Colores Del Peru

You depart today from Brussels/Amsterdam for the Peruvian capital of Lima, arriving in the late evening. You will be met at the airport by a representative of our local agent for transfer to your hotel, located in the pleasant Miraflores neighborhood.

After a full breakfast at our hotel, we will drive towards the romantic “Parque Del Amor” where we will enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and beaches. Then we will go to a very traditional local market in Surquillo where we will learn about Peruvian gastronomy and the many products we grow and harvest in our country. Here we will have a fruit tasting to enjoy the native and exotic products from different regions of Peru (Coastal, Andean and Amazonian). The next place to visit is the Bohemian and artistic district of Barranco, the smallest district of Lima. We will visit the “plaza,” the romantic and mystical “Puente de los suspiros.” In addition, we will take a look at the beautiful art paintings on the very small and narrow street walls of this traditional neighborhood and then have lunch in a very local restaurant preparing typical dishes. After lunch we will go to the historic center of Lima, where we will visit the Plaza San Martin and the mysterious underground catacombs of the San Francisco Monastery to learn more about the history of Peru.

At 8 a.m. we drive toward Ica where you board a small 20-seater Cessna propeller plane. A 70-minute flight. From the air you’ll view the world-famous lines of Nazca & Palpa, beautiful geoglyphs composed of dozens of animal figures, hundreds of geometric shapes and 300-meter lines in the desert sand. Because the Nazca people created the lines on the high plateau of Peru in the arid border strip with the Atacama Desert, the lines have been beautifully preserved. After this you will have a few hours free to enjoy the hotel facilities. Then we will head towards the Paracas National Reserve for a light hike at a moderate pace. Here you are going to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.

After breakfast you will board a boat for an approximately three-hour trip to the Islas Ballestas, known for their rich animal life. These islands include large colonies, sea lions and penguins, which you can admire up close. The fish-rich waters also attract large flocks of birds, such as cormorants and pelicans. With a little luck you will spot flamingos and dolphins in addition to sea lions, penguins, cormorants and pelicans. After lunch you will have time to enjoy the hotel’s facilities. Later we drive back to Lima.

After breakfast domestic flight Cusco – Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, you will be transferred to the lodge by boat. It is about a 45-minute boat ride down the Madre de Dios River. Once you arrive at the lodge, you will be assigned your bungalow and enjoy lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon, you can choose from one of the fourteen different excursion options the lodge has. For example, you can take a guided hike through the lodge’s specially constructed trail system. You will hike past immense trees, with the chance of seeing many animals. Towards evening, you can go on a River excursion. You will experience how nature changes as night falls and you will have the chance to see various (nocturnal) animals such as owls, capybaras and caimans. Back at the lodge, you will enjoy a delicious dinner while hearing the sounds of the jungle in the background.

In the morning, you will go in a wooden canoe to Sandoval Lake. This beautiful lake is home to the endangered river otter, many species of monkeys, anacondas, birds and turtles. After lunch, the adventure begins some 30 meters above the ground: the Canopy Walkway. You will walk between the treetops on a network of constructed paths and platforms. During this walk you will see different species of birds and monkeys, such as the colorful toucan, woodpeckers and howler monkeys. Who knows, you may even see a sloth! You can extend the excursion if you want to watch the sunset from one of the platforms. This is a unique experience.

Much of the day will be spent on the water. You will go to Gamitana creek, where several species of piranhas live. You can also spot caimans and turtles. Later you will go in a smaller canoe to the Gamitana Farm where you will have a picnic. In the afternoon, you will meet the local farmers and the fruits and plants they grow while hiking. Once back at the lodge, relax or take advantage of the spa facilities.

After breakfast, take the boat back to Puerto Maldonado, followed by a transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, we will drive to Ollantaytambo, a historic Inca center that was of great importance both religiously and astronomically. This impressive fortress also served as a military fortress during the legendary battles between the Incas and the Spanish. Although the Spanish eventually conquered the city and built colonial buildings over the original Inca structures, Ollantaytambo was rediscovered in the early 20th century and today offers a fascinating glimpse into its rich Inca history.

We will pick you up from your hotel around 7:30 am and take you to the train station. By train we will travel to kilometer 104 on the Cusco-Machu Picchu railroad, where we will arrive around 10 am. At this point we will leave the train, cross the Willkamayu bridge over the Urubamba River and begin our walking tour. First we will visit the famous Inca ruins of Chachabamba, a magnificent palace with beautiful rooms and walls. After an introduction to Inca history, we hike along a climbing trail about 8 kilometers in 3 hours, after which we reach the magnificent ruins of Wiñaywayna (2,700 meters above sea level). This amazing place is a good example of the Inca terraces and probably formed an agricultural experiment in the Inca-era. The ruin’s name, “Eternally Young,” comes from an orchid frequently found in this region. After our visit to Wiñaywayna, we continue our walk along a narrow path through the cloud forest until we reach Inti Punku – the famous Sun Gate of the Incas. Here you will have the first, overwhelming view of Machu Picchu. After taking pictures, we descend toward Machu Picchu. Then we continue by bus to the village of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel. In the evening, you can optionally visit the hot springs of this village.

Today we visit again Machupicchu, the masterpiece of Inca civilization. The site was built around 1440 and inhabited for just under a century. You will be met by a guide at the hotel and at 6 o’clock you can enter the “Lost City of the Incas,” just in time to see the first sunlight shining over the surrounding ridges. A magical moment. After a guided tour of about 3 hours, you will have all the time you need to further explore this “wonder of the world” and take pictures.In the afternoon we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes, the town where we will take our train back to the Sacred Valley, after which you will be taken by private transport back to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

After breakfast we visit the ancient salt mines “Salineras,” one of nature’s greatest mysteries. Deep from the mountains springs a source of extremely salty water. Since the time of the Incas, the salt mines have consisted of about 3,000 small fields. These springs were used until the present era, to produce salt by evaporation. After the fields fill with salt water, the sun evaporates the water naturally, leaving the pure natural salt. This place is spectacular to photograph. Then we continue to the nearby Inca site of Moray. Here we visit the circular terraces considered an Inca prototype of an experimental biological station. After this, we drive further Cusco.

Today you’ll trade the majestic mountains of Cusco for the warm beaches of northern Peru. After a domestic flight from Cusco to Talara via Lima, you will be transferred by private transport to your beach hotel. Here you can immediately enjoy the relaxed coastal life on the beautiful shores of the Pacific Ocean.

Free days to enjoy the beach or pool at your hotel. Relax under the sun, listen to the soothing sound of the waves, or explore the local area. Traveling between August and November? Then whale watching is a unique experience not to be missed.

In the morning you will be picked up for an excursion to the pristine beach of Los Organos. Here you can admire sea lions and blue-footed boobies in their natural habitat. Then we sail to Quebrada Verde for a traditional fishing experience, where you fish with simple lines and use the catch for a fresh Ceviche lunch. Then we dive into the clear blue waters at Ñuro cave for snorkeling and swimming among green sea turtles.

Take this last morning to enjoy the beach one last time. In the afternoon, you will be picked up and transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima, and then your international flight home, full of memories of beautiful Peru.