Discover Peru
Lima, Paracas, The Ballestas islands, Arequipa,the Colca Canyon, Puno, Uros and Taquile islands in theTiticaca lake, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machupicchu, the Amazon jungle

Overview

A twenty-days journey visiting the highlights of Peru: We start in Lima taking a cruise-bus we head south along the coast making stops at Ica, Pisco and Nazca before reaching the White City or Arequipa. From this city we head up into the Andean mountains visiting the Colca Canyon and the Titicaca Lake on the border with Bolivia. From Puno, we take a tourist bus to Cusco and a beautiful train journey to Machu Picchu. Finally, we fly into the to the Amazon jungle before returning to Lima.

Tour highlights

– Relax at your Oasis hotel in Ica before having some Dune-Buggie fun.
– Visit the amazing marine and bird life at Paracas and Ballestas Islands.
– Take a flight over the misterious Nazca Lines
– Visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, a masterpiece of colonial architecture in Arequipa
– Take in the breathtaking views of the Colca Canyon and enjoy the spectacular flight of the condor
– Board a cruiser bus traveling through the amazing landscapes in the Andes
– Visit the floating reed islands of the Uros.
– Marvel your senses at the incredible lost city of Machu Picchu
– Spend your nights in a comfy Amazon log-cabin
– Enjoy the jungle excursions included in your stay

20 days – 19 nights
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20

Arrival in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Lima

Morning free. Afternoon Lima city tour. Overnight in Lima

Morning Bus service to Paracas. Afternoon dune buggy ride. Overnight in Paracas

Morning visit to the Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve Tour. Bus to Ica.Overnight in Ica

Ica City Tour - Bus to Nazca. Overnight in Nazca

Over flight Nazca lines-Optional Chauchilla-Kantalloc Tour. Bus to Arequipa

Arequipa city Tour. Overnight in Arequipa.

Colca Canyon First day. Overnight in Colca.

Colca Canyon Second day. Overnight in Colca.

From the Colca Canyon to Puno. Overnight in Puno.

Titicaca Lake. Overnight in Puno

Bus Journey to Cusco with visits along the way. Overnight in Cusco

Sacred Valley tour, Overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Morning train to Machupicchu. Guided tour of Machupicchu. Overnight in Machu Picchu Town

Free morning in Aguas Calientes. Afternoon return by train to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco

Flight to Puerto Maldonado. First day in the Amazon Rainforest. Overnight in a Jungle Lodge

Second day in the Amazon Rainforest. Overnight in a Jungle Lodge.

Third day in the Amazon Rainforest. Overnight in a Jungle Lodge.

Last day in the Amazon Rainforest. Flight to Lima. Free time to relax. Overnight in Lima.

Free day. Evening transfer to the airport for international flight

Departures:

Daily departures year round

Destinations:

Lima, Paracas, The Ballestas islands, Arequipa,the Colca Canyon, Puno, Uros and Taquile islands in theTiticaca lake, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machupicchu, the Amazon jungle.

Reservation code:

FP20

On your arrival to Lima we will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the exclusive district of Miraflores. Your Chaska Tours holiday hotel vouchers will be at the reception desk of the Hotel.

Overnight in Lima
No meals included.

This morning is free for you to relax and maybe take a stroll in Miraflores.

In the afternoon we will pick you up for your city tour of Lima in shared group service. This tour offers you the best combination of the different attractions in Lima and its three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary.

We first visit Lima’s Historical Center, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988, and a Cultural Patrimony in 1991.
We will visit the colonial sites of the Plaza Mayor, the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archibishop’s Palace. Right after we visit the San Francisco Monastery and Catacombs. We continue to modern section and visit the suburbs of San Isidro and Miraflores. On our way we will pass by the Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca pyramid shaped temple.

Then we will visit the Parque del Amor (Lovers Park) and enjoy refreshing views of the Pacific Ocean as we drive down to the Miraflores Malecon, a road overlooking the ocean.

Finally we will drop you off at your hotel.

