Peru Packages: Uncover the Magical Andes

You will be picked up at the airport and taken to your comfortable Arequipa hotel to relax and acclimatize to the altitude. In the afternoon you will be taken on an Arequipa city tour to view what is considered by many to be the most attractive city in Peru, where many of the colonial buildings are made of white ashler stone, giving the city the nickname of “The White City.”  In the evening you will have the opportunity to check out some of Arequipa´s great restaurants and picanterías.  This region of Peru is famous for its cuisine and is home to the Rocoto Rellenos, Ocopas, Adobos, Chairos, Chactados and Chupes de Camarones.  Be sure to try one of the local specialties but be aware that many of these dishes are quit spicy, but many restaurants will cater to your needs upon request.  After exploring the main square by night, get some rest for your early start in the morning. 

You will start out early to spend as much time as possible in the majestic Peruvian highlands arriving at the Colca Canyon lookout point "Cruz del Condor" in Chivay. Here you will have a panoramic view of the canyon. This part of the canyon provides optimal conditions for condors to live and you will spend the first few hours of your morning here to watch the condors surf the wind currents above you.  You will re-board your bus to visit some of the surrounding highlights.  During your journey, you will not only see amazing panoramas but also traditional Andean villages and animals - llamas, alpacas and vicuñas - whose wool is used by the inhabitants to make the finest of textiles. To fully enjoy the trip we have arranged an overnight stay in a lodge close to the canyon so that you will have every opportunity of photographing condors and grabbing up textile bargains. In the afternoon you will be taken to your Colca Canyon hotel where you will have the opportunity to visit some of the local hot springs along the valley´s river.  These natural occurring springs are a fantastic way to enjoy the surrounding beauty, relax and prepare for the rest of your amazing Peru vacation.  In the afternoon of day 3 you will return to your hotel in Arequipa - the White City.  When you arrive, you will have the opportunity to explore the city either on your own or in one of our organized tours.  Please see our list of excursions below or speak to one of our Peru Travel experts to arrange the perfect tour options for you.

Read our newsletter article about restaurants in Arequipa.

After breakfast in your Arequipa hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco. You will be picked up at Cusco´s airport upon arrival and taken to your comfortable Cusco hotel where you are advised to rest to acclimatize to the altitude. That evening, enjoy Cuzco nightlife at your leisure.

You will have the morning to either relax or explore a little on your own after breakfast at your Cusco hotel.  In the early afternoon you will be taken on a Cusco tour of the city and will visit some of the many amazing archaeological sites and wonders in and around the city. You will see the Cathedral (which is located on the Plaza de Armas- or main square), Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Remember to bring your camera on this trip as you will certainly want a reminder of the amazing awe these Inca sites can evoke.

You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon to relax before dinner. Before setting out to eat in one of the many restaurants in Cusco remember to put on something warm as the temperature in the city can drop dramatically due to the dry climate and altitude.  If you are not prepared for cooler weather, there are many markets and high end stores selling alpaca wool sweaters all over the city.  Spend the evening enjoying the local cuisine and hospitality of the friendly Cusco locals.

See our Cusco Guide for suggestions of great Cusco restaurants.

After an early breakfast, you will embark on a journey into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas.  As you wind through the Andean mountain tops, you will see echoes of the traditional lifestyles that have existed here for more than 500 years.  Many people proudly wear traditional clothing, cook in clay fire ovens and utilize many of the irrigation techniques developed over a half a century ago.  The drive from Cusco is not very long and on the way you will see some typical Andean villages and scenery. Upon descent into the Sacred Valley you will know that you have arrived in the area the Inca revered for its lush fertile soils and advanced agricultural methods. 

First you will visit the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo. These magnificent ancient ruins look out as outposts over the valley and if you are up for the climb, offer an incredible view.  Originally the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti during the Inca Empire, it later served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui in the Inca´s final rebellion against the Spanish.

After learning more about the history and architecture of the Inca, you will ride along the Urambamba River for a short trip to the beautiful town of Pisac.  Here you will have the opportunity to visit the lively local market in to enjoy the beautiful handicrafts on sale. It is here that many fine Andean garments are for sale. For lunch you will have the chance to try out traditional Andean foods. This town also has some very interesting small architectural elements that should not be missed.  For example if you walk down some of the side streets at the end of the block you will find a serpent´s head as the drainage spout.  These little elements make this town a gem of the Sacred Valley. 

