21 days in PERU | Discover North and South face of Peru

 Explore the major attractions of Peruvian cities and islands by signing up for this exciting tour and get an insight into their culture, history, tradition and lifestyle. Visit the spectacular highlights from the Torre Tagle Palace in Lima to the Colca Canyon, Machu Picchu, Pyramid of the Sun and the Moon Sipan archaeological complex and the floating islands of Uros and many other landmarks. Also, ride a boat in Llanganuco and see the cave paintings of Pachacutec in this 21-day tour.

HIGHLIGHTS

Visit the Museum of the Larco Herrera, the Cathedral, Pizarro’s Tomb & the Catacombs of San Francisco

Head to the archaeological site of Chavin and Lake Querococha in Huaraz

Enjoy a boat ride in Llanganuco overlooking the mountains

Marvel at the cave paintings of Pachacutec

Admire at the Pyramid of the Sun and the Moon

Hear the unique neighing sound of Paso horses

Explore Sipan Museum and Archaeological Complex

Spot sea lions and seals in Ballestas Islands

Sightsee the colonial arts in Arequipa

Experience the floating island of Uros and awe at the textile art in Taquile Island

Be amazed by the ruins of the world-famous Machu Pichhu 

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 | 21
ARRIVE TO LIMA PERU

Once you arrive in Perú, our staff will greet you at Jorge Chavez airport in Lima then we transfer to your hotel. 

Accommodation: Lima city
Transportation: 1 hour from the airport to your hotel
Accommodation: Lima city
Lima height: sea level

Day 2 | 21
LIMA SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast at the hotel, around 8:30 am we start touring the different attractions of the “City of Kings” the Cathedral, Pizarro’s Tomb, the Catacombs of San Francisco, through Congress, the Torre Tagle Palace.

Pass through the residential areas of Orrantia, San Isidro and Miraflores.

Later on, Visit the Museum of the Larco Herrera, considered one of the best museums in Latin America. This museum features the best and most complete pre-Hispanic gold and silver collection in the world. It is well-known because of its erotic ceramics exhibits as well as its vast storage galleries.

Transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation: Lima city
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 | 21
FLY TO HUARAZ

Today you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport to fly from Lima to Huaraz. 

We transfer you to the hotel in Huaraz then start the tour at 10:00 a.m.

Today we visit the archaeological site Chavin, one of the oldest civilizations of America, with approximately a 3,000-year let’s take a journey to ancient times.

Later on, we visit Querococha Lake and we cross the mountains to the tunnel that passes Cahuish joining the Cordillera Blanca in the Callejon de Huaylas Alley Conchucos. Then we descend to the river valley to reach Chavín Mosna.

Appreciate the famous "Lanzon monolitico" and the impressive network of internal galleries or labyrinths, columns, porches and a large square that stands ceremonial concentric.
Later on we return to Huaraz to spend the night.

Accommodation: Huaraz town
Huaraz elevation: 3,052 meters / 10.071 feet
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 | 21
CALLEJON DE HUAYLAS TOUR

Today we pick you up after breakfast to transfer you and start the tour in the Callejon de Huaylas, lets appreciate its wealth of varied folk customs, traditional dress, cuisine, crafts of the peoples of Carhuaz and Yungay.

Visit the famous Llanganuco at 3.850 m (Chinacocha and Orcocha).

Take a boat ride and enjoy the impressive flora, accompanied by a walk overlooking the majesty of the mountains Huascaran, Yanapaccha, Paracas and Huandoy.

Continuing the tour, visit Caraz city for lunch. You can see small factories of dairy products and other products of the region as blancmange, frozen fruit and liquor, honey, jelly, cheese, etc. 

In the afternoon, return to your hotel in Huaraz.

Accommodation: Huaraz town
Huaraz elevation: 3,052 meters / 10.071 feet
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 | 21
PACHACUTEC FROM HUARAZ

On this day, travel by car for 3 hours, for an exciting excursion to the south of Huaraz.

