Compare Peru in 19 days - Ultimate Inca & Amazon Adventure - Charm by Exoticca vs Peru, The Way Of The Incas by Sky Vacations

Day 1: US - Lima

Ready to discover Peru? Head to your departure airport to check-in for a flight to Lima*. Touch down in Lima, the capital of Peru, situated on the Pacific Coast. Transfer to the hotel, and spend the rest of the day exploring the city's colonial streets and magical plazas at your leisure. Overnight stay in Lima. *If your inbound flight departs in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Lima

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy an informative and interesting city tour of Lima, including its Historic Center and the Santo Domingo Convent. Start by exploring the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro before heading to the Historic Center. Visit the impressive Convent of Santo Domingo and walk to the Plaza de Armas to admire the exquisite colonial architecture that surrounds it. Finally, stop in the Parque del Amor, from where you can take beautiful photos of the Peruvian coastline. Overnight stay in Lima.

Day 3: Lima - Paracas

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, transfer to the bus station to catch a bus to Paracas and enjoy a scenic journey heading south along the coast. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and get out and explore this small port town, which boasts beautiful beaches and fascinating wildlife. Overnight stay in Paracas.

Day 4: Paracas - Nazca

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, take a boat to the Ballestas Islands, where you can see thousands of birds, sea lions and seals in their natural environment. From Humboldt penguins and South American sea lions to a multitude of marine birds, be in awe of the beauty of these tranquil islands. The famous Candelabra design, a figure of the Nazca culture engraved in the desert, can also be seen from the boat. In the afternoon, transfer to the bus station to catch a bus to Nazca. Arrive in Nazca, famous for its mysterious lines, although the city is named after the civilization that flourished here between 100 BC and 800 AD. This region also has a strong heritage of viticulture, although today, it is one of the driest places on earth, with only 4 millimetres of rain, on average, a year. Overnight stay in Nazca.

Day 5: Nazca - Arequipa

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you have the unmissable opportunity of taking an optional flight over the Nazca lines.* In the afternoon, transfer to the bus station to catch a bus to Arequipa, one of the most important economic and industrial centres in Peru. Arequipa's city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to various religious monuments and historic buildings such as the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa. The city sits at the foot of the Misti volcano which provides a beautiful skyline backdrop. Overnight transfer. * Optional Nazca Lines Flight: Experience the mystery of the Nazca lines from the sky, with a flight over the ancient lines, some measuring 30 metres in width, which depict strange images, shrouded in conspiracy and speculation. See the Astronaut, the Monkey and the Condor, among other depictions and decide for yourself the meaning of these ancient messages to the Gods. Minimum 3 pax. $180 approx per person to be paid at the destination. Please note: the transfer to Arequipa is through the night and you will arrive at the destination the following morning.

Day 6: Arequipa

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you have the opportunity to take an optional city tour of Arequipa.* Alternatively, spend the day at your leisure, exploring this historic city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Arequipa. * Optional City Tour of Arequipa: Visit the sights of Arequipa such as the Plaza de Armas, the Monastery of St Catherine and the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa. The Monastery of St Catherine is the most important and impressive religious construction in Peru. Next, head to the beautiful Barrio del Solar to visit the Church of La Compañía de Jesús, a temple that constitutes the oldest and most important testimony of religious architecture made with ashlar volcanic stone.

Day 7: Arequipa - Colca

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, travel to the Colca Valley, an ancient area that boasts sweeping valleys and is home to the famous giant Andean Condor. On the way, pass through the town of Yura, the spectacular landscapes National Reserve of Aguada Blanca and stop in Patapampa. Pass through Chivay before arriving in Colca. Get settled at the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, enjoying the facilities of your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Colca.

Day 8: Colca - Puno

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head into the valley for an unforgettable visit to the Cruz del Condor, the best viewpoint for watching the iconic giant Condors take flight across the sky. With an average wingspan of 9 foot, the Andean Condor is the unmissable attraction of this part of the world and is shrouded in much mystery and legend. After watching the birdlife, transfer from Colca to Puno, past stunning Andean landscapes. Arrive in Puno, home of the world-renowned Lake Titicaca. Overnight stay in Puno.

