Discovery of South Peru

Arequipa - Colca Canyon - Lake Titicaca - Cusco - Machu Picchu

This stay, fast and intense in 10 days allows you to discover the mythical sites of the south Peru, from Arequipa to Machu Picchu.

A short flight from Lima takes you to Arequipa, the "White City" with houses built in sillar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Arequipa has one of the largest convents in the world, the Santa Catalina Convent. You climb slowly in altitude to reach Chivay and the canyon of Colca, where you observe the flight of the condor. The road continues to the port of Puno, where you enjoy a full day on Lake Titicaca. There, you visit the Islands Uros and Taquile before returning to Puno, crossing the Altiplano with stops at the archaeological site of Raqchi and the Sistine Chapel of the Andes: Andahuaylillas. You finally arrive in Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire, starting point to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT - LIMA

    INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT - LIMA Arrival in Lima and transfer to your hotel. Meals not included.

    Transport: Private car with driver - 1 hour
    No guide
    Accomodation: Hotel

  • Day 2 LIMA - AREQUIPA

    LIMA - AREQUIPA Short domestic flight from Lima to Arequipa. Nicknamed the White City because of its houses built with dried volcanic stones, Arequipa is listed as UNESCO World Heritage since the year 2000.
    You have all afternoon to visit the convent of Santa Catalina, the "Plaza de Armas" where the Cathedral seats, the museum Sanctuarios Andinos where you can come face to face with Juanita: the mummy found fifteen years ago in the summit ice of the Ampato volcano at over 6000m above sea level, where it was allegedly sacrificed during a pre-Columbian ceremony. Lunch and Dinner not included.

    Transport: private car with driver (1 hour) and plane (1 hour)
    No guide
    Accomodation: Hotel

  • Day 3 AREQUIPA - CHIVAY

    AREQUIPA - CHIVAY Departure for Chivay, in the Colca Valley at 3600m altitude. On the road, you cross the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve, which offers an impressive landscape of volcanoes, rivers and rock formations. In addition to vicuñas, you can see many other birds such as flamingos. The reserve is home to various volcanoes: the Mitsi (5,840 meters), Chachani (6,075 meters) and Ubinas (5676 meters), the most active of Peru. You also pass near the Chachani volcano.

    The road passes the Pata Pampa pass at 4800m altitude before going down into the valley to Chivay, the closest village to Colca Canyon. If you wish, you can stop and enjoy the famous thermal hot springs of Chivay. Lunch and dinner not included.

    Transport: private car with driver (3 hours)
    English-speaking guide
    Accomodation: Hotel

  • Day 4 CHIVAY - LAKE TITICACA

    CHIVAY - LAKE TITICACA After breakfast, you take the road to the viewpoint of the Cross of the Condor from where you take the measure of the depth of Colca Canyon (1200m). You admire the condors playing with the currents above your head and in the depth of the canyon. You rejoin Chivay with pauses at the miradors of Antahuilque and Choquetico and cross the traditional villages of Maca (3262m) and Yanque (3417m).
    In the early afternoon, departure by tourist bus to Lake Titicaca. On the road, you discover the landscapes of the Altiplano with the white cordillera in the background. Arrival at Puno in the early evening. Dinner not included.

    Transport: private car with driver (2 hours) and bus (6 hours)
    English-speaking guide in the morning
    Accomodation: Hotel

  • Day 5 PUNO - LLACHON

    PUNO - LLACHON Vous quittez la ville de Puno aujourd'hui pour rejoindre la paisible communauté de Llachon, située sur la péninsule du même nom. Au terme d'une route de 1h30 environ, vous êtes accueilli par vos hôtes. Vous déjeunez avec eux puis vous profitez d'un moment privilégié. Au choix : atelier tissage, atelier agriculture, randonnée jusqu'au sanctuaire ou encore, navigation en voilier traditionnel. La nuit venue, vous dîner et dormez chez vos hôtes.

    - Transport : véhicule privé jusqu'à Llachon
    - Accompagnement : chauffeur hispanophone pour le transfert
    - Restauration : petit déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner et dîner chez l'habitant
    - Hébergement : nuit chez l'habitant
    - Option : un guide francophone pour la journée

  • Day 6 PUNO - UROS - TAQUILE - PUNO

    PUNO - UROS - TAQUILE - PUNO In the morning, transfer to the port of Puno, where you take a collective boat to enjoy an entire day on the Titikaka with a Spanish/English-speaking guide. After about twenty-five minutes on the boat, you visit the floating islands. These are not natural, they have been built by the Uros whose main activity is fishing. You continue your navigation to Taquile, an island of great cultural interest whose inhabitants have remained without contact with the outside world for four centuries and have preserved their ancestral traditions. Men knit, women weave. Visit of the island and lunch in one of the restaurants of the island. You come back to Puno in the middle of the afternoon. Dinner not included.