Visit attractive places like Recuay, the grotto of St. Patrick, Ticapampa, a mining town and Cátac to see Pueblo Livestock. A 7 km drive to the south will bring you to the valley where you take the Pachacoto diversion on the east side, continuing to reach the lagoon Patococha. Here you will see Huascaran National Park, the mineral water source Pumapampa safe for drinking, water’s eye Laguna, Pumapashimin whose seven colors take different colors depending on the position of the sun and Puya Raimondi the most beautiful of our high Andean flora.

Continue to visit the cave painting of Pachacutec.

Go to the base of Mount on foot and practice different sports such as slide, sky, etc. After staying in the snow for a while, return by the same route.

Have lunch in the small town of Cátac to enjoy typical dishes of the region, and return to Huaraz where we spent the night in the hotel.

Accommodation: Huaraz town
Huaraz elevation: 3,052 meters / 10.071 feet
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 | 21
TRUJILLO

Today you will be picked up after breakfast to head the northern coast of Peru, we arrive at Trujillo around midday.

In the afternoon we visit the Sun and Moon Pyramids located 8 kilometres far from Trujillo. According to legend, the pyramid is about 20-noon meters high and was built in just 3 days using 250,000 men and 70 million bricks. This would be a building with the funeral, ceremonial and possibly administrative. The Moon Pyramid was made as a super temple built according to different stages of the Moche culture. Archaeologists have discovered a tomb with over 40 sacrificed warriors, later on we return to Trujillo.

Accommodation: Trujillo city
Huaraz elevation: Sea level
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 | 21
PASO HORSE EXHIBITION

Today we visit the Huaca Arco Iris, dragon temple of the Chimu culture (S. XI to XV AD) whose quadrilateral is surrounded by a trapezoidal wall six feet high.

The next place to visit is, the impressive Chan Chan archaeological complex, El Palacio Tschudi; its walls are decorated with stylised friezes in high relief with beautiful zoomorphic and geometric.

Also visit Trujillo to see traditional fishing methods and the ancient Mochica fishing boats called totora horses, which maintains the old tradition of artisanal fishing.

Visit the pier to see a craft fair and have lunch at the creek. The waves of the sea lend themselves to the sport of surfing.

According to the schedule (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), we will visit the Paso Horse Exhibition in the afternoon. Peru is known worldwide for this horse and its unique walk, producing a sound, very original-PACA PACA-PACA. The Paso horse is recognized as a “national treasures and silent ambassador” and the best saddle horse in the world.

Accommodation: Trujillo city
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 8 | 21
CHICLAYO

After breakfast at the hotel, we pick you up to go to Chiclayo.
we visit the north of Chicama Valley going through green sugar cane crops reach the pyramids area Sorcerer’s one of the most important religious and political centers of the Moche culture. El Brujo Archaeological Complex is formed mainly by the pyramids of Cao Viejo and Huaca Cortada, and El Brujo.
We also go to the Cao funerary site. to discover the mummy of a Moche ruler who inhabited these pyramids 1,700 years ago. She is called La Señora de Cao. 
then visit the Huaca of Dragon archaeological center
Overnight at selected hotel in Chiclayo.

Accommodation: Chiclayo city
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 9 | 21

ROYAL TOMBS OF SIPAN MUSEUM

After breakfast, transfer to the Museum of Royal Tombs of Sipan Lord preserves the material collected by Dr Walter Alva in the archaeological excavations of the Sipan complex. The exhibition shows the Lord of Sipan with all her jewels, some tombs of warriors Moche and essential pieces of gold. The museum’s architecture, inspired by the ancient Mochica sanctuaries that combine platforms. He is currently considered one of the best museums in South America.
Lunch will be on your own in the afternoon.
Make the tour at the Pyramids of Tucume characterized by its 26 pyramids, among which are: The Huaca del Pueblo, La Raya, The Sun and The Stakes.
Finally, overnight at the hotel.

