Comprehensive Peru

Arrive in Lima
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Now the capital of Peru and its largest city, Lima was once called the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors. If you look beyond the urban sprawl, you'll be rewarded with the National Museum's pre-Columbian treasures and Plaza Mayor's colonial splendour.

Exclusive Lima City Tour
Depart this morning on a 5 hour sightseeing tour exploring the most impressive sights of Lima along with some of our handpicked favourites. We will start in Miraflores market, a vibrant place visited by local chefs for its wonderful variety of fresh produce from the coast, the Andes and the Amazon. Take the chance to learn more about Peru’s diversity reflected in the colourful assortment of vegetables, fruits, fish and condiments.

On the way to Lima’s downtown we pass by ‘Huaca Pucllana’ an ancient adobe pyramid structure which served as one of the region’s most important ceremonial temples between the years of 200 AD and 700 AD. We continue to the San Isidro district and visit the impressive ‘El Olivar’ Park before stopping at the Pisco Museum where you have the chance to taste Peru’s national drink, the ‘Pisco Sour’ (optional, not included). Later we visit Lima’s downtown with its historic and traditional buildings: the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s palace and the Metropolitan City Hall surround the Main Square. Continue to San Francisco church and monastery, a 17th century jewel, recognised as a cultural heritage site by UNESCO.

This tour finishes with a guided visit of the Larco Herrera Museum. This is a fabulous private museum with an exquisite collection of gold and silver treasures from ancient Peru. Many pieces in this museum are now world famous after having been exhibited in the best museums around the world.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the city on your own.

Breakfast included.

Lima to Paracas By Bus
At an appropriate time, you will be picked up from your hotel on a private transfer and taken to the bus station to take the regular tourist bus from Lima to Paracas.

Upon arrival in Paracas, you will be picked up on a private transfer and taken to your hotel.

Nazca Lines Flight
You will be transferred to the airstrip in Pisco for your 1.5 hour flight over the Nasca Lines aboard a modern small airplane. During the flight you can see and take pictures of the most famous figures: The Condor, the Hummingbird, and many more. Best viewed from the air, these huge geometric patterns and hundreds of perfectly straight lines were carved into the desert sand by the Nasca people centuries ago.

After your flight you will return to your hotel where you can spend the afternoon at your own leisure.

Breakfast included.

Ballestas Islands
This exciting two-hour boat ride aboard Hotel La Hacienda’s own roofed cruise vessel is the perfect way to explore the fragmented Ballestas Islands, known for their abundance of sea lion colonies and families of chattering Humboldt Penguins.

The islands are often described as a so-called ‘mini Galapagos’ due to the unusually high levels of coastal wildlife which lives here. Along the way, you will pass the ‘Candelabro’; a giant geoglyph carved into the desert dunes, though flawlessly visible from the water. Little is known as to the origins or meaning of this ancient creation, with its appearance not dissimilar to that of the more famous Nasca lines, adding a little archaeological intrigue into the excursion. The main event, however, is, of course, the wildlife, so sit back and enjoy the ride along this intriguing section of Peruvian coastline.

Bus to Lima
You will be picked up and transferred to the bus station to take the tourist bus from Paracas to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Breakfast included.

Arrive in Lima
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Now the capital of Peru and its largest city, Lima was once called the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors. If you look beyond the urban sprawl, you'll be rewarded with the National Museum's pre-Columbian treasures and Plaza Mayor's colonial splendour.

Arrive in Arequipa
On arrival at the airport in Arequipa you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Breakfast included.

Arequipa City Tour
Because some of the old buildings are made of white volcanic material (sillar) Arequipa is also known as the ‘white city’. You will visit the extraordinary Santa Catalina Convent. This cloister, built in the 16th century, is a huge construction which once served as a town within itself housing 450 nuns. Traditionally, the oldest daughters of Arequipa’s aristocratic families entered the convent in their early teens and spent their lives there, cloistered away. The convent complex has been beautifully refurbished, bringing the past vividly alive once more. After the visit of the convent you will head to the Yanahuara lookout point for a magnificent view of the Misti Volcano and the city.

Breakfast included.

