The best of Peru Tours 21D/20N

DAY 1: LIMA CITY

WELCOME MEETING

Meet the Machu Picchu trails tour leader, who will provide you with detailed information about your tour, then optional to join for a local meal and set a time for your next day’s departure. (if you need a transfer from your home country, please let us know).

DAY 2: LIMA TO PARACAS

Today you will start with a morning exploration of Lima downtown. In the afternoon, you will have a bus journey along the coastline to Paracas, where you will pass the night. Paracas is the best place to try fresh Peruvian seafood, such as ceviche and others, and try your Pisco sour while staying in Pisco’s neighbor of Paracas.

DAY 3: PARACAS TO NAZCA

Today you will have an optional morning excursion to the Ballestas islands, known as the Galápagos of Peru, where you will see the marine Fauna, such as large colonies of sea lions, penguins, pelicans, cormorants, boobies, seagulls, tendrils plus a wide variety of shorebirds. 

In addition, you will see magnificent rock formations in the Pacific Ocean. After you return to land to catch a bus to Nazca today, you will drive to visit the Peruvian wine and pisco distillery in the Ica region. You’ll also see the Oasis of Huacachina, located in the middle of the desert, plus you will have the experience of the buggy ride or sand car over the dunes. Enjoy the dry, sunny climate year-round.

DAY 4: NAZCA TO AREQUIPA

Travel south to one of the world’s greatest archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines. The massive lines consist of patterns and pictures etched in the ground, crisscrossing a wide area of the flat desert. From the ground, we can make out very little. The best view is from a light aircraft, which can easily be arranged to add this optional activity. Ask your tour leader or travel specialist wish it will be done in the morning; after the activity, you will drive approximately 10 hours south through the coastal desert, with amazing views of the dunes and the Pacific Ocean. The best way to experience inland is into the mountains on the road to Arequipa.

DAY 5: AREQUIPA

Today you will explore Arequipa City, well-known as The White City. Located at the beginning of the Peruvian Andes and surrounded by beautiful volcanic mountains, you will visit Santa Catalina monastery, downtown, and the local market. This is the place to try the variety of Peru’s Gastronomy for those spicy food lovers. Checking out the (PICANTERIAS) is a must. Arequipa holds a variety of regional food, such as Alpaca meat, shrimp, pork, beef, and many soups. Ready for you to dig in.

DAY 6: AREQUIPA TO COLCA CANYON

Today you will have approximately 5 hours bus journey to Colca town, the deepest canyon and the biggest flying bird in the world. Taking the Yura Road, bordering the Nevado Chachani towards Pampa Cañahuas Aguada Blanca and Salinas National Reserve habitat of the beautiful South American camelids, the vicuñas. In the wetlands of Tocra, we will be able to appreciate a variety of migratory birds, among which are flamingos. We will pass through the crater of an extinct volcano, Chucura. We Will stop at the viewpoint of the volcanoes, which is also the highest point of the drive, 4900 m. From there, you will appreciate a large part of the western mountain range and active and inactive volcanoes. Then we will descend to Colca village where we will have our lunch, after lunch, we will go to your Hotel. Visiting the Hot springs of Calera is an optional activity in the afternoon. In the evening you can join us for dinner where they have a folkloric dance show from the area.

DAY 7: DRIVE COLCA CANYON TO PUNO BY SILLUSTANI

After breakfast, we will leave our Hotel at 6.00 a.m. and then drive for 2 hours to the CRUZ DEL CONDOR viewpoint, a strategic observatory of the canyon, and the spectacular flight of the Condor. On the back, we will stop in the towns of Pichollo, Maca, and Yanque, which have beautiful colonial churches, as well as the viewpoint of Choquetico and Antahuilque, from where we Will observe the impressive terraces of the Colca valley, after enjoying our stops. 

We will continue your drive up into the mountains descending to Sillustani Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca and the most extensive and highest lake in the world, above 2000 m with stunning views and rich in flora fauna in this area.

DAY 8: PUNO TO LAKE TITICACA

Today we will have a short drive to the port to board our motorboat. We will depart in 45 minutes. We will visit the floating island of Uros. Here you will learn about the lifestyle of the local people who have lived for years. After your visit, you will continue on a motorboat for 2 hours to Taquile Island. You will hike up for 30 minutes to the community’s central plaza to learn about the island’s unique traditions and customs. After, You will have a traditional lunch, and after lunch, you will return to Karina Community, where you will spend a night with a local family. Homestay.

