Arequipa’s beautiful plaza is dominated by its fine cathedral and the sun shines all year on this southern city. From Arequipa we journey to Colca, the world’s deepest canyon and the realm of the condor. We travel to Lake Titicaca, the world’s largest tropical lake and then to Cusco, the cradle of the Inca Empire and the archaeological capital of the Americas. From Cusco we will hike the Inca Trail, following in the footsteps of Inca pilgrims to the sacred city of Machupicchu.

Day-by-day itinerary:

Day 1: Transfer to the hotel in Lima

Day 2: Transfer to airport in Lima and to hotel in Arequipa

Arequipa: Nicknamed the “White City”, Arequipa is surrounded by spectacular mountains, including the volcano El Misti (5800 m), Chachani (6096 m) and Picchu Picchu. The city is at 2380 m in a beautiful valley and has fine Spanish buildings and many interesting old churches built from 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.

Colca Canyon (two days)

Day 3:

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.

Day 4:

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.

Day 5: Transfer to airport in Arequipa and to hotel in Puno, visit Sillustani

Puno: is the major port on Lake Titicaca and famous for its folk dances, which are the most colourful found in the Peruvian highlands. Puno 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 such as 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.

Day 6: Uros and Taquile islands

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 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 and maintain a strong group identity. The island is very peaceful. Pre-Inca terracing and small ruins dot the landscape and there are plenty of walks.

Day 7: Bus to Cusco (Transfers are included)

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.

Day 8: Cusco

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 and Sacsaywaman (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 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.

Day 9: The Sacred Valley of the Incas, Pisaq market

Pisaq market:
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.

Ollantaytambo:
The village of Ollantaytambo retains the original street plan of the Inca town, making it the only surviving example of Inca urban planning. Our tour will include a visit to the agricultural areas around the village, the irrigation system, granaries and the fortress-temple built by Inca Pachacuteq using stonemasons from the Colla culture around Lake Titicaca.

Inca Trail to Machupicchu

A complete network of interconnecting roads linked Cusco to its provinces and other kingdoms and the Inca Trail to Machupicchu was part of that system. Today it has become the most famous and popular trek in South America due to the variety of attractions it offers.

This spectacular trail runs from high mountains down to cloud forest, passing through a number of diverse ecological zones filled with an enormous variety of plants and birdlife. The route is also studded with archaeological sites which lead the visitor to the lost city of the Incas; Machupicchu.

Day 10: Cusco / Chilca / Huayllabamba

Our vehicle will take us to the trail head at Chilca. From here the trail follows the left bank of the Urubamba River from where we will see beautiful views of snow-capped Veronica (5850 m). After lunch we will visit the ruins of Llactapata before continuing along the Huayllabamba valley and camping near the village of the same name.

Day 11: Huayllabamba / Pacaymayo

From the village of Huayllabamba the trail climbs steadily through high Andean woodland to a plain called Llulluchapampa just before the first pass, from where there are excellent views of the Huayanay mountain chain. After another two hours walking we will reach the pass of Warmiwañuska (4050m/13,280ft), before descending as far as the canyon of the Pacaymayo River, where we make our second camp.

Day 12: Pacaymayo / Wiñay Wayna

The trail climbs to the second pass at Runcuracay from where we will be able to see the Vilcabamba and Urubamba mountain ranges. After a short rest we descend along a paved Inca road to the ruins of Runcuracay and Sayacmarca, which have been recently restored. Here we enter the cloud forest and in the afternoon the trail descends via a stone staircase past the ruins of Phuyupatamarca to Wiñay Wayna, where we camp for the night.

Day 13: Wiñay Wayna / Machupicchu

After about two hours we arrive at Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate, from where we will get our first glimpse of Machupicchu. On arriving at the citadel we will tour the temples, houses, agricultural terraces and palaces of this magical place. Return to Cusco by train in the afternoon.

Day 14: Transfer to airport