Day 1: Touch-down in Peru
Lima
Upon your arrival at the International airport in Lima you will be welcomed and escorted to your comfortable hotel in the capital. In the evening you will be able to sample Lima's thriving restaurant scene - well known as the culinary capital of South America, Lima has a wealth of excellent restaurants to choose from, including Astrid & Gaston, rated as one of the top 100 restaurants in the world. Just ask your Peru travel specialist for suggestions and we'd be happy to make a reservation for you wherever you choose.
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Day 2: Lima museum and city tour
Lima
Today you will have the morning free to rest and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your Lima hotel before being met for a guided tour of the colonial city center. On your Lima city tour you'll visit the Plaza Mayor, the cathedral, the Governor's Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Convent Church of San Francisco, and the Plaza San Martin. Afterwards you will visit Lima's top archaeological museum.
Show more Premium Service customers will visit the Larco Herrera museum housed in an 18th century mansion on the site of a pre-Colombian pyramid. The museum features one of the finest collections of Peruvian gold and silver and some beautiful gardens. Premium Service customers also have lunch included. In the evening you'll be able to continue sampling Peru's rich culinary offering. (Meals B, Premium L)
Day 3: Into the Southern desert
Lima to Ica
After breakfast at your hotel you'll be picked up for your journey to Paracas in the province of Ica, Peru's southern coastal desert region. Traveler Service passengers will be taken to the coach station for their transfer whereas Premium Service passengers will have a private transfer all the way to Paracas. Premium Service includes a private guided tour of the temple complex of Pachacamac, a beautifully preserved archeological site located on the pacific coastline south of Lima.
Show more The site pre dates the Inca Empire by several centuries, but also includes some Inca buildings. The site was used by several civilizations over the centuries, each making their own architectural additions. Upon arrival in Paracas you'll be shown to your hotel with the rest of the evening free to relax. (Meals B)
Day 4: Island wildlife and giant dunes
Around Ica
After breakfast you'll be met at your hotel for a half day tour of the beautiful Ballestas Islands. The islands are off limits to visitors in order to protect the wildlife that lives there and their habitats. You'll take a boat ride around the islands approaching very close to the shore from where you'll have great views of a wide range of wildlife, including pelicans, penguins, cormorants and sea lions.
Show more In the afternoon you'll visit the vast expanse of dunes that surround Ica and the oasis town of Huacachina, where you'll be taken on an exciting dune buggy ride. Some of the dunes are very steep and can reach up to 100m in height, so racing over them in the powerful dune buggies is a thrilling experience and a great way to see the area. The evening will be free for you to relax at your hotel. (Meals B)
Day 5: Journey to the White City
Ica to Arequipa
After breakfast at your hotel you'll set off for your journey south-east towards the Andes and your next destination, the town of Arequipa. Traveler Service passengers will be transferred to the coach station for their journey, whereas Premium Service passengers will have a private transfer all the way to Arequipa. Upon arrival in the White City', as it is sometimes called, you'll be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to relax, stretch your legs with a stroll around town and enjoy dinner.
Show more Just consult your welcome booklet or your Peru travel specialist for advice on the best local restaurants. (Meals B)
Day 6: Exploring Arequipa
Arequipa
After breakfast at your hotel you will take a relaxed walking tour around town visiting the Plaza de Armas, the Church of the Company and the Church of San Francisco. The highlight of the day will be a guided tour around the 16th century Santa Catalina Convent. This beautiful complex of plazas and buildings is remarkably intact and remained closed to the world until 1970.
Show more In the afternoon, Premium Service passengers head into the mountains to visit Momia Juanita, also known as the Lady of Ampato, the mummified body of a young Inca girl found frozen in the ice high on one of southern Peru's volcanoes. It is thought that the girl was sacrificed to Ampato Apu the god of protection in the mid-fifteenth century. The evening is free for you to relax at your hotel or take a stroll around town. (Meals B)
Day 7: Up to the Altiplano
Arequipa to the Colca Canyon
After breakfast in your hotel you'll be picked up for your journey to the Colca Canyon. It's a scenic route and you'll enjoy beautiful views of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes as you climb to the Canahuas National Reserve. Along the way you'll stop in the town of Sumbay at 3800m to drink some coca tea to counteract the effects of altitude sickness.
Show more As you climb yet further up onto the Altiplano you'll begin to spot wild vicunas, llama and guanacos, as well as some interesting birdlife on the lakes. After reaching the highest point at about 4500m you'll descend a little to the town of Chivay. After relaxing and enjoying lunch at your hotel you can take an optional walking tour around the area visiting an Indian village before relaxing at the nearby hot-springs as the sun sets over the mountains. (Meals B, L)
Day 8: Exploring the Colca Canyon
Colca Canyon to Arequipa
This morning you will have an early breakfast at your hotel and set out to the Cruz del Condor look-out point for spectacular views across the canyon. With any luck we'll be able to spot the majestic Andean condors gliding on the thermals that rise up through the canyon. Be sure to bring your camera as it's often possible to get some dramatic shots.