DAY 9: LAKE TITICACA TO PUNO

Today, after having breakfast with your host family, you will help to work on the farm and interact with them until lunch. After lunch, you will return by boat for 2 hours to Puno port, where we will transfer to your Hotel.

DAY 10: PUNO TO CUSCO

Today you will take a seven-hour bus journey to Cusco. With stark, beautiful scenery following the Peruvian Andes, with stops to enjoy the Altiplano region full of South American camelids such as Alpaca and Llama farms. Then you will arrive at the capital city of the Inca civilization, Cusco. You will have time to wander around the city downtown. To have a delicious dinner and get ready for the next day’s activity.

DAY 11: CITY TOUR IN CUSCO

Today, take advantage of the day to choose from various optional activities. Our top recommended tours are the rainbow mountain day tour, cooking class, city tour, or exploring the city on foot while you relax in a café. If you want to book these additional tours on your free day, contact your travel specialist or tour leader, it can be organized one day before.

DAY 12: CUSCO TO SACRED VALLEY TOUR ENDS OLLANTAYTAMBO

Today you will continue your journey to the sacred valley of the Incas, known for its beautiful, breathtaking views of the Urubamba mountain range. You will drive to Chinchero village to explore the town and the archaeological site. After your visit, you will continue your drive until Moray. Experts today believe their grassy amphitheaters served as an agricultural research center, in the Inca times, for the circular architecture that provides a different microclimate for each terrace. After, we will drive to (Salineras) the salt ponds. Along this drive will pass Maras, a small colonial town well known as a salt provider to the Cusco region back in Inca and colonial times. Salineras has over 3800 salt ponds still in use and is owned by the local community of Maras and Pichinccoto. Here you can try the salty water coming underground and taste the salt with many minerals. After you visit Salineras, you will continue driving to Ollantaytambo, the last living Inca town, where you will spend the night in the Hotel.

DAY 13: OLLANTAYTAMBO, PISCACUCHO OR KM 82 TO AYAPATA BASE CAMP

WITH OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IF YOU DON’T JOIN FOR THE INCA TRAIL TREK. TALK TO YOUR TRAVEL SPECIALIST OR YOUR TOUR LEADER.

Today, Our staff, led by our professional guide, will collect you from your Hotel. You will drive for 45 minutes to starting point Km82 or Piscacucho, a community in the lower part of the sacred valley. This is the start of the Inca Trail. Where you will do a checkpoint pass. 

We will start our hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and hiking along its left shore as it flows northwest along the sacred valley, following the trail in flat terrain until we arrive at Miskay. From here, you will ascend to the beautiful viewpoint to see the impressive Inca site of Llaptapata. We continue hiking along Kusichaca Valley near the Kusichaca River until we arrive for our lunch in Hatunchaca. The morning hike before lunch will be about four hours. After lunch, we continue our ascend for two hours and a half until we arrive at our base camp, Ayapata. On the first day, you will be able to enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba mountain range and Huayanay snowed-capped mountain of 5800 m, not to mention the diversity of wild flora and Fauna that can be found throughout the hike today. 

Duration: 8.7 miles, 14 Km.

Time: 6 to 7 hours

Altitude: 3300 meters

 DAY 14: AYAPATA WARMIHUAÑUSCA PASS TO CHAQUICCOCHA CAMP

Wake up early in the morning to have breakfast. Today we begin the most challenging part of our trek. We will ascend into the tropical forest by native trees, Unka. Along this climb, the landscape changes from a subtropical valley to Sierra Puna. On the way to the first mountain pass, WARMIHUAÑUSCA (dead woman’s access – 4200 m/ 13776ft), you may see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on “ich,” one of the few plants that grow at high altitudes. This will be the highest point we reach after taking your photos. We will descend for two hours to have lunch in Pacaymayo Alto. After lunch, we will continue our ascend to Runkurakay pass 3900 m./ 12,402 ft. 

After, we will descend until we get to our camp, Chaquiccocha. Today, you can visit these beautiful Inca remains as a Runkurakay and Sayacmarca. We also cross an area of the so cloud forest, the habitat for many different birds, like Hummingbirds and sparrows.

Duration: 9.95 miles 16. Km

Time: 8 to 9 hours.

Altitude: 13.776 ft. 4200 m.

