Exceptional Peru

In the morning, a guided tour of the city of Lima, experiencing its three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern. Panoramic view of the Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial center from the 4th century AD, considered a "sacred place" by the Incas.

Explore the Historic Center of Lima, with more than 50 colonial monuments and buildings: Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, the Cathedral Basilica and the City Hall. Visit the San Francisco Monumental Complex, with its underground catacombs.

To finish, tour El Olivar de San Isidro, Miraflores and the seaside shopping center of Larcomar.

After breakfast, transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Arequipa. On arrival, complimentary coca and muña tea to help you acclimatize to the altitude of the "White City".

Guided visit to the Arequipa Cathedral Basilica, located in the impressive Plaza de Armas and rebuilt after repeated earthquakes. Continue to the Yanahuara Viewpoint, whose volcanic sillar arches frame the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes. The visit concludes at the Santa Catalina Monastery, a vast colonial convent remarkably well preserved.

Scenic route to the Colca Valley. In the Aguada Blanca National Reserve you'll see wild guanacos, alpacas and vicuñas; in total, 169 animal species including 23 mammals and 138 bird species, such as the Andean parihuana flamingos.

The Patapampa Andean Viewpoint (4,900 masl) offers panoramic views of the Hualca Calca, Sabancaya and Ampato volcanoes. Continue to Chivay, the gateway to the Colca Canyon, with its systems of agricultural terraces built by indigenous communities. In the afternoon, access to the La Calera hot springs, located 3 km from Chivay, with healing waters at 38 °C.

Early departure to the Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint, near the towns of Maca and Cabanaconde. Here, Andean condors, with wingspans of up to three meters, glide in the thermal currents of one of the deepest canyons in the world.

Around 1:00 p.m., a journey of about 5 hours to Puno, the folk capital of Peru. The route crosses the Patapampa pass (4,900 masl), the highest point of the trip, with views of the Sabancaya, Ampato, Misti and Chachani volcanoes. Arrival in Puno around 6:00 p.m.

Full day on Lake Titicaca (3,810 masl), the highest navigable lake in the world. First, the Uros Floating Islands, built entirely from totora reeds and inhabited continuously since pre-Hispanic times.

Then, the island of Taquile, famous for its hand-woven textiles, recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Includes a traditional lunch on the island before returning to Puno.

A full-day cultural experience by bus with stops along the route: Pukará, one of the oldest ceremonial centers in the Altiplano, with intricate sculptures and burial sites.

The La Raya pass (4,335 masl), the natural border between the Quechua and Aymara cultures, with llamas, alpacas and vicuñas grazing freely. The Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi, an impressive Inca structure measuring 100 meters long, 26 wide and 14 high, with two naves and eleven colossal columns in each. And finally, the church of Andahuaylillas, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Andes", with spectacular Andean religious art.

Arrival in Cusco around 5:00 p.m.

Half-day guided tour (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) of the imperial city. It begins with the Cusco Main Cathedral, followed by the Qoricancha, the ancient Temple of the Sun that today houses the Santo Domingo Convent. These sites represent a fascinating fusion of Inca and Spanish colonial architecture.

The tour continues to the outskirts to visit four key archaeological sites: Sacsayhuamán, an immense fortress and ceremonial site shaped like a puma's head; Q'enqo, a spiritual site with carved rock formations and underground altars; Puca Pucara, a reddish military post that controlled access to the Sacred Valley; and Tambomachay, known as the "Temple of Water", with aqueducts and ceremonial baths.

Full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In the morning, visit to Pisac, known for its vibrant handicraft market and its impressive archaeological complex. You'll explore its hillside terraces, ancient irrigation systems, astronomical observatories and ceremonial structures such as the Intiwatana, the Inca solar clock.

Enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca settlements. This site served as a religious, residential and military center, with its enormous terraces, the temple of the sun and fortified walls.

At the end, you'll board the train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.

After breakfast, take an early morning bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu (2,430 masl), the iconic "Lost City of the Incas", perched above the Urubamba River valley. This 15th-century citadel was brought to the world's attention in 1911 by historian Hiram Bingham and is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With your expert local guide, explore the impressive stone structures, ceremonial areas, temples and terraces of this archaeological site located at about 2,430 meters above sea level.

In the afternoon, bus back to Aguas Calientes and train to Cusco. On arrival, transfer to the hotel to rest.

After breakfast, you'll be picked up at the scheduled time for your transfer from the hotel to Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima.

This is the end of your 11-day journey through Peru, including Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, the Colca Canyon and many other unforgettable destinations.