Free day in Cusco

On this first day, we will pick you up at the airport or at the bus terminal. Your guide will wait for you to welcome you to Cusco and bring you to the Amaru Group Hostels. We advise you to take an early flight, so you can take it easy in the morning and get used to the altitude (especially if you come from sea level).
This tour starts with a free day in Cusco. Green Peru Adventures offers you a free city walk of 2 hours. You can participate in this walking tour or discover the city yourself. According to your wishes and needs, you can for example visit a museum, go out to eat, have a Pisco Sour, visit a market or just walk through cosy Cusco. If you choose to acclimatize and rest on your first day, you can also participate in the walking tour on the second day in the morning, before the city tour starts.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amaru Group Hostels

Cusco City Tour

The Cusco City Tour will allow you to discover the enigma of this marvellous city and the surrounding archaeological sites! We will pick you up at 1:15 pm from your hotel and bring you to the main Plaza de Armas at 1:30 pm, where you will meet your travel mates (in case of shared service). We start our adventurous tour by visiting the Main Cathedral of Cusco. Here you can observe the colonial architecture and the amazing paintings of the Cusqueña School (well known for its religious iconography painted by Cusqueños). Afterwards, we will take you to the Qoricancha (golden palace) and Santo Domingo Convent, which is a perfect example for the fusion of the Inca and Christian culture.

After your city tour, we will take the bus and drive to the impressive Inca Fortress of Saqsaywoman. You will be amazed by the rocks used for construction, some of them weigh more than 300 tons!
The tour continues to discover the underground temple of Quenqo (labyrinth) and its impressive rock carvings and tunnels. This religious temple is dedicated to the worship of Mother Earth.
After a few minute’s ride, we will see another fortress called Puka Pucara (red fortress) which was used as a military control entrance gate to Cusco. Walking for a few minutes, we will arrive at Tambomachay (water temple), a temple which is dedicated to worshipping water, fertility and longevity.
We return to Cusco around 06:00 or 07:00 pm. If you want, you can ask your tour guide to stop at one of the souvenir shops on your way back.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amaru Group Hostels

Sacred Valley Tour and Train to Machu Picchu

The Sacred Valley Tour starts at 08:00 am from Cusco. We pick you up from your hotel and bring you to our tourist bus, where you will meet your tour guide and your travel mates (shared service).

We leave Cusco around 08:30 am in the direction of Pisaq, descending to the sacred river Urubamba. With a few stops at various lookout points along the way, we will arrive at Pisaq where you can enjoy checking out the traditional handicraft market with plenty of time for local souvenir shopping. Afterwards, we drive up the mountain where we will find Pisaqs ruins. Our tour guide will take you around the temples, terraces and tunnels of this complex, including the famous Intihuatana (sun clock), while constantly enjoying the majestic view of the sacred river. Then we drive along the river Urubamba, passing by a colourful little town where you can observe the descendants of the Quechua people wearing colourful ponchos.

We stop in the town Urubamba for lunch (we recommend a lunch buffet of Peruvian food). After a short rest, we keep going until we reach Ollantaytambo, one of the last living Inca towns. You will be amazed by the impressive Temple of the Sun with its intricate stonework details, the terraces which are constructed to sustain the mountain and finally the temple in the shape of a llama. Then you will have a short time to explore this amazing complex with its beautiful water fountains by yourself.

After exploring the complex, your tour guide will guide you to the train station from where you will take the train at 04:36 pm in direction to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). Enjoy the incredible 2-hour journey through the panoramic windows of the train which will take you along the Sacred River of the Incas, descending from the high valley down to the cloud forest at 2000 meters. The landscape changes drastically in front of your eyes! You will be able to see the tropical mountain ending in a snow carpet and the small waterfalls shimering on the hills, forming small rivers that flow down to converge at the Sacred River. After these spectacular natural views, you will arrive at Aguas Calientes where the warm atmosphere welcomes you with typical jungle sounds.

A Green Peru Adventures Staff and your tour guide will be waiting for you at the gate of the train station in Aguas Calientes and bring you to your hostel. At 07:00 pm, you arrive at your hotel and the tour guide will come to give you a briefing for the next day.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Real Machu Picchu Inn

Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

The day you were waiting for!

Wake up very early in the morning to have your breakfast (at 04:00 am) and then take the bus uphill to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. The first bus leaves at 05:30 am and takes a 25-minute ride.

