Luxury Peru Tour 2 - Option 2

Lima - Arequipa - Colca Canyon (two days) - Cuzco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu

Arrival to Lima, reception at the airport and transfer by private vehicle to the deluxe 5* Miraflores Park Hotel. VIP check-in to your Executive Suite complete with Ocean views. Fresh flowers and dry fruits will be waiting for you. If your arrival flight is late your massage will be postponed for tomorrow. If you arrive on an early flight, you will have a choice of an a la carte dinner or room service (if arriving after 11PM).

After breakfast, a private guided visit of colonial and modern Lima, including the cathedral, dating from 1654, the main square, which still houses the original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. Known as the city of the kings, Lima was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. One of the very few South American cities that preserve the colonial past, Lima was home to the Spanish viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonialists. The tour will include a visit to the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores, before stopping at Larco Mar to enjoy a view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Lunch at the internationally renowned Rosa Nautica, the best seafood restaurant in Lima. After lunch, a visit to a museum of your choice. We recommend the Gold Museum, originally from a private collection. The museum includes valuable pieces, particularly gold, silver and copper from several pre-Hispanic cultures. The most precious piece in the collection is the solid gold Tumi (ceremonial knife) belonging to the Lambayeque culture. Return to your hotel to enjoy a relaxing 60 minute massage (for two people) which will invigorate the senses and prepare you for a delicious dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaruant.
Located within an actual pre-Inca archaeological site and next to a 1500 year old adobe pyramid, the food here is exquisite and the sommelier will help you choose amongst your personal favourites or some Chilean and Argentinean classics. Return to your hotel.

Catacombs of San Francisco

Church of San Francisco

Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Arequipa, the most beautiful city in Peru. After the two-hour flight, reception and transfer to the five star Libertador hotel. After lunch at the hotel, a guided tour of the white city, so-called because many of the buildings are made of volcanic sillar. Visiting the Chilina valley and the old San Lazaro district with a general view of the city from the Yanahuara Belvedere. There are marvellous views including the imposing Misti Volcano overlooking the city. A visit to the Plaza de Armas and its Cathedral, the cloisters of La Compañia Church, the Church and Square of San Francisco and the extraordinary Santa Catalina convent which is built from volcanic lava and dates from the 16th century. A visit will also be made to the museum to see Juanita, the best-preserved mummy in South America. Return to your hotel. Dinner in the evening overlooking the splendid main square.

After breakfast, early departure in private transport with a guide, passing the thermal baths of Yura and climbing up towards the National Reserve of Pampa de Cañahuas at 3800m. Here groups of alpacas, vicuñas and sometimes-even guanacos can be seen. After driving several hours more, the descent to the Colca Valley begins. On the way, if time permits, you shall visit some caves to see prehistoric drawings before arriving at Callalli, where huge rock formations resembling medieval castles are found and onward to Sibayo, a small village with a primitive church, on the Colca River. The trip continues down the valley, passing next to several villages until you arrive at Chivay, the most important town of the valley. Accommodation at the newly opened Las Casitas Del Colca Lodge, the new luxury lodge by the Andean Explorer chain and set in the Colca Valley itself. After check in to your casita (private lodge), a delicious lunch utilising fresh organic produce from the garden with some local delicacies. In the afternoon, choose from horseback riding in the Peruvian countryside with the famous Peruvian Paso Horse, some fly fishing for local trout, hiking, painting, cooking lessons, pisco sour lessons (the signature drink of Peru); or simply enjoy the fabulous surroundings of the Canyon. Your casita comes complete with a private terrace from where you can appreciate the wonderful landscape, a heated plunge pool and an outdoor shower. You may also relax in the hotel swimming pool or enjoy spa treatments at the Samay Spa. A la carte dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast an early departure to descend into the valley to visit some of the villages, all of which have beautiful, colonial-style churches. You shall also see the Inca terraces, some of which are still in use and can be seen all along the valley. Return to your lodge at Las Casitas Del Colca in the Colca Canyon for a delicious a la carte lunch. Free afternoon with a range of activities to choose from. A la carte dinner in the evening.

