EXPLORE PERU

Day 1: Arrival to Lima

Today is arrival day at the international airport of Lima.  At the pre-arranged time, we will be waiting for you at the airport, to assist you with your luggage and take you to your Lima hotel. You will have the rest of the day to enjoy the cosmopolitan capital of Peru and depending on the time of your arrival, we suggest trying the nation dish of Peru, ceviche! 

Day 2: Lima City Tour and Huaca Pucllana

After a Delicious breakfast at your hotel, we will collect you to begin our guided visit of Lima city. we will take a walk through the principal streets, plazas and Avenues. We will begin with the Parque del Amor in Miraflores, which offers fantastic views over the Pacific Ocean. We will then have a panoramic view of the Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial site from the Lima Culture and in San Isidro, the financial Centre of the city, we can appreciate The Huaca Huallamarca, an ancient pre-Inca site of worship. We will then head to the Plaza de Armas, where we will find the Government Municipal Palace Municipal, The Cathedral. We will walk to the Santo Domingo Convent, who´s passageways were walked along by San Martín de Porras and Santa Rosa de Lima during the 17th Century and where their remains are to this day. We will then take you back to your hotel for the evening.

Day 3: Flight to Arequipa and Arequipa City Tour

Bright and early, we will take a flight to the White city of Arequipa! After we have dropped out bags at the hotel, we will set out on a City Tour of Arequipa and The Santa Catalina Monastery. Arequipa has a fascinating mixture of Spanish and indigenous cultures, still evident today, especially in the city’s stunning architecture. The “White city” is so called, due to the colour of the houses constructed from the volcanic ashes of the stunning Misti volcano, which can be seen on the Arequipa skyline. We will then visit the contrasting terracotta-coloured monastery of Santa Catalina that occupies an entire neighbourhood and is surrounded by large walls, making it one of the most fascinating religious buildings in all of Peru. Then we will visit the main square of Arequipa, with its historical colonial buildings and a beautiful cathedral that overlooks the square.

Day 4: Colca Canyon

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will head to the spectacular Colca Canyon.  We will climb in elevation to the Chachani volcano; with an impressive view of the Misti Volcano and the Picchu Picchu Volcano.  We will pass through the Pampa Cañahuas Vicuña Reserve, where we can see these magnificent creatures running free through the high Andean terrains and witness traditional Andean villages along the way. On arrival in the village of Chivay we will settle into our hotel and then enjoy a Colca Canyon lunch. We can head out on a short hike to see the fascinating ruins of then we will visit to the hot springs for a well-earned soak in the medicinal waters. 

Day 5: Colca Canyon

At the pre-arranged time early in the morning, we will head to the Cruz del Cóndor (Condor Cross). We will await the magnificent flight of the enormous Andean condors which are close to extinction and are a symbol of The Andes Mountain range. The views at the condor cross will allow us to appreciate the vastness of the canyon which is one of deepest canyons in the world.  Being able to view the condors depends on the climatic conditions which allow the flight of these giant birds.  Being a product of nature, there are no guarantees of being able to see these birds but we live in hope!  We will then visit the villages of Maca and Yanque, with their colonial churches and traditional customs and way of life.  After lunch, we will take an 8-9 hour journey in our transport to the city of Cusco.

Day 6: Cusco City Tour and the 4 Local Ruins

After breakfast, we will enjoy a walking Cusco city tour visiting the Cathedral located in the main square, Plaza de Armas, ´Qoricancha´, the Temple of the Sun and the San Pedro Market, where you can learn about the local variety of products and ingredients. We will then head to the local ruins just outside of the city. We will visit the magnificent fortress of Sacsayhuaman, who´s enormous walls, offer a spectacular view over the Cusco panorama. We will next head to the close-by Qenqo ruins, a religious archaeological site, where it is believed that the Incas performed rituals for agricultural purposes. Our next visit will be to Puca Pucará, which means “red fortress”, in the native Inca language of Quechua.  This archaeological site was a military fortress with many buildings, plazas, aqueducts, towers and baths.  It is believed that the site was used to house the Inca´s entourage, while he rested in Tambomachay, our final archaeological site. It is thought that Tambomachay was the special resting place of the Inca where he could bathe and relax in the soothing waters.  After this visit, we will take you back to your hotel.

