Ultimate Tour of Peru

Ultimate Tour of Peru Overview

The Ultimate Tour of Peru leaves few stones unturned in Peru – it takes in all the highlights and more. Besides visiting all the essentials, such as Sacred Valley, Cusco and the mighty Machu Picchu, you will also visit Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon and Arequipa. The last 2 days, discover the Amazon to top off your grand tour of this wonderful country

Day 1: Welcome to Lima!
Your private driver and English-speaking guide will give you a warm welcome when you land in Lima. They will then drive you through the bustling capital to your boutique hotel in Miraflores. where you can relax and enjoy the evening at your leisure. We love Quinta Miraflores, it really feels like a home from home! (Premium room)

Day 2: The ultimate foodie tour
Today, we will teach you the culture of Peru through its food by taking you to visit a traditional market, its top restaurants, a Ceviche and Pisco Sour class, and districts that best represent this culinary marvel. We not only want you to enjoy this mouthwatering experience, but to also discover and fall in love with the best of Lima in just a few hours. After lunch, visit the Larco Herrera, home to more than 5000 years of ancient Peruvian history.

Day 3: Travel to Arequipa
Today we will fly you to Arequipa. Surrounded by 3 volcanoes and home to beautiful baroque buildings and an endless, sprawling historic monastery, it is a delightful city to spend a couple of nights. Upon landing, your driver and guide will meet you and take you to the lovely Palla Hotel where you can check into your Comfort Room.

Day 4: Exploring Arequipa
This morning is devoted to exploring and walking through Arequipa, also known as “the White City” due to the predominance of the white volcanic rock called “sillar” used in its buildings and also the Santa Catalina Convent, founded in 1579 as a cloister. Walk through its beautiful buildings as your guide takes you on a journey back in time through one of the largest holdings of colonial art in the Americas.

Day 5: A beautiful road trip to Colca
Journey to the scenic Colca Canyon. On the way you enter the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve, an extensive plain where you may see vicuñas, the Andean camelid that is considered a national symbol, and pass through the district of Yura, characterised by its rugged geography of ravines, hills and canyons. Upon arriving to Colca you will be transferred to the Colca Lodge (double room).

Day 6: Visit the second deepest canyon in the world
Visit to Cruz del Cóndor to see the Colca Valley (the second deepest canyon in the world, more than 4 kilometres deep) followed by an astonishing sight: the great and majestic condor flying only a few metres away. Pass the villages of Maca and Yanque, and the vantage points at Antahuilque and Choquetico. Continue to Lagunillas, Juliaca and finally Puno, where you will check into Casa Andina Premium (superior room with lake view).

Day 7: A day on the largest, highest lake in the world
Enjoy an unforgettable day visiting the islands of the impressive Lake Titicaca, the highest deepest lake in the world. Let’s start with the floating Uros Island, a place where the woman is the authority and where they keep traditions of thousands of years. Then continue to the Taquile Island where you can enjoy the union between the water and the sky with the incredible landscape before heading back to Puno.

Day 8: An epic train journey to Cusco
This morning you will transfer to the train station to board the Titicaca Train to Cusco – pardon the cliche but today really is all about the journey (and the destination). If you are a landscape lover this is the train for you. Enjoy the best views of the Andes on board of the train, 10 hours journey to relax. Lunch on board. Arrive in Cusco and transfer to the lovely Niños hotel (double room).

Day 9: A half-day tour of Cusco
Without a doubt this city needs a morning just to enjoy walking its gorgeous stone streets, listening the Andean music and falling in love with a glorious past, the Inca past that had the capacity to create this civilization that we are lucky enough to experience with our senses. You will visit the Coricancha the Temple of the Sun and the Cusco’s Cathedral before enjoying the afternoon at leisure.

Day 10: Visit to Machu Picchu
Board the incredible Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes (about 2 hours) where you will have some time for lunch before visiting Machu Picchu. The Lost City of the Incas will astonish you with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. Energy is all around us. Afterwards take the bus again to go back to the town, where you will spend the night hotel El Mapi (superior room, dinner included).

Day 11 : A return visit to Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley
Today you have a second chance to enjoy Machu Picchu by your own. We suggest an early bus ride to Machu Picchu in order to see the sunrise, the first bus of the day departs at 5.30am. After your morning exploration, you will take the train to Ollantaytambo, one of the key towns of the Sacred Valley. Check into La Casona de Yucay (premium room).

Day 12: A full day in the Sacred Valley
Start your day at the colourful Pisac Market, where the local quechua communities set up shop on the main square before continuing through the Valley of Urubamba to Ollantaytambo to visit the Archaeological Complex, used fortress during the time of the Spanish conquest. A picnic lunch with great views will be served before visiting the impressive salt pans of Moras and the archaeological wonders of Moray.

Day 13: Begin your Amazon adventure
This morning you will fly to Puerto Maldonado, where you will be met by staff from your Amazon lodge and board a motorized canoe along the Madre de Dios River to your hotel. Enjoy a lunch before a guided walk on the many trails from your property learning about primary and secondary rainforest. At dusk you will head out on a motorized canoe to see the Amazon come alive at night before returning to your hotel (cabaña, full-board)

Day 14: A full day in the Amazon
Today will be full of experiences to really get a chance to explore the Amazon world! The day starts with a long trek through into the Reserve towards Lake Sandoval to board a dugout canoe in search of the endangered giant river otter, blue and yellow macaw, red howler monkey and black caiman. This afternoon you will head from the lodge for a canopy walk where you see the Amazon at a new perspective being in the tree tops. If you love insects join the guide for a night time walk.

Day 15: Return to Lima
After breakfast, take the motorised canoe back to Puerto Maldonado. You will have time to visit the Butterfly House and learn about these beautiful creatures before taking your flight to Lima in time to take your international flight home – safe travels!