Arequipa to Colca Canyon
After a breakfast in the early morning you will be picked up at your hotel approximately between 07:30 and 08:15 am (no exact time can be confirmed). After all other travelers are picked up from their hotels, we will leave Arequipa and head towards Colca Valley.

On your way you will pass Pampa de Arrieros, Pampa Cañahuas (where we find the Vicuna National Reserve of Aguada Blanca), Vizcachani and Tojra, a good place for spotting Andean birds. The majestic volcanoes Mismi (5,597 m/18,360 ft), Misti (5,825 m/19,110 ft), Chachani (6,075 m/19,930 ft) and the glaciers Ampato (6,288 m/20,630 ft), Sabancaya (5,976 m/19,606 ft) and Hualca Hualca (6,288 m/20,630 ft) provide picturesque panoramic views as you enter the Colca Valley.

After approximately four hours on the road you will arrive in Chivay, the most important town in the Colca Valley, where you will make a short stop to explore the local market. Here you also will enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant.

Afterwards you will continue the journey to your hotel.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Colca Canyon to Lake Titicaca
Early morning drive to an observation point located between Maca and Cabanaconde, one of the deepest parts of the canyon. Here, you will find the perfect spot to look down 1,200m (3,937 ft) into the canyon at ‘Mirador Cruz del Condor'. It's here that the legendary condor, the bird with the largest wingspan in the world, can be seen rising and circling on the morning thermals, silhouetted against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery. You will then stop in some of the picturesque towns to visit their colonial churches.

You then say goodbye to the Colca Canyon and continue your trip towards the Altiplano: landscapes featuring volcanoes, lakes and vicuna and alpaca herds as well as different kinds of cacti. The average altitude en route reaches 4,500 m (14,700 ft). After a 6-hour ride you will reach Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Breakfast included.

Uros and Taquile Islands
This morning we board our speed boat for the cruise to the Uros and Taquile Islands. By taking a speed boat we save 2 hours travel time giving you more time to explore the islands.

Our first stop is to visit the Uros Indians, who live on islands of floating reeds and, save for a few modest concessions to the modern world, still live as their ancestors would have done centuries ago. We continue on to Taquile Island where we will tour around the ruins and visit these beautiful people, world famous for their intricate and fascinating weavings. After lunch we will return to Puno and transfer back to your hotel.

* If you have an extra day then we recommend spending this evening in an authentic Lake Titicaca island home. On the following day you will return to Puno via Taquile Island.

* Please note, this tour requires you to climb the steep Taquile island known for its number of stairs to eat lunch. If you feel this does not suit you please contact us for alternatives.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Bus to Cusco
At the appropriate time today you will be transferred from your hotel to the bus station where you will board a bus and travel along the Vilcanota River and onto the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle. This spectacular journey gives adventurers another taste of the vivid Andean landscape of Peru. Although it is quite a long drive (approx. 10 hours), it is interesting and often spectacular.

There are scheduled short stops at interesting sites. The first one is at La Raya Pass (4,335 m/ 14,172 ft) to enjoy a panoramic view of the snow-capped Andes. Lunch will be served in a typical restaurant en route. Then your tour continues to visit the Viracocha Temple. This was the only Inca temple featuring cylindrical stone columns covered by fine clay layers. The last stop is in Andahuaylillas known by its baroque church dating from the 17th century.

On arrival in to Cusco you will be met by our representative who will transfer to from the bus station to your hotel. In the evening there are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Cusco.

Optional upgrades (ask us for pricing):
Private Transfer: A ten-hour road trip with your guide in private vehicle takes you through picturesque Andean landscapes dotted by small villages and herds of llamas and vicunas to your destination Cusco.

Swap the bus for a train ride. **Available Wed, Fri, Sun**:
This spectacular rail journey begins in Puno and travels north to the historic city of Cusco. This train journey cuts across the formidable Peruvian Altiplano. The journey is dominated by the magnificent Andean mountains rolling Andean Plains, where vicuñas and alpacas can be seen. The observation car with bar will provide the perfect opportunity to view the beautiful scenery. A gourmet lunch will be served on board one of the four dining cars. Traditional dances and music will be presented during the journey to make the special experience complete.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Cusco City & Nearby Ruins Tour
Your comprehensive city tour in the afternoon includes the beautiful Koricancha, also known as Sun Temple, the Cathedral as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca building, and the amphitheater of Kenko. Then you drive past Puca Pucara (no stop / no visit), a strategically located 'red fortress' that dominated the entire area before visiting Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts that to this day continue to provide clean water to the area.

