Detailed Itinerary

Day One: Arequipa - Chivay
Situation above two thousand meters, Arequipa offers many fascinating sites to visit. The city is set on the foothills of El Misti Volcano, a snow-capped top 5,822 meters high. The city itself is adorned with many quaint and fascinating colonial buildings constructed from light-colored volcanic stone called sillar.

Your stop in the city includes Pampas Cañahuas where you can observe Vicunas, Llamas and Alpacas. Drive to Patapampa from there. This is the highest point on our way at 4,820 meters above sea level. From here, reach the town of Chivay where we'll stay over night.

You will have a chance to visit La Calera hot springs and spend some time relaxing in the afternoon.

Day Two: Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Colca Canyon is twice as deep as Grand Canyon. Leave for this fascinating place early in the morning. Along the way, visit traditional towns like: Maca, Yanque, Pinchollo and Achoma. You will meet local people and see how they really live. You will also visit Antahuilque and the Choquetico from where you can see the three mysterious lagoons and the hanging tombs. Visit also "Cruz del Condor" from where magnificent condor birds can be seen flying high and mighty.

Day Three: Arequipa - Cusco

Depart for Cusco early morning with a short flight from Arequipa. In Cusco, relax in the morning before touring of the city.

You can also opt for a ten hour overnight bus ride from Arequipa to Cusco. Expect approximately USD$50.00 - USD$75.00 reduction in cost if you do that.

In Cucso, tour many fascinating Incan sites, including Q'oricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun and then tour Cusco's Cathedral, a 16th century church filled with original artwork and an amazing main altar made of silver. After that, you'll tour the four primary ruins surrounding Cusco, including Sacsaywaman, Q'enko, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara.

As part of the tour you will receive the "Tourist Ticket" which can be used in your free time to visit a number of museums and other attractions in and around Cusco.

Day Four-Five: Machu Picchu

You will today start to make you way to Machu Picchu, Peru's most famous landmark. Depart at 6:00 am from a train to Aguas Calientes from Cucso. Aguas Calientes is at the foot of Machu Picchu. You will check into a hotel and have the whole day in Aguas Calientes to enjoy shopping, eating, and relaxing in the natural hot springs that give the village its name. At night, we'll have dinner at one of the town's many restaurants.

Next day, enjoy breakfast before leaving for Machu Picchu early in the morning. You will take the 20-minute bus ride up to the sanctuary-city of Machu Picchu. Begin our tour at the Inca Guard House to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Then enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the ancient ruins. At the end of the tour, there'll be time for those wanting to climb the top of Huayna Picchu - the pointy mountain overlooking Machu Picchu. Alternatively, you can hike to Inti Punktu ('Sun Gate'), which is the last point on the Inca Trail. There is also a hike to the Temple of the Moon, or you can go back down to Aguas Calients to do some shopping and relax in the hot springs.

At 3:30, take a train back to Cusco and arrive at 7:30 pm to finish the tour.