and immense emotions!