Peru Classic Tour will help you discover Peru – the natural beauty of the Andes, geoglyphs in the desert, a sky-high lake, as well as the culture and soul of Peru. Our tour travels to world-famous Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Lake Titicaca
This tour of Peru begins at Lima international airport. Our staff members will meet you and you will be transferred to your hotel. On the first day you can relax and prepare for the tour. You can also enjoy a supplementary tour of Lima (not included in the price) by asking us in advance.
The trip will start after breakfast with a visit of colonial Lima: a panoramic view of Plaza San Martin and the main square to admire the Cathedral. Then continue with the Convent and Church of San Francisco – a fine and grandiose example of colonial art. Our guide will explain the history of surrounding buildings: the Government Palace and City Hall followed by a visit to Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological site in the heart of Lima, built in the 4th century AD and a holy site for the Incas.
Optional you can take advantage to visit the Museo Larco. Built on top a 7th century pre-Columbian archaeological site, the museum’s new galleries house the finest and most comprehensive pre-Columbian gold and silver artefacts in the world – as well as a renowned erotic pottery collection.
Early afternoon, a bus trip to Paracas (a three-hour ride). On the way, enjoy stunning views of the legendary Carretera Panamericana. This Pan-American Highway is an eye-catching road that stretches between the lunar landscapes of the desert pampas and high sand dunes, interspersed with fertile valleys, with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. Stunning!
Overnight stay in Paracas.
After breakfast, the boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands will provide astonishing scenery with vivid colours, peppered with sea lions, boobies, penguins, pelicans, and other sea birds. En route you will also catch a glimpse of a geoglyph called Candelabro, imprinted in the coastal hillside.
Afterwards, we will take a bus to Nazca. Overnight in Nazca.
(Optional). You may want to add an excursion to the Huacachina Oasis to practice sand-buggy & sand-boarding in the dunes of the Ica desert.
Breakfast and then the day begins with a visit of the famous Cantayoc aqueduct, where you will discover how the Nasca, Wari and Inca cultures were able to survive in this arid desert.
During the course of the day, you may want to experience the unmissable overflight of the Nazca Lines (optional activity). For those who don't feel like flying, we recommend an excursion to the Mirador of the Nasca Lines or an exciting excursion to the Pyramids of Cahuachi.
In the evening night bus to Arequipa.
Arequipa is a colonial-style and refined city where you can acclimatise to the altitude sipping mate de coca before heading up into the Andes. In the afternoon, our local guide will accompany you on a visit to the historic center of the White City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Plaza de Armas, Claustro de la Compañía. You will therefore appreciate the colonial houses and the Mercado San Camilo. If you are not tired, we recommend (optional tour not included) to visit a very important religious monument: the Santa Catalina Monastery. Founded in 1580, is a large and fascinating site that, in colonial times, housed nuns from wealthy families in Spain. Later enjoy the beautiful lights and sights of Plaza de Armas and the local bars and fine restaurants in the downtown district.
The Colca Canyon (3,191 meters, or 10,460 feet) is the second deepest canyon in the world (twice the depth of the Grand Canyon in the U.S.). On the way, we drive across Pampa Cañahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve inhabited by vicuña and alpaca and will admire lakes, altiplano birds, and herds of alpaca. The view will take your breath away – metaphorically and in reality, owing to the altitude. One of the highest points on this tour is at 4,830 meters above sea level (approximately 15,800 feet): the Mirador de los Volcanes (Viewpoint of the Volcanoes) from where one can see the Arequipa volcano chain – Hualcahualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato – all over 6,000 meters (about 20,000 feet).
Once in the capital Chivay, you will enjoy Andean cuisine, courtesy of Perú InsideOut: quinoa, alpaca, and mazamorra.
From the “Cruz del Condor” (Condor´s Cross) you will watch majestic condors soar above the rim of the canyon.
Then, on the way to Lake Titicaca, you can visit several Andean communities: Yanque, Achoma, and Maca. After a buffet lunch in Chivay the journey continues… to Puno.
The route to Puno offers astounding natural scenery: stained-green steppes, intriguing rock formations (caused by erosion), and the snow-capped Chachani volcano, as well as different wild species and a beautiful lagoon. Overnight in Puno in a very comfortable hotel.
The boat excursion will start from the port of Puno. Covering 8,400 sq. km and sitting at 3,810 metres, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world with deep, sparkling, crystalline waters, a bright blue sky and glorious sunshine.
There are approximately 50 floating islands, built using layers of reeds (totora) that grow in the lake. The descendants of the Uros tribes have mixed with the Aymara, and now speak their language and only a few hundred still live here.
