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.
Show more Just ask your Peru travel specialist for suggestions and we'd be happy to make a reservation for you wherever you choose.
Day 2: Lima Museums & 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 vast 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. Along the way you'll stop for a guided tour of the temple complex of Pachacamac, a beautifully preserved archeological site located on the pacific coastline south of Lima. The site pre-dates the Inca Empire by several centuries, but also includes some Inca buildings as it was used by several civilizations over the centuries.
Show more You'll continue on to Ica to the oasis town of Huacachina where you'll enjoy lunch before being 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. (Meals B, L)
Day 4: The Mysterious Nazca
Ica to Nazca
Following a leisurely breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel for your journey to the mysterious Nazca region of Peru. The area is named after the Nazca civilization that flourished there between 300BC and 800AD. Upon arrival you will be shown to your hotel and have some time to relax and enjoy lunch before taking a guided tour of the fascinating Chauchilla, a Pre-Inca cemetery located 28km South of Nazca.
Show more The cemetery has exhibits of some incredibly well-preserved mummies, textiles and other artefacts, saved from decay over the centuries by the dry desert conditions. In addition to a private guide on the Chauchilla excursion, Premium Service includes a guided visit to the Cantayoc Aqueducts. In the late afternoon you'll be taken back to your hotel and the evening is free for you to relax and enjoy dinner. (Meals - B, L)
Day 5: Arrival in the White City
Nazca to Arequipa
After breakfast at your hotel Premium Service passengers will visit the Museo Antonini with Its impressive collection of ceramics, metal work, beads and jewelry. The exhibits reveal the customs and daily life of the ancient peoples that once inhabited the desert, and more artifacts are being found everyday as the museum heads up local excavations. The guided tour also includes a visit to the Cantalloc aqueduct system.
Show more Traveler Service passengers have the morning free before enjoying lunch ahead of their transfer to the coach station and their journey to Arequipa. Premium Service includes a private transfer all the way to Arequipa. Upon arrival in the white city you'll be transferred to your hotel and the evening will be free to relax, take a stroll around town and enjoy dinner in one of Arequipa's restaurants. (Meals B, L)
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 will 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 walk 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
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 great 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. You'll arrive back at your Colca Canyon hotel for a relaxed lunch and the rest of the day is free for you to take a walk around the local area or visit the hot-springs. (Meals B, L)
Day 9: The Altiplano and Lake Titicaca
Colca Canyon to Lake Titicaca
Following breakfast at your hotel you will be collected for your journey to Puno and Lake Titicaca. Premium Service includes a boxed lunch and a guided tour of the interesting funeral towers of Sillustani in the Puno region. Upon arrival at Lake Titicaca you will be shown to your hotel and have the remainder of the day free to spend at your leisure.
Show more Many of our hotels in the area are on the lakeside and offer impressive views over Lake Titicaca's beautiful waters. CAT Travel suggests a light dinner at your hotel this evening, but please do not hesitate to ask your Peru travel specialist for advice and restaurant recommendations. Meals - B, Premium L)
Day 10: Taquile and the Islands of Uros
Lake Titicaca
Today you will head out onto the calm blue waters of the incredible Lake Titicaca. Situated some 3800m above sea level and covering an area of over 8000 square kilometres, Lake Titicaca stretches between the high Puno plains of Peru and Bolivia. You'll begin your day by visiting Taquile, a remote island inhabited by Ayamara Indians.
Show more The islanders are known for the beautiful textiles and garments that they produce. Interestingly the knitting is done exclusively by men who are trained in the art from the age of eight. From there you'll continue to the fascinating floating islands of Uros. The Uros are home to the descendants of the pre-Inca Uru people who continue to live on islands constructed using the tortora reeds which grow around the lake. Premium Service passengers will also visit the beautiful Llachon peninsula. (Meals - B, L)
Day 11: Journey to the Inca capital
Lake Titicaca to Cusco
After an early breakfast you will be transferred to the train or bus station for your journey to Cusco. Traveler Service passengers will travel by coach whereas Premium Service will be by train aboard the Andean Explorer, enjoying stunning views of beautiful landscapes as the train winds its way down from the high plains of Puno , through the Andes to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco you will be met and transferred to your hotel and the evening is free for you to relax at your Cusco hotel, take a stroll around town and enjoy dinner.
Show more Ask your Peru travel specialist or consult your Peru welcome booklet for Cusco restaurant recommendations. (Meals B, L)
Day 12: Exploring Cusco
Cusco City Tour
Your first morning in Cusco can be spent at your leisure, enjoying breakfast before exploring the town 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 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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, Class Adventure 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 16: Into the Amazon
Cusco to the Amazon
After breakfast at your hotel you'll be picked up and taken to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon where you'll be met and shown to the port. From here you will take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to your Amazon lodge. Our selection of lodges offer a range of excursions with durations of 1/4 day (2 hrs), 1/2 day (3 hrs), or full day (7 hrs).
Show more We've included a suggested itinerary below, but upon arrival you will be able to select your own schedule. A good option this evening would be to take the twilight excursion. Cruising along the river as dusk falls and day turns to night you'll be able to spot caiman, owls and other nocturnal wildlife, as well as appreciating the sunset and beautiful starry skies. (Meals B, L, D)
Day 17: Tambopata wildlife
Amazon Jungle Reserve
Recommended flexible schedule: Today we recommend you take a full day trip to the Tambopata National Reserve. The day will begin with a boat ride and walk to Lake Sandoval, a beautiful oxbow lake in the midst of the jungle. Be on the lookout for local birdlife, including hoatzin, osprey and herons as you glide across the lake's glassy surface.
Show more You'll then hike through the Amazon jungle to Conception Farm with possible sightings along the way of caiman and giant otter on the river banks, as well as howler and capuchin monkeys in the surrounding trees. After enjoying a picnic lunch at the farm you'll take a guided tour around the gardens where you'll find out about the wealth of medicinal plants that grow there. Before heading back to the lodge for dinner you'll have the chance to try your skills at archery using a native bow and arrow. (Meals - B, L, D)
Day 18: Rainforest wetland wildlife
Amazon Jungle Reserve
Recommended flexible schedule: After breakfast you can start your day by visiting the Aguajales rainforest wetlands. Following a series of wooden walkways elevated one meter above the swamps you'll be able to see the transition from the dry rainforest eco-system to marshland, and observe the various species of amphibians, reptiles, serpents, birds and mammals that live there. After lunch you could take an afternoon walk along the lodge trails to visit the rainforest gardens, which showcase native plants, trees and orchids.
Show more You'll also learn about the fascinating legends and history of the native plant life and about their practical and medicinal benefits. After dinner you can take the guided rainforest night walk and experience the very different sights and sounds of nocturnal jungle life. (Meals - B, L, D)
Day 19: Leaving Peru
The Amazon to Lima and away
After one last breakfast in the Amazon you'll take a boat ride back up the Madre de Dios River to Puerto Maldonado where you'll be transferred to the airport. You'll be met at Lima airport and assisted with your connection for your international flight home. (Meals B)
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Visit Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Ica, Colca Canyon, Lima, Nazca and Puerto Maldonado
See Andean condors soaring through the Colca Canyon
Take a dune buggy ride over giant desert sand dunes
Visit Lake Titicaca and its fascinating island communities
Discover colonial architecture in the White City of Arequipa
Explore Inca Peru in Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Take a guided tour of the lost citadel of Machu Picchu
Journey into the Amazon and see diverse jungle wildlife
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