In the evening you will return to your comfortable Cusco hotel where you will once again be given the opportunity to spend the evening at your leisure in one of the many fine restaurants or bars available in the area.  The nightlife in Cusco is fantastic but be sure to get enough rest for your trip to Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world, in the morning! 

After breakfast at your Cusco hotel you will take a train to the hidden temple of the Incas: Machu Picchu. The train ride is an attraction in itself as much of the ride winds along the river and mountain face with dramatic views of the Andes as you pass through abundant cloud forests.  The foliage dramatically changes as you ride towards the meeting point of the Andes and the Amazon rainforest providing visitors a real sense of how much this country really as to offer. 

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, you will either be taken directly by bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu or to your very comfortable hotel if you have decided to spend the evening in the area.  Once settled, you will leave this little town and take a roughly 20 minute bus ride to the hidden ruins of Machu Picchu perched in the mountains above.

Once you arrive in Machu Picchu, you will begin a guided tour of this world wonder. If you decide to spend the night in this area (highly recommended) you will have another chance to visit the ruins early the next day. After your tour you can wander the many Inca trails that lead to the main site or head into town for a late lunch. In the event you choose to stay in Aguas Calientes overnight, you can use the evening to relax in the nearby hot springs.  Otherwise you will return to the station in the mid-afternoon for the train back to Cusco and transfer back to your hotel.

See our Machu Picchu Guide for more information on what to see and do, as well as which Machu Picchu Restaurants we recommend for tasty dining.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you will be taken to the airport, train or bus station for your transfer to Puno.  Many travelers enjoy the beautiful 10 hour train ride to Puno, during which you will see spectacular views of the Andes. Once you reach Puno we will transfer you to your Puno hotel.

Learn about the differences between the first-class bus to Puno and the luxury train to Puno.

Puno is at a higher altitude than Cusco, and if you haven’t already sufficiently acclimatized it is a good idea to take it easy and rest for a couple of hours after arriving. In the evening you’ll be given some free time to explore the area around your Puno hotel and eat in one of the many restaurants in the area.

During your full-day Lake Titicaca tour you will visit 2-3 of the Islands of Uros. Uros is composed of about 32 islands constructed of many layers of ´totora´reeds - the number changes as they are man made and after a period of time are abandoned. Each island is inhabited by islanders who either work in Puno (generally those who live on the islands close to the shore), live in relative isolation (those far from the shore line) or who use tourism as their main source of income and allow tourists to visit during the day or spend the night.  The Uros islands are generally not anchored down and therefore float around Lake Titicaca, a true wonder to behold.

While visiting the islands, you will be given the chance to learn about the local customs, visit the reed homes and ride on reed boats. Generally the families inhabiting the island will have a small display of traditional local handicrafts available for sale as well. 

Following this you will be lead to the Island of Taquile which is located about 30 miles from Puno and is abundant with numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins. The local islanders still maintain many ancient traditions which can easily be seen though their time-honored clothing and beautiful handicrafts. You will be lead around the island to all of the most important sites such as the museum of traditional costumes and the ruins at the highest point of the island where, if you’re lucky, an incredible sunset can be observed.

After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Lima and onwards home. Or if you wish to continue your Peruvian Adventure you could head into the Amazon or return to the coastline on another one of our amazing tours.

Occupancy	3 Star	4 Star	Boutique	5 Star	5 Star With Monasterio
Double/Triple	$ 1,119 € 908 £ 748	$ 1,479 € 1,201 £ 989	$ 1,469 € 1,193 £ 982	$ 1,749 € 1,420 £ 1,169	$ 2,429 € 1,972 £ 1,624
Single	$ 1,759 € 1,428 £ 1,176	$ 2,489 € 2,021 £ 1,664	$ 2,159 € 1,753 £ 1,443	$ 3,039 € 2,467 £ 2,032	$ 4,389 € 3,563 £ 2,934

• 2 nights in Arequipa, 1 night in Colca Canyon, 4 nights in Cusco or 3 nights in Cusco/1 night in Aguas Calientes, 2 nights in Puno, all in comfortable hotels based on US standards.
• All guided visits are with English speaking tour guides.
• All transfers and entrance fees.
• All breakfasts included. 4-star and up hotels offer breakfast buffets.