Overnight in Lima
Breakfast included

Paracas is a small port town in the Pisco province of southern Peru, about 4 hours south of Lima. The town is an ideal departure point for the Ballestas Islands and the enormous Paracas National Reserve, a gorgeous desert peninsula which acts as a protected area for wildlife and it is an important archaeological zone as well.

The bus departs very early in the morning taking you along the coastal road to Paracas. On your arrival to Paracas we will take you to your hotel.

At 4pm we pick up from your hotel and take you for your dune buggy & Sand boarding excursion. We will take the sand cars to go to the Paracas desert to the incredible dunes where we will make the ride in the buggies leaving all the adrenaline in this ride the sand cars will make ups and downs where they give us the impression of being on a roller coaster but in this case of sand where we will also receive instructions on how to sandboard with an instructor who will accompany us during the tour, making this walk an unforgettable experience.After the tour we return to the hotel with the evening to relax at your own.

Overnight in Paracas
Breakfast included

Transfer to Ballestas Islands known as the “small Galapagos” because of its abundant wildlife. Tour the Islands by boat; here we can observe the hundreds of sea lions and seals and a large variety of seabirds, flamingos, pelicans, boobies, cormorants and many others. After the tour return to Paracas, in the port you have many options of restaurants where you can enjoy lunch on your own expenses. Continue with a visit of the Paracas National Reserve which is home to a diverse collection of marine life and birds. This tour takes you to the picturesque costal area with the never-ending tropical sand-dune desert and where we will see the famous Paracas Candelabro etched into coastal mountainside. Afterwards we will head to Ica where you will spend the night at your hotel.

Overnight in Ica
Breakfast Included

Ica located 300 km south of Lima is known for its great historical past and for being an oasis in the middle of the desert pampas of Peru. Ica is also known as the city of pisco and good wine having as a backdrop the harvest festival (which takes place in March) This being one of the biggest attractions of the region.

During the City tour if Ica we will visit the Wine Cellar and Restaurant «El Catador»: The most touristy winery in Ica, we will visit its facilities to taste its wines, piscos, cachinas and learn about the elements that are used for the elaboration of Piscos and Wines in an artisanal way. Here you can have lunch on your own. Then we will visit the the Plaza de armas of Ica, the temple of Luren and Alameda de Luren. At the Oasis of Huacachina we will enjoy an impressive landscape where we will find the Huacachina Lagoon surrounded by immense dunes, we will also see the monument to the Huacachina mermaid and the craft center of the place. Drop you off at your hotel.

If you are a bit more adventurous you can enjoy a dune buggy and sandboarding tour in the desert oasis of Huacachina, this is an extra tour and it is completely optional, this is a great experience for those who enjoy the active tours and you do not need any previous experience. This tour takes about 2 hours.

At a convenient time, we will pick you up to transfer you to the bus station for your bus to Nazca.At your arrival transfer to your hotel.

Note: In Ica you also have the option to choose a Winery Tour:
This morning we will drive and visit the «Bodega Catador», a small artisanal family Wine and Pisco Distillery, with 154 years of history. Here you will taste different kinds of wines and Pisco in an underground cellar. Then we continue to the Tacama Bodega, a larger Commercial Winery.It is housed in a 16th-century farm, and uses modern technology for its wine production. Next, we move onto the biggest and oldest winery in Peru, “Hacienda Vista Alegre”. Winery tour – Two and a half hours

Overnight in Nazca.
Breakfast included.

This morning transfer to the airport for the over flight of the mysterious Nazca Lines. These designs are believed to have been made by the Nazca Culture between 400 and 650AD. Be in awe with the mysterious lines of animals such as a monkey, hummingbird, plants, and geographic shapes. The Nazca Lines were declared by UNESCO a world heritage in 1994.

Evening comfortable bus-ride on sleeper seats at 10 p.m. for our journey to Arequipa.

Note: After your flight you can visit the Chauchilla Cemetery to see the many tombs containing pottery and human remains including the amazing aqueducts of Kantalloc and the ceramic and gold processing ateliers. Available only for private Service. Please ask your Travel Consultant for this additional excursion.

Hotel in Nazca for day use included.

Overnight on bus.
Breakfast included.

