Arrival to Lima and Free day

Upon your arrival to Lima Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel and will have the rest of the day to enjoy at your leisure.

Explore the historic center of Lima, which is full of impressive Spanish architecture. Visit Larco Museum, which is renowned for its extensive pre-Columbian art collection, and is considered one of the top museums in South America. Continue to enjoy by indulging in the unique flavors that Lima has to offer. Peru is regarded as the culinary capital of South America and has been recognized as one of the world's leading culinary destinations.

Arequipa

Explore a colonial-era city in Peru’s southwestern region, original buildings made from a local volcanic material called Sillar, and the backdrop ringed by snow-capped volcanic peaks. A perfect blend of natural beauty, colonial charm, history, culture, and delicious food.

Board your flight to Arequipa, on arrival the average elevation here is 7661 ft. Arequipa sits at the base of three towering Volcanoes - Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu - making it a destination that is both unique and stunning.

In the afternoon, you will admire a unique panorama of the city's main volcanoes. The view is simply breathtaking and you will surely feel the mystery in the air, the wonderful combination of nature and skylines amidst this beautiful city. Afterwards, stroll through one of the most beautiful squares in Peru. The main square building has a Neo-Renaissance structure with some references to Gothic style, and is one of the few basilicas in the world where the Vatican flag can be seen displayed.

Continue on, and visit the oldest church in Arequipa built in 1739, where you will appreciate the Churrigueresco architectural style, plus wood carvings and murals depicting flowers, fruits, Amazon birds, warriors and cherubs. Finally, you'll explore one of the most impressive colonial religious buildings in Peru. Covering an area of more than 20,246 square meters (218,000 square feet), the 16th-century monastery is a "city within a city". Narrow graceful streets, lined with charming squares and small fountains. Built in 1579, it only opened to visitors in 1970, after its use as a 400-year-old convent that housed nearly 400 nuns.

Adventure & Flavors

Taste authentic recipes and observe cooking techniques that have remained unchanged since pre-Hispanic times, despite centuries of colonialism. Arequipa offers more traditional Peruvian cuisine than any other city in Peru, and is known for some of the best dishes in the country!

Arequipa consists of a real mix of the trendy and modern, verses the more traditional places filled with locals. You’ll visit and get to sample more than 17 Peruvian foods and drinks, which will allow you to gain a proper taste of Arequipa's most emblematic dishes and beverages, whilst learning about all the historical and cultural details behind each of them.

With our walking food tour of Arequipa, entailing 5 to 10 mins between each food stop, you’ll not only gain a great overview of the local gastronomy, but you will also get to visit the best of the city along the way. We include some art, architecture, and sightseeing, and more. Aside from discovering new flavors, another important component of this culinary experience is to discover the story, the cultural background, and the current context associated with each bite.

Colca Valley: Quarry and Ancient Paintings

Discover off-the-beaten-path locations while traveling to the Colca Valley.

You'll visit ancient caves, where prehistoric paintings of human figures and camels are found. These rock paintings date back up to 8,000 years. In addition, a visit to the quarry, where the white volcanic rocks were originally extracted and used to build most of the significant colonial structures in Arequipa, including the cathedral and numerous old mansions and architecturally impressive buildings.

First stop will be at the Quarry, learn about the white rock extraction process and have the opportunity to interact with the local workers who inherited the techniques from their ancestors, and continue to use them to the current day. From here continue on to explore the ancient caves which contain more than 500 drawings from the Paleolithic era.

Afterwards, travel through breathtaking landscapes that boast snow-capped volcanoes and Andean villages, en route you’ll be able to spot local wild Vicuñas and Viscachas. At the highest point of your journey (15,300 feet), you’ll reach a perfect look-out point that offers the best views of the peaks of the various volcanoes surrounding Arequipa.

Descend down to the valley, and observe how the terrain and elevations vary dramatically, with endless terraces and colcas (storehouses) that are characteristic of the canyon landscapes.

Finally, have time to relax at your hotel, or to enjoy submerging yourself in some of the warm water found at the local thermal baths in the region.

Colca Canyon

Explore the 3rd deepest canyon in the world! The Colca Canyon is truly a geological wonder, it has a depth of approximately 13,648 feet (3,534 meters) into the earth.

Colca is the name of the canyon, river, and valley. Named after the stone reservoirs placed at higher elevations (Colcas) which were the inspiration for its name.

Early in the morning, you’ll head to a strategic look-out point to contemplate the Colca Canyon’s mystic beauty.

You’ll be overwhelmed by the towering mountains, and sightings of Andean condors that are usually seen soaring smoothly around the thermal drifts created in the canyon.

