Lima, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco and Tambopata
From the Pacific coast of Peru, over the Andes and through the land of the Incas to the Amazon forest. This tour includes the Paracas National Reserve, the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary and the Tambopata National Reserve, as well as a wealth of fascinating archaeological sites and historic architecture.
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Day-by-day itinerary (Peru 21 days tour): |
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Day 1: Transfer to the hotel in Lima
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Day 2: Transfer to Nazca by car
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The Chauchilla tombs and the Nazca aqueducts (3.5 hours).
One of the region's most interesting excursions can be made to the Chauchilla cemeteries, 30 kilometres from Nazca. This excursion also includes a visit to the subterranean aqueducts built by the Incas, which are still used today by local farmers to irrigate their fields.
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Day 3: Nazca
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To 141 kilometres south of Ica and 443 kilometres from Lima, this town of 30,000 inhabitants lies in a fertile green valley surrounded by mountains. Its altitude of just 619 metres above sea level is enough to place it above the coastal fog and give it a sunny, warm climate all year round.
The ancient Nazca culture was a highly developed civilisation which reached its apogee around 800 AD. Its ceramics, woodcarving and goldwork can be seen in several of Lima’s museums.
Although the finest remains of this ancient culture have already been unearthed and plundered by grave robbers or discovered by archaeologists, more remains are still being found in the area. On the edge of the modern town, there exists a reservoir built by the Nazca culture, as well as a network of subterranean aqueducts, many of which are still in use. About 22 kilometres north of Nazca along the Panamerican Highway, are the famous Nazca Lines.
Flights over the Nazca Lines from Ica (one hour)
The best way to fully appreciate the immense archaeological mystery of the Nazca Lines is to take a flight over them, as these huge geometric and zoomorphic figures carved into the desert floor by the region’s ancient culture a thousand years agoare only fully visible from the air. The flights are made in light aircraft.
The Paracas National Reserve (half day)
From Nazca we will take a car ride to Pisco on the Peruvian coast for about two hours. This area is particularly famous for its birdlife and its marine fauna. The birds nest on offshore islands in huge numbers producing great quantities of nitrogen rich guano, which has been used as a fertiliser since the time of the Incas.
The birds nest in colonies numbering thousands of individuals, and the many species observed include pelicans, gulls, Humboldt penguins and Chilean flamingoes. The Andean condor also comes down to the coast occasionally. We will also visit the small fishing community of Lagunillas, from where we will drive to the clifftops, from where we will be able to observe colonies of seals and sea birds. We will also visit the Julio C. Tello Museum to see the remains of the ancient Paracas culture before returning to our hotel.
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Day 4: The Ballestas Islands (half day)
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We will navigate around the Ballestas Islands and observe the abundant bird and marine life there, including seals basking on the rocks or swimming around our boat, and species like the Humboldt penguin. On the way to the islands we will also see the gigantic Candelabra, an enormous figure similar to those at Nazca, carved into the shoreline. Return to Lima by car.
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Day 5: Transfer to airport in Lima and to hotel in Arequipa
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Arequipa:
Nicknamed the "White City", Arequipa is surrounded by spectacular mountains, including the volcano El Misti. The city is at 2380m in a beautiful valley and has fine Spanish buildings and many interesting old churches built of sillar; a pearly white volcanic material almost exclusively used in the construction of Arequipa.
Colonial city / Santa Catalina (half day)
We will tour the main attractions such as the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, the church and cloisters of the Jesuit church, colonial mansions, San Francisco church, the artisan fair and the viewing point at Yanahuara. This tour will also include a trip to the Santa Catalina Convent, built in 1580, which once housed more than 450 nuns in a closed order completely isolated from the outside world until 1970. During the visit we will also see a fine collection of 17th and 18th century paintings and some gold work.
Colca Canyon
One of the deepest canyons in the world, Colca can only be reached overland - a five hour journey from Arequipa along a road that is only paved along some sections. The road climbs up to the Cañahuas plain, a wildlife reserve where it is possible to see vicuñas and, occasionally, the much rarer guanaco.
The scenery at the canyon is truly breathtaking. Hundreds of Inca agricultural terraces are still used by local farmers, and life in the valley has changed very little over the centuries. For millions of years the Colca River has been eroding its path to form the canyon. Along its course the river changes its name five times. At its source it is known as the Paco Paco, until it becomes the Chilamayo for about 12 km, the Colca for about 25 km, then the Majes for a further 60 km, before it becomes the Camaná for the last 45 km of its course before reaching the Pacific.
The river drops an average of 950 m every 45 km. The most spectacular point is Cruz del Condor, 60 km from Chivay. This is a perfect place to see condors as they rise on thermal air currents in the morning and afternoon.
The Incas reached the valley in the 15th century, but they never really conquered it. The Spanish never managed to establish themselves permanently in Colca. Today, however, tourism is slowly conquering the valley, as it becomes Arequipa's most important attraction.
