Lofty Contrasts in Peru 14 Days / 13 Nights

Lima the City of Kings.

After breakfast at the hotel we will start our tour in Lima known as the City of Kings. Go to Pueblo Libre to visit the Larco museum, a colonial house from eighteenth century which exhibits a fascinating collection of Pre-Columbian art. Then, we go to the center area of Lima where we will visit the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the most important religious and cultural places, recognized for its Catacombs that served as a cemetery in colonial time. Along our tour, we will have a panoramic view of the colonial monuments, highlighting, the Main Square, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral and others. Next, we will stroll through Larcomar, the heart of the Miraflores district.

Overnight at selected hotel in Lima.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Magical Overflight Experience Over Peruvian Desert.

This morning, take our private vehicle and let’s head towards Paracas bay and we will stop at the airport of Pisco to take our flight over the enigmatic Nazca lines and be able to see enormous figures of animals engraved in the dessert such as monkey, spider, pelican even a hummingbird, these lines with geometric and zoomorphic shapes were made around 550 years AD., some theories refer they were used as solar and lunar calendar. Once the experience in the air is over, we will have time for lunch, then get back to the hotel of your preference and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight at selected hotel in Paracas.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Admire and Learn About the Wildlife.

Another day to enjoy the Peruvian coast line, we will take a boat ride to the Ballestas island, favorite destination for nature enthusiasts. The area is recognized for its wealth of marine wildlife including migratory birds and endemic species of mammals, that take place to feed and nest. It is also possible to observe rock monuments carved by strong winds a truly mysterious earthwork. Return to the hotel and have lunch, after head back to Lima and be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight at selected hotel in Lima.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Domestic Flight to Cusco.

Transfer from your hotel in Lima to the airport to board your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be assisted by our staff and we will go to your hotel to help you with the respective registration, have time to acclimatize.

Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast.

Stand Up Paddle or Kayak in Piuray Lagoon.

Today, we head to Chinchero where Piuray is located, after one-hour drive through colorful valleys, we reach the shores of Lake Piuray surrounded by stunning mountains. This spot is the great scenario to have fun in calm waters in high Andes and enjoy the serenity of the environment. Get a safety talk and instruction and time to paddle or kayak.

After the great ride, it is time to engage our senses of taste and smell with a tasty lunch.  Then, time to go to Cusco back city where our hotel is located.

Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Wheel Maras and Moray.

After breakfast, we take our private vehicle to head to Chinchero plateau, place where our biking tour will start. Before the activity, we get a short briefing, then time to rock and roll. The gentle hilly road takes us to typical Andean villages, passing by beautiful crops with a contrast of the snow-capped mountains of the Urubamba mountain range. We arrive to Moray, a natural depression that Incas used to build concentric terraces creating different microclimates, they carried out cultivation experiments at different heights. After our lunch, we hop again on the bike to Salineras of Maras, ancient salt mines, its pools are filled with salty water that comes from a natural spring creating salt crystals by evaporation. From this point we get the private vehicle to go to our hotel located in the Sacred Valley.

Overnight at selected hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Start your Journey to the Heart of Lares: Calca – Quishuarani.

Today let’s begin our epic trek through the Andes, travel by car through the Sacred Valley until we arrive in Calca town, where we will visit the market, interact with the locals, and if you want to buy any last minute items such us snacks, fruits, water, etc., this is the right place! Before, we go to the head trail there is an option to go to the hot springs of Lares and enjoy its waters with medicinal properties.

Cuncani will be the starting point of the trek with an elevation of 3,800 m a.s.l. / 12,467 ft., at this point, we will meet our staff of local chefs and the horsemen those who will be with us along the trek. When, we begin to walk be prepared to have the best views. After lunch, we reach the highest point of the day, the Willkikasa pass, at 4,400 m a.s.l./ 14,436 ft. There is no better sensation to be close to the sky. Then, we start to descend until we reach our campsite in Quishuarani, set off to explore this small Andean community and learn about their local traditions. Afterwards, delight yourself with hot drinks as the sun goes down.

