Southern Peru & short Inca Trail

Arrive in Lima at any time. On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. The day is free to spend at leisure.

Early morning transfer from your hotel to bus station and Cruz del Sur VIP-cruise to Paracas. The bus departs at 11:30am taking you along the coastal road to Paracas arriving at 1.30 am. On arrival to Paracas we take you to your hotel transfer to your hotel where you have the afternoon free  at leisure and to take lunch and relax by the hotel pool. There is little to do in town but for those that love seafood and are looking to try Peru's national drink, the Pisco Sour, you will be in heaven.

Approximate Distance: 285km
Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Paracas

Morning at 8:00am pick up at your hotel for your excursion to Balestas Islands. In Peru people call the Balestas islands “small Galapagos” because of it’s abundant wildlife. In will take 45 minutes we get to the Islands by boat; here we can observe the hundreds of sea lions and seals; they swim around our boats and lie on the small beaches of the islands. A large variety of seabirds are found here, flamingos, pelicans, boobies, cormorants and many others. After exploring the Ballestas islands we continue south by land to Nazca with a stop to see the Huacachina sand dunes along the way. The pleasant colonial town of Ica enjoys a dry and sunny climate and is known for its huge sand dunes around the Huacachina oasis. Apart from the dunes, the town is well known for its wines, and there are several wineries and distilleries in the area.
Approximate Distance: 175km
Estimated Travel Time: 6 hours

Next visit one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines. The lines consist of patterns and pictures etched in the ground, crisscrossing a wide area of flat desert. Some of the lines measure up to 10 km (32 miles) in length, and yet remain perfectly straight. The depictions of birds, insects and animals are only recognizable from the air. Who drew the lines, and why, is something modern archaeologists can only theorize about, but current beliefs suggest that they may be part of complex agricultural calendar. From the ground we can make out very little, and the best view is from a light aircraft, which can easily be arranged as an optional activity.
The entire desert area was also once the home for the ancient Paracas and the Nazca cultures, which preceded the Incas by more than half a millennium. Remains of the Nazca culture are still visible during our included tour of an ancient Pre-Inca desert cemetery site, with 1500 year-old mummies, bones and pottery on the desert floor. The tour also includes a visit to an artisan’s workshop, where modern masters create Nazca style pottery. Evening comfortable bus-ride on sleeper seats at 10pm for our journey to Arequipa.

Estimated Travel Time: 9 hours

On arrival to Arequipa at 6:00am we take you to your hotel where you can relax.  Afternoon walking tour. We will visit the Main Square and observatory, Arequipa´s most important churches, like San Francisco, the Compania de Jesus’ famous cloisters, colonial houses, and a special visit to the Santa Catalina Convent and Cloisters.

Morning at 9:30am pick up at your hotel. We will visit the „Chilina Valley“, where we‘ll appreciate Arequipa‘s terraces and enjoy the view of the Chili River and Misti volcano.
We will continue the tours visiting Paucarpata traditional town and then keep toward to the “Molino de Sabandia“ (Sabandia‘s mill), built on 1785 and where still keeping the old traditional architecture style of Arequipa city. After visiting the Mill, the transportation will bring us to the most significant residence of our city, La “Mansion del Fundador“, (Founder House) built pure on sillar (the volcanic stone) and located next to a cliff. We will leave the Founder House and drive toward to the “Sachaca viewpoint “to enjoy and take pictures of the city and its three volcanoes. Return to the Hotel.
Evening comfortable bus-ride on sleeper seats at 8:00pm for our journey to Cusco.
Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours

Transfer to Arequipa airport. Flight Arequipa/Cusco. On arrival in Cusco, we will be waiting for you. From the airport you will be transferred to the Hotel. In the afternoon your guide will come to collect you from your hotel for your privately guided alternative city tour, including 3 archeological sites. We visit the Cathedral in the main square and then take a short stroll through the atmospheric streets of Cusco visiting the impressive Koricancha temple. From here our car will takes us to the megalithic site of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and then Tambomachay. Finishing back at your hotel.
Estimated Travel Time: 2 hours by flight

At 8:30am today we start from your hotel for our day excursion to the Sacred Valley Of the Incas. We visit the colorful indigenous market of Pisac and in the afternoon the archeological site of Ollantaytambo. At Pisac we can enjoy a small typical Andean market and it offers good opportunities to buy local handicraft. We continue to Urubamba or "Turubamba" where a buffet lunch is served. After lunch we continue on to Ollantaytambo where we visit the Archeological site. Ollantaytambo is an attractive little town located at the western end of the Sacred Valley. The town has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The town is located at the foot of some spectacular Inca ruins, which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley. The temple area is at the top of steep terracing which helped to provide excellent defenses. At the end of our tour we check-in to our hotel in Ollantaytambo / Sacred Valley.
Approximate Distance: 95km
Estimated Travel Time: 6 hours

At 7:20am we board a train from Ollantaytambo station to km 104. The trail rises steeply up into the mountains and will take hikers past the archaeological sites of Wiñay Wayna 2,700m / 8,820 feet and Inti Punku, where the local guide will provide insights into the fascinating culture of the Incas en route to the trek's culmination at Machu Picchu. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way and reach the Sun Gate in the late afternoon with a chance for a preliminary exploration of Machu Picchu before the guided tour on Day 10.
Transfer by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to rejoin the group and spend the night in a hotel. If time permits, take an optional visit to the nearby hot springs to soak the sore muscles.

