Tailor-made trip "The three Perus"

In the morning, departure from the hotel with your guide for a visit of Lima. You will discover the colonial center of what was, for more than two centuries, the most important city on the continent, as well as the present-day life of this capital of 8 million inhabitants, which concentrates all the cultural and economic contrasts of present-day Peru. Around midday, departure for Paracas by superior-category bus. Arrival in Paracas in the late afternoon. Transfer and overnight at the Hotel La Posada del Emancipador.

In the morning, visit the Ballestas Islands, the "Galapagos of Peru", home to a population of several thousand sea lions and numerous seabirds. Return to the port, from where you depart by superior-category bus towards Nazca. Arrival in Nazca in the afternoon and transfer to the Hotel Casa Andina Classic. Then, departure by private vehicle towards the Palpa valley, where you can observe the anthropomorphic figures drawn in the desert more than 1000 years ago. You will also make a stop at a viewpoint, from where you can see 2 figures drawn by the ancient Nazca civilization, and climb a hill, from where you can observe the enigmatic straight lines sometimes drawn over more than 10 kilometers. Overnight at the hotel.

Free morning to allow those who wish to take the flight over the lines of Nazca. In the early afternoon, transfer to the bus terminal to travel towards Arequipa by superior-category bus. Arrival in Arequipa late in the evening and transfer to the Hotel Casa Andina Classic.

Optional: visit the pre-Columbian cemetery of Chauchilla with its mummies over 1000 years old, or the pyramid complex of Cahuachi.

Arequipa is the first high-altitude city of this trip to Peru, a stop at 2300 meters before tackling the Andean plateaus. At the hinge between the coast and the altiplano, this colonial city with its spring-like climate offers a very pleasant stop. In the morning, visit the picturesque district of Yanahuara, the Carmen Alto viewpoint with its magnificent view over the Arequipa valley and the surrounding volcanoes. You then visit the colonial center, the central market, the cloisters of the Compañía and the Santa Catalina monastery, one of the most beautiful colonial monasteries in South America. Free afternoon and overnight at the hotel.

As an alternative, you can go rafting down the Río Chili or take a Peruvian cooking class.

In the morning, departure for the Colca canyon. Ascent onto the altiplano, above 4000 meters of altitude, passing through the Aguada Blanca reserve, where you can observe local wildlife: vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, viscachas... After crossing a pass at 4900 meters (the highest point of your trip to Peru), you descend into the Colca valley where you have lunch in the village of Chivay (lunch not included). In the afternoon, a short acclimatization hike during which you can bathe in the hot springs, at nearly 40ºC (optional, entrance about 4 US$ not included). Overnight at the Hotel Eco Inn.

Breakfast around 6am. The vehicle takes you through the Colca valley to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, from where you enjoy an incredible view over the canyon, the river more than 1000 meters below and the cliffs nearly 2500 meters high opposite. This is also where you can observe the majestic flight of the condors, which sometimes pass just ten meters away. A great moment of the trip! You then return to the more open and cultivated part of the valley for a few stops in typical villages. In the afternoon, you cross the altiplano again and are back at your hotel in Arequipa around 5pm. Overnight at the Hotel Casa Andina Classic.

In the morning, departure for Puno by superior-class bus. After a journey of a few hours through the immense landscapes of the Peruvian altiplano, you arrive in Puno on the shores of lac Titicaca. Transfer to the Hotel Hacienda Plaza, with the rest of the day free to visit the town and acclimatize to the altitude. Overnight at the hotel.

Optional: On arrival in Puno, departure by private vehicle towards the site of Sillustani. Overlooking the Umayo lagoon, this spectacular site presents several dozen "chullpas" or pre-Hispanic funerary towers.

Departure in the morning towards the Socca peninsula, where you will discover the superb landscapes of lac Titicaca and cross rural Aymara communities completely off the tourist trail. You can take an easy two-hour walk with breathtaking views over the lake and the Royal Cordillera in Bolivia. After a picnic by the lake, return to Puno in the early afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

This is an alternative to the classic visit of the more touristy Uros, Amantani or Taquile islands. The views over the lake are just as beautiful and the way of life of the people you meet is more traditional. However, if you prefer, you can take the classic island excursion, over 1 or 2 days.