DAY 15: CHAQUICCOCHA TO WIÑAYHUANA CAMP

We wake around 6.00 a.m. We continue our hike in the lush cloud forest we are across, so rich in Andean flora and Fauna from Chaquiccocha to the third pass. Phuyupatamrca means temple above the clouds. Above, you can observe a sophisticated sacred complex of water fountains with solid foundations and overlook spectacular views of the Urubamba River, Salkantay, and Pumacillo mountains. From this point, you will be able to see Machupicchu Mountain. We continue our trek down the long descending stone steps that lead us to Wiñaywayna 8692ft./ 2650m. An impressive Inca complex comprises an agricultural center with numerous religious sectors and an urban sector close to our camp; after visiting the archeological site, enjoy dinner.

Duration: 9.95 miles /16 Km

Time: 4 to 5 hours

Altitude: 11.766ft. 3700 m.

DAY 16: EXPLORE MACHU PICCHU, AFTERNOON BACK TO CUSCO

You will wake up early at 3:30 a.m. to leave our camp, Wiñayhuayna, and to get to the first checkpoint. Located very close to the camp. This checkpoint opens at 5:30 a.m. after we are stating an early morning hike to Intipunku or the sun gate. This will take us one hour. Hiking along a trail up and down on the edges of some cliffs in the highland jungle. From this point, we may see the sacred City of Machupicchu. From Intipunku, we will descend into Machu Picchu, and 40 minutes later, we enter the citadel from the highest point through the house of the Guardians. 

We then descend to the control point, register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We immediately begin a guided tour of the citadel which will take around two hours. You will then have spare time to walk around (If you get your extra ticket to climb to Huaynapicchu, and they sell just 400 permits per day), where you can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and the mountain’s surroundings then we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and private transportation back to Cusco to your Hotel. 

Please let us know of any changes, or we will make arrangements for any extra activities you would like.

Duration: 3 miles / 7 km.

Time: 2 hours

High point: 8,586 ft/2700 m

DAY 17: FREE DAY IN CUSCO

Today you will have a free relaxing day after the Inca trail trek.

DAY 18: CUSCO TO PUERTO MALDONADO TAMBOPATA LODGE

Today you will have a morning flight to Puerto Maldonado or the Peruvian Amazon. Meet the Perú host at the Airport of Puerto Maldonado. Please look for your host holding a sign with your name on it. Who will lead you during the fascinating 68 kilometers road and boat trip along the Tambopata River to the Ecolodge; 23 km by vehicle and 45 km by boat; once we leave Puerto Maldonado behind, the forest vegetation will change from colonized to deforested areas to virgin rainforest. 

We will spend time on the river. It will be one of the highlights of our expedition to the tropical forest ecosystem, offering the reach of native flora and Fauna. You will have an experienced naturalist guide. Along your boat journey, you may see monkeys, agoutis, butterflies, trogons, toucans, macaws, parrots, and other bird species. 

When you get to the Ecolodge in the evening, you will have a slideshow presentation that thoroughly introduces the rainforest. Then you will have dinner. 

After dinner, you will do a night excursion to see the many species of insects and enjoy the unique sounds of the nighttime forest. After, you will spend the night in the bungalow.

DAY 19: EXPLORE THE AMAZON JUNGLE PLUS AND VISIT CONDENADO LAGOON BY CANOEING

After an excellent buffet breakfast, we will take a boat trip for 20 minutes. Then we will start our hike on the forest trail to explore the “Condenado Oxbow” lake by canoe. In this lake, you can see piranhas and swather in rich tropical vegetation. Wetlands are among the best places in the forest for bird, aquatic, and terrestrial Fauna observation. Continuing our hike in the woods, we will see the diversity of native trees. After we explore, we will go back to the lodge. You will have spare time to relax in the evening. Your local guide will talk about the other nocturnal rainforest species. Then you will take a boat to search for white and black caymans. After your night excursion, you will be back at the lodge.

DAY 20: MORNING RIVER JOURNEY BACK TO PUERTO MALDONADO AND FLIGHT BACK TO LIMA

After a lovely breakfast, we will take our boat by the Tambopata River. This is an excellent time of the day for wildlife observation as the forest awakens, the best chance to see macaws, parrots, parakeets, and more in the paradise of flora and Fauna of the Amazon jungle until we get back to the airport of Puerto Maldonado. Then fly back to Lima to have your last dinner with your group.

DAY 21: DEPARTURE DAY

Today is the departure day after your incredible journey with lifelong experience back to your home country. If you need a transfer outlet, know your specialist to organize it.