Approximate Distance: 15km                                                                                                                   Inca Trail - Wiñay wayna
Estimated hiking Time: 5-6 hours

At 5:00 or 5:30am. Rise early to take advantage of viewing Machu Picchu in the early morning light. This is the best time to view the 'Lost City of the Incas'. Join our local guide for a detailed interpretation of the site and Inca history without the pressure of other tour groups that arrive at midday. Later in the afternoon of Day 10 we return by train to Poroy station and will then be transferred by van to Cusco, arriving in the evening. Machu Picchu is both the best and the least known of the Inca ruins. It is not mentioned in any of the chronicles of the Spanish conquistadors and archaeologists today can do no more than speculate on its function. The local Quechua farmers in the area knew of Machu Picchu for centuries, but it was not until an 11-year-old boy led the American historian Hiram Bingham (who was in search of Vilcabamba) to the site on July 24, 1911, that the rest of the world became aware of its existence. At that time the site was covered in thick vegetation, and Bingham and his team returned in 1912 and 1915 to clear the growth. Over the years, much work has been done on excavating and studying the site. Despite these efforts, many unanswered questions remain.

NOTE - HUAYNA PICCHU: It is not possible to add the Huayna Picchu permit to the joint Inca Trail / Machu Picchu permit. You will therefore need to buy another Machu Picchu entrance which includes Huayna Picchu. This will cost US$60 and it would be better to enter Machu Picchu for a second day in order to climb Huayna Picchu.

Approximate Distance: 118km
Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours

Bus from Cusco to Puno
Transfer to the bus station for your Turismo Mer bus ride to Puno / 3,800 m.a.s.l. You will visit 4 archeological sites along the way. Upon arrival to Puno we take you to your hotel.
Places you will visit are:

Raqchi, the temple of the God Wiracocha. Andahuaylillas: The church of Andahuaylillas is known as the "Sistine Chapel of America". It is known as one of the best- preserved examples of Andean religious art. Pukara: The litho-sculptures of Pukara, belonging to a civilization of the name Pukara. La Raya:  the highest point between Puno and Cusco, at 4,338 m / 14,234 feet, where you can admire the snow-peaked mountains. Lunch is served at a local restaurant halfway in Sicuani.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
Accommodation: in Puno / Estimated Travel Time: 8 hours

Boarding Time: 7:15 AM  / Departure Time: 7:30 AM  / Arrival / Puno: 5:00PM

Alternative option / Andean Explorer Train  from Cusco to Puno:
Travel in style on the Andean explorer train to Lake Titicaca. 
Morning transfer to the local train station of Cusco where the Andean Explorer operated by Perurail is waiting for your spectacular rail journey to Puno, which runs on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The glass-walled observation coaches provide the perfect opportunity to view the beautiful scenery. The journey is broken by a scenic stop at La Raya, which is also the highest point on the route.
 First class lunch is served aboard the train in style.
 A music and fashion show and  a bar-tending lesson will also be part of your experience aboard.
On arrival in Puno we take you to your hotel.
Accommodation: in Puno
Meals: Breakfast and 3 course lunch included.

 
Note: upgrade to Andean explorer train to Puno is available at an additional cost and on these days:

Departures: Mar & Nov - Mon, Wed and Fri  / Apr & Oct - Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat.
Alternatively an early morning or afternoon flight from Cusco to Juliaca is possible. Please consult for these options they are not included in our offer.

At 8:00am Transfer from the hotel to the port and by motor boat we take you to one of the legendary Uros Islands where you can observe the lives of the Uros people who live on floating reed islands, some only 20 metres in length. After a beautiful 3hr boat ride we reach Amantani island where we will break into smaller groups to stay with the local families. You have the opportunity to trek to the top of the mountain (4120 mtrs) to see the Temple of the Pachatata and enjoy the traditional customs of the island people. Food and authentic music prepared and performed by your designated family.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: rustic accomdation with family
Maximum Altitude: 4150 m / 13 615 feet
Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours by boat

After breakfast we take a short boat ride to the neighboring Taquile island, where we will tour around the ruins and visit these beautiful people, world famous for their intricate and fascinating weavings, After lunch we take the return trip to Puno. Arrival in the afternoon and transfer back to your hotel approx 5-6 pm. End of service.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: hotel in Puno
Estimated Travel Time: 4.5 hours by boat

In the Morning you will visit the Chullpas of Sillustani then transfer to Juliaca airport. Flight Juliaca/Lima. On arrival in Lima, we will be waiting for you. From the airport you will be transferred to the Hotel.

Free day at leisure or optional excursion. Evening transfer to the airport for connection with your international flight.

Optional extra: If you have time we have a guided morning city tour which includes a lunch at a selected restaurant.

Included:

• Entrance tickets: All entrance tickets for the places to visit mentioned in the program
• Excursions: All excursions mentioned in the program
• Guide: Official bilingual guides during excursions
• Machu Picchu: Roundtrip bus tickets and entrance tickets to the Sanctuary on day
• Meals: Meals as mentioned in program
• Train: Train to Machupicchu by Expedition (roundtrip)

Not included:

• Flights:International flights
• Flights: 02 Domestic flights Lima/ Cusco/Lima (From (USD $ 150)
• Flight taxes: National and international departure airport taxes
• Tips: Tips at airports, hotels and tips for guides, drivers or other personal.
• Insurance: Travel insurance
• Transport Cusco - Puno or ow:
• Orient Express Cusco - Puno