Classic Peru, Italian-speaking guide

Arrive at Lima Airport. A transport service and a guide will pick you up from the airport at the scheduled time to transfer you to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Spend the day at leisure relaxing after your flight or venture to the city.

Overnight in Lima

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board the direct flight to Arequipa (flight not included) In order to make the indicated Arequipa visit, the domestic flight from Lima - Arequipa must arrive at the latest at 12 pm. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon you will be transferred from the hotel to begin a visit to the delightful "White City" (at approximately 2 pm) which includes the Convent of Santa Catalina, the main square, the Cloister of the Company of Jesus. Then, in the areas of Yanahuara and Chilina, it will be possible to enjoy the view offered by the Misti Volcano. Visit the Santuarios Andinos Museum where the Juanita mummy, a young Inca woman sacrificed to the gods more than 500 years ago on the Ampato volcano (6380 m). Return to your hotel at around 6 pm.

Overnight in Arequipa

After breakfast, at about 8.30 am depart for the Colca Valley along the route that crosses the Pampa Cañahuas - in the Agua Blanca National Reserve - a habitat rich in "vicuñas" (a camelid similar to the llama which has a more delicate, highly prized wool). During the journey in the valley, it will be possible to admire the beautiful pre-Colombian terraces, which are still cultivated by the Collaguas indigenous people. At around 12.30 pm, lunch in a restaurant in the town of Chivay. Arrive in Colca at 2 pm and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Colca

Breakfast at the hotel. At approximately 7 am, our guide and driver will be waiting in the lobby of the hotel to take you for a drive towards Puno in private bus. After 90 minutes we will make a stop en route at "La Cruz del Condor", where - with a little luck - it will be possible to admire the majestic Andean vulture hovering in the air and enjoy a spectacular view of the Colca Valley, the deepest canyon on the planet (3,000 m). Continue along the way looking at breathtaking sceneries. During the transfer, stop for a boxed lunch. Arrival in Puno at around 5 pm. 

Overnight in Puno.

After breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up at 7 am and transferred to the port of Puno where you will embark boat, for the beautiful 7- hour excursion around the Uros Islands (you will be sharing the boat with other clients but the guide is on private basis). The Uros are an indigenous people of Peru that live on a series of man-made islands, created entirely from the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. The islands are composed of layers of woven totora, which are constantly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom. The Uros people also use reeds to construct their homes, so cooking is done outdoors to avoid possible fires. After visiting this fascinating island for an hour and a half, sail to Taquile, a small slice of heaven that once belonged to the Inca Empire and whose residents speak Quechua. Look around and you will notice traces of its Incan past in the ruins that still exist around the island. After a brief introduction, the local community will give you an insight into their customs and traditions with a cultural demonstration. Lunch is enjoyed on the island before the return trip to Puno at 3.30 pm approximately. Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Puno

After breakfast at the hotel, at about 6.20 am you will be transferred to the bus station, where a representative will help you catch your bus to Cusco. There will be an English and Spanish-speaking assistant on the bus during the journey. On the way, you’ll make a number of interesting stops. After 2.5 hrs drive, the first is the town of Pucara and the Pucara Lithic Museum, where we will spend approximately 30 minutes. This was the first urban settlement on Lake Titicaca, established between 100 and 300 A.D. After a brief break at La Raya, the highest point of the trip between Puno and Cusco, at the dizzying altitude of 4,313 metres above sea level, the bus stops at Sicuani at 12.30 pm, where lunch is served. We then head on to Racchi, home to the Wiracocha Temple, an Inca site built in honour of a powerful Andean god. The rectangular construction boasts thatched rooftops 20 metres above the ground; these are thought to be the highest in the Inca Empire. This tour lasts about 45 minutes. Later, after a 60 minutes ride, visit Andahuaylillas, a town located around 40 kilometres away from Cusco. The main attraction here is the local Church, known as the "Sistine Chapel of America" owing to the high quality of art found inside. The church was built during the 16th century on top of Wari remains. Arrival at Cusco in the late afternoon (approximately 6 pm), where an Italian speaking staff will welcome you. Private transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.