Accommodation: Chiclayo city
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 10 | 21
SIPAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX AND PARACAS

After having breakfast, we pick you up from the hotel for the tour in the Sipan Archaeological Complex – Huaca Rajada (Lord of Sipan), located 35 kilometres from Chiclayo. Place where the intact remains of a dignitary of the Moche hierarchy warrior priest. The construction consists of a common platform and two adobe pyramids. In addition, numerous gold jewellery and silver are present in the Complex.

Then at the indicated time we transfer you to Chiclayo’s airport to catch your flight to Lima our team is going to be waiting for you since the next activity to do is to travel to the south of Lima to get to Paracas bay where you will spend the night.

Accommodation: Paracas Bay
Lima to paracas: 3½ hour bus ride
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 11 | 21

BALLESTAS ISLANDS - HUACACHINA

After breakfast we go to Paracas harbor to get on the motorboat which fits around 30 people. The tour guide will be with you the whole time explaining everything about all these historic places, this excursion takes around 2-hours.
On the way we see the enigmatic Chandelier or “Candelabro”, a huge geoglyph used as a reference point for sea travelers and sailors.
The Ballestas Islands are small groups or rocky islands in the Pacific Ocean it is home of abundant marine fauna, everybody gets surprised for the beautiful species such as colonies of sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins living in little caves and many guano birds living free in this beautiful natural habitat.
This trip shows us about the importance of these islands for the Peruvian coast and it is definitively the best place to observe beautiful cormorants, seagulls, dolphins and many other unique species.
Get a delicious lunch in Paracas later on, we continue to Huacachina a tiny desert village, with a nice lush oasis surrounded by dunes. Enjoy this unique beauty of the desert.

Accommodation: Huacachina
Paracas to Huacachina bus ride: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 12 | 21
FLY OVER THE NAZCA LINES AND AREQUIPA

Today we have an early breakfast then we transfer you to the Nazca airport to board a small plane and discover the mysterious of the world-famous Nazca Lines on a special 30 minutes flight over the most important figures, let’s find out the enigma that these ancient geoglyphs have maintained for centuries, some of them have over 2,000 years old, and have blown away historians and archaeologists for centuries, even today there is no uniform agreement as to how or why they were created. They are spread over almost 82 km of desert and fly over them is the only way to say thanks to its creators.
After the fly we go to the city center to let you be free, take a walk in town to buy souvenirs and have lunch.
Later on we will pick you up to visit a pre Inca cemetery known as Chauchila, Let's take a journey through the Pan-American highway 20 km to reach the desert, later we take a detour and just 8 more kilometers we get into Chauchilla, we will be on this archaeological site walking and learning everything about how this ancient culture interpreted the meaning of dead, let's get the chance to observe several open graves with perfectly preserved mummies in each one as well as the pottery and other relics buried hundreds of centuries ago, ancient cultures believed that there was another life after death; they did not mummified their dead intentionally, it just happened naturally due to the place presents an arid climate. At the end we go back to Nazca city because it is time to visit a pottery workshop, where we will be able to learn how nowadays the people make pieces of clay following ancient techniques. After that If the time permits, we do a final visit to the center of gold mining process, to learn about the ritual performed before the miners extract gold.
At the end of the tour you will have time to explore a bit more the city and have dinner by yourselves.
later on, we transfer you to the bus station to catch a night bus to get to Arequipa city.

Accommodation: Nazca city
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 13 | 21

AREQUIPA CITY TOUR

After breakfast, have the morning off to rest.

