Days 1-2: Lima

Meals included: Dinner

Fly overnight to Lima, Peru’s historical capital, arriving the same or following day. On arrival, you will be welcomed at the airport by your Wendy Wu Tours representatitve and transferred to your hotel. The transfer time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. An optional walking tour this afternoon gives your first experience to start soaking up the local culture. Tonight, enjoy your first taste of Peruvian cuisine at a local restaurant

Destination Information Lima – Sat overlooking the Pacific in Peru’s central region, Lima is a huge city of 10 million people. It was founded by conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, and remained capital after the War of Independence gave Peruvians their freedom. The historic centre of the city is beautiful, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Day 3: Lima

Meals included: Breakfast

Founded by conquistador Francisco Pizarro, and originally named the City of the Kings, Lima has plenty of heritage, which you’ll begin exploring today. Start in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre to admire the colonial magnificence. Explore the 17th century San Francisco Monastery. Visit Casa Aliaga, a beautifully preserved colonial mansion, and finish the day at Huaca Pucilana archaeological centre.

Destination Information San Francisco Monastery – The monastery complex, complete with church, monastery, library and catacombs, was completed in 1774 and is a prime example of Spanish Baroque architecture. Keep an eye out for Moorish designs in the central and two side naves of the church vaults.

Day 4: Palomino Islands

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch 

This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Yacht Club of Callao, approximately 1 hour away. From there, set sail for the Palomino Islands, passing by the San Lorenzo Island, an important part of the history of Lima, the island is only eight miles long but the largest in Peru. Arrive at the Palomino Islands, where you’ll be surrounded by colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins and sea birds. Back on dry land, enjoy lunch in the fashionable Miraflores district

Destination Information Palomino Islands – This important group of islands has become a habitat for a large number of sea lions; these playful mammals live on the rocky islands, full of natural caves. 

Day 5: Lima

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch 

Peruse delicious produce from every corner of Peru this morning at the Mercado de Surquillo. Head into the traditional Pueblo Libre district to browse the extensive Pre-Colombian collection at the Larco Museum. Pick up tips on cooking Peruvian cuisine with a demonstration, before tucking into a Creole lunch, giving you the chance to taste a variety of national dishes. You will then be transferred back to your hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure. Today will involve about 1 hour on foot, moving at a comfortable pace.

Destination Information Mercado de Surquillo – The market offers a great variety of vegetables and fruit plus all fresh aromatic herbs, such as dill and marjoram.

Larco Museum - Founded by Rafael Larco Hoyle in 1926, the museum is located inside a viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid of the 7th century. It houses the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artifacts.

Day 6: Lima to Arequipa

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, fly from Lima to Arequipa, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. You will be transferred to the airport and then, on arrival, be taken to your hotel for check-in, about 35 minutes drive away. Start exploring the city at the Carmen Alto viewpoint, before visiting Yanahuara Quarter and admiring the Plaza de Armas, the Church of the Society of Jesus, the Cathedral and the Monastery of Santa Catalina. Today’s sightseeing is about 1 hour 30 minutes on foot.

Destination Information Arequipa – The city is the colonial-era capital of Peru’s Arequipa Region and is surrounded by 3 dramatic volcanoes. 

Day 7: Arequipa to Colca

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch 

After breakfast, depart Arequipa and travel to Colca, approximately 5 hours drive including stops. En route, pass the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve, spotting vicuñas as you go. Visit Vizcachani, the Toccra Pampas, and the Los Andes viewpoint, which gives you magnificent views over the volcanoes of the area. Enjoy lunch in Chivay before arriving at your hotel, a further 15-minute drive away. Opt to visit the local hot springs, or have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. This day is at altitude.

Destination Information Colca - Best known as one of the world's deepest canyons, the area offers breath taking scenery and is home to the giant Andean condo

Day 8:  Colca to Puno

Meals Included:  Breakfast Lunch

Appreciate what Colca is famous for this morning at Condor Cross, approximately 50 minutes drive. Admire Colca Valley, one of the world’s deepest canyons, and the huge condors gliding on the thermals. Head back to Chivay to visit several of the valley’s villages, Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma and Yanque, as well as the Antahuilque and Choquetico scenic viewpoints as you then make your way towards Puno, on Lake Titicaca, approximately a 5 to 6 hour drive. This day is at altitude.

Destination Information Puno – A beautiful and charming town located on the banks of Lake Titicaca. The town is home to traditional Andean architecture which spreads down from the sides of the hill to the banks of the lake.

Lake Titicaca – The largest lake in South America, it is surrounded by a slow pace of life where crops are still harvested by hand and vast plateaus stretch for miles. 

Day 9: Puno

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

This morning, you will be picked up from the port of Puno and taken to the floating islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca, approximately 20 minutes by boat. Spend around an hour here before continuing to the island of Taquile. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once a stronghold of the Inca, you’ll find wonderful textiles made by the island’s men here. Tour the island with lunch afterwards, before transferring back to Puno. Today’s sightseeing is a full day. This day is at altitude.

Destination Information Uros - The Uros are an ancient culture that inhabits a series of artificial islands built on the basis of reeds growing in the lake itself. These are constructed by weaving reed in the areas where it grows thicker and thus forming a natural layer.

Day 10: Puno to Cuso

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel approximately 10 hours from Puno to Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire. You’ll travel across the Peruvian altiplano, passing Andean peaks and crossing La Raya Pass, over 4000 metres above sea level, with spectacular scenery throughout. On arrival, check in to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure. This day is at altitude.

