In the north is the city of Caral, the oldest civilization of America, and to the south is the Archaeological Complex of Pachacamac. Lima's history predates the colonial presence in the country. The establishment of the viceroyalty transformed the city into the main political and administrative center of South America. During this period, significant churches, monasteries, mansions and balconies were built. he arrival of modernity didn’t transform the historic center, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Museums with great works of art, archaeological sites, beaches, the boardwalk, valleys, natural reserves, the nightlife, the thrill of adventure sports, and the exquisite cuisine gives Peru’s capital an authentic personality and makes tourism in Lima a unique experience in the country.

We will have a tour through Lima’s streets and plazas. Starting at the Love Park in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, and then heading to the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of the Lima culture. Later we will go to San Isidro, financial center of the city. After this, we go on to the Main Square where the Government Palace and the Town Hall are located. We will visit the Cathedral and explore the Santo Domingo Convent, along which corridors San Martin de Porras and San Rosa de Lima used to walk around in 17th century, and where their remains rest today.

Highlights:
• Downtown Lima
• Main Square
• Santo Domingo Church
• Miraflores
• Huallamarca

Departure to Paracas Bay in the exclusive “Paracas Premium Service”. We will go the airport of Pisco to fly over the Nazca lines, huge drawing that can only be seen from the sky and which represent several insects and animals like a monkey, hummingbird, condor or a spider. The origins are unknown, while many think it is a big astronomic calendar. Return to airport and departure to Lima in the exclusive “Paracas Premium Service.”
After pickup in Miraflores and San Isidro, settle into your luxurious Mercedes-Benz van and head with a tour escort to Paracas, in Peru’s province of Pisco, where you’ll start your air tour over the Nazca Lines. The drive along the coast of Peru takes about four hours each way.

At the airport, board your Cessna airplane and settle into your window seat (every passenger has one!). Then take off and fly over the World Heritage-listed geoglyphs, the most famous in the world. The high, arid plateau of the Nazca Desert reaches across more than 50 miles (80 km); its isolation and dry climate has helped to preserve the lines over time.

The exact origins and significance of these hundreds of figures are unclear, but it’s believed that the designs were created by the Nazca people between 400 and 650 AD. Fly over several of the individual designs, many of which are animals; your pilot will let you know which designs you're about to see. The monkey, for instance, is 300 feet (90 meters) long and has five fingers on one hand but only four on the other, believed to represent the nine months of drought the Nazca people went through each year.

The spider is said to represent fertility and water, as this arachnid usually appeared before it was going to rain. The flamingo, condor and hummingbird represent the winter and summer solstices; their beaks point to the location of the sunrises and sunsets on the solstice days in Nazca.

During the 1.5-hour flight, you'll have plenty of time to view the one-of-a-kind artwork with great photo ops from the air!

Early in the morning we will embark on a boat tour to the Ballesta Islands.  The “Chandelier” a giant figure marked in the sand in the style of the Nazca lines can also be seen on our way to the islands. On the islands you will be able to observe sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins and other sea birds.  In the afternoon, departure to Lima in the exclusive “Paracas Premium Service”.

Transfer to the airport to catch the departing flight to Arequipa. Welcoming reception on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free morning to get used to the altitude. This afternoon, the White City opens its doors on a journey that begins in the beautiful Colonial district of San Lazaro, the founding place of Arequipa; from here we will walk through its picturesque streets adorned with geraniums to later go to the Carmen Alto viewpoint for a chance to see the wonderful landscape of agricultural terraces and the three volcanoes surrounding the city: Misti, Chachani and Pichu-Pichu.  It is time to head for the Yanahuara Colonial district, famous for its Andalusian style church and its viewpoint, architecture jewel surrounded by sillar (volcanic stone) arches.  Then we will visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, impressive religious monument which was closed for about 400 years; with narrow streets, squares and gardens reminiscent of the old quarters of Seville or Granada. We will proceed to the Main Square to see its beautiful Cathedral and the stone arches that surround it, and finally, it is time to visit the Church of the Society of Jesus, founded in the seventeenth century by the Jesuits, famous for its cloisters and its magnificent San Ignacio Dome. Stay in Arequipa.

We set off to the spectacular Colca Valley going up the foothills of Chachani volcano and admiring the Misti and Picchu Picchu Volcanoes. Then we cross the vicuñas reservation of Pampa Cañahuas where we can see them running free in the high Andean lands. Peculiar villages around us. We will stop for lunch on our way to the hotel. Free afternoon to rest and enjoy the hotel and the optional visit to the thermal baths in the area. Overnight stay at Colca Valley.

Early in the morning we will go to the Condor Cross viewpoint. Before us the shocking flight of the condors, huge Andean birds on the brink of extinction and symbol of the Andes Mountain Range. The view at this place allows us to appreciate the canyons depth, considered as one of the deepest in the world. We will then visit the Maca and Yanque towns which still keep the colonial churches.

After lunch, we will set off for Puno on bus. The trip takes about 5 hours and we will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel upon our arrival. Overnight stay at Puno.

Let’s tour the Titicaca Lake in a full day excursion. We will be transferred from the hotel to Puno Port. We will start by visiting the Uros, where the friendly locals will welcome us on their floating islands built with totora reed. We will then continue to Taquile Island, where the people still preserve their ancestral traditions and will welcome us with their colorful typical garments. We shouldn’t miss the opportunity of exploring the island and be amazed with the beautiful lake views. We will have a traditional lunch prepared with products typical of the area. In the afternoon, return to the city.

