Machu Picchu & Colca Canyon Trip 10 Days 9 Nights

Day 1 – Lima
Arrival at Lima airport where we will transfer you to your chosen hotel in the Miraflores area of the city. For some you might be staying at the Casa Andina Classic, Faraona, Allpa Hotel or similar. For luxury travelers it could be the 5 star Miraflores Park Hotel, the superb Casa Andina Private Collection or the Doubletree Pardo  Ramada Hotel (subject to space of course). Enjoy the rest of the day as free time to wander the parks and browse the shops, and enjoy the world renowned Peruvian food.

Day 2 – Lima City Tour
Today you will be collected from your hotel for full or half-day tour of colonial and modern Lima, visiting the Lima cathedral and the church and convent of San Francisco among other places of interest. After lunch, which we can arrange for you if you wish, you could visit a museum of your choice, such as the excellent Larco Herrera, the Gold Museum or the National Museum.
The evening could continue with a visit to the spectacular fountain park in the center of Lima. It can be a very full day of sightseeing in this crazy but historic metropolis if you wish, we custom design everything to your wishes. After this you will be worn out and we recommend recovering at a dinner / show at one of our favorite restaurants, visit our Peru Restaurant Guide where you will hear traditional music and see dances from all over Peru.
Alternative “Culture and Contrasts” Lima City Tour

Day 3 – Fly to Cuzco - City Tour
Upon arrival in Cuzco we will meet you and transfer you to you chosen hotel.  For some travelers this could be the Casa San Blas, Midori, Casa Andina or similar hotels and for luxury travelers the fabulous Monasterio Hotel, Aranwa, or the Casa Cartagena Hotel, subject to space of course.
Later in the day you will enjoy a Cuzco City Tour visiting the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman plus the 3 other smaller Inca ruins close to Cuzco, the Cuzco cathedral in the main square and the most important temple of the Inca Empire, the Coricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun. Cusco is lovely city to wander around and you should take time to do this when not being guided.

Day 4 – The Sacred Valley of the Incas
After an early breakfast we begin the Sacred Valley of the Inca tour, where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. Today we will visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo, Pisac. Later on, you will also have the opportunity of visiting the lively local market in Pisac to enjoy the beautiful handicrafts on sale. Tonight we spend the night in Ollantaytambo.We recommend the Casa Andina Private Collection, the Aranwa and the Sol y Luna as our favorite 3 higher end hotels but there are many more that we use in all price ranges such as the Albergue or El Sauce.

Day 5 – MachuPicchu Tour
Today you may have an early start to catch your chosen train to Machu Picchu which will be one of the services described in the link below. The advantage you have is that you have stayed in the valley overnight and therefore don´t have to get up as early as you would in Cuzco to catch the train. A transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the station or if you are staying in one of the hotels really close to, or in the station itself, you can walk there.
Comparison of the Trains to Machu Picchu
After being met in Aguas Calientes by your guide you could drop off your overnight bags at your hotel before taking the bus transfer to the Machu Picchu site to enjoy a private tour with a local English speaking guide. Take the rest of the day as free time to enjoy this incredible site.  In the late afternoon you will return to your chosen hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town that nestles in the valley below Machu Picchu.
Note: The option exists to return to Cuzco the same day but if you have the time it is well worth staying over the see this incredible place the next day.
For mid-range travelers we recommend the Inti Inn, Presidente hotel or similar.  For luxury travelers we highly recommend the Pueblo or Sumaq, Inkaterra, Taipikala Hotel, both down in the village of Aguas Calientes. If you prefer to stay right at the gate of Machu Picchu, and your budget will stand it, you could choose the Sanctuary Lodge as its location cannot be beaten.

Day 6 – MachuPicchu for a second time
Today you will be able to re-visit Machu Picchu and enjoy this fabulous site at your leisure.  You may choose to climb Huayna Picchu, the peak that overlooks Machu Picchu (400 people per day and by prior appointment only) which affords fantastic views and photo opportunities.  In the late afternoon you will board the train for your trip back to Cuzco.  You will leave the train at Poroy (or maybe Ollataytambo), the last station before Cuzco, for a faster and more convenient transfer by road back to your hotel in Cuzco.

Day 7 – Cusco and Arequipa
Enjoy a free morning in Cuzco at your leisure if the schedule permits.  Your tour includes the “Cuzco Tourist Ticket” which allows you entry to the many museums, art galleries and Inca sites in and around Cuzco.  At some point during the day we will fly you to Arequipa, ringed by volcanos and snow capped mountains.
Upon arrival we will transfer you to your hotel in the city center.  For 3 or 4 star travelers we recommend the Sonesta Posada, the Casa Andina classic or similar and for luxury clients the absolutely beautiful Casa Andina Private Collection which is the 400 year old “Mint” building or the excellent Libertador Hotel with its lovely gardens. All hotels are subject to space at time of booking, if you have a preference please let us knows and we can book it for you.
Santa Catalina Convent Video + More Santa Catalina

Day 8 – Colca Canyon Tour
Today you will start your two night tour to the Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world. At 10,729 Feet, it is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the USA.  The journey to get to the Colca Valley takes several hours over the altiplano, viewing Vicunas, Llamas and huge Volcanos the whole way, before we descend into the Colca Valley and arrive at the capital of the canyon region, Chivay.
Your accommodation could be at the lovely Colca Lodge in its exclusive location with its own hot springs within the hotel grounds, Mamayachi in the lovely village of Corporaque or at the Casa Andina in Chivay itself with its own observatory. Colca Lodge is a particularly good choice as you can really relax in the fabulous surroundings of the Canyon. Regardless of where you stay you will enjoy the scenery and be able to bathe in hot springs.
Video – Spa at the Colca Lodge

Day 9 – Condor spotting in the Colca Canyon
At approximately 6am we have breakfast and leave for the famous “Cruz del Condor” point where you will see the “flight of the condors”. The drive here takes 2 hours. After, your guide will take you for a short hike near the Canyon. We will return to our transportation and drive back to Chivay. On the way we visit the traditional town of Pinchollo and the Antahuilque viewpoint, where we will observe a wonderful 1500 year old terrace constructed by the Collaguas culture. We also make a stop at the look out point called Choquetick with its hanging tombs. We finish visiting the town of Maca and Yanque. 
We return to Chivay and after our lunch we take the route back to Arequipa City, arriving at around 17.30..

Day 10 – Arequipato Lima
In the morning you will travel back to Arequipa and then either spend another night, or you fly out to Lima the same afternoon. There are many options so just talk to us.
We can add on days for you to visit the Ballestas Islands and the Nazca Lines if you wish.