Day 01: Arrive Lima

We are welcomed at the airport and transferred to our hotel.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores Hotel (2 nights)

Day 02: Lima

We explore the Historic Centre of Lima*. Although severely damaged by earthquakes, this 'City of the Kings' was, until the middle of the 18th century, the capital and most important city of the Spanish dominions in South America. Many of its buildings, such as the Convent of San Francisco (the largest of its type in this part of the world), are the result of collaboration between local craftspeople and others from the Old World. We will be visiting the centrally located Plaza Mayor (main square) designed and built by the famed Francisco Pizarro. Here we explore the Cathedral, Palacio de los Virreyes, Palacio Arzobispal and Palacio Municipal. We also visit the San Francisco Convent, arguably the most beautiful architectural complex in the city. (B)

Day 03: Lima/Huaraz (Drive)

We will be transferred from our hotel to the bus station to board the bus to Huaraz. It is an approximately 9-hour drive. On arrival, we will be assisted at the bus station and taken to our hotel to acclimatize to the altitude. Rest of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Andino Club, Huaraz (2 nights) (B)

Day 04: Huaraz/Chavin De Huantar/Huaraz (Drive)

We take a full day excursion to visit the Archaeological Site of Chavin*. The Chavin culture developed between 1500 and 300 B.C. This former place of worship is one of the earliest and best-known pre-Columbian sites. Its appearance is striking, with its complex of terraces and squares surrounded by structures of dressed stone, and its carved animal ornamentation. We will see the Lanzón de Chavín, the Stone of Choquechinchay, an impressive network of internal labyrinths and a great concentric ceremonial plaza before our return to Huaraz. (B, L)

Day 05: Huaraz/Huascarán National Park/Trujillo (Drive)

We visit the Callejon de Huaylas, including Carhuaz, Caraz, Yungay and Lake Llanganuco, situated in the Huascarán National Park*. Found in the Cordillera Blanca, the world's highest tropical mountain range, Mount Huascarán rises to 6,768 meters above sea-level. The deep ravines watered by numerous torrents, the glacial lakes and the variety of the vegetation make it a site of spectacular beauty. It is home to species such as the spectacled bear and the Andean condor. In the evening, we will be taken to the bus station to board our bus from Huaraz to Trujillo. The bus departs around 9:00 PM and arrives in Trujillo the next day around 6:30 AM.

Overnight: On the bus (1 night) (B, L)

Day 06: Arrive Trujillo

We arrive in the morning. Early check in is subject to room availability. We will have all day to ourselves to rest at the hotel or walk around the city.

Overnight: Hotel Libertador, Trujillo (3 nights) (B)

Day 07: Trujillo/Chan Chan/Huanchaco/Trujillo (Drive)

We visit the Arco Iris Temple (Dragon Temple), built by people of the Chimu culture, and the Chan Chan Archaeological Zone*. The Chimu Kingdom, with Chan Chan as its capital, reached its peak in the 15th century, not long before falling to the Incas. The planning of this huge city, the largest in pre-Columbian America, reflects a strict political and social strategy, marked by the city's division into nine 'citadels' or 'palaces'. This place was home to 100,000 habitants who stubbornly resisted the expansion of the Inca Empire. We then continue to Huanchaco, a traditional seaside town, to watch local fishermen on their traditional “Caballitos de Totora” reed boats before returning to our hotel in Trujillo. (B)

Day 08: Trujillo

Today, explore the amazing Sun and Moon pyramids, the center of power of the Moche civilization. Here we get to see stunning sets of mud-brick friezes on the walls of the Temple of the Moon that have been recently excavated by archaeologists. We will also be able to appreciate several artefacts and tombs of the Moche civilization at the Site Museum of Huacas de Moche. (B)

Day 09: Trujillo/Sipan/Tucume/Chiclayo (Drive)

Journey on to Chiclayo. Along the way, we will visit Sipan or Huaca Rajada, the place where the most important archaeological discovery of Peru was made in recent times. Here we will see a replica of the Tomb of the Lord of Sipan and other nearby tombs. We then visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan to admire the magnificent collection on display in the most modern museum of Peru. Finally, visit the Ceremonial Center of Tucume, an archaeological complex consisting of 26 pyramids. This site was the second capital of the Lambayeque or Sican culture.

Overnight: Costa del Sol Hotel, Chiclayo (1 night) (B)

Day 10: Chiclayo/Lima (Flight)

We are transferred to Chiclayo’s airport for our flight to Lima (cost not included). On arrival in Lima, our local representative meets us and transfers us to our hotel. The afternoon is free. In the evening, we will visit Colonial Lima by night. From the historical center, we will be taken to the bohemian district of Barranco to enjoy a buffet dinner with a folkloric dance show.

