The Essence Collection: Itineraries
 

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Itineraries

Essence of Peru 8D/7N
ESSENCE OF PERU 14D/13N
ESSENCE OF PERU 16D/15N
ESSENCE OF PERU 21D/20N

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Extensions

Tambopata Reserve 3D/2N
TAMBOPATA RESERVE and HEATH MACAW CLAY LICK 5D/4N
Northern Kingdoms (Chiclayo and Trujillo) 3d/2n
Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands 2d/1n
Manu National Park 4d/3n - Manu Wildlife Center
Arequipa and the Colca Canyon 4d/3n
Lake Titicaca and Suasi Island 4 days / 3 nights
Homestay in Lake Titicaca 4 days / 3 nights

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Program alternatives
(no extra days needed)

SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
HIRAM BINGHAM Luxury Train Service

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Customize Your Itinerary

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San Francisco Church - Promperu / Magalí del Solar

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Cathedral - Arequipa - Promperu / Magalí del Solar

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Salinas and Aguada Blanca - Archivo Promperu

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Lake Titicaca from Suasi Island - Enigma / Silvia Rico

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Koricancha - Promperu / Carlos Sala

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Machupicchu - Enigma / Silvia Rico

Essence of Peru 14d/13n (ECMIT14)
Lima - Arequipa - Colca Canyon - Puno - Lake Titicaca - Cusco - Machupicchu - Lima

Southern Peru offers a unique combination of stunning natural sites and cultural heritage. The charming colonial city of Cusco, the world wonder Machupicchu, spotting the Andean condor in one of the deepest canyons on earth, a stay on a private island on Lake Titicaca and gourmet meals in Lima have all been put together in this amazing 2-week program.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Lima

You are met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 Lima

Today we embark upon a full day guided tour of Lima, visiting the historical center, the Plaza de Armas and the San Francisco Monastery. Lunch at Restaurant Malabar where Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of the most renowned chefs in the country, will delight us with some of the finest examples of the new Peruvian gourmet cuisine. In the afternoon, we visit the impressive and world-famous Gold Museum, including one of the largest collections of gold pieces beloging to ancient cultures of Peru, as well as fine examples of textiles and weapons.
B, L

Day 3 Lima - Arequipa

This morning we fly to Arequipa, where we check in to our chosen hotel upon arrival. The afternoon is devoted to exploring Arequipa, also known as “the White City” due to the predominance of the white volcanic rock called “sillar” used in its buildings. We start our visit in the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, founded in 1580, and located in the historical center of Arequipa, including houses for the nuns, cloisters, narrow streets, kitchens, old ovens and laundry areas that are magnificently maintained. From here we continue to visit the impressive mummy Juanita, a young Inca girl sacrificed as an offering to the Gods in Inca times, found only about 10 years ago in the Ampato volcano after the eternal snows of the glaciers were shaken by an earthquake. We follow to the Compañía Church, built by the Jesuit Order, with a beautiful mestizo baroque style façade, an impressive cupola and a famous cloister. We end our visit at the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina, offering spectacular views of the Misti volcano in the late afternoon, before returning to the hotel.
B

Day 4 Arequipa - Colca Canyon

After breakfast, our private transport picks us up from the hotel to start our overland trip towards the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. On the way we go through Pampa Cañahuas and several villages such as Pulpera, Callalli, Sibayo and Tuti, reaching an altitude of 3400 metres above sea level. We will very probably have the chance to spot herds of alpacas and llamas, and maybe vicuñas as well. Inactive volcanoes as well as geological formations featuring curious shapes caused by erosion are also characteristic along our route. We then pass through Chivay, the biggest and most populated town in the Colca Canyon, before we continue on to our hotel, the Colca Lodge, located in a secluded spot next to the Colca River bank, being the only hotel in the area with natural hot springs, a delicious way to relax after a long day.
B, L (box-lunch)

Day 5 Colca Canyon

Today we leave our hotel very early in the morning. We drive across the left side of the canyon to the Condor Cross lookout, where we may have the chance to spot the Andean Condor, considered the biggest bird in the world, with a wing span over 3m wide, and also appreciate the impressive depth of the canyon. On our way back to the hotel, we drive through beautiful typical towns, like Yanque and Maca, with charming colonial churches, and we have the opportunity to meet local people with typical needlework dresses. On the sides of the road we can also appreciate hundreds of pre Inca terraces, where people still grow Andean products like corn, quinoa, kiwicha and others. This afternoon we have several options, from hiking with our guide to enjoying the hot springs or just relaxing at our hotel. Overnight at the Colca Lodge Hotel.
B, L

