Secrets of the Peruvian South

Arrival at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. Boarding formalities and departure on a flight to Lima. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Visit to the city center of Lima, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Stroll through the historic center until you reach the Plaza de Armas, where you will stop to enjoy the sights. Then continue to the Cathedral of Lima, located in Plaza Mayor, the most important church in Peru, built between 1542 and 1622. Next, visit Casa Aliaga, a former viceroyalty residence given by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 to one of his captains, Jerónimo de Aliaga, after the city was founded. This house is the only one from that period that still belongs to the same family today. Afterwards, visit the Larco Museum, founded by Rafael LarcoHoyle in 1926, located in the traditional neighborhood of Pueblo Libre and housed inside a viceroyal mansion built over a pre-Columbian pyramid from the 7th century. The museum has the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver pieces, as well as erotic art. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Optional (no included): Malecones of Lima & Gastronomic Experience

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the bus stop to board the bus to Paracas. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation.

Optional (not included): Buggys on the Dunes of Paracas

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the port to board a speedboat for a trip to the Ballestas Islands, a nature reserve of beautiful geological formations, impressive animal life and the remains of a pre-Inca culture, which dominated the desert to establish a prosperous society in adverse conditions. They are inhabited by nasca tuna, pelicans, sea lions and Humboldt penguins, among other species. On the way to the Ballestas Islands you can see the inexplicable lines in the sand that form a chandelier. After the tour, transfer to the bus stop to board the bus to Nazca. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport to board a small plane that will take you over the desert and the mysterious Nazca Lines, about which, despite their centuries of antiquity, the origin, how and why of their creation is still unknown. A monkey, a spider and a condor, all large, are just some of the shapes that can be admired from the sky. If weather conditions or airspace permit allows, you will also fly over the latest findings in Palpa. In the evening, transfer to the bus stop for a 10 hour night journey to Arequipa. Night aboard.

On arrival, check-in at the hotel in Arequipa. Breakfast. The day begins in the Plaza de Armas, one of the most beautiful in Peru, situated next to the imposing Arequipa Cathedral, built in the 17th century and completely rebuilt after several earthquakes. Departure for the Santa Catalina Monastery, an authentic medieval cloister built in 1579 which, as a small religious citadel, is still in use today. Afterwards, tour of the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, dating from 1590, considered a classic example of local Baroque architecture and home to an exceptional collection of paintings and murals. Finally, visit the neighborhoods of Yanahura and Carmen Altura for an incredible view of Arequipa Campiña. Return to the hotel and accommodation.

Dress code in places of worship: it is not permitted to enter churches and other places of worship wearing t-shirts, strapless tops and skirts or shorts above the knees.

Breakfast. Departure towards Colca via Yura, a district characterized by impressive geographical features such as ravines, mountain ranges and gorges. Enter the Cañahuas Pampa Reserve, an extensive plain where you can see vicuñas - native and domesticated Andean camelids, considered a national symbol. Afterwards, pass through Vizcachani, the Pampas de Toccra and the crater rim of the Chucura volcano to reach the Andes Viewpoint in Patapampa (4,910 meters above sea level), from where you can see the different volcanoes that surround the city of Arequipa. Lunch in the town of Chivay and continue to the hotel in Colca. Optionally (not included) you can visit the thermal baths. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure for the Condor Cross, from where you can appreciate the Colca Valley (whose canyon is the second deepest in the world, over 4 kilometers high at its deepest point) and daydream about the sight of the Condor flying overhead just a few meters away. Back in Chivay, visit the towns of Pinchollo, Maca, Yanque and the viewpoints of Antahyilque and Choquetico. After lunch (lunch-box format), visit the town of Coporaque and the Colcas de Chininia, incredible pre-Inca constructions with natural vertical walls. Continue to the Ocolle viewpoint, the Amphitheatre and a short walk to see the already identified but under-explored archaeological sites of Uyo-Uyo. Return to the hotel and accommodation.

Breakfast. Enjoy your last lunch in the Colca Valley before leaving Chivay behind and heading for the city of Puno. Detour through the Patahuasi and climb the altiplano gradually. This route is a magical journey across the plateau, through rock forests and celestial lagoons populated by white herons that dry their wings in the icy wind above 4 thousand meters. Lunch (lunch-box format). After a six-hour drive, arrival in Puno. Accommodation. 