In the morning, departure by tourist bus towards the archaeological site of Pukara, one of the earliest civilizations of the altiplano, well before the Incas. Stop then at the La Raya pass (4370 meters), which marks the end of the altiplano and the beginning of the Andean valley where Inca civilization developed. The trip continues with a visit to the Inca temple of Viracocha and the village of Andahuaylillas, home to the "Sistine chapel" of Peru. Arrival in Cuzco, capital of the Inca empire, in the late afternoon. Transfer and overnight at the Hotel San Agustin Internacional, located in the historic heart of the city.

In the morning, departure by vehicle towards the heights of Cuzco, for a panoramic view over the city. Then, visit the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, made of enormous stone blocks arranged with incredible precision. You walk back down into the city on a ¾-hour walk through the small streets of San Blas, admiring along the way the Inca walls and the famous 12-angled stone. You continue your walk through the city, crossing the main squares, and visit the central market, a colorful and picturesque place showing the present-day life of Cuzco. Free afternoon to enjoy the charm of the most beautiful city of Peru and of the trip. Overnight at the hotel.

We recommend this visit, which includes 1h15-1h30 of easy walking (downhill and flat). However, you can opt for a more traditional visit with vehicle transport, which also includes visits to the small Inca sites of Kenko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, and the temple of the sun.

La Sacred Valley of the Incas stretches between Pisaq and Ollantaytambo and includes several first-rate Inca constructions and some of the most beautiful landscapes of the trip. You will visit Pisaq, its large craft market, one of the best in Peru, and its Inca citadel. You will discover the mysterious Inca amphitheaters of Moray, the Maras salt pans, where salt is harvested by hand, and the Inca village of Ollantaytambo with its citadel overlooking the valley. Overnight at the Hotel Samanapaq in Ollantaytambo.

Very early in the morning, departure by train, following the narrow gorge of the Urubamba river to the village of Aguas Calientes (renamed Machu Picchu Pueblo), from where a shuttle will take you to Machu Picchu. The lost city of the Incas, rediscovered barely a century ago, fascinates all travelers, both because of the mysteries surrounding it and the incredible beauty of the site and its surrounding landscapes. This will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip to Peru. You will have a good part of the day to freely explore every corner of this extraordinary site. You go back down to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon to catch the return train. Arrival in Cuzco in the evening, transfer and overnight at the Hotel San Agustín Internacional.

Free day to allow you to fully enjoy the charm of the city. Cuzco is the most fascinating city of a trip to Peru. Its narrow streets combine the charm of colonial architecture with the unique character of the carved-stone Inca foundations.

Strolling around the Plaza Cusipata or the San Blas district, visiting the incredibly rich cathedral or one of the city's many museums, dining in a restaurant with an extraordinary setting, discovering varied, quality craftwork and soaking up the unique Andean atmosphere are all reasons to want to spend at least one free day in this city. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, transfer to the airport and flight to Puerto Maldonado. You enter the last part of this "3 Perus" trip, the discovery of the Amazon. Welcome at the airport and transfer by boat to the Corto Maltés lodge. After lunch, your first encounter with the forest. A hike to discover a wide variety of medicinal plants, tropical trees, birds, insects, butterflies and other animals. A short stop at a viewpoint to observe toucans, macaws and other birds. Return to the lodge, then, before dinner, a night boat ride for a "caiman safari". Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Wake up at 5:30am for a short 20-minute walk to reach the parrot clay lick: a wonderful display of colors. After breakfast, departure on the river for an expedition that will take you to Monkey Island, where several species live freely. Then, a 5 km hike through the lush vegetation of the tropical forest to reach Lake Sandoval in the Tambopata-Candamo National Reserve. Many animal species live in this environment: birds (herons, kingfishers, anhingas), different species of monkeys (squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys), otters, caimans and piranhas. Paddling across the lake by canoe until sunset will be an absolutely unforgettable moment of your trip. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, you will sail along the river for an hour and a half to visit a native community on Gamita island. Two families will show you their customs, clothing and way of life. You will then visit a plantation where tropical fruits and other local products are grown (cacao, banana, coffee, cocona) and enjoy a lunch with typical local dishes. Back at the lodge, you can enjoy a relaxing end of the afternoon by the pool before dinner. Overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you back to Puerto Maldonado where, depending on your flight time, you may be able to take a short visit of the market. Then, flight to Lima at the end of the morning. Arrival in Lima and transfer to the Hotel Britania. Free afternoon to finish the trip at your own pace, enjoying the capital of Peru. A chance for one last visit (Huaca Pucllana, a museum), a walk by the ocean, or some shopping at the large craft markets near the central park of Miraflores. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport to take your international flight. End of your "3 Perus" trip.