Lima nazca arequipa puno | Peru Expeditions

20 Days/19 Nights April - September Easy

A journey could not be more varied. A journey into the natural wonder of Peru.
Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, Amazon rainforest, Andes and much more!

Peru - that is nature, originality, culture. Every day we are surprised again. There is the steep, wild cliffs of Paracas, where penguins, cormorants and sea lions frolic. It is not for nothing that Paracas has also been given the name "Little Galapagos". The unbelievable images of Nazca are a mystery to us, even archaeologists have no explanation for it today, wonderful story of the Peruvian culture.

Continue to the highlands. In Arequipa Cañon del Colca - Condors circle in the sky, vicuñas, llamas and alpacas graze in the barren meadows just as we envisioned the Andes.

We get a first glimpse of the culture on the Uros and Taquile islands, before we spend the night on the Suasi island in the middle of Lake Titicaca. On our walks in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we encounter again and again ruins and sites of this high culture. Cusco, the thriving city, was the center of the Inca Empire and radiates a special atmosphere to this day. Machu Picchu, the city in the clouds, is another highlight and wants to be discovered.

We are experiencing a huge change of scene in the Amazon rainforest. In Puerto Maldonado we will take a canoe down the Madre de Dios River and then explore the jungle from our comfort lodge on the banks of the river.

A journey could not be more varied. A journey into the natural wonder of Peru. Join an unforgettable trip with us "Peru Expeditions Tours"

Travel Program

Itinerary:

Day 1: Flight from Europe, USA, Canada, etc - Country of origin to Peru - Arrival Capital Lima
Day 2: Lima - tranfer with private transport to Paracas
Day 3: Paracas - go back to Lima capital
Day 4: Lima - in the morning flight to the city of Arequipa called (Ciudad Blanca de Arequipa)
Day 5: Arequipa - famous Colca canoy - View of Condores most spectacular in the world.
Day 6: Colca Canyon - an unforgettable day - Look at the condor closely
Day 7: From Colca - Private transport to Puno city - A city located in the heights
Day 8: Puno - Tour to Suasi Island - Lake Titicaca
Day 9: Suasi - Visit to the Llachon community - return to Puno
Day 10: From Puno - Private transport to the city of Cusco, capital of the Incas culture
Day 11: Cusco City - Tour surroundings – Sacsayhuaman - temple Qoricancha. great day!
Day 12: City Cusco - Yucay Urubamba in the Sacred Valley
Day 13: Hike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 14: Pueblo Yucay - Ollantaytambo - With train transfer to Aguas Calientes
Day 15: Aguas Calientes - Entrance by bus - Machu Picchu The best day of the whole trip - Return to Cusco
Day 16: From Cusco - Fligt to Puerto Maldonado - Amazon the jungel
Day 17: Amazon lowlands - A totally different jungle adventure
Day 18: Amazon lowlands - A totally different jungle adventure
Day 19: Amazon lowlands - Puerto Maldonado - flight back to Lima and go back USA, Canada, Europa, etc
Day 20: Return flight - Arrival home

Detailed Program

Day 1: Flight from Europe, USA, Canada, etc - Country of origin to Peru - Arrival Capital Lima
Flight from Europe or the country of origin (USA or Canada), etc. Arrival in Lima - Transfer Hotel the large city in South America; population approximately 11 million. Overnight Hotel (-/-/-)

