Welcome by your driver at the Arequipa airport and private transfer to your hotel located in the historic center. Take advantage of this first day to rest and gently acclimatize to the altitude of the famous White City of the Andes.
Welcome by your driver at the Arequipa airport and private transfer to your hotel located in the historic center. Take advantage of this first day to rest and gently acclimatize to the altitude of the famous White City of the Andes.
Dive into the history of Arequipa during a guided city tour. You will be charmed by the colonial architecture carved in sillar, the famous white volcanic stone. You will explore the colorful streets of the Santa Catalina Convent, a true city within the city, before a fascinating encounter with the Mummy Juanita, a poignant testimony to Inca offerings to the sacred mountains.
Early departure towards the majestic Colca Canyon. Along the way, you cross the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve for a superb observation of wild vicuña herds set against the backdrop of the cordillera's volcanoes. After lunch facing the impressive pre-Inca agricultural terraces of Chivay, you settle into your hotel in Yanque, with the option of a relaxing walk in the Andean countryside in the afternoon.
At first light, you head to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, an exceptional spot to admire the majestic flight of the Andean condors over the canyon. You then pass through the traditional villages of Pinchollo and Maca before reaching the community of Canocota. There, you are welcomed by your host family to share a friendly lunch, followed by an immersive walk in the countryside to learn about their ancestral traditions and legends over an authentic Andean dinner.
After a warm goodbye to your hosts, you begin a panoramic hike of about 2.5 hours along the Colca Canyon to reach the town of Chivay. You then board a tourist bus heading to Puno, enjoying several stops along the way to photograph the vast wild expanses and the sumptuous landscapes of the Altiplano high plateau.
Departure from the port of Puno for a navigation on the mythical Lake Titicaca towards the peaceful Capachica peninsula. You disembark at the village of Llachon to begin a total immersion with a local family. The afternoon is dedicated to sharing their daily activities: working in the fields, hiking with a view of the lake, or discovering the local flora, before a peaceful night with your hosts.
The morning is dedicated to traditional fishing on the lake, an essential activity to understand the lifestyle of the region's inhabitants. After a final shared meal with your host family, you take the boat back to the bay of Puno. The experience continues with a unique night in a lodge on the famous Uros floating islands, a magical opportunity to enjoy the sunset over the sparkling waters of the Titicaca.
Your private driver guides you along the fascinating Route of the Sun connecting Puno to Cusco. You step off the beaten path to admire the impressive rock formations of the Tinajani canyon. At the end of the day, you reach the village of Raqchi for another homestay experience. You spend the evening in the company of local families, renowned throughout the country for their exceptional craftsmanship in ceramics and pottery.
You begin with the archaeological exploration of the Temple of Wiracocha, one of the most colossal structures of the Inca Empire. The adventure continues towards the spectacular Palcoyo rainbow mountain range, at an altitude of nearly 5,000 meters. Far from the crowds of Vinicunca, you enjoy a superb panoramic hike to admire these unique geological formations in ochre and pastel shades, before heading down towards the legendary city of Cusco.
Dive into the magic of Cusco during a guided tour of the historic center and its cobblestone streets lined with original Inca walls. You explore the grandiose ruins overlooking the city as well as the legendary Qorikancha complex, where Spanish colonial architecture perfectly intertwines with the ancient foundations of the Temple of the Sun. The itinerary is customizable with your guide to perfectly match your desires.
Set off to conquer the Sacred Valley! In Chinchero, you attend a captivating demonstration in a traditional textile workshop. You then visit the ingenious Inca agricultural laboratory of Moray before discovering the spectacular white landscape of the Maras salt mines. From the salt pans, you begin a beautiful downhill hike towards the Urubamba River. The day ends with the exploration of the strategic fortress of Ollantaytambo, one of the last still-inhabited Inca villages.
After a picturesque train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, you take the shuttle that winds up to the site's entrance. You experience the culmination of your adventure during a guided tour of Machu Picchu (Circuit 2). You wander through the agricultural terraces, temples, and residential areas of this Wonder of the World, understanding the perfect harmony between Inca architectural genius and the majesty of the surrounding nature, before returning to Cusco at the end of the day.
Enjoy a completely free day in Cusco to do your final shopping at the San Pedro market, stroll through the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, or taste a local specialty. Your tour leader remains entirely at your disposal to advise you and organize a tailor-made activity according to your last-minute desires.
Depending on the schedule of your domestic flight, your driver provides your private transfer from the hotel to the Cusco airport. You fly to Lima with a head full of unforgettable images and memorable encounters, bringing your magnificent expedition to the heart of the Peruvian Andes to a close.
This flexible 2-day tour on the Route of the Sun allows you to travel from Cusco to Puno at your...
A customizable Sun Route between Tipón, Palcoyo, Waqra Pukara, Tinajani or Sillustani, with an overnight stay in the community of Raqchi. A flexible experience blending culture, landscapes, and authentic encounters.
Experience a full immersion in the Peruvian Amazon, in the heart of the Tambopata Reserve, with macaw watching at the Chuncho clay lick, wildlife encounters, and deep jungle exploration.