Peru Trhee Regions 21 Days

Upon arrival, transfer from the airport to the hotel. The rest of the day is free and you can choose to visit the city of Lima or simply stroll through the exclusive and touristy neighborhoods.

In the morning or afternoon, take in the sights of Peru’s capital, with 2,000 years of indigenous and colonial heritage, before stopping at the Monastery of San Francisco, famous for its 17th-century architecture, world-renowned library and catacombs, main cathedral, and Lima’s main square. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in the “Gastronomic Capital of the Americas” exploring Lima’s nightlife or trying some of its many restaurants.

• Overnight: Lima (Altitude: sea level)

Early in the morning we will take a tourist bus to Paracas, a small fishing village that serves as the starting point for all tours to the Ballestas Islands. Ballestas are three small islands located off the coast of Paracas in the Pacific Ocean. The Ballestas Islands are home to hundreds of sea lions, many species of seabirds including the Humboldt penguin – you are guaranteed to see some amazing wildlife. Along the way you will be able to see the ‘Candelabro’, which is a giant candelabra-shaped geoglyph on the coast of Paracas. After lunch, our tour begins with a visit to a winery, where you will be able to witness the process of obtaining wine. We then continue to visit a pisco distillery, the famous Peruvian drink “Pisco”. We then leave the town of Nazca taking the Pan-American Highway.

• Overnight: Nazca (Altitude: 520m – 1,716ft)

In the morning, enjoy a 30-minute flight in a high-wing plane over the desert and the mysterious Nazca Lines, which can only be appreciated from the air. The Nazca Lines are one of the world’s greatest archaeological mysteries. The lines consist of patterns and images etched into the ground that run across a wide, flat desert area up to 10 km (32 mi) in length, and yet remain perfectly straight. Depictions of birds, insects and animals can only be recognized from the air. Who drew the lines and why is something modern archaeologists can only theorize about, but current beliefs suggest they may be part of a complex agricultural calendar. In the afternoon, Huacachina oasis and desert dunes for buggy riding and sandboarding.

• Overnight: Arequipa (Altitude: 2,335 m – 7,706 ft)

This day you have the morning free. After lunch in the afternoon, you will have a city tour of the second most important city after Lima. During the tour, your guide will show you the most fascinating sites in Arequipa, from the mummy of a girl (Juanita) who was found frozen on top of a volcano 500 years after her death to key colonial-era art and architecture such as the Convent of Santa Catalina. Arequipa was built from a very light-colored volcanic rock called sillar, so the older buildings dazzle in the sun, giving the city its nickname, “the White City.” The main square with its cafes and nearby cathedral is a main draw for visitors. The tour concludes in the main square of Yanahuara, where you will enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the city and the Misti Volcano (5,822m – 19,213ft).

• Overnight: Arequipa (Altitude: 2,335m – 7,706ft)

Early in the morning departure to the town of Chivay on a bus ride of approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival, enjoy a very scenic route on the way to the ‘Mirador Cruz del Cóndor’, which is the most popular viewing point to observe the depths of the Colca Canyon (1,200 m – 3,960 ft deep). From here you can appreciate the majestic flight of the Andean Condor in its natural habitat with the impressive landscape in the background. Then you will head to the town of Chivay to take the tourist bus to Puno, on the shore of the highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca. Along the entire route it is very picturesque with lakes, lagoons, Andean flamingos, snow-capped mountains and reaching the altitude of 4,850 m (16,005 ft), which will give you a spectacular view of the highland landscape. Upon arrival in Puno, our representative will transfer you to your hotel.

• Overnight: Puno (Altitude: 3,800m, 12,540ft)

In the morning, after breakfast, we will visit the amazing site of the Sillustani tombs, where the Incas buried their dead, we will also walk and enjoy the stunning views of Lake Umayoq. After a great experience, we will return to the city of Puno. In the late afternoon we will take the night bus to the Colca Canyon.

• Overnight: Puno (Altitude: 3,800 m. 12,540 ft)

After breakfast, the trip takes most of the day with beautiful scenery en route through the high Altiplano region, visiting first the fascinating village of Pukará, famous for its figurines (the two bulls) that can be found on most of the roofs of Andean houses. An unavoidable stop is La Raya (4,300 m. – 14,289 ft.), which is the highest elevation craft market and the halfway point of the trip. Lunch will be at a local family’s home in the village of Raqchi community, where you can also admire and learn about the fascinating construction of the Inka temple in honor of the God Wiracocha. Conclude the day by visiting the Church of Andahuaylillas (known as the Andean Sistine Chapel), where you can appreciate some intriguing 16th, 17th and 18th century wall paintings and fully decorated gold altars.

