Trip To The South Of Peru

DAY 2. LIMA / AREQUIPA: Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Our tour begins at the impressive Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre district, showcasing an extensive collection of over 5000 ceramic pieces, as well as gold, silver, and pre-Columbian erotic art.

Next, journey to the historic center to explore Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion filled with rooms rich in art and history. We’ll continue to the Plaza de Armas, home to the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, and other significant colonial-era buildings, including a visit to the 16th-century Cathedral.

Following the tour, transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 3. AREQUIPA: Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your adventure with a hotel pickup for an exciting tour of Arequipa, one of Peru's most beautiful cities. The itinerary may vary, but the journey promises to be captivating.

Visit the Plaza de Armas, renowned for its beauty, and explore the majestic Cathedral of Arequipa, reconstructed after several earthquakes. Discover the Church of the Compañía de Jesús (1590), a remarkable example of local baroque architecture, boasting exceptional paintings and murals.

Later, explore the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a genuine medieval cloister from 1579, still active today. Constructed from ashlar, this intriguing convent spans 20,000 square meters.

Continue to the stunning viewpoints in the Yanahuara and Carmen Alto districts for panoramic vistas of the countryside and nearby volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu.

Conclude with a visit to Cayma district’s Plaza Mayor and the San Miguel Arcángel de Cayma Church, showcasing paintings depicting the Virgin’s miracles. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 4. AREQUIPA / COLCA: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing at 8:30 am for a 160 km journey to Chivay Town. En route, traverse the towns of Yura, Pampa de Arrieros, and Pampa Cañahuas, visiting the National Reserve of Vicuñas Aguada Blanca to observe these graceful camelids.

Continue through picturesque towns and enjoy breathtaking volcano views before reaching Chivay. Enjoy free time for lunch and rest, followed by a visit to Chivay’s town and market. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 5. COLCA / PUNO: After breakfast at the hotel, embark on an early morning journey at 6:15 am to the renowned "Cruz del Cóndor".

Arrive in time to marvel at the canyon’s depth and, if conditions permit, witness the majestic Condors in flight. Following the visit, travel 320 km through stunning landscapes to reach Puno.

Pass through various small Andean villages en route to Puno. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 6. PUNO: After breakfast, transfer to the lake port of Puno for a boat ride to the floating islands of the Uros. The Uros are an ancient society residing on artificial islands made from totora reeds, which also serve as the foundation for their homes and cooking areas to prevent fires.

Following the Uros visit, continue with a scenic boat ride to Taquile Island. Unlike the other Aymara-speaking islands, Taquile is Quechua-speaking and retains Inca empire vestiges. Enjoy a cultural activity and a brief explanation of the island’s history.

After lunch, return to Puno’s port and transfer back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 7. PUNO / CUSCO: Start with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the bus station for an 8-hour scenic bus ride to Cusco.

The journey begins at the Museum of Pucará, home to a fascinating collection of monoliths, stone sculptures, and ceramics of the Pucará culture from Peru and Bolivia's highlands.

Next, reach the highest point of the route, the Raya pass, at 4,335 meters above sea level. This border between Cusco and Puno offers a chance to admire the snow-capped Chimboya and capture stunning landscape photos.

Continue to Sicuani for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant, featuring regional dishes, vegetables, desserts, and mate de coca.

The bus ride proceeds to the Raqchi archaeological site at 3,450 meters above sea level, where the temple of Wiracocha was built beside the Vilcanota River in the 15th century.

The final stop is Andahuaylillas, at 3,093 meters above sea level, home to a remarkable 17th-century architectural gem known as the Sistine Chapel, adorned in gold leaf and Cusco School paintings.

Upon arrival in Cusco, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 8. CUSCO: After breakfast, embark on an afternoon tour, starting with the Temple of the Sun, Koricancha. This site exemplifies Incan and Hispanic cultural fusion, forming the foundation of Santo Domingo’s Church and convent.

Visit the Cathedral in the Main Square to admire exquisite Cusco School religious paintings. Continue to Sacsayhuaman, an awe-inspiring archaeological complex built with massive stones, reportedly constructed by over 20,000 men over 70 years.

Next, explore the Qenqo religious temple, where the Incas worshipped deities like the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Discover its underground galleries and semicircular amphitheater.

Proceed to Puca Pucara, the “Red Fortress,” and the water worship center of Tambomachay, featuring aqueducts and waterfalls from nearby springs. Conclude the tour at El Regocijo Square, one block from Plaza de Armas. Overnight stay.

DAY 9. CUSCO / SACRED VALLEY / AGUAS CALIENTES: After breakfast, depart from Cusco for a 30 km journey to Pisac, renowned for its vibrant market and stone temples offering breathtaking valley views and magnificent Inca terraces.

Continue to Urubamba for a delicious buffet lunch, then proceed to Ollantaytambo, a former Inca army headquarters, religious, and agricultural center with stunning views and advanced irrigation systems.

Visit Chinchero and its lively Inca market, filled with traditional crafts like ceramics and Andean textiles. Afterward, head to Ollantaytambo’s train station to catch the Train Expedition to Aguas Calientes.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and meet with a guide to plan your Machu Picchu visit for the next day. Overnight stay.

DAY 10. AGUAS CALIENTES / MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO: In the early morning, board a bus winding up the road to Machu Picchu, offering spectacular views of the Urubamba River and canyon.

Explore the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, with its terraces, ceremonial sites, steps, and urban areas. After a guided tour, enjoy free time to explore further or return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (optional).

At the designated time, take the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a tourist bus to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel in the historical center. Overnight stay.

DAY 11. CUSCO / LIMA / OUT: After breakfast, a driver-only transfer will take you to Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima, followed by your international flight connection.

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