TUCANOS PERU PACKAGE 20 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS

Itinerary

DAY 1: LIMA CITY TOUR-GOLD MUSEUM
You will be picked up from your hotel at 9:00 a.m.The city tour begin with the visit to the Plaza the Armas, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In the centre of the Plaza is a bronze fountain dating from 1560. Located in the Plaza is the Cathedral, note the splendidly carved stalls, the silver covered altars surrounded by fine woodwork, mosaic covered walls bearing the coats of arms of Lima and Pizarro. Next to the Cathedral is the Archbishop's Palace. Then you'll visit the the XVII century Monastery of San Francisco, this is famous for the Sivillian tilework and panelled ceiling in the cloisters, the catacombs under the church and part of the monastery are well worth seeing, You'll visit the old colonial streets in the centre of the city, and the modern Lima with the district of San Isidro and Miraflores.
We will also visit the Peruvian Gold Museum, this excellent collection includes pre-Columbian gold, silver and bronze, ceramics, weavings, mummies, etc. Upstairs is a remarkable arms collections with an impressive exhibition from Spanish colonial times. At the end transfer back to your hotel.

DAY 2: FLIGHT OVER THE NAZCA LINES
6:30am Depart from Lima by bus (Cruz del Sur company) to Nazca 6:30 hours approx.
1.00pm Arrive at the city of Nazca. Then transfer to the airport for the flight over the Nazca Lines, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. In the area, there are at least 13 giant figures etched on the sandy soil that are only possible to appreciate from a small plane. During the flight over the Nazca Lines, we see the monkey, spider, hummingbird, a geometrical bird, whale, tree, etc. These mysterious lines seem like an astrological calendar, but even today it is still unknown how they were made.
Return to the city of Ica by bus. Overnight in the city

DAY 3: HUACACHINA OASIS
At: 6:30 am transfer from your hotel in Ica to the Paracas Port, where your the boat and tour guide are waiting . Around 7:30 am we take an excursion for 3 hours to the Ballestas Islands. We catch a delightful tourist boat. These islands are spectacular and are eroded into numerous arches and caves, which provide shelter for thousands of seabirds, some of which are very rare, and also sea lions. These islands are known as the “Galapagos of Peru”.
The island is isolated from people so the wild life is not disturbed. As the boat approaches, you get closer to the amazing inhabitants including, pelicans, penguins, cormorants, Peruvian boobies, walruses, sea lions, turtles, dolphins, whales, etc. Along the way we can appreciate Paraca´s Candelabra, a mysterious ancient etching on the sandy slope, perhaps a location signal.
The city of Ica is Peru’s premier wine centre. At a designated time we will take you on the Ica City Tour, where we visit the Regional Museum of Luren, Wine Cellar, Oasis of Huacachina and sandboarding.
Transfer to the bus Station to return to Lima.

DAY 4: LIMA/ AREQUIPA
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa the white city because of its buildings made from sillar, a white volcanic stone. Upon arrival to Arequipa reception and take you to your hotel.
This day you will visit the Main Square, the Convent of Santa Catalina established in 1580 and is among Peru's most beautiful convents, it is like a small-scaled Spanish city, complete with stone streets and plaza ,The place became a monastery after it played the role of providing sanctuary to upper class women in the colonial age. The tour then takes you to see the cathedral, Church and cloisters of the Company, lastly your visit to Carmen Alto and Yanahuara,Sabandía.we will transport you back to your hotel.Overnight at the Hotel in Arequipa.

DAY 5: COLCA VALLEY
Breakfast at hotel. Skirting the volcanoes that surround the city of Arequipa, you will enter the Pampa Cañahuas which houses the Vicuña National Reserve,
From there we move on to Patawasi (3800m) where you will take pleasure in the natural rock formations with the Misti and Chachani volcanoes. We will ascend (4500m), passing "Tocra" on the way. You can take pictures of "Altiplano". The "highlight" of the tour will be "Pata Pampa" where you will stand at 4820m. Arrival to Chivay town (3651m),lunch and a little rest.Overnight at the Hotel in Colca Valley.

DAY 6: COLCA CANYON/PUNO
Breakfast.Out at approximately 06:15 hrs.to visit the Cruz del Condor, where you will appreciate the depth the canyon, considered deeper than the Grand Canyon. Appreciate the majestic flight of the condor in its habitat natural. In return, we will visit the towns of Macca(shook by earthquake in 1991) and Yanque with its colonial era churches, and cave paintings. Arrival to Chivay at midday; lunch at one local restaurant. After lunch take the bus to Puno journey will take around 6 hours. Upon arrival reception and transfer to the Hotel in Puno. Overnight at the Hotel in Puno.

DAY 07: FLOATING ISLANDS-AMANTANI
After the breakfast, transfer to the port of Puno to take a tourist motor boat and to direct towards the wonders floating islands of the Uros to us, those millenarian inhabitants who in spite of the time today remain living in artificial islands of totora, known as the tribe the water, because they must construct its own Islands periodically, adding new layers of “Totora”. The homes and boats are made of that same material. After View we will approximately continue the route by two hours until the Island of Amantani.
This Island is inhabited by native quechua hablantes still prevailed by its old traditions, which main occupation is the production of ceramics and textiles. The positive energy of this Island is so powerful that is well-known as the “Island of Love”. Arriving at the island we will taste of a typical lunch, then we will go to the ceremonial centers “Pachatata” and “Pachamama”, sacred place. At night we will stay ourselves in the familiar houses enjoying the hospitality of a typical home of Amantani.