Day 9: Puno

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day relaxing at your leisure, soaking up the views of Lake Titicaca or simply enjoying the facilities of your hotel. We recommend an optional excursion to the Taquile and Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca.* Overnight stay in Puno. * Optional Taquile & Uros Islands Excursion: Depart by boat to Taquile Island, which dates back to pre-Inca times. The Islanders are famous for their beautiful clothing and textile industry. Next, visit the community of Huayllano, on the same island, where the locals show their traditional crafts and agriculture, to enjoy a traditional lunch. Afterwards, visit the floating islands of Uros, situated in the middle of the national reserve of Lake Titicaca.

Day 10: Puno - Cuzco

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Puno station to take a bus to Cuzco. Leave the station and start your journey to Puno, enjoying the marvelous landscapes of the South Valley of Cuzco. Visit Andahuaylas, a beautiful 17th-century church, featuring an impressive organ decorated with angels and cherubs. Continue on the road and visit the ruins of Racqui, also known as the Temple of the God Wiracocha. After lunch, discover La Raya, the highest point on the highway between Cuzco and Puno for amazing views of the landscape. Arrive in Cuzco and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cuzco.

Day 11: Cuzco

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you have the opportunity to take an optional half-day tour of Cuzco.* Alternatively, spend the day at your leisure, soaking up the atmosphere of the city and sampling the local cuisine. Overnight stay in Cuzco. * Optional Half-Day Tour of Cuzco: Begin in the iconic Plaza de Armas, and visit the Cathedral. From here, walk to the Koricancha Temple, an impressive ancient Inca palace, in honour of the Sun God. Today, a Dominican church stands on the site. Finally, visit the lively San Blas neighborhood, known for its artists, shops and artisan workshops. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, soaking up the atmosphere of the city and sampling the local cuisine.

Day 12: Cuzco - Sacred Valley

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an exciting excursion to the Sacred Valley today. Begin in Chinchero, where you can visit the PARWA Center, dedicated to beautiful Andean textiles. Explore Chinchero Church and the fascinating nearby Inca ruins before continuing to Raqchi Viewpoint, for an unforgettable panoramic view across the Sacred Valley. Stop for lunch* and continue to Ollantaytambo, famous for its ancient Incan streets and the traditional dress of the locals. Explore the town and visit the local market for a taste of traditional Andean culture. Overnight stay in Sacred Valley. *Lunch included.

Day 13: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes

Breakfast at the hotel. An exciting day at Machu Picchu awaits you this morning as you set off for the train station to board the Voyager or Expedition Train* to Aguas Calientes, admiring the landscape along the way. Arrive and transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu**, a true wonder of the world and the ultimate bucket-list destination. Spend some time discovering the ruins and being amazed by the terraces as you enjoy a tour of the different sections of the site. Soak up the special atmosphere and make sure to take some photos! Finally, you will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes, transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. * You can choose to upgrade to a different train for this journey in the next step of the booking process. Note: The baggage policy on board the train is 1 bag or backpack per person weighing a maximum of max. 5kg / 11lb. ** Backpacks or bags taken into Machu Picchu must not exceed 40x35x20cms or have a capacity larger than 20Lts and must not contain single-use plastic bottles or bags. Backpacks or bags that exceed the indicated measurements can be left in storage for approx. $2 per bag.

Day 14: Aguas Calientes - Cuzco

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning at your leisure with the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu for a second time, (additional cost at the destination) to contemplate the unforgettable views and take some beautiful snapshots. You will board the return train to Cuzco at the appointed time. The city comes to life as the sun goes down, so be sure to experience the atmosphere of the city's lively plazas at night. Overnight stay in Cuzco.

Day 15: Cuzco - Iquitos - Amazon

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Iquitos, a port city and gateway to the Northern Amazon. After meeting your guide and receiving some advice on exploring the jungle, transfer to the port to enjoy a boat trip on the Amazon River, headed for your lodge in the heart of the Amazon. Look out for local wildlife along the way before arriving at the lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, set off on a jungle hike into the Yanamono rainforest reserve with an expert guide to introduce you to the many flora species and point out the different bird and wildlife along the way. If you are lucky you might spot small families of monkeys, such as marmosets or even Squirrel monkeys. Return to the lodge for a magical sunset boat trip on the Amazon river. Dinner and overnight stay in the Amazon. *Please consider this relevant information about your stay which can be found below in the important notes section.