2:00 pm you will be picked up from your hotel by our official guide which will show you the beauty and history of the city, the tour includes places such as the Cathedral of Arequipa, Cloisters and Church Compañia of Jesus, square, San Camilo marked, Museum Santuarios Andinos and Santa Catalina Monastery.
The tour begins at the Basilica of Arequipa located in the Plaza de Armas, It presents a neoclassical style with French influences in its interior part, the next place to visit is the Church la Compañia de Jesus and the Dome of San Ignacio which is the only one that presents the best state of preservation in the city, then we visit San Camilo market to know the variety of fruits, vegetables and many other local products that are offered here, after that we visit the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries where we will appreciate the dress, ceremonial objects, and also the mummified body of the sacrificed Inca princess "Juanita", a spectacular discovery in the snowy Ampato (6425meters – 21202 feet), then we head to Santa Catalina Monastery, a small citadel built in Sillar (volcanic material composed of petrified and solidified gases) a clear example of how Arequipa was in the past.

Accommodation: Arequipa city
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 14 | 21
AREQUIPA | NATIONAL RESERVE | ANDES LOOK OUT POINT | COLCA VALLEY | CHIVAY TOWN

8:00am we pick you up from your hotel, then we begin our journey to the Colca Valley following the road that goes to the traditional Yura village, we also pass near to Quiscos valley and after 2 hours of travel we enter to the National Reserve, we stop to enjoy this beautiful landscape, take pictures and know the life and behavior of the South American camels in this part of the Andes over 4000m (13.200feet) (llamas, alpacas vicuñas and guanacos) also to enjoy a delicious Inca mate, which is going to help you mitigate the symptoms of altitude sickness, and of course to buy some souvenirs made with alpaca wool then we continue to the wetlands where we can observe more wildlife such as birds, rabbits and maybe Andean foxes later we get to Patapampa at 4910m a natural viewpoint and the highest place of the entire route and where we can see the Mismi volcano origin of the Amazon River also Ampato volcano very popular for having preserved the mummified body of the Inca Princess Juanita sacrificed more than 5 centuries ago.
After a long journey we arrive to Chivay town (3651m) considered as the largest and most important of all Colca Canyon here we have time to enjoy the lunch with a wide variety of typical food then we transfer you to the hotel, free afternoon to walk in town or to go to the hot springs.

Accommodation: Chivay town
Chivay town height: 3650 meters/12,045 feet
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today Meals: Lunch and Dinner (Private Service only)
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 15 | 21
CHIVAY | COLCA CANYON Condors Look Out Point | MACA | CHIVAY | PUNO

Today we pick you up at 7:00 am then we follow the left bank of the Colca river where the countless fields full of crops, such as corn, amaranth, potatos, quinoa among other vegetation make this landscape unique, after one hour we reach the Condor cross viewpoint to have the chance to observe the largest flying bird in the world, whose scientific name is (Vulture Gryphus) or simply Andean condor also get the best pictures of the impressive mountains as well as the walls and depth of the Colca canyon, look at the remote villages located in its interior part, after spending a good time in this beautiful place it is time to return doing stops in places of great tourist interest, such as viewpoints, colonial church, handicraft markets, among others.
Around mid-day we have a delicious lunch in Chivay, then we transfer you to Puno city arriving at 7:00 pm

Accommodation: Puno city
Condor cross height: 3700 meters/12,210 feet
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today Meals: buffet Lunch (Private Service only)
Vegetarian food: Available
1 hour hike over the condors nesting area (Private Service only)

Day 16 | 21
PUNO | UROS FLOATING ISLANDS | AMANTANI

7:30 am We Pick you up from your hotel in Puno, today we visit the Uros island located in the bay of Puno 12 km away from the port, we sail between 25 to 30 minutes, this is going to be a nice experience learning about traditions and the lifestyle that are still preserved in this unique place, lest take a journey to the past to understand the reality that still remains alive, millenary activities, fundamental for the survival of the local population, dedicating themselves to fishing and hunting birds depending completely on the Totora an aquatic Plant they use to build their islands, houses, rafts and also serves as food and fuel. Here we can meet very friendly people descendants of the Uros who are one of the oldest ethnic groups that inhabited the highlands, they will be very glad to show us how they have built their islands made with large blocks of the Totora roots that makes them float due to the porosity of the blocks aided by the gases that produce their decomposition, people have a very hard job joining the blocks and also placing a layer of Totora, the same that must be replaced every 20 days. Take your time to explore by yourself and also buy some souvenirs to support this ancient community, later on we sail again to Amantani island (2 ½ hours) we arrive at noon to be warmly welcomed by local families. This time we take a little hike for about 30 min uphill to the local houses where a delicious typical Andean lunch is waiting for us. After lunch we settle in a family home then you have free time to rest later on we meet our tour guide again to go for a nice walk to visit the Inca ceremonial temples Pachamama and Pachatata Located at the top of the island, lets enjoy fantastic views of Titicaca Lake and its unique splendor, besides the most beautiful sunset you have ever experienced.
Finally we return to have dinner at the local house, overnight families organized a welcome party (optional) where we can dance and wear the local dress all accompanied by local musicians.