Day 6 Colca Canyon - Sillustani - Puno

After breakfast we begin our overland trip towards Puno. We start driving on a dirt road until we reach the paved road that connects Arequipa with Puno. From here, we continue towards Lake Titicaca, stopping at the Chullpas de Sillustani, an archeological area only 34 km (21 miles) from the city of Puno and one of the most important necropolis in the world. Built by the Collas, the chullpas are gigantic funerary monuments, which stand at 4,000m (13,123 ft), in a plain surrounded by the beautiful Umayo Lake. Upon arrival in Puno, we check in to our chosen hotel.
B, L (box-lunch)

Day 7 Puno - Lake Titicaca Islands - Suasi Island

Today we board a boat to travel to Suasi Island, one of the most special places on Lake Titicaca, offering a unique experience. From every corner of this small private island we can appreciate the vastness of Lake Titicaca. The island is 106 acres and the Casa Andina Private Collection hotel, the only hotel on the island, built with local materials such as stone, adobe and totora reeds has a charming and cozy rustic architecture. On the way to Suasi, we first stop at the amazing Uros Islands, which are man-made from totora reeds, where the inhabitants continue to live as their predecessors have done since pre-Columbian times. We then disembark at Taquile Island, inhabited by a well-organized Quechua community known for its fabulous textiles, among others. Upon arrival in Suasi, we check in to our room with lakeside views.
B, L, D

Day 8 Suasi Island

Suasi Island is a fabulous spot to relax and enjoy the island; its views, the restaurant’s gourmet food and the activities on offer. These range from canoeing around the island, to short hikes to lookouts during the day or at sunset, walking along the beach or just relaxing at the sauna or massage room. Martha Giraldo, the welcoming owner of the island lives next to the hotel and has a charming little museum in her house that can also be visited.
B, L, D

Day 9 Suasi Island - Cusco

After breakfast, we depart by road towards Cusco, enjoying the magnificent scenery, first dominated by “pampas” or plains, where llamas and alpacas can be spotted, and then by the mighty Andean mountains, as we approach Cusco city. Arrival and accommodation at our chosen hotel.
B, L

Day 10 Cusco

Free morning to wander around the charming colonial streets of Cusco and maybe shop for souvenirs or the beautiful alpaca textiles found in several shops around the city. In the afternoon we explore the city, starting our visit in the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), whose walls used to be covered with sheets of gold during the Inca Empire, and then became an important convent with the Spanish colonization. We then continue with a visit to the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, which houses some of the most important examples of the famous Cusco school of painting. We finally conclude in the bohemian quarter of San Blas, home to the workshops and stores of the most renowned artisans in Cusco, including Mendivil and Merida. Tonight, we enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
B, D

Day 11 Cusco - Sacred Valley - Cusco

Early in the morning, we are driven to the Sacred Valley, visiting the archaeological site of Sacsayhuamán on the way. We also stop to learn the ancient weaving techniques used to create Andean clothing at Awanacancha, a breeding center for South American camelids. We visit Pisaq archaeological site and its colorful market, before we enjoy lunch at Casa Hacienda Orihuela, a private residence with an impressive collection of Inca and colonial art and artifacts, where the Lambarri-Orihuela family will be our hosts. In the afternoon, we visit Ollantaytambo, a still-thriving Inca village set below an ancient Inca fortress and temple with stunning views over the valley that makes us feel as if we have stepped back into the 15th century. Return to Cusco in the evening.
B, L

Day 12 Cusco - Machu Picchu

Early this morning we board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas”. We visit the Sacred Inca citadel enjoying its main temples and hidden corners. Lunch at the Machupicchu Sanctuary Lodge, next to Machu Picchu ruins, the only hotel which enjoys this unique location. In the afternoon we can choose to visit the fabulous Inca Bridge or climb Huayna Picchu and enjoy the stunning views from this privileged spot until sunset. Accommodation at our chosen hotel in Machupicchu or Aguas Calientes.
B, L

Day 13 Machu Picchu - Cusco

Free morning to relax in Aguas Calientes or return to Machupicchu for an optional second visit. In the afternoon, we depart by Vistadome train from Aguas Calientes arriving in Cusco in the evening.
B

Day 14 Cusco - Lima

Enjoy a free morning in Cusco before you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. Continuation of your journey home or connection with another extension.
B

Highlights

 
  • Monumental remains of the Inca empire and the Spanish colony in Cusco and Machu Picchu
  • Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, with the chance to spot the Andean Condor in its habitat
  • Lake Titicaca and a 2-day stay in the fabulous Suasi Island / Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, with rooms with breath-taking lake views and gourmet food
  • Lunch at a private Hacienda in the Sacred Valley, housing an impressive collection of arts and artifacts
  • Gourmet food in Lima
 

Recommended for

 

Everyone. The itinerary has been designed in such a way that helps in the acclimatization process of our body to the altitude as we advance in the program.

