Mountain lovers will go crazy with this trip: from the Cordillera Blanca with the highest peak in Peru, the Huascarán with its 6768 meters, up to Cusco, from Machu Picchu to the Sacred Valley. 12 days to get in touch with the Andes and its people, with the snow-covered glaciers that surround them. 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.
Transfert to the bus station. Trip to Huaraz (around 8 hours) by first catergory bus (air conditioning, heating, toilet, DVD, on board assistance). Pick-up from the bus station and transfer to the hotel to rest and get acclimatized to the altitude. We recommend you rest and eat light. Night at the hotel.
We leave Huaraz at about 8:30 with other tourists. En route to Chavin de Huantar temple, we stop at Querococha Lagoon and cross the Cahuish tunnel, the highest in the world. Chavin de Huantar temple tells us about a culture related to the natural cycles of Mother Earth. San Pedro cactus, an ancestral plant from the Peruvian coast had a preeminent role. The temple is still very charming with its subterranean caves and “cabezas clavas”, stone sculptures representing divinities, sacred rites and the Cosmo vision of this mysterious culture. Night in Huaraz.
Options between these 2 activities:
a) Llanganuco > difficulty: easy > by private transport and with our professional guide, we discover the turquoise water lagoon of Chinacocha, located at 3850m. We stop for an hour to rest and have a picnic lunch. On the way we can enjoy the fauna and flora of the Huascaran national Parc (the highest mountain in Peru, 6.768m). Night at the hotel.
b) Hike to Laguna 69 > Difficulty: moderate/high > We leave at dawn by private transport and with our professional guide, up to Cebollapampa Camp (3850m), close to Chinancocha Lagoon in Huascaran National Parc. From here we start our mini-trek until the gorgeous Laguna 69 (4700m) with impressive blue and turquoise water, surrounded by snowy peaks. The hike is a bit difficult due to the altitude and has a 900m gradient. On average, it takes around 3 hours going up and 2 hours and a half going down. Picnic lunch at Laguna 69. Night at the hotel.
Today, by private transport and with our professional guide, we go up till reaching Pastoruri at an altitude of 5200m. En route we stop to have a closer look at the “Puya de Raimondi”, an Andean plant that is the symbol of the area. It can reach up to 12 meters and live longer than 100 years. We will be next to Pastoruri peak and will have an amazing view of the snow and the lagoons. It is also the proper time to reflect about global warming issue and one of its direct consequences, the glacier decrease. Transfer to Huaraz and night bus (first category) to Lima, where we arrive on the following day.
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.
Airport transfer. Cusco – Lima flight. End of service.
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.
In case you choose Laguna 69, Pastoruri tour will be the day before to help you acclimatize with the altitude.
PeruEtico does not directly organize the group trips 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.
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 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.
