Wonders of Peru

Late departure on our overnight flight to Lima.

Upon arrival in Lima we transfer to our centrally located hotel (early check-in included). After some time to relax we embark on our city tour to see the Old Town, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the House of El Oidor, with a guided tour of the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum, built on the site of pre-Columbian pyramid houses. This evening is our Welcome Dinner.

We drive along the ocean to Paracas, stopping en route at Pachacamac to visit the country’s second largest Inca ruins, a sacred city dating to 900 BC.

Today we board a small aircraft for a flight over the world-renowned Nazca Lines, which can only be seen from the air. We’ll learn about the many theories about their mysterious origin and meaning, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

This morning we take a boat tour to Ballestas Island. During our short sea crossing we can see the famous El Candelabro, a huge etching in the sandy hill, which is considered the beginning of the Nazca Lines. The island is home to huge colonies of birds, sea lions, penguins and seals.

We fly to the “White City” of Arequipa, high in the Andes, and see the extraordinary architecture of the Convent of Santa Catalina, the Main Square, the cathedral and Sarita “Juanita,” a Virgin of the Sun who was sacrificed to the mountain spirits and recently discovered in a glacier.

We proceed to the town of Chivay, located at the midpoint of the Colca Valley, driving past volcanoes, incredible flora and possibly even some local wildlife.

We enter the Colca Canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and visit the Cruz de Condors, where we can watch the condors gliding on air currents rising from the canyon. It’s a truly spectacular scene, with the river 1,200 meters below! We’ll enjoy a boxed lunch, then continue our scenic drive to Puno.

We head out across Lake Titicaca to explore Uros and Taquile, man-made floating islands constructed entirely out of reeds and untouched by the modern world. We will talk to the indigenous inhabitants, learn about their life, and see their traditional clothing and handicrafts. Afternoon at leisure.

We transfer to Cusco—en route we’ll see the magnificent La Raya mountain range and visit Pukara, a ruin of the fortifications built by Andean people, and the Inca archeological site of Andahuaylillas with its beautiful baroque church. Our hotel in Cusco’s city centre is a former home of wealthy Inca families.

We start our day with a visit to the Cathedral of Cusco and Temple of the Sun, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. We proceed to the ancient fortress of Sacsayhuamán, then picturesque San Blas, known as the “neighborhood of the artisans.”

This morning we visit the small town of Chinchero, where we’ll enjoy an Andean weaving demonstration. Next, we’ll explore historic Moray to see the magnificent terraced circles built for planting experiments. Our final stop is the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, where steep stone staircases and terraces lead to an inner temple.

We take a train to the incredible mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. Our guided walking tour will show us the flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site it was years ago. Today it remains a jewel in a remarkable setting between two peaks of the Andes. Afternoon at leisure.

After further touring Machu Picchu, we take the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo. Overhead windows enhance our views as we wind our way along the Urubamba Valley. Upon arrival, we transfer back to Cusco.

We fly to Lima, with the afternoon at leisure. This evening we enjoy our Farewell Dinner.

We transfer to the airport for our flight back to Canada.