12 Nights / 13 Days

Day 1: Canada - Lima (Peru)
Flight with a good itinerary.
 
Arrival at the airport in Lima. You will be greeted by our local representatives after exiting the customs and transferred to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes.

Day 2: Lima
After breakfast, you will explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historic buildings. The tour begins at Casa Aliaga, the only colonial house from the 16th century still belonging to the same family. You will continue with a scenic tour through the colonial downtown with the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire, and Lima’s Cathedral, built during the 16th century. Then continue to the traditional Pueblo Libre district, where you will visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the 7th century. The museum boasts a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects. You will return to your hotel and will have the afternoon at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 3: Lima - Arequipa
Following breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Arequipa.

Upon arrival in Arequipa, you will be transferred to your hotel. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, the route begins with a visit to Carmen Alto for a panoramic view of the Arequipa countryside. You will then continue to the district of Yanahuara before seeing the Church of the Compañia de Jesus. Lastly, you will be transferred to Arequipa´s Main Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Peru. Continue to the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a cloister and small religious citadel built in 1579, still in use to this date. At the end, you will be transferred back to your hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 4: Arequipa - Puno
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, departure towards Puno, on a road crossing the marvelous landscapes of the Andes and climbing towards the altiplano. After enjoying your box lunch on the bus, you will visit the necropolis of Sillustani. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Puno and check in at the hotel. Free dinner and overnight in Puno. (Breakfast-Lunch)

Day 5: Puno - Lake Titicaca (Taquile Island)
Following breakfast, your excursion on Lake Titicaca begins with a motorboat crossing to Taquile Island. It is inhabited by a native Peruvian community who still speak Quechua and has developed over the centuries an effective and original social structure as well as a very refined textile art. You will enjoy lunch in a typical restaurant. In the evening, you will discover the hospitality of an island family who will receive you with a delicious dinner and a traditional room to spend the night. (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

Day 6: Lake Titicaca (Tequile Island) - Puno
After breakfast, you will take a motorboat to visit the floating islands of Uros. This very ancient culture inhabits a set of artificial islands off the coast of Puno, which are created using reed plants from the shores of the lake. You will then return to Puno in the afternoon. (Breakfast)

Day 7: Puno - Cusco
After breakfast, you will be on your way to the heart of the Inca Empire. A journey through the astonishing landscape of the highlands dotted with small Andean villages and local fauna. On the way, you will visit the archaeological sites of Pucará (dating from 200 BC to 300 AD) and Racchi to admire the ruins of an Inca temple (a surprising rectangular construction 30 m wide and 20 m high) dedicated to the creator god Wiracocha. You will also visit Andahuaylillas and admire its main attraction: a church nicknamed the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas" for the remarkable works of art. On your arrival in Cusco, a transfer will take you to your hotel. (Breakfast-Lunch)

Day 8: Cusco - Sacred Valley
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco to visit the town of Chinchero, where you will get a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve the artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas which they display in their clothes and customs. There are also archaeological remains and a beautiful 17th-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. Then, you will be transferred to the Living Museum of Yucay, a center of Andean traditions interpretations. After enjoying a delicious lunch in the town of Ollantaytambo, you will witness the Andean essence that is breathed in this place, which still maintains Inca urban planning and is inhabited since then. At the end of this activity, transfer to your hotel in Sacred Valley. (Breakfast-Lunch)

Day 9: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Your Machu Picchu excursion begins with a 90-minute train journey through spectacular scenery to Aguas Calientes from Ollantaytambo station. After a quick bus transfer, you will arrive at Machu Picchu, the "lost city of the Incas". It seems that the archaeological site was built in 1450 by the Inca Pachacutec as a holiday residence. A century later, the citadel was abandoned after the conquest of the Spaniards, fleeing destruction as other Inca sites have known. The vegetation then gradually invaded its stone buildings and hid it, thus protecting it for centuries. During the guided tour, you will discover the origins of this impressive place. After the visit, return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch, and then return to Ollantaytambo by train. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco upon arrival. (Breakfast-Lunch)

Day 10: Cusco
Following breakfast, you will get to know the wonderful city of Cusco on a walking tour. Start in the Main Square, where the church of Compañía de Jesus is located, as well as the imposing Cathedral of Cusco. The tour continues in the direction of San Blas, one of the most emblematic neighbourhoods of Cusco. Originally inhabited by the Inca nobility, today it is known for hosting the most prestigious artisan workshops in the city. See some of its top attractions, including San Blas Church, a temple that houses a priceless pulpit with carvings performed by a masterly indigenous woodcarver. The descent continues towards the Coricancha also known as "The temple of the Sun", to Plaza Regocijo and to Plaza San Francisco. The tour ends at the San Pedro market, an exquisite display of thousands of products from different areas of Cusco that you can perceive with all your senses. You will then return to your hotel. Lunch and afternoon at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 11: Cusco - Palcoyo - Cusco
After breakfast, transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point of the trek and the impressive Palcoyo mountain range. Alike Vinicunca, the 7-colour mountain, Palcoyo acquires its colouration due to minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, among others, accumulated over millions of years, which now offer a visual spectacle. Unlike Vinicunca, the arrival to the Palcoyo mountain range is of a moderate and accessible level since it is a walk without great slopes, reaching a maximum elevation of 4,900 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, enjoy the beautiful view of the mountain range and take a few minutes to appreciate the surroundings calmly thanks to the lower traffic of visitors in the area. After this visit, start the descent and enjoy a picnic-lunch while continuing to enjoy the view. When finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cusco. (Breakfast-Lunch)

Day 12: Cusco - Lima
Following breakfast, you will be greeted by our local representatives and transferred from your hotel to the airport in Cusco for your flight to Lima (Flight around 1PM). Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our local rep and you will walk to your hotel, located in the airport terminal. Evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 13: Lima - Canada
Breakfast at your hotel. 3 hours prior to your flights, you can simply walk from your hotel to the airport for your return flight. (Breakfast)

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