Best of Peru – 12 Days

Best of Peru Tour you will visit Lima, the famous “City of the Kings”, Arequipa where is the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca in Puno, Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu. means exploring the highlights of Peru in exactly the way you imagined it. The itinerary of Vicuña Adventures has been fashioned for you by the world’s foremost experts.

Itinerary

Day 1: TUESDAY - ARRIVAL IN LIMA

Day 2: CITY TOUR AND VISIT TO THE LARCO MUSEUM

The day begins with an excursion to the historic center of Lima, the famous “City of the Kings” and part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. You will walk through the Main Square and visit its principal landmarks. You will then continue to the Santo Domingo Convent, a 16th century architectural masterpiece, where you will learn some of the history of two of our patron saints: Rose of Lima and Martin of Porras. Later, you will continue the tour to the city’s modern sectors: the exclusive district of San Isidro, Lima’s new financial center, and Miraflores, with a stop at the “Parque del Amor” (a sort of lover’s lane) and its incredible view of the Pacific Ocean. Next stop is the Larco Musuem, whose specially selected private collection shows more than 3000 years of Pre-Columbian history.

Day 3: AREQUIPA – EXCURSION THROUGH THE CITY AND A VISIT TO THE SANTA CATALINA CONVENT

You will leave Lima for the city of Arequipa and, upon reaching it, tour the city and its famous historic downtown, also inscribed on UNESCO’s Cultural World Heritage List. Just a few blocks away sits the Santa Catalina Convent, a grand 16th century religious complex and sanctuary. After that visit, you will end the day at two traditional districts of the city: Cayma and Yanahuara.
Accommodations for the night in Arequipa.

Day 4: FRIDAY – COLCA CANYON

Today, you will make your way to one of the world’s deepest canyons: the Colca Canyon, 165 km from the city of Arequipa. Along the way, you will pass through Pampas Cañahuas, a plain in the midst of the Aguada Blanca y Salinas National Reserve that will open the way to experiencing the adventure, culture, and history that envelopes this peculiar setting, surrounded by peaks and precipices. You will also stop at Patahuasi, a small village in the valley, and then later ascend to 4000 m. The route continues to the town of Chivay, a fascinating community, whose citizens are incredibly warm and welcoming. It also boasts a Pre-Incan bridge, a small 18th century Colonial church dedicated to Assumption Mary, a lively market, and proximity to the La Calera hot springs. The afternoon is free to enjoy those thermal waters or the comfort of your hotel.
Accommodations for the night in Yanque.

Day 5: CRUZ DEL CONDOR AND TRANSFER TO PUNO

The day begins with an early drive to the Cruz del Condor, a natural lookout some 60 km from Chivay and the perfect spot for watching the world’s largest bird, the majestic Andean condor, glide of the winds. On the return, you will stop by the village of Pincholo, famous for its cheeses and retable artisans, and then the town of Maca to visit its charming handicraft market and Colonial church. The last part of the day is the drive to Puno.
Accommodations for the night in Puno.

Day 6: LAKE TITICACA AND THE FLOATING UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS

Today will be a full day excursion on Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake at 3808 m, and you will visit its main attraction: the floating Uros Islands, which lay just 6 km off the Puno Bay. 35 minutes from these is Taquile Island, where the community will, after giving you a traditional welcome, show you their customs, like their traditional and colorful outfits, and teach you what the knitted patterns mean. From this spot, the views become even better. The color of the lake turns a deeper blue, and the setting takes on an even more special mood.
Accommodations for the night in Puno.

Day 7: DEPARTURE FOR CUSCO – LA RAYA, RAQCHI, AND ANDAHUAYLILLAS

You will be taken to the bus station, where you will begin your trip to the city of Cuzco . There is a scheduled stop at the La Raya Pass, the natural border between the departments of Cusco and Puno, which is a prime location for taking impressive photos. Afterwards, you will tour the Incan archeological site of Raqchi, renowned for its massive temple to the god Viracocha. Next on the itinerary is a stop at the village of Andahuaylillas, where you will see an actual architectural masterpiece: its main church, built in the 17th century, whose finely painted interior walls will astound you.
Accommodations in Cuzco.

Day 8: EXCURSION IN THE CITY AND VISIT TO SACSAYHUAMAN AND NEARBY ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES

You will tour the city today and enjoy the amazing Colonial center, an inheritance from its Andean and Hispanic past as well as an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Two of the city’s famous landmarks are on the schedule, as well: the Korikancha, or “Temple of the Sun, and the Cathedral, home to finely carved wooden art pieces and impressive altars. The tour continues to Sacsayhuaman, an Incan fort constructed from menhirs that guarded the Imperial city. There are three other important archeological sites, not far at all from the city, that you will visit: Qenko, Tambomachay, and Puca Pucara.
Accommodations in Cuzco.

Day 9: FREE DAY - EXPLORE THE CITY ON YOUR OWN!

Enjoy an afternoon off in Cuzco. Relax, look around, and admire what you see.
Accommodations in Cuzco.

Day 10: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS: PISAC MARKET AND OLLANTAYTAMBO

On this day, you will venture into the warm Sacred Valley of the Incas, named thus because it was incredibly valuable to the development of the Incan culture. It is divided by the Urubamba River and protected by towering mountains, like Veronica, Chicon, and Pitusiray, all above 5000 meters and that you will surely have the pleasure of seeing. Along the way, you will stop at a key location that affords a classic view of the Urubamba River snaking its way through the valley and then continue onward to Pisac, one of the many hospitable towns scattered about the valley, where you will have some free time to shop in its colorful market, to watch as local craftsmen ply their trade, and to interact with its surroundings. Lastly, you will arrive at the lovely town of Ollantaytambo that still maintains its original Incan architecture.
Accommodations in Cuzco.

Day 11: MACHU PICCHU, LOST CITY OF THE INCAS

The landmark on today’s itinerary is the icon of Peruvian tourism: the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the great Incan outpost. The tour starts off with a train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, the departure point for the ascent to the Stone City. After the visit is completed, you will descend and return to the city of Cuzco.
Accommodations in Cuzco.

Day 12: RETURN TO LIMA - INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES

At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Lima.