Show more After taking a walk around the area you'll begin your descent back to Chivay. Along the way you'll make various stops, firstly at the traditional town of Pinchollo with its 1500 year old stone terraces, and later at the Choqetico view point and the Andean town of Maca. Arriving back at lunch time you'll enjoy your last meal in the Colca Canyon before setting off back to Arequipa. The evening is free for you to relax and enjoy dinner. (Meals B, L)
Day 9: Journey to the Inca capital
Arequipa to Cusco
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Once in Cusco you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will have some time to relax and settle in. A little later Premium Service passengers will be taken on an afternoon excursion to visit a curandero (traditional folk healer) for a coca leaf reading accompanied by a guide and translator.
Show more Coca leaves have been used for centuries in Peru for both spiritual and health purposes and your reading could give some interesting insight into your life path. We suggest you take things slowly today in order to acclimatize to Cusco's altitude, so after your short afternoon excursion you'll be taken back to your hotel to relax. In the evening there are many excellent restaurants to chose from in Cusco just consult your welcome booklet or your Peru travel specialist for details. (Meals B)
Day 10: Exploring Cusco
Cusco City Tour
Your first morning in Cusco can be spent at your leisure, enjoying breakfast before exploring the city or relaxing at your hotel. In the afternoon you will be met for your guided tour of Cusco and its archaeological sites. Your Cusco tour will begin with a visit to the impressive colonial cathedral, followed by a private guided walking tour of the Korikancha (Temple of the Sun).
Show more Later you will go to the outskirts of Cusco for a tour of the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman. In Traveler Service you will have a private tour of the site with an expert local guide. Premium Service is also private, with an afternoon visit and lunch inside the Pre-Colombian Art Museum in addition. (Meals B, Premium L)
Day 11: The Sacred Valley of the Inca
Cusco to the Sacred Valley
Today your Peru tour guide will meet you at your hotel in Cusco for your visit to the verdant Urubamba Valley, otherwise known as the Sacred Valley of the Inca. You will make your first stop at the local market in the village of Pisac (T/Th/Su), before enjoying lunch at Posada Yucay (Traveler Service), or the Huayocari Hacienda (Premium Service). The Huayocari Hacienda is located in a private residence with an impressive collection of Inca and colonial Peruvian art and artifacts.
Show more After lunch you'll spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the impressive Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo town and ceremonial center, an important archeological site and an Inca stronghold during the Spanish conquest. After a full day of exploring, the evening will be spent at your new hotel in the Sacred Valley. (Meals - B, L)
Day 12: The Majesty of Machu Picchu
The Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
After breakfast you will be picked up for your transfer to the train station for your journey through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. Traveler Service will include the Expedition train to Machu Picchu whereas in Premium Service you will make your journey aboard the 1st Class Vistadome train, allowing for spectacular views of the surrounding area. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes (the town close to Machu Picchu) you will enjoy lunch (Traveler Service at Cafe Inkaterra, Premium Service at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge) before visiting the Machu Picchu ruins.
Show more Following a guided tour of the ruins, in which you will learn all about the origins of this archeological wonder, you will have the rest of the afternoon free to explore. Transportation is provided to your hotel where you can spend the evening at your leisure. (Meals B, L) Please note: The Premium Service Machu Picchu tour is private (4 hrs); Traveler Service Machu Picchu tour is in small groups (2 hrs).
Day 13: Return train to Cusco
Machu Picchu to Cusco
Today you may well wish to return to the Machu Picchu ruins for some further exploration. For those looking for adventure, CAT Travel recommends the trek to Wayna Picchu, which requires approximately four hours to complete, and allows for spectacular views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. Your return train through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Cusco will depart in the afternoon and arrive just after sundown.
Show more For those in the mood for luxury ask your Peru travel specialist for details of an upgrade to the Hiram Bingham Orient Express train. This evening you may wish to dine in the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, considered one of the top private collections in all of Peru. For reservations speak to your Peru travel specialist. (Meals - B)
Day 14: Leaving Peru
Cusco to Lima and away
After a relaxed breakfast at your Cusco hotel and a morning spent at your leisure you will be transferred to the airport for your afternoon flight to Lima. Upon arrival you'll be met and assisted with connecting to your international flight home. (Meals - B) Note: Ask your Peru travel specialist about including an adventure trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Show more CAT Travel offers the Classic Inca Trail hike (4 days) or the shorter Express Inca Trail hike (2 days).
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Visit Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Arequipa, Ica, Colca Canyon and Lima
See pelicans, penguins and more on Peru's Ballestas Isles
Take a buggy ride through the giant Huacachina dunes
Explore the Santa Catalina Convent in Arequipa
See Andean condors soaring through the Colca Canyon
Discover Inca Peru in Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Take a guided tour of the lost citadel of Machu Picchu
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