Peruvian Hotspots Tour

14 Days
From $ 1,649

About this SAAT Travel tour: Peruvian Hotspots

Two-weeks of adventure, relaxation and incredible experiences await you on this fabulous tour across some of Peru's most spectacular destinations. Combining a heady mixture of city lights, steamy jungles, and high-altitude plains, you'll travel through some seriously varied terrain as you explore the highlands and lowlands of Peru, from the Andes to the Amazon. You'll stay in a jungle lodge, visit the fascinating Lake Titicaca, trek the breathtaking Colca Canyon and round it all off with the superlative Machu Picchu. Here at South America Adventure Travel we've harnessed our wealth of local knowledge to bring you this packed itinerary of the area's many highlights. So, if you want to make sure that your Peruvian adventure is nothing short of incredible, take the ‘Peruvian Hotspots’ tour and visit Lima, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, the Sacred Valley, the Amazon jungle, Salinas and Machu Picchu with South America Adventure Travel.

Travel to the Inca heartland, Arequipa, the Amazon and Lake Titicaca for less with South America Adventure Travel

  • Day 1

    The Beauty of the White City


    Lima to Arequipa

  • Misti
  • You'll be met at the airport and assisted with your domestic flight from Lima to Arequipa. Upon arrival in the 'White City', as it is known in Peru, you'll be met by a SAAT representative and transferred to your hotel where you'll have some time to relax before being collected for a tour. Arequipa has a quaint and quiet charm to it, and the beautiful Misti Volcano towering in the city's background makes for some dramatic views. Part of the tour includes a privately guided walk around the Santa Catalina Monastery. Almost like a secret area within the city the monastery was closed to the outside world for over 300 years, and in many ways still remains separate from other sections of the city. The brightly colored colonial architecture set amidst a network of cobbled streets has a unique atmosphere and Santa Catalina's serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of Arequipa's streets is worth savoring. The evening will be spent at your leisure, so make sure you chat to your travel specialist about where to find the best bars and restaurants to check out while you unwind.
  • Day 2

    Through Salinas into Colca


    Colca Canyon

  • Vicunas
  • After a relaxed breakfast you'll head out for your adventure to the Colca Canyon. A SAAT representative will collect you at your hotel and transport you to the Canyon, stopping at the Mirador de los Andes along the way. The landscapes in this area are some of the most spectacular in all of Peru. The canyon is also home to the Andean condor and it is sometimes possible to get some quality snaps of these amazing birds in flight. You may also spot some wild vicuna as you pass through the 'Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve'. In the afternoon you'll continue on to Chivay where you'll be invited for lunch at the renowned Casa de Mamayachi before beginning a light trek around the area visiting the Medicinal Baths and Thermal Springs. In the evening you'll be transferred to your comfortable Canyon lodge for an evening of relaxation. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 3

    The Condor's Canyon


    Colca Canyon

  • Condor
  • After enjoying a delicious breakfast in your lodge you'll be collected for another day at the Colca Canyon. The first stop on the day's tour will be the Cruz de Condor which offers the most impressive views over the Canyon. A number of giant Andean condors frequent thermal currents in the area and it is a perfect spot for taking photographs, so don't forget the camera! You'll then continue back to your hotel enjoying a stop in a traditional Andean village along the way. The evening is set aside for you to enjoy at your leisure. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 4

    Out from the Canyon to Titicaca


    Colca Canyon to Puno

  • Titicaca
  • In the morning we have time to explore the surroundings of Corporaque before departing for Puno and Lake Titicaca. Along the way we will enjoy the stark beauty of the altiplano and its vast emptiness. Upon arrival in Puno you will be delivered to your comfortable hotel where you can rest in preparation for the next day's activities. (Meals - B)
  • Day 5

    The Islands of Lake Titicaca


    Lake Titicaca

  • Amantani
  • Lake Titicaca is a breathtaking experience in more ways than one! This vast high-altitude lake is intensely blue and has an other-worldly quality to it - it's hardly any wonder that the Incas believed the lake to be the birthplace of all humankind. Your tour around the lake begins on a fast boat which will take you out to the floating Islands of Uros. A string of man-made islands crafted from tortora reeds that bob about the lake like ice cubes. The islands have small settlements built on them, which you'll have the opportunity to visit before setting out for the larger, natural Island of Taquile - a fascinating place, home to around 1700 inhabitants. You'll be invited to enjoy lunch on the island and then in the evening you?ll return to your hotel in Puno and spend the rest of the evening at your leisure. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 6

    The Valley between Cusco and Titicaca


    Puno to Cusco

  • Railroad
  • It's an early start this morning for your trip over to the Inca capital. Following breakfast in your hotel you'll be collected and driven to the bus terminal in Puno where you'll be helped onto a first class bus to Cusco. You'll stop at several sites along the way and be given tours of Rachi, Andahuayillas, and la Raya. These places offer a fascinating insight into Andean communities and the legacy of the Inca culture, and also help to break up the journey. Upon arrival in Cusco you'll be transferred to your hotel where you can spend the evening at your leisure. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 7

    Historical Highlights of Cusco


    Cusco

  • Sacsawayman
  • After a hearty breakfast you'll be collected for a guided tour of Cusco and the surrounding area. A city unlike any other, Cusco is both an historical tour de force and a cultural hot-spot - in no other place is the clash of historical civilizations more evident. On the tour you'll witness the many interesting icons that define the city, such as the colonial cathedral, the Temple of the Sun, Sacsayhuaman and the Korikancha. The essence of the tour is to give you an idea of the depth of the city's awe-inspiring history, while at the same time letting you take in some breathtaking sights. The tour moves through the city's different cultural epochs and gives a fascinating insight into the staggering clashes of cultural history for which Cusco is renowned. Following the tour you'll be free to relax and enjoy the city and its nightlife at your leisure. (Meals - B)
  • Day 8