After breakfast, pick up at the hotel at 7 am and departure to Chinchero, an historical and artisan centre of Inca origin in the Cusco region, where archaeological remains and one of the first Catholic churches dated to the 17th century are preserved. Chinchero, located at 3,762 m.a.s.l, offers a privileged view of the Sacred Valley. Like most of the towns in the region, Chinchero also experienced the practice of "extirpation of idolatries", an action that replaced traditional deities with Catholic ones during the Colonial times. Enjoy 1-hour visit and then continue to Maras and visit the Inca salt pans: a landscape consisting of about 3,000 ponds used by the Inca people for salt extraction and subsequent exchange with other products of the empire. A magical place, full of extraordinary colour combinations that the sun's rays create on the mirror of water and salt. Then, arrive at Ollantaytambo for lunch at 1 pm. Ollantaytambo is a typical example of urban planning of the Incas and is still inhabited as in the past. You will be able to admire during 1.5 hr the imposing archaeological site which, although it is called "fortress", actually was a "tambo", a place of refreshment and lodging for groups that undertook long journeys. Depart from Ollantaytambo train station towards Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes after 90 minutes by train, you will be expected by a chosen hotel representative who will accompany you on foot to the hotel. Once at the hotel, you will be contacted personally or by telephone by the Italian speaking guide who will provide all the indications for the Machu Picchu visit the next day.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

After breakfast at around 6 am (the exacting time will be confirmed by our guide day before) the guide awaits you at the hotel to begin your visit to the citadel. The guide will accompany you to take the bus shared with other tourists to Machu Picchu. Once there, after 25 minutes by bus, the 2.5 hours guided tour will begin around the citadel. You will be taken to the main square, the Royal apartments, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock and the cemetery. At the end of the visit return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. In the afternoon, at about 2.30 pm, take the train back to Ollantaytambo Station where a private vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco where you will arrive at approximately 6 pm.

Overnight in Cusco

Indulge in a tasty breakfast. Pick up at the hotel at 8.30 am for 4 hours visit of the splendid city of Cusco which was the capital of the Inca Empire (15th century). Take a look at the Main Square, the Regocijo Square, the Cathedral, the Monastery of Santo Domingo and the legendary Korikancha Temple. Afterwards, visit the archaeological sites of Kenko, Puca Pucara and the extraordinary fortress of Sacsayhuaman which offers an extraordinary view of the city of Cusco. Return to the hotel at 1 pm. You have the free afternoon to wander through the streets of the bohemian San Blas neighborhood that was inhabited by the Inca nobility with imposing stone buildings, just a few steps from the famous Main Square or Huacaypata. At 7 pm transfer to a restaurant for dinner with folklore show and return to the hotel at 9.30 pm. 

Overnight in Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport and depart to Lima (Cusco – Lima Flight not included). In order to make the indicated Lima visit, the domestic flight from Cusco to Lima must arrive at the latest at 11 am. Arrival and meeting with the person in charge of the 4- hour visit to the city. The main square is the symbolic place where Lima was born in 1535, known as the "City of the Kings", which later became the capital of the Republic of Peru in 1821, the year that marked the country's independence. Visit the Cathedral and the Casa Aliaga, an ancient viceroyalty house handed over by Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains (Jeronimo de Aliaga) after the city was founded. Continue to the district of Pueblo Libre for an interesting tour through the Larco Museum, founded by Rafael Larco Hoyle in 1926 and located inside a mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid. In this famous museum, also known for having the most extensive collection of erotic ceramics in the world, you will have the opportunity to admire a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artefacts. Finally, transfer to the airport for embarkation on the return flight. Please take note that we recommend that you book your return flight after 6 pm.