Lima – Arequipa – Puno – Cusco 12D/11N

Trip highlights:

• Arrive in one of the most unique and varied countries of South America – Peru.
• Explore the white city of Arequipa.
• Spot Condors flying at their natural habitat in Colca Cayon.
• Be part of a magical experience visiting Lake Titicaca’s Uros and Taquile islands.
• Explore the enchanting Sacred Valley and experience the ancient culture of the Andes.
• Immerse yourself in the magic and mystery of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, accompanied by first-rate guides.
• Enjoy your free day in Machu Picchu, where you can to climb to Huayna Picchu peak to get majestic views of Machu Picchu.
• Visit Cusco and its off-the-beaten-path hidden treasures.
• Leave your trip planning in the hands of the luxury travel experts of South America.

Trip Description

Visit magical places full of history on this unforgettable journey around southern Peru. Visit the white city of Arequipa with its stately colonial architecture and towering volcanoes. Catch your breath as condors soar above ancient green terraces at Colca Canyon. Then it’s on to Puno with its beautiful scenery of Lake Titicaca, and remote islands lost in time. Finally, don’t miss the magic of Cusco with its breathtaking wonder, Machu Picchu. All along, you will enjoy some of Peru’s finest hotels and be cared for by extremely knowledgeable and passionate tour guides.

Upon your arrival, our representative will be waiting to welcome you and take you to your hotel, where we will provide all the information about your trip.

In the afternoon you will have free time to rest and relax.

After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight to the white city of Arequipa. Upon arrival at the airport in Arequipa, a representative will be waiting to welcome you and take you to your hotel. After lunch we start with the city tour of Arequipa, visiting all the main attractions: the Santa Catalina Convent, the Plaza de Armas with its beautiful bronze fountain in front of the imposing Cathedral, and the Church of the Society of Jesus, an architectural gem with rich baroque decoration and symmetrical arches that characterize the grandeur of this city. We will walk around Yanahuara Square and Church of San Francisco, up to the Chilinas scenic overlook, and then finish by visiting the imposing Monastery of Santa Catalina, built in the sixteenth century. Lastly, you arrive at the Andean Sanctuary Museum, where you can gaze upon the famous ice-mummy, Juanita. Later on, we will return you to your hotel.

Breakfast/Lunch

You will depart in the early morning to Colca Canyon, located at 2,350 meters above sea level, along the Yura route, allowing you to admire Arequipa’s iconic volcanoes: Chachani, Misti and Pichu Pichu. We will continue along the road to Colca, ascending the slopes of Chachani to Pampa Cañahuasa, reaching 4.500 meters and passing through the National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca, populated by vicuñas, llamas and alpacas. At kilometer 97 of the route coming from Arequipa you will take the detour to get to the scenic overlook Mirador de los Andes at 4,800 meters, from where the peaks of the Misti, Hualca Hualca, Ampato, and Sabancaya and volcanoes are visible. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon relaxing at your hotel.

Breakfast/Lunch

We will depart early to the Cruz del Condor, for a magnificent view of condors flying above the spectators. You will see panoramic views of spectacular landscapes and the impressive depth of the Colca Canyon. Later we will return to the hotel.

Breakfast

We depart for Puno, passing Lagunillas, where you can see the flora and fauna of the region, such as sheep, llamas and vicuñas, next to the always impressive Andes mountains.

Before arriving in Puno we will visit the Sillustani (funeral tombs of the thirteenth century) located 35 km from Puno. The route goes around Lake Titicaca and you will see breathtaking landscapes and Lake Umayo. Finally we reach Puno where we will spend the night.

Breakfast/Box Lunch

In the early morning you will board a boat for a tour of Lake Titicaca and visit the floating Uros Islands, with their enigmatic customs and reed boats (the reed is a local aquatic plant). We continue the journey to the island Taquile, with its great scenic and environmental value as well as its friendly inhabitants with their authentic traditional costumes, people famous for their craftsmanship and textiles. In the afternoon, we return to Puno, crossing the highest navigable lake in the world, gazing at its breathtaking scenery.

Breakfast/Dinner

After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight to Cusco. When you arrive in Cusco, we will be waiting for you at the airport to bring you to the Sacred Valley, which is located at a lower altitude than Cusco, so you will have an easier time acclimating to the altitude. On route to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will stop at the Inkarri Museum, to immerse you in the history of the many pre-Incan cultures that influenced the Inca civilization as it expanded to become a great empire. You will then arrive at your hotel to rest in luxury for the night.

Breakfast/Lunch

In the early morning we will pick you up from your hotel to start the tour of the magical Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting first the archaeological site of Pisac—a place where the history and knowledge of the Incas is in full display, and where you can appreciate the beautiful terraces and the impressive construction of the urban center. We will then visit the local handicraft market town of Pisac, where you will find extraordinary handmade textiles, silverware, pottery, and more. Later we will head to Urubamba, where we will have a delicious lunch right in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

We will continue the tour by visiting the town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, where you can appreciate the beautiful and complex architectural design of the place, built as a military and administrative base, while also serving as a final resting place. After visiting these stunning and beautiful sites, we return you to your hotel.

Breakfast/Lunch

Our transport will take us to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where we board the train to Machu Picchu village. Upon arrival we will take the bus up to the lost city of Machu Picchu, where we will have a guided 2-hour tour of the enigmatic site, visiting the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Royal Quarters, and the famous Inti Huatana or Solar Clock and the Tower Circle. After exploring Peru´s wonder of the world, you will enjoy a delicious, gourmet buffet lunch at Sanctuary Lodge. Later, you can explore the citadel before returning to Aguas Calientes to enjoy a good night’s rest.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today you can choose between spending your day relaxing and enjoying the citadel of Machu Picchu, or you could visit and hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain, a very popular spot from where you can appreciate the best views of Machu Picchu and its surroundings.

Later we will take the train back to Poroy, which is located 30 minutes from the city of Cusco. From there our transportation will take us to the hotel in Cusco.

Breakfast

After a good breakfast, we will begin the tour of Cusco with its temples and monuments such as the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the convent of Santo Domingo, which was built on top of the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, where you can see the impressive Inca constructions. There is also the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman, a masterpiece of Inca architecture, and where each year, on June 24, the famous Festival of the Sun or Inti Raymi is celebrated. Continuing the tour, we will visit Quenqo, with its monolithic altar, representing a puma, and then arrive at Puca Pucara, a beautiful spring-fed mountain that forms a series of pools. All of these sites are famous Inca monuments of great religious importance.

After enjoying a great lunch, one of our directors will share with you a unique experience created exclusively for Royal Luxury clients as a way to thank you for traveling with us. It will be a gift coming from our hearts.

Breakfast/Lunch

After breakfast, our transport will take you to the airport in Cusco for your flight to Lima. In lima, we will take you to the district of Barranco to explore this bohemian and artisan neighborhood with the assistance of a guide and private car at your disposal. Based on your international flight information, we will bring you back to the airport to help you check in.

***If you prefer to stay a bit longer in Cusco this day, we will be happy to give you return flight options that will match your international flight schedule.

Breakfast