Panoramic Peru

Resort: Panoramic Peru
Operator: Wendy Wu Tours
Destination: Latin America
Price From: £5290.00

Overview

On this thrilling journey, much of which is spent at altitude in the Andes Mountains, youll discover the heart of the Inca Empire at Machu Picchu, encounter soaring condors and sail on the waters of Lake Titicaca.

15 Day Panoramic Peru Tour Itinerary

DAYS 1-2: FLY TO LIMA

Fly to Lima, Perus historical capital. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy your first taste of Peruvian cuisine at a local restaurant a pisco tasting, Perus national beverage. (D)

DAY 3: LIMA CITY TOUR

Originally named the City of the Kings, Lima is rich in heritage, which youll see for yourself today. Start in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre to admire the colonial magnificence. Explore the 17th-century San Francisco Monastery. Visit Casa Aliaga, a beautifully-preserved colonial mansion, and finish the day at Huaca Pucilana archaeological centre. (B)

DAY 4: URUBAMBA VALLEY

Fly to Cusco and transfer to the Sacred Valley. Begin in Pisac to see the ruins and explore the colourful market. Continue to Ollantaytambo where you will meet an Inca community. Here you will have the opportunity to interact with the town’s inhabitants, as well as seeing the beautifully-preserved Inca houses and ancient Inca fortress. (B,L)

DAY 5: HUILLOC COMMUNITY

Visit the remote village of Huilloc this morning, where you will gain a cultural insight into life of the indigenous Quechua community. Meet the villagers and learn about their ancient customs. Admire the beautiful textiles produced by the women of Huilloc, who have a rich tradition of weaving by hand. Finish the tour with a cooking demonstration of a typical Quechua dish before enjoying lunch with the community.(B,L)

DAY 6: TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU

Leaving the Sacred Valley today, board the panoramic Vistadome train for your journey to Aguas Calientes, gateway to the world-famous Macchu Pichu. Transfer into a bus for your journey to the ruins. One of the worlds great archaeological discoveries, Machu Picchu sits on a mountain ridge 2430 metres above the Sacred Valley. Built around 1450, it was abandoned about 100 years later, and left undiscovered (the local people knew of it) until 1911 when it was brought to international attention. (B,L,D)

DAY 7: MACHU PICCHU

Enjoy the morning at leisure or choose one of these optional tours: take the challenging hike up to Huayna Picchu, a viewpoint overlooking Machu Picchu; Aguas Calientes thermal baths for a relaxing soak; or a second entrance to Machu Picchu for further explorations – perhaps even venturing up to the Intipunku or Sun Gate. This afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Cusco. (B)

DAY 8: DISCOVER CUSCO

Home to an incredible Incan legacy, Cusco has some of the richest heritage in Latin America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour will include visits to the Plaza de Armas, once the heart of the Incan capital of Huacaypata; and Qoricancha, the temple of the sun. Head just out of town to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Puka Pukara, the Red Fortess. In the afternoon, you will have the option to take part in a chocolate-making tour, followed by a Peruvian dinner and folklore dance show. (B,D)

DAY 9: TRAIN TO PUNO

Today take a train from Cusco to Puno. Journey through amazing Andean landscapes to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, passing through the spectacular Peruvian highlands. The train has 4 dining cars, a bar car and an observation car. Along the way you will enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared with exquisite Andean ingredients and there will be music and dance shows on board. (B,L)

DAY 10: LAKE TITICACA

Journey by boat across Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros, which are constructed entirely from reeds. Spend some time exploring and meeting the local Uros people before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Taquile. Once a stronghold of the Inca, you’ll find wonderful textiles here. After your tour of the island, head back to Puno. (B,L)

DAY 11: COLCA CANYON

Today travel to Colca, approximately a 5 to 6 hour drive, passing through Lagunillas and Tocra along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for flamingos, Andean ducks and llamas. Reach Pata Pampa at 4,820 metres altitude, where you can admire the volcanoes Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca and Mismi (the source of the Amazon River), as well as views of the Cordillera de Chila. Once in Chivay, enjoy the view of the terraces of the Colca Valley before time to bathe in the natural hot springs. (B,L)

DAY 12: TRAVEL TO AREQUIPA

After an early breakfast, depart Colca and travel to Arequipa. En route, stop at Condor Cross for a picturesque view of the canyon, and hopefully a few sightings of the native condors gliding on the thermals. Hopping back in the bus, youll also visit the remote Andean villages of Maca and Yanque. (B,L)

DAY 13: EXPLORE AREQUIPA

With interesting colonial architecture and being surrounded by volcanoes, Arequipa is quite a site. Head to the Carmen Alto viewpoint, visit Yanahuara Quarter and admire the UNESCO-listed Plaza de Armas and the Monastery of Santa Catalina. Continue on to the San Camilo market to buy ingredients with which youll cook a traditional dish with a local family and then dine together. Fly from Arequipa to Lima this afternoon, with a farewell dinner in Lima. (B,L,D)

DAYS 14-15: DEPART LIMA FOR UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the following day. (B)

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