Occupancy	3 Star	4 Star	5 Star
Double/Triple	$ 49 € 40 £ 33	$ 69 € 56 £ 46	$ 99 € 80 £ 66
Single	$ 79 € 64 £ 53	$ 129 € 105 £ 86	$ 199 € 162 £ 133

With more than a thousand items from pre-Columbian cultures such as the Huari, Tiahuanuco, Chancay and Inca including ceramics, textiles, stone, wood and metal objects, the archeology museum’s most interesting attraction is arguably “Mummy Juanita” also known as “Ice Maiden” or ¨Ice Princess¨. . Discovered in 1995 by anthropologist Johan Reinhard in the summit crater of Mt. Ampato, Juanita is the Inca mummy of a girl who lived more than 500 years ago. The frozen state of the mummy permitted tests to be run on the organs that revealed new insights into Inca health and nutrition during the reign of the Sapa Inca Pachacuti. The discovery was heralded by Time magazine as one of the world’s top ten discoveries.

Price per Person	$ 29

*Tour available April through December.

This tour not only shows you some of the beautiful things to see in Peru, but also allows you to see how many Peruvians get by from day to day. This tour explains many of the intricacies of daily Peruvian life that are not commonly observed by the typical tourist. On this reality tour you will visit a quarry where locals extract volcanic ashler stone in the traditional, artisan way to use to build their homes. You will also safely visit a shanty town where you will observe first hand the struggles and realities of daily life of the lower economic classes. In the shanty town you will visit a wawawasi- a public nursery school, and a local public cafeteria, where mothers come together to cook for their families. The next stop on the tour is a local market where you can try local fruits and vegetables. And finally, you will visit a local public elementary school.

NOTE: This tour is NOT FOR PROFIT. All money earned from this tour is used at the end of the year to buy necessary materials for the public cafeterias and the wawawasis. Some of the money is also destined to purchasing gifts for the children at the wawawasis.

» Arequipa Cultural Exchange Pictures

We recommend that you book more time in Cusco. There is so much to see in and around the city that an extra day would amplify your Cusco experience. We would be pleased to book an additional day(s) for you. Otherwise enjoy your 4 days / 3 nights Cusco vacation and take in the sights and sounds of this magnificent city.

Occupancy	3 Star	4 Star	5 Star	5 Star Monasterio
Double/Triple	$ 69 € 56 £ 46	$ 109 € 88 £ 73	$ 149 € 121 £ 100	$ 339 € 275 £ 227
Single	$ 129 € 105 £ 86	$ 209 € 170 £ 140	$ 289 € 235 £ 193	$ 669 € 543 £ 447

Have an extra day to visit the ruins on your own, relax at the local hot springs, and walk around the orchid gardens. The breathtaking beauty of Machu Picchu certainly deserves an extra day!

Occupancy	3 Star	4 Star	5 Star	5 Star Sanctuary Lodge
Double/Triple	$ 59 € 48 £ 39	$ 169 € 137 £ 113	$ 379 € 308 £ 253	$ 379 € 308 £ 253
Single	$ 119 € 97 £ 80	$ 339 € 275 £ 227	$ 589 € 478 £ 394	$ 589 € 478 £ 394

The sheer natural beauty of this area will revitalize any jaded soul. Learn why it is called the Sacred Valley by staying overnight in a Sacred Valley hotel.

Occupancy	3 Star	4 Star	5 Star
Double/Triple	$ 69 € 56 £ 46	$ 89 € 72 £ 59	$ 129 € 105 £ 86
Single	$ 119 € 97 £ 80	$ 179 € 145 £ 120	$ 259 € 210 £ 173

Heading east from Cusco you will discover the remarkable and extensive Inca ruins of Tipon, famous for its beautiful gardens set high within the Andes Mountains, where fresh, cool water runs through an intricate system of fountains. Your professional tour guide will lead you up and along the expansive terraces, supported by traditional Inca stonework, with a visible and fully-functional irrigation system of channels flowing underneath.

