Our 13 days in Peru adventure, includes the best sites this diverse country has to offer. From the must see Machu Picchu ruins, to the amazing landscapes deep in the Colca Canyon, to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. This action packed itinerary will show you how unique this country really is.
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Arrival to Lima international airport. Reception and transfer to the selected hotel.
Overnight in Lima
The tour starts with a pick up from your hotel in Lima. From here, we travel to the city of Ica, located in the south, about 4 hours away. Once we reach the city of Ica (12pm), we will start our tour with a guided visit to the Vineyards of Pisco. At the bodegas, as they are locally known, we will do a nice walking tour exploring with a local guide the premises where this delicious Peruvian drink is made. Here we will learn more details about this popular drink, visiting the whole vineyard, including the tasting room where you can try the different types of spirit the locals produce.
13:00: Free time for lunch.
Later on, we will visit the Regional Museum of Ica (14:00), an interesting building that houses the remains of the ancient cultures that developed on the southern coast. We will start our visit, walking through the pre-Inca rooms, which display fine textiles from the Paracas people, wonderful pieces from the Nazca culture, featuring amazing musical instruments and great pictures of the Nazca Lines. Here we will also see some spectacular weapons and wood carvings from the Wari Empire, Ica Chincha and Inca culture. On the other side of the Museum, we will visit the anthropological room, which exhibits human remains from the same cultures mentioned above, featuring deformed skulls, cranial surgery practiced on ancient Peruvians, beautiful headdresses, well preserved mummies, including babies and trophy heads. Afterwards we will drive southwest towards the Oasis of La Huacachina where our hotel is located.
16:00 hrs. You will be picked up from your hotel by our local guide and afterwards we will start our dune buggy excursion to the desert of Huacachina. We will drive across the desert in a 4x4 buggy vehicle, and will make various stops along the way for pictures. The desert of Ica is the most beautiful in our country and offers stunning landscapes, not only of sand dunes, but also of the Huacachina lagoon, from above. There will be some points where you will have the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of one of most popular sports in Ica “Sandboarding”. Our driver will take you to the summit of some dunes, and from the very top you will be able to slide down. Before you start to sand surf, our guide/instructor will teach you specific techniques to ensure a safety ride. There are actually plenty spots to sandboard around Huacachina Oasis, with a wide variety of dunes, suitable for the very beginners, as well as for professional sand borders. Keep in mind that on this tour you will not have to walk up the dunes to go for a second or a third ride, our driver will do all the lifting job for you. As you can see it will be very easy and cool. Finally we will return to the hotel in Huacachina. (B)
Overnight in Huacachina
You will be met by our driver/representative at your hotel in Ica and then we will drive for about 1 hour to the Paracas Bay. At the Paracas Bay we will be met by our local guide who will lead us to the port where we will board a speed boat to visit the Ballestas Islands. During our boat excursion to the Islands you will see many attractions, among them, stands out a huge design etched on the slope of hill, known by the local people as The Candelabra. This is an enormous figure that can be seen clearly from the sea. Our local guide will explain the most important theories concerning this drawing. Afterwards, we will continue our excursion around the Ballestas Islands, where you will see hundreds of birds flying (Peruvian Bobbies, Inca terms, Pelicans, Cormorants and others) above the Islands, as well as dozens of sea lions on the shore of the beaches, and if you are lucky you also can see the famous Humboldt Penguins and dolphins swimming nearby. It is not allowed to land on the Island, which means you will spend all the tour on the boat. After our visit to the islands, we will visit the Paracas Peninsula by land. During our land excursion to the Paracas Reserve, visitors will be able to see some groups of flamingos feeding at the shore of the Ocean. In order to have a better view of them, we will do a short walk to a little tower, from where it is possible to see them better. According to some scholars, the colours of these beautiful birds inspired the general Don Jose de San Martin (the man who set us free from the Spanish crown and declared our independence) to create our red and white Peruvian flag when he landed at the Paracas bay.
Later on we will visit the centre of interpretation of Paracas, an interesting building that displays through pictures and scale models, all the fauna, flora, and many other important facts about the Paracas Peninsula. Afterwards we will drive across the Paracas Peninsula following a dirty road, stopping at some beaches for photos. On the beaches we will be able to get off of the car and go for a short walk along the shores.
Finally we will visit the little fishing village of Lagunillas, a nice place where we will enjoy a good lunch on a nice restaurant overlooking the ocean.(meals are not included). After lunch we will return to the city of Lima drop you off at your hotel. (18:30 hrs). (B)
Overnight in Lima Miraflores
Morning transfer to the Lima airport to take the flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival reception and transfer to hotel.
