Highs Mountains of the Peru
( 21 days and 20 nights )
This hightlight adventures tour includes Lima, Arequipa Colca Canyon, Puno, Lake Titicaca (Uros, Taquile Island), Corani, Pajrakunka, Colpa, Colca, Chimboya, Pampa Mates, Qasqara, Sibinacocha, Cochauma, Killita, Acordo, Paqchanta, Tinki, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. We will do some hiking and camping on this excursion.
Itinerary
(B)= breakfast / (L)= lunch / (BL)= box lunch / (D)= dinner
Day 1: Arrival Lima
Assistance on your arrival in Lima and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time to rest and prepare for starting your trip around this unusual city and magical country.
Day 2: Lima – City Tour (Lima Colonial and Modern) (B)
In the morning, city tour of the "City of Kings" including the Histórical Center of Lima, visiting Main Square, Government Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral (where the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru, is located), Cathedral's Museum, Temple of Santo Domingo (tombs of Santa Rosa and San Martin), Temple of San Pedro, Lima Colonial Balconies, Torre Tagle Palace, Paseo de Aguas and Convent de los Descalzos. Then, drive through the residential district of San Isidro, visiting El Olivar Park; Miraflores, visiting the Kennedy Park, Love Park and Larcomar Mall. Back to hotel.
Day 3: Lima – Arequipa. (B)
In the morning, after breakfast, transfer to airport and take flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we start a three hour city tour including Santa Catalina Convent, the Plaza de Armas, the Jesuit church of La Compañía and its beautifully-painted chapel, the Church of San Francisco, San Lazaro's district, Selva Alegre and the typical districts of Cayma and Yanahuara for a magnificent view of the Misti Volcano. Return to the hotel.
Day 4: Arequipa - Colca Canyon – Cabanaconde – San Juan de Choccho – Colca Trek. (B) (L) (D)
6am pick-up at hotel in Arequipa, orientation about our trek and journey of 6 hours to Colca Canyon - Cabanaconde village.
11am brief stop at the Condor Cross - Tapay viewpoint (3600 meters above sea level). Lunch at Cabanaconde (3280m), located in the left rim of the Canyon. Start trekking in the Colca Canyon descending 4 hours to the Colca River (2160m), a difference of 1200 meters. We will cross to the other side of the Canyon and ascend to our family cabins or camping place.
16am arrival to the lodge and short walk to the San Juan de Chuccho village (2300m). Get together with the children and locals from this valley, participation in agricultural and other activities. Campfire, dinner and family Lodge.
Day 5: San Juan Choccho – Llatica Canyon – Fure Village. (B) (L) (D)
7am continental country breakfast and begin long ascent to our next village called Tapay (3000m). Visit Cosñirhua and Malata (2600m) its church of mixed racial ancestry, sights of the local landscape, very old terraces, snow-capped summits, varieties of flora and fauna.
After six hours hiking into both canyons (Colca & Llatica) passing small rivers, cactus forest, dry and dirty zones, will arrive to Fure village (3100m), located on the left rim of the Llatica canyon with mighty clean river.
2pm have lunch in our family lodge, located over small hill, supported by pre Incas terraces worked by local villages and the best views of this greenness canyon. Free afternoon for rest, to explorer around or you can exchange languages with curious local kids. Breakfast, lunch, dinners and family lodge.
Day 6: Fure Village – Waruro Water Fall – Llahuar. (B) (L) (D)
Before breakfast we will do a short trekking to a nice waterfall of Waruro (80m), is hike is on the right bank of the Llatica river, following small path in the middle of the cactuses, walking over the cliffs and after one hour arrival to the powerful waterfall, completely green and noisy place.
9am breakfast in our lodge and continuing trekking going down to Llatica village and cross the river by an hanging, short explore to this quite place.
2pm we will arrive to deepest area of the Colca canyon. Llahuar (2100m) is a nice place located between Colca and Llatica rivers, one of the best places to get our lunch with nice view of both canyons. The afternoon is free to enjoy and use the thermals pools (hot spring) around the rivers.
