South of Peru The Magic Route

Our destination is never a place, but a way of seeing things.

DAY 01.- LIMA
Reception at Lima Airport and transfer to the chosen hotel. Accommodation in Lima.

DAY 02.- LIMA – CITY TOUR – AREQUIPA
This tour will allow us to follow the trail of Lima’s history, walking along the roads where the historical and cultural legacy is found, where we will find the artistic and architectural beauty of its historic buildings.
We will start the visit through the Plaza San Martin, bordered by beautiful historical buildings.
We will walk through the Jirón de la Unión until we reach the main square of the historic center.
– Entrance to the Church and convent of San Francisco where we will appreciate the cloisters, its library and the underground galleries or cemetery catacombs from the colonial era.
– We will arrive at Palacio de Torre Tagle (panoramic) Church of San Pedro.
We will return through the neighborhood of Miraflores where we will pass through a panoramic view of the Huaca Pucllana, a large archaeological complex built more than 1,500 years ago.  
Transfer to the airport to take flight to Arequipa, flights in the morning (1 hour 20 minutes); reception and transfer to your selected Hotel.

DAY 03.- AREQUIPA – CITY TOUR & SANTA CATALINA CONVENT
Walking City tour, Arequipa known as the ‘white city’, Arequipa is surrounded by spectacular mountains, including the volcano El Misti; by walking for knowing the Plaza de Armas, a fascinat|ing feature of the city is its many beautiful buildings made of a light-colored volcanic rock called sillar. We will see the beauty of “Arequipa”. The tour includes sites such as the cathedral of Arequipa, the Convent of Santa Catalina, characterized by its narrow streets and different styles and famous since the 16th century and is at this time home of 450 nuns. 
Then departure to the Carmen Alto viewpoint where you could take the zip line (depend on the availability, subject to change) to enjoy the landscape of the Arequipa valley. Accommodation in Arequipa.

DAY 04.- AREQUIPA – COLCA
Pick up of the passengers from the hotel and departure to the Colca Valley located in the “Caylloma” Province at 3500 m.a.s.l passing by “the National Reserve of Aguada Blanca and Salinas” place of the richest fauna and flora of the Andean highlands. During the journey, we’ll see groups of “alpacas”, “vicuñas”, and “Lamas” (Peruvian camelids). Following the trip by the “Bofedales of Torra” with a big variety of Andean birds. Then, we’ll continue cutting the “Chucura’s” crater joining the route of Patapampa plain close to 4800 m.a.s.l in which we’ll find the “Mirador de Los Andes” from where we can see the Arequipa’s Mountain Chain like the “Misti” ,and “Chachani”. Arrival to Chivay Town capital of the province and transfer to the accommodation. PM Visit to the thermals baths of “La Calera” (hot springs) located at 3 km from Chivay, it provides facilities to take a relaxing bath (bring your swimsuit). Accommodation in Chivay-Colca.

DAY 05.- COLCA CANYON – PUNO
Departs from your hotel 06:30 Hrs. to make the excursion along the left margin of the Valley to the viewpoint of the Cruz del Cóndor, stopping to visit the towns of Yanque on the way out and Maca on the way back, viewpoints of the valley and canyon (Antahulque and Wayra Punku). Stop of approximately 1 hour at the viewpoint of the Condors. Arrival to Chivay around 11:30 hrs. 
Departs to the city of Puno. Stops for restroom in Patahuasi and Lagunilla. We will change our transportation in Patahuasi. Arrival to Puno at 18:00 hrs and transfer to the hotel; accommodation in Puno.

DAY 06.- TITICACA ISLANDS UROS & TAQUILE
Transfer from your hotel to go to the floating Uros island, these islands are the most famous in Titicaca Lake, it located 6 km from the city of Puno, in this place the guide gives us an explanation how they perform their islands and rafts of Totora; also about the variety of birds that exist in the place, you could participate with the residents living in the islands of Uros.
After the explanations about the island, we will aboard again the boat to move to the natural island of Taquile where you can enjoy the beach that forms the shores of this island; then walking climb to the top of the island where the residents have a main square where you can also see from the top a wonderful view of the Titicaca Lake, then visit a local house where they provide us the lunch, typical lunch Trucha grilled, served with rice and potatoes with salad, quinoa or moron soup and infusion. Then you can have a free moment where you can visit the island and surrounding, watching the people who mostly devoted to crafts where adults and children woven with colored wool. Later after visiting, we will go down to the port in order to aboard the boat and back to Puno, arrival and transfer back to your hotel in Puno; accommodation (Lunch included).

DAY 07.- PUNO – CUSCO (Tourist Bus with entrances and buffet lunch)
07:00 a.m. Departure on Turismo Mer Bus visiting the tourist corridor “Manco Capac” that joins the cities of Puno and Cusco, the bus has professional guides who will take you to visit the places of “Andahuaylillas” The Church called “the Sixtine of America” where we can see the paintings of the Colonial art, besides of visiting the temple of Raqchi or Temple of the “Wiracocha” Sun, main God of the Inca Empire. Lunch in “Sicuani” and then, we’ll go to the highest point of “La Raya’s” route where we’ll appreciate the snow, the “alpacas”, and the “vicuñas”. Finally we’ll visit “Pukapukara” an Archeological Complex formed by a big pyramidal structure. Arrival to Cusco City at 16:30 approximately. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation in Cusco.

DAY 08.- CUSCO 
Free day to make personal activities; accommodation in Cusco.

