DISCOVER THE SOUTHERN OF PERU

This tour allows you to know the most attractive tourist route in Perú

a complete 13-day trip of spectacular attractions, from the beautiful city of lima to the Paracas national reserve and the enigmatic Nazca lines to the impressive Colca canyon, the mystical Machu Picchu and the amazing floating islands of lake Titicaca. This package is designed to conquest you, thanks to the history of Perú, archeology and our culture.

Day 1 Arrival Peru & City Tour

• Transfer to your hotel.
• Briefing about the program.
• City tour in Lima
• Overnight Lima

Day 2: Lima – Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Nazca

• Transfer to Bus station
• Tour Islas Ballestas
• Visit to the oasis of Huacachina
• Transfer to Nazca
• Overnight in Nazca

Day 3: Nazca – Arequipa

• we will observe the Nazca lines
• transfer to the observation tower
• transfer to the bus station

Day 4: Arequipa

• Transfer to your hotel.
• City tour in arequipa
• Overniht in arequipa

Day 5: Arequipa – Chivay

• Stunning bus trip to the Colca Canyon.
• Overnight in the Colca Valley.

Day 6: Chivay – Colca Canyon – Puno

• Tour of the Colca Canyon.
• Bus from Chivay to Puno
• Overnight in Puno.

Day 7: Floating Uros Islands / Taquile Island

• Tour of Lake Titicaca by boat.
• Overnight in Puno.

Day 8:  Puno to Raqchi

• Bus journey from Puno to Raqchi
• activities with the local Raqchi family
• spend the night with the family in raqchi

Day 9 Raqchi  – Vinicunca – Cusco

• Transfer to q`essiuno
• tour vinicunca
• overnight in Cusco

Day 10 Cusco Capital of Inca Empire

• City tour of Cusco.
• Overnight in Cusco.

Day 11 The Sacred Valley

• Tour of the Sacred Valley.
• Train to Aguas Calientes
• Overnight in Cusco.

Day 12 Machu Picchu, Lost City of the Incas

• Bus to Machu Picchu
• Tour in Machu Picchu
• Train journey back to Cusco.
• Overnight in Cusco.

DAY 13 Cusco farewell

• Departure from Cusco.

Day 1 Arrival Peru & City Tour

We pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel where you can relax a little.
Then the tour starts with a City Tour in Peru’s capital Lima: we will visit colonial Lima where you will see attractions like the Cathedral, the Viceroyalty of Peru, the main places of Lima’s Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Government Palace, the City Hall, and other important monuments. Later we’ll visit the Convent of San Francisco, a seventeenth-century architectural complex that includes a church, a convent and a square. You’ll also see the catacombs, a dark chamber found under the church. Then you will return to your hotel to rest.

Overnight: Lima
Meals: None

Day 2: Lima – Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Nazca

Today is a long day but full of adventures, At 3:00 am we’ll depart from Lima and we are heading south on the Panamerican Highway, passing different small villages and arrive at the Paracas National Reserve. We will take a boat to the Ballestas Islands and explore this marine reserve that is home to sea lions, penguins, numerous seabirds and other animals – many of them are endangered species.
After visiting the islands we’ll visit The oasis of Huacachina, in Ica, where we will see sand dunes on the coast. These mountains of sand are beautiful and surreal. And adventurous travelers are welcome to try sandboarding down the dunes to an extraordinary adventure tour called “the dune buggy and sandboarding tour”.
Later the afternoon we will go to Nazca and spend the night.

Optional: Sandboarding
Overnight: Nazca
Meals: breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Nazca – Arequipa

Today we will observe the famous and mysterious Nazca lines. On the Panamerican Highway we’ll cross the archaeological zone and from a large metal tower (13 meters high) we will have a perfect view on the several shapes and straight lines that cross the desert of Nazca (*). We will have the afternoon free.
At night we’ll leave the coast and start our over-night bus ride to Arequipa (approx. 8 hours).

Optional: Flight over the Nazca Lines
Overnight: On the Bus.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Arequipa

We’ll arrive in Arequipa early in the morning. After some time to relax and have a nice meal we will go on a tour to explore the colonial city of Arequipa, built with blocks of white volcanic stone and therefore also called “the White City”. Our first stop will be Yanahuara, visiting its square, church, colonial houses and the vantage point from where you have an amazing view on the Misti volcano. We return to the city center and visit Arequipa’s main square, the Cathedral, the church “La Compañía” and the Convent of Santa Catalina where nuns still live today. Then you have free time to explore the city on your own and enjoy a night out in Arequipa.

Overnight: Arequipa
Meals: Lunch

Day 5: Arequipa – Chivay

At 08:00 a.m. we’ll depart from Arequipa ( 2325 m.a.s.l) towards north west direction behind snow-covered Chachani; we see wild vicuñas, alpacas & llamas in Pampa Cañahuas national reserve, some birds like flamingoes, ibis, andean gooze, ducks, andean eagle “Kara Kara” view point of the Volcanoes and snow covered mountains in Patapampa (4,800 m.a.s.l). Arrive in Chivay (3600 m.a.s.l), capital of the valley. Afternoon optional visit to the thermal springs & pools in La Calera 40ºC.

