Great Inca Expedition

Arrival in Lima, Welcome and assistance in your transfer to the hotel.

Day 02: Lima, City of Kings and Larco Museum of Cultures

An exclusive and intense tour of the Historic Center of Lima will take us to know and admire the architectural relics that are part of this ancient Lima, which has been recognized by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Convent of Santo Domingo is the beginning of this magnificent experience. Built during the founding of Lima. The Universidad Mayor de San Marcos, the oldest in America, was founded on this site. Inside, the choir with the oldest stalls in the country; and the library, with 25,000 books, some printed in the 15th century, have invaluable historical value. The remains of San Martín de Porres, San Juan Masías and Santa Rosa de Lima lie inside. Crossing the Plaza Mayor, the Government and Municipal Palace, we will enter the Cathedral, a jewel of Lima's history, with works of art that will bring us closer to colonial Lima. We will leave the Center and go to the Larco Museum, a place where we will have a clear vision of the Cultures that populated Ancient Peru. We will be surprised by the pieces of gold, textiles and erotic ceramics that are part of the collection that will introduce us to the worldview of the ancient Peruvian. The warehouse of this Museum will be open during our visit to appreciate the expressions of art that they captured in their ceramics. 

Free afternoon.

Day 03: Enigmas of the Pampas of Nasca

Departure by bus to Paracas Bay. Arrival and transfer to the Pisco airport to fly over the enigmatic Nasca lines, enormous drawings that can only be appreciated from the air and represent various insects and animals such as the monkey, the hummingbird, the condor or the spider, it is thought that it was a great astronomical calendar designed by the ancient inhabitants of the desert. Return to Pisco. Transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free to enjoy the hotel facilities and the surroundings.

Day 04: Paracas National Reserve

Early in the morning we will take a marine excursion by boat around the Ballestas Islands. On the way we will appreciate the “Candelabro”, a drawing sculpted on a sand hill facing the Pampa de Nasca. On the islands, we will observe Humboldt penguins and sea lions, in addition to the migratory birds that live there. In the afternoon, departure to Lima by bus. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 05: Arequipa, White City

Transfer to the airport. Departure to Arequipa. Arrival, assistance and transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon, the “White City” opens its doors to us on a tour that begins in the beautiful colonial neighborhood of San Lázaro, the founding place of Arequipa; From here we will walk through its picturesque streets adorned with geraniums and then we will head towards the Carmen Alto viewpoint, which offers us a beautiful landscape of agricultural terraces and from where we can observe the three tutelary volcanoes that surround the city: Misti, Chachani and Picchu -Picchu. We will continue towards the colonial district of Yanahuara, famous for its church built in the Andalusian style and its viewpoint, built with beautiful architecture and surrounded by ashlar arches. Then, we will visit the Monastery of Santa Catalina, an impressive religious monument that was closed for nearly 400 years; With narrow streets, squares and gardens, it reminds us of the old neighborhoods of Seville or Granada. Continuing, we will go to the Plaza de Armas, where we can observe the Cathedral and the arches that surround the square, to finally visit the Church of the Company of Jesus; Founded in the 17th century by the Jesuits, its cloisters and the famous Dome of San Ignacio stand out

Day 06: Route of the volcanoes, Pampa Cañahuas and Chivay

Depart on an overland adventure to the spectacular Colca Valley. We will take the volcano route, climbing the slopes of the Chachani volcano, and having a formidable view of the Misti volcano and Picchu Picchu. Our path will cross the Pampa Cañahuas vicuña reserve, a high Andean habitat where they live and are protected. The highest point of our route will reach 4,900 meters above sea level. in the Patapampa pass, from where you can see the active Sabancaya volcano. Descent to the Colca Valley. Arrival and accommodation. Lunch at the hotel. Free time to rest or enjoy the thermal baths in the area.

Day 07: Colca Canyon, Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint and Route to Puno

At dawn, we will head towards the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. We will be waiting for the impressive flight of the condors, enormous Andean birds that are the symbol of the Andean countries. The view allows us to appreciate the large size of the canyon, considered one of the deepest in the world. We will visit the town of Maca and Yanque that still preserve their colonial churches. Lunch at a restaurant in the area. In the afternoon, departure by bus on a 6 and a half hour trip to the city of Puno. Arrival, assistance and transfer to the hotel.

