Transfer Lima Airport / Hotel (private)
Upon arrival into Lima International Airport, you will be met by our representative and private driver and will be transferred to your hotel. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and provide you with a detailed itinerary, vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peru trip. You will also receive a contact information sheet with all the hotel details as well as our offices contact information for each city and a 24-hour emergency number.
Half day Lima City tour and Larco Museum incl. lunch (private)
We enjoy a half day guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". Visit Lima's Historical Center, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall, Casa Aliaga and the Santo Domingo Convent.
Our visit continues with a stop at Larco Herrera Museum, for an excellent overview of Peru's ancient past as it holds the best private collection of pre-Columbian art in the country. You will have the chance to tour through this old Hacienda House in the Pueblo Libre district, which was built upon a pre-Incan sacred site (huaca), housing the private collection of a great Peruvian scholar: Don Rafael Larco Hoyle.
We continue with a delicious meal at Café del Museo Restaurant, located within the Museum compound.
Bohemian Distric of Barranco and Miraflores (private)
Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the quieter side of Lima, the picturesque district of Barranco (Spanish word for cliff), known as the bohemian heart of the city because towards the end of the 19th Century it became the favorite hangout of poets, writers, painters and sculptors who were inspired by its coastal scenery. Filled with nightlife locals and restaurants, it has nevertheless kept its essence and charm it form of old houses painted in bright colonial colors. The most emblematic symbol of this neighbourhood is its wooden Puente de los Suspiros or bridge of sighs.
Continue your visit to Miraflores, one of Peru’s most pleasant and commercial neighbourhood. It is filled with things to do, visit the Kennedy Park named after President Jhon F. Kennedy to honor the role he had in the Alliance for progress for America. Walk along the Malecon (Miraflores Boardwalk) near the cliff of Lima that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is made up of several parks that are home to green spaces, gorgeous flowers and unique art.
Dinner by passengers own (Restaurant recommendations below)
Central: Central’s concept developed over the years, a menu took form that takes diners through myriad different Peruvian ecosystems, categorised by altitude – from below sea level in the Pacific Ocean to the high peaks of the Andes. Each dish reflects the origin of its ingredients, from Dry Valley (shrimp, loche squash, avocado) to Amazonian Water (pacu fish, watermelon and coca leaf).
Maido: The fusion of Latin American and Eastern cuisines leads to an exciting and unusual menu. The 12-course ‘Nikkei Experience’ degustation is predominantly fish-focussed: dishes such as Paracas scallops with green butter beans and miso feature alongside crab dishi and tapiocas. The beef cheek is also not to be missed, served with tsukemono and a cloud of jora corn. Round off the marathon meal with the surprising and delicate medley of lucuma ice cream, topped with soy sauce and macambo foam.
Astrid & Gastón: A unique three-century-old colonial mansion setting adds a wow factor to the à la carte and tasting menus, which focus on Peruvian flavours. Acurio takes traditional dishes such as guinea pig and gives them the haute-cuisine treatment and Gutsche showcases cacao and tropical fruits in her desserts.
3 days / 2 nights program Lima-Paracas (Day 1) (private)
Private transportation & guide Lima / Paracas
(Distance Lima – Paracas: 261 Km.)
(Altitude Paracas: 5 m.a.s.l)
At the respective time, you will be picked up from your hotel lobby and depart by private transportation and private guide to Paracas.
Arrival at the hotel, lunch set-menu is included today.
PM: Paracas Desert Adventure (private)
This afternoon, we will be transferred to the camp at km. 253 of the Panamericana Sur, where we will board the tubulars to enter the desert half an hour to the camp before sunset, we will take a tour through the beautiful dunes until we reach the camp equipped with carpets, cushions, located in a high area of a dune, with a panoramic view of the desert watching the sun goes down, once there we will enjoy some drinks accompanied by a few snacks of dried fruits, sodas and juices, enjoying a musical background we will appreciate a beautiful sunset.
3 days / 2 nights program Paracas (Day 2) (private)
AM: Excursion to the Ballestas Islands in a private yatch
Travel along the coast of Paracas in a luxury yacht and get a firsthand look at the vast array of wildlife this stretch of land has to offer. In Paracas Bay there are three important groups of islands where you can spot marine fauna in its fullest: Ballestas, San Gallan and Chincha. Discover the Ballestas Islands, several small islands are home to peculiar and diverse coastal fauna: sea lions, spotting Humboldt penguins and a wide variety of guano birds. On the way to the islands you will be able to appreciate the magnificence of the “Candelabro” (the Candlestick), an enormous and mysterious geoglyph carved on the desert soil, making this a morning of archeological and natural history discovery.
