The Ultimate Peru Tour

21 Days
From $ 2,899

About this SAAT Travel tour: The Ultimate Peru

Three-weeks of adventure, relaxation and incredible experiences await you on this once in a lifetime trip across 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, getting to know the history and the wildlife of the country, from the Andes to the Amazon. You'll stay in a jungle lodge; trek the breathtaking Colca Canyon; ride in dune buggies, light air-craft and canoes; see volcanoes, snow covered peaks and vast high-altitude lakes before rounding 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 taking in the country's many highlights as well as giving you an insight into its incredible history. So, if you want to make sure that your Peruvian adventure is nothing short of incredible, take the ‘Ultimate Peru’ trip and visit Lima, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, the Ballestas Islands, Hucachina, the Nazka Lines, the Colca Canyon, the Sacred Valley, the Amazon jungle, Tambopata, and Machu Picchu with South America Adventure Travel.

Travel to Lima, the Sacred Valley, Nazca and the Amazon for less with South America Adventure Travel

  • Day 1

    Arrival in Lima


    Lima

  • Costa Verde
  • Upon clearing immigration and customs at the international airport in Lima, look out for your South America Adventure Travel representative with a placard bearing your name. Our rep will give you a warm welcome and escort you to your hotel, briefing you along the way on all your travel arrangements for your stay in Peru. As you'll probably be a little jet-lagged, the rest of the day following arrival at your hotel is set-aside for your leisure. If however, you're keen to get out and explore the area, ask your travel representative for some restaurant and bar recommendations. Lima is now the culinary capital of Latin America, and a wide variety of very decently priced restaurants can be found all over the city.
  • Day 2

    Lima City and Museum Tour


    Lima

  • Cathedral
  • After a leisurely breakfast in your hotel you'll begin a guided tour of the city with a South America Adventure Travel expert. The tour centers on the colonial city centre, where you'll be guided around The Plaza Mayor, the cathedral, the Governor's Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Church of the Covenant and Plaza San Martin. Following the tour you'll visit either the Gold Museum or the Archaeological Museum where you'll receive a crash course in Peruvian history. Both museums are stunning, and are filled with a wealth of relics and information that bear tribute to the historical cultures that have defined Peru. The evening is once again set aside for your leisure. You can either relax at your hotel or throw yourself into the world-class restaurants and unbeatable nightlife of a Latin American city. (Meals - B)
  • Day 3

    Ballestas: The


    Lima to Paracas

  • Seals
  • After breakfast you'll be collected in Lima and transferred to the Bus Station for a first class trip to Paracas, a comfortable four-hour journey through some interesting landscapes. Upon reaching Paracas you'll be taken on a boat tour around the Ballestas Islands where you'll be able to get a good look at the diverse wildlife of the area. It is common to spot a wide range of birds such as penguins, boobies and pelicans, as well as sea-lions and maybe even some dolphins and whales. After the boat tour you'll head into the dunes where you will see the amazing Candelabro geoglyph etched into the side of a giant sand dune - to this day it is not known who drew it or what it symbolizes. In the evening you'll be transferred to your hotel where you can relax for the evening and get a good night's sleep.
  • Day 4

    Adrenaline and the Dunes


    Hucachina

  • Dune Buggy
  • Following a good breakfast you'll proceed inland to Ica, an agricultural region covered in sand dunes and vineyards with a warm, dry climate year-round. Your final destination will be Huacachin, a charismatic palm tree oasis where you'll be spending the evening. First you'll have to buckle up and brace yourself for a high-performance dune buggy dragster tour of the surrounding dunes. The buggies drive fast, make a lot of noise, and you could well be airborne from time to time! Rest assured, we have selected only the safest buggies and guides available to ensure your well-being on this adrenalin fueled leg of the tour. Then, if you're any great shakes at skiing or snowboarding, or just keen to try something new, you'll be invited to partake in a little dune boarding - speed, adrenaline and airtime abound. In the evening you can kick back, relax and enjoy the tranquility and dining options on offer around the central lagoon of Huacachina. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 5

