Romance in the Andes 16 Days / 15 Nights

Visit the City of Lima, Combine History with Peruvian Flavors at one of the Top Restaurants in Lima

After breakfast at the hotel we will start our tour in Lima known as the City of Kings. We will head to Pueblo Libre to visit Larco museum, a colonial house from eighteenth century which exhibits a fascinating collection of Pre-Columbian art.

Historical Center & Gourmet Experience

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, known 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.

World-Class Dining

In the evening, delight yourself at one of the best restaurants in Lima, we recommend Central (ranked 4), Maido (ranked 7), which are on the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021. Reservations must be made one to two months in advance in order to secure a reservation.

Overnight: Selected hotel in Lima.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Romantic Picnic in Paracas Desert

We drive to Paracas for about 04 hours in our private vehicle. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel and enjoy the amenities.

Desert Adventure & Romantic Dinner

In the afternoon, we head to the desert of Paracas, driving in a 4×4 up and down through sand dunes, have an experience as if you were on a roller coaster reaching the top to enjoy the sunset. In the middle of nowhere, at night you will see a tent illuminated with candles, torches, waiting for you to enjoy a romantic picnic especially designed for you. After being under stars we return to the hotel.

Overnight: Selected hotel in Paracas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Picnic.

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.

Natural Wonders Exploration

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: Selected hotel in Lima.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Flight to Arequipa. City Tour in the White City

Transfer from your hotel in Lima to the airport to board your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival to the White city named for the sillar, you will be assisted and transported to your hotel so you can acclimatize and be prepare for a new experience.

Arequipa City Exploration

In the afternoon, our tour begins at one of the most impressive view points of the city “Carmen Alto”, from here we will have a magnificent view of agricultural terraces, there will also be the opportunity to see the three most important volcanos surrounding the city: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. Then, visit the picturesque district of Yanahuara known for its arches of the 19th century. Afterwards, head to the Monastery of Santa Catalina a gorgeous venue built of ashlar, with many gardens, chapels and cloisters. Take a glimpse into the place that was inhabited by nuns for many years.

Architectural Highlights

The Plaza de Armas waits for us where we can appreciate the Cathedral of neoclassical style. We will finish the tour with a visit to the Temple of the Society of Jesus, highlighting its cloisters and the famous dome of San Ignacio.

Overnight: Selected hotel in Arequipa.
Meals: Breakfast.

Get Amazed with the Deepest Canyon of Peru

We leave the hotel to start our trip. On the road we will pass through the wonderful scenery towns then we will stop at the National Reserve of Aguada Blanca and Pampa Cañahuas, place for South American camels, highlighting the vicuña known for having the finest fiber in the world.

Scenic Journey to Colca

We will be surrounded by important snow-hatted volcanic peaks, as well as flora and fauna of the place. Afterwards, we arrive at the picturesque town of Chivay where you will enjoy lunch. Check-in into the hotel of your preference and enjoy the facilities or visit the hot springs of La Calera.

Overnight: Selected hotel in Chivay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Get to Know the Colca Canyon Up Close. Return to Arequipa

After enjoying our breakfast, we head to the Cruz del Condor to get a better glimpse of the Colca canyon, it is considered the fourth deepest canyon on the planet with a depth of 4160 meters (13 648 ft.)

Condor Watching & Return Journey

Spend time in this place and witness the natural morning show of the majestic flight of the condors. Then, visit the picturesque villages that surround the area to learn about their traditions and before we continue our trip, lunch will be waiting for us. Get comfortable in our private transportation and enjoy the beauty of the Andes. We go back to Arequipa and be assisted by our staff to the hotel.

Overnight: Selected hotel in Arequipa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Flight to Cusco – Overnight in the Sacred Valley

The beginning of a new great experience in the magical Andes will starts after getting a warmly welcome at the airport of Cusco. After, you will be transferred to the well know Sacred Valley of the Incas and on the way you will discover how beautiful is the longest mountain range of the planet, picturesque panorama with various scenarios, craggy mountains, lush green and yellow hills, flowering meadows, gorgeous flora and fauna.

Wildlife Sanctuary Visit

Our first stop will be Ccochahuasi, is a private family organization dedicated to the rescue of mistreated animals by man or come from illegal wildlife trafficking. It hosts endangered species such as the Condor, among others. Then continue to the hotel to relax yourself.

Overnight: Selected hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Meals: Breakfast.

Get Involved with Local People – Walk Along an Ancient Inca Trail to Ollantaytambo

Be prepare because today we are going to visit Patacancha, small community located in the highlands of the Sacred valley, here we meet the Family of Juan, this is going to be an essential experience rich in ancient traditions.

