Highlights Of Peru Holiday

Day 1: Arrive Lima and transfer to your hotel

Upon arrival in Lima you will have a private transfer to your hotel.  You have free time to relax after your flight and stroll through the cliff top parks, or depending on your arrival time, enjoy a seafood lunch at one of Barranco’s famous ceviche restaurants.  Spend the night at our standard hotel in Lima.

Day 2: Morning Group Tour of Modern and Colonial Lima

After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel to join a Group Tour of Modern and Colonial Lima. First you will visit the Colonial centre and the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), where you will see the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. Next, you will visit the 16th century San Francisco Convent, famous for its catacombs. The last stop is the modern district of Miraflores and after visiting one of the parks you have a transfer back to your hotel. You have a free afternoon to relax at your hotel or do some independent exploring.  Spend the night at our standard hotel in Miraflores, Lima.

Day 3: Travel from Lima to Arequipa (Flight not Included)

Day 4: Free day in Arequipa

After breakfast at your hotel, no activities are planned for today.   We recommend you visit the fascinating Santa Catalina Convent, which feels like a small city in itself.  You may also like to visit the Santuarios Andinos Museum to see Juanita the Inca Ice Princess, a well-preserved mummy which was discovered on the volcanic peaks around Arequipa, and is suspected to have been a human Inca sacrifice.  Spend the night at our standard hotel in Arequipa.

Day 5: Colca Canyon Group Tour 

You will be collected from your hotel in the morning and meet your group for the next 2 days.  Enjoy travelling over the high mountain pass to the town of Chivay, passing through the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve where you may spot wild vicuñas and flamingos feasting on the mineral rich waters.  Upon arrival in Chivay you will have the chance to visit the main plaza, before heading to Coporaque to check into your hotel.  Lunch at the hotel is included.  In the afternoon there is an optional walk of approximately one hour around Coporaque village and to the San Antonio hill where you can see the ruins of an ancient cemetery and excellent views of the Canyon.  Later there is another optional visit to the hot springs at La Calera, where you can relax in the warm waters and watch the sun set over the mountains.  Spend the night at our Standard Colca Canyon lodge.

Day 6: Cruz del Condor and tourist bus to Puno

You will need to get up early today (around 5am) to travel to Cruz del Condor in time to see the condors rising up out of the canyon at dawn. You will be able to get close to the amazing birds from the viewing platforms on the edge of the canyon. On the way back to Chivay you will stop at several small village communities in the Colca Canyon to discover their traditional ways of life. You have time for lunch in Chivay, where there is a choice of restaurants, before boarding the tourist bus to Puno. You will be taken to your hotel upon arrival.  Spend the night at our standard hotel in Puno.

Day 7: Full Day Lake Titicaca Group Tour of Uros & Taquile Islands

You will be collected from your hotel early in the morning for a transfer to the port.  Here you will meet the rest of your group and your English speaking guide for the day.  After about 30 minutes by boat you will arrive at the floating Uros Islands, built from reeds by the Uros people who still live on the islands in traditional reed houses.  After a short visit you will continue by boat to Taquile Island.  You will need to walk uphill to the main square in the centre of the island, where you will be rewarded with fantastic views of the Island, and have a traditional lunch of fresh trout.  In the afternoon you will have time to explore and appreciate the island and its people, before returning to Puno by boat, arriving at around 5pm.  Spend the night at our standard hotel in Puno.

Day 8: Full Day Group Bus Tour from Puno to Cusco

After your buffet breakfast you have a transfer to the bus station.  Travelling on a comfortable coach you will be accompanied by a local guide on the journey from Puno to Cusco who will point out places of interest along the way, including the ruins of the pre-Inca site of Raqchi and the village of Andahuaylillas where you will have a guided tour. Between stops sit back and enjoy the incredible view of the herds of alpaca and llamas grazing on these highland pampas and the majestic backdrop of the Andes. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the way.  You will arrive in Cusco at around 6pm where you will have a private transfer to your hotel.  Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.

Day 9: Free morning, afternoon Group Tour of Cusco & Ruins

You have a free morning to begin exploring the City of Cusco independently, or enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. In the afternoon, you will join a group with an English speaking local guide for a Cusco City Tour, including the Main Plaza, the Cathedral and the Koricancha temple in the centre of town. Your tour also takes in the archaeological sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puka Pukara and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman located on the hills overlooking Cusco. You will be back at your hotel by around 6pm.  Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.

Day 10: Free day in Cusco

After breakfast, you have a whole day to enjoy the City of Cusco. You might want to visit some of the city’s varied museums, the handicraft markets, or the central San Pedro market, as well as the San Blas neighbourhood and you will surely want to try a local restaurant or two.  Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.

Day 11: Full day Group Sacred Valley tour & train to Aguas Calientes

Day 12: Machu Picchu Guided Tour and return to Cusco

Day 13: Free Day in Cusco

Day 14: Depart Cusco