Absolute Peru

When you arrive at Jorge Chávez airport a representative will welcome you and transport you to your hotel. Part of your free time today could be spent visiting Kennedy Park, Larcomar, or the panoramic view of the ocean. At night, you will be able to find one of the elegant restaurants where you can enjoy classic Peruvian cuisine.

At a previously arranged time we will pick you up from your hotel to set out toward the guided tour of the city of the kings. We will start the visit at 07:00am, and start exploring the down town of Lima, its colonial streets, the Plaza Mayor, the government palace, the Saint Franciscan convent where the catacomb it is. Later we will stroll around the china town, the street of la Union. Finally, we will return to tour hotel to pick up our items. Then you will transferred to the bus station and travel for 06 ½ hours to Nazca.

At a coordinated time we will pick you up from the hotel to bring you to the Maria Reich airport. Here, we will watch a documentary about the enigmatic Nazca lines, which will prepare us for an unforgettable plane ride over giant drawings etched into the sand in the driest desert in the world. During the flight you will observe a whale, an astronaut, a condor, a dog, a monkey, a hand, a tree, a lizard, a flower, a spider, a spiral, a parrot, a flamingo, and a hummingbird, in addition to the spectacular geometric lines that crisscross the vast plains. In the evening we will depart on the 10 hour journey towards Arequipa.

You will arrive the next day at around 7:00am, where a representative will greet you and bring you to your hotel. For part of the day you will be free to explore at your own speed. You can visit the local San Camilo market, where you will appreciate high quality works from the three regions of Peru (Costa, Sierra, and Selva). In the afternoon around 3:00pm we will pick you up from your hotel to begin our tour of the city, observing all the impressive colonial architecture. Other highlights include the main square, the cathedral and its balconies, and the Santa Catalina Monastery where you can find a miniature model of the city to aid your orientation. Next we will visit the Museo de Santuarios Andinos (Andean Sanctuary Museum) where you will see the mummy “Juanita,” discovered in 1998 in snowy Ampato. Later we will visit the Carmen Alto lookout, from which you will be able to view the white city in all its glory, as well as experience the natural marvel of the surrounding volcanoes Picchu Picchu (5669 meters above sea level), Misti (5822 meters above sea level), and Chachani (6075 meters above sea level). From here we will move to the Mirador de Yanahuara district to explore the narrow streets, quaint parks, and the Yanahuara church that dates back to the colonial era. Finally we will return to your hotel where you will have the evening to continue exploring, stopping off in one of the local restaurants for a scrumptious dinner.

Today between 8:00-8:30am a representative of Expedition Travel Peru will pick you up from your hotel to begin your journey to the natural spectacle of the Colca Canyon. Along the way we will make a number of stops to admire the stunning countryside, as well as see some of the local camelids (the larger family name for camel-like animals like alpacas and llamas). The local camelid – the vicuña – produces high quality fibers, and as such the animals are protected by the Peruvian government. There are also alpaca farms, who produce good quality wool as well, and many farms devote much of their land to their cultivation. Later, we will ascend to 4910 meters above sea level where we will observe more volcanoes and another spectacular view. From here will descend into the valley to the Chivay district, where we will find our next hotel. During the afternoon you will have free time, and if you feel up to it, you could visit the local hot springs. We recommend that you bring a swim suit with you.

Today at 6:30am we will pick you up at your hotel to set off towards the Cross of the Condor, where you will witness one of the most profound canyons in the world, stunning scenery, and the vast obelisk for which the area is named. After enjoying nature for a while, we will be ready to retrace our steps, stopping off along the way to experience even more of the beautiful Peruvian wild. Finally we will arrive in Chivay where there will be an optional lunch buffet. After enjoying the meal, we will be ready to return to Arequipa and settle into a hotel for the night.

Free day where you will have the opportunity to experience the white city in whatever way you would prefer. There are optional tours available, and lots to see including traditional markets, history museums and lots more.

At the arranged time, a representative will arrange for transport to the next hotel where you will receive more information about upcoming events. Later you will have free time through to about midday. During the afternoon we will meet you at your hotel to set out on a tour of the city. Highlights of the tour will include the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, where we will observe the massive walls built 100 years ago, the archeological center at Quencco, where we will see a giant rock covered in old carvings, and Puca Pucara, a fascinating construction in a rugged area. At the top of Puca Pucara, we will be met by a magnificent panoramic view. At the conclusion of the tour, we will return to the hotel for the night.

Between 8:00-8:30am a representative will meet you at your hotel to begin your journey to the beautiful Sacred Valley. On the way we will stop a number of times to witness snow covered mountains, and the rest of the colorful countryside. Eventually we will reach the archeological park at Pisac, where we will visit the feature spots, including the temple of the sun, a variety of local houses of historical importance, and the largest cemetery in the Inca civilization. When we reach the center of Pisac, you will find a colorful Andean market where you can purchase a huge variety of high quality local craftsmanship. From here we will continue along the banks of the Vilcanota River until we arrive at Urubamba where we will have an optional Andean buffet lunch. After the meal, we will continue to Ollantaytambo to visit the largest fortress from the Inca Empire. We will visit the most important sites in the fortress, before setting off by train for a 90 minute journey from Ollantaytambo towards Aguas Calientes. When you arrive, a representative will arrange your accommodation and we will finish for the night.

At 6:00am, our local guide will meet us at the hotel to bring us to the bus station. After a 30 minute ride we will arrive at the entrance to the city, where you will need your original travel documents (Passports, etc.). Next, our guide will bring us on a spectacular tour of the city, visiting all of the highlights (including the Temple of the Three Windows, the Temple of the Sun, the Inti Huatana, the Temple of the Condor and more). At the end of this unforgettable experience we will have free time to continue exploring at your own speed. Finally, we will take the return bus in time for easy transfer before the train departs.

At an arranged time we will pick you up from your hotel to transport you to the airport. In Lima, a representative will assist you in finding your accommodations, where our service will end.