Peru and Its Mountains

Colonial and Modern Lima

After breakfast, at 9:30 a.m., you start at Huaca Pucllana, with a panoramic view of this ceremonial center of the Lima culture. Then you pass through San Isidro, Lince and El Cercado, and see the Palace of Justice, the Museum of Lima, the Italian Art Museum, the French Palace and Plaza San Martín.

The walking part starts at the Plaza de Armas, with the Cathedral, the Municipal Palace, the Government Palace and the Archbishop's Palace, with time for photos. You enter the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs, underground passages where the remains of some 25,000 people rest. You finish with a panoramic view of Parque del Amor, the Pacific Ocean and Larcomar. Then you return to the hotel.

Overnight: Lima

Ica and Huacachina Lagoon

We take you to the bus station at the scheduled time. You leave at 7:00 a.m. for Ica and arrive at 11:40 a.m. At 12:30 p.m. the city tour begins: the Plaza de Armas, colonial mansions, the Señor de Luren Sanctuary, the Ica Regional Museum and a winery, where you learn about the process and taste wines and piscos.

You also visit the Huacachina Lagoon, known as the Oasis of America, where buggies and sandboarding are available (on your own). At 6:00 p.m. you take the return bus and reach Lima around 10:00 p.m., where we meet you to take you to your hotel.

Overnight: Lima

Lima – Cusco – City Tour

After breakfast we take you to the airport for your flight to Cusco. There we meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

At 12:30 p.m. the city tour begins: the Plaza Mayor, with its colonial buildings; the Qoricancha temple, the greatest expression of Inca architecture and today the Convent of Santo Domingo; and the Cusco Cathedral, in Renaissance and colonial style.

You finish at the four archaeological sites near the city: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Then you return to your hotel.

Overnight: Cusco

Sacred Valley

At 7:30 a.m. we pick you up at your hotel. You visit the Pisaq archaeological complex and its handicraft market, and follow the Vilcanota River to Urubamba, where you have a buffet lunch.

In the afternoon you explore Ollantaytambo, one of the last living Inca towns, with streets that keep their original layout, and its archaeological complex. You also pass through Chinchero, a small Inca and colonial town. You return to Cusco around 6:30 p.m.

Overnight: Cusco

Machu Picchu

After breakfast you go to the Poroy or Ollantaytambo station, depending on the season, and take the tourist train to Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes). There our staff helps you board the transport that climbs to the citadel, with views of the Urubamba River and its canyon.

You tour Machu Picchu with a guide: terraces, stairways, ceremonial enclosures and urban areas. Then you have lunch at a restaurant in the area and, at the scheduled time, take the train to Ollantaytambo and the transfer back to Cusco.

Overnight: Cusco

Humantay Lake

We pick you up at your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. and travel with the guide to the town of Mollepata, where you have breakfast. You continue to Soraypampa, take a short break, and begin the climb to Humantay Lake (4,250 m above sea level), about 1 hr 30 min.

At the lake you have time to take it in and take part in a brief demonstration of the Pago a la Tierra (offering to the Apus). Then you descend to Soraypampa and return to Mollepata for lunch. You return to your hotel in Cusco around 6:30 or 7:00 p.m.

Overnight: Cusco

Rainbow Mountain

At 4:00 a.m. we pick you up to go to the foothills of the snow-capped Ausangate. In the town of Cusipata you stop for breakfast and, after a short talk, begin the roughly 3-hour hike with a professional guide, learning about the customs and beliefs of the Andes.

On the way back you have lunch in Cusipata and reach your hotel in Cusco around 4:30 p.m.

Overnight: Cusco

Departure from Cusco

After breakfast, at the arranged time, we transfer you to Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima or to your home country.