    Transport: collective boat (4 hours)
    Spanish/English-speaking guide
    Accomodation: Hotel

  • Day 7 PUNO - CUZCO

    PUNO - CUZCO Departure by tourist bus to Cusco, navel of the Inca Empire. This itinerary allows you to enjoy beautiful landscapes all along the route, passing by the pass of the Raya, at 4320 meters above sea level. During various breaks on the road, you visit the Pukara Museum, the archaeological site of Raqchi, and the Sistine Chapel of the Andes in Andahuaylillas. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel. Dinner not included.

    Transport: tourist bus (9 hours)
    Spanish/English-speaking guide
    Accomodation: Hotel

  • Day 8 AREQUIPA LIBRE

    AREQUIPA LIBRE Apres le petit déjeuner de l'hôtel, la journée est libre. Surnommée la ville blanche en raison de ses maisons baties en pierres volcaniques séchées, Arequipa est inscrite au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO depuis l'an 2000. Nous vous conseillons la visite du couvent de Santa Catalina et la place d'armes où trône la Cathédrale. Repas libres et nuit à l'hôtel.

    - Pas de transport
    - Pas d'accompagnement
    - Restauration : petit déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner et dîner libres
    - Hébergement : hôtel de catégories 2 étoiles supérieur ou 3 étoiles
    - Option : un guide francophone pour la visite de la ville, un atelier cuisine ou encore une activité rafting

  • Day 9 CUSCO - 4 RUINS - PISAQ - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES

    CUSCO - 4 RUINS - PISAQ - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES Its early in the morning that you get to the 4 ruins that overlook the city. The fortress of Sacsayhuamán and its ramparts offer you a grand view of Cusco. Not far from there, the Inca sanctuary of Qenqo, the Puqa Puqara fort and the water temple of Tambomachay reveals some of the ancient Inca rites. You then leave for the Sacred Valley and the small village of Pisaq. There, you visit the vestiges that overlook the valley and stroll along some of its many terraces. You make your way to Ollantaytambo and visit its majestic fortress, one of the most important Inca constructions of the valley. In the early evening, departure by train for Aguas Calientes, the village located below Machu Picchu. You follow the tumultuous Rio Urubamba as you sink into a growing vegetation lush. Installation in your hotel. Lunch and dinner not included.

    Transport: private car with driver (2 hours) and train (1:30 hour)
    English-speaking guide
    Accomodation: Hotel

  • Day 10 AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

    AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO An early departure by shuttle will allow you, before the crowd coming from Cusco the same day, to make the most of the site. You discover Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, with a guided visit. Your guide shows you the different sectors of the city and you evolve in this fabulous complex of streets and temples.
    After a two-hours tour, you take the shuttle back to Aguas Calientes then, in train, travel to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon. You join Cusco in a private vehicle.
    Expected arrival in the evening and installation at your hotel. Lunch and dinner not included.

    In option, it is possible to do the ascent of Huayna Picchu, this famous mountain that dominates the site, and so enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Machu Picchu and the setting in which it is built. However, this climb can only be booked in one time slot (subject to availability, 400 places per day, please contact us as early as possible), will not be accompanied, and the verticality of its access requires not having the fear of heights. 2 hours walk back and forth.

    Note for the visit of Machu-Picchu: backpack of 25 liters maxi, plastic bottles prohibited

    Transport: shuttle (30 minutes), train (1:30 hours) and private car with driver (2 hours)
    English-speaking guide (for the guided tour of Machu Picchu)
    Accomodation: Hotel

  • Day 11 OLLANTAYTAMBO - MORAY - MARAS - CHINCHERO - CUSCO

    OLLANTAYTAMBO - MORAY - MARAS - CHINCHERO - CUSCO Votre journée commence par la visite des salines de Maras où, à 3 000 m d’altitude, une carrière de sel prospère depuis le temps des Incas. Le site vous montre avec brio l'ingéniosité humaine mêlée à la force physique des personnes qui travaillent encore ces bassins. Par la suite, visite des terrasses agricoles de Moray où les Incas menaient des expériences scientifiques pour améliorer la qualité des plantes en fonction de leur exposition à l’Inty, le dieu soleil. Vous remontez sur le plateau de Chinchero réputé pour son village de tisserands. Vous profitez d’une pause pour déjeuner. C’est dans l’après-midi que vous rejoignez Cusco. Installation à votre hôtel et fin de journée libre.