Day 16: Amazon

Rise early for an early morning bird-watching excursion by boat, and spot a number of unique species such as the Ringed Kingfisher and the Black-Collared Hawk. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a short rest. Later, head out on a Native Fishing Expedition, along one of the tributaries of the Amazon River. Learn local fishing techniques and even try and catch an elusive Piranha. Keep an eye out for the weird and wonderful Pink River Dolphins, unique to the Amazon. Return to the lodge for lunch, where anything you caught can be cooked for you. In the afternoon, board a boat for an excursion to Yanamono Island, the best place to see the beautiful Giant Water Lillies, which can grow to an amazing 40cm in diameter. As night falls, enjoy a night-time nature hike around the periphery of the lodge to witness the transformation of day to night in the Amazon. This is the best time of day to spot tree frogs, snakes and other nocturnal animals, such as night owls. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay in the Amazon. *Please consider this relevant information about your stay which can be found below in the important notes section.

Day 17: Amazon

Breakfast at the lodge. Today, visit a local riverside town to meet an indigenous tribe of the Yaguas community. Learn about their way of life on the Amazon River and see their community buildings. The locals will share their fishing and farming techniques with you as you enjoy a fascinating insight into life on the Amazon. Return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in the Amazon. *Please consider this relevant information about your stay which can be found below in the important notes section.

Day 18: Amazon - Iquitos - Lima

Breakfast at the lodge. This morning, take a short boat ride on the Amazon River to visit a traditional family-run Sugar Cane Distillery. Learn the local techniques for processing sugar cane and enjoy a tasting session of the varied exotic beverages made from the sugar cane liquor. Return to the lodge for lunch before leaving the Amazon behind as you transfer by boat to Iquitos and continue your journey by road back to Lima. Arrive, get settled at the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the final evening in Peru at your leisure. Overnight stay in Lima.

Day 19: Lima - US

Breakfast at the hotel. Sadly, it's time to bring your adventure through Peru to an end! At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch a flight back to the US. Night on board.

Day 20: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.

Day 1: Arrive in Lima

Welcome to Lima. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by a Sky Vacations ambassador who will assist you with your transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore and unwind.

Day 2: Lima city tour

After breakfast at your hotel, the day begins with a tour of the city’s main avenues, boulevards, and squares. Begin with an exploration of Colonial Lima. First, you will stop off at the Plaza de Armas (Main Square). There, you will explore the square by foot and admire the exteriors of the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), the Cathedral of Lima, and the Municipalidad (City Hall), all examples of Lima’s still-present colonial architectural opulence. Afterwards, you will visit La Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion that currently holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited private residence in the Southern Hemisphere. Next, you will make your way to the Convento de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Convent), a religious and architectural gem that houses holy paintings, images, and relics of Peruvian saints, as well as written accounts of the endeavors of the Dominican Order across the country.

Finally, you will leave behind Lima’s Historic Center and begin your journey through the streets of modern Lima as you head toward the most traditional of the residential zones of the capital: San Isidro and Miraflores. In San Isidro, you will pass through the heart of the city’s financial district and then enjoy a panoramic view of the Huaca Hullamarca Pyramid, an important pre-Inca and Incan ceremonial center and cemetery built out of adobe mud bricks. Soon afterwards, you will travel to the district of Miraflores, a perfect spot to enjoy wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean.

You will complete your tour of Lima with a visit to the Bohemian neighborhood of Barranco, a neighborhood called home by countless artists, photographers, and authors. Walk along peculiar streets lined with Republican houses, admire the splendid views, and visit the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), witness to untold numbers of past and present romances, and source of inspiration for one of Peru’s great composers, Chabuca Granda. Remaining day at leisure.

Day 3: Flight Lima – Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, your will be Sky Vacations representative will give you an introduction to the city and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the morning is at your leisure.

This afternoon, begin your tour as you enjoy the best view of the city of Cusco from atop Cerro Pukamoqo (Red Peak), a natural scenic overlook from which the outstretched arms of Cristo Blanco, a massive white statue of Christ, embrace the city in a benevolent gesture. You will then visit nearby Fortaleza de Sacsayhuamán (Fortress of Sacsayhuamán), a colossal structure of enormous stones, carved and fitted together with incredible precision. As you return to the lower part of the city, you will stop off at the Mercado de San Pedro (Market of St. Peter), which being the city’s main street market, will give you an opportunity to get to know the products of Cusco, overwhelming you with the sights, aromas, tastes, and colors of the region. Just a few blocks away, you will discover one of the most impressive buildings of Incan Cusco: the Korikancha (the Golden Temple)—a temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, whose interior walls were said to have been covered in gold. You will complete the day with a stroll through the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), where you will visit the Cathedral and admire its exquisite vestibules and priceless paintings from the Cusco School of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Day 4: Cusco – Sacred Valley

This morning, we will continue our trip towards Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley) – you will soon reach the must-see stop of Awanakancha. Here, you will learn about the various types of camelids (Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas, and Guanacos) that live in the Andes region. Additionally, the local villagers will teach you about the ancestral methods and techniques used to produce their textile art.