    The Mystery of the Geoglyphs


    The Nazca Lines

  • Nazca Bird
  • Following a satisfying breakfast at your hotel in Huacachina you'll be collected and transferred by first class bus to the city of Nazca, just a couple of hours away. After being given some time to settle into your hotel, you may want to consider a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines. The giant geoglyphs are something of a mystery and the riddle behind their creation has never really been solved. Some claim they were designed to follow star patterns, or were created to appease the Gods, and there are some that claim humans didn't create them at all. Whatever the case may be, they are a serious sight to behold, and the only way to really view them is through the window of a light aircraft as you fly a few thousand feet above. While a number of the Nazca Lines are composed of lined patterns, others represent intricately designed animals including a spider, a condor, a hummingbird, a whale, and in one case, a man from outer space. In the evening you'll be taken to the planetarium for further astrological insights into some of the theories behind their creation. (Meals - B, L) *** Please Note: For security purposes SAAT no longer sells Nazca Lines Over flights. Those willing to assume the risk will be able to book with local agencies in Nazca or Ica.
  • Day 6

    Antonini Museum and on to Arequipa


    Nazca to Arequipa

  • Chauchilla
  • After a leisurely breakfast you'll visit the Antonini Museum for a guided tour around the complex. With over 300 ancient Nazca artifacts documenting the Nazca including a perfectly preserved aqueduct located behind the complex, the museum provides a fascinating insight into this unique bygone civilization. After the museum tour you'll be invited for lunch at your hotel where you can enjoy a day use of the facilities, including the swimming pool. Later in the evening you'll be delivered to the bus station by a SAAT representative for your overnight bus trip to Arequipa. The bus seats in first class recline fully and are extremely comfortable, so getting a restful night?s sleep is no problem. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 7

    The Beauty of the White City


    Arequipa

  • Misti
  • 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 8

    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 9

    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 10

    Out from the Canyon to Titicaca


    Colca Canyon to Puno

  • Titicaca
  • In the morning you'll have time to explore the surroundings of Corporaque before departing for Puno and Lake Titicaca. Along the way you'll travel through the stark beauty of the altiplano and its vast emptiness. Upon arrival to Puno you will be delivered to your comfortable hotel where you can rest in preparation for the next day's activities. (Meals - B)
  • Day 11

    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 12

    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 13

    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 14

    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 15

    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 16

    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 17

    Puerto Maldonado and Refugio Amazonas


    Refugio

  • Frog
  • 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 Refugios Amazonas lodge. The ride takes approximately two and a half hours, and gives you some time to appreciate the wild side of the jungle and enjoy a packed lunch along the way. Upon arrival at the lodge you'll be given a short orientation and some time to relax and unwind in the beautiful surroundings. Should you wish you can ascend the lodge's canopy tower that affords thrilling views out over the surrounding jungle and the array of interesting birdlife that make their homes there. In the evening you'll be served a delicious jungle dinner and shown a video presentation about the Tambopata Reserve. (Meals - B, L, D)
  • Day 18

    The Tambopata Research Center


    Tambopata Research Center

  • Caiman
  • You'll wake up early and prepare for a wild day out in the jungle. After breakfast you'll visit the Sachavacayoc Oxbow Lake where you'll have a guided canoe tour around the area. You should be able to check out a few of the areas more curious residents such as the peculiar Hoatzin bird that evolution seems to have passed by, leaving it with unusual dinosaur-like attributes. After the tour you'll head on out for the Tambopata Research Center. Located in the heart of the Tambopata Reserve, completely isolated from human activity, the lodge takes approximately five hours to reach by boat. As you arrive you'll be met by the staff and given an orientation tour of the lodge. Tame macaws amble about the place and the general ambiance leads one to feel that you've left the modern world far behind. Later in the evening you'll be led on the short Bamboo Trail close to the reserve in search of nocturnal critters. Following dinner you're invited to take another night hike or relax at the lodge to the enigmatic sounds of the forest. (Meals - B, L, D)
  • Day 19

    The World's Largest Macaw Claylick


    Tambopata Research Center

  • Sacrlet Macaw
  • Following an early rise to the sounds of the jungle you'll visit a local 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 return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast, before being led out on the Ocelot trail that winds through impressive virgin rainforest. Following lunch back at the lodge you'll be led to an oxbow lake where you can check out the resident creatures and partake in a little rest and recuperation. Dinner will be served back at the lodge. (Meals - B, L, D)
  • Day 20

    TRC back to Refugio


    Refugio

  • Birdwatch
  • If you wish to visit the macaws again this morning you are very welcome, others however may prefer to lie in. Either way breakfast will be served at the lodge, following which you'll be led on one last trail around the nearby area in order to take in the beauty of the surroundings before you leave. You then return to the lodge and board a special boat for your return to Refugio Amazonas. Upon arrival at the lodge you'll be given time to relax in a hammock and perhaps enjoy a little refreshment in the bar before being served another delicious dinner. (Meals - B, L, D)
  • Day 21

    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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