Between the Andes and the Desert

Between the Andes and the Desert
 
Between the Andes and the Desert
  • From
    usd 3450
  • Departures
    Daily
  • Style
    Comfort
  • Days
    12

The Between the Andes and The Desert tour offers an unforgettable experience that combines Peru's ancient history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking nature. Starting in the vibrant city of Lima, known for its exquisite gastronomy and colonial charm, then venturing into the heart of the Peruvian Andes in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Later, the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu will leave you breathless with its beauty and mystery. The journey will then venture to the enigmatic Nazca Lines, an archaeological puzzle etched in the southern Peruvian desert that has puzzled researchers for centuries. Finally, the Huacachina Oasis to enjoy its unique desert landscape and relaxing while tasting the most refined Pisco and some of the best Peruvian wines!

  • Country
    Peru
  • Departure
    Lima
  • Arrival
    Lima
  • Theme
    Explorer
Between the Andes and the Desert

 

Day 1. Welcome to Peru!

Upon arrival at Jorge Chavez International Airport, you will be greeted by a member of the Peru InsideOut staff, who will transfer you to your hotel. This is the beginning of a journey filled with exciting experiences.

Day 2. Lima City Tour and Gastronomic Experience

Between the Andes and the Desert - Lima City Tour and Gastronomic Experience
  • Destination
    Lima
  • Hotel
    Pullman Lima Miraflores
  • Attractions
    Gastronomic Experience

 

As dawn breaks, your day will start with breakfast before immersing yourselves in the hustle and bustle of the local market, where the vibrant colors of local produce intertwines with Peru's culinary history which is reflected in the national dish that you will have the opportunity to taste. After learning a bit more about Peruvian cuisine, you will explore the city of Lima, starting with the romantic Parque del Amor in Miraflores. The journey will then continue to the archaeological site of Huaca Pucllana before heading to downtown Lima. The next stop will be Plaza San Martín and Plaza de Armas with its imposing cathedral. A short walk away is the San Francisco Convent with its catacombs that are part of the city's history. This last visit will conclude the tour and you will head back to the hotel.

Day 3. Sacred Valley of the Incas

Between the Andes and the Desert - Sacred Valley of the Incas
  • Destination
    Sacred Valley
  • Hotel
    Aranwa Sacred Valley
  • Attractions
    Pisac

 

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport and temporarily bid farewell to bustling Lima to fly to Cusco. There, you will be welcomed by the Sacred Valley, a place where the pulse of nature beats in harmony with the history that intertwines this awesome part of the country. The journey begins with a visit to the picturesque artisan market of Pisac, where vibrant colors and textures will dazzle you with centuries-old craftsmanship. Later, you will climb up to the steep Fortress of Pisac, where the ruins stand as silent witnesses to the splendor of the past. After enjoying the incredible panoramic views, you will return to your hotel.

Day 4. Maras Salt Mines and Moray

Between the Andes and the Desert - Maras Salt Mines and Moray
  • Destination
    Sacred Valley
  • Hotel
    Aranwa Sacred Valley
  • Attractions
    Maras Salt Mines

 

After breakfast, with the sun as your witness, you will visit the enigmatic circular terraces of Moray, a living testament to Andean ingenuity that defies the limits of imagination. From there, the journey will take you to the Maras Salt Mines, a surreal landscape of white pools nestled on the slopes of the imposing valley. The tour continues to Hacienda Huayoccari, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch surrounded by history and culinary tradition. As the day ends, it's time to return to your hotel. Tomorrow, there will be much more to explore.

Day 5. Ollantaytambo ruins

Between the Andes and the Desert - Ollantaytambo ruins
  • Destination
    Aguas Calientes
  • Hotel
    El Mapi by Inkaterra
  • Attractions
    Ollantaytambo ruins

 

After breakfast, the day begins heading towards the imposing Ollantaytambo Fortress whose stone walls jealously guard the chronicles of the ancient Inca Empire. Rising above the Sacred Valley, this historic monument invites you to explore its legends and contemplate the greatness of a lost civilization. The tour will continue aboard the train towards Aguas Calientes through dreamlike landscapes where you will discover a peaceful refuge at the foot of majestic Machu Picchu. There, you will meet the guide who will accompany you to the hotel.

Day 6. Machu Picchu Tour

Between the Andes and the Desert - Machu Picchu Tour
  • Destination
    Cusco
  • Hotel
    Novotel Cusco
  • Attractions
    Machu Picchu

 

The eagerly awaited day of the tour has arrived! After breakfast, one of the seven wonders of the modern world awaits. We delve into the enigmatic Machu Picchu Inca citadel, where every stone seems to whisper ancient secrets and every corner bears the indelible mark of an ancient civilization. The guide will explain the history and mystery of this sacred place, and if you wish, you can climb Huayna Picchu or the Machu Picchu Mountain (subject to availability) to enjoy the dazzling panoramic landscape from above. After a day of unique discoveries of this stone sanctuary the return journey begins aboard the train that will take you back to Ollantaytambo. From there, transfer to Cusco and back to an everyday world. It is essential to bear in mind that the exploration of the ruins of Machu Picchu is limited to a maximum of three hours, a measure designed to safeguard and honor the integrity of this prominent archaeological site.

