Travel to Paracas, Ica, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno & Cusco

15 Days/14 Nights Abril to December Easy

About Paracas: Paracas is a city on the west coast of Peru. It is known for its beaches, such as El Chaco, located in the sheltered bay of Paracas. The city is a starting point to the uninhabited Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, pelicans and Humboldt penguins. The rugged Paracas National Reserve has abundant wildlife and extends through desert, ocean, islands and the Paracas peninsula. The huge prehistoric geoglyph of the Paracas Candelabra on the peninsula is engraved on the side of a hill.

About Ica: Ica is a city in south central Peru, capital of the Department of Ica, located in the narrow valley that forms the Ica River, between the Grand Tablazo de Ica and the western slopes of the Andes.

About Nazca: Nazca is a Peruvian city located in the center-south region of Peru, capital of the homonymous province of Nazca, located on the right bank of the Aja River, a tributary of the Rio Grande. Located 439 km south of the city of Lima, in a narrow valley at 520 masl.

About Arequipa: Arequipa is the capital of the colonial era of the Arequipa region of Peru. It is surrounded by 3 volcanoes and has baroque buildings built of sillar, a white volcanic stone. In its historical center, there is the Plaza de Armas, an imposing main square, and to the north of it is the Neoclassical Cathedral Basilica of the 17th century, which houses a museum exhibiting works of art and religious objects.

About Puno: Puno is a city in southern Peru located next to Lake Titicaca, one of the largest lakes in South America and the highest navigable body of water in the world. The city is a regional commercial hub and is also considered the "folkloric capital" of Peru, for its traditional festivals with lively music and dance performances. Iconic sites include the Puno Cathedral, an Andean Baroque style construction, and the 19th-century Yavarí steam ship.

About Cusco: Cuzco is a city in the Peruvian Andes that was the capital of the Inca Empire and is known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. The Plaza de Armas is the center of the old city, with galleries, carved wooden balconies and ruins of Inca walls. The convent of Santo Domingo, of baroque style, was built on the Temple of the Inca Sun (Qoricancha) and has archaeological remains of Inca stonework.

Travel Program

Itinerary:

Day 01: Lima
Day 02: Lima - Paracas
Day 03: Paracas - Ica - Nasca
Day 04: Flight over the Nazca lines
Day 05: Arequipa - City Tour - Santa Catalina Convent
Day 06: Arequipa - Colca Canyon
Day 07: Colca Canyon - Cruz del Condor - Arequipa
Day 08: Arequipa - Puno
Day 09: Titicaca Lake - Uros Floating Island - Taquile Island
Day 10: Puno - Cusco
Day 11: Cusco - City Tour - Ruins
Day 12: Cusco - Sacred Valley of the Incas - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Day 13: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Day 14: Cusco - Flight - Lima
Day 15: Flight - Europe

Detailed Program

Day 01: Lima
Arrival in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodations

Day 02: Lima - Paracas
AM: very early transfer to the the bus station in orde to travel to Paracas, Arrival. Transfer to El Chaco beach in order to board our boat for visiting the Ballestas Islands. On the way we will visit: San Martin international Port, Colorada point, El Candelabra; Geoglyph Pre Inca / similar to the Nazca lines. In the Ballestas Islands we will see guano birds, penguins, boobies, sea lions, etc.overnight in Paracas.

Day 03: Paracas - Ica - Nasca
AM: very early transfer to the the bus station in orde to travel to Ica, At the appropriate time we will make City Tour visiting the main Plaza, the cathedral, mansions. We visit the Regional Museum of Ica, Huacachina lagoon, (where you can ski huge sand dunes), wine cellars.At the appropriate time transfer to the bus station in order to travel to Nasca. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight.

Day 04: Flight over the Nazca lines
08:00: Breakfast. In the morning the journey for Nazca starts. Arrival, transfer to the airfield and flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines which are nearly 50 kilometers long and 15 meters wide and in which are found the drawings. These figures known as the "Nazca Lines" are considered by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage. The lines cover four flats: Palpa, Ingenio, Nazca and Socos, located between km 419 and 465 of the Panamericana Sur highway. At the appropriate time transfers to the bus station in order to travel to Arequipa. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight.

Day 05: Arequipa - City Tour - Santa Catalina Convent
Start the City Tour of the Historical Center of town including: The main Plaza, Cathedral, Polychrome Dome of the Church Society of Jesus, Yanahuara colonial district, residential area of Selva Alegre and finally Santa Catalina Convent. And hotel

Day 06: Arequipa - Colca Canyon
After breakfast we start the tour visiting Cañahuas Flats, The Andes Lookout, Chucura Crater, Chivay Lookout, etc.15:00: Arrival at Colca Canyon. Check in to your accommodation.

Day 07: Colca Canyon - Cruz del Condor - Arequipa
Very early we leave for the Cruz Del Condor Lookout where you can appreciate the magnitude of the Colca Canyon and the spectacular flight of condors. On the return to Chivay we will visit the Chilina Lookout where we find the famous Hanging Tombs, Yanque Village with its beautiful church and its characteristic streets made of stone. 17:00: Arrival in Arequipa and transfer to your hotel.

Day 08: Arequipa - Puno
After breakfast transfer to the bus station for your Southern Cross Cruise Service to Puno connection. The trip takes about 7 hours. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel in Puno.

Day 09: Titicaca Lake - Uros Floating Island - Taquile Island
After breakfast we visit to the Uros Indians Floating Island, where you can appreciate their customs and in particular the construction of the islands and their homes constructed using ‘totora reeds’, an aquatic plant typical of the island, then we will visit the Taquile Island. Afterwards we return to Puno and transfer to our hotels.

Day 10: Puno - Cusco
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to bus station for your connection to the Imperial City of Cusco in a tourist bus with four stops en route in order to visit the Lithic Museum of the ruins of Pukara, Raya saddle, Raqchi saddle and the Andahuaylillas Church. PM: In addition there will be another stop for lunch in Sichuan. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel

Day 11: Cusco - City Tour - Ruins
10:00: Start of the city tour visiting tourist attractions such as Main Plaza, Cathedral, Koricancha, etc., then we visit the four ruins located 15 minutes from the city being: the great fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Return to your Hotel.

Day 12: Cusco - Sacred Valley of the Incas - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
At about 7:30a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in order to start a guided tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This tour will let you observe an amazing view of the Urubamba River and the valley as well as a visit to the ruins of Pisac and the marketplace of the same name. After lunch, which is not included on the package, we will take you to the Andean town of Ollantaytambo where you will have a guided tour of the incredible Inca ruins of the town. From Ollantaytambo, you will take the backpacker train to Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night.

Day 13: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Today, you will take a bus to Machu Picchu where you will have a private 3 hour guided tour of the most important rooms and temples. After the tour, you will be free to wander around or just relax around Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, you will be taking a bus to Aguas Calientes from where you will be taking the backapacker train. From the train station we will take you to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 14: Cusco - Flight - Lima
Today, we will pick you up from your hotel and we will drive you to the airport of Cusco in order to take a plane to Lima.

Day 15: Flight - Europe

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