Overnight: Cada Andina Premium Miraflores Hotel, Lima (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: Lima/Caral/Lima (Drive)

We take a full day excursion from Lima to visit the Sacred City of Caral-Supe*, a 5000-year old archaeological site. This site is situated on a dry desert terrace overlooking the green valley of the Supe river. It dates back to the Late Archaic Period of the Central Andes and is the oldest centre of civilization in the Americas. Exceptionally well-preserved, the site is impressive in terms of its design and the complexity of its architecture. One of 18 urban settlements situated in the same area, Caral’s monumental architecture includes six large pyramid structures. A quipu (the knot system used in Andean civilizations to record information) found on the site testifies to the development and complexity of Caral society. (B, L)

Day 12: Lima/Nazca Lines/Lima (Drive/Flight)

We take a bus to Paracas and drive to Pisco. Here board a light aircraft, enjoying a flight over Pisco, Ocucaje, Palpa and the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana*. Located in the arid Peruvian coastal plain, the geoglyphs of Nasca and the pampas of Jumana cover a vast area of about 450 square kilometers. These lines, which were scratched on the surface of the ground between 500 B.C. and A.D. 500, are among archaeology's greatest enigmas because of their quantity, nature, size and continuity. The geoglyphs depict living creatures, stylized plants and imaginary beings, as well as geometric figures several kilometers long. They are believed to have had ritual astronomical functions. After our experience, we return to Lima. (B, L)

Day 13: Lima/Arequipa (Flight)

We are transferred to the airport for our flight to Arequipa (cost not included) to visit the Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa*. Built in volcanic sillar rock, the centre represents an integration of European and native building techniques and characteristics, expressed in the admirable work of colonial masters and Criollo and Indian masons. This combination of influences is illustrated by the city's robust walls, archways, vaults, courtyards and open spaces, as well as the intricate Baroque decoration of its facades. We explore the Main Square and its colonial buildings, the Church of the Society of Jesus and the colourful fresco paintings at the San Ignacio Dome, known as America’s Sistine Chapel. We then head to the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, a spectacular religious citadel integrating architectural styles from the 16th to 19th centuries covering an area of 20,000 square meters. We will also visit the typical districts of Cayma and Yanahuara, the latter with its famous viewpoint of El Misti Volcano and church.

Overnight: El Cabildo Hotel, Arequipa (1 night) (B)

Day 14: Arequipa/Cusco (Flight)

We take a short flight to the City of Cusco* (cost not included). Situated in the Peruvian Andes, Cusco developed, under the Inca ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban centre. It was surrounded by clearly delineated areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production. When the Spaniards conquered it in the 16th century, they preserved the basic structure but built Baroque churches and palaces over the ruins of the Inca city. Here we visit the Temple of the Sun, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. We then drive to explore the Inca fortress of Sacsahuaman, the temple of Kenko and the Inca baths in Tambomachay.

Overnight: San Agustin Plaza Hotel, Cusco (1 night) (B)

Day 15: Cusco/Sacred Valley (Drive)

Today we head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the Fortress of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, a town famous for its handicraft market (Sun, Tue & Thu), full of color and tradition.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Hotel, Sacred Valley (1 night) (B)

Day 16: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu/Cusco (Drive)

We drive to the train station in Ollanta to board the Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes for our visit to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu*. These epic ruins stand at 2,430 meters above sea level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height. Its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. Lost in history, it was not discovered until 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. After our guided tour, we return to Cusco in the late afternoon.

Overnight: San Agustin Plaza Hotel, Cusco (1 night) (B, L)

Day 17: Cusco/Puno (Drive)

Today we take a trip on a special bus to Puno that will allow us to appreciate the wonderful landscapes en route. The journey includes a stop at La Raya pass (4,300 meters above sea level), the natural boundary between Cusco and Puno, from where we can take photos of the snow-capped Andes Mountains. We will also stop at the ruins in Raqchi, known as Temple of the God, as well as Wiracocha, and Andahuaylillas village, to visit a beautiful church from the 17th century with an impressive organ decorated with angels and cherubs.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Hotel, Puno (2 nights) (B)

Day 18: Puno/Lake Titicaca/Taquile/Puno (Boat)

Today we explore Lake Titicaca by boat. First we will visit the man-made islands of the Uros people, also known as People of the Lake. Each island is built by hand out of layers of reed. We then head to Taquile Island, where the local community maintains their traditions, customs and colorful clothing. The islanders are skilled craftspeople and express in each piece astonishing techniques developed by their ancestors for centuries. (B)

Day 19: Puno/Sillustani/Lima (Flight)

We visit the archaeological site of Sillustani, located 34 kilometers north of Puno. This ancient cemetery site is filled with the tower-like chullpa tombs, built out of stone up to a height of 12 meters. Nearby is Umayo Lake, offering a beautiful and mystic landscape. We then head to Juliaca, flying to Lima (cost not included) to connect with our departure flight. Alternatively, continue our adventure with Bestway tours to other parts of South America, including nearby Bolivia. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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