Optional take the path which is winding up the mountain to reach Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu gate opens at 06:00, so arriving early you will be one of the first visitors of the day, avoiding the crowds. In case you don’t want to wake up early, please take the bus at 7 am. At 07:45 am your bilingual tour guide will take you around the vast ruins for about 2.5 hours, comprehensively explaining the historical significance of Machu Picchu and its importance in the Inca Empire.

Machu Picchu is the best known of all the Inca Archaeological sites, as it is recognised worldwide as one of the new seven wonders, even though it’s not mentioned in any handwritten Chronicle of the Spanish Conquerors. Experts believe that Machu Picchu was constructed around the mid-15th century by Inca Pachacuteq and was rediscovered in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham.

The guided tour of this fascinating site will be an unforgettable experience, visiting the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, The Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Sun Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (Intihuatana) and the Burial Grounds.
After the excursion, you can climb up the mountain Huayna Picchu from which you will have stunning views over the whole complex! However, there are only 400 entrance tickets per day. Therefore, please let us know in advance if you would like to do the hike when you do your tour reservation (extra cost of US$ 15.00). Due to Huayna Picchu is very fast oversold, we are offering Machu Picchu Mountain as a second climbing option. The advantage of this hike is that it is less crowded, but not less beautiful. The cost of this climb is also US$ 15.00 per entrance.
After this, you will have some free time to wander around. Optional you can do some unguided walks to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, which is the traditional end of the Classic Inca Trail (1.30-hour hike both ways), or to the Inca Bridge (1-hour hike). Otherwise, you can simply explore the ruins and enjoy the inspiring atmosphere and breathtaking views.

A frequent bus service takes visitors back to Aguas Calientes (included) at any time. If you prefer, take a walk down through the jungle – it will take you roughly 45 minutes.
You will arrive to Aguas Calientes for a late lunch or to enjoy a dip in the hot springs (not included). In the afternoon late afternoon at 07:00 pm, you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a tourist transport to Cusco. If you want to return to Cusco in the early afternoon, please let us know so we can book an early train at 2:30 pm or 4:12 pm (according to the service, it will have an extra cost of US$ 30.00).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amaru Group Hostels

Cusco – Puno

At 06:30 am, we will pick you up and transfer you from your hotel in Cusco to the private bus station of the Wonder Peru Tourist Bus, which will take you to Puno. These tourist buses are fully equipped with services and a professional English-speaking guide who will explain to you the local history and traditions on stops along the way. For example, we stop at the Sistine Chapel of South America in Andahaylillas, in Rhachi and in Puca Pucara (entrance to the 3 sites is not included = total US$12.00). We include a lunch buffet in Sicuani and afterwards stop at the spectacular viewpoint of La Raya, at 4338 m.a.s.l. on the border between Cusco and Puno. You will arrive at Puno around 05:00 pm and get a briefing for the next day’s tour around 07:00 pm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Imperial Puno

Uros Islands and Amantani

The tour duration is two days and one night, starting with a visit to the floating Uros Islands and then Amantani Island where you can watch the pre-Inca temples dedicated to the fertility of the earth (Pachamama and Pachatata).

The tour begins at 07:15 am when we will pick you up from your hotel and then take you to the local city port from where you will be shipped to the islands.
Located 35 minutes by boat from the port of Puno, the Uros Islands comprise a group of islands mostly made of reed which is also used to make houses and boats. The inhabitants of the “Uros” are very friendly people who are cordial with visitors.
Amantani, located 36 km from the port of Puno (three hours by boat), is an island composed of eight communities engaged in the agriculture of corn and quinoa, as well as crafts that are representative for their culture. The island has two natural viewpoints with a very unique view over the majestic Lake Titicaca.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with the family

Accommodation: rustic accommodation with the family

Taquile Island – Puno

After having breakfast with your host family, you will be brought to the local harbour where we take a short boat ride to the shores of Taquile Island. From here, we will start to hike to the main square, observing the people who are world-famous for their intricate and fascinating weavings and community work.
You will have lunch in one of the community restaurants and then descend the 535 stone steps to the local port to return to Puno. Arriving in Puno, we will transfer you to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Imperial Puno

