(B)=Breakfast ; (L)=Lunch ; (D)=Dinner
DAY 01 : Lima.
Arrival and transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 02 : Lima - Ica. (B)(L) - Nazca Lines Overflight -
Transfer to Ica. You will board a 12-passenger, Cessna Grand Caravan for a 1-hour, 15-minute overflight of the mysterious Nazca Lines for this unforgettable experience. Using as their canvas Pampa Coloradan (Red Plains), a plateau 37 miles long and 15 miles wide, Nazca artists etched works of monumental proportion: a montage of geometric designs, or "geoglyphs", and whimsical portrayals of plants and animals such as the hummingbird, fish, dog, lizard, puma, spider, condor and monkey.
The lines spread over hundreds of square miles and were created by removing the rust-colored stones that cover the desert, revealing the light-colored soil beneath. In this dry, rainless environment, erosion has been practically nil, allowing the markings to endure virtually intact for 1,500 to 2,000 years.
The overflight of the Nazca Lines will be complemented by a guided tour of the vivid polychrome Nazca ceramics and world-reknowned Paracas textiles at the Ica's Regional Museum Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins. Typical lunch before the return to the Hotel.
DAY 03 : Ica. (B)(L) - Paracas, Ballestas Islands -
The Paracas National Reserve is the first marine conservation center of the country and one of the most important in the world. Established in 1975, it covers a total area of 335,00 ha. from which 117,406 are on land and 217,594 are in the ocean.
Nearby half the birds and marine mammal populations inhabiting the southern island's are protected within the fifty six hundred square mile, Paracas National Reserve.
You will take a motorboat excursion to the Ballestas islands, a critical hub for rare and endangered species including sea lions, two endangered turtles, and more than one hundred an ten migratory and resident sea birds. Lunch before preparing to depart to Arequipa. Overnight transfer (exclusive service in bed-style seats).
DAY 04 : Arequipa. (B)(L)
Breakfast on board. Arrival and Transfer to Hotel. After Lunch you'll start the City and Campina Tour combined. You will visit: Main Square, Colonial Churches ("Claustros de la Compañia") and majestic Santa Catalina Monastery, considered a masterpiece of colonial architecture, this monastery is a large complex of rooms, picturesque plazas, ornate fountains and a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets; you'll also head to Yanahuara watchtower, "Mansion del Fundador", Sabandia mill and more typical villages and nearby country resorts. Return to the Hotel.
DAY 05 : Colca Canyon.(B)(L)
Transfer to Chivay. Visit (onthe way): National Reserve of Pampa Cañahuas (vicuña reserve). Transfer to the Hotel in Chivay. After lunch you'll prepare to head to the Thermal Waters of La Calera: this compound has several pools of thermo-medicinal waters with high amounts of sulphur and iron, which help on the treatment of illnesses such as rheumatism and arthritis. They are located at approximately 5 minutes from the City.
(bring a swimsuit). Return to the Hotel.
DAY 06 : Colca Canyon - Arequipa. (B)(L)
Early breakfast, then you'll head to the "Condor Cross" following the Colca Canyon downstream as it gets deeper and deeper. This is the best viewpoint to admire the Colca Canyon and the majestic flight of the Condor (the bigest flying bird on earth). You will return to Chivay for lunch and prepare the return to Arequipa, on the way you'll have stops in local towns such as Pinchollo, Maca, Yanque to have a close view of andean life. Arrive in Arequipa, transfer to the Hotel.
DAY 07 : Arequipa - Cusco. (B)(L)
Transfer to the Airport. Flight to Cusco. Arrival and transfer to you Hotel. After lunch you'll have a guided CITY TOUR and 04 "RESTOS ARQUEOLOGICOS". Guided visit to the City's CATHEDRAL with magnificent colonial art and the Santo Domingo Church - KORIKANCHA which displays the best Inca stonework in Cusco, and Archeological Ruins near the city: Indian sanctuary of SACSAYHUAMAN, The amphitheatre of Q’ENQO, the fortress of PUKA PUKARA and the spring-shrine of TAMBOMACHAY. Return to the Hotel.
DAY 8 : Cusco. (B)(L)
Today you'll have a Guided visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, begining in PISAQ, lunch buffet at URUBAMBA, then we continue to the Fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO and finish visiting the Market and Church of CHINCHEROS. Return to the Hotel.
DAY 9 : Cusco - Km 82 - Wayllabamba (L) (D)
Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco in order to take bus to Km 82, via Chinchero, Ollantaytambo. After joining the rest of the team we begin our trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We will head towards our first camp at Wayllabamba, on the way we will have a good view of the archaeological complex of Llactapata, where we will have lunch. Dinner and overnight in tents at the campsite.
DAY 10 : Wayllabamba - Pacaymayo (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast, the toughest part of the trail begin, walking towards the highest point in the Inca Trail - Warmihuañusca or Dead Woman`s Pass (4200 m.a.s.l.) - where we will have an unbelievable panoramic view of the whole area and will observe different types of microclimates. Here, you will have a tremendous feeling of achievement mixed with relief on reaching the top. After lunch we will continue our walking down to Pacaymayu where we will camp and have dinner.
DAY 11 : Pacaymayo - Phuyupatamarka - Wiñaywayna (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast we start the descent towards the second most important pass of the trail at 3,850 m.a.s.l. having a guided visit at the archaeological complex of Runkurakay and the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca where lunch will be served. Continue your trekking towards Phuyupatamarka (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument. After a short break you will continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young) for a guided visit of this impressive archaeological complex with a spectacular setting. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
DAY 12 : Wiñay Huayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco (B)
After breakfast, have a very early start to arrive in time for sunrise at Machu Picchu. After a one hour walk through the forest towards the Inti Punku or the Gate of the Sun, also known as the Entrance Gate to Machu Picchu, where you will have the most impressive panoramic view of the citadel. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, three-hours guided tour around the citadel, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have some free time to wander around, then you will meet with the rest of the group to drive by bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, transfer by train to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco transfer to your hotel.
DAY 13 : Cusco - Lima. (B)
Transfer to Airport. Flight to Lima.
DAY 14 : Lima. (B)
Transfer to Airport for departure flight.
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