From Cusco To Arequipa by the Belmond Andean Explorer

Upon arrival, you are welcomed by your friendly and knowledgeable private guide who’ll be with you throughout your stay. From Cusco´s airport, we will drive into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a tranquil oasis of cultural, historical, and agriculture richness. to the Sacred Valley, we will arrive to Chinchero, located at 30 km from the city of Cusco by paved road. We continue our route to Maras.
About 7 km. (4.3 miles) southwest from Maras is Moray, a unique archaeological site in the region, where enormous natural depressions or hollows in the ground surface were used for constructing irrigated farming terraces around them. 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 feet) deep. In these natural formations, nature has created environmental conditions or microclimates that in modern times people create in greenhouses or hothouses.
Towards the northwest of the Maras Village are the famous “salt mines", where considerable volume of solid salt is obtained; about 10 cm (4 inches) high from the floor. That solid salt granulated, then packed in sacks and sent to the region’s markets; today that salt began being treated with iodine, thus, its consumption is not benign.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
lunch

We leave early in the morning from the Sacred Valley, to the rock wall located in Pachar between Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. A Via Ferrata is a type of rock climb on an established route with a safety system permanently installed, it gives people with no experience in climbing and using minimal equipment, the opportunity to move through the spectacular mountain scenery. We will climb a rock wall 300 meters in a safest way. You will have the opportunity to have lunch while enjoying the mystical landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. During descent, the 100 m of rappel will shoot an extra adrenaline you need to make this a unique experience. The ZIP-Sacred Valley Line gives you the opportunity to fly over this magnificent place in a safe and fun way. Zip-line has 6 lines or cables, from 100 to 500 m, for a total of 2000 m. To reach the first cable, you must walk through a beautiful path of 35 minutes, equipped with parts Via Ferrata, to provide maximum security and confidence. Return to the Hotel in midafternoon.
*Not recommended for those affected by vertigo.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
breakfast/lunch

Before take the train to Machupicchu, we will visit Ollantaytambo, an attractive little village located at the western end of the Sacred Valley that has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The town is divided in canchas (blocks), which are almost entirely intact. Each cancha has only one entrance (usually a huge stone doorway), which leads into a central courtyard. We will visit the Inca ruins situated on a hilltop landscape with surrounding terracing and with cyclopean rock carvings. From the hilltop there is an extraordinary view of the village below and the surrounding countryside. Finished our tour we will take the train to Machupichu that ride last two hours down the Urubamba gorge, and it changes from mountain vegetation to cloud forest.

Arrival at the station of Machupicchu 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 Machupicchu Pueblo where you will check into your hotel and use the evening to rest and relax.

Overnight in Machupicchu.
breakfast/lunch/dinner

Rise bright and early this morning for a second and complete tour in Machu Picchu with your guide.
Your insightful private tour provides a complete overview of the world-renowned complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You may choose from a number of short hikes like the Sun Gate or The Inka Bridge but the most popular (subject to permit availability) are to climbing to Huayna Picchu or hike to the Machupicchu Mountain.
Later this afternoon and after having lunch, you take the train back to Ollantaytambo, and are driven to Cusco, where you check into your hotel.

Overnight in Machupicchu.
breakfast/lunch/dinner

After having breakfast, board the train to Ollantaytambo from where we will return to Cusco. This day the Sacred Valley of the Incas will welcome us again. We will visit the Inca and Colonial Pisac to discover one of the most beautiful archeological sites in the Sacred Valley located at the top of the mountain where you can have an amazing view of the colonial town of Pisac. Then, we will have a walking tour to the Colonial town where we will enjoy a delicious lunch. Then and on Route to Cusco, we will visit to the Ccaccaccollo Community to discover a women’s weaving cooperative where we will see and feed the Andean camelids, such as the llamas and alpacas, and where the women will show us all the stages of the traditional weaving process: hand-spinning the wool, dying the wool using natural dyes, and participating in a weaving demonstration. Ccaccaccollo is a community that still have their traditional and ancestors’ customs, with an original heritage and form where you could have an amazing view of the mountains.