Hiking distance: 7 Km/ 4.35 miles.

Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Accommodation in tents.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Enjoy the Surrounding Landscape until you Reach the Cancha Cancha Community.

Early morning, we have our breakfast, then start to ascent within 4 or 5 hours to the highest point of the trek, Pachacuteq pass with 4,700 meters / 15,420 feet. Be able to see and delight your eyes with the snow-peaked mountains of the Urubamba mountain range. We will descend to have lunch and get some energy to keep walking down until Cancha Cancha our campsite with 3,950 meters/ 12,959 feet. There will be some chance to interact with some families of this small Andean community. Dinner and hot drinks will be ready for us before we go to sleep.

Hiking Distance: 11 Km/ 6.83 miles.

Hiking Time: 7 to 8 hours.

Difficulty: Hard.

Accommodation in tents.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Last Step to Huarán – Hotel Sacred Valley.

As every day of our trek, we will be awakened by the staff with a hot drinks and enjoy our breakfast. Along our trek see llamas and alpacas, walk through crops such as potatoes, beans and other seasonal products. Most of the trail, will be downhill until we reach the bottom of the Sacred Valley with its mild weather. We will have our last lunch in Huarán, a small village. At this point, we will say goodbye to all the team that joined us during the trek. Afterwards, we board on our private vehicle to go to our hotel.

Hiking distance: 9 Km/ 5.59 miles.

Hiking Time: 4 hours.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Overnight at selected hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Follow Part of the Original Inca Trail to Machupicchu.

A new adventure begins boarding the train from Ollantaytambo for a scenic journey to Km 104 located at 2000 meters (6,561 feet) where the Inka trail begins. The first site we encounter will be Chachabamba, used as a control point to the Machupicchu Citadel, as we ascend, we will be able to contemplate the surrounding mountains, the Urubamba River and archaeological sites. We continue with our hike until we reach Wiñaywayna (Eternally Young) another archeological site built into a steep hillside, here we will learn the importance of its functions during the Inca times. Then, it is time for our box lunch in the area. Then continue walking along the trail covered with orchids, fern trees, bromeliads until we reach Inti Punku or the Sun Gate, from this point we can have the first breathtaking view of Machupicchu and be delighted by its splendor. We will descend towards the Citadel to have a better perspective and finish our hike, after we head to the bus station, and therefore to the town of Aguas Calientes to check- in at our hotel.

Overnight at selected hotel in Aguas Calientes Town.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch.

Discover the Lost City of the Incas. Return to Cusco City.

Today is the most important day of your journey! Early in the morning, we board the bus that will take you to one of the 7 wonders of the Modern World, Machupicchu, considered a masterpiece of Inca engineering and architecture. Not only does it contribute to the cultural legacy, but it also has a natural beauty. With your private guide you will dive into the history that surrounds this magical place, walking through its terraces, squares and temples. If you feel adventurous take the optional hike to the Huaynapicchu mountain, you will have incredible panoramic views. Take in consideration to climb this mountain you must reserve your entrance tickets in advance. It is time to return to the town of Aguas Calientes, stroll through its streets, and board the train back to Ollantaytambo. We will be transferred to our hotel in Cusco City.

Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast.

Free Day to Explore Cusco on Your Own.

This day will be just for you! Have a free day to rest at the hotel or have a massage to relax. Explore and walk through the narrow and charm streets of Cusco known as the navel city of the world. We can also organize some activity according to your interests.

Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast.

Flight Cusco – Lima – Home.

It’s time to say “Tupananchiskama! According to the Andean culture there is no such word as “Farewell”, instead we use this quechua expression, which means “until we meet again”. At the coordinated time, you will be transferred to the Cusco airport to board your departure flight.

There is still time to find the perfect trip in ” Lofty Contrasts in Perú “. Contact Belcheri Travel and let us customized your travel experience in Peru.

Accommodation: None.

Meals: Breakfast.