Tailor-made trip "The essentials of Peru"

Your trip to Peru truly begins today. In the morning, visit of Lima. The capital of Peru, which is home to nearly a third of the country's population, is also a city of great contrasts, between the colonial-era center and the modern, prosperous district of Miraflores on the shore of the Pacific.

In the afternoon, departure for the airport to take a flight to Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru. Transfer and check-in at the Casa Andina Classic hotel, in the historic center. Night at the hotel.

In the morning, you will visit Arequipa, the old district of Yanahuara, the Carmen Alto viewpoint over the city and its three volcanoes, the colonial center with the cloisters of the Compañía, the market and the Santa Catalina monastery, one of the largest religious buildings in Peru. Free afternoon to enjoy the charm of this city. Night at the hotel.

In the morning, you leave towards the canyon du Colca. You will go up onto the altiplano and cross the Aguada Blanca nature reserve, at 4000 meters of altitude, where you will discover vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, and perhaps also viscachas... You will then climb to 4900 meters, the highest point of your Peru tour, before descending towards Chivay (3500 m), in the Colca valley, for lunch (not included). After lunch, you can take a short altitude-acclimatization walk to the hot springs pools, where the water is at nearly 40ºC (optional swim, entrance to the pools at about 4 US$ not included). Night at the Eco Inn hotel.

Early in the morning, departure towards the Cruz del Condor viewpoint following the valley. Here, you will have a sweeping view over the canyon du Colca and the river more than 1000 meters below. Barring bad luck, you will be able to observe the slow, majestic flight of the condors. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of this trip to Peru! In the afternoon, departure towards Puno for a 4-5 hour journey by tourist bus across the altiplano and its endless landscapes. Arrival in Puno, a city located on the shores of lac Titicaca, in the late afternoon, and transfer to the Hacienda Plaza hotel.

In the morning, you head towards the Socca peninsula, which offers splendid views over lac Titicaca, one of the must-sees of a Peru tour. Far from the tourist routes, the peninsula is inhabited by Aymara communities who live mainly off agriculture. You will take a two-hour walk without great difficulty (other than the altitude), rewarded with an exceptional view over Lake Titicaca, its islands and, on the other shore in Bolivia, the Cordillera Real. Picnic by the lake, then in the early afternoon, return towards Puno. Night at the hotel.

We offer this excursion as an alternative to the more classic tour of the Taquile, Amantani and Uros islands, which are more touristy. The population of Socca has a more traditional way of life, and the landscapes and views over Lake Titicaca there are just as beautiful. If you wish, however, you can take the 1- or 2-day excursion to the islands.

Departure in the morning by tourist bus towards Cuzco. You will make a first stop at Pukara, where the first civilization of the altiplano developed, well before the Incas. You will then pass through the La Raya pass, at 4370 meters of altitude, where you will leave the altiplano to descend into the Vilcanota valley. In the afternoon, you will visit the Inca site of Raqchi as well as the village and church of Andahuaylillas. At the end of the afternoon, arrival in Cuzco, the former capital of the Incas and undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Peru. Transfer and check-in at your hotel, the San Agustin Internacional, in the historic center of Cuzco.

With its Inca remains and colonial architecture, Cuzco is certainly one of the magnets of a trip to Peru. Departure in the morning by vehicle towards the heights of Cuzco, from where you will have a panoramic view over the city. You then visit Sacsayhuaman, a formidable Inca construction with titanic stones, before descending on foot through the alleys of the San Blas district. You will be able to observe the old Inca walls and the famous 12-angled stone. You will cross the historic center of the city and its main squares up to the San Pedro market, to soak up the Andean atmosphere of Cuzco. The afternoon is free to enjoy the charm of this magnificent city. Night at the hotel.

This visit includes 1h15-1h30 of walking, downhill and flat, and we recommend it. If you prefer, you can choose a more classic excursion, with a visit of the temple of the sun and the small sites of Tambomachay, Kenko and Puka Pukara, and travel entirely by vehicle.

In the morning, you leave by private vehicle towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the Inca city of Pisaq, one of the largest and most spectacular. The village of Pisaq is also famous for its craft market, one of the largest in Peru. After lunch, discovery of the Inca terraces of Moray and the Maras salt pools, where salt is still extracted by traditional methods. You end with a visit of the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Night at the Samanapaq hotel.

In the morning, you take the train towards Aguas Calientes, from where a bus will take you to the site of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is without a doubt the crowning highlight of any trip to Peru, and its title of world wonder is well deserved. The beauty of the Inca constructions blends harmoniously with that of nature. You will have several hours to explore the site. In the afternoon, the shuttle takes you back to Aguas Calientes pour le voyage retour vers Cuzco by train. Arrival at the end of the day. Night at the San Agustín hotel.

Departure for the airport to take a flight to Lima. End of your Peru Essentials trip ! Note that if your return flight departs in the morning, an extra day and a night in Lima should be planned.