Lunch set-menu will be served at the hotel.
PM: Visit to La Caravedo Distillery + Casa de Las Tejas
Pick-up from your hotel. We will head towards the La Caravedo Distillery and Hacienda, where you will visit the oldest distillery in America, starting with the Boulevard of the 8 Pisco Grapes. Then, we will tour the original facilities from 1684, including the wine press, the vat, and the shoring beams. We will continue through the modern facilities, where you will see the quality standards and enjoy a tasting of their piscos. Next, we will head towards Casa de las Tejas, where you will take a guided tour of the facilities to learn about the history and evolution of this traditional Ica candy over time. You will also have the opportunity to be part of the experience of making this traditional sweet in a fully equipped workshop, where, under the guidance of an expert, you will create your own "Teja de Pecana." These products are handcrafted with the best natural ingredients, following the traditional Ica recipe.
Return to your hotel.
3 days / 2 nights program Paracas–Lima (Day 3) (private)
OPTIONAL: Overflight of the Nazca Lines (shared)
At the proper time, transfer to Pisco Airport from your hotel for approximately 20 minutes. Take-off at the designated time subject to variation according to the appropriate weather conditions and begin your overflight of the Nazca Lines (approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes). Along the way, you will see part of the 355,000 protected hectares of the Paracas Natural Reserve and from the plane you will be able to see these giant figures, which were created with an impressive precision about 1500 years ago.
Many theories exist about the origin of these lines and some even hold UFOs accountable for their creation. The only fact that we are sure about is that you can only see the famous figures of the ape, the astronaut or the whale, amongst many others, from the air. Some figures to watch for are the whale, the condor, the hummingbird, the spider, the hands, the dog, and the extraterrestrial.
In the decade of the 40's a German lady, María Reiche, settled in the area and devoted her life to studying these lines and their figures. She developed the theory that they were a form of calendar outlining diverse astrological signs and that they were built for the purpose of religious enlightenment by the Paracas-Nazca civilization more than 2000 years ago.
PM: Private transfer back from Paracas to Lima
(Distance Paracas - Lima: 246 Km.)
(Altitude Lima: 1,548 m.a.s.l)
At the appropriate time, we will travel by private transportation and private guide to the City of Lima for approximately 4 hours along the Desert and the Panamerican Highway.
Arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel.
Transfer Hotel / Lima Airport (private)
At the appropriate time, our representative will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to the Lima Airport to board your next flight. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and all departure formalities.
Transfer Arequipa Airport / Hotel (private)
Upon arrival into Arequipa Airport, you will be met by our representative and private driver and will be transferred to your hotel. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and provide you with a detailed itinerary, vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peru trip.
Half day Arequipa city tour & Santa Catalina Monastery (private)
Today we will enjoy a half day tour of Arequipa including the main square, one of the most beautiful in Peru, and the Cathedral, a prime example of 19th Century Peruvian architecture housing beautiful treasures in gold and silver. Also we visit La Compañia Church, an ancient Jesuit temple which is perhaps the most important one in Arequipa due to its history and tradition. Then we visit the Santa Catalina Convent a ‘small town’ built in the 19th Century and opened to the public in 1970 after 400 years as a cloister. Perfectly preserved for four centuries, we step back in time as we enter the cloister and see the numerous, spacious patios and gardens, the kitchen and slave quarters and the stone washtubs. About 20 nuns still live in a section of this convent.
Lunch will be served in a local Picanteria Restaurant, this is a popular lunchtime that serve up the typical dishes, which are a unique fusion of Inca and Spanish cuisine.
3D/2N Arequipa/Colca program (private) - Day 01
AM: Private transportation & English-speaking guide Arequipa/Colca including lunch & en route stops
Early in the morning, we depart on a wonderful four-hour journey to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world (3,400 m.a.s.l.). On the trip, we drive across Pampa Cañahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, inhabited by herds of Vicuñas and Alpacas (South American camels), and from where you will see the other face of Arequipa’s volcanoes Misti and Chachani.
We will drive across various lakes, beautiful landscapes, related to this ecosystem. A gratifying stop will make you taste a “Coca Tea” in a rustic restaurant on the road. As we continue, reach the highest point of the journey, to observe many volcanoes which are the source of the Amazon River.
