Peru Adventure Tours 15 Days: Top Destinations in Peru

A spectacular day in the City of Kings. Peru is a country of incredible contrasts and surprising treasures. Today you will begin in the morning by touring central Lima. With its 2000 years of history, it will amaze you. The center of colonial Lima has been declared to be part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Historic edifices surround the Plaza Mayor (Great Plaza.) During the tour you will appreciate the beauty of the imposing Archbishop´s Palace, the opulent Palace of the Government, and the Cathedral of Lima. The keystone of the Cathedral was laid by Francisco Pizarro during the 16th century.

You will continue by visiting the San Francisco Monastery which was built during the 17th century and features some wonderful tile work. In the interior you will see the exceptional paintings, the ornate carvings, and the world-famous library.

On your way back to your hotel you will stop at the panoramic ¨Huaca Pucllana” Pyramid. This pyramid, which was constructed in the 4th century B.C., was a magnificent ceremonial center. It is an amazing archeological feat, and it was considered to be a sacred place by the Incas. After a brief presentation, you´ll return to your hotel and have the afternoon free to explore the iconic sites that are close to you hotel.

If you would like to continue a deeper exploration into Peruvian culture, you could participate in an optional tour to the Larco Herrera Museum. This museum is located in a restored 17th century mansion and is considered to be the finest museum in Lima. Here you will be able to see the largest collection in the world of pre-Columbian masterpieces, and a very impressive exposition of gold and silver jewelry, the value of which cannot be estimated.

Today you will start a new adventure! In the morning after a delicious breakfast, you will leave Lima and fly to Madre de Dios – Puerto Maldonado. Madre de Dios is considered the world’s capital of the biosphere and of the Peruvian Amazon. Upon your arrival at the Padre Aldamiz airport, our team will welcome you and help you with your luggage.

Begin experiencing the enchantment of the rainforest as you take a 45-minute boat ride along the Madre de Dios River. Soon you will arrive at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge. After a short briefing, settle into your beautiful bungalow and later enjoy your lunch in the dining room. After lunch take a short siesta and get ready for your unforgettable afternoon excursion.

When you meet your Inkaterra Explorer Guide, you will be able to choose from the many different excursions available at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica. On your first day we recommend a guided walk along the Trail system and into the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Natural Area. This trail offers an excellent introduction to the forest environment as winds past impressive trees such as the Shihuahuaco and the strangely beautiful strangler fig. Here you’ll have excellent opportunities for bird watching and observing exotic insects.

We also recommend that on your first night at the Lodge, you experience the Twilight River Excursion on which you will go on a guided boat ride along the Madre de Dios River. Witness the transformation from a diurnal to a nocturnal world. Animals and birds of the daytime give way to species especially adapted to the night. As you enjoy this jungle environment, you will learn about the habits of its creatures. Nightjars, owls, capybaras and caimans will be seen.

Enjoy dinner served in the main dining room from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Wake up late or rise early, the choice is yours. Breakfast begins very early for those who want to avoid the heat and enjoy nature at its fullest. A complete buffet breakfast is served from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. In the morning you could take the Lake Sandoval Excursion into the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe across a beautiful, mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica for lunch.

After lunch, consider the remarkable Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. Ascending the first tower, 29 meters above the forest, you begin your encounter with the treetop realm. For more than a quarter of a mile you will literally walk through the rainforest canopy on a suspension bridge network linking eight observation platforms. During this hour-and-a-half expedition be on the lookout for colorful toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys, and sloths. If you wish, you may extend your excursion and watch the sunset from one of the towers. Once you return to the Lodge, enjoy the daily nature presentation in the Eco-Center and Happy Hour.

Optional Tours. During your free hours you can also take advantage of adventure sports in the jungle such as: zip line, river rafting and hiking. At the same time, you can also visit our primate friends in the area. These monkeys are usually happy to have human visitors as long as they bring them something to eat. Dinner starts at 7:30 p.m.