A few miles farther along, you will reach Pisac, a beautiful place where Incan and Colonial influences have reached a perfect balance and created the unique way of life of the local inhabitants. You will get a chance to explore this quaint town, famous for its artisan markets where you can find extraordinarily fine jewelry and ceramic and textile craftwork. We take a break for lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, you will visit one of the last remaining Incan towns, Ollantaytambo, which was once fiercely guarded by a massive fortress. Discover the large archeological complex of what used to serve as a wayside inn for royal delegations on long journeys. Surviving structures here include multiple walls and towers that were used to protect the citadel from possible invasions. Time permitting you will get a chance to mingle with the locals at a typical Peruvian Andes establishment, either at a “chichería” (establishment for the brewing and sale of chicha, the famous traditional Andean drink made of germinated corn) or a bakery with still-functioning traditional ovens. Return to Cusco.

Day 5: Cusco-Km 82-Huayllabamba

Early in the morning, we will go from our hotel to Km 82 of the railroad that leads to Machu Picchu. Here we will meet the porters and the rest of the team that will be joining us. We’ll start our trek led by the porters. We will walk down the Urubamba River, as we enjoy a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks, until we reach the ruins of Llactapata. We then leave the Urubamba Valley behind and follow the Kusichaca river until we reach Huayllabamba, about 3000 meters (9842 feet) above sea level. There we will spend our first night in a comfortable campsite. We will stop for lunch along the way. We will walk approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) in 6 hours.

Day 6: Huayllabamba-Pacaymayo

An early start this morning, we begin our ascent to the Warmiwayñusca (Dead Woman) pass, at 4200 meters (13780 feet) above sea level, through a narrow path filled with vegetation. After about 5 hours of hiking, we will have arrived at the summit of the pass. From here we will enjoy breathtaking views of beautiful snow-capped mountains punctuating the blue sky. We will stop along the way for lunch. Once we reach the end of the pass, we will stop at Pacaymayo, located at 3600 meters (11811 feet) above sea level, where we’ll set up camp to spend the night. We will walk approximately 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) in 7 hours.

Day 7: Pacaymayo-Wiñaywayna

Today we’ll begin with one of the most beautiful stretches of the Inca Trail, due to the number of archaeological sites we will find en route. After breakfast, we will go up a small hill leading to the circular ruins of Runkurakay, which was used in the Inca era as a military vantage point. We will rest for a while, and then we will begin our descent down a very well-preserved stretch of the Inca trail until we reach the stairs leading to the ruins of Sayacmarca, located in a natural promontory at 3620 meters (11877 feet) above sea level. Throughout the hike we will enjoy spectacular views and we will see many birds and a wide variety of orchids. From Sayacmarca we will enter the cloud forest through a stone path that will lead us to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (City on the clouds) after crossing a small pass. After that we continue to descend until reaching the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful structures after Machu Picchu, at 2650 meters (8695 feet) above sea level. After visiting the ruins we will go to the camping area where we’ll spend the last night of the trip.

From Pacaymayo to Phuyupatamarca we will walk approximately 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) in 6 hours. From Phuyupatamarca to Wiñay Wayna we will walk approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in 3 hours.

Day 8: Wiñaywayna – Wiñaywayna-Macchu Picchu-Cusco

Prepare to have the experience of a lifetime. We will leave behind our campsite early in the morning and will head towards the Inti Punku, or Gate of the Sun, the last pass on the Inca Trail at 2740 meters (8990 feet) above sea level. From this point, Machu Picchu will appear to be wondrous and unreal. After a guided visit through the citadel, we will have some free time to walk through it again.

We will be assisted at the predetermined time in boarding the train to Cusco from the Aguas Calientes station. Arrival at Cusco and transfer to hotel. From Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu we will walk approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) in 4 hours. From Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu we will walk approximately 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) in 7 hours.

Day 9: Cusco departure

A wonderful trip comes to an end – it’s time to say good bye. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.