Discovering the Andes

Arrival in Lima according to your international flight schedule. Welcome by a member of our team and transfer to your hotel in the Miraflores district where you will spend your first night.

After breakfast, our transport service will pick you up for a drive south along the Panamerican Highway heading Paracas (approx. 4 hours).

Once there, you will visit the protected area. It was created in order to preserve a portion of the sea and desert of Peru and it is the only protected area on the Peruvian coast, home of mighty biodiversity.

Possibility to taste an excellent ceviche, the national fish dish of Peru in the small fishing port. Late afternoon free in Paracas.

Night in Paracas.

In the morning, you will take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands to see sea lions, penguins, pelicans and dozens of other bird species. From the boat you will be able to observe the famous candelabra carved in the desert, whose origin is still a mystery.

After the islands, we will go to Ica where we will have a meal in a restaurant where Pisco, the Peruvian national drink, is produced. 

Then you will pass by the Huacachina, a small oasis in the middle of the sand dunes. If you wish you can take a buggy ride or try your hand at sandboarding (not included).

Finally we drive to the village of Palpa, on the edge of the Nazca desert, where we will spend the night in a rural lodging in the middle of orange tree plantations.

Night in Palpa.

A private transportation service will take us to the city of Nazca, a journey of about 3 hours through the impressive landscapes of the Peruvian desert.

On the way, you will stop at the Mirador, the only place where is possible to look at some figures of the Nazca lines without taking a plane.

Then, you will visit the Maria Reiche museum, which was also her home, this German scientist had studied Nazca lines and their mysteries for more than 50 years of her life.

For those who wish to do so, you can take a flight over the Nazca lines in a small plane. This flight is not included in the price, if you are interested, ask for it, and your guide will arrange it.

In the afternoon, you will take a comfortable bus to Arequipa (approx. 9 hours) where you will arrive in the late evening. Transfer to the hotel.

Arrive at Arequipa city early in the morning and check into your hotel.

Visit La Ciudad Blanca de Arequipa, called that way because of its white buildings made of Sillar, a local volcanic rock. You will discover some of the colonial buildings of the historical centre, then visit the monastery of Santa Catalina, a small marvel of colonial architecture, in the heart of the city.

Finally, discover the big market and its local products. You will have the rest of the afternoon for yourself to explore the city. 

Night in Arequipa.

In the morning, you will have a drive to the Colca Canyon and to the village of Chivay. The route will pass through the Patabamba pass located at 4800m of altitude. (Approximately 4 hours drive).

Lost in the middle of the Andes mountain range, the Colca canyon is nearly two hundred kilometres long and is said to be deeper than the Colorado River, at 3100 metres.

Magnificent landscapes of Pampas, observation of vicuñas, llamas and alpacas. Some stop at will to admire the landscapes.

Once in Chivay, you can visit the local thermal baths and the village (entrance not included). 

Late afternoon free. Night in Chivay.

This day starts early, at dawn, you will visit "La Cruz del Condor", a viewpoint to observe the flight of the Royal Andean Condor. This wonderful bird can reach up to 3 meters in a wingspan with its wings spread out. Then we will visit the villages of Maca, Yanque and Chivay. You will enjoy the magnificent views over the valley, and observe the thousands of hectares of harmoniously designed terraces carved into the mountain called Andenes.

Around midday, you will take the road to Puno, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca. On the way, you will be able to observe flamingos (about 5 hours by car). 

Overnight in Puno.

In the morning, you will go to the landing stage and take a boat to the Uros Titinos islands. 

The Titinos are much less touristy than the traditional Uros island. A local family will explain their way of life and the traditional techniques used to build the floating islands. Then the boat will take you to the island of Amantani. 

Once you arrive at the port, you will be taken into the houses of different local families, then meet up for a walk to the top of the island to admire the sunset. If the sky is clear, you will be able to see the Cordillera Royal located in Bolivia, on the other side of the Titicaca lake.

Nigh at a local Amantani house.

In the morning, you will meet at the landing stage and take the boat to the neighbouring island of Taquile. A walk will allow you to cross the island on foot taking a steep path, for a gentle discovery of this magical place, known among other things for its famous weavers, whose tradition predates the Spanish colonial times.

You will share a traditional meal before taking the boat back to Puno in the afternoon.

Night in Puno. 

Bus from Puno to Cuzco through beautiful landscapes, with some stops on the way. First, you will have a stop at Pukara to visit a small regional museum, then to Raqchi to discover its interesting archaeological site.

And finally, the highlight of the day is a stop in the small village of Andahuaylillas where we will visit its church known as the Sistine Chapel of the Andes.

Arrival at the Inca capital around the end of the day. 

Night in Cuzco.

Today you will discover the colonial city of Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire.

Visit Koricancha (the temple of the Sun), which was the most sacred place of the Inca empire. Then we will discover the four neighbouring ruins of Qenqo, Pukara, Tambomachay and finally Saqsaywaman, the fabulous Inca wall above the city.

End of the day free in Cuzco. Night in Cuzco.