    Vilcanota and the Sacred Valley


    Sacred Valley

  • Scenic Sacred Valley
  • After enjoying a good breakfast in your hotel you'll be met by a South America Adventure Travel guide for your tour and transfer to the Sacred Valley (T/Th/Su). An hour and a half away from Cusco, this leg of the tour is a little more relaxed as it takes in the breathtaking landscapes of the Urubamba Valley and the dominating ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The first stop is Pisac and its local market, where you will be able to mingle with the local residents and browse the colorful handicrafts on offer. Following this you will be led to the Sonesta Posada to enjoy a delicious lunch amidst the impressive landscape. After lunch your guide will lead you to the imposing ruins of Ollantaytambo before taking you to your cozy hotel in the valley where you'll be able to enjoy an easygoing evening. If you wish to return to Cusco for the night you will also visit the village of Chinchero. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 9

    Citadel in the Clouds


    Machu Picchu

  • Mapi
  • Following a relaxed breakfast your South America Adventure Travel guide will deliver you to the train station where you'll take a morning departure bound for Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Once there our guides will meet you; and while one takes you directly up to the majestic ruins, our other representatives will ensure your luggage arrives safely at your hotel. Machu Picchu is probably best described as being indescribable. The setting alone is unique and leans quite seriously towards the spiritual. It's not easy getting one's head around just how the Inca managed it all; stones the size of houses are beautifully carved and fitted jigsaw-like together with amazing craftsmanship. The Inca hadn't even invented the wheel, and yet somehow they built Machu Picchu. This is all discussed on your tour around the area following which you'll have some time to explore the ruins on your own. In the afternoon transportation is provided back to Aguas Calientes where you may choose to enjoy the evening in the relaxing hot springs located at the end of town. (Meals - B) *** Note: Ask your travel specialist about our promotional upgrade to Vistadome Train and Private Guided Machu Picchu Tour!
  • Day 10

    Aguas Calientes and Train to Cusco


    Machu Picchu to Cusco

  • Backpacker
  • If you didn't get enough of Machu Picchu the day before, you can return again today for another look. It's best to try and catch the sunrise, and buses leave for the Inca ruins at daybreak (second entrance and bus ticket required). You may want to consider a hike to Wayna Picchu for a unique adventure and to enjoy panoramic views of the ruins and surrounding valleys. The train heading back to Cusco departs in the afternoon and arrives back in the Inca capital after sunset. Once back in Cusco you'll be met by a South America Adventure Travel representative and delivered to your hotel where you can relax or enjoy a night out on the town. (Meals - B)
  • Day 11

    Into the Amazon


    Tambopata

  • Caiman
  • After your domestic flight to Puerto Maldonado in the Peruvian Amazon you will be met and guided to the river port where you'll ride a motorized canoe to the lodge. The ride takes approximately two and a half hours and gives you some time to appreciate the wild side of the jungle. Upon arrival at the lodge you'll be given a short orientation and then some time to relax in the beautiful surroundings. The evening is dedicated to a delicious dinner, following which you'll board a canoe in search of giant caimans along the riverbank. (Meals - B, L, D)
  • Day 12

    Life around the ox-bow


    Tambopata

  • Birdwatch
  • Waking to the sounds of the Amazon, you're now truly ensconced in the jungle - bugs will buzz, birds will shriek, and every square inch is teeming with life. After breakfast you'll be guided to the nearby Sachavacayoc Oxbow Lake where you'll be able to catch a few of the jungle's more curious creatures at work, such as the occasional river otter, horned screamers and the peculiar Hoatzin bird that evolution seems to have passed by. There are short hikes available for those willing and wanting to visit the Condenado Lake. Following this you'll return to the lodge for lunch before visiting a local ethno-botanical farm owned by one Don Manuel who will demonstrate the various models of sustainable projects and perma-culture being utilized in the area. You'll then return to the lodge for dinner and be given the option of venturing out on a late night jungle walk to check out a few of the area's nocturnal dwellers. (Meals - B, L, D)
  • Day 13

    Clay Lick at dawn


    Tambopata

  • Sacrlet Macaw
  • Following a scrumptious jungle breakfast you'll take a short boat ride followed by an hour-long jungle hike to visit a parrot hang-out where, from behind a strategically placed blind, you'll be able to get a good view of the hoards of macaws that gather there, scrambling to get the juiciest bits of clay off the side of a jungle cliff face. Scientists believe they eat the clay in order to neutralize toxins in their diets. There are hundreds of these bright and babbly parakeets, and bringing your camera along on this leg of the tour is strongly advised. You'll then continue on to an area where larger animals dwell, such as peccaries, before returning to the lodge for lunch. After eating you'll climb the canopy tower which boasts spectacular views over the surrounding jungle. From above it's quite common to observe a large array of birdlife such as toucans fluttering above the jungle canopy. Dinner will then be served back at the lodge. (Meals - B, L, D)
  • Day 14

    Return to Lima and end of tour


    Lima

  • River Shot
  • After breakfast you'll have an early morning transfer to Puerto Maldonado for you domestic flight to Lima or onwards to another one of South America Adventure Travel's extraordinary Latin American travel destinations. The team at SAAT would like to thank you for the opportunity to organize your Peruvian Vacation. (Meals - B)
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