DAY 08: AMANTANI ISLAND-TAQUILE ISLAND
After the breakfast we will start off to the Island of Taquile, place where we will appreciate the form of typical and rustic experience, the place is colorful and landscaping, where they even maintain its customs, ritual, religious and folkloric traditions, also inhabited by native quechua speakers that have developed an efficient and only social system, in the town of Taquile we will taste of a typical lunch, in hours of afternoon we will return to the city of Puno.Overnight at the Hotel in Puno.

DAY 9: PUNO/CUSCO WITH GUIDED TOUR
Breakfast at hotel. You will be picked up at 7:00 and transfer to Cusco by tourist bus and taken to the Pukara Rock Carvings Museum,it contains a collection of zoomorphic rock carvings and monoliths showing sophisticated detail. After there will be a short stop at La Raya, the highest point on the road from Puno to Cusco, at over 4313 m.a.s.l. After lunch in the village of Sicuani, you will visit the temple dedicated to the deity Wiracocha in the ruins at Racchi. The next stop will be Andahuaylas. The principal attraction of this town is the church of Andahuaylillas. Also known as the "Sistine Chapel of America" because of the quality of works of art it contains. Once you arrive in Cusco, you will be transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.

DAY 10: CUSCO CITY TOUR
Breakfast in the Hotel. Transport from hotel to airport. Arrival at Cusco, a representative will be waiting for you with a customized sign with your name and take you to your hotel.At 1:30pm pick up from the Hotel; guided sightseeing tour in Cusco such as: the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), which displays the best Inca stonework in the city, and the Cathedral in Cusco's Main Square with its magnificent colonial art. Go to the outskirts of the city to see the Inca ruins. Saqsahuaman, the amphitheatre of Qenqo, the fortress of Pukapukara and the spring shrine of Tambomachay. Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.

DAY 11: CUSCO/TINQUI - UPIS
We depart Cusco early the morning for our three hour ride in private transport to the small village of Tinqui (3800 meters/ 12 464 feet). As Tinqui is located on the new Interoceanic highway we can now arrive here much more quickly that in previous years. We pass through beautiful countryside and several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate. After lunch in Tinqui the first 3 hours on the trail are wonderful prelude to the magnificent scenery of the Cordillera Vilcanota, with great views of Ausangate. We will trek for two hours more until we reach the hot springs at Upis (4,400 meters/ 14432 feet) which offer fantastic views of Ausangate at the end of the valley. We will camp here for the night.

DAY 12: UPIS - LAKE AUSANGATE Q'OCHA
During our morning's trek, we will cross the Arapa pass (4,850 meters/ 15908 feet). From here, we continue 3½ hours down the valley, passing the green lake of Puqa Q'ocha until we reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha. We then ascend the second pass of Apuchata (4,900 metres/ 16 072 feet) with the stunning turquoise blue Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha below. This lake is fed from the melting snow of Ausangate. We will camp here for the second night.

DAY 13: LAKE AUSANGATE Q'OCHA - QAMPA
From the lake we ascend to the Palomani pass (5,200 meters/ 17 056 feet); the highest point of the trek. From the pass we follow the trail into the valley where we will rest and have lunch. During the afternoon we can enjoy views of the snowcapped Tres Picos and Puca punta. We will continue through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Rio Q'ampa valley. We will spend the night community.

DAY 14: Q'AMPA - PACCHANTA
After passing through the small community of Q'ampa we will head North West to the last pass of this hike, the Q'ampa pass (5000 meters/ 16400 feet). We will see several different colored lakes and lunch beside Q'oma Q'ocha. We hike for several hours before arriving at the small village of Pacchanta. We can soak in the thermal springs for a couple of hours, and even have a well deserved beer! We will set up camp near Pacchanta and you will have the afternoon free to explore this interesting Andean village. (You have the option of staying in a basic hostel this night)

DAY 15: PACCHANTA - CUSCO
After breakfast It is only 3 hours trek back to Tinqui where we will have time to explore this traditional Andean village before taking our private bus back to Cusco.

DAY 16: SACRED VALLEY TOUR
Breakfast in the Hotel. At 8:20am we set off from Cusco heading up and over the highlands towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We arrive at Pisac on the Urubamba river and visit the colourful Pisac village market. Here you can bargain for some of the many artisan goodies on offer. You can either stay here haggling for longer or head up to Pisac ruins situated high up overlooking the valley. After an hour exploring this magnificent site we head back down and through the valley until we reach the town of Urubamba. Here we take a traditional lunch before heading on to Ollantaytambo town for our tour of the archaeological site which hang, high on the valley walls overlooking the town. Ollantaytambo is an attractive little town located at the western end of the Sacred Valley. The town has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The town is located at the foot of some spectacular Inca ruins, which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley. The temple area is at the top of steep terracing which helped to provide excellent defenses. At the end of our tour we check-in to our hotel.
Overnight in Ollantaytambo.

DAY 17: OLLANTAYTAMBO-AGUAS CALIENTES
Morning transfer to the train station and board the train for the picturesque journey to Aguas Calientes. On arrival to Aguas Clients the hotel staff will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel. You then have the afternoon free to relax.
At 7:00pm our guide will visit you at your hotel to brief you about the next day events.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 18: MACHU PICCHU
Breakfast in the Hotel. We start early, taking breakfast and then with our guide we take the bus up to the citadel of Machu Picchu in time to catch the magnificent sunrise. Our professional guide will slowly show you around the main areas, recounting myths and legends passed down over the centuries and explain about some of the advanced building techniques the Incas used. After your tour you will have plenty of time to look around. After lunch it will be time to board the afternoon return train through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo town and then a transfer back to Cusco.

DAY 19.FREE DAY IN CUSCO BY YOURSELF
Breakfast at the Hotel. Free time in Cusco by yourself

DAY 20: CUSCO/LIMA
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport in order to board the regular flight to Lima. Arrival and international flight conexion.

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