On your arrival to Chivay town, lunch is included. If energy is still good, we might take a short walk around the town before being transferred to the hotel.
3D /2N Colca program (private) - Day 02
AM: Visit the Condor Cross including lunch and en route stops
Very early in the morning, we will be driven to the observation point “Cruz del Condor”. While this is not the deepest point of the Colca Canyon, from “Cruz del Condor” we can appreciate the grandeur of the canyon and with a bit of luck, we might spot Andean condors, the largest flying bird in the world, soaring across the high plain.
On the way back, visit traditional villages with ancient terraces constructed by the Collaguas, a pre-Inka culture. As you continue the route, stroll around the towns of Maca at the base of the volcano Sabancaya and then Yanque. The church of Yanque, with its baroque façade, is a testimony to the cultural symbiosis in the colonial era. Arrive in Chivay for lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, return to the hotel. And, if you are in good shape, you will have free time to stroll around the lodge surroundings or you could take a repairing bath at the hot springs of La Calera.
3D /2N Colca/Puno program (private) - Day 03
AM: Private transportation & English-speaking guide Colca/Puno including lunch & en route stops
At the appropriate time, transfer to Chivay town for lunch. After lunch, we continue the journey from the Colca Valley heading southeast towards Lake Titicaca, approximately travelling a total of 8 hrs (332 km /221.33 miles) through beautiful landscapes corresponding to high altitude eco systems; most of the route is paved. Puno sits on the banks of Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable lake in the world.
Stop at Lagunillas viewpoint, halfway between Colca and Puno, to observe a series of beautiful small lagoons called Lagunillas, where it is possible to see Andean Flamingos, others Andean birds, trout farms and locals fishing on their artisan boats. The scenery includes golden hills dotted with boulders, clear blue skies, and the occasional lagoon.
Arrival at the hotel in Puno, dinner set-menu is included
Full Day Llachon and Kayaks, Taquile & Amantani Island
Today we head to the western shores of Lake Titicaca to visit the Village of Llachon located on the Capachica Peninsula, a place frozen in time, where we immerse in the customs and experiences of a local community. We enjoy an exciting active excursion sailing on Kayaks along the banks of the lake (approximately 1 hour) contemplating the authentic villages, farms and tutelary hills of the peninsula and nearby islands.
We continue our motorboat trip to Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives who have developed efficient and unique social systems, as well as fine hand weaving techniques, passed down through the generations. Upon arrival at the Town of Taquile, we take our lunch. After lunch, we take a walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6 km long Island.
After lunch, we finish our visit to the Amantani Island, a natural and beatifull island where we will hike to one of its apus (mountains) pachatata or Pachamama. The Island is characterized by the diversity of the natural landscape, as well as the hospitality of its inhabitants. Later on, we will descend to the port of Amantani to go to the port of Puno. Arriving at approximately 4:30 pm, our transport will be waiting there to take you to your hotel.
Dinner set-menu is included at the hotel
Deluxe land journey from Puno to Cusco including en route stops and lunch (private)
Enjoy with us a journey from Puno to Cusco, by private luxury transportation and guide. During this full day adventure, we pass through breathtaking landscapes and discover the imposing Andes Mountains in style. Today’s amazing land journey begins with an early departure from Puno and a visit to Sillustani, a pre-Incan cemetery on the shores of Lake Umayo near Puno in Peru. The tombs, which are built above ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, are the vestiges of the Qulla people, who are Aymara conquered by the Inca Empire in the 15th century.
Later, we travel to the Town of Pucara, located at 3,900 masl (12,795 feet), well known for its earth colored pottery and the famous Pucara bulls perched on the roofs of most Andean house as protection and prosperity for their homes, families and livestock.
Continue this exiting excursion heading towards La Raya Pass, located at an altitude of 4,338 masl (14,232 feet), the highest point of our escapade and the border line between the Cusco and Puno Regions. We have a quick stop here to admire the snowcapped mountains and take pictures of grazing wild llamas and alpacas. Then, we begin descending until reaching Tinajani, an amazing canyon formed by large rock formations, to savor a delicious picnic lunch. After lunch, we stretch our legs while admiring red sandstone deposits, volcanic rocks millions of years old formed by wind, hail, snow and rain.
We later continue our journey and reach the City of Cusco, full of history and tradition left by both Incas and Spanish Conquistadors.
Dinner set-menu is included at the hotel.