    - Transport : véhicule privé dans la vallée
    - Accompagnement : guide francophone jusqu’à Cusco
    - Restauration : petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner et dîner libres
    - Hébergement : hôtel de catégories 2 étoiles supérieur ou 3 étoiles

  • Day 12 CUZCO

    CUZCO A free day today lets you explore Cusco, fascinating Inca capital. We advise you to sink in the small streets of the city for to reach the Plaza de Armas then, by a maze of stairs, reach the district of San Blas. Nestled on a hillside, the atmosphere here is particularly seductive. We then suggest you continue your discovery of the city center by taking the Loreto street to observe the architectural peculiarities of the city, such as the thick Inca walls, beautifully erected, topped with imposing colonial buildings. A visit at San Pedro market, bubbling place of life, colors and flavors, is also worth a detour. Lunch and Dinner not included.

    No guide
    Accomodation : Hotel

  • Day 13 PUERTO MALDONADO

    PUERTO MALDONADO Vous vous réveillez dans la jungle la plus pure de cette planète. Vous prenez votre petit-déjeuner et, sans attendre, vous vous rendez à pied au lac Victor. La zone est marécageuse mais un réseau de pont et de chemin vous tiens relativement au sec. Le lac Victor est enfaite une forêt immergée. Vous montez au mirador d’où vous appréciez la vue sur le lac et sur les espèces qui le peuplent. Retour au lodge pour le déjeuner. Pour digérer le repas, vous prenez la direction de l’île aux singes. Ce lieu est enfaite un îlot situé en plein milieu du fleuve Madre de dios. Bien que la jungle et la vie sauvage soit imprévisible, vous devriez observer une grande diversité de singes tel que le Capucin, le Singe-lion ou encore le Coati. Vous profitez du coucher de soleil depuis un autre point de vue puis vous rentrez au lodge. Dîner et soirée libre.

    - Transport : véhicule privé pour le transfert à Cusco, vol intérieur vers Puerto Maldonado et transfert en bateau pour le lodge
    - Accompagnement : transfériste francophone à Puerto maldonado
    - Restauration : petit déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner libre et dîner au lodge
    - Hébergement : lodge Eco Amazonia ou similaire selon disponibilité (réservé)

  • Day 14 CUSCO - LIMA - INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

    CUSCO - LIMA - INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT Transfer from your hotel to the airport and then domestic flight from Cusco to Lima and international flight for your return home.

Period & budget

When to travel?

The best period for travelling is during the following months:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Price

From 1055 $ per person (basis 4 people)

The budget is an indication of the price per person, subject to availability. Your local agent will send you a customized quote with the exact price. The price can vary according to availability, level of services, period of travel, number of participants, booking time frame and other items.

Included

- English speaking guide as indicated in the itinerary
- Accomodation and breakfast
- Transportation (except domestic flights)
- Hispanic speaking driver for transfers
- Entrance fees on Machu Picchu

Not included

- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Lunches and dinners indicated as "not included" in the itinerary
- Other entrance fees (count more or less 100USD per person)

Terms and conditions

Inscription

Booking a trip with Altaï Peru implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 30% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.

Facturation

Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. Altaï Indonesia reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.

Annulation

If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, Altaï Peru require written confirmation of your decision. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:

  • Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
  • Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained

Special cases:

Please note that, regardless of the date of cancellation or modification if you have agreed to pay for services such as hotel reservations, flights or additional activities, these services are usually non-refundable so additional fees may apply.
  • Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan
  • Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.
  • Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.

Please note that fees apply according to the date Altaï Peru receive your cancellation or modification request in writing.

If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.

Modification du contrat

If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact Altaï Peru in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Altaï Indonesia may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.

Prix et révision des prix

The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. We reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.

Cession du contrat

If you are unable to travel for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out personal travel insurance for your trip with Altaï Peru as soon as your booking is confirmed. We advice you to purchase a travel insurance policy which covers flight cancellations, luggage loss and emergency health care. Please look carefully at which activities are covered by your insurer and do not forget to bring all necessary documents and information with you (name of the company, name of the contract, insurance policy number, telephone number...)

Practical info

Staff

- English speaking guide as indicated in the itinerary
- A Spanish-speaking driver for every trip in private car

 This trip is completely custom made, we can change any detail of the trip together

Food

Tap water isn't always drinkable. You will find bottles of water for sale in every city and town, and sometimes even in the small communities. Before leaving for a trekking, you can ask your guide to give you more details about where to find water during the trekking.

The Peruvian gastronomy is often considered as one of the most tasteful of the whole of South America. As varied as the rest of the country, the gastronomy seduces with its diversity. During your independent meals, you can enjoy a delicious ceviche (raw white fish with a slighty spicy sauce and accompanied by sweet potato and corn), or try grilled Cuy, Lomo Saltado  or Seco de cabrito. Often served with potatoes (more than 3,000 varieties in Peru).

However, it is recommended to avoid eating raw aliments on the local markets, and to make sure the meat an fish is appropriately cooked before consuming it. As anywhere else in the world where tap water isn't drinkable, we advise you not to ask for ice in your drink, wash your hands regularly and before meals.

