PERÚ EXPRESS: South of Peru

Summary:

Concept	South Expedition & Volcanoes Detail
Tour Duration	14 Days / 13 Nights
Route Altitude	Minimum: 160 m (Lima) | Maximum: 4,900 m (Arequipa)
Climate & Temperature	Coast: 18°C | Andes: -5°C to 18°C (Thermal oscillation)
Seasons	Coast: Dec-Mar (Summer) | Andes: Apr-Nov (Clear/Cloudy)
Transportation	Exclusive private bus according to group size
Physical Activity	Short hikes and exploration on some days
Service Hours	Departure: 08:00 AM | Hotel Arrival: Before 06:00 PM
Best Time to Visit	From January to December (Operational all year round)

Route:

Description:

This program is designed to cover, in an agile and carefully planned manner, the most emblematic tourist destinations in Peru.

The route includes visits to cities and archaeological remains on the Peruvian coast dating back to approximately 800 BC. We will continue to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, where we will meet its inhabitants and learn about their fascinating customs.

Then we will arrive in Cusco, the historical capital of the Inca Empire, and explore Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the modern world. The journey culminates in the Tambopata National Reserve, in the department of Madre de Dios, considered the planet’s great ecological pantry: the Amazon rainforest in all its splendor.

Itinerary:

Arrival flight in Lima. Transfer and hotel in Lima.

Lima – Paracas: Trip to Paracas. Visit to Paracas Bay and tour of the Ballestas Islands. Visit to the vineyards of Ica and the city. Arrival in Nazca in the afternoon. Hotel in Nazca. (B, L)

Nazca: Very early overflight of the famous Nazca Lines. In the afternoon, visit to the Cantalloc aqueduct, the Chauchilla Nazca cemetery, and the city of Nazca. Hotel in Nazca. (B)

Nazca – Arequipa: Trip to Arequipa (approx. 10 hours). Hotel in Arequipa. (B)

Arequipa: City tour. Visit to the Santa Catalina Monastery, Museum of the Catholic University of Arequipa, representative neighborhoods like Yanahuara, and the countryside. Hotel. (B)

Arequipa – Chivay: Trip to the town of Chivay. Hotel in Chivay. (B, L, D)

Chivay – Puno: Tour to the Colca Canyon. Visit to the “Cruz del Condor” viewpoint. In the afternoon, trip to Puno (approx. 6 hours). Hotel in Puno. (B, L)

Puno: Tour to Uros Island and Taquile Island. Return to Puno. Hotel in Puno. (B, L)

Puno – Cusco: Trip to Cusco (approx. 7 hours). Free afternoon in Cusco. Hotel. (B)

Cusco: Tour around Cusco. Visit to the 4 most important archaeological sites: Sacsayhuaman, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and Qenqo. Museums, Cathedral, and San Pedro local market. Hotel in Cusco. (B, L)

Cusco – Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes: Tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit to Pisac and Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon, train trip to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). Hotel in Aguas Calientes. (B, L)

Machu Picchu: Guided visit to the Machu Picchu site. In the afternoon, return by train to Cusco. Hotel in Cusco. (B)

Tambopata National Reserve Tour (3 days / 2 nights): Flight Cusco – Puerto Maldonado. Transfer to the lodge via the Madre de Dios River. Introduction to the Amazon and night tour on the river. Lodge accommodation. (B, L, D)

Tambopata: Full day tour visiting the macaw clay licks and observing Amazonian wildlife. Return to the lodge. Lodge accommodation. (B, L, D)

Puerto Maldonado – Lima: Transfer in canoes (“peque-peques”) to Puerto Maldonado airport. Flight to Lima (usually in the afternoon). Transfer to the hotel in Lima. (B, L)

Lima: Transfer out. International return flight. (B)

Includes:

• Hotel accommodation (Category 2 and 3 Standard):
  • Lima: 02 nights.
  • Paracas: 01 night.
  • Nazca: 02 nights.
  • Arequipa: 03 nights + 01 night in Chivay.
  • Puno: 02 nights + 01 experiential night on Taquile Island.
  • Cusco: 03 nights + 01 night in Aguas Calientes.
  • Puerto Maldonado: 02 nights in Eco-Lodge (Tambopata National Reserve).
• Excursions and Attractions:
  • Ballestas Islands Tour and Nazca Lines Overflight.
  • City Tour in Arequipa and 2-day Colca Canyon Tour.
  • Visit to the Sillustani Chullpas (half day).
  • Full day tour to Uros and Taquile Islands.
  • City Tour in Cusco (4 ruins) and Museum entrance fees.
  • Full day tour to the Sacred Valley (Pisac and Ollantaytambo).
  • Full day tour to the Machu Picchu Citadel (includes bus and tickets).
  • 3 days / 2 nights expedition in the Tambopata jungle.
• Transportation and Logistics:
  • Transfers in private or scheduled bus (according to group size) for the Lima / Paracas / Ica / Nazca sections.
  • Tourist class bus for the routes Nazca / Arequipa, Arequipa / Puno, and Puno / Cusco.
  • Round-trip train tickets (Ollantaytambo / Machu Picchu / Cusco).
  • Official site guide service at each attraction.
  • Permanent assistance from a Tour Leader Guide throughout the trip.
• Meals:
  • Daily breakfasts included.
  • Lunches and dinners included according to the itinerary (marked as: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).