Day 7: Lahuar Lodges – Soro Valley – Cabanaconde – Condor Cross – Viewpoint – Chivay – Arequipa. (B) (L)
5am will be our breakfast and short trekking on the left bank of the Colca river, nice trekking crossing abandoned terraces completely cover by cactus, this small valley is called Soro (2050m) and then cross a suspension bridge over the Colca river to the other side and meet the 4x4. From Soro we travel up to Cabanaconde (3285m) by abandoned dirty truck that is 1 hour on our four wheel drive.
8am we will be at the famous Condor Cross (3600m), wait 2 hours maximum for flight of biggest birds in the world. We continue travelling by 4x4 visiting different villages like Achoma, Maca, Achoma, Yanque and Chivay, all them located on the left margin of the Colca River with nice lookout, colony churches, souvenir markets, etc.
12pm we will be getting our lunch in good typical restaurant in Chivay town (3600m) and then travel 4 hours back to Arequipa. 5pm arrival to Arequipa and end our experience.
Day 8: Arequipa – Puno. (B)
At 08.00 am transfer to bus station departure to Puno along the way view beautiful landscape and Andean villages small lakes, mountains drive 5 hours arrival to Puno. Reception in the bus station and transfer to your hotel.
Day 9: Puno – Lake Titicaca – Floating Islands Uros and Taquile Island (B) (L)
Early in the morning after breakfast, take a full day motor boat excursion on the Titicaca Lake waters towards the unique Floating Islands of the Uros, ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe. This Andean natives built their own islands by adding periodically new layers of a unique plant called totora (a type of reed), as well as their homes and boats. Next continue your motor boat trip to the Taquile Island, inhabited by quechua-speaking natives who have developed an efficient and original social systems and a fine hand weaving technique through generations. After lunch at a local posada of Taquile, take a walk through the several hills and archaeological sites of this 6km long island. Early afternoon return to Puno for overnight at selected hotel.
Day 10: Puno - Corani - Pajrakunka (B) (L) (D)
We drive from Lake Titicaca across the grassland savannah (or Puna) surrounded by small villages and rolling hills, some are sprinkled with forest of queñuales (Polylepis) a rare andean tree found above 13,000 ft. We cross a few passes befores reaching Macusani. We follow a narrow road until we reach a rim overlooking a glacial valley. Below us is the charming thatch roofed town of Corani. There are splendid views from the passes-open pampas, flanks of steep carved mountains, the deep gorge of the Rio Corani and the Peruvian icecap called Quelqaya. We will camp near Pajra Kunka.
Day 6: Pajrakunka - Colpa
We will travel west through spacious pampas and lava flows that appear as stone forests. We'll be continually at altitudes over 15,000 feet from now until Day 9. We will follow a grass valley and continue slowly uphill passing a few communities. We will camp at Colca.
Day 11: Colca - Chimboya. (B) (L) (D)
Short hike to the village of Viluyo to visit with the local people. After lunch, head southwest toward the Peruvian icecap. Camp in an isolated shepherds valley splashed with colorful rocks and ringed with ice at Chimboya. There is a possibility of seeing vicuña herds.
Day 12: Chimboya - Pampa Mates. (B) (L) (D)
Early start to cross a 17,000 foot pas and enter the "Departamento de Cuzco" where the mountain range is now called the Cordillera Vilcanota. Descend past ice-covered 20,000-foot peaks. There are great views of the extensive ice cap and pampas. Pass countless llama and alpaca. Camp at Pampa Mates (15,700), a marshy plateau in the midst of rolling hills.
Day 13: Pampa Mates - Qasqara. (B) (L) (D)
Cross high rolling hills with splendid 360-degree views of ice peaks. There is a possibility of seeing vicuna and Andean flamingo. Lunch at a 16,500-foot pass with some of the most spacious views on the trip. Reach the Qasqara lake with its hundreds of waterbirds and camp on its shores at about 16,000 feet, surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Day 10: Qasqara - Sibinacocha - Cochauma
Cross over the Yanamani Pass at (4,900m / 16,072 ft) and reach Lake Sibinacocha, where buff-necked ibis, Andean geese and gulls can be observed. Incredible views of the lake and towering ice peaks all around. Camp at the upper inlet (15,700m / 51,496 ft)
Day 14: Cochauma - Killita. (B) (L) (D)
Pass the headwaters of Sibinacocha, where glaciers reach the valley floor, ascend a 16,300-foot pass where deer and vicuña, a camelid known for its fine wool, are often seen. Explore the "Rincon" with its peaks and valleys to the north. Cross a second pass (Vicuna Pass at 16,900), then a third (Condor Pass at 17,400m) and descend to camp at 15,500 feet, near Killita.
