Magical Peru

Departure with your guide for a visit to the historic center of Lima: Plaza San Martín and its imposing bronze equestrian statue of the Liberator José de San Martín. The Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Government Palace, built in 1938 on the site of the Pizarro Palace, which houses the residence; The offices of the President of the Republic. Cathedral of Lima (entrance included) The church of Santo Domingo (exterior) founded in 1540. The modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. Stop in the park of love perched on the cliff overlooking the Pacific and place of worship for all lovers. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon and free dinner to enjoy the city according to your wishes. Overnight at the hotel.

On the way to the small fishing port of El Chaco – Paracas for a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands. Visit the islands to see cormorants, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, sea lions and dolphins. When you get back from the boat, you will see the enigmatic chandelier of 128 meters high drawn on a hill of sand. Then we will visit a winery with tasting of pisco and lunch. Departure to Nazca. Upon arrival, climb to the 12 meter high orientation tower that allows you to see some of the Nazca lines. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Optional: Overflight of Nazca lines in 30 minutes (weather permitting). Transfer to the airfield to fly over the enigmatic Nazca lines. They are spread out in an immense desert landscape. Departure to Arequipa, nicknamed the “white city”, located between sea and mountain at 2360 meters above sea level. The city, characterized by its colonial architecture in white sillar rock, enjoys a spring-like climate throughout the year. Lunch. Stop at the Pisco fault, the oasis of olive trees and the road between the desert and the Pacific. Dinner at a local restaurant. Arrival in Arequipa in the afternoon, installation and overnight at the hotel.

Exit on foot to visit the historic center of Arequipa. Visit to the church of the Company. Visit the convent of Santa Catalina. Lunch in a picantería. Free afternoon and dinner in restaurant included to enjoy the city according to your wishes. Night at the hotel

Road to Puno crossing lunar landscapes of desert steppe. Lunch on the way Crossing the Aguada Blanca reserve known for its volcanoes with snowy peaks. On the way, the landscapes are varied; Lake Lagunillas is the resting place for migratory birds, such as the black ibis and the many flamingos. Arrival in Puno, in the heart of the altiplano, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Transfer by bus to the port of Puno and boarding the boat. Lake Titicaca covers approximately 8,562 km², of which 4,772 km² correspond to the Peruvian territory and the rest (3,790 km²) to Bolivia. Sailing to the Uros Islands, located 5 km from Puno. Meet with a family from the floating community. Sailing to the island of Taquile, located 35 km from Puno, where almost 2000 people live: there are no roads, no vehicles and the electricity supply is random. Famous for its fabrics and fabrics, the island of 5.5 km in length also offers archaeological remains: terraced crops. Climb slowly on foot along a path to discover the blue panorama of the lake and the sky with the snow-capped peaks of the imposing Cordillera Real of Bolivia as a backdrop. Arrival to the main town to meet the locals dressed in traditional colorful costumes with an important symbolism. Lunch at the community restaurant in Taquile. Return to the port (504 steps) to get to your boat and sail to the port of Santa María on the Capachica peninsula to stay in the community of Llachón. Dinner prepared by your family. Night in the inhabitant. The rooms are simple and clean, blankets are provided; the electricity is random; The bathroom often outside. Bathrooms with hot water provided with solar energy.

Departure by bus to Cuzco. Stop on the way to visit the archaeological site of Raqchi (30 min) or the Temple of Wiracocha (God of the Sun). Lunch at a local restaurant. Stop at La Raya, the highest point of the trip, 4300 meters that represent the boundary between the Altiplano and the Andean zone. It is also the old railway station with its 19th century water tanks that supplied boilers for steam locomotives. Arrival in Cuzco, archaeological capital of South America and ancient capital of the Inca Empire of Tawantinsuyo. Dinner and accommodation in Cuzco.

First stop in the village of Awanacancha, the park dedicated to camelids: you can feed the animals and assist in the spinning and dyeing of the wool with natural substances. Departure to Pisac and free time to walk through the Pisac market: first approach and exchanges with the Indians. Discovery of the archaeological site of Pisac. Lunch in the restaurant. Arrival in Ollantaytambo. Visit the town with its narrow streets paved with pebbles. Discovery of the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the train station and board the train to Aguas Calientes. Guided tour of the Machu Picchu site: majestic architectural ensemble inserted in a natural landscape absolutely out of the ordinary; Built on the top of the mountain, it is an Inca city formed by several neighborhoods in different levels perfectly adapted to the environment. Transfer by bus, lunch in Aguas Calientes, return by train to Aguas Calientes station. Continuation by bus to Cuzco, archaeological capital of South America and former capital of the Inca Empire of Tahuantinsuyo. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Walking tour through Cuzco with your French speaking guide: The Koricancha (entrance included), Inca site at the base of the church of Santo Domingo. Then walk down Loreto Street, bordered by Inca walls to Huacaypata, Cusco’s main square and the place where the Empire was founded. Discovery of the Inca stone in 12 angles. Visit of the district of San Blas: this district is the most beautiful and the most interesting of the city, with its steep streets and its old white houses. Finally we will discover the cathedral (outside). Lunch at a local restaurant. Free afternoon for a personal discovery. Dinner at a local restaurant with a folkloric show. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Cusco airport and flight to Lima and connection to country of origin