• Overnight: Cusco (Altitude: 3,350 m. – 11,055 ft.)

The tour begins with the stunning Colonial Cathedral, which contains more than 400 paintings from the Cusco School, plus an impressive collection of colonial art, including a depiction of The Last Supper that shows the Cuy, or guinea pig, as the main dish. Continue to visit the Temple of the Sun, whose walls and floors were supposedly once covered in sheets of solid gold. We then head to Sacsayhuaman, located on the northern hillside of Cusco. This impressive site, consisting of individual stones weighing more than 100 tons, took more than seven decades to complete. Conclude the day at the site of Q’enq’o, a mysterious limestone formation decorated with intricately carved depictions of mythical deities. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit a local shop offering alpaca clothing and accessories, and a local jewelry store, offering gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.

• Overnight: Cusco (Altitude: 3,350 m. – 11,055 ft.)

This day, in the morning we will head to the spectacular archaeological site of Moray, a series of concentric circular terraces that were used as an Inca laboratory to carry out the acclimatization, hybridization and adaptation of Andean crops from lower elevations (7000 ft – 1000 ft) to over 11,000 ft. We will then stop at the town of Maras, once the most prosperous town in the area due to the salt trade. We will then head to the Maras salt mines (Salineras) to see and learn about this truly unique place that has been in continuous use since pre-Incan times. We will conclude the day with the great Inca village of Ollantaytambo, known as the last living Inca village due to its urban design criteria that have not changed for centuries to this day with its impressive warehouses, astronomical and religious temples.

• Overnight: Cusco City (Altitude: 3,350 m. – 11,055 ft.)

Start the day with a delicious Andean breakfast prepared by our chef and local family. The hike begins with a gentle climb up to the first pass from where the view of the valleys, snow-capped mountains and tranquil Andean lakes and lagoons is simply amazing. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit a local family home and witness their daily life that did not change much through the centuries, you will also see local people adorning their llamas and alpacas and weaving flat textiles.

Trekking Details:

• Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous / Climate: Cold, windy, rainy in the rainy season
• Elevation: Starting point: 3,770 m. – 12,441 ft. / Highest point: 4,420 m. – 14,586 ft.
• Total Distance: 13 km. – 8.1 mi. / 8 hrs. Approx. (4 ascents and 4 descents)
• Night: Patakancha Inka Lodge (Altitude: 3,800 m. – 12,540 ft.)

This morning, after a tasty breakfast, you will take a local transport through a very picturesque valley for about 45 minutes to a place called Markaqocha, a place where your expedition hike begins to the great Ollantaytambo, considered the last living Inca village. Along the way, visit and be amazed by the ancient villages that keep the Inka traditions. Learn about the Inka sites of Pumamarka and Aya Moqo with their amazing system of agricultural terraces that are still being used by local farmers. The landscape is simply great for supreme photographic opportunities. After lunch and a good rest, the trip continues to the great village of Ollantaytambo.

Trekking details:

• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult / Climate: Cold, windy, rainy in the rainy season
• Elevation: Starting point: 3,800 m. – 12,540 ft. / Highest point: 3,800 m. – 12,540 feet
• Total distance: 15 km/9.3 mi – 8 hrs. Approx. /
• Overnight: Ollantaytambo Town (Altitude: 2,800 m – 9,240 feet)

In the morning, you will travel by train to km 104, where you will begin hiking along the Inca Trail line. You will first approach Chachabamba at 7,380 feet and then gradually ascend for approximately three hours, towards the fascinating archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna at 8,690 feet, where you can explore the site along with its houses, water sources and cultivation terraces. After lunch, you will continue through the semi-tropical forest towards Intipunku (the Sun Gate), where you will enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. After a well-deserved rest with breathtaking scenery, you will take the final stretch of the royal Inca trail that ends at the lost city of the Incas. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel, preparing for more extensive explorations tomorrow.

Trekking details:

• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult / Climate: Cold, windy, rainy in the rainy season
• Elevation: Starting point: 2,236 m. – 7,380 ft / Highest point: 4,720 m. – 8,976 ft
• Total distance: 08 km. /5 mi. – 6 hrs. Approx.
• Overnight: Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes Town) (Altitude: 2,000 m. – 6,600 ft)

In the morning, after a 30-minute bus ride, you will arrive at the incredible “Lost City of the Incas” accompanied by your tour guide and you will be able to take a private guided tour of these incredible ruins, enjoying the complicated history of the site, the astonishing degree of technology achieved by its builders, the provision of water channels that reveal a deep knowledge of hydraulics and its exceptionally fine masonry. All this magnificent building allows you to step back in time and, with the help of your tour guide, relive the existence of those truly admirable builders by contemplating the stunning landscape. After a complete overview of the site, you will have the rest of the day to further explore the site, either alone or with your tour guide. After such a wonderful experience, return to Cusco.