In the afternoon we will visit the Santa Catalina Convent, the Main Square, the Jesuit Church of La Compañía and its beautifully-painted Chapel, the Church of San Francisco, the San Lazaro District, Selva Alegre and the typical Districts of Cayma and Yanahuara for a magnificent view of the Misti Volcano. After finishing our tour we will return to the hotel. (B)
Overnight in Arequipa.
Morning departure from Arequipa via Yura, passing through the foothills of Chachani, Pampa de Arrieros, National Reserve of Pampa Cañahuas, continued by Vizcachani, Toccra Pampas, then border by the crater Chucura to reach Patapampa (4.800 m) and Mirador of the Andes where you can see the volcanoes surrounding the city of Arequipa. Box lunch on-route will be provided. If there is time we will stop at the hot springs. (Ask about substituting the 3D Colca Canyon trek!) (B,L)
Overnight in Chivay
Early departure to visit La Cruz del Condor (41 km. from Chivay), one of the most spectacular canyons, where you can almost always see the Condors in their majestic flight. Return visiting the towns of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, Yanque and Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints. Return to Chivay, after lunch depart for the city of Puno. (B,L)
Arrival in Puno in the evening and transfer to hotel (transfer to hotel not included)
Overnight in Puno:
Early in the morning we transfer to the main dock to take the boat for our tour. After 20 minutes of navigation on Titicaca Lake, we arrive to the floating islands of Uros. These islands are entirely made with totora reefs. Living here will find a particular ethnic group, a mixture between the Quechuas and Aymaras. Totora is the main product here; they eat the reefs, use it to build boats and houses, to make fire and cook, to feed their animals and to make some handicraft they could sell to the visitors. After this visit we return to the boat for 3 more hours of navigation on the Titicaca Lake until we arrive to Taquile Island. Upon arrival we enjoy a 1-hour hike towards the main village. On the way the guide will explain about traditions and life on the island. Once in the main village you will be given free time to explore the local handicraft market.
Return to Puno in the afternoon. (Ask about substituting the 2 day Luquina Island Homestay tour!) (B,L)
Overnight in Puno
DAY 8:
7:15 am: Departure from Puno
9:15 am: The museum Inka Aymara de Pucara (35 min)
11:20am: Photoshoot Passing la Raya (10 min)
12:20pm: Sicuani Lunch + Buffet (50 min)
1:10pm: Temple Inka de Raqchi (45 min)
3:30pm: Temple Andahuaylillas Capilla Sixtina de América (35 minutes)
5:00pm: Arrive to Cusco
Overnight in Cusco
DAY 9: REST DAY / ACCLIMATE
Today is a free day where you can explore the city of Cusco and schedule an optional activity if you choose. (B)
Overnight in Cusco
Today is the most magical day of your journey. Depending on your entrance time to Machu Picchu your guide will help you determine the best time to wake up for your tour. If you have the early entrance you will wake up around 4am to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu and see the sun rise over the ruins. If you have a later entrance you will be able to enjoy a it more sleep before taking the bus up to the ruins (entrance times will be assigned to you depending on how far in advance you book). Your guide will take about 2 hours explaining the highlights of Machu Picchu and the beautiful sites. Afterwards, if you have booked the option to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain you will have time for your hike and have free time to walk the ruins on your own. In the afternoon, you will get back on the bus and head to Aguas Calientes town. You will then board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where a private van will be waiting for your ride back to Cusco arriving between 6-8pm.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Today is the most magical day of your journey. Depending on your entrance time to Machu Picchu your guide will help you determine the best time to wake up for your tour. If you have the early entrance you will wake up around 4am to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu and see the sun rise over the ruins. If you have a later entrance you will be able to enjoy a it more sleep before taking the bus up to the ruins (entrance times will be assigned to you depending on how far in advance you book). Your guide will take about 2 hours explaining the highlights of Machu Picchu and the beautiful sites. Afterwards, if you have booked the option to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain you will have time for your hike and have free time to walk the ruins on your own. In the afternoon, you will get back on the bus and head to Aguas Calientes town. You will then board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where a private van will be waiting for your ride back to Cusco arriving between 6-8pm.
*Overnight in Cusco
Duration: Full Day- 2:15am- 3 or 4pm
Distance: 8 km/ 5 miles (round trip)
Elevation: 4460m (14,600ft) - 5035m (16,520ft)
Difficulty: Moderate
Your day starts in Cusco where you are picked up from your hotel at 2:15am for a 3.5 hour trip via private van to the start of the trail. You will be given a local Peruvian style breakfast prepared by our chef and fuel up for the hike ahead of you.