Day 08: Sacred Lake Titicaca and its islands

In the morning, we will board a boat to visit a town that, fleeing from the different cultures that came to dominate them, took refuge within Lake Titicaca, the Uros. This community continues to build their islands following ancestral techniques, and they welcome us to pass on their knowledge. A town that lives off its visitors. We will continue sailing towards the island of Taquile. The island community has kept their traditions, clothing and way of life alive. It is one of the few Quechua communities in an essentially Aymara region, and they have remained closed to modernity changing their lives. They will welcome us with their music and dances. Lunch in a communal restaurant, a simple but nutrient-rich meal. Next, we will take a walk around the area to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of Lake Titicaca. Return to the port of Puno. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 09: Altiplano Route

We will depart on a tourist bus to the city of Cusco. Our first stop will be the Pucará lithic museum, a place that preserves remains of the Pucará culture with pieces that will surprise us such as monoliths, steles and sculptures in animal shapes. This town is also famous for the Pucará bulls, beautiful multicolored crafts that symbolize protection, happiness and fertility. Our next stop will be at the highest point at 4,335 meters above sea level. in La Raya, geographical division of the water basins of Lake Titicaca and the Vilcanota River that will go to the Amazon River basin. Lunch. We will continue towards the town of Racchi, where the temple of the god Wiracocha is located, highlighting the stone bases of the enormous columns and walls that give us an idea of ​​the majesty that this palace had. As a last stop, we will visit the beautiful church of San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas, known as the “Sixtine of America” for the paintings that decorate the ceilings and walls. Arrival in Cusco. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 10: Cusco, Capital of the Inca Empire and Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park

In the morning, we will get away from the crowds to visit Sacsayhuamán, an impressive citadel full of colossal buildings surrounded by beautiful landscapes in total communion with the environment. Then, we continue to the Inca shrine of Q'enqo, surprising will be the altar for sacrifices embedded in the internal part of its rock formation. Finally we arrive at the Puca Pucará watchtower and Tambomachay, a monument of notable architectural excellence and considered one of the pillars of the Andean worldview. Free afternoon to enjoy the city.

In the afternoon, exclusive tour of the city that begins with a visit to the Plaza de San Cristóbal to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Then, we will visit the San Pedro Market, where we will soak up the local flavor and learn more about the local products in this market that has everything and supplies the entire city. Then, the Qorikancha Temple welcomes us with all its magnificence and lavishness, walls that were covered in gold. From San Blas, the artisans' neighborhood, we will walk down Hatun Rumiyoc Street, finding on our way the Inca Roca palace, today the Archbishop's Palace, we will have time to admire the world-famous Stone of the Twelve Angles. We will continue to the Plaza de Armas to visit the Cathedral, which houses colonial works of incredible value.

Day 11: Sacred Valley: Inca and Colonial Pisac, Inkariy Museum and Living Culture Center of Yucay 

The Sacred Valley of the Incas welcomes us this day. Our first stop will be the Inca town of Pisac, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. From the top of the mountain you can see the colonial town of Pisac. Walking tour of the colonial town. Time to shop in the artisans' workshops. Then, we will go to the Inkariy Museum to tour the various rooms where representations of the pre-Hispanic cultures of ancient Peru are exhibited. Lunch. We will visit the Yucay Living Culture Center, a tourist complex where local residents will show us their techniques of weaving and dyeing traditional textiles, making adobes, preparing traditional chicha, a corn drink, and having a close encounter with Andean camelids: llamas and alpacas. Overnight in the area.

Day 12: Sacred Valley: Terraces of Moray, Salineras de Maras and Living Inca Village of Ollantaytambo

This day will take us to find wonderful sites that this region of the Sacred Valley of the Incas keeps. The Inca terraces of Moray, a laboratory that sought to recreate 20 different microclimates and ensure the agricultural production of the empire. We will continue to the town of Maras, where we will find the famous and ancient salt mines, which have continued to be exploited since time immemorial. The contrast of its white wells with the clay soil makes this landscape an unmissable place to be photographed. Lunch. In the afternoon, we will enter the streets, squares and terraces of the last living Inca town of Ollantaytambo. We will enter the archaeological site that dominates the town, where you can see the technique with which the Incas worked the stone in the temple of the Sun that was half built. At the appropriate time, we will board from the town's train station to reach the town of Machu Picchu, located at the foot of the mountain. Overnight in the area.

Day 13: Machu Picchu, Lost Citadel

The long-awaited day to discover one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Boarding at the Ollantaytambo station. Departure by selected train. Arrival at Machu Picchu station. Assistance from our staff to board the bus that will ascend a winding road, with a spectacular view of the Urubamba River and shaping a deep canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will welcome us with its incredible terraces, staircases, ceremonial enclosures and urban areas. Energy emanates from all over the place. Lunch. At the coordinated time, return by train and transferred to the hotel in Cusco. Accommodation.

Day 14: Cusco at your leisure

Free day. Cusco has various cultural, archaeological and adventure activities. Book activities in advance. We suggest:

Vinicunca, Rainbow Mountain. Located at 5,000 meters above sea level. in the heights of the Vilcanota River Valley in the snow-capped Ausangate mountain range, this beautiful mountain has become one of the attractions and great wonders of Cusco.

Kayak in the Huaypo Lagoon. A day of contact with our being, paddling a kayak through a Huaypo lagoon with the snow-capped mountains in the background of the landscape. A moment to relax and let the silence invade and renew our energy. Lunch on the shores.

Day 15: Farewell

Transfer to the airport. Departure to Lima to connect with your return flight home.