Andean Highlights: From Colca Canyon to Machu Picchu

Upon arrival at Lima airport, you will be met by our representative from Peru Wayna Picchu. You will have a confirmed transfer to your Lima hotel and assistance with registration. If you arrive in Lima early, take a scenic drive to Parque del Amor in Miraflores for views of Lima’s beautiful coastline or dine at one of the city’s many gourmet restaurants.

Fly to Arequipa where you will meet our representative to transfer to your hotel. After some free time, your guide will meet you at your hotel for a tour of the highlights of Arequipa. Take a closer look at the mestizo baroque architecture, visit the Chapel of San Ignacio, the imposing Cathedral Basilica, and the mini-city of the Santa Catalina Monastery. You will then drive to a viewpoint to enjoy views of the elegant city of Arequipa framed by the Misti volcano.

The 3-hour drive from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon passes through the extraordinary landscapes of the Reserva Nacional de Salinas y Aguada Blanca. Pristine landscapes dotted with animals grazing make for fantastic photography opportunities. Before the descent, you’ll reach Patapampa Pass at a staggering elevation of 16,109 feet (4,910 meters). Stop in Chivay village for lunch, visit Calera Hot Springs, and continue to your lodge for a relaxing night. After sunset, we recommend you peer up at the starlit skies untouched by light pollution.

Your guide will meet you early this morning, the choice time to view condors, and bring you to Mirador Cruz del Condor where you’ll gaze in awe at the size of the condors gliding on thermal drifts over the gaping canyon below. Return to Chivay for lunch, and then begin the 5-6hour drive to your hotel in Puno. Remember that Lake Titicaca is higher than the Colca Canyon. Take some time to unwind, try the spa services, or do some light exploring while you acclimatize.

Begin your waterborne exploration of the world’s highest navigable lake – Lake Titicaca. Feel the sensation of standing on Uros Floating Islands and learn about how indigenous people maintain their long-held traditions in high-altitude environments. Finish with a hike on Taquile Island to take in a spectacular sunset over the lake before the boat ride back to your Puno hotel.

After breakfast at your Puno hotel, you will be transferred to the train station for your journey to Cusco. train from Cusco to Lake Titicaca is longer than the bus ride, lasting just over 10 hours. The first-class services on the train are significantly more opulent with lounge-chair seating, fine china, and silverware used for first-rate, delicious meals. The train makes stops, and there is a separate lookout car where travelers can leisurely enjoy the scenery of the Peruvian Andes.

After a satiating breakfast, your guide will meet you for the scenic private drive through the Sacred Valley. Your private tour will visit Chinchero´s town then the Moray archaeological site and the multi-hued salt pans of Maras and delight you with the intellectual legacy of the Incas. The tour ends with a visit to the monolithic fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo but the sightseeing continues. Gaze at the changing landscapes on your comfortable train ride to Aguas Calientes or return to Cusco city overnight.

An early morning rewards you with a momentous day of exploring the “lost city of the Incas”. Your PWP tour guide will take you through the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, discussing the mystery and skill of its construction while absorbing the magical landscape that surrounds this important ruin. Return to Aguas Calientes for the train ride back to Cusco, where your driver will be waiting for you at the station to take you to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Enjoy a final early start to your day and head to Vinicunca, also known as the Rainbow Mountian. On this exclusive tour, you’ll appreciate the Andes Mountains as you pass by beautiful snow-capped mountains and unique landscapes. Watch Alpacas and Llamas frolic along the trail as you walk to the sacred mountain. Learn about the reasons why the Incas and Andean people worship the Pachamama or Mother Earth on this incredible tour of Rainbow Mountain that includes lunch.