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Colca Canyon (two days)
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Day 6:
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We leave Arequipa at 8am, arriving in Chivay around midday. During the journey we leave the valley and climb to the road’s highest point at 4,450 metres, where volcanoes can be seen on the horizon. In the afternoon you will be free to explore the village on foot. You may also choose to visit the thermal pools at Calera, just outside the town.
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Day 7:
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At around 6am we will leave Chivay to travel to Cruz del Condor to observe these giant Andean birds as they rise from the valley floor on the morning thermals. Later in the day, on our way back to Chivay, we will have a chance to visit the villages of Tapay, Pinchillo, Maca and Yanque, arriving at our hotel in Arequipa in the late afternoon.
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Day 8: Transfer to airport in Arequipa and to hotel in Puno, visit Sillustani
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Puno: is the major port on Lake Titicaca and is famous for its folk dances. The city is a cultural and linguistic frontier, dividing the two dominant ethnic groups, which inhabit the Titicaca area: the Quechua and the Aymara.
Lake Titicaca: is at 3855 metres above sea level. Regarded as the highest navigable body of water in the world, the lake is immense: It measures 233 km (145 miles) from northwest to southeast and 97 km (60 miles) from northeast to southwest. Throughout history, Lake Titicaca has been home to many different cultures. Its waters have nourished great civilizations like the Tiwanaco, Pukara and Inca.
Visit Sillustani
Sillustani is located between Juliaca and Puno, and it is therefore possible to visit the ruins when travelling between the Juliaca airport and Puno.
Sillustani is an archaeological complex with tombs dating from both the Inca and pre-Inca periods. They are high, stone tower-like constructions built to house the remains of the Quechua and Colla nobility. The site is situated on a raised area on the shores of Lake Umayo. The ruins are just 32 kilometres from Puno on an excellent road. The tour includes a guide and transport, and passengers are transferred to the airport at Juliaca after the trip in time for their flights.
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Day 9: Uros and Taquile islands
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The most fascinating island on the lake is 45 km from Puno. It is about seven km long and one km wide, and has several hills with Inca terracing. The scenery of the island is beautiful; the soil is a deep earthy red colour, which in the strong highland sunlight contrasts magnificently with the intense blue of the lake. The backdrop of the snow-capped Cordillera Real on the far side of the lake completes a splendid picture. The people wear colourful traditional clothes, which they make themselves. They speak Quechua rather than the Aymara language of most Titicaca Indians, maintain a strong air of group individuality, and don't often marry non-Taquile people. The island is very peaceful. Pre-Inca terracing and small ruins dot the landscape and there are plenty of walks.
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Day 10: bus to Cusco
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We travel by bus to Cusco, crossing the altiplano and having an opportunity to visit a number of interesting sights along the route, including the temple site of Raqchi and the charming village of Andahuaylillas with its church, which has been called the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”. We arrive in Cusco’s fertile green valley in the late afternoon and are transferred to our hotel.
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Day 11: Cusco
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Cusco, the archaeological capital of the Americas and the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent, lies in exceptionally beautiful Andean countryside. It is 3400 metres above sea level and its legacy as the hub of the Inca Empire is readily apparent: Most of the city streets are lined with Inca-built stone walls and crowded with Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas.
The city of Cusco on foot (half day):
We begin our tour with a visit to the cathedral, which was built between 1560 and 1654 on the site of the palace of the Inca Wiracocha. It is a magnificent example of European art made by the indigenous population. Its main altar is completely covered in silver, and the church contains many fine paintings from the Cusco School of religious art. From the cathedral we move on to Qoricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, where we will be able to see some of the finest remaining examples of Inca stonemasonry. We will also visit the Santa Catalina convent, and walk through streets lined with Inca walls on our way to the San Blas neighbourhood, famous today, as it was in Inca times, for its skilled craftsmen, to visit the magnificent carved cedar pulpit of the San Blas church.
The ruins of Sacsaywaman (half day):
We will explore this ancient Inca sanctuary with its immense monolithic walls built from stones that weigh up to 130 tons each, all joined perfectly together. Sacsaywaman witnessed great events and bloodshed during the siege of Cusco at the time of the conquest. We will then visit the amphitheatre at Qenqo, the fortress of Puka Pukara and the ritual Inca baths at Tambomachay.
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Day 12: Pisaq market
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The colourful markets of the valley are open during the mornings, when you will be able to buy Peruvian crafts, jewellery and textiles, and see the traditional produce market where local people trade. Pisaq market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and Chinchero market is open on Sundays.
Afternoon visit of Pisaq Ruins (half day):
Pisaq ruins stand high above the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and comprise an Intiwatana, a temple complex, residential areas and extensive agricultural terracing, with the beautiful Urubamba River far below.
