15 días
Lima - Cusco - Puno - Paracas
A representative from Andean Exclusive Tours will be waiting for you at Lima Airport with a sign bearing your name. Once you meet the representative, they will take you to your hotel for check-in, for which you will only need to present your passport, as all hotel reservations will be confirmed prior to your arrival. Our representative will provide you with a briefing of your trip and will answer any questions you may have.
Lima is the capital of Peru, founded on January 8, 1535. This date coincides with 'The Descent of the Three Wise Men', and that is why Francisco Pizarro, its founder, christened it as 'the City of Kings.' Lima saw the presence of several pre-Inca civilizations, such as the Lima culture, which constructed the Huaca Pucllana. Another archaeological site is the Huaca Huallamarca.
The Larco Museum contains approximately 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history, and your guide will summarize it in simple words for you to understand this complex history. The complex is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is located in an 18th-century viceregal mansion. It was one of the first museums in the world to have visitable storage facilities and to provide virtual access to 100% of its collection, thus promoting the multidisciplinary research that Rafael Larco Hoyle initiated from the very beginning.
Luego continuearemos nuestra visita al centro de la ciudad de Lima donde podremos visitar sitios como La Catedral, el conveto de Santo Domingo, Plaza principal, La casa Aliaga y edificios con estilo neocolonial.
Todo el programa esta sujeto a si interes dentro de las 8 horas que incluye el tour.
Today, we will take the flight from Lima to Cusco, where you will be greeted by a representative from Andean Exclusive Tours. They will introduce you to your assigned driver and guide. In our private vehicle, we will head towards Pisac, a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and along the way, we will make some important stops.
On our way to Pisac, we will make a stop at the Awanacancha alpaca ranch, where we can see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas of different breeds and sizes. We will learn about their use in textile garments and a bit of the history behind their fine and delicate wool.
Upon reaching the town of Pisac, we can visit and explore a craft market, fresh produce, and the customs of the town. Then, we will head to the Pisac archaeological center, where we can witness Inca masonry and the impressive terraces surrounding the mountain. Here, we will also have a stunning top view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The entire visit will be guided by our assigned professional guide.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas offers many breathtaking places to explore, and today we will visit some of them. We'll begin the day by departing from your hotel in Cusco (11,152 feet) and heading to the town of Chinchero (12,500 feet). In Chinchero, you can find artisanal centers where families craft various garments using the wool of the alpacas they raise. You can also take a tour of the Chinchero ruins, located adjacent to the main town.
From this point, we will embark on a mountain hike. The hike is of moderate difficulty, and it's important to take into consideration the high altitude at which we are located. During the hike, we will be accompanied by llamas and their caretakers. We will walk for 11/2 to 2 hours and have the opportunity to observe the cultivation of potatoes and grains in the Andean region. The locals will explain to us in Quechua about the care of the plants and their use both within the community and commercially. Feel free to ask them any questions you may have.
Once we have reached the highest point of the hike, we'll be able to take a break, snap some photos, and enjoy a snack. Afterward, we'll begin our descent towards the ruins of Machucollca. The views in this area are breathtaking, and if you're feeling adventurous, you can even lead the llamas that accompany us. Your guide will always be by your side to provide explanations about both the local residents and the ruins. We will conclude the hike in the community of Raqchi.
Once in Raqchi, we will receive a warm welcome from one of the families in the community, allowing us to enter their home and enjoy a lunch prepared with the products we just saw during the hike. The menu may vary depending on the season of your visit. After finishing lunch, we will witness a weaving demonstration and you will learn how they spin, dye, and weave the wool of their alpacas. We conclude this day by returning to your hotel..
Today, we will visit Humantay Lake, located in the Salkantay Mountain at an altitude of 20,570 feet. We will start our day very early, picking you up at your hotel between 4 and 5 am, and then we'll head to the town of Mollepata, and from there, to Soraypampa. At this point, we will begin the approximately 1.5-hour hike. It's essential to have good physical endurance and be acclimated to the altitude for this hike.
