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.
We start our trip at 6:30am en route to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain. This place is located 100km away from Cusco and is not known by mass tourism.
After a 4-hour trip -private transport and guide- and a nice snack in Cusipata, we reach the starting point of the hike (from 4700m to 4900m).
We walk in the surroundings of the rainbow mountain during an hour or so. It is also possible to visit a “wood” of rocks and to observe the Red Valley at the far distance. Lunch in a familiar restaurant in Cusipata. We get back to Cusco at around 6:00pm.
Note> if you want, instead of Palccoyo, you can visit the famous Vinicunca. But consider that Vinicunca is more strenuous (you have to walk from 4600m to 5100m) and very crowded. We recommend the more “intimate” Palccoyo.
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 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.
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.
My friend and I chose Peru as our destination for our graduation trip and we trusted PeruEtico for the organization; we couldn’t have asked for better! The assistance during both the preparation of the trip and the duration of the two weeks in Peru was fantastic; the journey itself is not a light path but it is worth it for the breathtaking places that this country has to offer; surely the highly trained guides that have been placed side by side and the excellent hotels were an added value to what has been an unforgettable journey.
Peru: the dream of a lifetime. Its is precisely for this reason that my traveling companion Ilaria and I have chosen this destination as a graduation trip. Perfectly organized trip, great guides, 24/7 assistance. We could not wish a better trip!!!Surely it was not a relaxing one, but it was necessary to admire the breathtaking places that this country can offer. Truly a journey that will remain in our hearts forever. Thanks PeruEtico!
Peru: Cusco … Machu Picchu … Lake Titicaca … a dream pursued since youth that has finally come true with this journey. The reality is often different compared to the dream but in this case everything went according to and even beyond my best expectations. Peru, its inhabitants, the atmosphere that reigns even while going to places so different from each other, the jungle, the mountain and the coast. It was a complete trip!PeruEtico helped us so much during this adventure, they followed and guided us to discover the soul of the country.
Thanks to Gianni who was present at all times to verify that everything worked in the best way. Thanks to Emanuele who has taken care to answer and satisfy all our needs and requests.
Thanks to the guides who have accompanied us to these magical places and who have proved not only competent and prepared but font of their work, passionate and always close to us.
Thanks to the family that hosted us on Taquile Island, an unforgettable life experience.
In summary, a journey that will remain for a long time in our hearts.
Claudio, Stella, Margherita and Katia
Last summer between late July and August we did the ‘All Peru’ tour. It was not simple journey but a daydream. We visited all the most interesting places from the Andes to the southern desert. Fantastic places to visit with PeruEtico at least once in your life. Thanks to Emanuele we customized our tour, skipped Nasca and “climbed” the Rainbow Mountain. With the precious advice of Emanuele and Gianni we had no problems with altitude. The guides were fantastic; they introduced us, through their stories, to the Inca and Peruvian culture. Special thanks go to ‘Carlitos’, John and David. During the tour we had a problem getting to Aguas Calientes, due to cancelation of trains. Gianni promptly solved the problem by booking a room for us to take the train the next day by moving the reservation for entry to Machu Picchu the next day. Thanks again to Gianni for his availability, always present. Perfectly organized hotels and transfers. We hope to return and visit the Amazon. Thanks again for everything.
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!