If you are in the Tambopata National Reserve, it is usual to wake up to the sound of howler monkeys at dawn. Enjoy a trip to Gamitana Creek, located 25 minutes by boat from the Lodge. For one and a half hours explore the rainforest along the banks of the winding, dark-water creek that is home to many piranha, caiman, turtles and birds. Navigate your way back downstream, observing the abundant flora and fauna along the way. You will visit Gamitana Farm to do a short-guided tour and see how the local farmers grow fruits and vegetables. Return to the Lodge for lunch.

After lunch, enjoy the Hacienda Concepcion Excursion and observe over 200 different plant species while you learn about the uses and benefits of the local flora. This Excursion would be followed by a 30-minute canoe trip up the river to look for turtles, sun grebes, nightjars and exotic herons. Return to the Lodge for dinner.

Then consider the Rainforest by Night Excursion through the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve. It’s a 2-hour Excursion. Venture into the forest and experience the mystery of the animal activity that awakens in the rainforest after dark. Listen to the sounds of the forest at night and spot species that emerge only after dark. Finally you will return to the Lodge.

After eating a wonderful breakfast, you will have free time around the Lodge until the farewell ceremony. Then you will leave in a boat heading downstream towards the city of Puerto Maldonado. On the way you will have the opportunity to take some last-minute pictures of the exuberant jungle of the Tambopata National Reserve.

The 45-minute ride by boat on the Madre de Dios River takes you to Puerto Maldonado. There you will visit the Butterfly House. Peru boasts the greatest variety of butterflies in the world with 3700 known species. Many of these can be seen at the Butterfly House which is a showcase spotlighting the variety, beauty and adaptability of these fascinating insects. After visiting the Butterfly House, you will go directly to the airport where your suitcases will be waiting for you with a Travel 1 team member. Next you will board your flight to the City of Cusco.

From Puerto Maldonado you will fly to the heart of the Andes where your welcome in the Land of the Incas will be as warm as the tropical climate of our jungles. Upon arrival you will be driven by our team to your hotel located in the Historical Center of Cusco. Finally, when your check-in is completed, you can have a well-deserved rest after a long trip.

You will leave Cusco early in the morning and travel to the traditional town of Chinchero. There you will visit a local family who will demonstrate for you the details of their authentic Incan weaving techniques. Then you will have time to visit the amazing Chinchero Archeological Center. After visiting Chinchero, you will take a trip to the most important agricultural testing station in the Inca Empire, Moray. There you can observe the great skill with which the Incas adapted plants to different climatic zones. At this spectacular site you will see great circular terraces where the temperature changes depending on the elevation. The Incas had extraordinary knowledge of climates and microclimates.

In Maras you will make a short stop to see the pretty houses which feature the coats-of-arms of Incan nobles who lived here during Incan and colonial times. The town of Maras used to be inhabited by Incan nobility who originally lived in Cusco. Today the lintel of each house shows the coat-of-arms of an Incan noble family. This town was important after the time of the Spanish Conquest.

You will continue to the Salt Mines of Salineras. This is an impressive site that consists of over 5000 small wells where salt is collected. Some of these wells are very old. The Incas mined salt at this site, and this practice continued throughout the reign of the Spanish viceroys. Now the local people let the salt water flow into the depressions which they have dug out. Then the sun evaporates the water and leaves behind a crust of salt which is collected and sold on the local market. We will finish up our tour by stopping in Urubamba for a good buffet lunch. After lunch you will explore Ollantaytambo. Finally, you will board the Vistadome Train to Machupicchu.

Today will be a very special day on your Peru Adventure Tour. On this day you’ll visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the enigmatic Machu Picchu. Therefore, you will wake up very early, get ready, and eat breakfast at your hotel. When you finish breakfast, you’ll board the bus in Aguas Calientes and ride up to the legendary Citadel of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World in 2007. Until Machu Picchu was re-discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, it was practically unknown to the western world. Actually, the first discoverer was a farmer, Agustín Lizárraga, who lived in Aguas Calientes. He discovered Machu Picchu in 1902.

Once you arrive at the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu you will be given a 3-hour private guided tour with our best local guide. You will visit the most important places in the Citadel. First, you will visit the House of the Guardian. From there you can see Machu Picchu in all its splendor. You might as well take advantage of the opportunity to snap some amazing photos. After a brief explanation from your guide, you’ll continue on to the imposing Temple of the Sun. the Temple of the High Priest, the Sacred Plaza, and the Ushno.