 

Difficulty degree of this program

 

Low

 

Rates 2008

 

This customized tour is available from (*):

  • US$ 2820.00 per person - Private Service
  • US$ 2095.00 per person - Mixed Service (**)
     
  • Single Supplement:
    • US$ 550.00 per person - Private Service
    • US$ 625.00 per person - Mixed Service (**)
  • Estimated cost of air fare: US$280.00 per person (***)

(*) Price based on a party of four, double accommodation, 3* hotels

(**) Mixed services combine tour group services where available and private services where not available. Changes in the itinerary and services included apply. Please contact us for further information.

(***) This price is subject to change without prior notice by airline companies. We strongly suggest that you make your booking in advance so that the quoted price can be guaranteed

 

Please check Our Hotel Selection in the Travel Services section of this website for a detailed description of our recommended hotels.

However, since the price per person depends on various factors (date of your visit to Peru, number of people in your party, hotel category requested, type of service preferred, among others), please contact us or go to the Booking Online section of this website for a detailed program design and pricing of your tour. A travel consultant will contact you within a maximum of two working days.

 

Departure Dates

 

This program departs on Thursdays and Sundays only (until April 2008) and on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays (from May to December 2008), as group fixed departures to Suasi Island are on Wednesdays and Saturdays (until April 2008), adding a departure on Sundays as of May 2008. However, the rest of the program can be adapted to your request, according to your time availability.

 

What Is Included

 
  • All transfers
  • Entrance fees to all sites visited
  • Vistadome train tickets Cusco - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
  • Lake Titicaca transportation
  • English / Spanish speaking guide. All our guides are officially licensed tourist guides trained in first aid
  • All guided excursions described in the itinerary
  • Accommodation based on double occupancy with private bath in the selected hotel category. Please contact us for further details or check our Hotel Selection in our Travel Services section of this website.
  • All specified meals. Vegetarian option is available with no extra charge
  • Flight reconfirmation
 

What Is Not Included

 
  • Airport taxes or visa fees. The tax for domestic flights within Peru is approximately US$6.00 per person
  • International air tickets
  • Domestic air tickets
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations
  • Alcoholic beverages or bottled water
  • Snacks
  • Insurance of any kind
  • Laundry
  • Phone calls, radio calls or messages
  • Other items of personal nature
  • Tips
  • Extra expenses originated in itinerary changes or others due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond ENIGMA’s control
 

What we recommend that you bring

 
  • Clothing: long trousers, convertible pants or shorts, long and short-sleeved T-shirts or shirts, cotton socks. Warm clothes for high altitude areas (Arequipa - Colca, Puno, Cusco), especially at night, including sweaters / fleeces and a jacket.
  • Rain gear or poncho(you can buy a basic one in Cusco), especially if visiting in the months November to April
  • Comfortable footwear, trekking boots recommended
  • Camera, films (ASA 50, 100 and 200 recommended)
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, cold and rain
  • Sun block (high factor)
  • Sunglasses
  • After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  • Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - no malaria risk has been reported
  • Personal toiletries and medications
  • Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) or water bottle to carry water on outings
  • Cash in soles and/or US$ for extras (souvenirs, beverages, etc)
  • Original passport and passport photocopies
 

Optional Services

 
  • International flights from/to your country and domestic flights. Please contact us to check our fares.
  • Tour escort: a highly qualified official tourist guide can accompany you from your arrival in Lima until your departure at the end of the program. Please contact us for further details and prices.
  • Travel insurance covering your stay in Peru from US$15.00 per person. Please contact us for further information.
 

Program Alternative

 
  1. To introduce a day of strong physical activity and challenge in your itinerary, we may suggest you substitute the day in which you travel by train to Aguas Calientes / Machupicchu, for a 13-km (8 mile) walk along the stunning Inca Trail, visiting the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, arriving in Machupicchu through the impressive Sun Gate and then visiting the Inca citadel on the next day of your trip. Please click here for further information.
  2. A luxury train service to Machupicchu is available, operated by Peru Rail, a company member of Orient Express. Please click here for further information.
 

Tips

 

This program can be shortened in one day by cutting day 2 of the program (full day visit of Lima). If your outbound flight leaves late at night on the last day, you may have the time to make a quick visit to Lima at the end of your trip.

 

Booking Online

 

If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please go directly to the Booking Online section of this website.

The Essence Collection

Customize Your Itinerary Customize Your Itinerary

ENIGMA can create a unique, custom-designed independent itinerary that is fully adapted to your needs, whether you travel solo, with family and friends, or as a group. Please click here to let us know what you are interested in adding or excluding to customize a selected itinerary or to design a completely new program just for you. A travel consultant will contact you within a maximum of two working days.