The Best of Peru - A Completely New 2 Week Itinerary
This itinerary will only become possible from May 2017 as a result of new transport and infrastructure developments. It will allow the first-time visitor to see the attractions of the Sacred Valley, the iconic ruins at Machu Picchu and the stunning colonial city of Cusco at a relaxed pace. After taking the new luxury Belmond Andean Explorer train to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, visitors will then fly up to the Chachapoyas region of Northern Peru to see the stunning countryside and marvel at the pre-Inca ruins in that region.
Here is the new itinerary which for the first time will allow visitors combine the splendour of Machu Picchu with the relatively undiscovered attractions of Northern Peru.
Day 1 – Fly from Lima to Cusco and then transfer to the Sol y Luna hotel in the Sacred Valley. With two outstanding restaurants, the food here is amongst the best in Peru.
Day 2 – Visit the salt pans at Maras and the Inca experimental terraces at Moray. Opportunity to visit these extraordinary remains by mountain bike, if desired. Afternoon at Sol y Luna, great horse riding. Overnight at Sol y Luna.
Day 3 – Visit the ruins at Ollantaytambo. Afternoon to go on a trek, paddle boarding or have a picnic with a shaman in or near the Sacred Valley. Overnight at Sol y Luna.
Day 4 – Vistadome train ride to Aguas Calientes, afternoon visit to Machu Picchu. Overnight at Inkaterra Pueblo Machu Picchu.
Day 5 – Day time visit to Machu Picchu, optional visit to Spectacled bear project. Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco. Overnight at Inkaterra La Casona.
Day 6 – City tour of Cusco, before lunch board the five star luxury Belmond Andean Explorer sleeper train to Lake Titicaca. Overnight on train.
Day 7 – Day on Lake Titicaca, visit the Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island. Board sleeper train to continue to Arequipa. Overnight on train.
Day 8 – Morning tour of Arequipa and the famous Santa Catalina Monastery. Afternoon flight to Lima. Overnight at Atemporal Hotel, dinner at Astrid y Gaston.
Day 9 – Fly from Lima to Jaen. Three hour private transfer to Gocta Natura. Overnight at Gocta Natura.
Day 10 – Walk or horseback ride to Gocta Waterfall. Relaxing afternoon. Overnight at Gocta Natura.
Day 11 – Drive to Tingo Nuevo, take cable car to Kuelap ruins. Explore ruins. Drive on to Kentitambo Lodge, overnight.
Day 12 – Visit the Sarcophagi at Karajia, ride on horseback to the isolated viewing spot. Overnight at Kentitambo Lodge.
Day 13 – Visit the mausoleums at Revash. Afternoon, see the mummies in Leymebamba Museum. Overnight at Kentitambo.
Day 14 – private transfer to Jaen airport, fly back to Lima. Connect with international flight back home.