VIP Cultural Trips: Exploring the Wonders of Southern Peru

Our personalized FRANPISCO ADVENTURE service begins on this day. Our staff will be waiting for you at the airport and will transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores, Lima.

On the second day, we will transfer from the hotel to the bus terminal to travel to the city of Ica. After checking in at the hotel, we will begin our visit to Huacachina, known as the Oasis of America. The tour includes some of the city's main attractions, such as the Main Square, wineries and vineyards, the town of Cachiche —famous for the legend of the witches— and Huacachina Lagoon. The activity lasts approximately three to four hours. Huacachina is located just a few minutes from Ica and is surrounded by impressive sand dunes. Its lagoon, palm trees and desert setting create a unique and attractive landscape. At the end of the visit, we will return to Ica and the hotel.

Today we will visit the Paracas National Reserve. We will depart from the city of Ica toward the port of Paracas, where we will begin a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands to observe birds, penguins, sea lions and other local wildlife. During the journey, we will also be able to see El Candelabro, a geoglyph located north of the Paracas Peninsula and visible from the sea. This figure, carved into the terrain, measures approximately 128 meters long and 78 meters wide. Although part of its lines may become covered by sand, the winds help remove the accumulated excess and preserve its visible form. Afterwards, we will visit the museum of the Paracas National Reserve and continue to Red Beach, Cerro Colorado and Lagunillas Beach, where we can enjoy views of the bays and the coastal landscape. At the end of the tour, we will return to Ica and the hotel.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to the bus terminal to travel to the city of Nazca. Upon arrival, our tickets will already be reserved for the flight over the Nazca Lines. During the flight, we will be able to observe numerous straight lines, large geometric figures —such as trapezoids and spirals— and representations of animals, insects and birds. Among the best-known figures are the Hummingbird, the Monkey, the Spider, the Condor, the Pelican and the “Astronaut.” After the activity, we will have time for lunch and, in the evening, we will board the bus bound for the White City of Arequipa, where we will transfer to the hotel.

Arrival in the city of Arequipa is scheduled between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. After checking in at the hotel, we will begin the tour to Culebrillas, in the district of Cerro Colorado, accompanied by an official tour guide and tourist transportation. During the visit, we will learn about the extraction, shaping and carving processes of sillar stone. We will then continue through the Culebrillas ravine to visit its petroglyphs, an experience that brings us closer to the past of the ancient inhabitants of the White City. Return to Arequipa is scheduled between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m., after which we will return to the hotel.

Today we will arrive in Arequipa at approximately midday. From the terminal, we will transfer to the hotel to check in and rest before the following day's activities. In the afternoon, you will have free time to visit the city's main square and enjoy the local cuisine.

At 4:00 a.m., we will pick you up from the hotel to begin the journey to Chivay, where we will have breakfast. Accompanied by an official tour guide and tourist transportation, we will continue the tour by visiting several viewpoints in the area and the Cruz del Condor. After approximately 50 additional minutes of travel, we will reach the main viewpoint of the Colca Canyon. After enjoying the scenery, we will begin the return journey to Arequipa, visiting different villages along the way and learning about some of their cultures and traditions. We will also have lunch in Sancayo. Return to Arequipa is scheduled between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., followed by transfer to the hotel.

At 8:00 a.m., we will pick you up from the hotel to begin the journey to Salinas Lagoon, accompanied by an official tour guide and tourist transportation. The first stop will be at the volcano viewpoint in the district of Chiguata, where we can enjoy a beautiful view of the Arequipa Andes. We will then continue toward the yareta fields of Pichu Pichu Volcano and Salinas Lagoon, where we will spend approximately two hours enjoying the landscape. Return to Arequipa is scheduled between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., after which we will return to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, at around 9:00 a.m., we will travel by bus to the city of Puno. Once we have checked in at the hotel, we will have free time to explore the city. The journey takes approximately six and a half hours.

At the scheduled time, we will pick you up from the hotel and transfer to the port to begin the boat trip to the Floating Islands of the Uros. There, we will meet the local inhabitants and learn about the ancestral technique of building with totora reeds, a tradition that has been preserved for centuries. The journey will continue to Taquile Island, where culture and nature come together in a remarkable setting. We will be welcomed with a traditional dance and enjoy a countryside lunch surrounded by impressive landscapes and the hospitality of the local people. This experience will allow us to connect with the ancient traditions and natural beauty of the Puno region. After lunch, we will descend to the dock to begin the return trip to the city of Puno. Arrival at the hotel is scheduled for around 5:00 p.m.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel by bus to the city of Cusco. Once we have checked in at the hotel, we will go out to explore the Imperial City.