**Additional: City tour and nearby ruins, Koricancha & Cathedral ($50 per person) 
Visit to Cusco City where we‘ll appreciate the “Cathedral” that stands out due to its beauty, the “chorus” and the “pulpit” which contains an important collection of paintings of Cusquena School and objects made of embossed silver. Continuing with the trip, we’ll visit the “Plaza de Armas”, the Sun’s temple known as “Koricancha” which was one of the most stunning constructions of Andean “Cusco”. By car 10 minutes away from Cusco City, we will visit the “Sacsayhuaman Fortress”, the type of this construction is Cyclopean due to the stone’s size, some of them weight between 90 and 128 tons. We will go at 15 minutes to Cusco City in car, where we’ll arrive to the archeological center of Qenqo known as the Labyrinth sacred place in which the ceremonies in honor to the Sun, the moon and the stars took place. After 30 minutes ride, we’ll visit another archeological complex named Pukapukara, this center has several grounds, interior squares, aqueducts, watchtowers and roads. Finally, we will finish the journey visiting the Archeological Complex of Tambomachay which played an important function related to the Water and to the regeneration of the land. In the afternoon return to Cusco City. Accommodation in Cusco.

DAY 09.- CUSCO – VALLE SAGRADO – AGUAS CALIENTES 
Picked up from your hotel in Cusco; we will take a road that winds over the mountains north of Cusco. On the way we will stop at a point known as El Mirador, from where we will be able to see the whole Sacred Valley and receive a good insight of the Inca history. The Sacred Valley was undoubtedly a key area of settlement to the Incas; its combination of agreeable climate and fertile plains bestow an unusual abundance for the high Andes. Here the Incas sculpted the mountain flanks with vast contour terracing and irrigation channels. Our driver and guide will suggest you the best points for pictures. Later on, we will drive towards the ruins of Pisac. At the ruins you will see and learn about different aspects of Inca culture. You can see a great fine art of stone works and impressive agricultural terraces all over the place. After touring around we will get back to the car and will drive back to the modern town of Pisac, where there is a peculiar market that deserve to be visited. At the market you will have free time to walk around and do some shopping. Afterwards we will meet for lunch in a nice local restaurant to enjoy good Andean food. After lunch we will continue our tour. We will drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. Once we get there we will visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo, an important Inca construction built during the Inca’s heydays. This is an extraordinary Inca place where besides the ruins you may also see an amazing rock formation representing the Inca god Wiracocha. 
Transfer to the station Ollanta from where we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, departs 16:36 arrival 18:00 Hrs. The trip will take 2 hours 30 minutes. Accommodation in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 10.- MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
We will take the local bus that goes up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The bus ride to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu lasts around 25 minutes and it follows a steep winding path, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Upon our arrival, we will get into the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu and our guide will show us the most important sectors of this great Inca City, such as the great Intiwatana (solar clock), the Sun Temple, the urban sector, the agricultural sector among others. Machu Picchu was long thought to be legendary. Then in 1911, the explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it remains. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.  
We will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch and also to explore this colorful town that utterly filled with souvenirs shops, restaurants, bars, internet cafes etc. 
Return by train to Cusco departing in the afternoon. Accommodation in Cusco.

DAY 11.- CUSCO – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
Pick up from your Hotel in Cusco 05:00 am 3 Hrs drive on a private transport to Quesiuno located at 4,320 masl (start of the trek). Breakfast will be provided once we arrive to Quesiuno. We start our hike from 4200 m to 5100 masl to Rainbow Mountain aka: (Cerro Colorado, Montaña de Colores or “Vinicunca”) lead by our expert guide, here we can see the stunning colors that are natural formations of minerals since ages that give colors to the mountain. Beautiful views of red and colors mountains, streams and herds of alpacas and llamas and the south side of Ausangate ranges of mountains. We will hike through small traditional andean villages a see the local people with their colorful dresses. After a total hike of approximately 3-4 hours, we finally will reach to this mirador spot to have an impressive views of Rainbow Mountains located at 5,100 masl. Time to explore the area. Time to rest and enjoy our packed lunch. You will have time to take pictures and soak in the environment. (We will spend approximately 30-45 minutes at the top). Then we start our return back hiking a downhill the way thru we came. The hike will take 3 hours.  Our private van will be waiting for us when we return. 3 hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel. Approximate arrival 4 pm; Accommodation in Cusco.

DAY 12.- CUSCO – LIMA
Transfer to the Airport to take off to Lima, flights in the morning, arrival and transfer to your selected hotel. Accommodation in Lima.

DAY 13.- LIMA – PARACAS
Transfer to the bus station heading to Paracas, located in the south of the Peruvian cost (3 hours 30 minutes traveling) departs 07:00 and arrival 10:30 Hrs. Reception and transfer to the Hotel; accommodation in Paracas. 

*Additional Overflight Nazca Lines $ 235 (Per person)  
Transfer to the airdrome in Pisco-Paracas to over flight through Nazca Lines, declared as World Patrimony by the UNESCO; the Nazca Lines are mystery traces done over the sand, covering an extension of 350km. These lines represent figures of several animals; plants and their dimensions are from 15 until 300 meters. According to Doctor Maria Reiche who had dedicated all her life to the study of these Lines, this is the biggest astronomical calendar of the world.

DAY 14.- PARACAS – BALLESTAS ISLAND – LIMA
08:00 AM Maritime Excursion to Ballestas Islands (stony formations that lodge Marine fauna where the big colonies of Guano Birds stands out) besides some species such as the Peruvian penguin are in extinction danger. Also there is a big colony of Marine’s wolfs and other species of mammals. Time for having lunch (Not included) and at 15:05 hrs departure to Lima, arriving 19:00 Hrs. Reception and transfer to your hotel in Lima. 
Accommodation in Lima.

DAY 15.- LIMA
Transfer to the Airport to take the flight to the country of your final destination.

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Hotels considered for the tour-South of Peru The Magic Route