Treasures Of The Andes 11 Days / 10 Nigths

Duration

11Days/10 Nights

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

10 people

Languages

English, Spanish

ITINERARY

Day 1:- International Arrival in Lima

Upon your arrival at Lima International Airport, our staff will be waiting to assist you and provide your private transfer to your hotel. Once at the hotel, you will receive a briefing about your itinerary, along with vouchers for all the services included in your tour. You will also receive additional information and recommendations to help you prepare for your journey through Peru.

Day 2:- Lima: City Tour

After your international flight, enjoy the morning free to rest and acclimate. We recommend taking this time to relax and recover, ensuring you’re ready to begin your unforgettable journey through Peru. Lunch at your leisure.

Afternoon – Guided City Tour of Lima: The City of Kings

In the afternoon, embark on a guided sightseeing tour to discover the most important landmarks of Lima, known as the “City of Kings.” The tour begins in Lima’s Historical Center, where you will visit:

  • Plaza San Martín
  • Plaza Mayor
  • Government Palace
  • City Hall
  • Lima Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum
  • Church of Santo Domingo, home to the tombs of Santa Rosa of Lima and San Martín de Porres
  • Lima’s famous Colonial Balconies

Continue to the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the largest monumental complex of Colonial Art in the Americas and a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you will explore:

  • The Basilica of 21 Altars
  • Cloisters and historic rooms including the Capitulary Room and Clementine Hall
  • The Library of the Priests
  • A museum housing paintings from the Rubens School
  • The Sacristy, adorned with works by Zurbarán and Ribera
  • The stunning Seville tile courtyard from the 16th century, Moorish arches, and the famous underground catacombs

The tour continues through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing the Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial center built in the 2nd century A.D., revered by the Incas as a sacred site. You’ll also visit:

  • El Olivar Park, with its historic olive trees imported from Spain in the 15th century
  • Miraflores Central Park
  • Larcomar, a modern shopping and entertainment complex offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel for the evening.

Day 3:- Lima / Arequipa: City tour Santa Catalina Convent

At the scheduled time, transfer to Lima Airport to board your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, our team will meet you and transfer you to your selected hotel, where you can leave your luggage and prepare for the afternoon city tour.

Arequipa City Tour:

We will begin by exploring the charming Main Square, considered one of the most beautiful plazas in Peru, surrounded by elegant colonial architecture. Visit the impressive Arequipa Cathedral, a prime example of 19th-century Peruvian architecture, housing remarkable treasures of gold and silver.

Continue to the Church of La Compañía, a historic Jesuit temple renowned for its intricate baroque façade. Look closely at the carved columns, laurel crowns, birds, and flowers, and notice the distinct Andean influence: angels with native faces and feathered crowns, reflecting the blend of European and indigenous artistry.

Next, we’ll visit the iconic Santa Catalina Convent, often described as a “city within a city.” Founded in the 17th century and opened to the public in 1970 after 400 years of cloistered life, the convent remains perfectly preserved. Wander through its spacious patios, gardens, kitchens, stone wash tubs, and slave quarters, and immerse yourself in its rich history. Today, around 20 nuns still reside in a private section of the convent.

After the tour, return to your hotel for rest.

Lunch on your own. We recommend enjoying regional cuisine at the traditional restaurant “Sol de Mayo”, known for its authentic Arequipeño flavors.

Optional: Visit to Colca Canyon.
If you wish, we can arrange an excursion to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, for the following day. Please let us know in advance if you would like to include this experience in your itinerary.

Day 4:- Arequipa / Juliaca / Puno: Sillustani in route

After breakfast, transfer to Arequipa Airport to board your flight to Juliaca. Upon arrival, our team will meet you and begin the transfer to your hotel in Puno.

On the way, we will make a visit to the Chullpas of Sillustani, an impressive archaeological site. These cylindrical stone burial towers were built by the Aymara people to bury their noble leaders. The towers stand majestically overlooking Lake Umayo, enhancing the site’s scenic beauty and offering peaceful panoramic views.

This visit also provides a unique opportunity to observe various species of local Andean birds native to the highland region.

After the visit, we will continue our journey to your selected hotel in Puno. Once there, check-in and enjoy time at leisure to rest and acclimatize.

Day 5:- Puno: Titicaca Lake, Floating Islands of Uros and Taquile

After breakfast, we will embark on an unforgettable motorboat excursion on the legendary Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Our first stop will be the remarkable Floating Islands of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, live on unique artificial islands crafted from layers of totora reeds (Scirpus totora), a native plant of the papyrus family. The locals continue their ancestral traditions, using the same reeds to construct their homes and traditional boats.

We will then continue by motorboat to Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking locals renowned for their exceptional textile art and unique social organization systems, passed down through generations. Upon arrival at Taquile, we will enjoy a traditional lunch, experiencing local flavors.

Afterwards, we will explore the island’s scenic hills, stone paths, and archaeological sites while learning more about its fascinating history and culture.

In the afternoon, return to Puno by boat and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Puno.

Day 6:- Puno / Cusco

After breakfast, we will depart in the morning by tourist bus to the city of Cusco, traveling through the stunning Collao Altiplano. Along the way, we will make several interesting stops:

  • Pucará Village: Famous for its traditional ceramics and animal husbandry. Here, we will visit the Kalasaya Temple, remnants of the ancient Pucará Culture, and learn about its significance in the pre-Inca period.
  • Raqchi (Temple of Wiracocha): A remarkable Inca sanctuary built by Inca Pachacutec, dedicated to the deity Wiracocha. This site features a massive central wall constructed with finely carved stone foundations and upper adobe sections, as well as a series of ceremonial columns and storage buildings.
  • La Raya Pass: This is the highest point of the route (4,335 m), offering impressive Andean landscapes and the chance to see herds of llamas and vicuñas in their natural environment.
  • Lunch: We will enjoy a buffet lunch in a peaceful countryside restaurant, savoring typical regional cuisine.
  • Andahuaylillas: Known for its Church of San Pedro, often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas due to its richly decorated murals and polychrome ceilings.