Our tour will begin at 12:30 p.m. with pickup from the hotel. Accompanied by our guide, we will begin the tour of the Imperial City, where Inca temples and palaces coexist with buildings of Spanish influence. Our first visit will be to the Temple of the Sun, or Qoricancha, over which the Santo Domingo Convent was built. We will then leave the city to visit Sacsayhuaman, one of the most representative architectural works of the Inca world. We will continue to the sacred sites of Qenqo, Pukapukara and Tambomachay, while our guide shares information about Inca history and traditions. In Quechua, Qosqo means “Center of the Universe” or “Navel of the World” and was considered the capital of the Inca Empire, known as Tawantinsuyo. Cusco's historic center preserves a unique combination of Inca walls, colonial houses, traditions and ancestral customs passed down from generation to generation. The Cusco Valley also contains remains of pre-Inca cultures such as Chanapata, Marcavalle, Killke and Qotakalli, which were later integrated into Inca cultural development. This tour offers a complete introduction to Cusco's main Inca and colonial attractions, including the Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara and the ceremonial fountains of Tambomachay. At the end of the tour, we will return to the city and the hotel.

On the day of the tour, we will pick you up from your hotel at 6:30 a.m. to begin the journey. Our first visit will be Chinchero, a colonial town with an important archaeological center dating from the Inca period. We will then travel to the Maras Salt Mines, made up of more than 3,000 small salt pools of approximately 5 square meters (53.8 ft²) each. During the dry season, these pools are periodically filled with salty water from a natural spring. We will continue to the agricultural center of Moray, located at 3,450 meters above sea level (11,318 ft), where we can observe its circular terraces, irrigation system and different levels of terraces built into a large natural depression. After the visit, we will head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas to enjoy a buffet lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue to Ollantaytambo, known as the living Inca town, where we will visit its archaeological site for approximately 30 minutes. Afterwards, we will continue to Chinchero to visit its archaeological center and areas associated with agricultural, administrative and religious activities. Finally, we will return to the city of Cusco and the hotel.

To visit Machu Picchu, we will wake up at 4:00 a.m. and travel by vehicle to Ollantaytambo train station. There, we will board the tourist train bound for Aguas Calientes. The train journey takes approximately one and a half hours. Upon arrival, we will have time for breakfast and, accompanied by our guide, we will go to the bus station for the ride up to the Machu Picchu entrance checkpoint. We will take an approximately two-and-a-half-hour guided tour, during which we will learn about the history and cultural significance of the citadel. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore the site and take photographs and videos. We will then return to Aguas Calientes, where there will be time for lunch before boarding the afternoon Expedition train, scheduled for approximately 2:55 or 3:20 p.m., bound for Ollantaytambo. There, a van will be waiting to transfer us back to the city of Cusco. During the return train journey, we will be able to admire Inca terraces, snow-capped mountains and the subtropical forest landscape, with the Vilcanota River accompanying us as far as Ollantaytambo. From there, we will continue by road to Cusco and the hotel. The Expedition train service is designed to provide comfort during the journey, with facing seats, overhead space for backpacks, Andean music, panoramic windows, air conditioning and heating. If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you must let us know in advance.

This will be a free day to rest, explore the city on your own and enjoy the cuisine of the Cusco region.

At 5:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel to begin the journey toward the Cusipata-Paucarpata area. During the approximately two-hour drive, we will pass through different villages and enjoy impressive views of the Peruvian Andes. We will make a first stop for breakfast and to prepare everything needed before continuing toward Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca. After this break, we will travel for approximately one more hour until we reach Phullawasipata, located at 3,700 meters above sea level, where we will begin an uphill hike of approximately one hour and thirty minutes. It is also possible to make the ascent on horseback for an additional cost of 100 soles; this service is not included in the tour. Upon reaching the summit, located at approximately 5,100 meters above sea level, we will enjoy expansive views of the Andes, Andean wildlife and the colorful mountains surrounding the area. We will have time to take photographs and videos before beginning the descent along a route toward the Red Valley, named for the intense reddish pigmentation of its soil caused by the presence of minerals. This route is usually less crowded, and the descent takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes until we return to Phullawasipata, where our transportation will be waiting. We will then enjoy lunch and, if conditions allow, we may visit a local home to learn more about some of the customs and traditions that are still preserved. Finally, we will return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m., and transfer you to your hotel.

On this day, approximately three hours before your flight departure, we will transfer you from the hotel to Cusco Airport to board your flight to Lima, the capital of Peru. Upon arrival, we will continue with the corresponding transfer to the hotel.

Today you will return to your country of origin. Approximately four hours before your flight departure, we will transfer you from the hotel to Lima Airport. This service marks the end of our program.