Day 2: Lima - tranfer with private transport to Paracas
After breakfast we drive out of the city south to Paracas. In the afternoon we visit Paracas National Park. It is the only one of its kind on the Peruvian coast and is considered by Unesco to be one of the most extraordinary and richest ecosystems. Impressive rock formations, which the wind and the sea formed out of the stone in long years, want to be photographed. We stop at vantage points that offer a very good view of the Paracas peninsula and the Pacific Ocean, and also walk along the sandy beach. Overnight at hotel. Optionally, a flight over the Nazca Lines can be organized today in good weather. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 3: Paracas - go back to Lima capital
After breakfast, an exciting two-hour boat ride is the perfect way to explore the rugged Ballestas Islands, known for their abundance of sea lion colonies and families of Humboldt penguins. The islands are also called "Mini-Galapagos" thanks to their unusually high wealth of marine wildlife. We enjoy the drive along the Peruvian coast and marvel at the incredible wildlife. From Paracas we drive back to Lima. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 4: Lima - in the morning flight to the city of Arequipa called (Ciudad Blanca de Arequipa)
In the morning we fly to Arequipa. The city is also known as the "White City" because of its many white volcanic stone buildings. In the afternoon we explore the city and the famous monastery of Santa Catalina. Built in the 16th century, the monastery is a huge complex of buildings that used to be like a city of its own, housing over 450 nuns. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 5: Arequipa - famous Colca canoy - View of Condores most spectacular in the world.
After breakfast, we start for the Colca Valley. On the way across the plateau we pass small villages and pass the vicuna reserve Aguada Blanca. Unbelievable how the shy animals live in this barren area. From the 4800 m high Patapampa Pass we enjoy a magnificent view of the five and six thousand meter peaks of the Chila mountain range. After 4 hours driving we finally reach the Colca Canyon and our eponymous lodge right on the Colca River. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 6: Colca Canyon - an unforgettable day - Look at the condor closely
We start the day early in the morning with a trip to the Mirador del Condor viewpoint - the perfect spot to look down on the 1200-meter-deep canyon. Exactly in this impressive place the legendary condor, the bird with the largest wingspan of the world, can be observed. Impressively, he draws his circles in the morning breeze, while his silhouette stands out against the imposing scenery of the surrounding mountain panorama. In the afternoon, we take an easy hike to the archaeological site of Uyu Uyu and hike back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 7: From Colca - Private transport to Puno city - A city located in the heights
In the morning we have another opportunity for an easy hike. Then we leave the Colca Valley to continue our journey towards the Altiplano. Volcanoes, lakes, vicuña and alpaca herds pass us, at altitudes of 3800-4000 m, before we reach Puno at Lake Titicaca after six hours. Lake Titicaca at 3800 m is the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest freshwater lake in South America. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 8: Puno - Tour to Suasi Island - Lake Titicaca
We start at the port of Puno and board the speedboat. It drives us to the floating islands of the Uros Indians local people of the zone. After an impressive presentation of the current way of life of the Uros, we take course to the island of Taquile and continue to the island of Suasi. Our hotel is the only one on the island of Suasi. The hotel offers a stunning lake view, which we can enjoy completely secluded. In addition to the observation of llamas and alpacas, especially the vicuñas are of interest to the animals settled on the island. In the evening we can enjoy the sunset over Lake Titicaca. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 9: Suasi - Visit to the Llachon community - return to Puno
In the morning we leave Suasi and take the speedboat to Llachon. This small community of only 1300 inhabitants belongs to the Quechua ethnic group and is located in the hills of the Capachica Peninsula, in a scenic part of the lake. In this original environment, people still follow their old ways of life and traditions. Most are farmers or weavers who still use their original production techniques. Since Llachon is off the usual tourist route, we are rewarded with an insight into a pristine world. In the afternoon return to Puno and overnight at the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 10: From Puno - Private transport to the city of Cusco, capital of the Incas culture
After breakfast we leave early. Today, the legendary train or private transport ride from Puno to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, is on the program. This full-day train journey traverses the impressive landscape of the Peruvian highlands. Vast peaks of the Andes and green grassy plains provide an impressive backdrop for the grazing vicuñas and alpacas. The observation car with bar offers an optimal view of the impressive landscape that passes us at 30 kilometers per hour. Upon arrival in Cusco transfer from the train station to the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 11: Cusco City - Tour surroundings – Sacsayhuaman - temple Qoricancha. great day!
Today we visit the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress on a hill overlooking the city of Cusco. The largest stones used in construction are almost 8,5 meters high and weigh about 360 tons. The stones fit together so perfectly that a single sheet of paper would not fit between two of them. In the afternoon we explore the main sites in Cusco on foot. In the famous cathedral we can admire carved woodwork. The discovery tour takes us to the sun temple Qoricancha, another example of the cultural wealth of Cusco. There we witness the incredible masonry of the Incas, a technical masterpiece that has remained a mystery to this day. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 12: City Cusco - Yucay Urubamba in the Sacred Valley
The next three days we will do walks in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Today's walk brings us down to this valley. We start in front of the impressive backdrop of the snow-capped mountains and soon come past the salt terraces of Maras. The dominant color in this place is the radiant white that burns like snow on a sunny day in the eyes, an impressive sight for any visitor. Salt has been extracted here since the time of the Incas, ever since in the same way. After the visit, we will hike for about an hour downhill into the sacred valley of the Incas, where we will be picked up and taken to the hotel. 5 hours today we are on foot, it is mainly downhill. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 13: Hike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Today, we walk through an old Inca Trail through rural communities that grow corn, potatoes and quinoa. The Inca Trail then takes us to Huchuy Qosqo, which is one of the most important Inca sites here in the Sacred Valley. Set on a plateau and surrounded by Inca-style terraced terraces, Huchuy Qosqo offers a spectacular backdrop and magnificent views of the Vilcabamba mountain range. After lunch, which we will take today from the backpack, we descend again to Yucay. The hike takes about 5 hours. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 14: Pueblo Yucay - Ollantaytambo - With train transfer to Aguas Calientes
Early in the morning we start by car and drive towards Ollantaytambo. After about 40 minutes driving we reach the beginning of an ancient Inca Trail near the Pumamarca Ruin. We walk through the terraced landscape and come very soon to these Inca ruins. Of course, we explore the archaeological site with remnants of ceremonial centers and pantries. The site of Pumamarca is of great historical importance as it is considered one of the few places where the Spaniards were defeated by the Incas. The last leg to Ollantaytambo we put back in the car. In the afternoon, we will have time to explore the town and the Inca fortress before heading by train through the sacred Urubamba valley to Aguas Calientes in the evening. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 15: Aguas Calientes - Entrance by bus - Machu Picchu The best day of the whole trip - Return to
Cusco In the early morning we take the bus in Aguas Calientes, which works its way up the steep serpentines to the entrance of the citadel. Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spaniards. Only in 1911 did the researcher Hiram Bingham encounter the weathered walls of the Inca site. Here, on a tour of the ruined city, we experience the unique location and try to get a picture of the architectural genius that flowed into the building and makes Machu Picchu one of the seven modern wonders of the world. We could stay here for a long time. In the afternoon it is time to say goodbye and return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then by bus to Cusco. Overnight at hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 16: From Cusco - Fligt to Puerto Maldonado - Amazon the jungel
In the morning transfer to the airport of Cusco and flight to the Amazon lowlands to Puerto Maldonado. From the airport, head directly to the Madre de Dios Riverside River, where a motor boat is ready to take us on a 45-minute drive to the lodge. Our comfortable lodge is located on the banks of the river. Now we are there, in the middle of the rainforest. Overnight in a jungle lodge. Overnight Lodge (B/L/-)