Day 7: Sacred Valley and local Andean community visit

Enjoy your breakfast at your hotel, after which we will pass by your hotel, for a visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will head to the Inca town of Pisaq, where we will head up to one of the most stunning archaeological sites in The Sacred Valley, on the top of the mountain overlooking the town of Pisac. We will then wander around the town, where we will have time to visit the famous handicraft market. We then head out on a visit to a traditional Andean community in Patacancha where we will be able meet llamas and alpacas, as well as local weavers who will show us their weaving techniques and preparation of natural dyes for their traditional textiles. we meet the local shepherds and learn about the alpacas, the rituals before shearing them and the importance of thanking the mountains (Apus), and mother earth (Pachamama) for providing the clothes and food from the Alpaca. This is an extremely special moment of connection with the spirituality of the Quechua people. We can enjoy our lunch in a typical restaurant of the Sacred Valley, before we head to our final sight on our tour, the fabulous archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. This site was important for the Incas as a military, religious and agricultural centre. We will visit the temple of the ten windows, the Ñusta bath, the temple of the sun and other important sights of interest. The magnificent views from the top of the ruins of Ollantaytambo, will close this magical day in The Sacred Valley of the Incas, as we head to the Ollantaytambo train station to take the evening train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the evening.

Day 8: Machu Picchu Visit

Today is the day you have been waiting for, a visit to the magnificent, iconic site of Peru, Machu Picchu. To see Machu Picchu in person is absolutely breath-taking. Rising 2,430 metres above sea level, the views from the top on a clear day will simply blow you away. On a tour of the Inca citadel, your guide will take you to see the exceptional Temples of the Sun and the Condor, aqueducts and houses, and learn about the sacred Inca terraces. Then, explore the site on your own and absorb the magical energy, before you return to Aguas Calientes for the train back to Cusco. On arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 9: Fly to Puerto Maldonado Amazon Lodge trip

In the morning, your private car will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Cusco Airport in time for your hour domestic flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon your arrival at the airport, your representative will take you to the river port, where your Amazon jungle adventure will begin. You will board a private boat and take a river journey to the jungle lodge. You will have a great experience taking part in the Trail System Adventure, which will allow you to discover the incredible realm of the Amazon forest. You will see exotic rainforest trees and Amazonian lizards, birds and insects. You will then return to the lodge to relax and enjoy a fantastic lunch. During the afternoon, you will be treated to a private Twilight River Boat Ride where you will witness the enchanting transformation of the Amazon jungle from day to night and the new creatures that emerge from the darkness. Keep your eyes on the river banks as you explore the river and search for night time species, such as nightjars, owls, capybaras and caimans. You will then return to your lodge in time for some delicious Peruvian cuisine.

Day 10: Sandoval Lake and Treetop Canopy Walking

Today, after you have enjoyed your appetizing breakfast, your private tour guide will take you on an excursion to Sandoval Lake. Firstly, you will take an enchanting thirty-minute boat trip to arrive to the Tambopata National Reserve. You will smell the fresh air and hear the beautiful bird songs as you walk for one hour through the rainforest to arrive at the stunningly-clear, pine-rimmed Sandoval Lake. Upon arrival, a wooden canoe will be ready and waiting to take you in search of some marvellous Amazonian critters such as giant otters, red howler monkeys, macaws, pre-historic hoatzins and anacondas. After our wildlife exploration, we will return back to the lodge in time for a delicious lunch. After you have relaxed, we will take you to the Canopy Walkway, where you will literally walk through the Amazon treetops on suspension bridges linked to observation platforms that give spectacular views. You will also experience the Anaconda Walk along a 200m wooden bridge over the Aguajales Swamps. In this spectacular lush environment, you will observe numerous species of amphibians, serpents, birds and mammals. From here, you will return to the lodge to enjoy another tasty dinner.

Day 11: Flight to Lima

After you have enjoyed your final Amazon breakfast, we will take you to visit the Butterfly House, where you will see and learn about the diverse characteristics of these wonderful species. From here, we will take you to Puerto Maldonado Airport in time for your one-hour domestic flight to Lima. In Lima we will collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel. Enjoy the gastronomic capital of Peru for your final dinner on this incredible exploration of Peru.

Day 12: Airport Transfer

Today is the final day of your Explore Peru tour with Kallpa Travel. We will take you to the airport for your flight back home. We sincerely hope that you have passed some incredible days, full of adventure, new explorations and unforgettable experiences in Peru and that you will return home with Peruvian souvenirs, a lot of photos and incredible anecdotes to tell, about this journey to Explore Peru!

Included:

• 11 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels in the category of your choice
• Professional English-speaking tour guide
• Professional Driver and private land transfers
• Round Trip Expedition Train to Machu Picchu
• Round Trip Bus Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu entrance ticket
• All transfers and land transportation
• Executive tourist coach from Colca to Cusco.
• Entrance to the Calera hot springs
• Entrance tickets to the archaeological sites and other attractions visited
• All Jungle Excursions
• All meals in the Amazon
• Internal flights (Lima-Arequipa and Cusco-Puerto Madonado-Lima)

Services NOT Included:

• International flights
• Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Tips/ gratuities
• Travel Insurance
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (please ask if you would like us to include this option).