Ultimate Adventure Southern Peru Tour

As you arrive into Lima airport and exit customs and baggage, you will take your connecting flight to Arequipa, the most beautiful city in Peru. After the two-hour flight, reception and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the Casa Andina Private Collection Free day at leisure.

Casa Andina Private Collection

Today, you will enjoy a biking tour of Arequipa. Travel by van from the city of Arequipa (2325 m) until the traditional town of Pocsi (3050 meters) which will take 1 ½ hours.
Arrival and then you will begin your descent from Pocsi until we arrive at the traditional village of Mollebaya, later we will continue until the traditional village of Characato; then we arrive at the traditional village of Sabandia where we will visit the Sabandia mill.
We will continue the trip to visit la mansión del fundador and continue along the trail to return to the city of Arequipa. This route by bike will take 4 hours and the trip is approximately 40 km. You will be descending by bike between the village of Pocsi (3050 m) to Characato village (2400 m) and then the rest of the trip is flat. You will have the support of the van for the whole duration of the trip. Return to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, early departure in small group service in a minivan where you will climb 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. The trip continues down the valley, passing next to several villages until you arrive at Chivay, the most important town of the valley. Accommodation in the Canyon.

We recommend the Colca Lodge

Meals: B

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. 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 and overnight accommodation.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cuzco and connecting flight to Puerto Maldonado. Arrival to Puerto Maldonado. Reception at the airport and transfer to the river port, whilst hearing an introductory talk about the city and surrounding areas, in addition to the characteristics of the Amazon region. You will embark on a 45-minute boat ride on the Madre de Dios River until your arrival at the Reserva Amazonica Rainforest lodge. Here you will be assigned to your cabin.
After lunch, an afternoon excursions begin including a guided walk along one of the trails close to the lodge. The trails wind past important giant trees of the forest such as the kapok and the strangler fig, and you may see superb examples of bird and insect life.
You will also take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to see the change in the environment as twilight gives way to darkness. Animals and birds are replaced by special species adapted to the darkness, such as nightjars, owls, capybara, and caiman. You may choose to take the Twilight Rainforest excursion as an alternative. Cocktails and buffet dinner in the dining room of the lodge's main pavilion.

Meals: B, L & D

Wake up early to observe the sun rise over the Madre de Dios River before a buffet breakfast with eggs, cereals, local fruits, and fresh bread.
You will then gather in the Eco-Centre for your morning excursions.
A five-minute boat ride takes you to the Canopy Inkaterra Interpretation Centre where you can ascend the first tower, 45 metres (150 feet) above the forest floor. Spend an hour and a half walking on the bridges that stretch between seven platforms, as you see giant strangler fig trees, orchids, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, and with luck, monkeys or a three-toed sloth. You will then embark on a 40-minute boat ride that takes you to the Tambopata National Reserve. Spend an hour-and-a-half walking the 3 km (1.8 mile) trail through the wildlife-rich reserve, and you will arrive at the breath-taking oxbow lake, Lake Sandoval. Here you will have an excellent opportunity to see the endangered giant river otter.

Meals: B, L & D

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and return by boat to Puerto Maldonado, an hour and a half upriver. Visit the city's Butterfly Farm, unique in Peru where you can experience several dozen of the more than 3,800 varieties of butterflies and moths found in Peru. Flight to Cuzco and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, guided visit of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins continue to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun.

Meals: B

After an early breakfast, guests will have an early pick-up from their hotel as you head towards the Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo (approx. 1.5 hrs from Cuzco). These ruins were formally an Inca Temple and were an important resting place for Inca travellers heading from the coast to Cusco. After leaving Limatambo, we pass through the mountain village of Mollepata where there will be a short coffee break, before ascending a winding mountain road and continue onto Soraypampa.
Soraypampa is located in between two sacred Inca Mountains, as you hike along you pass from a river valley into a glacier valley and you will be able to look across the valley and see the ancient Inca irrigation channels cut into the side of the mountain. You will also see an ancient forest of polylepis trees (queunas) native to this region. Your lodge tonight is designed to resemble an Inca Palace with all the luxury and elegance that this period of history evokes. After a warm welcome by our friendly staff, guests will be shown to their rooms and have time to freshen-up. The first afternoon is spent at leisure to adjust to the altitude, taking advantage of the outdoor jacuzzi or just walking in the beautiful surroundings. An evening briefing by the fireplace is followed by aperitifs and dinner.

Meals: B, L & D

Today you trek is for three hours in the surrounding area of Soraypampa to visit the Humantay Lake which is fed by the glacier far above on the slopes of Humantay Mountain. The Inca's considered these glacial lakes to be the 'eyes' of the mountain and to show respect to the mountain Gods they would build apachetas (stone piles) and today walkers carry on with this tradition. A short walk of about thirty minutes is necessary in order to reach the lake, but the view is well worth it and those brave enough can even go for a swim. We return to the lodge for lunch, after which there is the option to ride out again for around two hours in the surrounding area, or guests may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in the outdoor jacuzzi. We spend the night at the Salkantay Lodge with gourmet food and warm, comfortable beds. In the evening, the guide will brief the party on gear and the itinerary for the next four days.