Half day Cusco City tour including a visit to San Pedro Market (private)
Today we will enjoy a guided walking tour of Cusco, the imperial City, where you will admire the finest examples of Inca history and architecture. Visit the city's most important historical monuments that reveal the influence of different cultures: The Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral dating from Spanish viceroyalty times, and the Santo Domingo church built upon the foundations of the Inca Temple Koricancha, dedicated to worship the Sun God. The tour continues to the San Pedro Market, a typical local Mercado, and a popular place for locals to eat a hot meal or drink fresh juice. They offer almost all the regional produce from fruits, vegetables and meats, to hand-woven sweaters other clothes and crafts. After the visit we will walk back to the hotel.
Lunch will be served at Artisano Regocijo Restaurant, traditional Andean food with a beautiful unique setting decorated with religious colonial paintings and frescos.
In the night, dinnet set-menu is included at the hotel.
Full day Sacsayhuaman, Andean Textile with Quipus experience and Pisac Market (private)
Today, we visit to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress - a ceremonial compound and magnificent example of Inca military power that boasts a panoramic view of the city. Then, we will visit the Sulca Textiles Museum, and together with master weaver Walter Sulca, who has specialized knowledge of the secrets of Andean weaving, we will embark on a workshop to create our own "Quipu". During this workshop, we will delve into the symbology, importance, and history of this essential Inca instrument. Participants will leave with a unique experience and a wealth of historical and cultural knowledge. At the end, we will explore the Textile Museum and have the opportunity to visit the camelid area.
Then, we continue to the Pisac Market, which was the place of reunion for all artisans of the region to get together and exchange or buy and sell their products. Here, we will have the chance to interact with the local folk and even barter with the merchants while walking along colorful aisles full of textiles and crafts.
Lunch a la Carte at Hacienda Huayoccari which opens its doors in a unique and privileged place in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by green areas and beautiful gardens with vegetables, flowers and trees. It has an admirable collection of Peruvian art, housed in different rooms according to era: pre-Incan, Incan, Viceregal and Republican, which you will be able to appreciate before lunch.
FD Misminay Community, Maras & Moray Visit including picnic lunch (private)
Today, we will visit the Misminay community, home of many weaver women who pass their ancient weaving tradition from generation to generation. We will have the chance to learn about their techniques, tools and the art of weaving from the weavers themselves.
Continue to Maras and its seemingly never-ending terraces, where salt extracted from springs is stored. Although these waters have been used for centuries, even before the time of the Incas, Maras was founded by the Spanish in 1556. It supplied salt to the southern highlands during the viceroyalty, so it was an important town. We follow the route and visit the Moray archeological complex. It is thought that Moray was used for plant adaptation to new climatic environments thanks to its circular terraces in immense cone-shaped depressions that resemble giant fingerprints.
These create a series of microclimates at the different heights of the terraces, which enabled the Incas to experimentally improve a great variety of crops. Today, it is an evidence of the high level of agricultural knowledge they reached.
Lunch Set Menu - 03 moments at Unu Restaurant.
Half day Ollantaytambo Fortress (private)
Today we will visit the Inca fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo. This fortress was believed to be constructed in order to guard the entrance to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasions of tribes from the jungle lowlands. Later it served as a temporary capital for Manco Inca, leader of the Inca resistance in 1537 during the Spanish conquest of Perú, who fortified the town to stop the advance, as Cusco fell under Spanish domination.
Ollantaytambo also features the vestiges of the town built by orders of Inca Pachacutec and thought to be not only a strategic military place to control the Sacred Valley of the Incas, but also for agricultural and religious purposes. The town of Ollantaytambo is referred to as a "Live Inca Town" because inhabitants still live according to customs and traditions inherited from their ancestors.
Ending your tour, you will take the train Vistadome to Machu Picchu.
We will enjoy an amazing train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, the great mountain-top city abandoned by the Inca Empire, reclaimed by the jungle and lost to humanity until its rediscovery in 1911. Along the way we will enjoy the changing landscape as we travel from Andean highlands to the beginnings of the jungle (“eyebrow of the jungle”), before finally arriving at the town of Aguas Calientes.
Upon arrival at the train station you will be transferred to the hotel to leave your luggage and continue with your visitl.
Today, lunch set-menu will be served Sumaq Machu Picchu
Tour to Machu Picchu (private)
From Aguas Calientes station, we board the bus that will take us on a 20-minute ride up to the citadel of Machu Picchu (3,400masl/11,15ft), or Lost City of the Incas. Here, we take a guided tour of the Citadel, probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire, with its giant walls, terraces and ramps, which appear as though they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments.
