PERU OVERLAND 1
The Tough Route
11 days / 10 nights
1) Arrival in Arequipa and city tour during the morning. Morning: Pick up at the airport and hotel transfer - Afternoon: Pick up at the hotel and private guided city tour - Evening: Hotel
- Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
2) AREQUIPA VOLCANOS We board a SUV car (sport utility vehicle) at your hotel and then start exploring the spectacular Andean Plateau in Arequipa. We drive along the side of the Misti (5822 masl) and Pichu Pichu volcano (5664 masl), in order to reach the Ubinas volcano (5682 masl). We keep exploring the area where we can appreciate more valleys and plateaus. The highest point in this area is 4900 masl. Now it is time for our lunch box. On an area close to Puno known as Cutimbo hill platform we will meet a complex of ancient funerary towers (chullpas). This complex was built during the Architectural Imperial period (1450-1533) and represents an important historical legacy from the ancient culture that settled by the Titikaka Lake. - Evening: Hotel in Puno.
- Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
3) THE TITIKAKA ISLANDS. The blue water of the Lake Titicaca is the true protagonist of this day! We pick you up at your hotel and start a private guided tour on a fast shared boat. We head on the direction of the Uros floating islands and Taquile island. The landscape along this trip will be absolutely amazing. - Lunch on Taquile island. - We return to Puno city in the evening. - Transfer to your hotel. - Evening: Hotel in Puno.
- Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
4) PUNO – COLCA CANYON. We board a SUV car at your hotel to explore the Colca Canyon. Our first stop will be an ancient funerary tower complex known as Sillustani. We keep on driving and stop to watch vicunas at the spectacular Mirador de los volcanes, an incredible viewing point at 4910 masl. – Lunch in a local restaurant in the Colca valley – Arrival in the hotel – Afternoon: We hike for 2-3 hours and taking the first view of the Colca canyon and an impressive terrace complex. – Evening: Hotel in the Colca Valley.
- Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
5) COLCA CANYON – YAURI We board a SUV car at your hotel and drive towards Cruz del Condor, the best viewing point for watching flying condors. – We drive back and sometimes we stop to enjoy different views of the Colca canyon. – Lunch in a local restaurant in the Colca valley. – Afternoon: We board again our SUV car and drive towards the mining city of Yauri. – Evening: Hotel in Puno city.
- Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
6) YAURI – CUSCO After checking out from the hotel we will visit the astonishing Suykutambo Canyon and explore the archaeological remains of Maukallaqta and Taqrachullo. From here we also enjoy a fantastic view of the Three Canyons. – Lunch in Yauri town. – We leave Yauri in the afternoon. – Time to watch beautiful landscapes formed by the 4 Lakes. – Before we enter the Cusco area we will stop by the monumental Inca Gate. – Evening: Hotel in Cusco.
- Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
7) CUSCO. Pick up at your hotel to start a half-day guided tour in a private vehicle in the imperial city of Cusco. - Lunch.– Free afternoon: now you will have some time to take a walk in Cusco city or just take a rest after the intense activities of the previous days. Evening: Hotel in Cusco.
- Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
8) THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS. Guided tour in a private vehicle in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We visit a famous handicraft market in Pisaq town and the Archaeological site nearby. – We cross the whole Sacred Valley to reach Ollantaytambo town. – Buffet lunch in a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley. – Afternoon: After visiting the Ollantaybambo archeological complex we take the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. – Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
– Evening: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
9) MACHU PICCHU. This day is dedicated to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu considered as one of the 7 Wonders of the modern world. Our guide will escort us to take the bus to reach Machu Picchu- Guided private tour in Machu Picchu: when the tour is finished you can decide to either stay longer in the archaeological site or return to Aguas Calientes. – Lunch- Vistadome train to Poroy train station. – Pick up at the train station and transfer to your hotel. – Evening: Hotel in Cusco.
- Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
10) CUSCO. Pick up at your hotel and a half day guided tour with a private vehicle to The Maras Salt Mines and The Circular Terraces in Moray considered as an ancient agricultural laboratory where Inca culture domesticated new types of plants. - Lunch- Free afternoon optional to rest more or do some shopping. – Evening: Hotel in Cusco.
- Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
11) CUSCO – LIMA. Pick up at your hotel and transfer to the local airport.
- Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1) Regarding our SUV driver. This person responsible for driving and guide knows perfectly all roads and places on this touristic tour. In those days when different vehicles are included for the tours (see 2 and 3) the designated driver can be someone different and will be accompanied by a private guide.
2) Regarding SUV car. Our SUV cars will be used on the main routes of the itinerary presented above. The passenger can ask for stops along the route for up to an accumulative time of 45 minutes (per route).
3) Regarding other private cars (including Vans) different from the SUV car mentioned in point 2. They will be used for tours and transfers in local cities visited.
4) Regarding the day in the islands of Lake Titicaca (day 3). The tour will be with a private guide while the boat will be shared with other tourists.
5) Regarding the visit to Cruz del Condor (day 5). This place is located in the Colca Canyon and it is the best place to watch condors. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee with absolute certainty that you'll see condors.
6) Regarding the visit to Suykutambo Canyon (Night 5 and morning day 6). The Suykutambo Canyon and the mining town of Yauri are in a remote area of the Andean Plateau away from the more well- known tourist routes. For this reason it is not possible to offer the same service standards that our customers find in Cusco and other places.
7) Regarding the day in Machu Picchu (day 8). The guided tour in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu has a duration of approximately 2 hours but often our passengers ask for more time in the famous citadel. For this reason we indicated that the lunch in Aguas Calientes is optional; you are free to decide. If the passenger may decide to stay more time in Machu Picchu, our guide will provide all the information as to where to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and the way to the train station.
OPTIONS AND EXTENSIONS
It is possible to add more days to your program in order to relax or enhance your experience. Here we offer some interesting options in the places that are considered in the same program.
Arequipa Arequipa: It is the perfect place for a complete day of rest and relaxation. Its colonial historical center is an ideal starting point for a stroll, relax and enjoy the architecture, the shops and cafes. (Ask for more information about one additional day in Arequipa).
Puno If this lakeside town is your goal then we offer a half day tour in the villages of July, Pomata and Chucuito. These places are rich in history and baroque architecture. (Ask for more information about one additional day in Puno).
Colca Canyon: Give yourself a few extra days in the unforgettable Colca Canyon and explore it with one of our walks. (Ask for more information about additional days in the Colca Canyon).
Yauri We have an opportunity not to miss. A walk of 2 days/1 night to the incredible Wakra Pukara Inca site, a ceremonial center of the Inca imperial period (1450-1533) suspended in an abyss, and with the most impressive view of the Apurimac Canyon. (See more details on our webpage:Trek Wajra Pukara).
Cusco has several available options :
1) A half day tour in the South Valley gives the possibility to see important historical and archaeological places and enjoy half day free to explore Cusco city on your own. ( (Ask for more information about one additional day in Cusco ).
city on your own. (Ask for more information about one additional day in Cusco). 2) If you like hiking, we have different available tours of 1 day or more to reach the Andean highlands, the most spectacular views and archaeological sites of outstanding beauty(Ask for more information about one additional day in Cusco).
3) Cusco itself is a magical place and that is why it is worth an extra day just for this city. Spend a day here for walking, knowing its streets and discovering its walls and balconies. (Ask for more information about one additional day in Cusco).