The opportunity to closely observe Andean condors with their 8-foot (2.5-meter) wingspans is fantastic, one of South America’s most amazing animals.

Finally, soak up the amazing Andean scenery on your return to Arequipa.

Sacred Valley

Spend pleasant moments on a farm full of Camelids, such as our charming native Llamas and Alpacas, learn the techniques of ancient weaving processes, take in the impressive landscapes of the Sacred Valley from a privileged and strategic view point, and explore enormous Inca terraces and historical sites.

You will start with taking a short flight to Cusco, and upon your arrival we will transport you to The Sacred Valley of The Incas. The average elevation here is 9416 ft, which is slightly lower than Cusco (11,000 ft).

Amazing Andean landscapes, nature, picturesque valleys, and great archaeological sites from the Inca empire are abundant in this place.

The Sacred Valley is one of the few places where you can see authentic and native camelids. Our visit to the Llama and Alpaca Farm will also include the chance to see some Vicunas and Guanacos, to meet and feed gentle animals that enjoy human company, and closely observe these unique animals. Continuing the theme with a textile demonstration that relies on the wool of these precious native animals, observe the types of weaving looms, along with the ancient and natural techniques of dyeing, which utilize a variety of plants, minerals, and tools. At the end of your visit, you will have the opportunity to find ponchos, runners, chullos, blankets, capes, quilts, etc. for sale. Any purchases made go a long way to support the improvement of living conditions for the local families that welcome and enjoy sharing their knowledge with our guests.

Next, we make our way to a very well-located viewpoint, to enjoy the unique, captivating and almost surrealistic landscapes that the Sacred Valley offers, and the Vilcanota river which is surrounded by agricultural fields including our native Quinoa. We will pass small towns with beautiful Andean style houses, and the emblematic Wakaywillque mountain peak lies in the background. There will be plenty of opportunities to capture stunning and memorable photos along the way.

Afterwards, visit the largest fortress city of the Sacred Valley, and in fact one of the largest of ancient America. Explore archaic Inca burial grounds, irrigation systems, and astronomy centers, all of them well defended by walls, gates and towers. Continue to a textile market, full of a wide assortment of colors, styles, and designs for gifts and souvenirs to take home with you if you wish.

Finally, enjoy the tranquility of the Sacred Valley, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and mountains.

Andean Culinary experience and Panoramic train to Machu Picchu town

Today, discover Ollantaytambo town and savor a traditional Inca meal prepared on hot rocks and using local organic produce.

Ollantaytambo is a place with a wealth of history. In January 1537, the Spanish suffered their only major defeat in the battle of Ollantaytambo. Manco Inca orchestrated a surprise dawn attack by using their expert topography of the Sacred Valley, as well as Spanish horses that they had stolen. All this by their own ingenuity in order to completely defeat the Spanish forces. This was likely the reason that the Spanish never discovered Machu Picchu, purely because of the Manco Inca's victory at Ollantaytambo.

Moreover, Ollantaytambo is the scene of one of the most traditional and emotional legends of Peru - the forbidden romance of General Ollantay and Kusi Qoyllur.

General Ollantay, a warrior of commoner origin, was recognized for his great performance and achievements while acting as General of the Inca army. This earned him an important tribute, and during the award ceremony he was impressed and enamored with Kusi Qoyllur, daughter of the Inca Pachacútec. A secret romance between the two was not ever possible to reveal, due to the Empire's laws, which only permitted the union of individuals both with Inca lineage.

Ollantaytambo retains all of its original charm as it hasn't experienced any major physical changes since the Inca times. Discover the wonderfully characterful cobbled streets and delightful town square, plus the hugely impressive Inca stonework at the nearby archaeological sites. A great place to explore for souvenirs and local crafts which can be found at the artisanal market just a few steps away. Take your time to capture beautiful pictures with calmness and no rush.

Afterwards, walk to another picture-perfect location, surrounded by mountains and beautiful gardens, located just 15 minutes from the center of the town. Here, you will have the opportunity to taste from the Pachamanca, which translates to "earth oven".

This traditional Inca meal is cooked on hot rocks, and includes "grilled" chicken, pork, and lamb, Andean potatoes, organic vegetables, a house-made salad, and is also served with traditional sauces and the very popular local beverage Chicha Morada. Additionally, there will be a sugar cane distillery and coffee roasting facility to visit. Please note any dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.

