ITINERARIES IN PERU
Peru 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 trail of the Inca -
Mystic North
Additional programs:
Rainforest -
Inca Trail - Enjoy
the beach - Huaraz/Cordillera
Blanca
| PERU
ROUNDTRIP - ON THE TRAIL OF THE INCA - 15 DAYS |
The classic Peru roundtrip starts in Lima, also called the 'City of the Kings'. Next, destinations are the Paracas National
Reserve, the Nasca Lines and Arequipa the 'White City'
at the foot of El Misti volcano. After visiting Puno on the Lake
Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, you arrive in
Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Cusco stands at the
head of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and is the disembarkment point
for excursions to the Sacred Valley and to Macchu Picchu, the lost
city of the Inca.
Day 1: Arrival at Lima
Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Lima.
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Day 2: Lima
Citytour around the historical and the modern centre of Lima. Transfer
to Ica. Overnight in Ica.
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.
Ica is about 300 kilomeres to the South of Lima and is especially well
known for being the origin of the famous Pisco, which is an alchoholic beverage made of grape. Pisco sour is the Peruvian national drink, which consists of the Pisco mixed with lemon, egg white and a dash of cinnamon.
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Day 3: Paracas
Start with a trip to the Ballestas Islands and visit the sea mammals.
In the afternoon exploration of the Paracas Peninsula. Overnight
in Ica.
The Ballestas Islands belong to the Paracas
National Reserve where you have the opportunity to get in touch
with the marine fauna. Observe sea mammals, Humboldt penguins,
dolphins and an accountable number of rare and exotic sea birds.
The Paracas National Reserve is one of the most important
marine reserves in the world. Here you can enjoy peaceful, untouched beaches and observe the wide variety of marine animals.
Paracas also offers the opportunity to observe the famous 'El Candelabro' that has been carved in
the side of a hillside by the pre Columbian 'Paracas' civilisation (from whom the reserve gets its name). Also the coastal rock
formations, created by thousands of years of
the sea's constant erosion are an interesting attraction to visit.
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Day 4: Ica - Nasca - Arequipa
Transfer to Nasca. Flight to see the Nasca Lines. Overnight trip
to Arequipa by comfortable coach.
Nasca is located 150 km south of Paracas. The origin of
the gigantic system of geometrical figures and patterns in the
desert - known as the Nasca Lines - is
to this day, one of Peru´s most splendid secrets. Since their discovery
70 years ago, many scientists have tried to find
explanations for these phenomena. The lines can best be appreciated
from the air during a flight in light aircraft.
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Day 5: Arequipa
Sightseeing tour in Arequipa. Visit of the Santa Catalina Convent.
Overnight in Arequipa.
Arequipa is also called 'The White
City'. The Plaza de Armas, the Convent of Santa Catalina and
a variety of churches and other building in the centre of the city have given it its name. This is
because they are built of 'Sillar', a white volcanic stone found in the region. The
Convent of Santa Catalina, open since 1970, is a city in its own
right, where the walls are painted different hues of ochre, pale blue
and orange and blend with the austere style – a real oasis of
peace and tranquility.
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Day 6: Colca Canyon
Trip by coach to the Colca Canyon. Relaxing in the thermal springs
of Chivay. Overnight in Chivay.
The Canyon of the river Colca is twice as deep
as the Grand Canyon and is located in the province of Cailloma,
5 hours driving from Arequipa. Unspoiled Andean villages lie on
both sights of the Canyon, inhabited by the Collagua and Cabana
peoples. Until today the people keep the old traditions and use
the pre-Inca terraces to cultivate potatoes. The Colca Canyon
is an area of natural beauty and the best place to see condors.
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Day 7: Colca Canyon - Arequipa
.Stay at the view point 'Cruz del Condor'. Return to Arequipa
passing different Andean villages. Overnight in Arequipa.
Day 8: Arequipa
- Puno
Journey to Puno. Acclimatisation and shopping in Puno. Optional
excursion to Sillustani. Overnight in Puno.
Puno, the high-altitude town, is the departure point
for the islands of Taquile and Amantani, as well as for the floating
reed islands of Los Uros. The area is home to the Aymara and Quetchua,
who are among Peru´s oldest surviving cultures, predating the Incas
by a thousand years. Puno is also called 'Capital of Folk'
and during the festival in February you can see hundreds of colourful
dancing performances. The pre-Columbian amazing funeral towers
of Sillustani called 'Chullpas' are located near Puno, visiting
them is highly recommended.
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Day 9: Puno - Islands of
Los Uros - Taquile Island
Day trip by boat to the floating Island of Los Uros and to Taquile
Island. Overnight in Puno.
The location of Puno on the coast of the Lake Titicaca,
the highest located navigable lake of the world, is unique. One
of the highlight are the floating reed islands of Los Uros.
The islands have been build by the Uro-People and have been renewed
and renovated frequently. Also worth visiting is Taquile
Island. Here people still live in communities lead by
the oldest men following the ancient rules of the Inca.
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Day 10: Puno - Cusco
Trip by train using the highest located railway on the world to
Cusco with stops at places of tourist attractions. Overnight in
Cusco.
Because there are no flights from Puno to Cusco, both cities
are well connected by busses and train. The journey by
train to Cusco, passing the highest located railway station
(la Raya, at 4400 metres above sea level) is an unforgettable experience
within Peru. During this 10 hours trip a rich lunch will be served.
The train runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. On the other
days tourists can go by coach with different stops at various
tourist attractions.
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Day 11:: Cusco
- Pisaq - Sacred valley of the Inca
Journey from Cusco to Pisaq. Market and ruins of Pisaq. Trip to
Ollanta visiting the ruins of Ollantaytambo. Overnightstay in Ollanta
or Urubamba or Yucay.
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 Quetchua, a good opportunity to see the people wearing
their traditional clothes. The ruins of Inca Pisaq are located
10 km away. Local busses serving the valley of the Urubamba River
run every half hour. Also connected by bus is the picturesque
village Ollanta where you can visit the famous ruins of Ollantaytambo.
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Are you interested in hiking the legendary Inca Trail? Click
here for further information!
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Day 12: Machu Picchu
By train from Urubamba to Aguas Calientes. Guided tour to the ruins
of Macchu Picchu. Train back to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco
The lost city of the Inca Machu Picchu
is situated 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, making it quiet and it is a great experience to see the town in the rising fog and soak in Machu Picchu's unique atmosphere.
Day 13: Cusco
In the morning sightseeing and visit of the Inca ruins. In the afternoon
free time for activities organized by yourself. Overnight in 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 foundations of old Inca houses. Cusco is a city with a special atmosphere, with interesting
buildings, narrow streets and a cosmopolitan flair at the famous
Plaza de Armas.
Sacsayhuaman, some magnificent Inca walls in
the ruined ceremonial centre, is located on a hill in the Northern
outskirts. In addition there are much more ancient ruins like Kenko,
Tampumachay and Puka Pukara
still demonstrating the power and richness of the Incas.
Do you have time to discover the Peruvian rainforest? Follow
us to the great Peruvian jungle!
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Day 14: Cusco - Lima
Return flight to Lima. There you will have some time to visit another
museum, explore the town on yourself or buy some souvenirs. Overnight
in Lima.
For relaxation after such an intensive and exhausting round trip,
we recommend you to spend some sun and beach days in Peru´s
North. Find
more detailed information here!
Day 15: Lima
Transfer to the airport. Flight back to Europe.
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