12 Day Classic Peru & Machu Picchu Small Group Tour

Upon arrival you will be greeted at the airport by our tour representative and transferred to your hotel which is in the district of Miraflores.

MEALS: none

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Lima

Today you will embark on a Lima City Tour. On this fantastic guided tour of Lima you will explore the beautiful and fascinating City of Kings. You will visit iconic places that are rich in history. There will be plenty of picturesque churches and exquisite colonial architecture. Begin your journey by travelling thousands of years into the past. Your first stop will be the ancient ceremonial centre called “Huaca Pucllana”, which was built centuries before the arrival of the Spanish. Next, you will drive into the centre of the city so you can stroll around the main square, the Plaza de Armas of Lima. Here you will find imposing architecture which was built a very long time ago. Also, on the main square is the grandiose Lima Cathedral. After that you can tour the Santo Domingo convent and its extensive monastery.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Lima

After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the airport where you will take your flight to Arequipa. When you arrive at the Arequipa airport our team will be waiting there to warmly welcome you and to help you get settled in your hotel. At your hotel you will find complementary coca tea and muña tea freely available. These natural beverages will help your body to adjust to the high altitude of the White City.

The White City of Arequipa is crowned by the three volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. The majestic White City has extraordinary architecture and dream-like landscapes.

We will begin our tour with a visit to the Convent of Santa Catalina. Founded in 1579 as a cloistered convent, it initially housed a small number of religious women from the local elite. Our tour of the city continues with a visit to the Church of the Society of Jesus. This grandiose church will surprise you with its Baroque facade and its impressive sacristy which is meticulously decorated with vividly coloured murals.

After this visit, we will go to the Mirador del Carmen which is 10 minutes from downtown. From here, we can enjoy a spectacular view of the Valley of the Chili River and the majestic Misti Volcano. Then we will go to the historical neighbourhood of Yanahuara to walk through its narrow cobbled streets and see its old mansions. Here we can also admire its beautiful church that was built in 1750. From here you will admire the white buildings of Arequipa which were built out of volcanic Sillar. (White stone)

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Arequipa

Soon after eating a delicious breakfast. you will leave the White City behind as you go out on a new adventure to the Colca Valley. You will travel through the verdant countryside until you reach one of the deepest canyons in the world. During your journey you will pass through colourful villages that have been here for thousands of years.

During the trip you will make a brief stop at the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve where you will see wild Vicuñas in their natural habitat. Next stop is the town of Chachani which is surrounded by Andean peaks and is full of llamas and alpacas. White glaciers covering the mountains contrast beautifully with the blue of the sky. The shepherds that are watching their flocks of llamas and alpacas sing out beautiful melodies that help them pass their time out in the fields.

In the afternoon you will arrive at the town of Chivay which is very close to Colca Canyon. That is where you will check into your hotel which is located just outside of town, and which has an incredible view of the canyon. After checking in you will be able to relax and take it easy for the remainder of the afternoon.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Colca Canyon

Today you will get up a little earlier than usual and have breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast you will ride to the Condor Overlook (Mirador del Condor), which is located on the edge of the canyon. Colca Canyon will be spread out below you in all its glory. Condors will fly up out of the canyon very close to you, and the sun will be rising over the jagged Peruvian peaks.

After feasting your eyes on these amazing sights, you will return to Chivay. Along the route you will stop and see the pre-Incan tombs located on the nearby cliffs. Then you will pass through the very colourful towns of Pinchoyllo, Maca, & Yanque. The beautiful town of Yanque has some lovely churches and there are amazing scenic overlooks.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Colca Canyon

OPTIONAL: La Calera Hot Spring $3USD per person

Around 10am, you will start travelling in the direction of Puno, the Capital of Peruvian Folklore. Along the highway you will stop briefly at Patapampa (4900 m.a.s.l.) which is the highest point of all your journeys in Peru so far. From this mountain, nature will be spread out before you and the views of the volcanoes to the west, Sabancaya, Ampato, Misti, and Chachani, will be excellent. At the same time, you will also be able to appreciate the great pile of stones left here by travellers and pilgrims throughout the centuries. Usually, leaving a stone on the pile is the way of asking deities for a safe and pleasant trip.

