For those who have little time but do not want to miss any of the most beautiful destinations in the Peruvian Andes, from Cusco to Machu Picchu, from the Sacred Valley to the Colca Canyon, then also from Lake Titicaca to Arequipa.
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. In the afternoon transfer to the airport. Flight Arequipa – Lima. Meeting with one of staff members.
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 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.
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.
Our trip to Peru was truly splendid! Intense, full of breathtaking landscapes and suggestive archaeological sites. The thing we appreciated the most was the chance to spend a few nights with a local family … an easy way to really experience the culture and customs of the places you visit. Gianni was always available, even when we had to change planning at the last moment for an unexpected event .. Highly recommended!
