THE ANDEAN WORLD
10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
ITINERARY: Arequipa – Colca Canyon – Titikaca Lake – Cusco – Machu Picchu
This full, detailed trip will show us the true nature of the Andean plateau. We will visit the Colca Canyon, the Titikaca Lake and Cusco, the former capital of Inca Empire. We will meet an amazing variety of landscapes from the arid Andean highlands (at almost 5000 m) to the subtropical vegetation in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
DAY 1: We transfer you from the airport of Arequipa the White City to your hotel where you will have some time to relax. During the afternoon our guide will pick you up to start the Arequipa city tour that includes the Main Square, the Cathedral, the Church of la Compañia de Jesus and the spectacular Santa Catalina Monastery which looks exactly the same after 400 years!!! After this visit we will head towards the Yanahuara and Carmen alto colonial neighborhoods. Along the way you will have the chance to enjoy impressive views of some volcanos surrounding Arequipa city. At the end of this tour we will transfer you to your hotel.
<DAY 2: Towards the Andean Plateau, volcanos and the Colca Canyon.Now we will head towards the Andean Plateau. It is time to change dramatically from 2300 masl to 4100 masl in a very short time after leaving Arequipa. This time we can admire the amazing images of the Andean Plateau. If you are lucky you may watch the vicuñas running and living in the wild. By the way, this American camel symbolizes Peru´s natural riches. Following the Colca Canyon route gives the impression that even the Andean Plateau looks smaller! Now the road leads us to the Mirador de los volcanes mountain pass at 4879 masl where we will enjoy the view of impressive landscapes of some volcanos in the area such as Misti (5822 masl), Coropuna (6425 masl), Sabancaya (5976 m), Mismi (5597 masl) and Ampato (6288 masl). In a short while we reach the greenish Colca Canyon and its pleasant weather. Once we arrive to your hotel it is time to have lunch and rest afterwards. During the afternoon we will explore the surroundings for approximately 3 hours and to see the impressive agricultural terrace system that covers huge areas of the Canyon. We will return to the hotel in late afternoon.
DAY 3: The Condor Cross and Titikaka Lake.After having a nutricious breakfast our car will pick you up at the hotel in order to start our exploration of the Colca Canyon: we need to reach the opposite part of this area to the The Condor Cross (La Cruz del Cóndor) considered as the best spot to observe the flight of the condors. At the same time this is a good chance to appreciate the depth of the Canyon as well. On the way back to your hotel we will stop in different points of the Canyon to watch incredible views of the agricultural terrace system developed along the centuries. At our last stop we will have lunch in a local restaurant. Now it is time to say good-bye to the Colca Canyon and return to the road that leads us to the Andean Plateau and reaches the great Titikaka Lake but before we get there we can appreciate the artificial lake created by the Lagunilla dam. Our journey will end in Puno city where we will transfer you to a local hotel.
DAY 4: The waters of Titikaka Lake and its Islands. This is a beautiful day to sail over the blue waters of Titikaka Lake in search of its islands and in order to learn the ancient traditions of the local people. Our first stop will be the Artificial Floating Islands of Uros which have been made using wild reed by the aboriginal people who live by the lake and called Uros since the old times. Our next stop will be a real island named Taquile where you will have fantastic views of the Titikaka Lake. We also get in contact with the local inhabitants in order to learn more about the ancient art of weaving which has been preserved along the years. Now we are sailing back to Puno where a designated car will transfer you to your hotel.
DAY 5: Towards the Imperial City of Cusco. After experiencing so many emotions at the Titikaka Late we will take a bus in the direction of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. During this guided tour we will stop at different spots like the Pukara Lithic Museum , the famous Wirachocha temple in Raqchi and the Andahuylillas colonial church, considered as an arquitectural jewel of the Andean Baroque style. Around noon we enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and after that we continue our journey to Cusco where a designated car will take you to your hotel.
DAY 6: Cusco city welcomes you. Now you are in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and there is no better way to start your stay in this beautiful city than being part of a guided city tour. We walk in the Historical city center and discover streets rich in Inca walls. As part of this tour we also visit the impressive Sacsahuayman fortress made of large stones, The Santo Domingo Monastery and The Koricancha, considered as the main temple in Inca times. We also pay a visit to the Cusco Cathedral and the colorful San Pedro market where locals still buy groceries. Once the tour is finished it is time to have lunch and enjoy a free afternoon perhaps exploring more of Cusco's historical center.