Day 7. Discovering the Imperial City of Cusco

Between the Andes and the Desert - Discovering the Imperial City of Cusco
  • Destination
    Cusco
  • Hotel
    Novotel Cusco
  • Attractions
    Sacsayhuamán

 

After breakfast, you will embark on a journey through time enjoying the architectural heritage of this ancient city. The tour will take you to emblematic places, such as the imposing Santo Domingo Cathedral, where the walls guard the whispers of centuries of devotion and sacred art. The tour will then continue to Koricancha, the mythical Temple of the Sun, where the stones tell the story of Inca cosmology and worship of the Sun God. You will discover the mysterious remnants of Kenko, Tambomachay, and Puca Pucara, silent testimonies to the greatness of a lost civilization. In the majestic Sacsayhuamán Fortress the greatness of the Inca engineering skills reaches its peak, with imposing stone walls defying the passage of centuries. At every step, in every explored corner, you will immerse yourselves in Andean history and culture.

Day 8. Arrival in Lima

Between the Andes and the Desert - Arrival in Lima
  • Destination
    Paracas
  • Hotel
    Aranwa Paracas Resort and Spa
  • Attractions
    Paracas

 

With luggage ready, after breakfast you will bid farewell to Cusco and board a flight to Lima, The City of the Kings. Upon landing, a private transport will take you to Paracas, an oasis of tranquillity and beauty on the Pacific coast. As the landscape changes before your eyes, along the famous Pan-American Highway, you will arrive in Paracas and transferred to your hotel.

Day 9. Paracas and the Peruvian desert

Between the Andes and the Desert - Paracas and the Peruvian desert
  • Destination
    Ica
  • Hotel
    Hotel & Hacienda La Caravedo
  • Attractions
    Ballestas Islands

 

The day begins with a breakfast followed by a departure to the wonderful Ballestas Islands, often called the "Little Galapagos". Navigating the crystal-clear waters, you will be surrounded by incredible wildlife, from seabirds to colonies of sea lions that claim the rocky coasts as their home. After this unforgettable experience, you will head to Ica with private transportation, where you will visit the iconic Caravedo estate, home to the famous Pisco Portón. Here, surrounded by history and the art of distillation, you will learn about the traditional methods that have made this national drink famous. The tour will continue with a stop at one of the prestigious “chocotejas” shops in Ica, where you will taste the sweet local delicacy. Finally, you will arrive at your hotel.

Day 10. Huacachina Oasis

Between the Andes and the Desert - Huacachina Oasis
  • Destination
    Lima
  • Hotel
    Pullman Lima Miraflores
  • Attractions
    Huacachina Oasis

 

The day starts with a new exciting adventure that will enable you to explore the natural wonders of Huacachina, an oasis in the middle of the Ica desert. After breakfast, an unforgettable experience starts: exploring the imposing dunes aboard buggies. An endless landscape of golden sand will unfold before your eyes and the adrenaline rises with the exciting sport of sandboarding, skillfully sliding down steep slopes and feeling the freedom that only the desert can offer. Later you will bid farewell to Huacachina and begin the return journey to Lima and the hotel.

Day 11. Free Day in Lima

Between the Andes and the Desert - Free Day in Lima
  • Destination
    Lima
  • Hotel
    Pullman Lima Miraflores
  • Attractions
    Pisco sours

 

Today you will explore the fascinating city of Lima at your own pace and leisure. After breakfast, you can venture into cosmopolitan Lima and get lost amongst museums and art galleries, savor ceviches and pisco sours, and contemplate the sunset over the Pacific from the cliffs of the Costa Verde. Let yourself be captivated by a unique charm.

Day 12. Lima

Today it is time to bid farewell. After enjoying breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board the return flight. This concludes our services, hoping to see you again soon.

The Tour Includes

  • Services
    • Personal Service

    • 24-hour traveller assistance

 

  • Services
    • Excursions

    • Private transfers to airport/hotel/airport
    • Private transportation: Lima – Paracas / Paracas - Lima
    • Train Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo touristic service
    • Private excursions with an English-speaking guide: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Maras, Moray, Cusco, Machu Picchu,and Ica
    • All entrance fees mentioned in the program

 

  • Services
    • Hotel

    • Lima: 4 nights with breakfast
    • Sacred Valley: 2 nights with breakfast
    • Aguas Calientes: 1 night with breakfast
    • Cusco: 2 nights with breakfast
    • Paracas: 1 night with breakfast
    • Ica: 1 night with breakfast

 

  • Services
    • Transport

    • Airplane, train, speed boat, private transport for all transfers

 

  • Services
    • Meals

    • Breakfasts (11)
    • Lunches (03): Lima (1), Sacred Valley (1), Urubamba (1)

 

Not Included

  • Services
    • International flights to and from Peru
    • If applicable, airport departure taxes
    • Internal flights: Lima – Cusco – Lima
    • Early check-in / Late check-out
    • Tips
    • Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: USD 80
    • Other meals
    • Insurance
    • Personal Expenses
    • Extras or optional excursions (as indicated)