Magic Peru: 3 Regions

Welcome to Lima, the 'City of Kings'. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and privately escorted to your hotel.

Overnight in Lima

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Cusco.
Upon arrival, you are welcomed by your friendly host who will drives you to your hotel. On route, your host are going to give you a briefing about Cusco and your complete itinerary.

The same day in the afternoon we will visit the main attractions around the Plaza de Armas: The Cathedral that is the most imposing monument in the Main Square with its magnificently carved woodwork, ornate altar and many hundreds of canvases from the 17th-century Cusco Painting School. The Inca Museum that has the best and complete resuming of our history. Finally, we will visit the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha) inside the Santo Domingo church that was the principal place for the worship to the sun god. After that, we will get away from the crowds to visit Sacsayhuaman, an impressive fortress full of colossal structures surrounded by beautiful landscapes in complete communion with nature. We will then continue to the Inca shrine of Qenqo, with its awesome altar for sacrifices embedded in the side of the rock.
At the end of the tour through the city, we will end at your hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.
Breakfast

Early departure by vehicle to the Sacred Valley for a full day guided tour to Maras. About 7 Km (4.3 mi) away southwest from Maras is Moray, a very unique archaeological site, where enormous natural depressions or hollows in the ground surface where used for constructing irrigated farming terraces.
What is surprising is that the difference of average annual temperature between the top and the bottom reaches even about 15˚C (59˚F) in the main depression that is about 30 m (100 ft.) deep. In these natural formations, nature has created an environment or microclimates that in modern times people create in greenhouses or hothouses.
Towards the northwest of the Maras Village are the famous “salt pans”, where considerable volume of solid salt is obtained; about 10 cm (4 inches) high from the floor. That solid salt is beaten granulated, then packed in sacks and sent to the region’s markets. Today that salt is being treated with iodine, thus its consumption is benign. In the neighborhood of these sites, depending on time of day, we will have lunch with beautiful views if the surrounding landscapes.
In the afternoon, we’ll travel to the ruins of Ollantaytambo, one of the few places where the Spanish were defeated in a battle during their conquest. Here we can see Inca canchas, enclosures of multi- family living quarters that share just one exit to the street, ingenious stonework, cobbled streets and an extensive communal water system that survives to this day. We will visit the Inca site known as a fortress due to its hilltop domination of the surrounding valley and magnificent shore-world.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
breakfast/lunch

Early transfer from your Hotel to the train station at Ollantaytambo. The train ride last two hours down the Urubamba gorge, and it changes from mountain vegetation to cloud forest. Arrival at the station of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a half an hour bus ride will bring you to the citadel for a guided visit which on average takes three hours as your official guide walks you through the different sector of the hill- top citadel, with astonishing views, telling you aspects of life here that will take you back in time. Lunch is included. In the afternoon return to Machu Picchu Village where the train will return you to Ollantaytambo or Poroy to take a bus ride directly to your Hotel in Cusco

Overnight in Cusco.
breakfast/lunch

We will pick you up from your Hotel at 8:00 am to start visiting these incredible places in the southern of Cusco.

TIPON: is said to be a royal garden commissioned by Wiracocha. It is one of the most elaborate examples of agricultural terracing created by the Incas. These tall terraces that run up the narrow valley, are irrigated by an aqueduct from Pachatusan, the mountain above the site. In addition to the terracing there are also, some other structures at Tipon, including baths, a temple complex, canals and aqueducts. Tipon is definitely one of the lesser visited sites in the Cusco area but it is equally as impressive as those in the Sacred Valley. Tipon Archeological Complex is located 24 km southeast of Cusco.

PIKILLAQTA: is the only pre-Inca site in the Cusco area. This adobe complex was built around 700 to 900 years AD by the Wari Culture. In the area, there is a small Inca site just a short walk from Pikillacta, known as Rumicolca, a travel checkpoint for the Incas.

ANDAHUAYLILLAS: Here you find the "Sixtine Chapel of America", a church that is home to golden altars, paintings and many colored ceilings. The chapel is simple and unassuming on the outside, but on the inside, you will find masterpiece after masterpiece. In addition, some paintings from the famous “Escuela Cusqueña” can be appreciated.

On the return to Cusco, we will pass through Saylla Town, a typical town where people have the option to enjoy the delicious chicharron (fried pork), or a roasted Cuy (ginnea pig) - optional.
We returned to Cusco at approximately 14:00 pm.

Overnight in Cusco.
breakfast/lunch

At the proper time, we will pick you up from your hotel for the flight to Lima.
Reception at the international airport in Lima (flight later recommend) Overnight at Hotel 4 **** only at the airport, because the next day we will take a very early flight (6:30 a.m.) bound to the Nazca Lines.