DAY 7: The Sacred Valley of the Incas After enjoying a delicious breakfast we are heading to see the beautiful landscapes in the Sacred Valley. Our first stop will be Chinchero town located at 4000 masl. We visit the historical square and a beautiful colonial church. Also it will be possible to appreciate the beautiful Urubamba snow cape mountain surrounded by big glaciers. Our next destination will be the Salt Mines in Maras and The Circular Terraces in Moray which experts believe functioned as an ancient agricultural laboratory for the Incas to domesticate new types of plants. Now it is time to enjoy a buffet lunch in a restaurant in The Sacred Valley by the majestic Urubamba river. During the afternoon we will visit the town of Ollantaytambo where there are still a lot of Inca buildings still in use. The cobbled streets and the archeological remains in the nearby area are good examples of the high quality Inca architecture in urban areas. We will spend this night in Ollantaytambo and next day we will take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes known as the gate to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. In this town we will rest and plan our trip to Machu Picchu next day.
DAY 8: The Inca Citadel of Machupicchu. This is going to be one of those unforgettable days in your life. Along the years many qualifying terms have been assigned to this wonderful place such as World heritage site, Historic Sanctuary and Wonder of the modern world. At the beginning of this journey our guide will pick you up at your hotel and help you board the bus to reach Machu Picchu´s gate. We will explore this archaeological site in detail, enjoy its beautiful landscapes and understand the meaning it had during the Inca times. In the afternoon of this memorable day we will head to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco city.
DAY 9: The Pisac handicraft market and Pisac archeological site. Now we wake up and get ready for a tour full of tradition and colour: we head to Pisac town and its handicraft market but first we will stop at Puka Pukara fortress and Tambomachay ceremonial center. No doubt that Pisaq market is so well-known along the Sacred Valley area and symbolizes a triumph of colors and contrast. After lunch we will visit the Pisac archeological site which encloses a large area divided in urban, military and ceremonial sections. We come back to Cusco having some extra free time to go shopping and get some souvenirs for our dear ones.
DAY 10: Transfer service from your hotel to the airport.
SUMMARY
1) Arrival to Arequipa and City Tour
What is included: Pick up at the airport and hotel transfer - Afternoon: Arequipa city tour - Hotel in Arequipa.
What is not included: Lunch and dinner.
2) Arequipa – Colca Canyon
What is included: Transfer to Colca Canyon in a private car (some stops during the tour are included) – Hotel transfer - Lunch at the hotel – Afternoon: Colca hiking – Hotel in Colca.
What is not included: Dinner.
3) Colca: The Condor Cross and hiking
What is included: Morning: visit to The Condor Cross area in a private car – Lunch – Tranfer to Puno city in a private car – Hotel in Puno.
What is not included: Dinner.
4) Titikaka Islands
What is included: Private guided tour in a shared boat to Uros and Taquila Islands – Lunch on the Taquile Island and return to Puno city – Hotel in Puno.
What is not included: Dinner.
5) Puno to Cusco by bus
What is included:Stops at Pukara, Raqchi and Andahuaylillas – Lunch in Sicuani - Hotel in Cusco
What is not included: Dinner.
6) Cusco City Tour
What is included: Guided tour to Sacsayhuaman, Koricancha, Cathedral y San Pedro - Hotel in Cusco
What is not included: Lunch and Dinner.
7) Chinchero, Maras & Moray + Ollantaytambo
What is included: Private guided tour in a private car – Buffet lunch in a restaurant located in the Sacred Valley - Train ticket to Aguas Calientes – Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
What is not included:Dinner.
8) Machu Picchu
What is included: Guided tour in Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes / Poroy train station ticket - Transfer service from the train station to your hotel - Hotel in Cusco.
What is not included:Dinner and lunch.
9) Pisaq (Market and Archeological site)
What is included: Private guided tour in Pisaq market and Pisaq archeological site - Hotel in Cusco.
What is not included: :Dinner and lunch.
10) Transfer from your hotel to Cusco airport.
HAVE YOU GOT MORE AVAILABLE DAYS IN CUSCO?
Then you may consider these options:
1)Indulge yourself exploring The Suykutambo Canyon in The Andean Plateau. It will be an unforgettable experience. (See more)(ver )
2) Spend one more day visiting The South Valley archeological sites in a half day tour. You will still have a free afternoon to keep exploring Cusco city at your own pace. (See more)