Destination Information Cusco – Home to an incredible Incan legacy, Cusco has some of the richest heritage in South America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cathedrals and Inca temples overlook the narrow streets where alpaca knitwear can be bought for a fair price. For anyone interested in the Incan civilization, Cusco is the mustsee destination.

Day 11: Cusco

Meals included: Breakfast 

Today’s touring will include visits to the Plaza de Armas, once the heart of the Incan capital of Huacaypata; and Coricancha, the temple of the sun. Head just out of town to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Puka Pukara, the ‘Red Fortress’. Today will involve about 2 hours on foot, moving at a comfortable pace. This day is at altitude.

Destination Information Plaza de Armas – The present day Plaza de Armas was called Huacaypata and it was the heart of the Incan capital, and is still the heart of the city today. The plaza is surrounded by colonial arcades, whilst the colonial cathedral and a number of other ornate churches stand imposingly around the edges. It is a vibrant and fascinating place to spend some time.

Coricancha – Once one of Cusco’s, and the whole Incan Empire’s, most important temple, Coricancha’s walls were once covered in sheets of solid gold. Although the temple was demolished to make way for a colonial church, the Incan foundations remain and incorporates original Incan stonework.

Sacsayhuaman – Just north of Cusco, on top of a steep hill, some sections of the citadel of Sacsayhuama date from around 1100, whilst others are 13th Century. The complex stone walls are fascinating – huge boulders were carefully cut out and fitted tightly together without the use of mortar.  

Day 12: Cusco - Sacred Valley

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

The Urubamba Valley, also Sacred Valley, is home to Incan citadels and beautiful landscapes. Transfer an hour out of Cusco to the charming town of Pisac, where you’ll visit the excellent market to both mingle with the locals and to browse the plentiful Peruvian handicrafts, then see fascinating terracing at the Pisac ruins. This afternoon, meet a typical Inca community at Ollantaytambo, a 1 hour 15 minute transfer. Above the town is an old Incan Fortress and an area of wonderfully preserved houses, both of which you can explore. Travel 20 minutes to your hotel for the night. Today’s sightseeing around 8 hours in total. This day is at altitude.

Destination Information Pisac – Situated on the Willkanuta River, Pisac is a colonial village famous for its Incan ruins and its three times weekly market. The market takes up the Plaza de Armas and surrounding streets with stalls selling ceramic, jewellery and textiles.

Ollantaytambo – Ollantaytambo was once the royal estate of the Emperor Pachacuti and is the starting point for the famous Inca Trail. The Incan ruins here are huge, whilst the town itself is a prime example of an Incan city – it is still laid out as it was when it was built by Pachacuti in the 13th century. 

Day 13: Huilloc Village 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Spend the day in the remote village of Huilloc, approximately 40 minutes transfer from your hotel, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the authentic culture of the valley’s Quechua communities. You’ll be able to interact with the villagers, share lunch with them and witness their day to day life. The women of Huilloc have a rich tradition of weaving which they still practice by hand today. The textiles they produce bear the same images as those of their ancestors; condors, cougars and Huallata birds, and can be purchased here. This day is at altitude.

Destination Information Huilloc - This is a community of 200 families and a total of 1,500 inhabitants. The principal activity of the men is farming, and in the dry season they work as porters on the Inca Trail. The women preserve their unique and ancient tradition of weaving fabric of the highest quality, which they sell to travellers visiting their community.

Day 14: Machu Picchu 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Transfer 30 minutes to Ollantaytambo to board the train that will take you through the mountainous landscapes to the small town of Aguas Calientes in 1 hour 30 minutes. From here you will ascend to the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu by shuttle bus, which takes about 30 minutes along winding roads . Long abandoned by the Inca, it came to international attention when it was stumbled upon by Hiram Bingham in 1911, and is considered one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. A guided tour will give you some insight into the Inca Empire. This includes up to four hours of sightseeing, walking on uneven terrain. Return to Ollantaytambo by train and transfer back to Cusco. This day is at altitude.

Destination Information Machu Picchu – One of the world’s great archaeological discoveries, Machu Picchu sits on a mountain ridge 2430 metres above the Sacred Valley. Built around 1450, it was abandoned about 100 years later, and left ‘undiscovered’ (the local people knew of it) until 1911 when it was brought to international attention. A classic example of Incan style, there are three main structures – the Temple of the Sun, the Inti Watana and the Room of Three Windows. 

Day 15: Machu Picchu to Cusco

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, return to Machu Picchu through a new entrance, taking the same shuttle bus as yesterday, and enjoy some free time at Machu Picchu, exploring the complex as you wish. We recommend visiting the Intipunku, or ‘Sun Gate’, this is a steep climb and only recommended for people with a high fitness level. This afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Ollantaytambo in 1 hour 30 minutes. Then, transfer 2 hours 30 minutes back to Cusco. This day is at altitude.

Day 16: Cusco

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy the day at leisure in Cusco, exploring or relaxing as you wish. You’ll be transferred 15 minutes from your hotel for a farewell meal this evening. This day is at altitude.

Days 17 - 18: Depart 

Meals included: Breakfast

Transfer to Cusco airport, approximately 25 minutes, and fly to the back, arriving home the following day. 

 

 

 

 

Price from €4890 per person - subject to availability at the time of booking.