This lake is surrounded by beautiful landscapes gifted by the mountain, and its water has a turquoise color due to the refraction of sunlight on the glaciers. We will return to Cusco and your hotel at around 5 pm..
We will take the train to Km 104, where we will embark on a approximately 6-hour hike. We will start by crossing a bridge that spans the banks of the Urubamba River, beginning at the archaeological complex of Cachabamba. Then, we will ascend towards the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Access to this site is only on foot, and it is the closest archaeological site to Machu Picchu. Our next stop will be the Inti Punku (Sun Gate), where you will get your first incredible view of Machu Picchu, a sight that leaves everyone in awe. From here, we will begin our descent towards Machu Picchu.
This day is when we will visit Machu Picchu. We will take the bus from Aguas Calientes to the Inca citadel, where your guide will provide a complete tour of the places you choose to visit. Feel free to ask any questions you have about the ancient Inca citadel and the new wonder of the modern world. At the end of the tour, we will return to Aguas Calientes by bus.
We will leave the incredible Inca citadel of Machu Picchu to return to Cusco on a luxury train, where you can enjoy a very pleasant landscape on the way back and, depending on the trend, enjoy a performance by the train staff. The train journey lasts nearly 2 hours, and the drive from Ollantaytambo to Cusco is also 2 hours.
Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo train station, you will be met by a representative of Andean Exclusive and transferred approximately 2 hours to your hotel in Cusco.
Cusco is one of the most beautiful cities in Peru, steeped in history and culture. It is considered the navel of the world and was the capital of the Inca Empire of Tahuantinsuyo. The Tahuantinsuyo Empire covered an area of 2,500,000 square kilometers across the lands that now belong to Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, and Colombia.
The tour begins with hotel pickup, first visiting the main cathedral of Cusco and the Temple of Qoricancha, also known as "The Temple of the Sun". You will also have the opportunity to stroll through the streets of Cusco and visit the San Pedro Market, which is the most popular market in the city of Cusco. Finally, we will visit the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive construction located just outside the city of Cusco.
This incredible mountain is located in the Vilcanota mountain range, very close to the Ausangate snow-capped mountain. Its vibrant colors are the result of marine, lacustrine, and river sediments transported by water that once covered the area approximately 65 million years ago.
On this day, we will pick you up from your hotel very early to drive to the town of Cusipata and then Phulawasipata. This hike is moderate and lasts approximately 3 hours for the 6-kilometer journey to reach Vinicunca. It's possible to rent horses for children and to carry luggage.
When we reach the mountain we can take photos and contemplate the view that this hike gives us. We will then return to Cusco and say goodbye after dropping you off at your hotel.
Today, you will be picked up at your hotel in Cusco to embark on a 360 km journey to Lake Titicaca (3800 m/12,467 feet). Travel at your own pace and visit various interesting sites along the way. Depending on your interests, you can choose to visit sites and attractions, including the picturesque Andean village of Andahuaylillas, famous for its 17th-century church. Later, you can stop to explore Raqchi, a remarkable and unusual Inca archaeological site with unique features, such as adobe construction and what is believed to be the tallest structure built by the Incas.
Approximately halfway through the journey, you'll reach La Raya, the boundary between Cusco and Puno, and the highest point of the route. Here, you can stop to stretch your legs, enjoy your box lunch, and take photographs of this incredible landscape with snow-capped peaks. During this trip, there are many other possible sites to see, including the picturesque church of Huaro and the archaeological site of Pucará, and we recommend discussing the options with your guide. Upon arrival in Puno, you will be transferred to your hotel, overlooking the spectacular Lake Titicaca.
