12-Day Peru Heritage and Adventure Tour with Machu Picchu and Nazca

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Day 01

Discover Lima's Architectural Legacies

• Originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of the Kings), Lima has developed an important tourism industry.
• What stands out are the historic center, archaeological remains, nightlife, museums, art galleries, festivities, and popular traditions.
• The historic center of Lima was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.
• A large number of architectural legacies remain.
• Highlights include the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, the Plaza Mayor, the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Palacio de Torre Tagle.
• Please note that we can provide you with a guided sightseeing tour only if you arrive before 4:00 pm.

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Day 02

Ica Wineries and Huacachina Dune Adventure

• We relocate from Lima to the city of Ica.
• There, we are taken to two wineries.
  • Peruvian wine dates back to the Spanish colonization of the region in the 16th century.
• After sampling some of the best wines and spirits Peru has to offer, we are taken to Huacachina.
• This village is built around a small oasis and is surrounded by sand dunes.
• We go dune bashing as well as sandboarding.

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Day 03

Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines from the Sky

• Before returning to Lima, we take a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands.
• The Ballestas Islands are an important sanctuary for marine fauna like the blue-footed booby.
• On the way to the islands, we see El Candelabro, a large-scale geoglyph that may have served as a beacon to mariners.
• Then we check out the Nazca Lines.
• The Nazca Lines were created between 500 BC and 500 AD.
• There are several theories as to why people of those times made these lines.
• Hear all about these different theories as we take a flightseeing tour over this group of geoglyphs.

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Day 04

Explore the Former Capital of the Inca Empire

• We relocate from Lima to the colonial city of Cusco.
• Peru's urban showcase destination, Cusco is known for its rich heritage with the Inca and Spaniards, as well as the charming architecture both empires left behind.
• Even though Cusco is also known for its proximity to the Machu Picchu archaeological site, the city is popular in its own right.
• We are provided with a guided tour.

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Day 05

Sacred Valley Archaeological Wonders

• We make a day trip from Cusco to the Sacred Valley.
• The Chanapata civilization first utilized this area around 800 BCE because of the rich soil used for agriculture.
• The Qotacalla civilization lived here from 500 to 900 CE.
• The Killke civilization then lived here from 900 until the Incan Empire took over the region in 1420.
• The Incan Empire ruled this area until the arrival of the Spanish.
• Today, remains of citadels and markets are found across this long valley.

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Day 06

Horseback Ride to Rainbow Mountain

• We make a day trip from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain (a.k.a. Vinicunca).
• Mass tourism came after 2015, attracted by the mountain's series of stripes of various colors due to its mineralogical composition on the slopes and summits.
• The mountain used to be covered by glacier caps, but these have melted due to global warming.
• We go horseback riding at Rainbow Mountain.

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Day 07

Maras Salt Ponds, Moray, and Onward to Aguas Calientes

• Before relocating to the village of Aguas Calientes, we visit the salt mines called Maras.
• Maras is well known for its salt evaporation ponds.
• There are over 5,000 of them, which have been in use since Inca times.
• We also visit an archaeological site called Moray.
• Moray consists of several terraced circular depressions.
• The largest of these is approximately 30 meters (98 feet) deep.
• As with many other Inca sites, Moray also has an irrigation system.

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Day 08

Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

• Before returning to Cusco, we are provided with a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
• This 15th-century citadel is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization.
• The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest.
• Although known locally, it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period.
• Machu Picchu remained undiscovered to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911.
• Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

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Day 09

Free Time in Cusco and Flight to Arequipa

• Before relocating to the colonial city of Arequipa, we have free time to explore Cusco further.
• Whitewashed and narrow streets, a gorgeous main square, grandeur sites, and red-tiled roofs characterize the city.
• Cusco is undoubtedly one of Latin America's prettiest historic cities.

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Day 10

Colca Canyon and Andean Condors

• Today we make a day trip from Arequipa to the very scenic Colca Canyon.
• It is home to Andean condors, giant hummingbirds, Andean geese, Chilean flamingos, mountain caracaras, rabbits, deer, foxes, and alpacas.
• Colca Canyon is Peru's third most popular tourist destination, and for good reason.

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Day 11

Guided Tour of Arequipa

• Before returning to Lima, we are provided with a guided tour of Arequipa.
• This destination definitely does not feel so large, even though it is the second-largest city in the country.
• Arequipa is characterized by colonial-era churches and mansions.
• The historic center is small but charming nonetheless.

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Day 12

Departure from Lima

• Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Lima.
• Please note that if you can extend your trip, consider doing so.
• Lake Titicaca is worth 2 days, as is the Peruvian Amazon.