Monograms Andean Journey with Arequipa & Colca Canyon(ISLD)
14 Day Package from Lima to Lima
Your Monograms Andean Journey vacation of Peru begins in Lima with a guided city tour highlighting the history and culture, including the Cathedral and Santo Domingo Convent. Your adventure continues in the Sacred Valley in the Andes Mountains to enjoy local culture, a traditional market with artisan textiles and jewelry, and a visit to the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo. Board a train for Machu Picchu to explore the “Lost City of the Incas,”on a guided tour. Stay overnight and return the following morning to witness the sunrise—an experience you will not soon forget! Enjoy the sights in Cusco, including the Santo Domingo Monastery and Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas. Fly to Juliaca and travel to the shores of Lake Titicaca. Sail on the highest navigable lake in the world and visit Taquile Island, a remnant of the Inca Empire, conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century. Visit the Uros Islands, made completely of reeds and the locals continue their traditional way of life. Your odyssey continues to the incredible Colca Canyon. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world and is home to the amazing Andean Condor. You’ll complete your trip with a visit to Arequipa—rich in history and natural beauty from centuries of architecture and agriculture. An amazing ending to an extraordinary South America adventure!
Itinerary (2023)| Day 1 | ARRIVE IN LIMA | | | Welcome to Lima. Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in. | | Day 2 | LIMA | | | Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias. (B) | | Day 3 | LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY. | | | Fly to Cusco, high in the Andes. Upon arrival, begin your scenic drive into the lush Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas and your home for the next two nights. (B) | | Day 4 | SACRED VALLEY | | | Today, your private sightseeing of the Sacred Valley begins in the market town of Pisac. Handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry can be bought here at bargain prices. After time in the market, your next visit is the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo. Here, some of the finest examples of Inca masonry can be seen. Enjoy an included lunch before returning to your hotel this afternoon. (B,L) | | Day 5 | SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU. | | | Board a train trip bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. On a guided tour, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas. (B,L,D) | | Day 6 | MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO | | | A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your included second entrance to the ruins. Return to Cusco by train trip. (B) | | Day 7 | CUSCO | | | Your guided tour of Cusco visits the Plaza de Armas and its Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Monastery, previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. This afternoon, in your free time, perhaps visit the Inca Museum or wander through the artisan district of San Blas. (B) | | Day 8 | CUSCO–JULIACA–LAKE TITICACA (PUNO). | | | Fly to Juliaca, where you will be transferred to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B) | | Day 9 | PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA | | | Today, enjoy a full-day sailing on Lake Titicaca and take a motorboat to some of the lake’s more unique islands. Start with Taquile Island, once part of the Inca Empire and one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island, which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating Uros Islands, home to the Uros Indians who were forced to live on the lake as the Incas pushed farther into their territory. These islands are completely made from reeds, which are continually added to as they disintegrate to the bottom of the lake. (B,L) | | Day 10 | PUNO–CHIVAY–COLCA CANYON. | | | Depart for Colca Canyon this morning, visiting Lagunillas en route, a habitat of the Andean Flamingo. Continue to Patapampa, the highest point at 16,000 feet called the volcanoes lookout point where you will be able to see the Misti, Ampato, and Hualcahualca Volcanoes. Keep an eye out for vicuñas, llamas, alpacas and other Andean animals as they are commonly spotted here. Admire beautiful pre-Columbian terraces still being cultivated by native Collaguas. (B,L) | | Day 11 | COLCA CANYON. | | | Today is free for independent exploration. Colca Canyon is an impressive geological formation carved out by the river as it descended between the mountains (made of largely volcanic materials) over millions of years. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world. Observe the spectacular terracing, considered among the most extensive in southern Peru. These terraces, which allow cultivation and meticulously controlled irrigation of the steep slopes of the canyon, were built by Collagua and Cabana ethnic groups between the 9th and 14th centuries. Late this afternoon, relax at La Calera hot springs which are naturally heated hot springs pools surrounded by mountains. (B) | | Day 12 | COLCA CANYON–AREQUIPA. | | | Proceed to Condors’ Cross, an observation point where you can view these majestic Andean birds and enjoy the impressive panorama of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world. Next, visit the towns of Yanque, Maca, Achoma, and Pinchollo. In the afternoon, arrive in Arequipa located in the Chili River Valley and flanked by three snowcapped volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Known as the “white city,” Arequipa definitely does justice to its nickname, as its buildings are made of sillar, a white volcanic rock found throughout the area. The stone embellishes the facades of the city’s homes and churches. (B,L) | | Day 13 | AREQUIPA–LIMA. | | | This morning, a private city tour of Arequipa shows off the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral before visiting the Jesuit church, considered the best example of the mestizo baroque style. Continue to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina, where you enjoy a magnificent view of Arequipa’s countryside and the Mount Misti volcano. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. (B) | | Day 14 | LIMA. | | | Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B) |
Included Monograms Meals Buffet breakfast daily; 5 lunches; 1 three-course dinner
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