ITINERARIES IN PERUPeru is a country of contrasts: Rainforest and desert, fertile valleys, white sandy beaches and snow-covered mountains - in Peru you will find a bit of everything. Our recommended roundtrips are suggestions how you can explore the diversity of Peru.
Peru Intensive - On
the trace of the Inca -
Mystic North
Experience Peru in all its diversity! This tour leads us first
to the lesser known North of Peru: To Trujillo - the City of Eternal
Spring - to the green Highlands of Cajamarca and to the spectacular
tombs of the Lord of Sipan in Chiclayo. After visiting Peru's capital
Lima we drive on to the South, to the Ballestas Islands and the
mystical Nazca Lines, to Arequipa, the "White City" at
the feet of the Misti volcano, to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca
and finally to Cusco, fascinating center of the ancient Inca empire
and starting point for the visit of Machu Picchu, the famous "Lost
city of the Inca".
Day 1: Arrival at Lima Day 2: Lima Lima is the commercial centre of Peru. The historical centre hosts a number of interesting sights, such as the government palace, the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, the church of San Francisco, as well as local mansions with their typical dark wood balconies from colonial times. Also you can take a walk through the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro where you can see its old houses in European style besides modern commercial pedestrian precincts, which are good places for shopping. Here you can find handicrafts, arts, clothes and anything you might want or need. The Archaeological and Anthropological Museum offers a very good overview over the diversity of the ancient Peruvian cultures.
Day 3: Lima -Trujillo Trujillo, also called the "City of everlasting spring" due to its mild and favorable climate lies on the northern coast of Peru. The historic city centre has been preserved in its original state. The houses emanate all the charm of the beautiful colonial style, with the typical wooden balconies and the magnificent stucco facades. Trujillo is also capital of the Peruvian national dance, Marinera and the typical Peruvian “Paso” horses. The Sun and the Moon Pyramid are the impressive remaining monuments of the Moche culture and were built out of 140 million clay bricks on an area of 345 x 160 metres. The magnificent colorful reliefs of both buildings make them a splendid attraction. Day 4: Trujillo - Chiclayo Chan Chan: the remains of the ancient capital of the once powerful Empire of the Chimu culture is situated 6 kilometres from the city. Chan chan once housed up to 100,000 inhabitants and therefore was the largest pre-Columbian Adobe built city. No other city has so many decorations and was so well planned. Day 5:Chiclayo Chiclayo lies on the Northern coast of Peru and is capital of the Department of Lambayeque, which was home to important pre-Hispanic cultures. Most discoveries have been made in the archaeological complex Huaca Rajada, the famous Tombs of the Lord of Sipan, which is compared with those of the Egyptian Pharaons. In the Museum “Tumbas Reales del Señor de Sipan”, one of the most modern and exciting museums in South America, one can gaze at the Tomb of the Lord of Sipan.
Day 6: Chiclayo - Cajamarca The lovely city Cajamarca is part of the historical heritage of the Americas and was the site of one of the most transcendent episodes in history: The last Inca Atahualpa was taken prisoner, betrayed and executed by the Spaniard Pizarro – the beginning of the final destruction of the huge Inca Empire. Today the city is a rich and attractive center of the Northern Andes with a well conserved colonial architecture and a lot of interesting trekking paths to the green and untouched nature.
Day 7: Cajamarca: To the east of the city are located the hot springs of the Baños del Inca, whose curative properties rank among the most important bathing resorts of this kind on the continent. Nearby you can visit the Ventanillas de Otuzco, a great Pre-Inca necropolis characterised by the carved crypts in rocky cliffs resembling a huge funeral mosaic. In Gran Porcón you have the opportunity to learn about the traditional agricultural activities of the region. Day 8: Cajamarca: The archeological and geographical site of Cumbemayo hosts an impressive pre Inca aqueduct and magic and enigmatic huge rocks which have been formed over thousands of years by nature’s forces. Day 9: Cajamarca - Lima - Nazca Day 10: Nazca - Arequipa The town of Nazca is mainly known for the strange and mysterious so called "Nazca Lines", which have been declared world cultural heritage by the UNESCO. What is amazing about these lines is not only the perfect harmony and the geometric balance of these lines, but their unbelievable dimensions which only can be fully appreciated from the air during a flight in light aircraft. Day 11: Arequipa Arequipa is also called "the White City". The Plaza de Armas, the Convent of Santa Catalina, and a variety of churches in the whole city have given it its name, because they are built of Sillar, a white volcanic stone of the area. The Convent of Santa Catalina, open to the public since 1970, is a city in miniature where the walls are painted many colours, different hues of ochre, pale blue and orange blend with the austere style - a real oasis of peace and tranquility.
