PERU 15 DAYS
Day1.- Islas ballestas
Our representative will be pick waiting for you at the airport to drive you to your hotel and Pisco (4 hours by bus, 260 km). From the throughway, we will begin to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, the birds and watch the dolphins dancing on the ocean. We will also see the Candelabro, a series of geological channels or engraved lines in rocks that reach 120 meters. Once we arrive to Pisco, we will go to the port, where we will take the boat that will bring us to the island. We will then visit the natural and protected area off the Pacific Ocean that has impressive land and marine ecosystems. On the island, there lives a variety of marine life such as seals, dolphins, Humboldt penguins, flamenco or parihuanas and a large variety of birds that you can see in their natural habitat. We will have the opportunity to be close to the marine life and observe their behavior. After we are finished on the island, we will return to Pisco to have lunch. Then, we will head to Nazca
Day2.- Las lineas de Nazca
In the morning, we will head in plane over The Nazca Lines for about 45 minutes. Here, we will see gigantic geoglyph lines with hundreds of individual figures, ranging in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, and lizards. After lunch we will return to Lima.
Day3.- Nazca - Arequipa
Day4.- Arequipa (city tour)
Day 5.- Colca Canyon (first days) : We will collect you from your hotel after breakfast and ascend gradually until arriving at Pampas Cañahuas and to the national reserve that features Vicunas, Alpacas and Llamas, some birds like flamingos, ducks and the Andean eagle. We will then arrive to a volcano observatory and see the highest mountains of the region. After visiting the observatory, we will continue with our trip towards the valley until we get to a village called Chivay where we will have lunch. Then, we will settle into our hostel in Chivay or Yanque go to the hot springs of Chivay and in the evening. Here, we will listen to traditional music and see traditional dances.
Day 6.- Colca Canyon (second day): We will get up very early to go to a platform where we will be able to see dozens of condors leaving for the day. On route, we will visit traditional villages that still practice ancient traditions, colonial buildings and Inca terraces that are still in use. When we arrive to the observation point, we will watch the condors fly over our heads and take magnificent photos. After having this once in a lifetime experience, we will take bus to Puno.
Day7.- Colca –Puno
Day8.- Uros
Day9.- Puno-Cusco
Day10.- Sacred Valley + community
We will leave the city going south, crossing Cusco and having the opportunity to get to see more populated neighborhoods with their own customs and traditions. Some of these neighborhoods include San Sebastián, San Jerónimo, Saylla, Huasao, and Oropesa. We will stop 50 minutes away in a city called Huacarpay, where there are the most important swamps of southern Peru. Huacarpay is an ideal place to observe the infinite amount of birds that the valley offers. Afterwards, we will continue to the Ciudad Inca de Pisac, hidden in a mountain like the guard of the Sacred Valley, where you will be able to appreciate the irrigation system, astronomical observatory, religious temples and residences. Here, you will find the largest cemetery of the Incan empire. Then, we will go to the Comunidad campesina de Uchuy Qosqo for an unforgettable experience with local people. You will participate in everyday activities, sharing their customs and traditions dealing with agriculture, handicrafts, music, dances and more. We will stop here for a traditional lunch with local families before continuing to Ollantaytambo, a living city of the Incas that boasts Incan streets, houses, and an intact irrigation system. This is also the site of the famous Incan novel, “Drama Ollantay,” that was written when the empire was at its most powerful. From Ollantaytambo, we will go to Chinchero, the highest point of our trip, 3800 meters (12,500 feet). You will find Incan terraces that local people still use as well as a handicraft market. In Chinchero, you will find that people have continued traditions from the Incan period to today. From Chinchero, we will return to Cusco.
Day 11.- Inca Trail (first day): After breakfast we leave from the village or from Cusco to the start of the trail (82km). There, you will begin the journey, warming up on the relatively flat part of the trail. After two hours, you will reach the first archaeological center of Patallacta, where we will appreciate the impressive landscapes, flora and fauna. This site and others will show the importance of this valley in the context of Incan history. After lunch, we will continue ascending to a semi-tropical valley for two hours until arriving at our camp, Huayllabamba, where we will spend the night.
Day 12.- Inca trail (second day)Huayllabamba-Paccaymayo: After breakfast, we will start hiking early on the morning of the second day, passing through different climatic and ecological zones. We will ascend to Warmiwañusca. We will walk amongst abundant vegetation with various types of trees. This pass is known by many as the world’s highest cloud forest. After the toughest part of the journey, an ascent of nearly 5 hours, we will arrive at the highest point, known to some as Dead Woman’s Pass. From there, we will take a well-deserved break and observe the beauty of the deep valleys. If we’re lucky, we will see the flight of the condors and will pass among the thick clouds in the sky. After this rest, we will descend towards our second camp at Pacaymayu.
Day 13.- Inca trail (third day) Paccaymayo- Wiñaywayna : We will climb steeply up the opposite side of the valley wall, towards the second pass. About halfway up lies a small, round, roofless stone building. This Incan ruin is known as Runkuracay, a building thought to have been an astrological site and a sort of checkpoint for couriers following the trail to Machupicchu. After a short tour, we will continue to ascend towards the second pass, the Abra de Runkuracay. On the far side of the pass, the trail descends towards a valley and a shallow lake. At this point, the trail changes from a dirt path to a narrow stone roadway, containing the exact stones that were in place when the Incas walked the trail. The trail after the pass leads to a second, larger Inca site, Sayacmarca (“Town in a Steep Place”). This Incan ruin was built on a rock overlooking the trail and is accessible only via a single narrow stone staircase. On the left of the staircase lies an overhanging rock wall and on the right a sheer drop with expansive vistas of the Peruvian countryside. This site is roofless and slightly overgrown, but the walls still stand strong and the shape of the fortress can easily be seen. We will also see a stone aqueduct, which once carried water to the farmlands. After touring Sayacmarca, we will descend to the valley floor. The roadway takes the form of a long causeway leading across what may once have been a shallow lake. We will stop at this valley to enjoy lunch. After lunch, you will begin to climb again. At this point, you will pass through interesting Incan structures, including a tunnel that is eight meters long and wide enough to allow humans and animals to pass through. After this tunnel, we will reach the third pass and enjoy the third Incan site, Phuyupatamarca (“Cloud-level Town”). We will learn about the ritual functions that the Incas used this site for. Here we will see baths that Incas bathed in before they reached Machupicchu. The highest baths were reserved for the nobles, while the baths lower down on the side of the structure were used by the lower class. After this Incan site, we will reach another one, Huiñayhuaina (“Forever Young”). At this site, we will enjoy your dinner and settle for the night.
Day 14.- Inca trail- Machupicchu: On the last day of the trek, we will wake up early and follow a wide, relatively flat path. After about an hour and a half, we will climb a narrow flight of stone steps leading to Intipunku, the sun gate. After three and a half days of trekking, we will look through the rectangular doorway of the sun gate and take in the first views of Machupicchu. From there, we will descend into Machupicchu. There, your guide will give a thorough, three-hour tour. Following your tour, you will have time to yourself before taking the bus to Aguas Calientes. From there, we will return to Cusco.
Day15.- Out