• Overnight: Cusco (Altitude: 3,350 m. – 11,055 ft.)

Arrival and reception by our representative at the airport, then transfer to our office in the city where we recommend you to pack only the necessary things you need for your next days, the main luggage can be left in our safety deposit box. We provide you with duffle bags at the office if needed. Transfer from our office to the port of the Tambopata River, from where we sail down the Tambopata River for about 2 hours to the center of Sachavacayoc. On the way, we have the opportunity to observe birds, caimans, capybaras and monkeys if we are lucky. The box lunch will be on the boat and the vegetarian option is available, we also provide cold bottled drinks on the boat. Accommodation and a little rest. After the short break, we will take a jungle walk, as an introduction to nature and to familiarize ourselves with the interior of the forest, we will wait until it gets dark to take a night walk in search of the elusive nocturnal creatures and bugs, such as the impressive tarantula that eats terrestrial birds (as big as your hand)

• Night: Finca Sachavacayoc (Puerto Maldonado)

Early in the morning we visit the spectacular Chuncho clay lick, the largest in the world, with the three main species of macaws gathered at the same time, and many varieties of parrots. Hundreds of parrots gather to eat clay, a special and unique behavior only found in this part of the planet. Early departure at 4 am, then 2 hours on our boat up the Tambopata River; to enjoy the best of the parrot show it is important to arrive early before the birds! We will have breakfast on the boat. Along the trip to the clay lick we have great chances of seeing capybaras, caimans and maybe if we are lucky Jaguar or Tapirs (the two most special land mammals of the Amazon). We stay in the clay lick area, if necessary until we can see the macaws eating clay. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon we will go piranha fishing at one of the various spots we have in the area, we can visit one of the lakes or take a trip downriver to Tres Chimbadas lake to do so, if we catch them we can take them to dinner.

• Night: Finca Sachavacayoc

After breakfast we will visit the spectacular Sachavacayoc lake which is located in the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve, two hours from the lodge (walking slowly observing things), Sachavacayoc has very good wildlife such as monkeys, caimans, tapir options, anacondas, hoatzins and many blue and yellow macaws that perch and nest all around, this place gives us a unique jungle experience, in no other lake you will see so many blue and yellow macaws perching and nesting, we arrive there mid morning and immediately take a canoe to paddle and quietly enjoy the deepest and wildest jungle, observing monkeys and macaws making noise. On the way back we return to the lodge and walk through the deepest jungle you can find. Lunch at the lodge

In the afternoon optional hike to Condenado lake (if you still have energy) or just enjoy the comfort and leisure of the lodge.

• Night: Sachavacayoc Farm

After breakfast, we will board our boat to Sandoval Lake, sailing down the Tambopata River for 2 hours to the entrance trail to Sandoval Lake. The trail takes about 1.6 miles of hiking – 2.5 kilometers through a successional forest, ancient natural giant bamboo forest, habitat of monkeys, sloths and macaws, until we reach a small canal where we will board our paddle canoes, paddle for 100 meters (almost the same in yards) through a palm forest swamp, with an abundance of “aguajes” (mauritia palms), those palm trees provide the most popular fruit of the Peruvian jungle, widely consumed by locals as drinks and ice cream. Once on the surface of the lake, we continue leisurely around the lake to the lodge. Accommodation and a little rest, in rooms or mogotes. Before dinner, depending on arrival time, we go out to explore part of the lake, looking for monkeys or black caimans (the largest ever seen in the lake, 6 meters long/20 feet). In the flooded palm forest, we can see hundreds of red-bellied macaws returning to rest. We also have the option of a night walk through the forest behind the lodge. Dinner at the lodge.

• Overnight at Casa Sandoval

An early wake up call and gathering at the lodge dining room to visit the lake for sunrise and a hopeful encounter with the friendly family of giant otters who are very active at this time of the lake, the giant otters must eat an average of 8 pounds of fish a day (4 kilos). Sandoval Lake offers abundant wildlife including 6 species of monkeys, black caimans, over 40 species of resident lakeside birds, all 5 species of kingfishers in Peru and the most abundant group of hoatzin, all animals here are easy to photograph from the boats.

Return to the lodge for breakfast. Optional jungle walk or early lake visit before breakfast and transfer back to the office and airport.

Hot shower available at the office before going to the airport.

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