Day 12: Colca-Canyon The Colca Canyon, situated North of Arequipa, is one of the deepest canyons in the world: The Colca River meanders below at a depth of 3,400 metres. A fascinating landscape surrounds the narrow and vertiginous valley, also called "Valley of the Marvels". It is comprised of 13 Andean villages and was formerly inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas. Today, its people keep up their ancestral traditions and cultivate the pre-Inca stepped terraces. The Colca Valley is the best place to watch the majestic condor. Day 13: Colca Canyon - Puno Day 14: Arequipa - Puno Puno, the town on the shore of Lake Titicaca, is the departure point for the islands of Taquile and Amantani, as well as the floating reed islands of Los Uros. The area is home to the Aymara and Quetchua, who are among Peru´s oldest peoples, predating the Incas by a thousand years. Puno is also the "Capital of Folk" and during the festival in February you can see hundreds of colourful dancing performances. The pre-Columbian funery towers of Sillustani are located near Puno, visiting them is highly recommended. Not only are these monuments amasing testimonials to pre-Columbian architecture, but they are also set in a truly beautiful vista.
Day 15: Puno - Islands of Los Uros - Taquile
Island The location of Puno on the coast of Lake Titicaca, the highest located navigable lake of the world, is unique. One highlight of this lake is the floating reed islands of Los Uros. The islands were built by a civilisation that pre dates the Inca and have been renewed and renovated frequently. Also worth a visit is Taquile Island. The people of the island are not of the original civilisation, but still live in communities lead by the oldest men following the old rules of the Inca. Day 16: Puno - Cusco Because there are no flights from Puno to Cusco, both cities are well connected by busses and a train. The journey by train to Cusco passing the highest located railway station (la Raya, at 4400 above sea level) is an unforgettable experience within Peru. During the 10 hours trip a delicious lunch will be served.
Day 17: Cusco The ancient capital of the splendid Inca Empire Cusco, meaning "Navel of the Earth", offers its visitors many attractions, like the main square (Plaza de Armas), the cathedral or the temple Qorikancha (temple of the sun). The architecture of most of the buildings combines Inca and colonial style, because the Spanish conquerors built their houses on the fundaments of old Inca houses. That´s why Cusco is a city with a special atmosphere, with interesting buildings, narrow streets and a cosmopolitan flair at the famous Plaza de Armas. Day 18: Cusco - Pisaq - Sacred valley
of the Inca The famous Market of Pisaq takes place every Thursday and Sunday and is a centre of handicraft. On Sundays the inhabitants of the surrounding villages come to hear the mass delivered in Quetschua (a good opportunity to see the people wearing their traditional clothes). The ruins of Inca Pisaq are located 10 kilometres away. Local busses serving the valley of the Urubamba River run every half an hour. Also connected by bus is the picturesque village Ollanta, with some typical restaurants, where you can visit the famous ruins of Ollantaytambo.
Are you interested in hiking the legendary Inca Trail? Click here for further information! Day 19: Machu Picchu The lost city of the Inca Machu Picchu is hidden on the top of a mountain surrounded by the deep Urubamba gorge. The splendid ruins, the fertile landscape and the silence of the majestic mountains give this place a unique atmosphere and will make your stay unforgettable. Visiting this magic place is recommended early in the morning when only few tourists explore the area, a great opportunity to see the city in the rising morning mist.
Day 20: Machu Picchu - Cusco Do you have time to discover the rainforest? Follow us to the great Peruvian jungle! Day 21: Cusco - Lima For relaxation after such an intensive and exhausting round trip, we recommend that you spend some sun and beach days in Peru´s North. Find more detailed information here! |
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