Day 01: Arrive Lima (PERU)

Bienvenidos a Peru! We receive a Lima-style welcome at the airport and are transferred to our hotel. Check in starts from 1400 hrs.

Overnight: Hotel La Hacienda Miraflores/Hotel Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, Lima (2 nights)

Day 02: Lima

Today, explore the city on a sightseeing tour through Lima*. Experience the Plaza de Armas, with its beautiful government palace, town hall, the Palace of the Archbishop and the cathedral. After that, visit the beautiful San Francisco monastery, which displays the largest collection of religious art in America. The highlight of this convent is the visit to the underground vaults known as “catacumbas” or catacombs.  Proceed through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores to the coastline, enjoying the view over the beaches of Lima and the Pacific Ocean. Afterwards, experience a guided visit of one of Lima’s most noted museums, the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum, which houses the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian art. Rafael Larco Hoyle founded the museum in 1926, on a Chiclin sugar estate in Trujillo, naming it after his father. In 1958, he moved the collection to Lima, installing the Museum in a colonial house in the district of Pueblo Libre, where it remains today. The collection’s approximately 45,000 objects have been exhibited to the public ever since.  The Halls of the Larco Museum are organized by subjects. The Metals, Ceramics, Stones, Culture, Great Jewellery Vault and Textile halls emphasize the technological aspects of Pre-Columbian cultures. Finally, the unique Erotic Hall gives us a glimpse of the fascinating sexual life of ancient Peruvians.  Our afternoon is free to relax or sample more of Lima’s many attractions. (B)

Day 03: Lima/Cusco (Flight)/Yucay (Drive)

Transfer to the airport for our flight to Cusco (cost not included). Upon arrival, we will start the tour with a visit to a Chinchero community located 28 kilometers away from Cusco. Here stand the remains of the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, as well as beautiful colonial temples built on Inca foundations. However, the community’s main attraction is its Sunday market, providing a place for the people of the valley to barter their products. This colourful and lively market still fascinates people with its variety of handicrafts and textiles made in true pre-Columbian style. Afterwards, we will be transferred to “El Mirador de Racchi”, where we have a splendid view of the Sacred Valley. Enjoy a typical lunch at a local house, followed by transfer back to our hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado/Hotel Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness, Yucay (2 nights) (B, L)

Day 04: Yucay

Our morning is free for optional activities. In the afternoon, explore Ollantaytambo, a typical Inca community. Towering above the town of Ollantaytambo, we will find the Inca fortress of the same name. Steep stone terraces rising from the edge of town lead up to the fortress ruins at the top of the hill. A stone stairway leads up through the terrace walls, allowing visitors to step out on them. One of the best-preserved areas lies north of the Hanan Huacaypata square: an area of 15 blocks of houses built on top of carved stone walls. (B)

Day 05: Yucay/Machu Picchu/Cusco (Drive)

Transfer by bus to the train station of Ollantaytambo, where we take a train that travels through the fertile plain of the Urubamba valley and on to Aguas Calientes. From there, small busses drive up the steep mountain to the ruins of Machu Picchu*. Called the Lost City of the Incas, this cultural heritage of mankind is a beautifully located and impressive stone city constructed with a technique incredible for its era and even for present times. Here, stone upon stone has been fitted together perfectly without any cement, with impressive delicacy, exquisite detail and discrimination worthy of the world’s greatest palaces. There are many theories about Machu Picchu, but one thing is for sure - it is one of the most impressive sites in the world. Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins (approx. 2 hours) and return by bus and train to Ollantaytambo station. From here, we are transferred to our hotel in Cusco.

Overnight: Hotel Xima/Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique, Cusco (2 nights) (B)

Day 06: Cusco

In the morning, we discover Cusco* on a half-day tour. Our experience starts at Plaza de Armas, shown to be the exact centre of the Inca Empire. To protect the historic center of Cusco, vehicles are no longer allowed in this main square. Here we will find the cathedral built on the ruins of the ancient Inca Palace. The cathedral borders on other churches on both sides. Next stop will be the old town, with its magnificent renovated colonial buildings. Then proceed to Sacsayhuaman, a ruin located approximately 3 kilometers above Cusco. Sacsayhuaman also offers a fabulous view of the city. Afterwards visit the surrounding ruins.  Afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Day 07: CuSco/Puno (Drive)

A full day bus journey from Cusco to Puno through the Peruvian highland along snow-covered peaks. We pass up to 4,300 meters above sea level and then continue down to Puno, which is right on Lake Titicaca. En route, we will visit the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi and the small town of Pucara. Lunch in a restaurant is included en route. After arrival in Puno, we are transferred to our hotel.

**Please note: Our full day transfer is shared with international travellers and accompanied by a bilingual English/Spanish speaking guide

Overnight: Hotel Jose Antonio/Hotel Libertador Lago Titicaca, Puno (1 night) (B, L)

Day 08: Puno/La Paz (BOLIVIA) (Drive)

This morning, we transfer from our hotel to Kasani, the Bolivian-Peruvian border. After crossing the border, we experience Copacabana. This city is located on the shores of Titicaca Lake and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in South America. We visit the town, the church of Our Lady of Copacabana with its shrine of the Black Virgin and the main square.  Then board our eco-friendly catamaran cruise ship, which brings us to the southern part of Sun Island named Pilcocaina. This area offers the island’s most spectacular ruins complex. The maze of stone walls and tiny doorways overlooks a lovely white beach lapped by the deep blue waters.  We will visit the ruins and, afterwards, the fountain of the eternal youth and the Inca terraces. Following this, continue our catamaran journey until Cocotoni. En route, enjoy spectacular views of the snowcapped mountains of the Royal Range of the Andes. Lunch will be on board. After arrival at Cocotoni’s ship yard, we will enjoy a sailing tour in an ancient totora reed boat. Then, we will continue with an overland transfer to La Paz.