Finally, you will arrive in Puno around 3:30pm. Our team will help you to get settled in your hotel where you can enjoy a well-deserved on Lake Titicaca’s shore.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Puno

After breakfast, you will go out boat riding on Lake Titicaca. Pick up time at your hotel will be around 7am. You will go over to the port, board our motor launch, and ride south to the Island of Uros. At Uros, the Peruvians who live here maintain their ancient customs and way of life by weaving together totora reeds which grow in the shallows of the lake. These reeds are used to construct their floating islands and their houses. Afterwards we will sail towards Taquile Island. At Taquile, you will enjoy a 2-and-a-half-hour tour of the island which has been ranked the fourth most beautiful island in the world. In the community you will eat a wonderful Andean style buffet lunch. Here you will visit the isolated weavers of this ancient community. According to pre-Columbian legend, the Incas actually learned how to weave from the artisans of this island. They are very, very skilled weavers. Taquile has been declared to be part of the Cultural Heritage of the Humanity by UNESCO. Later in the afternoon, you will then have free time to explore the Island on your own, and afterwards return to Puno.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Puno

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel at 7am and dropped off at the bus station to take a bus trip, more like a tour – a guide will be on board, and you’ll stop at four exciting sites: Andahuaylillas, Raqchi (Wiracocha God Temple), La Raya and Pukara. Andahuaylillas is the Sistine Chapel of South America. This church is one of the most beautiful examples of Andean popular religious art. Raqchi was an Inca church of considerable dimensions; 328 feet long, 85 feet wide and 45 feet high. The temple is divided into two naves, and each nave has 11 large columns. La Raya is the half-way point between Cusco and Puno and also the highest point (14,222 feet above sea level). The landscapes here are stunning and typical Andean animals like the llama, alpaca and vicuña are familiar sights. It is also the geographic border between two cultures – Quechua and Aymara. Finally, Pukara is the most important and oldest ceremonial centre of the altiplano which holds new lite-sculptures and tombs. After you will proceed to Cusco and arrive at about 5pm.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Cusco

OPTIONAL: Folklore Show and Dinner $25USD per person

After breakfast, you’ll have a full Cusco city tour. During the Cusco City Tour you will discover the beauty and the magic of Cusco, the Imperial Capital of the Incas. Your tour starts at the Koricancha and the Santo Domingo church. According to the Chroniclers who wrote during the period directly after the Spanish Conquest, the Koricancha was the most sacred and the most important site in the Quechua world. The walls of the Koricancha were covered with gold. There were life-size statues of plants and animals made out of pure gold and silver. Next will be the Cusco Cathedral where you can appreciate the works of the Cusco School of painters, and also the gold and silver relief work on the main altar and the pulpit. The next stop on your tour will be the imposing Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Here you will note the stones that form the walls are the size of a truck. They have been carefully cut and perfectly fitted together. Sacsayhuaman is a very impressive Incan construction. From here you will head up the hill to the Tambomachay Archeological Complex. This was an important ceremonial centre during Inca times. It is sometimes called the Bath of the Incas, and the cult of water used to perform their rites here. Finally, you will return to Cusco.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Cusco

Today we travel from Cusco and descend 1500 feet to the valley floor, where we find ourselves by the sacred Urubamba River and the village of Pisac. In Pisac, we stop to visit a traditional market, where you can browse and buy some local souvenirs if desired. Then, we drive up to the ruins of Pisac. Here, we explore the extensive ruins whilst enjoying stunning views over the valley. You will be given a guided tour of the Citadel of Pisac, in which we will see temples, homes, altars, carvings, tunnels, caves and the famous Intihuatana, “The hitching post of the sun”. We have about 90 minutes to explore the ruins. We continue on towards Urubamba, where we make a stop for lunch.

Afterward, we visit Ollantaytambo, which is surrounded by the sacred mountains. In Ollantaytambo, we get further exposure to Incan constructions, mainly the amazing temple of the sun, enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished, stone water fountains, stairs and terraces. Then we will transfer to the Train Station Ollantaytambo for a train trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo. When you arrive at MachuPicchu Pueblo you will be greeted by our team members. They will walk with you on the 5-minute stroll over to your Hotel by Inkaterra. In Aguas Calientes there are no motorized vehicles except for those buses that take people up and down from the Citadel of Machu Picchu. The afternoon is free time. If you like you can wonder around the town or stay at your marvellous hotel.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Aguas Calientes

After breakfast at the hotel you will go exploring the 7th Wonder of the Modern World, Machu Picchu. It is sure to be one of the most memorable experiences of your lifetime. Feel free to enjoy this marvellous Incan masterwork that was built centuries ago. Some of the recommended sites to visit are: House of the Guardian, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Sacred Plaza. This is your opportunity to soak up some of the atmosphere of this magical place.

After your down exploring, it will be time to go back down to Aguas Calientes and catch your train back to Cusco. Your train ride to Cusco will be aboard the Vistadome Train. Upon your arrival at the Poroy station you will be picked up and driven back to your hotel.

MEALS: Breakfast

OVERNIGHT: 3 or 4 Star Hotel, Cusco

After breakfast enjoy your last day at leisure prior to check out. You will transferred to Cusco airport for your domestic flight to Lima. Then onto the International Terminal for your flight back to Australia. We hope you enjoyed your Holiday 2 Peru with MyHoliday2!

MEALS: Breakfast