On your arrival to Arequipa we will take you to your hotel where you can relax the rest of the morning.

Well known as the “White City” due to the color of its buildings made from sillar (white volcanic stone), and a picturesque colonial structure, this city has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO; it is surrendered with an impressive snowy mountains and volcanoes (Misti, Chachani, Pichu Pichu) and the Colca Canyon one of the world’s deepest canyons.

The department of Arequipa is also geographically varied with Andean valleys a several nature reserves and beautifully natural landscapes which became in an interesting place to visit.

Afternoon city tour. We will visit the Main Square, Yanahuara church and observatory, Arequipa´s most important churches, like San Francisco, the Compañia de Jesus’ famous cloisters, colonial houses, and a special visit to the Santa Catalina Convent and Cloisters.

Overnight in Arequipa
Breakfast included

Transfer to Colca Canyon. Driving across Pampa Cañahuas at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, habitat of herds of vicuñas and stopping at the Mirador de los Andes, the crater of Chucura, the Mirador de Chivay, where beautiful pre-columbian terraces still being cultivated by native Collaguas can be observed. Arrival at the town of Chivay transfer to hotel. Free time to enjoy the hot springs.

Breakfast included

Morning departure to the «Condor’s Cross» where the Condor, may be spotted flying in circles above the still farmed green pre-Hispanic terraces. On the way back to Chivay, visit to the Mirador of Chinina, where we will find the famous Hanging Tombs.
Overnight in Chivay, Colca Canyon.

Breakfast included

We have the morning to relax before we take the afternoon bus to Puno departing at 1.30 pm and arriving at 6 pm. In Puno we will pick you up to take you to your hotel; the evening will be free to explore the area.

Overnight in Puno
Breakfast Included

Today we will leave for the port where a boat awaits us to visit one of the highest lakes in the world (3800 meters / 12467.19 feet). We will explore the floating island of Uros inhabited by traditional fisherman, stepping on the island feels very much like a water bed but it is quite safe. We see the houses, the islands and meet its friendly inhabitants. Uros people are descendants of one of the oldest South American groups. Rides on traditional reed boats can be arranged.

After we will continue navigating the highest navigable lake in the world, the Titicaca Lake, for about 2 ½ hours enjoying the spectacular views to get to Taquile Island port, from where we will take a long path that gradually ascend until the indigenous community to know these textile experts and their weaving traditions. You will find handy craft textiles of high quality make by them at a good price. Lunch at one of the many local restaurants.

After this nice experience with the indigenous community, we depart back to Puno City, on arrival we will transfer you to your Puno hotel.

Overnight in Puno
Breakfast and typical lunch included

Transfer to the bus station for your tourist bus to Cusco in which you will visit 4 archeological sites along the way. This will be a very active and interesting 9 hours journey.

This day long bus ride takes you through snow-covered peaks, high and wide Andean valleys where llamas graze on spiky grass. As you pass by villages with cobblestone streets and you will see people making adobe bricks by hand.

On our way to Cusco we will visit the litho-sculptures of Pukara, La Raya, the highest point between Cusco and Puno (14234 feet / 3800 meters), Raqchi, the temple of the God Wiracocha and Andahuaylillas. The church of Andahuaylillas is known as the «Sistine Chapel of America». It is known as one of the best- preserved examples of Andean religious art. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to hotel.

Alternative option: Upgrade to Lake Titicaca train to Cusco available at an additional cost. Train operates Puno to Cusco: Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

Travel in style on the Lake Titicaca train to Cusco. Morning transfer to the local train station of Puno where the train operated by Peru Rail is waiting for your spectacular rail journey to Cusco, which runs on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The glass-walled observation coach provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The journey is broken by a scenic stop at La Raya, which is also the highest point on the route.
 First class lunch is served aboard the train in style.
 A music and fashion show and a bar-tending lesson will also be part of your experience aboard.

Overnight in Cusco
Breakfast and lunch Included.

Cusco was once the capital of the Incas Empire where you will learn more about the Andean culture as the city itself represents the center of indigenous Quechua culture.

