PERU, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Valley of the Incas & Colca Canyon.

After meeting at the airport we will check in and have time to relax and meet the rest of the group before boarding our flight.

Welcome to Peru!

After arriving in Lima we will transfer to our hotel.
For our first three nights in Lima we will be staying in the Miraflores district which is known for being a vibrant and friendly place to start your journey into Peru. We will be sharing twin rooms at the Casa Suray and breakfast is included each morning. There is an option to have a room to yourself for the supplement of £325 for the duration of the trip but these are limited so please let me know as soon as you RSVP if you would like one.

We will spend a little time relaxing before going for dinner locally close to the hotel as we may well be tired after the long journey.

The Travel Buddies trips work on the basis that as long as you are having a good time then that is what matters, if you don’t feel like coming on one of the excursions or joining the rest of the group for dinner one evening then that is absolutely fine. This is an adventure for everyone and there is nothing worse than having to go somewhere/do something that you don’t really fancy!

After a good sleep and breakfast at the hotel we will get acquainted with the rich regal history of Lima on a sightseeing walking tour of the Peruvian capital. This evening we will share transport to a magical fountain park with a laser show projected on a wall of water/mist. Entrance is around £2.

Today starts with a shanty town tour up the famous “Yellow Stairs” to learn about the way a large majority of Lima’s population live. We will have the opportunity to visit a kindergarten and delve into this wonderful community., visiting craftsmen and their families. The entire cost of this excursion is reaped back into growing and improving the community. Free afternoon to explore or relax, there are heaps of things to do and in a travel Buddies group you can guarantee you won’t be going alone, unless you want to!

Today we set off for the second destination of our Peruvian adventure by means of a short flight to Arequipa (1h 30m) Often considered Peru’s second city, Arequipa is the main destination in the country’s southern region! The city is considered a melting pot between Spanish and indigenous cultures, making it a popular destination with tourists wanting to dive deep into the country’s history and contemporary culture.

Our hotel, the Plaza Boutique Hotel is situated in the city’s main square, we will be staying here for 3 nights. Breakfast is included each morning.

First dinner in Arepiqua.

Today it’s a super early start (03.00) for a full day trip to the spectacular Colca Canyon, the world’s second deepest canyon, twice as deep as the US Grand Canyon and home to soaring condors and endless trekking routes. Here you will be able to hike, spot condors and relax a little in the hot springs. A simple breakfast and buffet lunch are included. Entrance fees are not included and cost approx £35.
Dinner locally.

Free day to relax or enjoy activities in Arequipa.
This evening we enjoy a guided foodie tour and discover, why? In the last 10 years, Peru has been recognised as one of the world’s best culinary destinations.

With lots of new dishes to taste, no one will be left feeling hungry!

Optional trip to enjoy white water rafting. The trip is recommended for adults with or without rafting experience. It runs a 6-7km section of Rio Chili with Class II, III and IV rapids. The trip is about 3 hours from door-to-door, with a full hour of fun on the water. Around £30.

This evening we will  travel overnight from Arequipa to Cusco by overnight bus. The journey will take approx 10 hours.

Upon arrival in Cusco we will transfer to our hotel the Amuru Inca where we will be staying for 7 nights (Please note that the solo rooms have single beds).  We will be able to check in right away and have the day to relax, explore and acclimatise.

The group will embark on a guided tour to discover the important sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, learn about the history of the Incas, stop at the Mirador of Taray for spectacular views of the Andes and the Sacred Valley, visit archaeological sites, see the agricultural terraces, Inca cemeteries and royal buildings as well as the Moras salt mines.  Visit an authentic market in the town of Pisac, and see how locals dye alpaca wool with natural plants of the region before continuing to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch at a restaurant. Lunch is included. Entrance fees to the sites are not included  and need to be purchased on the day in cash. They are approximately £25.

Today is the day that we have all been waiting for! The day that we lay eyes on one of the 7 wonders of the World. Machu Picchu. More than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. A symbol of the Incan Empire and built around 1450AD, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

The morning of the tour we will be met at our hotel at 04.00 and transfer approximately 2 hours to Ollantaytambo station where we take the train. We will have around 2 hours at Machu Picchu with our guide to take in the breath-taking views and hike. We then take a bus to Aguas Calientes where we can have lunch. (Lunch is not included.) After the trek and one of the most memorable days of our lives, we will be dropped back at the hotel.

Free day.

Optional horse-riding tour to Devil’s Balcony. A natural feature in the countryside outside Cusco, with a human history dating back to the Incas. This half-day guided horseback safari includes round-trip travel from Cusco, safety equipment, and snacks and costs around £45.

Today is the day when the whole of Peru celebrates Inti Raymi, a traditional Incan festival that celebrates the Sun God which involves music, dancing, processions, and ritualistic ceremonies. The streets will be alive today and there will be lots of opportunities to join the festivities.

Please Note that the celebrations are celebrated all over the city and are free to enjoy but the part that takes place at the Sacsayhuamán archaeological site has an entrance fee of between £150 and £250 for the day and this includes bus transfers and a boxed lunch. We have not included this in the tour package but should you wish to book then here is the official website.

https://intiraymiperu.com/

It’s another early start today with a collection from our hotel at 03.00 for an incredible day exploring the amazing Rainbow Mountain in the region of Vinincunca. We will hike along the Andes, encountering beautiful scenery of the mountains and surrounding glaciers. (Horses are available for an extra charge if you have tired legs 🙂 Breakfast and lunch are included with hotel drop off at around 17.00, giving us time to relax before we dine locally.

After checking out and waving a fond farewell we take a transfer to the airport to take a flight to the airport for a short flight back to Lima where we will enjoy a last evening in Miraflores back at our hotel in the Miraflores district.

Check out and have a last day to explore or do some souvenir shopping before taking our private transfer to the airport to start our journey home.

Arrive in London Heathrow and bid farewell to our fellow Travel Buddies.