Andean Treasures

Day 1: Arrive Lima and transfer to your hotel

Upon arrival in Lima you will have a private transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time you may have a free afternoon to relax after your flight or explore Miraflores. Your hotel is located within easy walking distance of Kennedy Park where there is an evening craft market, cliff-top parks for views over the Pacific, and Larcomar shopping centre with a choice of restaurants and bars. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Lima.

Day 2: Morning Group Tour of Modern and Colonial Lima & afternoon flight to Arequipa (flight not included)

After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel to join a Group Tour of Modern and Colonial Lima. First you will visit the Colonial centre and the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), where you will see the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. Next, you will visit the 16th century San Francisco Convent, famous for its catacombs. The last stop is the modern district of Miraflores and after visiting one of the parks you have a transfer back to your hotel. At the appropriate time you will have a private transfer from your hotel to Lima airport, to check-in for your flight. Upon arrival in Arequipa you will have a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Arequipa.

Day 3: Free day in Arequipa

After breakfast at your hotel, no activities are planned for today. We recommend you visit the fascinating Santa Catalina Convent, which feels like a small city in itself. You may also like to visit the Santuarios Andinos Museum to see Juanita the Inca Ice Princess, a well-preserved mummy which was discovered on the volcanic peaks around Arequipa, and is suspected to have been a human Inca sacrifice. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Arequipa.

Day 4: Colca Canyon Group Tour

You will be collected from your hotel early in the morning to meet your group for the next two days. Enjoy travelling over the high mountain pass to the town of Chivay, passing through the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve where you may spot wild vicuñas and flamingos feasting on the mineral rich waters. After a brief stop in the main square of Chivay, you will continue to the Colca Lodge hotel, where you have a free afternoon to enjoy the hotel facilities. The hotel is in a beautiful setting on the banks of the river, offering views across the Canyon and natural hot springs and spa within the hotel grounds. Spend the night at our superior hotel in the Colca Canyon.

Day 5: Cruz del Condor & Traditional Villages

You will need to get up early today (around 5am) to travel to Cruz del Condor in time to see the condors rising up out of the canyon at dawn. You will be able to get close to the amazing birds from the viewing platforms on the edge of the canyon. On the way back to Chivay you will stop at several small village communities in the Colca Canyon to discover their traditional ways of life. You will return to your hotel in time for lunch (not included) and in the afternoon have optional free time or extra activities such as a guided walk to the archaeological site of Uyo Uyo. Spend the night at our superior hotel in the Colca Canyon.

Day 6: Free morning and afternoon travel to Puno

You have a free morning to enjoy the hot springs at your hotel, or take an independent walk in the Colca Canyon. In the early afternoon you will travel overland to Puno either by minibus or on a tourist coach. You will have an English speaking guide with you and will make several stops at points of interest along the way. Upon arrival in Puno you will be taken to your hotel. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Puno.

Day 7: Full Day Lake Titicaca Group Tour to Uros & Taquile Islands

You will be collected from your hotel early in the morning for a transfer to the port. Here you will meet the rest of your group and your English speaking guide for the day. After about 30 minutes by boat you will arrive at the floating Uros Islands, built from reeds by the Uros people who still live on the islands in traditional reed houses. After a short visit you will continue by boat to Taquile Island. You will need to walk uphill to the main square in the centre of the island, where you will be rewarded with fantastic views of the Island, and have a traditional lunch of fresh trout. In the afternoon you will have time to explore and appreciate the island and its people, before returning to Puno by boat, arriving at around 5pm. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Puno.

Day 8: Full Day Group Bus Tour from Puno to Cusco

At the appropriate time you will have a private transfer from your hotel to the bus station. Travelling on a comfortable coach you will be accompanied by a local guide on the journey from Puno to Cusco. You will stop at places of interest along the way, including the ruins of the pre-Inca site of Raqchi and the village of Andahuaylillas where you will have a guided tour. Between stops, sit back and enjoy the incredible view of the herds of alpaca and llamas grazing on these highland pampas and the majestic backdrop of the Andes. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the way. You will arrive in Cusco at around 6pm where you will have a private transfer to your hotel. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.

Day 9: Walking tour of Cusco with private guide

You will be picked up from your hotel by your private English speaking local guide for a morning walk around the City of Cusco, including the Cathedral and the Qorikancha (Inca Sun Temple) and the local market. The afternoon is free to relax or continue exploring independently (we can provide recommendations). Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.

Day 10: Full Day Group Sacred Valley Tour ending Ollantaytambo

After breakfast, you will meet your guide for a full day Group Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your first stop is the picturesque town of Pisac and its colourful handicraft market. At midday you will stop for a buffet lunch at a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon you continue to the town and Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo, a huge administrative, agricultural, civil, military and religious complex from the time of the Inca Empire. The rest of the group will continue back to Cusco but you will check into your hotel and have free time in the afternoon and evening to appreciate the town of Ollantaytambo when most other tourists have left. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Ollantaytambo.

Day 11: Train to Aguas Calientes and afternoon guided tour of Machu Picchu

Taking the scenic train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu is an experience in itself and travelling by day you will be able to appreciate the views and changing vegetation of the Sacred Valley as the train winds its way through the mountains, alongside the Urubamba River. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes our local agent will be waiting to take you to your hotel. After time to check-in and have lunch, your local guide will pick you up from your hotel to take the bus up to Machu Picchu. You will have a private tour with a local guide who will show you all the major sectors of the site, including the Intiwatana or sun dial, the Sun temple and the Condor temple. After the tour you will have a chance to explore the citadel independently and take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes when you are ready. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Day 12: Second visit to Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

This morning you can make your own way up to the citadel of Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes using your included bus tickets. Often shrouded in mist early in the morning, the cloud-forest climate is temperate and adds to the mysterious feel of this magical place. If you have requested permits in advance you can walk to the peak of either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains. In the afternoon, you will travel back to Ollantaytambo by train and then have a private transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.

Day 13: Free day in Cusco

After breakfast, you have a whole day to enjoy the City of Cusco. You might want to visit some of the city’s varied museums, the handicraft markets, or the central San Pedro market, as well as the San Blas neighbourhood and you will surely want to try a local restaurant or two. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.

Day 14: Depart Cusco

At the appropriate time you will have a private transfer from your hotel to Cusco airport.