Day 15: Killita - Acordo. (B) (L) (D)
A very difficult hiking day with stunning views of beautiful lakes and the Cordillera Vilcanota and Carabaya. We will cross two more passes (at 16,900, and 17,240 feet) and camp at Acordo at 16,100 feet.
Day 16: Acordo - Paqchanta. (B) (L) (D)
Cross moraines below the icy massifs of Colque Cruz and Comerqocha, then climb to Campa Apacheta Pass at 16,500 feet. Descend to Pachapata and head down a valley past two lakes, reaching Pacchanta, a community where hot springs can be found.
Day 17: Paqchanta - Tinki - Cusco. (B) (L)
Vehicle pick-up at the roadhead near Paqchanta. From here a five hour ride the way we came, will bring us back to Cusco. Transfer to your selected hotel.
Day 18: Cusco - Surrounding. (B)
Breakfast in the hotel. Morning free to rest. In the afternoon, city tour of Cusco visiting the Main Square and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha. Then, drive out of the city to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman which were built strategically on a hill overlooking Cusco. It is famous for its enormous carved stones joined with astounding precision to form the outer walls. Some of these stones stand over 9m / 30ft tall and weigh over 350 tons. Then back to Cusco.
Day 19: Cusco - Machu Picchu. (B) (L)
The day starts with an early morning rise to transfer to Cusco train station for a three hour train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas". Arrive at Aguas Calientes station followed by a 30-minute bus drive, climbing 6km of winding road, to the incredible Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we´ll participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial(Intiwatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. After the tour you will have time to stroll around the archeological site at your leisure. Lunch in a restaurant at Aguas Calientes town. Late afternoon return to Cusco. Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco.
Day 20 Cusco - Sacred Valley. (B) (L)
Excursion to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas", a succession of picturesque towns, agricultural terraces and archaeological sites. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, we'll have the opportunity to bargain with vendors or stroll at the Pisac's typical Indian market. There is a catholic mass service on Sunday (celebrated in Quechua, the native language). Lunch at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon pass through Calca and Urubamba towns to arrive to the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, which was built to guard the entry of this part of the valley and protect it from enemies of the lower jungles. It consists of a series of superimposed terraces of carved stones accessed by long staircases. We will have the opportunity to walk through the quaint streets of the nearby town. We will see the religious and agricultural centre during the Inca Empire and get a clear idea of the military strategy against possible invasions. On our way back to Cusco we will visit the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero where the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui lies. Admire its well preserved Inca Wall at the Main Square and visit the beautiful colonial temple built on Inca foundations, with interesting frescoes on the portico. Back to Cusco in the afternoon. Overnight.
Day 21: Cusco - Lima. (B)
Early in the morning, transfer to airport to take a flight to Lima and continue with next destination.
Included / Not Included
TOUR INCLUSIONS
All hotel and lodge accommodations based on double occupancy.
All transfers at arrival and departure of each locality, assisted by professional personnel.
Land service as indicated in program.
All tickets and entrance fees to ruins, museums, etc..
Excursion to Machu Picchu on Backpacker train.
Overnights in double rooms in mentioned or similar hotels.
Meals as indicated in the program.
Complete gear for trekking to Carabaya Mountain (Professional speaking Spanish / English guide, two people tents, muleteer, dining tent, first aid kit, field cook, porters, horses and mules for carrie bagages).
Meals as specified in the itinerary.
NOT INCLUDED:
International Domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature, domestic flight, Tips at hotels, restaurants, airport and guides.
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