After this unique culinary experience, embark on an exclusive train journey that surrounds you with the magical landscapes, thanks to panoramic windows and the observatory car. Experience an unforgettable trip. All while enjoying our authentic culture through the music and the typical Saqra dance presentation delivered en route. Along the way you will be able to move between the panoramic car and the elegant observatory car, to fully absorb and appreciate the scenic experience on board.

Finally, if desired, relax and sit back at the local hot springs, submerge yourself in natural thermal baths, and unwind here with the incredible mountain backdrop.

Machu Picchu

Today, explore the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu which covers an area of 325 km2, and has been majestically restored, it is truly a wonder of the world.

Machu Picchu is authentic proof of the Inca's advanced engineering and architectural skills. Discover the captivating ancient culture of the Incas and their astonishing engineering projects, which were exceptionally advanced for their time. The use of deep building foundations and crushed rock for drainage was the method employed for 60% of the construction at Machu Picchu, as per expert engineer Kenneth Wright.

An enchanting, mysterious, and magical essence permeates everything on the site.

A longstanding harmonious and mesmerizing relationship between culture and nature is exemplified by the exceptional scenery and beauty of the mountain landscape.

The structures' orientation was greatly influenced by the location of nearby holy mountains, which explains more the mystery of its atmospheric position in the land.

Within all the sites, there are expressions of the Inca's cosmological vision of existence, which includes myths, legends, and everything they considered sacred.

Take a 25-minute bus ride upwards to reach the Machu Picchu ruins. Your 2.5-hour private guide will lead you around the site and explain the different buildings along with interesting stories and historical facts. After the tour, take the bus down, board your train back to Ollantaytambo and connect with the 2-hour land transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Cusco full exploration

Start the day with exploring the cobblestone streets of Cusco, or alternatively relax at your hotel and recuperate from the day before. In the afternoon you’ll visit the main highlights of this ancient and historical city.

Cusco is the most ancient continuously-inhabited city in the Americas. For 3,000 years now people have been living life in Cusco! From the 13th to 16th century, the Inca Empire's capital was Cusco. This was the case until 1533 when Spaniard Francisco Pizarro took over. Nowadays it’s a wonderful blend of the ancient past and the more recent colonial period, where one can admire original Inca temples and monuments, alongside the colonial architecture and modern buildings.

The San Blas neighborhood is very picturesque and is located at the heart of this ancient capital of the Incas, the combination of indigenous and colonial influences is enthralling. Artists and craftspeople find sanctuary in this place, where talented musicians' sweet melodies fill the air, and the smell of freshly painted canvases remain. Stroll through bursts of color, with an abundance of eye-catching artisan products displayed amongst local shops and restaurants.

In the afternoon, get to know Cusco via a guided tour through the city. Admire several paintings from the Escuela Cuzquena (Cusco School), created during the 17th and 18th centuries, and from here continue to explore the most important temple to the Incas, whose walls were said to be plated with gold. Then head to the top of Cusco, where you’ll walk through a 15th-century dry-stone complex sitting upon a steep hill, and visit important religious and sacred sites situated nearby.

Colored Andean Mountain

A must for nature lovers! You'll witness a region of Peru that is seldom explored by travelers! Trek to the Rainbow mountains, whose stripes of striking reddish colors are a result of the sedimentary mineral layers that have been exposed by erosion.

Walk through a truly stunning valley where you’ll witness the three rainbow mountains that stand apart from each other, plus red valleys and breathtaking landscapes, which include meadows, straw huts, numerous Llamas and Alpacas in their natural habitat, a variety of birds, as well as the local people, and more, all are awe-inspiring. The majestic Ausangate glacier, a giant mountain with snowcapped peaks reaching up to 20,900 feet or 4 miles, glows in the distance during sunny days.

Furthermore, in return for an extra 20-minute hike up to Stone Forest, which consists of a big standing sharp rock, 16,076 ft / 3 miles up, you'll have a fantastic photo opportunity of the three rainbow mountains and red valleys all in one shot. The landscape's beauty here is enough to leave you breathless.

You’ll start early today, setting off to the south of Cusco on a 3.5-hour drive until reaching the starting point of what is still considered an off -the-beaten-path trek. This 60-minute hike will take you through Andean landscapes via a short, relatively flat path and gentle trek. The summit lies at about 16,000ft. Upon reaching the colored mountains take wonderful unique pictures with ease as it is not overly crowded here. Finally, embark on the 3.5-hour drive back to Cusco center.

Time in car: 3.5 hours each way

Distance Traveled: 7 km (4.3 miles)

Difficulty: Easy – moderate

Adiós! Till our next trip!

At the designated time we say farewell and a private transfer will take you to the airport of Cusco to board your flight to Lima, and finally connect to your international flight back home.