Breakfast included.

Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas on this full day excursion. This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. Your first stop will be the lookout Mirador de Taray, a scenic lookout point offering impressive panoramic views of the Sacred Valley.

Continue on to Pisaq where you will first visit the archaeological complex, the ruins of the fortress of Pisaq which are set high above a valley by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing. The stonework and panoramas at Pisac's Inca citadel are magnificent. You will visit the lower part of the complex where the agricultural area and the pre-Hispanic cemetery are located. Afterwards, visit the colourful local market and have free time to search for a souvenir or two before enjoying a typical Andean lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon visit to the fortress of Ollantaytambo where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out.

You will be transferred to the local train station where you will catch the scenic afternoon train to Aguas Calientes. On arrival you will be escorted to your hotel by the hotel's staff. Enjoy a free evening and prepare for your early morning visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

*Option to add a night in the Sacred Valley and continue to Machu Picchu early tomorrow, giving you the opportunity to enjoy 2 visits to Machu Picchu.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Machu Picchu Tour
Early this morning you will be greeted by your guide who will assist you onto the shuttle bus to the citadel’s entrance. For centuries, Machu Picchu remained undiscovered by the Spaniards until American explorer Hiram Bingham found it in 1911. On a guided tour, you'll experience the site's unique location and ingenious construction, making it one of the seven new wonders of the world.

Your Machu Picchu ticket (Circuit 2A Classic) provides access to the classic circuit, which encompasses both the agricultural and urban sectors of the site. Along the route, you'll encounter iconic landmarks such as the Inca quarry, the Sun Temple lookout point, the Sacred Stone, the storages known as Qolqas, the Temple of the Condor, and the Guard House.

At the proper time, walk on your own to the local train station in Aguas Calientes (close to artisanal market) and take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our local representative is waiting to transfer you to Cusco. In case you have left any luggage in the hotel in the Sacred Valley, it will be picked up on route.

Highest Elevation: 2,430m/ 7,972 ft
Lowest Elevation: 2,040m/ 6,692 ft
Approximate time of Visit: 2 hours

Please note:
• Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu must be purchased in advance. Priority will be given to issuing tickets for Circuit #2A (Classic). If no spaces are available, Circuit #2B (Lower Terrace) or Circuit #3B (Royalty Route) will be selected instead.
• If you wish to see multiple circuits during your visit, you must purchase a second entry ticket.
• If you wish to include a trek to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or Huchuy Picchu, you will need an extra ticket. Please ask us.
• To see the different circuit options, please visit https://eclipsetravel.com.au/machu-picchu-visitor-information/

Breakfast included.

Depart
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

3 Day Amazon Lodge Stay
The accommodations that we use for this package are as follows:

- Comfort: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion - Standard Cabana
- Superior: Reserva Amazonica - Superior Room
- Deluxe: Posada Amazonas - Comfort Room

Amazon Lodge Arrival Day
Upon arrival at Puerto Maldonado we travel by motorised canoe to our lodge in the Tambopata Rainforest area, which holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.

During our voyage you will have the chance to see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as Black Skimmers, Pied Lapwings, Capped Herons, Jabiru Storks, Roadside Hawks and several species of kingfishers, swallows, and flycatchers. The Tambopata area includes habitats ranging from the Andean highlands around the rivers' headwaters through some of the last remaining intact forests to the lowland rainforests of the Amazon basin. The area is renowned for its diverse plant and animal populations and include over 1,300 bird species. Some of the more famous residents are the Harpy Eagle, the prehistoric looking Hoatzin, tapir, peccary, jaguar, ocelot and playful river otters who live in the area’s oxbow lakes.

During your stay at the lodge all meals and activities are included.

Lunch and Dinner included.

Amazon Lodge Activities
Today you will enjoy guided excursions by expert naturalists to spot wildlife at nearby oxbow lakes, clay licks and treetop towers.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Amazon Lodge Departure Day
After an early breakfast we return by motorised canoe for the return trip to the Puerto Maldonado Airport, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river.

Breakfast included.