Spirit Of The Andes

You depart Brussels today 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.

Today we start with a comprehensive tour of Lima’s historic center, protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1991 for its impressive colonial architecture. Our professional guide takes us past hidden palaces and castles, and we visit the impressive San Francisco Monastery with its mysterious underground catacombs. We also explore the iconic Plaza de Armas, Lima’s main square, where we learn about the rich history of this city, founded in 1535 by the Spanish. Once called the “City of Kings,” Lima was the political and cultural heart of South America during the Spanish colonial era. In the late afternoon, our culinary tour begins. We start with a delicious sunset cocktail at the beach, where we enjoy the picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean. Here we taste a mix of traditional flavors representing Lima’s rich gastronomic tradition. We then dine at the famous Huaca Pucllana restaurant, located right next to the impressive pre-inca ruins. We are treated to a specially curated menu by chef Marilú Madueño, famous for her modern interpretations of classic Peruvian dishes. The restaurant has hosted many famous guests, including international stars and heads of state. Our evening ends in the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco, famous for its artistic flair and colorful streets. Here we enjoy an exclusive culinary menu followed by a creative dessert in an atmospheric house full of art and culture. To conclude, we take a leisurely evening stroll through Barranco, where the neighborhood’s unique atmosphere, combined with our culinary discoveries, makes for an unforgettable experience of Lima’s culture and cuisine.

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 dry border strip with the Atacama Desert, the lines are beautifully preserved. After this we ride in our private transport towards the fishing village of Paracas. Here we will get our bikes to explore the Paracas National Reserve. During this impressive itinerary we will cross the land where the sea meets the desert, where red-headed vultures fly overhead and really can get away from the crowds. Once inside, you can enjoy the majestic landscapes and beaches such as La Mina, Playa Roja, Lagunillas, Cathedral, etc. This 3 to 4 hour round trip can be done at your own pace.

After an early breakfast, board a boat for an approximately three-hour trip to the enchanting Islas Ballestas, famous for their rich wildlife. These islands are home to impressive colonies of 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 can spot flamingos and dolphins in addition to sea lions and penguins. After lunch we leave for Huacachina, an idyllic oasis surrounded by immense sand dunes. We follow an adventurous route through the desert, stopping along the way to try out your sandboarding skills on the imposing dunes. For those who prefer to experience the dunes in a more leisurely manner, there is the option of a leisurely baby carriage tour. Instead of racing up and down the dunes, we will take you on a leisurely tour of the desert, giving you plenty of time to take photos and enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the vast sandy landscape. In the late evening, we take the luxury overnight bus to Arequipa, equipped with comfortable seats that can be adjusted up to 160 degrees. The bus trip takes about 10 hours.

In the morning you will have free time to stroll independently through the charming streets of Arequipa and discover the unique atmosphere of this beautiful city. In the afternoon, begin your culinary exploration of some of Arequipa’s most distinctive restaurants and bars. The city is known for its vibrant and varied culinary scene, where the flavors of the Andes merge with Spanish influences. Many of the dishes are still prepared the traditional way, using firewood, making for intense and authentic flavors. On this tour you will not only enjoy delicious meals, but also learn about the rich culture and history of Arequipa, a city known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Whether you are a food lover or just looking for new experiences, this tour offers an authentic and tasty adventure in the heart of Arequipa.

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. Once we leave the reserve, it is only a few hours to where our Hotel is located.

Today we will take you to the impressive Colca Canyon, stopping along the way in charming Andean villages where time seems to have stood still. We go to the viewpoint Cruz del Condor, a vantage point 1,200 meters above sea level, where you can admire the majestic Andean condor as it soars over the canyon with its 3-meter-wide wings. Next, we visit the impressive Pinchollo geyser, known for its natural steam vents that locals call the “Little Hell.” Then we explore the vantage points of Antahuilque and Wayrapunku and visit the traditional villages of Maca, Achoma and Yanque. In Yanque, we take a beautiful two-hour walk from the village square to the pre-Inca citadel of Uyo Uyo, admiring the fascinating Shininea tombs along the way.