Following a path leading just above the final terrace on the hill you will come across a remarkable temple hidden by the mountain. Your entire visit to the ruins will be framed by the beautiful vistas overlooking the town of Tipon, and the stunning backdrop of the Andes dominating the entire valley.

Continuing your tour you’ll arrive in Piquillajta, ‘the City of Fleas,’ an impressive and ancient Wari ruin established in the first century. You’ll explore this administrative capital of the southern portion of the Wari Empire which dates back to pre-Inca times, made up of compounds of ancient two-storey storehouses, dormitories, and ceremonial sites. To this day the walls have retained their ancient plastering and lime coatings.

As your day continues, you will travel to the small village of Andahuaylillas, home to a dazzling 17th-century church, known as ‘the Andean Sistine Chapel’.  Its stunning frescoes and rich, distinct interior design are on par with the work of European masters and is a beautiful mix of European and Peruvian art styles. Built upon the site of an old Inca temple, the church’s altar is gilded in 24-carat gold leaf and adorned with both Christian and Quechua symbols. The detailed baroque style and elegant, valuable adornments are thought to have been an early attempt by the Spaniards to dazzle the Inca into converting to Christianity.

Leaving the village of Andahuaylillas you will make the return journey through the stunning Andean landscape and back to your comfortable Cusco hotel. Please note that lunch is not included in this tour and ordering a box lunch from your hotel is advised.

Price per Person	$ 85

Enjoy a horseback riding adventure across the Sacred Valley to Maras Moray Salt Mines. This is our most recommended additional service. Prices are per person for this private service (includes transfer to the Sacred Valley).

Price per Person	$ 310

Location:

Located between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the campsite is situated at 2800 meters a.s.l. and is close to the Vilcanota River. From here you can see the archeological site of Ollantaytambo, just a 30 minute walk from your campsite. The following day, you can walk to the train station, only 15 minutes away, and take the train to Machu Picchu.

Campsite is accessible by road, by rafting on the river Vilcanota or by trekking.

Included:

• Stationary tents
• Dining area
• Bathrooms
• Hot showers
• Potable water
• Campfire
• Pachamanca lunch
• Hammocks
• Soccer field, badminton court, volleyball court, petanque (a game similar to bowls)

Price per Person	$ 140

Get on a boat and have a wet and wild rafting experience through the Sacred Valley. Our tour guides are fully trained and bilingual. Transfers and lunch included.

Price per Person	$ 60

Take a horse-back ride through the valley from the Inca Bridge to the Quarries of Cachicata and return to camp. This trip lasts about 4 hours.

Includes: First aid kit, walkie-talkie, guide service and horses completely equipped.
Not included: Bottled water, food, tips.

Take a bike ride through the Sacred Valley where you will visit the Quarries of Cachicata and the villages on the banks of the river, such as Sillque, Chillca and others. We will return to our campsite during a pleasant 2 hour journey on the other side of the river, passing through the villages of Phiri Podra and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Includes: bicycles, helmets, gloves, first-aid kit and guide service

Not included: bottled water, food, tips

Price per Person	$ 158

Raft on the River Urubamba with category 2 and 3 currents, suitable for everyone. No experience necessary. Trip lasts approximately 2 hours.

Included: First-aid kit, bilingual guide service, canoeing kit, life- jackets, oars, waterproof pants, and transportation from and to campsite.

Not included: Bottled water, food, tips.

Price per Person	$ 60

This site, constructed by the Incas, is the oldest known horticultural experimental center in the world. Each terraced level gives a different micro-climate in which different crops can be grown. The terraces built into the natural surrounding landscape are fascinating. Prices are per person for this private service:

Price per Person	$ 115

This horseback riding tour will take you to the beautiful country side around the city of Cusco. (minimum 2 people)

Price per Person	$ 112

Watch professional Peruvian dancers and musicians perform to traditional Andean music during a delicious dinner.