Overnight: Chivay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Chivay – Colca Canyon – Puno

Early in the morning we take a bus to the Colca Canyon. On the way we will see pre-Inca and Inca tombs, ceremonial centers and other interesting attractions. After about two hours we arrive at the Cruz Del Condor where you will be able to see the sacred bird of the Andes: the majestic Condor. In the afternoon we will make the trip to Puno .On the way, we have the opportunity to visit small towns where the local customs and traditions are still practiced.

Overnight: Puno
Meals: Breakfast ,Lunch

Day 7: Floating Uros Islands / Taquile Island

This morning, we will go at the port in Puno city where we take our boat for a 20 minute ride to the floating islands “Uros”, made entirely of reeds. The community of the Uros has endured for hundreds of years, thanks to their continual renovation of the island floor with Totora reeds and mud and their harmonious relationship with nature. After exploring the islands of Uros we get back in our boat for a 3 hour ride to “Taquile”, an ancient island completely terraced by the pre-Incas and Incas. Here we will visit some of the native families and have a traditional meal with them. Afterwards you will have time for your own exploration of the island. In the afternoon we take our boat back to Puno city

Overnight: Puno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Puno to Raqchi

7.30 am depart from Puno the city on the shores of Titicaca lake where the legends tell the first Incas emerged. PUKARA.- Pre-Inka Archeological complex formed by semi – subterranean temples and stepped structures and monoliths, guided visit to the museum. It is the oldest remain on the region, 2000 B.C. Still an enigma for the Peruvian Archeology. La Raya pass.- This is the highest point along the trip, (4312 meters above sea level) It is where the Vilcanota river born and later forms the sacred valley of the Incas. Sicuani. – On this country side city we enjoy a buffet lunch which will give you a taste of the exquisite Peruvian cuisine. Raqchi & the temple of wiracocha. – A temple built for the god Wiracocha, it is an enormous rectangular two-story structure. We will spend the night with local family.

Overnight: Local family home
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Raqchi – Vinicunca – Cusco

We will pick you up from your hotel between 5 a.m., and then we will continue via Puno until Q’essiuno community where we will have breakfast. We start to walk for 1.5 hours (3 km) towards the mountain of colors enjoying the landscapes; we will be on the top for 40 minutes and then return to the camp where we will have box lunch. After a little rest we will continue our travel to Cusco.

Overnight: Cusco
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch

Day 10 Cusco Capital of Inca Empire

A day at leisure to explore Cuzco at your own pace. Walk the narrow streets of the old colonial town, browse the museums and shops selling local crafts and relax in one of the many outdoor cafes. optional Or you may also venture to the impressive Colonial Cathedral. Building was completed in 1654, almost a hundred years after construction began and the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), once the most important religious site of the Incas. From here, travel to the last Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman constructed of huge stones.

Optional: Half day optional “City Tour”
Overnight: Cusco
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 The Sacred Valley

Today we’ll travel to the Sacred Valley, where the Incas once built major cities like Pisac and Ollantaytambo. On the way to the Sacred Valley we’ll stop at the Living Museum of Awanacancha, a crafts center where the work of over twelve Andean communities is brought for exhibition. Here you will have the opportunity to observe weavers in action and to see and touch the South American camelids like Vicuñas, Guanacos, Llamas and Alpacas. We will enjoy the impressive Andean landscape during the day and have a nice buffet lunch in Urubamba. We will explore the impressive archaeological complex of Pisac and then travel to Ollantaytambo where we visit its Inca ruins and later in the evening will take the train to Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu.

Overnight: Aguas Calientes
Meals: Breakfast, Buffet Lunch

Day 12 Machu Picchu, Lost City of the Incas

In the morning we will take the bus up to Machu Picchu to explore one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. We will explore the Intiwatana (Temple of the Sun), the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of Three Windows, Andean terraces, and other places of interest. You will have enough time to walk around the archaeological complex, capture these incredible memories on camera, feel and appreciate the energy and peacefulness of this sacred place. Another option – for those who like more action – is to hike up HuaynaPicchu, the Young Mountain (prior booking is necessary). In the afternoon we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and from there return to Cusco.

Optional: Huaynapicchu Climb
Overnight: Cusco
Meals: Breakfast.

DAY 13 Cusco farewell

The dining room awaits a farewell breakfast, we’ll share one last time together, hoping to see you again in another adventures

After breakfast we’ll take the flight to Lima.

Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDED

• 10 nights of accommodation, but high quality hotels with private bathrooms and breakfast included & local taxes
• 1 night of accommodation in a local home.
• All indicated pick-ups and transfers in group service with English-speaking guide
• Meals indicated
• Train round-trip tickets, Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• All entrance fees

NOT INCLUDED

• International flights and airport taxes
• Domestic flights
• Meals not indicated
• Additional expenses, such as laundry, telephone calls, snacks, etc.
• Travel insurance

PRICING

Please know we will work with you to change or modify these tours however you deem necessary – all Inka Rainbow itineraries are crafted just for you, built to suit your individual interests and schedules. Interested in customizing this particular itinerary?

Please inquire for a custom quote. The price is customized based on final accommodation choices, travel dates, and other custom preferences.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

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