After breakfast we leave for Puno, leaving the Colca Canyon behind. We drive uphill until we reach the highest point of the trip: the viewpoint in the Andes at 4800 meters. Here we stop to admire the impressive landscape with large volcanoes such as Mismi, Misti, Chachani, Sabancaya (active) and Ampato. On the way we pass small Andean villages and the beautiful Lagunillas lagoon, where we can see Andean birds and flamingos. We descend to Viscachani and then cross the National Reserve of the Peruvian Altiplano. Along the way, we will visit Sillustani, a pre-Inca cemetery on a peninsula on picturesque Lake Umayo. Here we will see impressive towers of tombs built for tribal chiefs and priests, and enjoy views of the lake and surrounding mountain scenery as we hike along the peninsula.

Today we explore Lake Titicaca with a guided boat trip to the famous floating islands of Uros. This ancient community, which predates the Inca period, lives on homemade reed islands that require constant renewal. In this way, the Uros people not only survived the Incas and the Spanish, but also withstood the challenges of modern times, preserving their unique lifestyle. We continue walking along a pre-Inca trail with beautiful views, visiting families of weavers to learn more about their impressive textile art, which was recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” After this cultural experience, we will enjoy local dishes prepared by the hospitable islanders. Back at the Lodge, you can participate in activities such as kayaking in a traditional boat or exploring other floating islands.

The approximately ten-hour train ride on the Titicaca Train feels anything but long thanks to the comfort and luxury on board. This beautiful train features several carriages, including a restaurant and bar. The last car has an observation deck, where you can enjoy the breathtaking views in the open air. You will travel through endless plateaus, past the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, fast-flowing rivers, and picturesque villages, as well as through vast, remote landscapes. Meanwhile, you’ll be excellently taken care of with a gourmet lunch and afternoon tea time!

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.

To start our exciting enduro day, our team will pick you up at your hotel at 7:00 am. The bikes and protective gear are already waiting for you. We will ride to the Yanamayo Pass, at 4300 meters altitude, past the beautiful mountain ranges of the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo. After a two-hour drive, our guide gives a safety briefing before we begin our descent. We descend into the Patacancha Valley, where there are several lines to choose from, but the guide will show you the best route. The terrain is not too steep and encourages you to ride freely. We arrive at the Patacancha community, where we are offered a delicious lunch with fresh Andean ingredients. This is the perfect time to rest and re-energize. After lunch, we descend further down winding roads to the village of Willoq. Here we load up the bikes and head towards the archaeological center of Pumamarca. If there is time, we can walk around for 30 minutes to explore this special place. Then we will descend through the Ollantaytambo Valley, past vast Andean terraces, with stunning sunset views. We end in Ollantaytambo, where we drive through the historic Inca streets. Our transportation awaits in the square with cold beers to celebrate the day. After this unforgettable day, we take the train to Aguas Calientes.

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 travel to Ollantaytambo, a historic Inca center that was of great importance both religiously and astronomically. It 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 now offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. We then visit the impressive Salineras salt mines, a natural wonder with about 3,000 small salt fields that have been used since Inca times. A source of extremely salty water fills these fields, and natural evaporation creates pure salt. This unique place, with its stunning white terraces against the mountains, is perfect for beautiful photos. After lunch, we hike through native forests with llamas and alpacas, as the Incas used to do. We learn about the benefits of using these animals as pack animals instead of horses. The local community gives us a demonstration of traditional weaving and dyeing techniques, where we see how they make beautiful handmade garments such as sweaters, hats and scarves, using age-old methods passed down from generation to generation.

Adios Peru!!!!!! Free morning to explore the cozy old town at your own pace, visit one of the many museums or taste the delicious local cuisine. After lunch transfer to Cusco airport for the domestic flight to Lima. In the evening connection to Brussels