Today, you will discover the archaeological site of Pisac, one of the largest in the Sacred Valley. The ruins are located on top of a hill at the entrance to the Sacred Valley. The site features impressive agricultural terraces created by the Incas that are still in use today called Andenes. You will visit the lovely village market.

Then you will continue to the village of Ollantaytambo where you will visit its imposing Inca ruin, one of the only remains of Inca urban architecture with its buildings, streets and patios.

And finally, you will take the train to the lovely village of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of Machu Picchu. You will spend the night there.

Early morning climb to visit the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Your guide will show you the different sectors of the site with many fascinating explanations about the history of Machu Picchu, the way of life of the Incas, as well as the rediscovery of this site by the modern world.

In addition to Machu Picchu, there are two optional visits that can be made.

1: The Wayna Picchu. This is the sugarloaf-shaped mountain that dominates the site. Access is limited and reservations must be made well in advance. It is a steep climb on a steep path, offering a panoramic view of the site. Good physical condition is required (approx. 1-hour climb)

2: La Montaña Machu Picchu. An alternative to Wayna Picchu but located a little further back from the site, it also offers magnificent views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. This walk in a luxuriant flora is also sportive, there are a lot of stairs, so a very good physical condition is also necessary. (approx. 1.5 hours of climbing)

Only one of these two options can be done if there is space available at the time of confirmation of your trip. The supplement is 20 USD per person.

Return to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon and overnight in a hotel in Ollantaytambo.

In the morning we will leave Ollantaytambo on a route to discover of the open-air salt pans of Maras, where the exploitation of salt goes back to the time of the Incas. This landscape of thousands of terraces shaped by man is very impressive. The site of Maras is still exploited today by the locals in the form of a cooperative and the salt of Maras has become famous in world gastronomy.

Then visit the site of Moray, a real agronomic laboratory. The Incas had recreated different microclimates there thanks to a system of terraces, which allowed them to study seeds and crops and their yield according to the altitude.

Finally, you will stop in the traditional village of Chinchero, where you can admire some of the most beautiful traditional Andean clothes in Peru. Return to Cuzco.

Night in Cuzco.

Early transfer to Cuzco airport to catch a flight to Lima. 

Transfer to the bus terminal and then a comfortable day bus to Huaraz where you will arrive late in the day.

Arrival in Huaraz and transfer to your hotel.

Journey of about 5 hours by road/track in a private vehicle to the hamlet of Vaqueria where our muleteer will be waiting for you. Along the way you will see the magnificent Llanganuco lakes then pass the Portachuelo pass (4767m), from where you can photograph the Huascarán, Huandoy, Pisco mountains, and the Llanganuco valley with its two turquoise lagoons.

You will start our first day of walking, about 3-4 hours up to the Paria Valley and have a spectacular view of Mount Garcilaso.

4.5 hours of transport / 10.7 km of walking in 4-5 hours / elevation gain: + 404m / - 256 m

After breakfast, we will begin our walk of about 7 hours (14km) towards the camp of Taullipampa (4100). We will climb to the highest pass of this hike, Punta Unión (4760m). Our reward will be the superb view offered on the snow-capped mountains that are on this road: Artesonraju (the mountain of "Paramount Pictures", Quitaraju, Taulliraju, Alpamayo, Pucajirca, Rinrijirca, Caraz, Aguja. After having immortalized these landscapes in photos, we will descend to the camp for a well-deserved rest.

10.5 km walk in 6-7h / elevation gain: + 874m / - 580 m

That day, after a good breakfast, we will start our 6-8 hour walk (18 km). Arriving at the Quisuar turnoff, we will climb to the Alpamayo base camp (4400) and then we will hike to the Arhueycocha lagoon

We will then have a view of the Quitaraju and the Pucajirca in addition of course to the Alpamayo. Then return to Quisuar to continue the path to the Llamacoral camp. We will see a lot of trees called “queñual”, wild plants such as “Tarhui” and we will be able to observe wild ducks and Andean geese known as “huacha”.

18 km walk in 7-8h / elevation gain: + 314 m / - 707 m

Last day of quiet walking, downhill for about 2-3 hours to the village of Cashapampa at the exit of the Santa Cruz valley. During this day we will observe typical flowers of the region such as the "zapatitos del diablo" (the devil's shoes), "el machito" (the macho), the "patas de gallo" (the rooster's legs), as well as the Yanapaccha waterfall, resulting from the melting snow of the summit of the same name. A change of vegetation and landscape in a short time and which makes the charm of trekking in the Peruvian Andes.

From Cashapampa we will return to Huaraz in a private vehicle, a trip of about 3 hours.

9.7 km walk in 2-3 hours / elevation gain: + 17 m / - 859 m / 3 hours of transport

You will have the late afternoon free in Huaraz.

At the end of the morning you will take a comfortable bus from Huaraz to Lima where you will arrive around 8pm. Transfer to the Miraflores district where you will spend the night.

Free morning in Lima, then transfer to the international airport according to your flight time back home.