This morning you have the option to wake up at dawn and witness a magnificent sunrise or simply rise at the time that best suits you and enjoy breakfast in bed or on the terrace. In the morning your guides will take you by shared car and then boat to visit the legendary Uros Floating Islands located near the protected Titicaca National Reserve. Here you will meet one of the traditional families that inhabit these unique islands. The Uro-Aymara are a proud culture where men are skilled reed raftsmen and women expert textile weavers. Calling themselves kot-suña, “people of the lake,” the Uro-Aymara were once persecuted by other groups and forced to relocate to Lake Titicaca where they found refuge on manmade Totora reed islands. Learn more about these peoples’ history, their varying uses of Totora reed and local practices and customs in your visit to one of these remarkable islands.
Next, explore Taquile Island’s rich textile tradition. Declared a part of UNESCO’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Taquile’s textiles are emblematic of the local living culture. As the island enjoys a privileged microclimate, you’ll likely see men weaving wonderful textile pieces outdoors. Enjoy a picnic lunch with views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Return to the hotel around 17:30 and enjoy cocktails starting at 18:30 before you sit down for your á la carte dinner around 19:30.
After breakfast enjoy the activities offered in and around the lake to fit with your departure time. On water you can paddle through nearby Totora reeds, kayak, canoe, paddle board and sail. Lakeside you can connect with nature by biking through the fields of Platería, walking along rural paths, birdwatching and taking in the striking landscapes of Puno’s unique geography.
Another option is to visit Sillustani, home to the area’s best preserved chullpas, or ancient funerary towers. Sillustani was once a burial ground for the Pucara, Tiahuanaco, and Ccolla pre-Incan cultures. Symbolizing life and birth, the ancient tombs were used to house the remains of chiefs and other dignitaries. Made up of stones weighing anywhere from two to six tons, the biggest tower took about 50 years to construct. Combining archaeology, history and beautiful views of a wonderful landscape, Sillustani is an impressive site to see.
This morning, we will head to the Paracas pier to board our shared boat, which will first take us to the magnificent 'Candelabro'. This is a famous geoglyph, and its large dimensions and design on the sand bear a resemblance to the Nazca Lines and the pampas of Jumana. Subsequently, our boat continues its journey to the Ballestas Islands, also known as the 'Galapagos of Peru,' where thousands of sea lions and guano birds such as the guanay, the booby, and the cormorant mainly reside. Other notable species include Humboldt penguins.
After your tour of the Ballestas Islands, your guide will be waiting to accompany you to the Paracas National Reserve, Peru’s only marine protected area which extends over a total 335,000 hectares. The reserve was created with the aim of protecting large breeding populations of Humboldt penguins, South American fur seals and sea lions as well as 63 migratory bird species for which this area is an important stopover. During your tour you will have a chance to view native flora and fauna, as well as geological formations along the beaches of this stretch of marine territory and coastal desert. Following your guided visit, you will transfer by private car to Paracas where you may enjoy lunch at your hotel or at one of the many local restaurants.
It is claimed that Paracas is the most arid desert in the world; rain is quite infrequent, and its dunes create an incomparable image at evening or dawn. This region teems with history and culture, and the landscape will take your breath away. In the late afternoon, you will enjoy the action and adventure of crossing this desert in SUV’s driven by experts who know the spectacular Paracas dunes. Enjoy the drive as the sun sets and end with traditional piqueos (a selection of small plates to share) with drinks under the stars in a choice location.
The Nazca Lines are a collection of geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert in Peru, known for their geometric designs and animal figures. They were created by the Nazca culture between the 1st century BC and the 6th century AD and are famous for their large size and precision, although the purpose of their creation remains a mystery. On this day, your guide will pick you up from the hotel in Paracas, and we will drive to Pisco Airport, where we will board the airplanes that will take us on a flyover of the Nazca Lines. You'll be able to spot figures up to 300 meters in size on a stretch of 220 kilometers of desert plain. After the flight, your guide will accompany you for lunch.
Afternoon at Leisure | Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore your surroundings on your own or relax at your hotel.
This day, we say goodbye to Paracas and head to Lima by bus, which is approximately a 3 to 4-hour journey. Once in Lima, a representative from Andean Exclusive will be waiting to assist you with your international flight connection.
Important notes