Classic Machu Picchu, Arequipa, and the Colca Canyon
10 Days/9 Nights
From $1,679 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Overview
Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city and lies on the slopes of Misti Volcano. It was named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, due to its well preserved colonial center. The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons on Earth, and an excellent place to observe the endangered Andean Condor and pre-Inca stepped terraces still used in farming. This tour also includes Lima, Cusco and the four ruins surrounding the city, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 9 nights (2 nights in Lima, 3 nights in Cusco, 1 night in Machu Picchu, 2 nights in Arequipa, and 1 night in Colca Canyon), and 15 meals (9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners).
Best Time to Go: April-October.
Destinations: South America and Peru.
Interests: Adventure, Culture & History, and Hiking & Trekking.
Places Visited: Lima, Arequipa & the Colca Canyon, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Lima.
Day 2: Lima-City Tour-Folkloric Dinner Show.
In the evening, you will enjoy a Folkloric Dinner Show at Junius Restaurant. Overnight in Lima. (B,D)
Day 3: Lima-Arequipa-City-Tour-Mirador de Yanahuara.
Day 4: Arequipa-Chivay-Colca Canyon.
Continuing on the road to Chivay, you will pass through Tocra Huaraya, and will be able to observe lakes with migrating birds and get pictures of the Antiplano with its llamas and guanacos. The highest point will be Pata Pampa (“High Land”) located at 15,813 feet, where you will observe the volcanoes Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca, Mismi (the source of the Amazon River), and the Cordillera de Chila.
On the approach to the town of Chivay (11,978 feet) you will appreciate the view of the multicolored terraces of the Colca valley. Upon arrival in Chivay, you will be taken to your hotel and have lunch. Mid-afternoon, you will visit the Indian Town of Coporaque, walk around the Plaza de Armas, and have an optional one hour hike to San Antonio Hill, visiting a pre-Incan cemetery and enjoying the view of the terraces below. Return to your hotel for towels and visit the thermal baths of “La Calera”. Overnight in the Colca Area. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Colca Canyon-Cruz del Condor-Arequipa.
Day 6: Arequipa-Cusco-City Tour.
Day 7: Cusco-Sacred Valley-Awanakancha-Pisac Market-Ollantaytambo.
Note: The Indian market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from October to March, and daily from April to September. On the days of the week that the market is not open, you will be taken to the Inca ruins above the village.
Day 8: Cusco-Machu Picchu.
Day 9: Machu Picchu-Cusco.
Note: Hiking Huayna Picchu requires a permit. To ensure availability, we recommend purchasing the permit at the time of booking.
Day 10: Cusco-Lima.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
A Note About Your Free Day in Machu Picchu
On your free day, you will be on your own. If you choose to revisit Machu Picchu, you will need to purchase a second entrance ticket, which currently costs $74 per person. If you are staying in Aguas Calientes, you will also need to purchase a round-trip bus ticket ($28 per person) for transportation to the site. The first bus departs at 5:30 AM. As an alternative to visiting Machu Picchu again, you can hike Huayna Picchu (a +/- 60 minute hike), or partake in another activity. The cost for hiking Huayna Picchu is $13 (in addition to the second entrance ticket). At the end of the day (mid-late afternoon), you will walk to the train station for the return ride to Poroy train station, where our local representative will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in Cusco.
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
- Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
- Excursion to Machu Picchu including overnight stay and transportation via Vistadome train.
- Other excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
- Local, English-speaking tour guides.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare ($500).
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities to tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
- Gifts and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
Lima
Arequipa
Colca Canyon
3 Star – Casa Andina Classic Colca
4 Star – Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca
5 Star – Colca Lodge
Cusco
3 Star – Casa Andina Classic Cusco Plaza
4 Star – Hotel Novotel Cusco
5 Star – Libertador Palacio del Inka
Deluxe – Hotel Monasterio
Machu Picchu
3 Star – El Mapi Hotel
5 Star – Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Deluxe – Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge
Additional Details
Group Private: All transfers are private, the city tour of Arequipa is private, and the excursion to the Colca Canyon is offered on a group basis. The city tours of Lima and Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas excursion, and the Machu Picchu guided tour are group tours for single passengers and 3 Star accommodations, and private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations.
Elevations: Arequipa is 7,628 feet (above sea level), the average elevation of Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve is 12,631 feet, Chivay is 11,978 feet, Cusco is 10,912 feet, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is 8,944 feet, and Machu Picchu is 7,900 feet.
Acclimatization: In order to acclimatize to the higher altitude of Cusco, we suggest that you travel first to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. If you are interested in this option, which would add one day to your tour, please ask your travel counselor to provide you with an itinerary.
Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Peruvian embassy in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Travel Insurance’s Classic and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person plus the cost of airfare (if we make the arrangements for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.
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