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the lake port of Puno to board a boat that will take you to the floating islands of Uros. Uros are an ancient society who live on a series of artificial islands built from the totora plant, which grows in the lake itself. These were built by weaving the totoras in the places where they grow thickest, forming a natural layer on which they erected houses, also made of totora, and cook in the open to prevent fires. After an hour and a half, continue on to the island of Taquile, which formed part of the Inca empire and where traces of the culture can still be seen in its constructions, even though, at the time of the Spanish invasions, they were forced to shed their traditional clothing and adopt traditional peasant clothing. In Taquile you will listen to a brief explanation of the island and witness a cultural activity. Lunch. Return to the city of Puno. Accommodation.

Optional (not included): Visit to Uros in a polynesian canoe.

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the bus stop, where you will be assisted by a representative who will help you board the bus to Cusco. On the way, stop at the town of Pucará, the first urban settlement on the lake plateau, which developed between 100 and 300 BC, where the Pucará Lithic Museum is located. Afterwards, a brief stop at La Raya, the highest point on the road between Puno and Custo, at 4313 meters above sea level. Stop for lunch in Sicuani. Afterwards, departure for Racchi, where you'll find the Temple of Wiracocha, a surprising and unique rectangular construction 30 meters wide and 20 meters high, similar to a wall, with windows and doors and thought to have been the highest roof in the Inca empire. Continue to Andahuaylillas, a town located 40 kilometers from Cusco whose main attraction is the Church of Andahuaylillas, thought to have been built in the 16th century on the site of Wari constructions, and also known as "America's Sistine Chapel" due to the number of pieces of art found there. The church still has an original pipe organ, which has recently been restored. Afterwards, a tour of the Huaro and Checacupe neighborhoods. Finally, continue to your hotel in Cusco. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Visit to Coricancha, also known as "The Temple of the Sun", built by order of the Inca Pachacútec (1410-1471) and which, on the arrival of the Spanish empire, became the base for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent. The sun was worshipped here - "Inti" - during the incantation and there were times when it overflowed with pieces of gold. Visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the Plaza de Armas, whose construction began in 1560 and ended in 1654. Afterwards, visit the Sacsayhuamán fortress, one of the most emblematic buildings of the Incas, erected by the Inca Pachacútec in the 15th century, an immense fortress built with large stones, which transportation and plowing is still a mystery. Continue on to Quenqo, an archaeological complex located about 4 kilometers from the city of Cusco, mainly used for religious purposes, where it is believed agricultural rituals were performed. Lastly, visit to PucaPucara, which means "red fortress" and is located about 7 kilometers from the city. This was an architectural complex of supposed military use with multiple environments, plazas, bathing places, aqueducts, walls and towers that is believed to have been used by the Inca's entourage while he was resting in Tambomachay. Return to the hotel and accommodation.

Optional (not included): Visit to the Cusco Planetarium.

Breakfast. Departure for the town of Chinchero, a traditional urban center of Cusco, situated on a high point with a privileged view over the valley. The inhabitants of this town have preserved the craft traditions and knowledge inherited from the Incas, which is reflected today in their customs and traditions. There are also archaeological remains and a 17th century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. Afterwards, departure for the Living Museum of Yucay, with a brief stop at a viewpoint. This museum is a center for the interpretation of Andean traditions, where there are demonstrations of textile, adobe, ceramic and silverwork in the same way they were made in ancient times - an original recreation of Inca traditions. You will also have the opportunity to feed the alpacas, lamas and sheep that live there. Continue to Ollantaytambo for lunch - an Andean gastronomic experience at the Chuncho restaurant, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley is conveyed in a welcoming atmosphere. Afterwards, visit the village, inhabited continuously since Inca times, and climb up to the iconic fortress built on the side of the mountain. Continue to the hotel in Sacred Valley. Accommodation.

*On Sundays, the textile demonstration takes place in the local market in Chinchero.

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, departure for the train station to board the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. On arrival, take the bus to Machu Picchu, known as the "Lost City of the Incas". It is believed that Machu Picchu was built in 1450 by the Inca Pachacútec as a vacation residence, however, a century later, the city was abandoned after the Spanish conquest, escaping the destruction that affected other Inca settlements. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to learn about the origins of this impressive citadel and explore the most relevant monuments. Afterwards, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Return by train to Ollantaytambo and, on arrival, transfer to your hotel in Cusco. Accommodation.

*Lunchtime may vary according to the time of entrance into Machu Picchu.

*Tickets to Machu Picchu are subject to availability. Please request them in advance due to limited capacity.

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport to board the flight back to Portugal. Overnight on board.