Price per Person	$ 30

Occupancy	3 Star	4 Star	5 Star
Double/Triple	$ 49 € 40 £ 33	$ 79 € 64 £ 53	$ 119 € 97 £ 80
Single	$ 89 € 72 £ 59	$ 159 € 129 £ 106	$ 209 € 170 £ 140

On the outskirts of Puno you will find mysterious pre-Inca ruins called chullpas (funeral towers). They sit on the windswept altiplano (high planes) on a peninsula in Lake Umayo at Sillustani. The Colla people, a warrior tribe that spoke Aymara, buried their elite in giant cylindrical tombs, some as tall as 12 meters high (40 ft.). The stonemasonry is exquisite (many archaeologists and historians find them more complex and superior even to Inca engineering), and the structures form quite an impression on such a harsh landscape.

As an upgrade to a normal airport transfer:

As part of a group tour, roundtrip Puno-Sillustani-Puno*:

Price per Person	$ 29

*Since the Sillustani group tour is an afternoon tour, it may be necessary to book an extra night in Puno. This depends on each individualized itinerary.

Enjoy an overnight stay with an Andean family on the Amantani Island of Lake Titicaca.

Day 1: Your day will begin with an early morning pickup at (8 AM) from your hotel to be transferred  to the pier where you will board your boat. After a 40 minute boat ride you will reach the man-made reed Islands of Uros. Here you will learn about the history of the ancient Aymara people who constructed these islands in order to escape persecution from Inca soldiers. After learning about their culture and every-day life-style, you will board you boat once more and sail towards Amatani Island. Your host family will greet you upon your arrival, then take you to your new home for lunch and a short rest. In the late afternoon you will enjoy a tour of the ruins located at the top of the island. From this point you will be able see both the Peruvian and Bolivian shorelines of Lake Titicaca. From there you will return to you home for dinner and a short rest before attending the optional party of music and dancing with Amatani residents. There ends your night on the island.

Day 2: Enjoy an early breakfast before you are back on the boat and heading towards Taquile Island – a two hour trip. Here you will hike towards the main town for a delicious lunch. After a relaxing lunch, you will continue on a challenging* hike to the other side of the island where your boat to Puno awaits.

It is important for travelers to remember that while the Amantani Island Home-stay is a beautiful and well-worth experience, they should be prepared for the most basic of accommodations and meals. The houses of the Amantani people are humble but warm and clean. In some cases, bathrooms are outhouses.

*This part of the tour features many up and downhill stairs. Though not extremely strenuous, the region’s high-altitude may make the journey difficult for some. Therefore this tour might not be appropriate for travelers with walking difficulties and/or senior citizens.

Price per Person	$ 116

The two tours below are conducted on a luxury Catamaran Cruise Ship, the second of which gives you the opportunity to spend a night onboard. Both tours begin in Puno and both offer the choice of returning to Puno afterwards or continuing by land to La Paz, Bolivia, the world’s highest capital city.

Lake Titicaca Catamaran Tour- Full Day

Take an early land transfer to Copacabana Sanctuary where you will board the Catamaran Cruise Ship. Snacks are provided on-board while sailing to Sun Island, the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. Visit the Inca Garden and then the Inti Wata Cultural Complex including the Ekako Underground Museum, the traditional medicine and the Titikaka Reed Shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama agricultural Inca terraces, a handicraft center, the Intica lounge and the Manco Capac lookout.

Catamaran Cruise Ship to Chua harbor while enjoying a lunch buffet on board, land transfer to La Paz.

Price per Person	$ 249

Lake Titicaca Catamaran Tour- 2 Days/1 Night

Take the Catamaran Cruise to Sun Island’s isolated Challapampa Village while enjoying lunch on board. Visitors have the opportunity to interact with one of the most unspoiled indigenous Lake Titicaca villages through an innovative program organized with the local community. You may visit their own museum, chapel, school, a typical house, sail in their vessels to an Inca holy temple and walk on Inca trails. In the evening you will have a romantic candle-lit dinner and spend the night on board the Catamaran in cabins with lake views and private facilities.

Catamaran Cruise Ship sails across the lake while guests enjoy breakfast and the breath-taking panorama. Land transfer to La Paz city before noon.

Also available:
Optional trekking on Sun Island
Alternative hydrofoil tour with overnight on Island

Price per Person	$ 379