Peru Essence: 14-Day Adventure Expedition

In the morning, you will leave Lima for the oasis of Huacachina, near Ica—a special place surrounded by
massive sand dunes. With your daypack, you will walk through the desert for a little less than an hour to the comfortable tented camp. There, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and finish the day at the campfire. Look up at the night sky - you've probably never seen so many stars!

After breakfast, you will go to Paracas. There, you will take an excursion to the Ballestas Islands, home to
numerous aquatic birds, seals, sea lions, and penguins. With a bit of luck, you may even see dolphins swimming off the coast. The nature reserve is like a "little Galapagos," and you will be able to observe the numerous animals up close by boat. Return to Lima in the afternoon.

In the morning, we will take you to Lima airport, and you will fly to Arequipa. You will be picked up there and taken to your hotel.
In the afternoon, you will start your city tour with an escape to the past, walking through the Monastery Santa Catalina. Then, continue the visit to the Compañia Church, famous because of its incredible Baroque style and the colorful Cupula of Saint Ignacio. Then, head to Arequipa's Main Square, visiting its peculiar Cathedral with its Neo-renaissance style. Afterward, head towards the traditional district of Yanahuara, with its beautiful plaza and after your tour, head back to your hotel.

Today, you will travel to the Colca Valley. This canyon is the deepest in the world.
After breakfast, you will depart for the Colca Valley and cross the second largest vicuña reserve
in Peru. In addition to vicuñas, there are alpacas, llamas, and wild birds. From the highest point
of this route, the viewpoint of Patapampa, at 4,900 meters above sea level, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes.
You will continue to Chivay, the main town of the Colca Valley, where you can enjoy a delicious
lunch and a walk to acclimatize.

You leave Chivay early in the morning and go to the beautiful viewpoint of the Cross of the
Condor, from where the impressive depths of the Colca Canyon can be clearly seen. There, you
will also have the opportunity to be carried away by the majestic flight of the Andean condor.
The condor is one of the most giant flying birds in the world and is considered sacred in Andean
cultures.
You then return to Chivay, where, after a delicious lunch, you continue to Puno.

Today, your first stop will be at one of the floating Uros islands. The Uros people live on artificial
floating islands, which are constructed out of the totora reeds that grow in abundance around
the lake. During your visit to these islands, you'll learn about their everyday life and traditions.
After you visit the floating island, you'll head to lunch at a local restaurant on Taquile Island.
After lunch, explore Taquile Island. Taquile is famous for the exquisite weavings created by local artists. Traditionally, the men spin the thread, and the women design and weave each piece. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the lives and traditions of the Taquileños. In the evening, walk back to the main dock in Taquile and board a boat back to Puno. Upon arrival in Puno, transfer to your hotel for the evening.

Today, you travel from Puno by tourist bus to Cusco.
The journey takes a total of eight to ten hours, but there are several exciting and entertaining stops awaiting you. During the bus ride, you will visit the archaeological complex of Raqchi and the museum of Pukara and pass the "La Raya" pass (highest point 4,335 m above sea level) and the Andahuaylillas temple. On arrival in Cusco, you will be met at the bus station and taken to your hotel.

Today, you will explore the impressive city of Cusco, the religious and administrative center of the Inca empire. In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and begin a tour of the capital of the Incas. You will start the tour with a visit to the Temple of the Sun, once the most important temple of the Inca Empire. You will then walk to the Cathedral, where you will see the altar and several images of the history of Cusquenian art. Next, you will leave the city center and head to the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay, located above Cusco.
During the excursion, you will learn a lot about the history and way of life of the Incas, as well as the
architecture and colonial Cusco.

Today, you will travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. With its beautiful nature, breathtaking views, ancient ruins, and various adventure activities, the Sacred Valley has much to offer. The Incas chose the valley because of its geographical location and climatic conditions. It was the best place in Peru to grow different types of vegetables and plants.
Your first stop will be in Pisac, where you will visit the ruins above the small town. The tour continues to Urubamba, where you will have the opportunity to sample various Andean dishes at a buffet.
After a fifteen-minute drive, you will reach Ollantaytambo, where you will visit the Inca fort with its typical Inca terraces.
You will spend the night in Ollantaytambo.

Your journey begins early in the morning. After your arrival by train at KM 104, the Inca Trail begins with a hike to Chachabamba (2270 m), where your guide will tell you about the former function of this archaeological site. Afterward, you reach Wiñayhuayna (2650m), the most important archaeological site next to Machu Picchu. After that, your trail continues to the sun gate "Inti Punku," a beautiful viewpoint from where you can enjoy the view over Machu Picchu (2400m). As you have to continue our hike to your hotel in Aguas Calientes, you will only spend a short time on the first day in the sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Today, you will visit one of the most impressive architectural styles from the Inca period, the citadel of
Machu Picchu. After breakfast, you will take the bus up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Accompanied by a tour guide, you will learn all about this legendary and mysterious Inca city, which stands majestically on an imposing mountain range above the Urubamba Valley. The mixture of architectural perfection, mystery, and the magical atmosphere in this breathtaking natural setting makes a visit to the "city in the clouds" a unique spiritual experience that you will not soon forget.
After the guided tour, you will have some time to explore the small town and have lunch before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo.
We will be waiting for you at the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Today is a perfect day to let yourself be enveloped by the magic of Cusco, the Inca stone streets, the markets, the daily life, and the varied gastronomy

Today is your last day in Peru! Drive you to the Cusco airport for your flight to Lima. Alternatively, stay and extend your time in Peru — there's so much to see and explore.