From The Andes to The Amazon

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.” We will also 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, 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. In the late evening we take the night bus to Arequipa (comfortable luxury bus with 160 degree seats. The bus trip takes about 10 hours).

In the late afternoon, discover some of Arequipa’s most iconic restaurants and bars. The city is known for its vibrant culinary scene, with a unique blend of flavors found nowhere else in Peru. Arequipa’s gastronomy is a harmonious fusion of rich Andean cultures and Spanish influences, with recipes that have been passed down for generations. Many traditional restaurants still cook on firewood, which intensifies the flavors of the spices in the dishes.
This tour offers you not only the chance to enjoy delectable meals, but also to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of a city ranked among the top five most beautiful cities in the world. Whether you are a passionate foodie or a curious traveler, this tour offers you an authentic experience of Arequipa’s culinary delights and vibrant atmosphere.

Today we begin the tour with an excursion into the past, walking through the Monastery of Santa Catalina. This monument is among the main attractions of Arequipa. We continue the tour to the central square of Arequipa, a lively square where locals like to gather. (Plaza de Armas), and the Compañia de Jesus Church, famous for its incredible Baroque style and its colorful dome of St. Ignatius. After this we visit the Museo Santuarios Andinos where the famous ice mummy “Juanita” can be found, the 13/14-year-old Inca girl, was found on September 8, 1995 on the Ampato volcano (6000 m) and was in perfect condition thanks to the freezing cold.

After breakfast, we will drive towards the southeastern side of the Misti volcano. We will gradually climb from 2300m to an average altitude of 4000m. Once at the summit, the landscape will change dramatically with vast, endless highlands, valleys of rock formations, lush wetlands teeming with Andean wildlife. Our main destination of the morning is Lake Salinas, a dry salt lake located at an altitude of 4300 meters and surrounded by colorful mountains and volcanoes. The landscape is surreal, the clear blue of the sky contrasting sharply with the blinding white salt crust. After our time on the salt flats, we head deeper into the reserve, where there are fewer signs of human life. However, vicuñas, alpacas, flamingos, viscachas (rabbit-like animals) and other Andean animals are often seen. If there is still time and weather permits, we will go for another small hike in the afternoon. Once we leave the reserve, it is only a few hours to where our Hotel is located.Free afternoon to rest and enjoy the Lodge’s four beautiful pools. The pools are fed by natural springs that produce water at temperatures up to 80ºC and are rich in minerals that benefit health, especially lithium, an element that promotes relaxation.The design of the pools has been carefully worked out to minimize interference with the natural environment. Only local materials have been used in their construction (stone, earth and straw) to create a magical atmosphere that takes you to another dimension.

Today we take you to the most beautiful places in the Colca Canyon. Along the way we make a few stops in small Andean Villages where time seems to have stood still. We travel further along the canyon to ‘Mirador Cruz del Condor’, this viewpoint is 1200m deep. From here you will see the natural Andean Condor flying from the bottom of the gorge. Floating majestically through the canyon and above you with outspread wings up to 3 meters wide. On the way back to the hotel we will visit some typical villages: Pinchollo, Maca and Achoma. There we will see archaeological remains, Pre-Inca agricultural terraces and amazing panoramic views of the canyon. In the afternoon you can rest and relax on your private balconies, terraces, or visit the Llama farm.

After breakfast we drive towards Puno, leaving the Colca Canyon behind and driving uphill until we reach the highest point of our trip, the Andean Viewpoint (4800 m). At the very top we get off the bus for a few minutes and enjoy the beautiful scenery with the great volcanoes such as Mismi, Misti, Chachani, Sabancaya (active) and Ampato. Along the paved road we will pass small Andean villages and the beautiful lagoon Lagunillas, where we will see many Andean birds and flamingos. Through a steep road we will then reach Viscachani. Later we will drive through the national reserve of the Peruvian Altiplano. Along the way we visit Sillustani. De site is strategisch gelegen op de top van een schiereiland omringd door een mooi meer genaamd Lago Umayo. Sillustani is een begraafplaats die in de twaalfde eeuw gebouwd werd door een beschaving die het gebied bewoonde vóór het Inca tijdperk. De meest indrukwekkende graftorens werden gebouwd voor belangrijke stamhoofden en priesters. Wandelend rond het schiereiland, kun je het prachtige meer en het omliggende berglandschap bewonderen .