Accommodation

- Comfortable hotels in the cities (double room, private bathroom). The standard of Peruvian hotels doesn't always match the standard of Western hotels, even of good category. Some hotels don't have central heating.

 This trip is completely custom made, we can change any hotel of the trip together

Transportation

Transport
- Private vehicule: Number of seats adapted to the size of the group (up to 15 passengers). Even though the vehicules are comfortable and well-maintained, some rides are extremely long. You will however enjoy regular stops and beautiful landscapes along those rides.
- Touristic bus: comfortable bus that can receive nearly 50 people. Accompanied by a Spanish and Englsih-speaking guide, a few stops are programmed along the way to allow you to discover some remote sites. Toilets are available on board.
 
 This trip is completely custom made, we can change any type of transport during the trip together


Machu-Picchu
- The train companies that propose the trip to Machu Picchu only authorize 8 kilos per person

Budget & exchange

National money: the Peruvian Sol

1 USD = 3,30 Soles (10/04/2019)
1 EUR = 3,70 Soles (10/04/2019)
1 GBP = 4.30 Soles (10/04/2019)

Exchange : you can change your money at bureau de change in every airport and big city, or you can withdraw money at ATM (Visa, American Express, Master Card)

We recommend you to do your every day purchases (meals, drinks, souvenirs,...) with the Peruvian Sol. The American Dollar, as well as the Euro and the Pound are easily exchangeable in any city.  Attention, any note with tears or gashes are at risk of being declined.

Tips

Costumary but non-mandatory habit, you can give a tip to your guides and local teams of helpers at the end of your trip. The amount of the tip can vary according to your satisfaction with your trip. On a general scale, you can count about 2 USD per day and per person. You can also bring small gifts such as books, notebooks, games, crayons,... 

Vital equipment

- Light hiking shoes: waterproof, with non-slip soles
- Classic shoes: to be more comfortable at night, in the cities,...

- Wool socks as well as classic socks
- Comfortable pants (sportswear)
- 1 legging for the nights
- Swimsuit
- Warm underwear
- Fleece jacket
- Winter jacket (optional)
- Windbreaker
- Poncho
- Gloves and woolly hat

- Hat, cap or headscarf: very important. Because of the altitude, the sun burns more effectively and it's important to be protected

Material

- Sunglasses (very high brightness in altitude)
- Sun screen (face and lips )
- Headlamp
- Walking sticks: optionals

Helpful equipment

- Insulated flask (plastic bottles are prohibited on the Machu Picchu)
- Plastic bags to help keeping your belongings dry
- Toilet paper
- Sandals

Luggage

- Overnight bag in resisting fabric, ideally with lateral closings
- Backpack to carry your lunch, water an personal effects

Machu Picchu: attention!!
- Trip on the train: maximum of 8kg per person
- Visit of the site: 30 liters backpack maximum

Medicine

We recommend you to bring your own  medicine (non-exhaustive list):

- Personal medicine
- Paracetamol
- Anti diarrheic
- Broad-spectrum antibiotic 
- Antacid medication
- High protection sunscreen for the lips and the skin
- Eyewash
- Moisturizing cream to treat superficial burns (sunburns and blisters)
- Band-aids and antibacterial compresses
- Purifying tablet to disinfect water
- Insect repellent (for Machu Picchu, Amazonia or Inca trail)

Passport

- We need your passport coordinates as early as possible after tour inscription (essential in order to start the reservations: receiving your passport later can render some reservations difficult, even impossible)
- The passport has to be valid 6 months after the end of your trip to Peru. Canada and UE citizens don't need a visa. Citizens of other countries have to check the visa conditions for a trip to Peru.

Mandatory vaccines

- Peru: No mandatory vaccine
- Bolivia: Mandatory yellow fever vaccine. Altaï Peru's responsability cannot be engaged if your vaccination card was incomplete and Bolivian authorities were refusing to allow you access.

Electricity

- 220 volts, 60Hz
- Possibility to use flat plugs (US and Canada) or round plugs (Europe). A universal adaptator is recommended for people from other countries (UK, Ireland...)

Local time

- Summer : -6h with London
- Winter : -5h with London
Request a quote
Region
CUZCO - MACHU PICCHU SOUTH PERU
Activity
Best-of Culture and Discovery
Duration
14 days
Code
UPACIND
Price
From €2,055
Level
1/5
Comfort
3/5

Strengths

- Rapid discovery of South Peru
- Every major site of the region
- Days in Cuzco and Arequipa to relax and visit

Guide's advice

If you only have 9 days and want to see as much of Peru as possible, this is the trip for you.
An additional day will allow you to stop at Ollantaytambo and visit the archeological site of Moray and the Maras Salineras

Required level

No specific difficulty, you are climbing fastly in altitude but there are no particular efforts

Download trip details

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