Magic Peru

DAY 1: LIMA 

Arrival in Lima, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon we will have a tour through Lima’s streets and plazas. Starting at the Love Park in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, and then heading to the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of the Lima culture. After this, we go on to the Main Square where the Government Palace and the Town Hall are located. We will visit the Cathedral and explore the Santo Domingo Convent, along which corridors San Martin de Porras and San Rosa de Lima used to walk around in 17th century, and where their remains rest today. Stay in Lima.

DAY 2: LIMA/PARACAS 

Departure to Paracas Bay in the exclusive “Paracas Premium Service”. We will go the airport of Pisco  to fly over the Nazca lines, huge drawing that can only be seen from the sky and which represent several insects and animals like a monkey, hummingbird, condor or a spider. The origins are unknown, while many think it is a big astronomic calendar.  Return to airport and transfer to your hotel. Free rest of the day to enjoy the hotel facilities and surrounding areas. Overnight stay at Paracas.

DAY 3: PARACAS/LIMA 

Early in the morning we will embark on a boat tour to the Ballesta Islands.  The “Chandelier” a giant figure marked in the sand in the style of the Nazca lines can also be seen on our way to the islands. On the islands you will be able to observe sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins and other sea birds.  In the afternoon, departure to Lima in the exclusive “Paracas Premium Service”.

DAY 4: LIMA/AREQUIPA 

Transfer to the airport to catch the departing flight to Arequipa. Meet and greet at the airport, transfer to hotel.   Free morning to get used to the altitude. This afternoon, the White City opens its doors on a journey that begins in the beautiful Colonial district of San Lazaro, the founding place of Arequipa; from here we will walk through its picturesque streets adorned with geraniums to later go to the Carmen Alto viewpoint for a chance to see the wonderful landscape of agricultural terraces and the three volcanoes surrounding the city: Misti, Chachani and Pichu-Pichu.  It is time to head for the Yanahuara Colonial district, famous for its Andalusian style church and its viewpoint, architecture jewel surrounded by sillar (volcanic stone) arches.  Then we will visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, impressive religious monument which was closed for about 400 years; with narrow streets, squares and gardens reminiscent of the old quarters of Seville or Granada. We will proceed to the Main Square to see its beautiful Cathedral and the stone arches that surround it, and finally, it is time to visit the Church of the Society of Jesus, founded in the seventeenth century by the Jesuits, famous for its cloisters and its magnificent San Ignacio Dome.

DAY 5: AREQUIPA/CUSCO 

Transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco. On arrival, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel.  In the afternoon our exclusive city tour starts with a visit to the San Cristobal Plaza to enjoy its panoramic view of the city. Then, we will visit the San Pedro Market to soak in its local flavors and to learn about more of the products grown in the area which supply the whole city. After this, the Korikancha temple will welcome us in all his magnificence; this temple, whose Quechua name means “Gold Enclosure” still bedazzles us with the thought of its gold covered walls. Then it is the turn to visit the Santo Domingo Church. We will walk from San Blas, the artisans’ neighborhood, to the Hatun Rumiyoc street, stopping at the Inca Roca Palace, nowadays home to the Archbishop’s Palace and also at the famous Twelve Angle Stone. We will continue our walk to the Main Square to visit the Cathedral and its valuable and beautiful colonial masterpieces.

DAY 6: CUSCO

In the morning we will distance from the crowds and visit Sacsayhuaman, a huge and impressive fortress of colossal constructions and surrounded by beautiful views blending together perfectly. Our adventure continues at the Inca Shrine Qenqo, to see the sacrificial altar embedded inside a rock cave. Finally we will arrive to the Puca Pucara viewpoint and Tambomachay, monument of impressive architectonic knowledge considered as one of the pillars of Andean Cosmo vision.

Suggestion: Visit to Cusco’s South Valley.  Where we will discover the impressive archaeological complex of Tipon. Then we will visit the picturesque town of Huaro, where we will visit  the fantastic 16th Century church and the breathtaking murals by artist Tadeo Escalante.

DAY 7: SACRED VALLEY 

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is waiting for you. On the way we will stop at Awanacancha, small complex to admire Andean camelids such as alpacas and llamas and learn from local inhabitants about traditional dyeing and knitting techniques. Later we will explore the Pisac Market  with enough free time to go around and buy handcrafts and if you feel like tasting something traditional, stop by the wood ovens for a delicious empanada or a piece of bread.  Lunch at a local restaurant.  In the afternoon, our tour continues to Ollantaytambo, a small town full of local color and inhabited since Inca times in which we will visit the main temple used as a fortress during the Inca resistance. Breathtaking views for amazing pictures. Stay at the Sacred Valley.

DAY 8: SACRED VALLEY/MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO 

A train trip away to see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We arrive at the Aguas Calientes station where our staff will assist us on boarding the bus to go up the winding road to Machu Picchu, amid a spectacular view of the Urubamba River and its canyon.  The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will astonish us with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. Energy is all around us. After a guided visit, we will have lunch at one of the restaurants in the area. At the arranged time, we will return to Cusco and will be transferred to the hotel.

DAY 9: CUSCO/PUNO

Departure on a tour bus to Puno. On the way we’ll stop to visit the attractions this beautiful route has to offer.  The first stop: Andahuaylillas for a visit to its beautiful chapel, then its Racchi, Temple of the Wiracocha god where the walls and narrow streets stand out. Then it’s lunch time and the opportunity to see the view at La Raya, natural border between Cusco and Puno. Before our final destination we will visit the in site Pucara Museum and a chance to get one of the local classic bull shaped ceramics. We will arrive in Puno at the end of the afternoon.

DAY 10: PUNO 

A morning trip to visit the “people of the lake”. A visit to the Uros’ handmade islands and their inhabitants who will welcome us to their peculiar life style.  It is hard to believe but these friendly locals live, get an education and make a living on these floating islands. In the afternoon we will visit the pre-Inca cemetery of the Hatun Colla chiefs in Sillustani, on the shore of Lake Umayo.  A great trip to see the funerary towers or Chullpas reaching up to six meters high. Stay at Puno.

DAY 11: PUNO/LIMA 

Departure transfer.

End of our services.