You will have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own after the Guided Tour. After marveling at this 15th century feat of engineering, you will return to Aguas Calientes and have lunch at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Later in the afternoon you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. In Ollantaytambo or Poroy you will board our van and be driven back to your hotel in Cusco. There you can enjoy your well-deserved rest after a wonderful day.

Free day in Cusco. You probably have asked why Cusco is considered to be such a special city. It is because here it is possible to do all the activities and take part in every adventure sport that you have always wanted to try, from taking a walking tour of the city to going river rafting on the Vilcanota River.

The Imperial City was the ancient capital of the Incan Empire. Today it has been declared part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Cusco is a friendly city that is full of fascinating history and wonderful architecture. There are Incan ruins around every corner, and there are also excellent examples of Spanish colonial architecture. It is well worth your while to spend time in Cusco exploring the most unforgettable places and visiting the local galleries.

Optional: City Tour of Cusco.

City Tour of Cusco begins at the iconic Cusco Cathedral. This church contains over 400 paintings from the Cusco School of Fine Arts. There is also an impressive collection of colonial art.
During the Tour you will visit the Incan Temple of the Sun, the Coricancha. Before the arrival of the Spanish the walls of the Temple were covered with gold. The stonework here is of the very finest quality. During Incan times this was the most important religious site in all their empire.

Next, you will explore the immense Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Sacsayhuaman fortress was built of gigantic blocks of cut stone. Some of the blocks weigh more than 100 tons. The fortress took more than 70 years to complete.
Finally, you will go to the mysterious Incan site of Qenco. This carved limestone formation is full of subterranean passages and decorated with mythical figures. In addition, you will visit the Bath of the Inca, Tambomachay.

Starting after you eat a delicious breakfast, you will leave Cusco and ride through picturesque Andean valleys in the direction of the Antiplano. Your first stop on the adventurous Route of the Sun will be the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas which is called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas. Here you will have a fascinating guided tour of the details of the church. All of the ceilings and the walls are covered with murals and the oil paintings and their frames use real golden foil.

The next stop during your Peru Family Vacation journey will be at the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi. This is a magical rectangular structure which is 92 m. long, 25.5 m. wide, and about 9.8 m high and was dedicated to Wiracocha, the Incan Supreme Deity. At this destination, located near an extinct volcanic mountain, you can enjoy the panoramic scenery and the Andean landscape. At the entrance of this sanctuary Spanish priests built a Catholic Church in the center of the Qhapaq Ñan which was the main Incan highway between Cusco and Lake Titicaca.

When you arrive at Sicuani you will eat a delicious novo Andino lunch. Soon you will continue your journey along the Route of the Sun and stop at La Raya. La Raya, at 4335 masl., is the highest point on the trip from Cusco to Puno, and from here you will take the time to photograph the breathtaking scenery. Finally, you will visit the museum at Pukara. This was an important ceremonial site on the Altiplano. Here you can explore the origin of local pre-Incan cultures through the museum’s collection of sculptures and ceramics. Arrival time in Puno is scheduled after 5 pm. In Puno you can get comfortable and relax at your 4-star hotel.

Just after breakfast we will come by and pick you up at your hotel around 7 am. Then you will go to the port and board our comfortable motor launch to ride out to the Island of Taquile. Taquile has been called one of the most beautiful islands in the whole world. It is here that you will meet the isolated weavers of this ancient Andean community. According to pre-Columbian legend, the Incas actually learned how to weave from the artisans of this island. The men are the weavers, and the women spin. Their weavings are awesome. Taquile has been declared part of the Cultural Heritage of the World by UNESCO.

After a really nice experience with the local folks, you will leave Taquile at around noon and go in the direction of the Chucuito Peninsula. This is in the Aymara region of Lake Titicaca and it represents the communal identity of the Peruvian – Bolivian Altiplano. Here you will enjoy a wonderful buffet lunch at The Fisherman´s House right in the community of Luquina Chico. Later in the afternoon you will visit the Floating Islands of the Uros on your way back to Puno. Totora reeds are woven together by natives to construct their islands, their houses and their boats. Here the Uros people have maintained their ancient customs and their way of life for thousands of years. When you visit the Uros Islands, the local people will share with you their knowledge and teach you how to live in a more environmentally sustainable manner.