Accommodation: Amantani Community (family home)
Condor cross height: 3700 meters/12,210 feet
Today Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 17 | 21
AMANTANI | TAQUILE

Today we start with a typical breakfast and then it is time to say good bye amigos, then we walk dawn to the port to get on our boat to continue towards Taquile Island enjoy this ride on highest navigable lake in the world.
Later on we walk to the top of this island, the summit is a perfect natural lookout point to appreciate the immensity of the Titicaca lake from a different perspective, after that we go to enjoy another delicious lunch.
In the afternoon we will be able to appreciate the great alive culture on the island, Taquileños are known for their fine hand-woven textiles and clothing, which are regarded as among the highest quality handicrafts not only in Peru, but also in the world, knitting is exclusively performed by men, beginning in early boyhood, women spin wool and use vegetables and minerals to dye the wool to be used by the community. Taquile is narrow and long, it was used as a prison during the Spanish Colony In 1970, it became property of the Taquile people who have inhabited the island since then. At the indicated time we go back to the place where the boat is waiting for us to return to Puno city then we go to the hotel arriving at 4:00pm approximately.

Accommodation: Puno city
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today Meals: Lunch
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 18 | 21
TRANSFER from PUNO | CUSCO

Today let’s enjoy beautiful landscapes on the road between Puno and Cusco.

We pick you up after breakfast at 6:30 am we go first to the bus station. The journey takes about ten hours, enjoying different places on the way guided tours as well as a very traditional buffet lunch. The bus stop at the Pre-Inca Museum in Pukara, la Raya high pass, and the Temple of Raqchi. We arrive to Cusco in the evening around 5:30 pm. Cusco city is the former capital of the Inca Empire, which reigned from the 13th to 16th centuries, remember you will be at a higher altitude than usual so take it easy and remember to rehydrate. Cusco was designed by the Incas as a city for walking, later on go for dinner and start your exploration of the narrow stone alleyways on foot. 

Accommodation: Cusco city
Cusco height: 3400 meters/11,220 feet
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today Meals: Lunch (Private Service only)
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 19 | 21
SACRED VALLEY TOUR

Today we pick-up at 7:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco to go to Chinchero situated on the western side of the Sacred Valley it is a picturesque village with beautiful Inca terraces and the remains of Tupac Inca Yupanqui royal hacienda, this little town also has a colonial temple built on Inca foundations, in this community we will learn and observe the whole process of the wool from the washing and spinning up to become a beautiful textile.
(We will be witness to a live demonstration of handmade souvenirs and the use of simple instruments and natural dyes).
The next place to visit is called Moray, an Incan agricultural experimental laboratory consisting of several terraces with circular depressions and an interesting irrigation system.
After learning how Quechua people cleverly designed a drainage system at the bottom of the terraces in order to avoid flooding, we drive down to Maras Salt Mines. This amazing site show us the pans fed by saline spring water that was built on steep terraces along one side of a narrow valley. Here we discover the ancient salt extraction technique that is still practice. Salt has been collected from Maras since Pre-Incan times and it is thought that a collective of salt ‘miners’ has maintained the terraces and channels for hundreds of years. The next place to go is Urubamba to enjoy a delicious traditional buffet lunch.
To finish our excursion we continue to Ollantaytambo a quaint town of Inca foundation with remarkable water channels, stone streets, colorfully dressed native people and the great Sun temple on the hilltop.

