Presentation
Stages: Arequipa – Colca Canyon – Puno – Amantani Island – Taquile Island – Puno – Cusco – Moray – Salinas de Maras – Chinchero – Huchuy Qosqo – Ollantaytambo – Machi Picchu – Lima
Description: Discover the Quechua people in 14 days.
Day 1: Arequipa
We explore this magnificent colonial city nicknamed the White City, due to its facades built in sillar, a light volcanic rock. On the menu for this visit, the Saint Catherine Convent, a real city within a city with its streets, parks, cloisters.
We will also visit Juanita, one of the best preserved mummies in the world, discovered in 1995 at the top of the Ampato Volcano.
Night in Arequipa.
Day 2: Arequipenian campaign
Arequipa is a fertile land, halfway between the Andes and the coastal desert.
In the morning, we will go to the market to discover the basic elements of Peruvian gastronomy, before returning to the land and visiting the surrounding countryside. We will then know more about the colonial history of the region.
Night in Arequipa.
Day 3: Arequipa – Colca Canyon We leave early in the morning for Chivay, with a magnificent view of the volcanoes of the cordillera on the road. After entering the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve, we will come across herds of wild vicuñas, whose wool is even finer than cashmere, as well as other species of Andean fauna.
Arriving at the village of Chivay, located in the middle of green terraces dating back more than 1,500 years, we will have lunch, then continue to Cabanaconde where our hotel is located.
Night in Cabanaconde.
Day 4: Colca Canyon Breakfast and walk along the edge of the Canyon, waiting for the thermals which will perhaps motivate the Condors to make a magnificent flyover. Then, we will follow the Canyon to reach the villages of Pinchollo, Maca and Yanque.
Then we will return to Canocota, an Andean village, where Julia, our host for this stay, awaits us. You can accompany him for a bit of traditional activity in the fields.
Night at a local’s place.
Day 5: Colca Canyon – Puno
We are leaving this morning for a short, easy walk.
A small canyon will present itself to us. After 3 hours of hiking we will arrive at thermal baths for a moment of relaxation before departure towards Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Night in Puno.
Day 6: Puno – Amantani Island
Boat for the Uros, traditional islands built entirely of reed.
Then, we will continue towards Amantani Island, where our host families will pick us up. Installation in our rooms.
Magnificent landscapes, pre-Incan ruins, and an excellent introduction to the economic and social life of this “state within a state”.
Night at a local’s place.
Day 7: Amantani Island – Taquile Island – Puno
After breakfast, we board our return to Puno. We will again visit Taquile Island, recognized by UNESCO for its traditions and renowned for its crafts.
After lunch, we will return to Puno. Arrival late afternoon
Night in Puno.
Day 8: Puno – Cusco
We continue our journey today crossing the Peruvian highlands. Thanks to a special bus service that will stop at several sites of interest:
– Pukara, important pre-Inca ceremonial center
– the Col de la Raya at 4,335m.
– Raqchi, where the Temple of Viracocha, the creator god, is located
– Andahuaylillas with the Sistine Chapel of the Andes.
Night in Cusco.
Day 9: Cusco
In Cusco we offer several tourist and local activities. Our on-site experience will also allow you to experience the city from the inside. So, after the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, you will explore both the Temple of the Sun (or the Inca Museum of your choice) and the Central Market, while wandering the streets of the historic center and the bohemian district of San Blas.
Night in Cusco.
Day 10: Moray – Salinas de Maras – Chinchero
Visit the Sacred Valley.
We start with the weaving village of Chinchero, with the program, learning weaving and the wool dyeing technique.
We will then continue to the sites of the Maras salt works and the Moray agronomic laboratory.
Night in Chinchero.
Day 11: Chinchero – Huchuy Qosqo
We are leaving today for a day of walking.
After passing a pass at 4,300m we will descend on part of the ancient Inca path to arrive at our host family, located at the edge of the Huchuy Qosqo site.
Evening of sharing with our hosts.
Night at a local’s place.
Day 12: Huchuy Qosqo – Ollantaytambo
We visit the site in the morning before descending into the Sacred Valley.
Our bus picks us up, heading towards Ollantaytambo where we will visit its impressive Inca fortress.
Night in Ollantaytambo.
Day 13: Machu Picchu
Early in the morning, you take the train to Aguas Calientes, then you will enjoy a guided tour of the Inca citadel, considered a masterpiece of Inca architecture, classified as World Heritage and known as one of the 7 new wonders of the world.
Optional: The most courageous can climb the mountain Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu, two viewpoints overlooking the site, and offering at their summits a magnificent and significant view of the reasons why this Inca city was so long submerged in oblivion.
You will also have some time to isolate yourself and contemplate this site with the necessary calm.
We will then go back down, either by bus or on foot, towards the station to take the train back to Ollantaytambo then a bus to Cusco.
Night in Cusco.
Day 14: Cusco – Lima
Private transfer to the airport. End of our services.
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