**Please note: The catamaran excursion and the transfer to La Paz are shared with international travelers and accompanied by a private English-speaking guide.

Overnight: Hotel Presidente/Hotel La Casona Boutique, La Paz (2 nights) (B, L)

Day 09: La Paz

Enjoy a unique sightseeing tour today, starting with a visit to the famous Witch Doctor's Markets (which also sells handicrafts) and the San Francisco Colonial Church (from the outside). The tour continues to Plaza Murillo, where the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the National Congress buildings are located. Enjoy an interesting cable car tour with amazing views over La Paz city. Afterwards, explore the Moon Valley, where we will take a moderate walk, savouring the beautiful lunar landscape. Our afternoon is free. (B)

Day 10: La Paz/Uyuni (Flight)/Colchani (Drive)

Early in the morning, transfer to the airport for our flight to Uyuni (cost not included). Upon arrival, we will explore the unique train cemetery located southwest of Uyuni. Observe a great number of antique steam locomotives and rail cars of the early railroad days, built mainly in France and England. Continue to Colchani on the edge of the salt flats. Local people from Colchani extract salt from the flats using rudimentary tools such as picks, axes and shovels. The village also contains various salt treatment plants, as well as to rustic workshops where artisan objects are made out of salt ground. We will have the opportunity to visit a rustic local salt plant. Afterwards continue to the pyramids of salt and water eyes. These are holes on the surface of the salt plain inside which the brine (salt saturated water located under the superficial crust) bubbles up.  Next visit the Incahuasi Island, completely surrounded by the salt flats and famous for its gigantic cactus plants. After lunch, we will cross the salt lake and visit the Galaxy Caves. These underwater caves were formed due to the explosion of a volcano over the waters of Lago Miuchi (today’s Salar). Following this, we return to Colchani.

Overnight: Hotel Luna Salada, Colchani (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 11: Colchani/Ojo de Perdiz (Drive)

Departure for Ollagüe volcano lookout point, from which we will have an impressive view of the still active volcano. Afterwards we will visit the lagoons Hedionda (the name of this lake in Spanish refers to the smells that are emitted from sulphurous gases on the surface), Chiarkhota and Honda. These mineral-rich lakes are filled with Andean, Chilean and James flamingos, and set against a backdrop of hills resembling spilt chocolate sundaes. Lunch is enjoyed en route.  Later, we arrive at the Siloli desert.

Overnight: Ojo de Perdiz (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Ojo de Perdiz/N.P. Eduardo Avaroa/Uyuni (Drive) /La Paz (Flight)

Today, experience a full day tour of the National Park Eduardo Avaroa ending in Uyuni. We will depart early to visit the stone tree, a rock of volcanic origin shaped like a 5-meter-high tree. The lower part is made up of quartz crystals, feldspar and biotite. Our next stop is Laguna Colorada. This lake’s rich red coloration is derived from algae and plankton, which thrive in the mineral rich water, and the shoreline is fringed with brilliant white deposits of sodium, magnesium, borax and gypsum. Afterwards visit the “Sol de Mañana”, which is a high geyser basin with bubbling mud pots, hellish fumaroles and a thick aroma of sulphur fumes. A box lunch is enjoyed en route. Then return to Uyuni and proceed to the airport for our flight (cost not included) back to La Paz. Upon arrival in La Paz, we are met and transferred to our hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Presidente/Hotel La Casona Boutique, La Paz (1 night) (B, BL)

Day 13: La Paz/Tiwanaku/Desaguadero/Puno (Drive)/Juliaca/Lima (Flight) (PERU)

This morning, we head for the epic city of Tiwanaku*, the capital of an ancient civilization. These ruins are located 72 kilometers away from the city of La Paz and near the south-eastern shores of Lake Titicaca. During its greatest times, the capital of Tiwanaku was the largest city in the world and considered to be the cradle of all American civilizations. The most recent radiocarbon 14 tests show that these pre-Inca ruins date back to 1580 B.C. In this ancient, breathtaking city, we will visit the Kalasasaya (Sun) temple, semi subterranean (Earth) temple, Akapana Pyramid and the legendary Sun Gate. The tour also takes us to an impressive museum filled with ancient objects and tools that stand as proof of just how advanced this civilization really was. Afterwards, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then continue to the Desaguadero border (Bolivian – Peruvian border). After assistance with border formalities, we are met on the Peruvian side and transferred to Juliaca airport to take our flight (cost not included) back to Lima. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel.

Overnight: Hotel La Hacienda Miraflores/Hotel Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, Lima (1 night) (B, L)

Day 14: Depart Lima

Today we depart Lima, our minds filled with unforgettable memories of an ancient and mysterious land.  Check out time is 1100 hrs. Or extend your adventure with our tours to other parts of South America, including Chile and Argentina! (B)

B=Breakfast, BL=Box Lunch, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 16 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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