Accommodation: Ollantaytambo town
Cusco height: 3400 meters/11,220 feet
Today Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 20 | 21
MACHU PICCHU TO CUSCO

Early in the morning the next day, we go to the bus station to climb 400 meters high, by a zigzag way for 30 minutes to reach the incredible wonder of the world "The Sanctuary of Machupicchu", known as "The City loss of the Incas".

Visit the citadel of Machupicchu and see its Main Plaza, the circular tower, the sacred solar clock, the royal quarters, the temple of the three windows and various cemeteries around for more than two hours.

Stroll around the citadel. 

In the afternoon, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and have lunch for your own.

Head to our hotel to take bags, and go to the train station to return to Ollantaytambo we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Accommodation: Cusco town
Cusco height: 3400 meters/11,220 feet
Today Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 21 | 21
CUSCO CITY TOUR

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit some important places in Cusco City, beginning with Santo Domingo's Monastery, Koricancha Temple and Inca Museum. 

Visit the Museo de Arte precolombino.

At the indicated time we transfer you to the airport to take the flight to Lima.

INCLUSIONS | EXCLUSIONS | RATES

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

GROUP SERVICE INCLUDES

- 20 night’s STANDARD accommodation (Upgrading to SUPERIOR or DELUXE accommodation) options are also available upon request.

- Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 21 

- Bilingual tour guide, English |Spanish
- All the excursions, are organize on shared group (private touring available for a supplement)

- Entrance fees to all sites are included

- Breakfast is included every single day
- Lunch as it is specified in the tour itinerary

- Expedition or Voyager Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Expedition or Voyager Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo 

- All shared road and boat transport

- All relevant transfers

- Flight from Lima to Huaraz

- Flight from Cusco to Lima

- 24 hours assistance

PRIVATE GROUP INCLUDES

- 20 night’s SUPERIOR or DELUXE accommodation
- Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 21 

- Bilingual tour guide, English | Spanish
- Ballestas Island on a shared basis
- Entrance fees to all sites are included

- Breakfast is included every single day
- Lunch and dinner as it is specified in the tour itinerary

- VISTADOME Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- VISTADOME Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo 

- Private road transport

- All relevant transfers

- Flight from Lima to Huaraz

- Flight from Cusco to Lima

- 24 hours assistance

 WHAT'S EXCLUDED?

X International flights
X International Airport Tax
X lunch and Dinner are not included
X Additional activities
X Non specified meals
X Travel Insurance
   (including medical evacuation)
X Gratuities for the tour guides and driver
X All personal items such as Insect repellent, sunblock cream, toiletries, photo suppliers, personal clothes and laundry

NOTE
Know Before You Go

5% of the price is handed directly by our clients to people or families in need.

5% of the direct donation is given for study supplies (notebooks, books, pencils, papers, pens, erasers, etc, for schools or individuals), medicines (common medicines for common health issues), and clothes for those who can't afford them. We have a list of families and their needs. They live in the countryside mainly and this visit could be coordinated as Acclimatizing Trek.

 USEFUL DETAILS

Duration: 21 Days |20 Nights
Starting Point: Lima
Final point: Lima
Destination: Lima | Huaraz | Trujillo | Paracas | Nazca | Arequipa | Puno | Cusco
Location: City, Urban, Rural Communities, Small Towns, Villages, Mountains
Travel Style: Active Adventure | Connect with Nature | Cultural Immersion and Family Friendly
Difficulty: Easy
Tour Category: Group Tour and Private tour
Group size: Minimum 2 participants
Languages: English | Spanish
Food: typical Peruvian dishes
Veggie, Vegan and Gluten-free options are available
Availability: All year Long | Flexible Departure Date
Physical Activity: Moderate activity | Regular Physical condition
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi: Limited in some areas
Cellphone: 90% Available connection