On the island of Amantani you will meet your host family for your meal and overnight stay. Amantani is a journey back in time with no electricity and the host family prepares a simple but delicious meal. You will visit the Tiwanaku ruins and hike to the top of the island for a ritual called Pachamama (mother earth). Islanders perform a traditional dance ceremony in the evening, and visitors are offered traditional clothes and invited to participate. As a thank you for the hospitality you will be asked to buy a few staples as a gift for the host family: cooking oil, rice, sugar or school supplies for the children.
The next day you will travel to Taquile (about thirty minutes from Amantani). Here, Quechua-speaking islanders live almost untouched by modern-day life. The guide will tell very entertaining stories on the use of different huts and their social significance. Taquileños are famous for their hand-woven textiles and clothing. The knitting is performed exclusively by males, from age eight whilst women make yarns and weave. In 2005, UNESCO proclaimed “Taquile and its Textile Art” a “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.
Your tour will take you from Puno to Cusco with a series of small trips aboard a very comfy bus.
First stop Pukara, at 3,876 metres above sea level (12,716 feet), a town of potters and the cradle of one of the first civilizations in southern Peru (200 BC – 200 AD). This Aymara-speaking culture flourished in the Collao Plateau region of Lake Titicaca. Pyramid-shaped buildings are typical in this pre-Hispanic city.
Then the La Raya mountain pass, 4,310 metres above sea level (14,172 feet), the highest point from where you can take photos of grazing llama and alpaca, and gaze out across the altiplano.
Raqchi, also known as the “Temple of Wiracocha” is an archaeological site with an enormous rectangular two-story roofed structure that measures 92 by 25.5 meters (300 by 84 feet).
Finally, Andahuaylillas, considered the “Sistine Chapel of Peru”. This 16th-17th century church was built by the Jesuits, is adorned with frescoes, and on the ceiling is a painting of the “Virgin of the Assumption” (Cusco School).
The excursion begins through the Urubamba valley, “The Sacred Valley of the Incas”. The first stop is the Inca Ruins of Pisaq, on top of a hill at the entrance of the valley, along a ridge, and divided into four sections: Pisaqa, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa, and Kinchiracay. In the picturesque Pisaq market you will see talented craftsmen at work and practice your bartering skills. Lunch will be served in the city of Urubamba followed by a scenic route to Ollantaytambo – the best example of Inca city planning. The terraces which lead up the hills offer a superb view of the valley below.
Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
The highlight of this trip is Machu Picchu. At the entrance gate at 6:00 am you will admire a spectacular sunrise, known as Inti Punku. The sun rises under surreal clouds and reveals the Lost City of the Incas. Accompanied by our guide, you will learn about the secrets of the Lost City of the Incas and will live an unforgettable experience.
Those who wish to climb Huayna Picchu will not be disappointed as their efforts will be rewarded by a spectacular view of Machu Picchu. In addition, it is possible to hike the Cerro di Machu Picchu. Both are optional activities to be booked well in advance.
The trip later continues by bus shuttle to Aguas Calientes and then by train to Ollantaytambo. Here our driver will pick you up to go back to Cusco. Overnight stay in Cusco.
NB. The visit to the ruins of Machu Picchu has nowadays a maximum duration of 3 hours.
After breakfast, you will take part in a guided tour of the city of Cusco and its beautiful surroundings. The excursion begins with a visit to Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), located in the heart of Cusco. In ancient times, Koricancha was the most important religious temple of the Inca Empire, dedicated to the Sun (God Inti), the most important deity in the Inca worldview.
The tour continues with a visit to the San Blas neighborhood, known for its unique charm and panoramic view of the main square. Very close by is the famous Twelve-Angled Stone. The excursion then continues with a visit to the San Pedro Market, where you can buy some souvenirs, traditional bread, or sample local culinary specialties and sweets.
Free afternoon in Cusco (3,400 meters above sea level).
Today we will visit one of the new Cusco’s natural attractions: the "Rainbow Mountain". The tour starts early in the morning from your hotel. We continue for another hour, before arriving at the beginning of our trek. The walk lasts from one hour and thirty minutes to two hours. Along the way we will observe the typical flora and fauna of the Andes, among which the presence of llamas and alpacas stands out. Once at the Vinicunca or Montaña Arcobaleno viewpoint (5080 masl), our guide will give us an explanation of the orography, the ecosystem and the color of the mountain. Here you can take the opportunity to take pictures of the beautiful landscape.
We will then return to our transport and then have lunch in Cusipata. Return to the city of Cusco in the late afternoon.
The last stop will be near the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.
Transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight Cusco-Lima.