Day 17: Amazon lowlands - A totally different jungle adventure
Early in the morning we hear the various jungle birds singing their morning song. The next two days we will explore the jungle. The canoes will take you across the mirror-smooth Sandoval Lake from where we can observe giant otters, red howler monkeys, macaw parrots, turtles and the prehistoric Hoatzin. Nature lovers will get their money's worth and this day will be over much too fast. Overnight in a jungle lodge. Overnight Lodge (B/L/-)

Day 18: Amazon lowlands - A totally different jungle adventure
Another day in the jungle starts and again we will undertake excursions deep into the jungle. Be it on foot, by canoe or watching on one of the large viewing terraces in the middle of a treetop. We also have enough time to relax and review the journey. The natural wonder of Peru is perfectly rounded here. From the wild coast of Paracas, over dry plateaus with sailing condos, to the ever-pulsating rainforest. Unbelievable, what we have experienced in the last two weeks. Overnight in a jungle lodge. Overnight Lodge (B/L/-)

Day 19: Amazon lowlands - Puerto Maldonado - flight back to Lima and go back USA, Canada, Europa, etc
Today it is time to say goodbye to the Peruvian jungle. After breakfast we board our boat back to civilization in Puerto Maldonado and continue via Lima to USA, Canada, Europa, etc. Overnight Flight (-/-/-)

Day 20: Return flight - Arrival home
Go back home - end tour in Peru / South America. Overnight fligh (-/-/-)

Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner