Peru Complete Adventure – 12 Days

Welcome to Peru and its capital; this will be a very new experience.  You will find many differences in places but all lovely and accompanied by Peruvian people full of knowledge and kindness.

Right after landing, meet our Peru&U representative and be taken to your hotel. If you have any questions hanging around feel free to ask. This day is to relax and enjoy at leisure, or if you arrive in the afternoon sample some dishes at the Gastronomic Capital of South America.

If you are an intrepid urban cyclist this is the perfect tour around the must-sees of Lima. The meeting point is at your hotel heading out of downtown Miraflores. You’ll start by passing the most remarkable neighborhoods including the iconic Arequipa avenue and some of the residential mansions of San Isidro, featuring different architectural styles such as French, Tudor, Moorish, ArtDeco, central-European, and neo-colonial.

With an expert instructor guide, continue to Lima Center for a pass by at the National Stadium, and Plaza San Martin, stopping to admire the most representative conquistador’s colonial architecture. You’ll learn a lot about the city’s history and the highlights along the route. On the way back to Miraflores, you’ll bike along the famous “Malecon” by the cliffs of Lima overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Enchant with views of the coastline as you pass by the final sport at the Love Park. The rest of the day is to explore on your own and delve yourself into the City.

Cusco, the last gem of the Inca Empire, and place of epic battles is now your home for the days ahead. Take an opportunity to discover all that you have expected. Welcome to Cusco!

Meet our Peru&U driver and have a short transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon to acclimatize to Cusco’s high altitude. Take it easy as you roam around this World-Heritage city full of history and unique sights.

The day starts with a hop-on bus excursion out of Cusco. Our first stop is the small village of Pisac, for a visit to the open-air market, a hot spot for crafted products taken from every corner of Cusco. On a 20-min drive, follow a tour around the Pisac main ruins, nestled high on a 3,400 meters mountain, famous for featuring one of the best conserved Inca enclosures and stunning views with the backdrop of the endless cornfields at the bottom of the Valley.

After lunch, we’ll take you on to the iconic Ollantaytambo, set against the slopes of a rocky hill and decorated by terrace fields overlooking the town. The visit includes a visit of the old village and the Sun Temple, the idyllic point to snap some photos and hear the legends behind the Inca Culture. Before heading to Cusco, you’ll stop at the traditional market of Chinchero for a visit to a local craft center and learn about the fascinating process of Andean weaving. Arrive in Cusco in the evening.

Embark on your adrenaline-fueled adventure with a morning pick-up from your hotel to the Cusipata River Camp located 3 hours out of Cusco. Here, you’ll find a place to store your baggage, hot showers, toilets, a sauna, including a comfortable dining area. Before we head out for rafting, we’ll provide you with all proper equipment followed by a tour safety brief in hands of an expert river guide. Gear includes a self-bailing raft, helmet, wet suit, spray jacket, and paddle to be ready for this adventure.

After a 10-minute drive to Chuquicahuana, we’ll roll out the boats and have exciting rafting at the class 3 rapids of Vilcanota River. You will spend approximately 2 hours in the water covering a distance of about 3km. We’ll head back to Casa Cusi for lunch and indulge in a relaxing sauna. End off in the late afternoon with a transfer back to your hotel in Cusco. As the main adventure awaits tomorrow, you’ll meet the Guide for a pre-departure briefing on the Inca Trail.

We’ll depart Cusco at around 5:30 am sharp to onboard a tourist bus towards the Sacred Valley, having a short break in Ollantaytambo town for a wholesome breakfast. Reaching Km 82, the starting point of the trek, you will meet the trek crew making sure everything is ready and the group is registered. Just after passing the famous Urubamba River, you’ll officially begin the Inca Trail. The first day is easy enough to stretch yourself or the trek. Approaching Miskay, you’ll have lunch overlooking the beautiful complex of Llactapata, located next to a small riverbank. Here our guide will explain and share exceptional facts about the ruins. We’ll then pass by Wayllabamba lookout for epic mountain views followed by a climb up to Yuncachimpa, which is our campsite for the evening. Feast your eyes on the beautiful snow-capped Veronica Mountain as you settle down for the night.

• Difficulty: Moderate      • Hiking time: 6-7 hours    • Distance covered: 11 km/6.8 mi

This day consists of a free walk, being able to hike at the most desirable pace for each one, and meeting up during the short breaks. This portion will lead us to the Llulluchapampa Valley, where you’ll cross about 3km/2mi of the famous Peruvian Rainforest, a fairly steep path covered in mist, giving this place an enchanting atmosphere. Be delighted with the soothing sounds of water as you merge with nature!

You’ll pass the Valley of Llulluchapampa with a slow ascend of 2-3 hours until you arrive at the highest peak of the trek: Warmihuañusca Pass (the Dead Woman Pass). This is the most challenging stretch of the Inca Trail, but reward yourself with a short break at the Summit before embarking on a steep descent to Pacaymayo River, best known as the Sunrise River, while you head towards the Runkurakay Pass. Finally reaching the Campsite, Chaquicocha, your mission for the night will be to have some well-deserved rest from your adventurous hike, as you settle down and appreciate the beautiful mountain scenery.

Difficulty: Challenging         • Hiking time: 8-9 hours          • Distance covered: 15 km/9 mi

This part of the trail will leave you speechless as the surroundings s change into a tropical forest, one of the most wonderful gifts of nature on our way towards Wiñaywayna. At the second summit, you will pass a couple of beautiful lakes on top worth getting your camera out. Restart with a gentle climb through the beautiful Cloud Forest and a small Inca tunnel that offers spectacular views over the below Urubamba River.

Close by you’ll encounter The Town above the Clouds, the popular name for Phuyupatamarca, a beautiful a well-preserved site loaded with baths that prove to us the ingenuity of Inca engineering. On our walk, we will pass by another Inca tunnel before arriving in Wiñaywayna, which translated means ‘Forever Young’. Following a zigzag trail of Inca stairs, you’ll reach the last camping settlement, where you will be able to take a shower and sample some drinks.

• Difficulty level: Moderate – Easy • Hiking time: 5-6 hours • Total distance: 10 km/6 mi

This is the end of the trail but the most important day, after early morning breakfast, you’ll head off on the last leg, equipped with flashlights to guide you through the dawn darkness. Now approaching on a 4-hour walk to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). Here, you’ll be hypnotized by the first sights of Machu Picchu with astonishing views on the Lost Citadel.

On your way down the ruins, you’ll have a complete tour with our Guide uncovering the secrets and uses of the buildings and terraces, including a roam across the most important temples with mesmerizing views. Enjoy a complimentary walk around, and if you wish, the climb to Huayna Picchu (optional). Imagine yourself on top! (enquire for more details). The exploration finishes with a transfer to Aguas Calientes. This fun-packed day ends boarding the scenic train to Ollantaytambo followed by a bus transfer to Cusco. Arrive in Cusco in the evening.

• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate    • Hiking time: 2-3 hours      • Distance covered: 7 km/4.4 mi

From culture, mountains, and incredible experiences to the plateau in a great trip

Morning assist and transfer to the bus station. This full-day excursion will consist of a hop-on and hop-off guided tour across some of the most remarkable attractions in Southern Peru. Stop at the Andahuaylillas Church, best known to conserve spectacular Cusquenian baroque decoration dating back to the 17th century. Raqchi is another worth the value visiting as it has some of the biggest and few Inca constructions made out of adobe. Lunch will be served halfway in a local restaurant. Continue for a visit to Pucara and a stop at La Raya, which is the highest point of the tour and the border between Puno and Cusco.  Upon arrival in Puno, you will be assisted to your accommodation downtown. Spend the night at leisure at the tranquility of Lake Titicaca.

Today’s tour is about a 2-part journey navigating over Lake Titicaca! After a short transfer to Puno Port, you’ll start kayaking from Puno bay to the beautiful Uros Islands, famous to be made out of reed found in the Lake. Paddle to visit the different families, ancestral inhabitants for some cultural insights on their lifestyle and a ride on their hand-made boats.

Next, the trip will bring you by speed boat to Taquile Island, whose community members will warmly greet you and take you on a cultural experience, living in the same way for centuries using small-scale agriculture. This part consists of a demonstration of textile crafts and a tour around the corners of the Island with a private Guide, you’ll explore its nooks overlooking the vastness of Titicaca before lunch with local ingredients in town. Enjoy the last stretch taking our kayaks at Uros and paddling one more time back to Puno with exceptional lake views.

Leaving Peru is not an easy task due to such incredible emotions you had.  Take them into your memories 

Private transfer to Juliaca Aiport according to your flight schedule. You’ll connect from Lima to your international destination or next stop.