Today you will enjoy a guided tour on Lake Titicaca. By boat we will travel to the floating islands of Uros, home to an ancient community with a history that predates the Inca period. Thanks to their homemade reed islands, in need of constant renovation, the Uros people not only survived the Incas and the Spanish, but also withstood the challenges of modern times, preserving their unique way of life. We then hike along a pre-Inca trail with breathtaking views of the island, where we visit families of weavers to learn more about their textile art and its symbolism. In 2005, “Taquile and its textile art” was declared by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” After this cultural discovery, enjoy local delicacies prepared by the hospitable islanders before returning to our Lodge. Here you can participate in various activities, such as kayaking on a traditional boat or visiting several floating islands.

Train ride of about ten hours, but it definitely does not feel like a long ride. The Titicaca Train is a very luxurious train with multiple cars that include the restaurant area and a bar. The very last carriage has an observation deck, where you can enjoy the outdoor views of the spectacular landscapes the train passes through. Endless plateaus, the snow peaks of the Andes, fast-flowing rivers, dozens of villages, as well as sheer desolation. Meanwhile, you’ll be well taken care of on board. An excellent gourmet lunch is included and in the afternoon it’s tea time!

The adventure begins around 6 a.m., when we pick you up from your hotel with our private transport. We travel about two hours to the village of Checacupe, where we stop to visit emblematic bridges from three different eras: the Inca suspension bridge, the colonial bridge and the republican bridge. The village is also famous for its church because of the place where the hero Tupac Amaru II was defeated in an endless struggle for independence. After an hour and a half we reach the small village of Palccoyo and follow the last stretch to the starting point of the trek; from here we have the first view of the main mountain. We walk at our own pace for about 50 minutes to the viewpoint of Palccoyo, where we can see alpacas grazing in the distance. We are greeted by locals in the company of beautiful alpacas, often with decorated ears or heads as a sign of affection. Once at the viewpoint, we are immediately dazzled by the mountains of Palccoyo, as this is also where the other two colored hills that make up this attraction are located. From here you have time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and admire the imposing Ausangate (6,372m). We will then hike to the Bosque de Piedras, with its unique rock formations. Here we will have a panoramic picnic lunch before returning to the starting point and driving back to Cusco….

Today we begin our exploration of Cusco on foot from the Plaza de Armas, the central plaza where Spanish-colonial architecture and ornamental works can be seen that the Spanish colonists imposed to exert religious and political influence. From here we visit Qoricancha, the “Temple of the Sun,” the Cathedral – a repository of Cusco’s colonial art. We then visit the colorful San Pedro Market and the charming San Blas neighborhood, before finally arriving at Sacsayhuaman, an Inca citadel atop a hill, on the outskirts of the city. The impressive terraces with masterful stonework are not only a sight to behold, but the views over Cusco’s sienna-colored rooftops offer a whole new perspective of the city you’ve just traversed. After a day of exploring, we return to our hotel.

After breakfast we drive to Awanacancha, where we can see and feed different Andean animals such as llamas, vicuñas and alpacas. The locals show us traditional weaving and dyeing techniques and how they make those beautiful sweaters, hats, scarves and the like. Then we go to one of the most important archaeological sites in the region, called Pisac. We will walk around the ruins and terraces for about an hour, and after our tour we will continue to the city of Pisac. Then we will walk through the stone streets to the square to see locals selling products and souvenirs in their stands. In Pisac you will have some free time to walk around. After finishing our visit in Pisac, we drive to the town of Urubamba to have lunch. After lunch we will go to Ollantaytambo. This site was an important religious and astronomical center and was also used as a military fortress in one of the Incas’ greatest battles against the Spanish. The Spanish eventually took the city and built colonial buildings on the Inca houses. Later, the abandoned city was rediscovered in the early 20th century.

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.

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, return to Puerto Maldonado by boat. After this transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Lima. In the evening connection to Brussels.