Today you will have a free morning to acclimatize to the altitude and in the afternoon your guide will meet you to visit the Inca city delegated by UNESCO as a world heritage in 1983.

First we will visit the Cathedral of Cusco on the Plaza de Armas and continuously the temple of Qoricancha, also known as the temple of the Sun. After these visits, we will continue to the upper part of Cusco to visit several archaeological sites. The first stop will be at Sacsayhuaman, a ceremonial complex of the Incas. We will also visit Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. At the end, we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.

Note: In private service you will first have a tour by foot through the city, visiting Qoricancha the Inca Sun Temple, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, enjoying the atmosphere of the city by observing the well-preserved colonial architecture that conserves Incas original stone walls, evidence of a rich and complex history. We will continue our way until we get to San Pedro Central Market where the locals shop for Andean grains, fruits, natural medicine plants and more. Afterwards, drive up above Cusco for a visit of the spectacular Sacsayhuaman Inca complex with stupendous stonework, Qenko a place of rituals and then we will visit the Textile Art Museum of Sulca to see their lovely textile made by hand.

Return to your hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight in Cusco
Breakfast Included.

This will be a full day tour where you will enjoy the varied landscapes of the beautiful Río Urubamba Valley, known as “Valle Sagrado de los Incas”, along the way we can see attractive colonial towns and isolated villages of indigenous communities that continue their tradition for weaving, pottery and agriculture. Main attractions will be the handicraft markets and the lofty Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, it is definitely the perfect match between a cultural experience, the andean sunlight and delicious typical food.

We will visit first the famous Pisac Colorful Indian market to see the handicrafts and taste delicious empanadas baked in huge typical ovens. Afterwards, continue to the Pisac ruins above the town for a visit of the Sun Temple and admire the many surrounding terraces. We will continue to Urubamba to enjoy lunch, then off to one of the original Inca towns of Ollantaytambo to be amazed by the ruins that sit in front of the quaint town. After a wonderful day you will return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the night.

Overnight in Sacred Valley
Breakfast and lunch included.

This morning you will ride on the train from Ollantaytambo with breathtaking views to Aguas Calientes. You will check into your hotel and then take the bus to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

In your way up to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu you will have spectacular views from the Mountains and the typical flora and fauna of the mysterious Cloud Forest. It is highly recommended to have lunch in Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant located in the entrance of the Citadel, enjoying the atmosphere of this magical place and then have a quiet guided tour after noon, with less crowds and the chance to see the amazing sunrise.

With your Official guide you will visit the enigmatic Citadel of Machu Picchu following a specific route where you will walk through the different sectors such as the Urban and Ceremonial and other places of interest. You will also have time for taking memorable pictures. We are sure that this will be a unique experience!

The Citadel of Machu Picchu was declared by UNESCO a world heritage in 1983. It is believed to have been built in the 15th century and abandoned by the Inca Empire when the Spaniards conquered them. The locals always knew about the ruins and some locals lived around it. The ruins were brought to the world’s attention in 1911. Visit the Sun Temple, the Room of the Three Windows, the Royalty sector and more.

Note: New regulations have been stablished for the visit to Machu Picchu since 2019, according to these statements there are certain schedules for the visit, with the Machu Picchu ticket you can stay 4 hours as maximum in the Citadel. Please notice that Machu Picchu is open from 6:00 am to 5:30pm. aumentar

Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Breakfast and lunch included.

Today you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own pace.

If you have chosen the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel, you can opt to do one of the various excursions on the hotel grounds which include bird-watching, orchid and nature hikes with specialist guides.

Otherwise, based on your choice you could climb the Huayna Picchu or the Machu Picchu Mountain Peak. This short trek inside the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu will make your day spectacular! You will hike up through Inca’s original paths that will lead you towards magical places within the Cloud Forest. With every step you will get fascinated by the beautiful views of the famous Andean Mountains. You can have a taste of the real Inca Trail doing this trek and appreciate the architectonic magnificence of the Incas. You have to see it with your own eyes!

Please make sure you check out of your hotel before you leave for the Sanctuary and to pick up your luggage and to be at the train station half an hour before your train’s departure.