After your tour to the citadel, you will descent to the town of Aguas Calientes.
2nd Entrance fee to Machu Picchu (with guide)
Excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy a beautiful sunrise as well as stroll around the Town of Machu Picchu and visit their Hot Springs. Then, you will have time to visit the Citadel of Machu Picchu for a second time, from where you can appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being so high and distant.
PM: Return to Ollanta, transfer to Cusco (private)
In the afternoon, at the appropriate time, take the shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes and then board your return train. Upon arrival at the Ollanta train station you will be met by our representative and private driver who will transfer you to the hotel in the city of Cusco.
Optional: Upgrade your train journey with the Hiram Bingham Deluxe service
Enjoy Belmond Hiram Bingham Train for your return to Cusco, pre-dinner cocktails will be served in the bar accompanied by live entertainment, and afterwards a 4-course a la carte dinner will be presented in the dining cars.
This night, dinner set-menu is included at the hotel.
Transfer Hotel / Cusco Airport (private)
At the appropriate time, our representative will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to Cusco Airport to board your next flight. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and all departure formalities.
4 Days / 3-nights Program at Tambopata Research Center shared)
Day 01: Arrive in Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios, and join a 1-hour bus and a 2.5 boat journey till the lodge. Your first taste of the Amazon culinary will be in the river while you leave the city to enjoy the amazing jungle landscapes.
As we cross the confluence with the Malinowski River, we will leave the final traces of human habitation behind. Within the 700,000 hectares uninhabited nucleus of the reserve, sightings of capybara, caiman, geese, macaws and other large species will become more frequent.
Tambopata Research Center awaits – a spacious boutique eco-lodge, with bar, a massage center, and buffet service in the heart of National Reserve of Tambopata, being the only lodge inside the reserve surrounded by dozens of macaw nests belonging to the Macaw Project.
This afternoon join the Overlook A three to five-kilometer hike will lead us to overlooks commanding magnificent views of the Tambopata winding its way into the lowlands. The forest on this trail, regenerating on the old bamboo forest, is good for Howler Monkey and Dusky Titi Monkey.
You will have the option of hiking out at night when most of the mammals are active but difficult to see. Easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories.
4 Days / 3-nights Program at Tambopata Research Center (shared)
Day 02: On most clear mornings of the year, dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots congregate on this large river bank in a raucous and colorful spectacle which inspired a National Geographic cover story. Discretely located fifty meters from the cliff, we will observe Green-winged, Scarlet and Blue-and-gold Macaws and several species of smaller parrots descend to ingest clay. Outings are at dawn when the lick is most active.
This five-kilometer trail covers the prototypical rain forest with immense trees crisscrossed by creeks and ponds. Amongst the figs, ceibas, and shihuahuacos we will go for a monkey search Squirrel, Brown Capuchin, and Spider Monkeys as well as peccaries. TRC is located within this habitat. Ten minutes upriver from the lodge explore the island where is a tiny pond with a platform in the middle. It is a great place to spot waterfowl such as Muscovy duck, sunbittern and hoatzin along with the woodpeckers, oropendolas, flycatchers, and parakeets that call this pond their home.
4 Days / 3-nights Program at Tambopata Research Center (shared)
Day 03: Stepping carefully over the winding “highways” of peaceful leaf-cutter ants, the Rainforest Master Hike will leave you with unforgettable memories and a profound sense of accomplishment. Due to their years of local experience, our Tambopata Research Center guides know everything about the forest. They’ll spot the tiniest bird hiding in the canopy, the most elusive monkey, and the most spectacular plant life Twilight descends early in the jungle.
Under the thick tree cover of the rainforest, darkness falls quickly, when the light cannot slip through the foliage any longer. Now, as afternoon slips into evening, you’re about to see one of the world’s most spectacular sunsets. The Sunset Cruise floats down the wide river, countless oranges and pinks reflecting off the water in lovely patterns.
4 Days / 3-nights Program at Tambopata Research Center (shared)
Day 04: It is time to say goodbye, as the expedition comes to an end.
Your visit will make a direct contribution to Wired Amazon and the National Reserve of Tambopata. You will take the journey back to the city to the airport for your national flight onwards.
Flight Puerto Maldonado /Lima (not included)
***Connect with your International flight back home.