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Day 13 Chinchero village
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This is a typical highland village, with an interesting early colonial church built on the walls of an Inca temple. Just beyond the main square there are extensive Inca ruins and the village boasts fine views of the plain of Chincheros as its sweeps down to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The Saltpans of Maras and the
ruins of Moray (full day):
The salt mines at Maras consist of 3000 small pools. A number of salt water springs emerge from the hillside and are channelled along canals using the natural gradient. This process is repeated every three days and the water evaporates leaving behind the salt which slowly solidifies.This process takes one month, until a 10 cm layer of salt has formed. The salt is then packed into plastic sacks to be sold in the region's local markets and exported as far away as Japan.
Moray:
The Incas built a series of agricultural terraces in the form of a circular amphitheatre 150m in diameter. Moray was a centre for agricultural experiments and recent research has shown that the different levels of terraces represent different microclimates in the region and that temperatures between the terraces vary greatly. Using this technology, the Incas used Moray to domesticate and acclimatise the hybrids of wild plants which they created.
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Day 14 & 15: Machu Picchu
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Machu Picchu, the so-called “Lost City of the Incas”, remains intact because it was never discovered by the invading Spanish. Constructed on a high, forested mountain overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu were lost in time and dense foliage until they were discovered in July 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Our guides will carefully explain the history of this unique place and guide us around its terraces, temples, palaces and watercourses.
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Day 16: Free day
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Is an opportunity to explore the ruins independently, before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon.
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Day 17: Free day
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THE LIBERTADOR TAMBOPATA ECO-LODGE
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The Tambopata National Reserve (TNR) covers an area of 678,800 acres adjacent to the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. Together, these two parks form an immense area (3,000,000 acres) of sub-tropical rainforest under the protection of the Peruvian government. And with the establishment of the Madidi National Park in Bolivia, Tambopata is now part of a cross border park system which is the largest area of protected tropical forest on the South American continent.
The many studies made of the fauna and flora along the Tambopata River reveal an incredible abundance of life forms. The ecosystems in this part of southeast Peru are the most diverse on the planet, meaning that within the territory of the Libertador Tambopata Eco-Lodge there are limitless opportunities to observe the tropical rainforest and its wildlife.
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Day 18: Flight to Puerto Maldonado, and journey to the lodge
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Following your early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado from Lima or Cusco, you will be met at the airport by your naturalist guide and transferred to a dugout canoe for the trip up the Tambopata River to the lodge.
The Libertador Tambopata Eco-Lodge is situated on the banks of the Tambopata River in the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve (TNR), the remoteness and tranquillity of our lodge make for a richly rewarding visit to the rainforest. But, with a location of approximately only four hours from Cusco (a half hour commercial flight, transfer to the port, and three hours by boat to the lodge) it is one of the most accessible rainforest destinations in Latin America. The proximity of the Tambopata National Reserve to Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lima assures a rewarding visit to excellent rainforest habitat without losing vacation time travelling. In the late afternoon you set off for an introductory walk into the forest behind the lodge. Frequently seen mammals on this trail are saddle-back tamarinds, brown capuchins and agoutis. After dinner: A night walk to find nocturnal animals or insects by their eye-shine.
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Day 19: Hike to Lake Condenado
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A morning's exploration by foot and paddle canoe of the lake system of Condenado, rich in bird and aquatic life. A family of giant otters lives in the vicinity of the lake and are often observed. Birds abound, especially rufescent tiger-herons, great egrets, wattled jacanas, hoatzin, the noisy donacobius and many others.The afternoon is for exploring the forest close to the lodge (with or without your guide), relaxing and bathing in the Gallucunca, a cool clear stream beside the lodge, or visiting our tree platforms.
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Day 20: Hike to Lake Sachavacayoc (Tapir Lake)
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After breakfast a short boat ride downriver to the trail head. Here you embark on a longer trail which leads to a spectacular hidden lake and on the way you are introduced to more aspects of the forest and its animals. At the lake itself it is possible to spot elusive black caiman and giant otters. The afternoon is free for relaxation and bathing.
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Day 21: Departure
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A dawn start is required for the canoe trip back to Puerto Maldonado, giving memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Look out for the early morning wildlife, which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard, as they stake out their territories. Your guide will take care of you on arrival in Puerto Maldonado and will deal with all the necessities at the airport prior to your departure.
Transfer from airport to continue with a tour of Lima’s sights, followed by a return transfer to the airport in the evening.
Combine the visit to the centre of Lima with a trip to the famous Gold Museum.
This tour begins with a trip to the principal sights in the centre of Lima: the government palace, built between 1921 and 1938, the Arab-influenced design of San Francisco church, which includes a monstrance made in 1671 and a collection of jewels, and catacombs which contain the remains of thousands of people.
We will then visit the nearby cathedral on the main square, which bears the city’s coat-of-arms and houses the remains of Francisco Pizarro, the founder of Lima.
The Gold Museum houses an extraordinary private collection of more than 6500 pieces from the Mochica, Nazca and Chimu cultures collected by the philanthropist Miguel Mujica Gallo.