From Puno city, we will take a motor boat to Taquile Island and the floating islands of the Uros community, native inhabitants of the Lake. These islands were built using lake straw that gives them a particular swaying feel under your feet. Taquile offers wonderful lake scenes, colorful folk traditions and eye-catching handicrafts. Lunch is included.

Departure on a tour bus to Cusco. On the way we’ll stop to visit the attractions this beautiful route has to offer.  Our first stop: the in site Pucara Museum and a chance to get one of the local classic bull shaped ceramics. Then it’s lunch time and the opportunity to see the view at La Raya, natural border between Puno and Cusco. We will continue our trip to Racchi, Temple of the Wiracocha god where the walls and narrow streets stand out. Before our final destination, we will stop at Andahuaylillas for a visit to its beautiful chapel. We will arrive in Cusco at the end of the afternoon. Stay at Cusco.

Exclusive city tour that starts at San Cristobal Plaza to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. We will then visit Saint Peter-s marker, where we will be able to appreciate the local flavors and learn about the local produce in this market where you can find everything and is the main supply center of the city. We will then continue to the Koricancha Temple that will welcome us with its splendor. The Golden Precinct is the meaning of its name in Quechua and we can still feel the sumptuousness of its walls that were once lined in gold sheets. From Saint Blas, the craftsmen’s quarters we will walk down along the Hatun Rumiyoc street, finding midway the Inca Roca Palace, today the Archbishop’s Palace; and we will have time to appreciate the worldwide famous Stone of the Twelve Angles. We will go on to the Main Square to visit the Cathedral that houses invaluable colonial works of art.

Highlights
• Main Square
• Convent of Santo Domingo
• El Quorikancha Temple of the Sun
• Cusco Cathedral & Cuzqueño Paintings

Town of Chinchero, Moray and Inca Town of Ollantaytambo

Let’s visit the most outstanding sites of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be in the town of Chinchero, the most typical and picturesque of the Sacred Valley where we will appreciate its Inca archaeological complex and its beautiful colonial Church. Chinchero is also famous for its women weavers, who may teach us the ancient Inca techniques for dyeing and spinning with Alpaca wool. We will continue to Moray, beautiful and curious Inca archaeological complex composed of colossal concentric terraces simulating a large amphitheater. In Incas times, it served as an agricultural laboratory where diverse microclimates were recreated. Lunch at one of the restaurants in the area. Finally, we end our tour visiting the fabulous archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo important for the Incas as a military, religious and agricultural center. We will visit the Temple of the ten windows, the bathrooms of the ñusta, the Temple of the Sun among other places of interest. The postcards from the heights of Ollantaytambo will close this magical day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

 

Completed in approximately 1450, at the height of the Incan empire, Macchu Picchu was abandoned less than 100 years later following the Spanish conquest of Peru. Today it is considered by many to be the new spiritual center of the world. After a short drive to the Cusco railway station, we’ll take the Orient Express to Aguas Calientes Station. During the booking process, choose between two possible seating arrangements for the train ride, the Vistadome option or the Expedition option.

Itinerary:
Transfer to the train station. Depart on the Vistadome train class to the town of Aguas Calientes. During the journey, we will appreciate the hanging bridge that signals the start of the Inca Trail. The railway follows the course of the Urubamba or Vilcanota River climbing down and entering a canyon until we reach Aguas Calientes, the town that is located at the foot of Machu Picchu Mountain.

We will board our mini-buses to climb to the remnants of the Sacred Citadel of the Incas, “Machu Picchu”. Visit to this incredible archeological site that keeps indescribable magic and energy for those who haven’t lived this experience before. We will tour the terraces, corridors, temples, the solar clock or “Intihuatana”, and other sacred places kept by this citadel. In the afternoon, ride back to the town of Machu Picchu (former - Aguas Calientes) to catch the return train. Arrival at the station and return to Cusco.

First Class Vistadome Train Service:
Surrounded entirely by glass, with wagons having large panoramic windows offering incomparable scenic views and innumerous opportunities to capture spectacular snapshots, Vistadome travelers feel connected and part of the awesome landscape of Peru. Perurail provides travelers on board top rate personalized service to give them an unforgettable life experience.
From Poroy, the journey lasts 3 hours and 30 minutes; and from Ollantaytambo, it takes 2 hours.

Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes Station, board a mini bus to the ruins of the “sacred city,” Machu Picchu. Learn from our expert guides as you walk the streets of the amazing mystical ruins. Stroll through town squares and climb delicately carved stone stairways. Esoteric wisdom holds Machu Picchu as the new spiritual center of the world. You will have time to explore on your own to fully embrace this magnificent wonder of the world and let the once in a lifetime experience set in. In the afternoon, we´ll return to the train station for the trip back to Cusco.

Highlights
• Explore the history of Machu Picchu
• Take a guided tour of the ruins with an expert tour guide
• Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
• Train Journey and amazing landscapes.

Morning off.  Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are limited.  We suggest applying for the entrance tickets for later dates at the moment you book the whole tour program so as to avoid any complications due to congestions or lack of local availability.  In an additional visit to Machu Picchu we will be able to see the areas of the Intipunku or Door of the Sun, the Inca Trail entrance to the citadel.  For those looking for a more intense adventure and wish to visit Huayna Picchu, it is important to have in mind that there are only 400 daily spots to climb the mountain, all of which have to be reserved in advance. At the arranged time, we will return to Cuzco and will be transferred to the hotel.  Overnight stay in Cuzco

Private Transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight to Lima or to your next destination in South America.