Mystical Peru

Colonial and Modern Lima

After breakfast, at 9:30 a.m., you start at Huaca Pucllana, with panoramic views 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 Museum of Italian Art, the French Palace and San Martín Square.

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

Overnight: Lima

Lima – Ica and Huacachina Lagoon

After breakfast we pick you up at 6:00 a.m. The bus leaves at 7:00 a.m. and you arrive in Ica at 11:40 a.m., where we take you to the hotel. At 1:00 p.m. you visit the Plaza de Armas, colonial mansions, the Sanctuary of the Lord of Luren and a winery, where you learn the process and taste Peruvian wines and piscos.

You also visit the Huacachina Lagoon, known as the Oasis of America, where buggies and sandboarding are available (at your own expense).

Overnight: Ica

Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

At 6:45 a.m. we pick you up to go to the Paracas port. At 9:00 a.m. you tour the Ballestas Islands by speedboat: you see the Candelabra, a large geoglyph related to the Nazca lines, and rock formations with guano birds such as the guanay, the piquero and the zarcillo, plus Humboldt penguins and sea lions.

At 11:00 a.m. you enter the Paracas National Reserve, where you can see parihuanas (flamingos) and other birds, the rock formation La Catedral between Yumaque and Supay beaches, and Lagunillas beach. Then we take you to the bus station: the bus leaves at 4:10 p.m. and reaches Lima at 8:05 p.m., where we meet you and take you to the hotel.

Overnight: Lima

Lima – Cusco

After breakfast we take you to the airport for your flight to Cusco. There we meet you and take you to your hotel; the rest of the morning is free so you can acclimatize.

Overnight: Cusco

Cusco City Tour

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 Cathedral of Cusco, Renaissance and colonial in style.

You finish at the four archaeological sites near the city: Sacsayhuamán, 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 the hotel. You visit the Pisac archaeological complex and its artisan market, and continue along 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. Tonight you sleep in the Sacred Valley.

Overnight: Sacred Valley

Machu Picchu

After breakfast you go to the Ollantaytambo station and take the tourist train to the town of Machu Picchu (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 structures and urban areas. Afterward you have lunch at a restaurant in the area and spend the night in Aguas Calientes.

Overnight: Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes – Cusco

After breakfast you have the day free to explore the town of Machu Picchu on your own. At the scheduled time you take the train to Ollantaytambo and the transfer to Cusco.

Overnight: Cusco

Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake

On this day you choose one of two excursions.

Rainbow Mountain: At 4:00 a.m. we pick you up to go to the foothills of the Ausangate. In the town of Cusipata you stop for breakfast and, after a short talk, start the hike of about 3 hours with a professional guide, learning about the customs and beliefs of the Andean mountains. On the way back you have lunch in Cusipata and reach your hotel in Cusco around 4:30 p.m.

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 hour 30 minutes.

At the lake you have time to enjoy the view and take part in a short demonstration of the offering to Mother Earth and the Apus. Then you go back down to Soraypampa, return to Mollepata for lunch and reach your hotel in Cusco around 6:30 or 7:00 p.m.

Overnight: Cusco

Departure from Cusco

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