Overnight in Cusco.
breakfast/lunch

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.
Finally, we wiil reach the Puca Pucara watchtower and Tambomachay, a monument of noticeable architectural excellence, considered one of the pillars of the Andean view of the world.
After visited all this amazing and historical inca sites, we will return to the City and on the way we will stop at San Cristobal to enjoy a panoramic view of the city delighting us with a small toast and then we will enjoy a traditional and delicious lunch in one of the best restaurant of the City.

After having lunch, our city tour continues visit San Blas Neighborhood, a bohemian place where the most important and representative artisans and painters was born. From here, we will walk down along the Hatun Rumiyoc Street, finding midway the Inca Roca Palace, today the Archbishop’s Palace; and where we can appreciate the worldwide famous Twelve Angles Stone. Arriving to the Main Square, we will visit the Cathedral that houses invaluable colonial works of art and then we will have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful and impressive museums in Peru, The Inka Museum that has a complete collection of our heritage, culture and history.

After visit all these beautiful and impressive places, we will go to San Pedro Market, where we will be able to appreciate the local flavors and learn about the local produce in this market where you can find everything and is the main supply center of the city. Finally, we will then continue to the Koricancha Temple that will welcome us with its splendor. The Sun Temple is the meaning of its name in Quechua and we can still feel the sumptuousness of its walls that were once lined in gold sheets and where worship was offered to the Sun God, the most important deity of the Incas.

Overnight in Cusco.
breakfast/lunch

Enjoy your free day in Cusco, walking around the city, its museums and getting to know Peruvian and Andean culture first hand. Optional activities available upon request - from half day to full day programs in and around Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.
breakfast

11:00 Depart from Wanchaq station (Cusco)
12:30 Lunch on board
14:00 Tour of Raqchi
15:30 Afternoon tea on board
16:45 Sunset in La Raya
18:30 Pre-dinner cocktails
19:00 Dinner on board
22:15 Arrival at Lake Titicaca station (Puno)
● Overnight stay at Lake Station station (Puno)

● Sunrise at Lake Titicaca
06:00 Breakfast on board
08:30 Explore Lake Titicaca and enjoy a boat ride to Uros and Taquile (Collata beach) Islands
12:30 Traditional dances and artisanal craft displays. Private lunch at Taquile Island
15:30 Return to Lake Titicaca station (Puno)
16:00 Afternoon tea on board
17:00 Depart to Arequipa
18:30 Pre-dinner cocktails
19:00 Dinner on board

● Sunrise at Lake Saracocha
06:00 Breakfast on board
09:55 Tour of Sumbay Caves
Optional:
11:26 Stop Km. 93: Passengers going independently to Colca disembark (not included in train ticket)*
12:30 Lunch on board
15:30 Arrival at Arequipa station
16:00 Airport transfer with panoramic views of the city of Arequipa
*OPTIONAL: For passengers who wish to visit Colca, the train trip will conclude at Stop Km. 93 .
Prior coordination with your Tour Operator.

Arrival in Arequipa- Colca Valley
You arrive to Arequipa and are transferred to your hotel in Colca

You will journey to the village of Yura and the Aguada Blanca y Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve, a natural habitat for alpacas and vicuñas. You will pause at Patahuasi to rest and drink some coca tea. Afterwards, the drive continues to the valley's main town, Chivay, where you will have lunch and then be transferred to your hotel.Accomodations for the night in Chivay.

Your day begins very early since you are going to the Cruz del Condor lookout, a site where you have spectacular views of one of the deepest canyons in the world. If the conditions are right, you might actually have the chance to take pictures of the majestic condor, world's largest and most powerful bird. Also depending on the program, you might stop at the town of Yanque, where you will experience some local folklore, and visit the villages of Pinchollo and Maca, whose local architecture decorate the Colca Valley.

At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to your next destination.