Puno – Chivay

At 06:00 am, you will be picked up from your hotel by our local representative in Puno. Afterwards, we will board a tourist bus of Turismo Sillustani and drive northwest, leaving behind the gorgeous scenery of Lake Titicaca. The bus service is first class with a professional tour guide on board. Along this paved road, we will drive through small towns and discover beautiful lagoons called Lagunillas, as well as we will see trout farms and Andean flamingos amongst many other Andean birds on the shores. Following an ascending road, we will reach the zone of Viscachani where we will stop to stretch our legs, use the bathroom if needed and drink a typical coca tea or coffee at the local restaurant. Afterwards, we will continue ascending a dirt road until we reach the highest point of our trip, “The Lookout Point of the Andes” at 4800 meters. At the very top, we will get off the bus for a few minutes to observe the landscape with the Ubinas volcanoes in the background including Mismi, Misti, Chachani, Sabancaya (active) and Ampato. Later on, we will drive downhill to the main town of the Colca Canyon, Chivay (3600 meters). Our final bus stop will be at the main square of Chivay. Upon your arrival, you will meet our representative and then join your travel mates to share lunch and transfer to your hostel. (On this program, you will join a group that started the Colca Canyon Classic Tour in Arequipa).

You will have some time to relax before taking a short walk to the hot springs, close to 30 minutes from the hotel. Calera is one of the nicest hot springs in Peru where you can enjoy the warm natural water at about 35° C/ 95º F, the great outdoor pools surrounded by huge mountains and, with a bit of luck, some Condors returning to their nests. After sunset, we will return to the hotel. Optional, a dinner show can be organized by your tour guide.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Mamayacchi

Chivay – Cruz del Condor – Arequipa

To see the mighty Condor, today you will wake up at 05:00 am! You will have breakfast until 06:00 am and then we start our journey towards the Cruz del Condor, a natural lookout point where you can see the flight of the Condors. (We won’t return to the hotel, which means you must bring all your possessions with you on the bus!) On the road, we will have the best view over the Colca Valley, as we drive along the edge of the Canyon. On the route, we will see ancient terraces which are still used by local farmers who grow many varieties of corn and potatoes. We will make some stops along the way where our local guide will give us a good insight into the Colca Canyon history. Here, you will stumble across many great rocks; we can discover ancient architecture carved into the terraces and find out, which parts of the Canyon were once suitable for cultivation. Also, this is a good place to see the Colca River and the hanging pre-Inca tombs. After approximately 2 hours we will reach the Cruz del Condor, where we will spend approximately an hour, observing the beautiful flight of the Condors as well as the depth of the Canyon. Eventually, we will return to Chivay, passing typical towns along the way. At around noon, we will stop at a local restaurant at Chivay for lunch and afterwards take the road to Arequipa. We will arrive at Arequipa around 05:00 pm. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Casa de mi Abuela

Free day in Arequipa and Bus to Nazca

Today, you have free time to discover Arequipa until the evening. Arequipa is also named the white city of Peru because of the many beautiful white houses, churches and other buildings. Later, around 05:00 pm, we will transfer you from your hotel to the private bus terminal of Cruz Del Sur from where we will start our journey to Nazca. The night bus from Arequipa leaves at 06:00 pm and arrives approximately at 07:00 am in Nazca. On the bus, you will receive a small meal, a drink, a pillow and a blanket to make your trip more comfortable. This is a first-class bus, but we can also organize a VIP bus to Nazca.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Flight over the Nazca Lines and Bus to Lima

You will arrive in Nazca at approximately 07 :00 am.
Our representative in Nazca is Liliana Hamani. She will be waiting for you at the bus terminal and then get you transferred to a hotel restaurant, in case you would like to have some breakfast. Most people prefer to eat something light before the flight.

Between 8:00 and 8:30 am, you will be transferred to the Nazca Aerodrome for your flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines. Flying over these enigmatic “pampas” for approximately 35 minutes, you will discover the huge designs which were drawn maybe hundreds of years ago by some ancient Peruvians.
You will be able to observe the most important ones as the monkey, spider, hummingbird and the long perfect Nazca Lines.

Afterwards, to complete your experience in Nazca, you will visit the pre-Inca cemetery of Chauchilla where you can observe the burials of the old Nazcas. Most of these tombs are original and have mummies, too. The tour continues with a visit to one of the workshops; here you will see how a modern Nazca’s descender makes their beautiful colourful pottery. You will get some explanations about the ancient art of ceramics manufacturing which was made during the Nazca Civilization and afterwards visit a gold extraction workshop where the ancient secret of gold extraction will be revealed.
After all this excitement, we will stop at a local restaurant close to the hotel to have lunch. Then, we will pick up your luggage and transfer you to the bus terminal for your bus to Lima (Ormeno Class Bus or Cruz del Sur) which is leaving at 04:00 pm. You will be arriving in Lima at 11:00 pm.