In the late afternoon, we will arrive in Cusco, where you will be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.
Dinner at your leisure.

Day 7:- Cusco: City Tour and Visit to Nearby Ruins

Morning at leisure to rest and acclimatize to the altitude. We recommend having lunch at your hotel or exploring one of Cusco’s many nearby restaurants.

Afternoon – Cusco City Tour & Surrounding Archaeological Sites
In the afternoon, your guide will meet you at your hotel for a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco. You will visit:

  • Cusco’s Main Square (Plaza de Armas)
  • The Cathedral of Cusco, housing priceless colonial art and religious artifacts
  • Korikancha (Temple of the Sun), once the most important temple in the Inca Empire

After exploring the city, we drive to the outskirts of Cusco to visit important Inca sites:

  • Sacsayhuamán: An impressive fortress built with colossal carved stones strategically positioned overlooking Cusco
  • Qenqo (Kenko): A ceremonial site known for its rock formations and underground passages
  • Puca Pucara: A small fortress offering panoramic views of the surrounding valley
  • Tambomachay: Known as the Inca baths, this site features finely crafted stone aqueducts and fountains

After the tour, we will return to your hotel.

Optional: In the evening, enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant with a live folk show, where musicians perform Andean melodies and dancers in traditional attire showcase typical Peruvian dances.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 8:- Cusco: Sacred Valley of the Inkas

Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is the picturesque town of Pisac, where you will visit the famous Pisac Market, held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. This vibrant market is a shopper’s paradise, where traditional bartering is still practiced and artisans sell colorful textiles, ceramics, and jewelry.

After exploring Pisac, enjoy a buffet lunch at a typical restaurant, sampling a variety of local Andean dishes.

In the afternoon, we continue through the towns of Calca and Urubamba, eventually arriving at the impressive Inca fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo. This strategic site was built to guard the entrance to the valley and protect it from potential invaders from the jungle regions. Walk through its well-preserved terraces and stone structures, and explore the charming nearby town, where original Inca streets and homes are still in use today.

At the end of the visit, we return to Cusco and transfer you back to your hotel.

Evening at Leisure
We suggest taking a stroll around Cusco’s Main Square (Plaza de Armas) to experience the vibrant nighttime atmosphere. Perhaps enjoy a traditional Pisco Sour at one of the many cafés or bars surrounding the plaza.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 9:- Cusco: Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu

After breakfast, we will pick you up early from your hotel and transfer you to the Cusco Train Station to begin a breathtaking 3.5-hour train journey to the legendary Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, known as “The Lost City of the Incas” and now recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, you will board a bus for a 30-minute scenic drive along a winding mountain road to reach Machu Picchu. Once at the site, enjoy a guided tour exploring the most iconic locations within the citadel, including:

  • The Main Plaza
  • The Circular Tower
  • The Sacred Sun Dial
  • The Royal Quarters
  • The Temple of the Three Windows
  • Various burial grounds

After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace, take photographs, or simply absorb the majestic atmosphere.

At the appropriate time, descend to Aguas Calientes Town, where you can enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (meal not included).

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 10:- Aguas Calientes: Machu Picchu / Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning is an excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy the sunrise over the surrounding mountains. You may also take a stroll through Aguas Calientes or visit its famous hot springs for a relaxing experience.

You will have time to choose from the following optional activities (not included in the tour price):

  1. Revisit Machu Picchu for a second exploration of the citadel at your own pace.
  2. For the more adventurous, we recommend the hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain (subject to availability). From the summit, you’ll enjoy an awe-inspiring panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valley. The hike takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours round trip and must be started before 1:00 p.m. Registration is required at the control point at the start of the trail. This climb offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking adventure and spectacular views.

In the afternoon, board the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private transfer to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at your hotel for overnight accommodation.

Evening free – we recommend enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 11:- Cusco / Lima - International Departure

Breakfast at your hotel in Cusco. Transfer to the Airport for your flight to Lima, where you can make your flight connexion to return your country.

End of our services.

 

Included / Excluded

INCLUDED

  • In Lima: Transfers, lodging and breakfast
  • In Arequipa: Transfers, city tour, Santa Catalina.
  • In Puno: Sillustani in route, Uros and Taquile, Tourist Bus to Cusco.
  • In Cusco: City Tour, Sacred Valley of the Inkas, lodging and breakfast
  • In Machu Picchu: Guided visit of the Inca Citadel.
  •  • 10 Nights accommodations
  •  • All Breakfasts, and meals as specified in the programme
  •  • All Entrance tickets for the excursions mentioned above
  •  • All the transfers indicated in the itinerary.
  •  • Train ticket from Cusco- Aguas Calientes-Cusco
  •  • Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu- Aguas Calientes
  •  • All applicable taxes
  •  • All bilingual guided tours (english/spanish) as described in the itinerary

EXCLUDED

  • International and domestic flights
  • Airport taxes
  • Baggage excess
  • Alcoholic drinks, soda or bottled mineral water
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • International or National personal telephone calls
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Optional post – tour (cost given separately)

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