Overnight in Lima.
breakfast

Early morning transfer to Paracas by private transportation. Our first stop is in Pachacamac, a pre Inca site located in the coast of Peru close to Lima. Then we will continue to the south and visit the town of Pucusana where you will have the option to learn more about marine life and the local people. At noon we arrive to ’El Piloto´ Restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue to Paracas National Reserve where we will learn more about the local pre Inca culture of Paracas and how they lived in the middle of the desert. After that, we arrive at your local hotel. L

Accommodation at the hotel
Breakfast/lunch

Early in the morning board the motorboat for the Ballestas Islands tour. The Ballestas Islands are part of the National Reserve. Here one can encounter sea lions, Humboldt penguins and even a sporadic Condor that gets to the islands to feed. On returning you will be transferred to Ica, one of the most important cities located in the south coast of Peru, where you will have the option to taste some Pisco and also visit the oasis of Huacachina. After lunch we will continue to Nazca. Option to fly over the enigmatic Nazca Lines (geroglyphs and geometric lines drawn in the desert). Since their discovery, the Nazca Lines have inspired fantastic explanations ranging from ancient gods, a landing strip for returning aliens, a celestial calendar created by the ancient civilization, used for rituals probably related to astronomy, or clans who made up the population and to determine, through ritual, their economic functions. Or a map of underground water supplies. Flying over the area you can marvel looking at the perfect shape of animals, flowers, plants, objects, and anthropomorphic figures of colossal proportions made with well-defined lines. Ending the day you will arrive at your hotel. B

Morning at leisure, if you did not fly over the Nazca Lines yesterday afternoon, you will have a second option to do it in the morning. After that the you will visit the pre Inca cemetery of Chauchilla, used by the Nazca Culture and located 19 km south of Nazca city. In the afternoon your vehicle will return to Lima to continue to Iquitos. B

Flight to Iquitos. Your guide will wait for you at Iquitos airport to bring you to the pier of Aria in Nauta. As you settle into your suite, the Aria will start on its journey towards the Ucayali River, deep in the heart of Amazonia. Before dinner we will perform a routine safety drill. Cruise director and guides will give a brief orientation talk about life on board, where you will go and what you will see on your Amazon journey. Peruvian cuisine is considered one of the world’s best. Dinner is presented with a touch of European flair. Raise a glass of fine South American wine to toast the beginning of a beautiful journey as you watch the river go by from your window.

After breakfast and a first glimpse of the majestic river, you will board our comfortable excursion skiffs for your first adventure towards ‘the isle of the Iguana’ to watch the reptiles. Passing close to the island, you have the opportunity to take photos of the beautiful flora and fauna. Afterwards we will go fishing and have the chance to catch the infamous piranhas. After returning to Aria and free time after lunch, you will start the second part of today’s adventure. During high water season (Dec-May) you can swim at Lake Clavero, where villagers paddle in their traditional dugout canoes. You may visit the community to see how people live along the Amazon. From June to November (low water season) you head to Yarapa River and explore the waterways by skiff, to where gray and pink freshwater dolphins swim and play around. Regardless the season once the sun sets and the jungle is dark, the search for caiman and frogs begins. In the evening, back on Aria enjoy dinner.

Today your naturalist guide takes you on foot into the Amazon jungle to encounter wildlife. During the high-water season (from December to May) you head off in search of freshwater pink dolphins on the Ucayali River. From June to November (low-water season) you visit the ‘Jungle of the Mirrors’ where towering trees are reflected in the dark river. Regardless the season you head later on to Dorado River where you may observe parrots, a variety of primates, frogs and fishing bats.
Day 5 - M/V ARIA - IQUITOS - LIMA (B, L)
Today you visit the birthplace of the Amazon! The landscape here is especially dramatic as it where the Ucayali and the Marañon Rivers converge to form the Amazon. You will then visit a native village, depending on the season, Puerto Prado or Puerto Miguel, where the locals will share their culture and traditions with you. After sharing a last lunch, you disembark in Nauta at 12:15 hrs for the 1.5- hour drive to Iquitos. Once there visit the Manatee Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for endangered Amazon manatees that conservation authorities have seized from local people and fishermen. After this last excursion and the arrival at the airport you will be assisted by your guide with the check-in for your flight back to Lima

Start your comprehensive tour in Lima, explore the historic center (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) and bohemian neighborhood of Barranco and Miraflores. As you stroll around the main plaza and Plaza San Martin, our guide will explain the city's impressive and diverse architectural heritage. Continue on to the Santo Domingo Monastery that boasts the oldest finely carved choir stalls in Lima. It was at this spot that the first University in South America, was founded in 1551 - San Marcos. Time for a lunch break is included. Lima makes worldwide lists as a top culinary destination, tell your guide about your preferences. There is a wide array of options from fine dining to casual restaurants. Afterwards head to Barranco the epicenter of Lima’s cultural elite and home of artists; writers and designers for many generations. The walking tour includes the 'Bridge of Sighs', the nearby 19th century chapel and a lookout point - a great spot for a view of the Pacific Ocean. If you fancy a coffee, ask your guide for a stop at the historical Tostaduria Bisetti Café. Dedalo an art gallery set in an early-20th-century mansion with an adorable café on the back patio could be also an option if you are looking for artsy and original handicrafts. Once in Miraflores stop at the Park of Love with the sculpture ‘The Kiss’ and a stunning view over the bay of Lima and the ocean. Your tour ends with a visit to Huaca Pucllana an impressive archaeological site from the 5th century standing out among modern constructions in Miraflores.
Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport to take your international flight.