The hike to the rainbow mountain will take around 2 hours and is a distance of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). Throughout your journey you will pass through a vibrant green valley with the snow capped peak of Ausangate towering in the distance. You will see hundreds of roaming alpaca, and have the chance to truly see how Quechua people live. As you get closer to the Rainbow Mountain you will begin to see the first signs of the colored minerals that formed the painted hills. Your guide will explain what makes up the existence of the Rainbow Mountain and how it was formed, and finally with one last push you will hike up to a vantage point that gives you a 360 degree view of the beautiful landscape that makes up the sacred land.
We will have snacks on top and take a relaxing break to soak up the vistas, where you can enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. At this time you can also enjoy some coca tea that the locals prepare for visitors. After about an hour we will continue on to the red valley, another awe inspiring area not to be missed by trekkers but seldom visited. From here, we continue our hike back to the trailhead (1 hour), where you will have a gourmet lunch prepared by our chef in a traditional mud-house and depart back to Cusco. Arriving in Cusco around 4pm.
Today you will take a morning or afternoon flight to Lima where your itinerary ends. From here you can connect to your international flight.
A comprehensive list will be sent to you upon completion of booking
Weather in the Andes can be unpredictable ranging from hot and sunny to rain, wind and cold. Hikers should be prepared with proper gear and be ready for variable weather conditions throughout the day. Small changes in the itinerary are a possibility as well as trip cancellations due to bad weather. We reserve the right to cancel a trip prior to departing Cusco if we feel conditions are unsafe. If this happens you will be refunded your deposit in full, or have the opportunity to reschedule, however trips still depart when there is rain, snow or fog and refunds are not granted due to poor weather conditions. Temperatures can range from 0 degrees Celsius in the morning to 15 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. The sun can get intense in the afternoon and we highly recommend bringing sun protection.
Our treks take place anywhere from 10,000 feet up to 17,000 feet. It is essential to spend 2-3 days minimum in the Cusco region or similar elevation prior to taking any trek with us. We recommend staying well hydrated while you are in elevation and to get plenty of rest prior to your trek. FlashpackerConnect is not responsible if you get altitude sickness. Please consult your doctor is you are concerned with the altitude.
Our guides and staff are paid on a per trip basis based on the number of days they spend on the trail. While tipping is not required, it is a common practice in Latin America. If you feel your guide, and crew went above and beyond to make your trip special gratuity is greatly appreciated. A common tip is 10-15% of your total trip cost
We recommend booking 3-4 months prior to ensure availability. If your dates are flexible we can take reservations on short notice, however our treks tend to book out as we keep our group sizes very small. In order to book we send out an invoice for deposit via PayPal, and your final payment is due at least 30 days prior to your trip departure date.
Our treks depart everyday upon request with a minimum of 2 guests (Solo travelers can be matched up with existing groups)
We take pride in preparing a wonderful variety of food throughout your trek. You will always be served local Peruvian style dishes in a family style manner and you will never go hungry. We can cater to any dietary needs, but ask that you notify us of your request at the time of booking. If we are not informed during your booking we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate.
Trekking in the Andes and in high altitude can be dangerous and because of this our staff always carries a proper first aid kit along with emergency oxygen for our guests to use if they are feeling ill.
All accommodation on multi-day treks is tent camping. We bring quality 4 person tents but sleep a maximum of 2 persons to each tent. For tours that require hotels, accommodation is based on double or triple occupancy. Solo travelers will be matched with another guest of the same gender unless a single supplement is paid.
Our treks depart everyday with a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 8 guests. We can also accommodate private trips and large group trips. Group pricing is available if your group is 4 or more people.
Travel protection is essential for your peace of mind and safety throughout the trip. Unexpected medical emergencies or illnesses prior to or during your trip could make you lose pre-paid, non-refundable payments. Emergency medical transport and air ambulances in remote locations can be extremely expensive and will probably not be covered by your medical health plan so it is compulsory that you purchase personal adequate travel insurance which is appropriate for your trip. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, air ambulance, loss of effects, repatriation costs and all other expenses which may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience during your trip. We also suggest you purchase cancellation and curtailment insurance. When obtaining travel insurance, you must inform the insurer of the type of travel to be undertaken, especially when "adventure activities" are included in your trip. There are several insurance companies offering travel protection plans available for purchase online.
We suggest booking activities such as Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley prior to trekking the Rainbow Mountain. This will allow for proper acclamation, and prevent altitude sickness. Check out our tour packages linking the Rainbow Mountain hike with Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. If you are wanting a longer trek check out our Ausangate trek+ Rainbow mountain we offer 2,4 and 6 days options.