This exclusive program allows our customers to sample new tourist attractions on their Lake Titicaca Tour. Very few visitors know about some of these idyllic destinations. Since this is a non-traditional excursion, our clients are usually absolutely enchanted with the experience.

On this, the 12th day of your Peru Adventure, you will continue your tour of southern Peru. You will start out in the lovely town of Puno on the shores of beautiful Lake Titicaca. Your next destination will be Chivay in the Colca Valley.

On your journey you will pass by incredibly picturesque lagoons. There you can photograph the pink flamingos and other birds that live on the Altiplano. One of the places of interest along the way is the Lookout Point Over the Andes. (4850 masl.) From this scenic overlook you can see the snow-capped volcanoes of Arequipa far off in the distance. It is great place to take pictures.

Your adventure will continue in the charming town of Chivay. When you arrive at Chivay, our team will drive you tour your exclusive hotel on the outskirts of Chivay in the town of Coporaque. After check-in you will have enough time to take a nap an relax at Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca Hotel.

Optional Tours. In your free afternoon hours, you could go visit the famous hot springs at La Calera. This is like a spot in paradise, surrounded by beautiful mountains. Hot water flows out of the mountain spring at a temperature of 80º. This water is mixed with cooler water before reaching the pools. The resulting temperature of 35° is just about perfect for a relaxing bath. When you return to your hotel you can hobnob with the other members of your group and get a good night’s sleep.

You will get an early start. After breakfast at your hotel you’ll get ready for the day’s activities. The Cross of the Condor Look-out Point will be your first destination. From there you will be able see down into the Canyon and appreciate its depth and its beauty. You will also be able to observe the wild condors in flight.

Colca Canyon is located in an enormous valley that is full of very pretty scenery. There are lots of terraces that date back to pre-Columbian times. The river is at an elevation of 3140 meters at the bottom of the Canyon. On your morning adventure you will visit thousand-year-old villages and you will see hanging tombs in the cliffs right by the side of the road. Your guide will tell you all about the tribes of people that used to live here. Many of these tribes live here still.

When the tour finishes up, you will have enough time to eat lunch at the restaurant of your choice in the town of Chivay. After lunch your guide can show you around Chivay and you can go shopping. In Chivay you will see some very well-made weavings for sale, and you can share some precious moments with the local children if you would like. Finally, after an exciting day, you will travel overland to the beautiful city of Arequipa in the shadow of the Misti Volcano. When you arrive in the White City you can take a break at your hotel. At night you can explore Arequipa at your leisure.

Arequipa is called “The White City.” That is because it is constructed of blocks of white volcanic stone. Arequipa is a very picturesque place, due to its beautiful green countryside and the nearby imposing snow-capped volcanoes.

After breakfast you will have some time to explore the City of Arequipa, and then our team will take you to the Rodriguez Ballon International Airport where you will board your flight to Lima. On the flight to Lima you will fly high over the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. When you arrive in Lima our team will meet you and drive you to your hotel in the exclusive Miraflores neighborhood. This will be your last full day in Peru. To celebrate, we encourage you to enjoy the best food that Lima has to offer, accompanied by a Pisco Sour, the national beverage of Peru.

Our team will drive you to Lima’s Jorge Chaves International Airport in time for you check in and catch your next flight. We will bid you farewell as you begin your next adventure, hoping that you carry with you fond memories of fulfilled dreams and, above all, positive energy so that you will be able to continue to explore the best that our world has to offer.

Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 15 of your tour. This will require transportation to the airport late on Day 14. We will pick you up at your hotel approximately 4 and a half hours prior to your take-off time. If your flight leaves on day 15th our team will take you on time to the Lima airport.

If you are not yet ready to return home, our team can help you extend your stay in this magical land. There are lots more tourist attractions that you could visit in Peru, such as the Nazca Lines, the Amazon River and the Ballestas Island.