Grand Tour

Daily departures. Without doubt Peru is a unique destination. Traces of the past, natural resources and people whose traditional cultures are alive today, still thrive in Peru. Discover many of Peru's distinct flavours on this 13-day all-encompassing Grand Tour of Peru.

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

Arriving at Lima's International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Lima for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. Enjoy a good night's sleep tonight as tomorrow your Grand Tour begins!

Day 2: Lima | Arequipa

This morning a transfer, with assistance, will take you from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Upon arriving in Arequipa you'll receive assistance at the airport and transfer to your selected hotel in Arequipa. Later in the day enjoy a City Tour of Arequipa, also known as "the White City" because of the white volcanic rock, sillar, used in its buildings. You will visit the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, founded in 1580. This convent is an almost self-sustained village, made up of houses for the nuns and their servants, cloisters, plazas and narrow streets, kitchens, refectory and laundry. From there proceed to the Jesuit Church, where you will be impressed by the beauty of its facade, considered the best example of the mestizo baroque style in Arequipa. The ancient vestry is particularly beautiful with its cupola and walls covered in murals representing the jungle. The ancient Jesuit seminary is famous for its beautiful principal cloister. After visiting the Main Square continue to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina, where you will have a magnificent view of Arequipa's countryside and Mount Misti volcano.(B)

Day 3: Arequipa | Colca

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before an early morning departure for a three-day overland trip to the Colca Valley. Drive across Pampa Cañahuas within the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, the habitat of herds of vicuñas. Pass by Vizcachani and Pampas de Toccra, where you will appreciate a variety of birds. Admire beautiful pre-Columbian terraces still being cultivated by native Collaguas. Surround the crater of Chucura before arriving to Patapampa, at an altitude of 4,800 masl. Continue to the Mirador de los Andes, from where you may observe the volcanoes surrounding the city of Arequipa. Descend to the village of Chivay for lunch, before heading to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at your selected hotel in Colca. (B.L.D)

Day 4: Colca

Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to the "Condors' Cross", observation point from where you can view these great Andean birds. Impressive panorama of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world (3,000 mts/ 9,800 ft). Return to Chivay for lunch, visiting en route the villages of , Maca, Achoma, Yanque, and the viewers of Antahuilque and Choquetico. In the afternoon visit Coporaque, a beautiful village on the right bank of the Colca Valley which has a lovely church dating from the colonial era. Continue to Chininia or Sifon Bridge, where you can appreciate the colcas under the bridge. Proceed to the Mirador de Ocolle, the best place to watch the amazing pre-Inca agricultural terraces in the form of an amphitheater. Finally, take a hike to the ruins of Uyo-Uyo, an architectural complex of great significance for the district of Yanque, built entirely of carved stone. Return to Chivay and your hotel in Colca for overnight. (B.L.D)

Day 5: Colca | Puno

Departure for a 6 hour ride to Puno across the Peruvian high plateau, with a box-lunch to enjoy enroute, following the same route as the first day, taking the detour at Patahuasi. Enjoy the magnificent view of clear blue skies and unusual highland vegetation, known as Ichu, and pass by the villages of Imata, Santa Lucia and the city of Juliaca. Arriving in Puno you'll check in at your selected hotel for overnight accommodation. (B.BL)

Day 6: Puno

Enjoy a complete day of sailing on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Early morning departure for the floating islands of Uros, where the inhabitants still live as they did centuries ago, on floating islands made of totora reeds that grow in the lake. Continue sailing towards Taquile Island for a 30 minute hike towards the small town inhabited by quechua speaking natives that have, over the generations, developed both an efficient and original social system as well as a fine hand weaving technique. Lunch will be served in a local house that serves as a restaurant. After lunch, explore the island and enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Titicaca. After about an hour and a half, return to the main dock to take the boat back to Puno. (B.L)

Day 7: Puno | Cusco

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before boarding a bus for the dramatic ride to Cusco along the spectacular landscapes of the highland plateau, only spotted by little Andean villages and herds of llamas and vicuna. We will stop at the archaeological site of Pukara (200BC-AD300) as well as in Raqchi an Inca temple built to worship Wiracocha, one of the most important Inca gods. Finally we will stop at Andahuaylillas,a beautiful baroque church built at the beginning of the XVIIth century and very well known thanks to its beautiful mural paintings. We will have lunch in a restaurant en route. Upon arrival in Cusco we will assist you at the bus station and transfer you to the selected hotel in Cusco. (B.L)

Day 8: Cusco

Today you'll explore the magical capital of the Incas on a tour that includes the Santo Domingo monastery, which was built over the Koricancha temple, one of the most important temples dedicated to the worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Stop at San Cristobal for a magnificent view of the city of Cusco, before proceeding to the nearby remarkable Inca ruins in the area: the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the archeological site of Tambomachay, where the god "water" was worshipped. Return to Cusco and stop briefly at Plaza Regocijo and Plaza de Armas, to continue with the visit of the Cathedral, the most important temple of the city which houses the headquarters of the Diocese. At the end of the tour you'll return to your hotel. (B.L)

Day 9: Sacred Valley

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a trip to Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will begin your tour visiting Awanakancha, where South American camelidae are bred. Learn about the llamas', alpacas' and vicuñas' superb fibres, as well as the ancient weaving techniques which are still in use. Proceed to Pisac where you will have the opportunity to bargain with vendors at its local handicrafts market. Enjoy lunch at a pleasant hostelry in the countryside and continue to the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. The site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and evidence of how it was is still visible. At the end of your tour you'll check into your hotel in the Sacred Valley for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D)

Day 10: Machu Picchu

A transfer will take you to Ollanta station to board the train to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes you will take a 25-minute motorcoach ride to "The Lost City of the Incas", which was discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Located on the left bank of the Vilcanota river lies the wonderful old city of Machu Picchu, which in Quechua means "Old Mountain". According to research, Machu Picchu would have been one of the vacation residences of Pachacutec, the first Inca emperor between 1438 and 1470. However, some of its finest buildings and the evident ceremonial purpose of the main access road to the village, prove that it was used as a religious shrine. Machu Picchu is considered both a masterpiece of architecture and engineering because of its unique architectural and landscaping features. Prominent constructions among its buildings are the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds, among others of singular architecture and importance. Your guide will narrate and explain all about this splendid citadel, which is a truly amazing experience. After the guided tour enjoy an exquisite lunch, after which you will have free time to stroll around. To further enhance your travel experience we suggest you visit the private art gallery: "Machu Pictures - Inspiring Views of the Sanctuary", located within Cafe Inkaterra in Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, nearby the rail station. A privileged access created for you. Overnight at selected hotel in Machu Picchu.(B.L)

Day 11: Machu Picchu | Cusco

We strongly recommend that you wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu. This is a once-in-a-lifetime sight. After this experience enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take some time to wander through the village of Aguas Calientes, or for hiking enthusiasts, we suggest a walk up to the peak of Huayna Picchu. In the afternoon you will return by train to Ollanta and we will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. (B)

Day 12: Cusco

A full day at leisure to spend as you choose in this fascinating city - perhaps some last-minute souvenir shopping in the main square. (B)

Day 13: Departure

A transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Lima (assistance at both airports) and your connection back home. (B)

For More Information Call Our Experts at 1-800-387-0711 xt 238 or email: southamerica@cittours.ca