Return to Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch on your own. Then board your train to the Poroy or station. Private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Note: Tickets are subject to availability. There are schedules for the visit to one of the Mountains, with the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu tickets you can stay inside the Park for 6 hours and with the Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain Peak ticket for 7 hours maximum. The visit for one of the mountains has a moderate grading that requires a good physical condition although effort is well worth it. The Huayna Picchu hike is easier and takes less time than Machu Picchu Mountain Peak.

Overnight in Cusco
Breakfast included

Transfer to Cusco airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado.
We will be waiting for your arrival in Puerto Maldonado to start your Amazon rainforest tour and we check-in at the lodge office where you can leave your luggage and take only the necessary for your Amazon adventure.Then we travel to our lodgings by motorized canoe along the Madre de Dios River (approximately 25-minutes). On our arrival it will be time for a buffet lunch with organic ingredients and native flavors. After lunch we take a nature trail walk where you will discover and learn about primary and secondary rainforest, its components, uses, transformations by the human being, and its relevance for the world. At dusk navigate on a canoe in a twighlight excursion. Boating on the Madre de Dios River, you will learn about its ecosystems, Amazon creeks, nocturnal animals’ behavior and the southern constellations. Return to the main building for dinner.

Overnight – Amazon Lodge
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast we have a long trek through terra firma in the Tambopata National Reserve to Sandoval Lake. Here you will understand why Madre de Dios is called the biodiversity capital of the world, we will learn about the reserve’s conservation efforts and the lake’s formation. We travel across the oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, the blue and yellow macaw, the red howler monkey and the black caiman. We head back to the lodge for lunch for the canopy walkway and anaconda walk. We ascend one of the two 98 ft (30 mts) towers and cross the seven hanging bridges that connect the treetops at 90 ft (28 mts) high. Here we have breathtaking views and observe toucans, woodpeckers, squirrel monkeys and the three-toed sloth. Then we walk along the 200-meter wooden bridge over some swamps and learn about the fauna and flora of these flooded ecosystems. We then return to the lodge and enjoy a nice dinner.
Overnight – Amazon Lodge
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

(Option: Add 1 or 2 extra days in the Amazon depending on availability of the lodge)

After breakfast we will take a canoe ride back to Puerto Maldonado. Arrive at the lodge office located in the city where you can wait for your flight to Lima. We fly from Puerto Maldonado to Lima and on arrival a staff member will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Free evening in Lima or optional excursions.
Overnight in Lima
Breakfast included

(The Amazon itinerary is from one of the different lodges we offer. The itineraries will change depending on which lodge you choose)

Free day or optional excursion. Evening transfer to the airport for your international flight.

Breakfast included

Optional extra: Evening city tour with dinner: If you have time we have a guided evening city tour which includes a dinner show at a selected restaurant.

Included

Hotels included:
3 nights in Lima, 1 night in Paracas, 1 night in Ica , 1 night in Nazca, 1 night on bus , 1 night in Arequipa , 2 nights in Chivay , 2 night in Puno, 3 nights in Cusco, 1 night in the Sacred Valley , 1 night in Aguas Calientes , 2 nights in Amazon Jungle

Entrance tickets:
All entrance tickets for the places to visit mentioned in the program

Excursions:
All excursions as mentioned in the program

Guide:
Official guides during excursions

Machupicchu:
Roundtrip bus tickets and entrance tickets to the Sanctuary on day 15

Meals:
Meals as mentioned in program

Train:
rain roundtrip to Machu Picchu
Train Andean Explorer:
First class bus Cusco – Puno

Not Included

International flights.
Two domestic flights Cusco/Puerto Maldonado/Lima.
Tips: Tips at airports, hotels and tips for guides, drivers or other personal.
Travel insurance

NOTES

Transport Cusco – Puno or vv:
First class bus Cusco – Puno

HOTELS

Choose your hotel category

Prices

* Prices for 2022 (we are working on it) Contact one of our Experience Travel Consultants to tailor this trip for you or if you have any questions, we are here to help you and strive to respond the same business day.