Condor Colca Arequipa

Arequipa at Night

After breakfast, start the ascent up to the Cruz del Condor, a few kilometres before Cabanaconde. Here one can appreciate a fine view of the flight of the condors as well as of the depth of the canyon. Return to Arequipa in the evening. Dinner and accommodation at the Libertador Hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. After the one hour flight, reception and transfer to the exclusive deluxe 5* Monasterio Hotel. VIP check-in by the chapel to your deluxe room. A fruit basket, fresh flowers, and fine chocolates will be waiting for you. The room will be oxygenated (the only hotel in the world with this facility) to help you relax and sleep more comfortably in the high altitude setting of Cuzco (11,600ft above sea level). After a recommended light lunch in the wonderful hotel restaurant, a private guided tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral, Qoricancha temple, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco, Qenko and Puka Pukara. Return to the hotel. Dinner in the El Tupay Restaurant. On Saturdays a folkloric music show will accompany your dinner.

Sacsayhuaman Cusco

Coricancha Inca Sun Temple in Cusco

After breakfast, a private full-day excursion to Urubamba, the sacred valley of the Incas and to the ancient Inca market town of Pisac. Lunch in Urubamba or a picnic lunch will be provided. A visit will be made to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish and a chance to explore the ruins before returning to Cuzco. Return to your hotel to relax and unwind. Before dinner, enjoy a 30 minute ‘Inca massage’ accompanied by traditional music. This relaxing massage incorporates aromatherapy using Kantu, the sacred flower of the Incas. Dinner in Cuzco at a recommended restaurant.

Sacred Valley Urubamba Cusco

Sacred Valley - Moray - Cusco

Enjoy a good night’s sleep before your private transfer at 9AM to Poroy, a short distance from Cuzco. Boarding of the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes. This Andean Explorer train is the most exclusive way to visit Machu Picchu and includes a hearty brunch aboard the train. Guides will also be available to answer any questions. Arrival to Aguas Calientes, assistance with your luggage and boarding of the bus for the short ride up to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel. At the very entrance to Machu Picchu, your hotel is located, the Sanctuary Lodge hotel. VIP check-in to your room, complete with king size bed and a view of the incredible mountains. A welcome drink and fruit basket will be waiting for you. Shortly after, a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. Lunch (if required), dinner and accommodation at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. Opportunity to return to the site once all the other visitors have gone and an opportunity to truly appreciate the grandiose setting of this Inca masterpiece; with no crowds but only an eerie silence that few people experience.

Machupicchu Cusco

Machupicchu Windows

Early opportunity to return to the site and enjoy a wonderful sunrise over Machu Picchu. Time for some private reflection before returning for breakfast. Today no guide is provided as we feel that Machu Picchu requires a certain amount of self discovery to be fully understood. Take any of the several paths around various parts of the site (we will provide a map to help you), trek up to Wayna Picchu or walk down to the Inca’s bridge. Let Machu Picchu unfold all its mysteries for you, take in the breathtaking cloud forests and jagged mountains, or marvel at the extraordinary Masonic precision of the ancient Incas. Either way, your day of self discovery will be a day never to be forgotten. Return to your hotel for lunch before returning back down to Aguas Calientes by bus. Some free time to visit the colourful town before boarding the Hiram Bingham train in the early evening. Return in style, converse with your fellow passengers and guides and enjoy cocktails followed by a four course dinner. Reception and transfer to the Monasterio hotel for your final night in Cuzco.

Morning at leisure for some last minute shopping. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Lima and the deluxe 5* Miraflores Park Hotel. VIP check-in to your Executive Suite complete with Ocean views. Fresh flowers and dry fruits will be waiting for you. A la carte dinner at the Poissonnerie Restaurant.

Leisurely day with plenty of opportunity for shopping before your late check out and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

PRICES
Tour price per person: US$6500.00 based on two people

Accommodation in deluxe double rooms and suites at selected luxury hotels.

All a la carte meals throughout the itinerary, not including alcoholic beverages.

Some alcoholic beverages included on the Hiram Bingham train and in the new Las Casitas Del Colca lodge.

Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based in private service with English speaking guides.

All internal flight tickets.

Luxury train tickets.

All entrance fees and tips.

Massage services as mentioned.

International flight to Peru and US$31.00 tax for all international air departures.

All domestic flights, require a US$5.00 charge (airport tax).

Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.

Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident etc.

Tips, baggage porterage and other extras not specified.