Meals: B, L & D

Today we continue our trek (about five hours) towards Machu Picchu, riding up the Salkantay River and passing between Salkantay and Humantay Mountains. The mountain pass is 4800 metres (14,800 ft) above sea level and this is the highest you will be during the trip. Today you will have the opportunity to make your own offering to the mountain. Your cultural guide will instruct you in the manner that you should make your offering (of coca leaves) and as you let your leaves fly into the wind you can ask the mountain for a wish. Throughout the ride keep your eyes open for Andean condors, common to this area. From the pass you can see our destination of the second lodge but before we reach the lodge lunch will be served in a spectacular glacial valley with an amazing view of Vilcabamba Snow Mountain Range. The Lodge has been built to resemble an Inca religious shelter. The decoration inside the lodge is representative of the Inca's religious beliefs. You will find pictures and artifacts relating to ancient pilgrimages and Chaman rituals. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

Meals: B, L & D

Today we leave the high pampas and head for the river valley that is known as the cloud forest. The scenery changes dramatically as the temperature rises becoming hot and humid. Bamboo trees, orchids and hummingbirds appear in the increasingly verdant scenery. You will pass through small family communities who eek out their living by farming and fishing. Inquisitive children come to see you and are happy to wave you on your way. The walk today is three hours long, you may need to get off and walk in some areas as the trail can be quite narrow. Upon arrival at our next lodge we are greeted with a Pachamanca (traditional underground stone cooking).This traditional meal is famous for its cooking method which consists of layering meat with hot stones and then covering the whole thing up with earth to bake. After observing the uncovering of the Pachamanca, which consists of a variety of meats (chicken, lamb, beef, pork) and vegetables (potatoes,sweet potatoes and yuca) we enjoy our meal. The Lodge is built at the conjunction of three rivers, one of which flows to Machu Picchu. As with all the lodges it is built in a unique style, this time to commemorate the art and music of both the Inca and the colonial times. Brightly coloured masks and traditional hand woven ponchos adorn the walls. The outdoor jacuzzi has panoramic views of the lush green mountains. We spend the afternoon relaxing or walking in the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Meals: B, L & D

Today we head down the Santa Teresa river valley, through banana and passion fruit orchards and coffee plantations. This area is rich in minerals and hot springs bubble up from deep underground. Flocks of parraqueets squalk noisily in the tree canopy that rises up from the mountain side. The coffee grown here is said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world. You will also notice a change in the appearance of the local people as you ride closer to the jungle. Along the way we stop for lunch, the chef from the lodges will appear as if by magic to prepare food to the usual excellent standard. Afterwards, we continue our trek (a total of around five hours) to the beginning of the Llactapata Inca Trail, the second most famous Inca Trail. A short thirty-minute walk through an avocado orchard brings us to our Lodge. The Lodge celebrates the nature of the area, inside there are many plants and beautiful pictures of butterflies and orchids which you will have seen at first hand along the route today.

Meals: B, L & D

Today our destination is the bustling town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu town. Those who wish to can hike this distance but others may catch a bus instead. The hikers will leave the lodge after breakfast and head uphill for around two hours towards Llactapata pass (2600 metres/8500 feet). After heading downhill for about ten minutes you will come upon the recently restored Llactapata Ruins from where you will catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu across the river valley. This perspective is one that few tourists get to enjoy. We walk another ten minutes or so to our lunch spot where we enjoy a picnic lunch with the same view of Machu Picchu. After lunch we will then descend to the Vilcanota River through bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations, a descent of between two and three hours. Aguas Calientes, the town of Machu Picchu, is a short train ride away and here we check into the beautiful Inkaterra Hotel for dinner and a well-earned rest. The whole group spends the night together in Aguas Calientes.

Inkaterra Hotel  |   Meals: B, L & D

Today there will be an early start in order to make the thirty-minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu to arrive before sunrise. You will then enjoy a private guided tour of the city, followed by several hours in which you are free to explore the ruins by yourselves. Afterwards you will return to Aguas Calientes by bus for lunch (not included) and then take the afternoon Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo (about an hour and a half), where you are transferred by car to Cusco (about one hour) and your hotel.

Meals: B

Flight to Lima. You will be assisted with your luggage before driven to your hotel. We recommend the Second Home Lima boutique hotel.
In the afternoon, a visit to the ancient citadel of Pachacamac, located on the outskirts of Lima. This pre-Inca citadel was an ancient pilgrimage destination for the early coastal cultures but has also evidence of Inca design. Return to your hotel.

Second Home Lima boutique Hotel

Today choose from a selection of tours including a bike tour of the city, a visit to some great museums, a private city tour with visits to the colonial centre or a foodie tour with a visit to the markets followed by lunch. Alternatively, enjoy a free day. Ask for prices.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: B

End of our services.