Community Immersion & Inca Trail Hike

They still wear their traditional garb and have not changed their customs much during the last 400 years, furthermore they keep and practice ancestral activities. After having lunch in Patacancha venture up to the remains of Pumamarca, this is an Inca trail which local people are still using it, walk 3.5 miles in a moderate descent through ancient aqueducts above impressive terraces and admire the scenario of the rugged geography.

Overnight: Selected hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Explore Maras – Moray – Experience a Night in a Hanging Capsule

The Sacred Valley is waiting for us! And today visit the salt mines of Maras, consider as millenary salt, its pools are filled with salty water that comes out from the subsoil obtaining salt crystals by evaporation; this system is used by locals who take the final product to different types of markets.

Archaeological Sites & Unique Accommodation

Then, we pass through Maras town, popular for its pretty blue doorways. We reach Moray, a natural depression, the Incas took advantage of the shape of the mountain to build concentric terraces creating different microclimates, they carried out cultivation experiments at different elevations making it a very advanced agricultural laboratory for its time. Have lunch, then get ready to climb to sleep in a hanging transparent capsule, this is a unique first class experience in the Andes which will also give you access to the wooden hot tubs where you can bathe. Enjoy dinner and have a pleasant night above the ground.

Accommodation: Hanging capsule in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Feel the Adrenaline of the Starlodge Descent. Get Involved in the History of Ollantaytambo. Visit the Distillery

Wake up with a great view, have breakfast and descent flying over this magical valley. Use several zip wires from 150 meters to 700 meters (492 feet to 2,296 feet), a safe and fun experience of a lifetime.

Cultural & Distillery Experience

Our transportation will be waiting to go to Ollantaytambo known as the Living City of the Incas, it maintains its original layout, also 500 years ago it was used as an administrative, economic and religious center. Complete your day at the Distillery, where you can make your own spirit plant elixir, taste local distillates made from organic herbs. We return to our hotel in the Sacred Valley to rest and recharge your batteries for the next day.

Overnight: Selected hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Visit the Lost City of the Incas

Be ready for this memorable experience! Board the train of your choice and be witness of the incredible scenery through the panoramic windows, after few minutes we dive into a canyon that takes us into the cloud forest and granite mountains.

Machu Picchu Exploration

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes have an early lunch, then ascend to Machupicchu one of the 7 wonders of the modern world, 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. At the end we board the bus and go down to the hotel.

Overnight: Selected hotel in Aguas Calientes Town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Machupicchu with Optional Hikes

Today, explore the citadel by a different way, climb up Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu mountain, both sites offer outstanding and fabulous views, it takes around 3 hours walking back and forth, please note that tickets to hike up will need to be purchased in advance.

Return to Cusco

At the end of your tour come back to Aguas Calientes town and head to the train station to catch the train to go back to Ollantaytambo and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight: Selected hotel in Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast.

Stand Up Paddle or Kayak in Piuray Lagoon – Spiritual Session with an Andean Priest

Today, we head to Chinchero where the Lagoon is located, after one-hour drive we reach the shores of Lake Piuray surrounded by stunning mountains. Piuray is the great scenario to have fun in calm waters in high Andes and enjoy the serenity of the environment.

Water Activities & Spiritual Ceremony

Get a safety talk and instruction and time to paddle or kayak, previous experience is not required. After the great ride, it is time to engage our senses of taste and get lunch. Then, you will be part of an Andean ceremony to renew your vows and thanksgiving to mother earth (Pachamama), the Andean priest will perform prayers, which will establish a spiritual link with nature through an offering called despacho. Once, we have been connected and blessed, we return to the city of Cusco.

Overnight: Selected hotel in Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Explore the Archeological Capital of America

The city of Cusco was the capital of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire where the Inca elite once lived, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

City Tour Highlights

We start our tour in Sacsayhuaman, a construction made with giant blocks of stone prodigiously fitted. Visit the charming neighborhood of San Blas known as the district of artisans, characterized by its narrow streets. On the way, you will see the famous stone of 12 angles which belongs to an old Incan – palace.

Cultural Immersion

Stroll through the Plaza de Armas and stop at the Cathedral of Cusco, which preserves the best expressions of colonial gold work and a precious collection of canvases of the Cusco School of Art. Mingle with locals in the emblematic San Pedro Market, where you can see, taste and learn about Peruvian cuisine.

Overnight: Selected hotel in Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast.

Flight Cusco – Lima. Flight Home Via Lima

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 “Romance in the Andes”. Contact Belcheri and let us customized your travel experience in Peru.

Accommodation: None.
Meals: Breakfast.