Welcome at Arequipa International Airport (at 2,335 meters above sea level) and private transfer to your 3-star hotel. Welcome meal with the team (lunch or dinner in a local gourmet restaurant).
In the afternoon, guided visit of the magnificent colonial historic center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the past 25 years, including the Santa Catalina Monastery (the largest in South America) and the charming La Compañía Church. Overnight in your 3-star hotel, Los Tambos or Casa de Melgar.
After breakfast, you leave your hotel with your private mini-bus and head towards the Colca Valley (a 5-hour drive with stops). Along the way, you will cross the Salinas and Aguada Blanca Reserve, where you can observe llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. You will then reach the highest point of the route, the impressive Volcanoes Lookout, located at 4,910 meters above sea level. Afterwards, you descend to Yanque, at 3,600 meters, to settle into your charming 3-star hotel, Miskiwasi. Lunch at the hotel.
In the afternoon, you depart for your first horseback ride. This ride on authentic Peruvian Paso Horses leads you to the “Mirador de los Vientos” (Wind Viewpoint), which offers a stunning panoramic view over all the villages of the valley (3.5 hours on horseback). This first “adaptation” ride will allow you to take in the vastness of the landscapes and appreciate the magnificent peaks that dominate the valley. Return to your hotel to enjoy some rest. In the evening, dinner in Yanque and overnight at Miskiwasi.
Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for your second horseback ride (6 hours on horseback – lunch included en route). You leave directly from your hotel and ride through Yanque’s Plaza de Armas, where you will see the village church, a colonial-style building constructed by the Spanish in the 17th century AD. You then cross the stone bridge overlooking the Colca River, where you can observe the Collagua trail (pre-Inca period). The ride continues to the Uyo-Uyo archaeological site, reminiscent of a small ghost village, known for its ancient houses, irrigation system, and numerous traces of coexistence between the Collagua and Inca cultures. You then continue towards the heights of Coporaque, enjoying a beautiful panoramic view over the valley, where you will have a pleasant lunch (including a glass of wine) and some time to relax.
In the afternoon, on the way back, you will pass by the “Amphitheater”, a series of impressive pre-Inca terraces arranged in semicircles. From the Sifon Bridge, you will also be able to observe the “Colcas”, small cavities carved into the cliff that were used to store corn. Return to your hotel. At the end of the day, you will go by private transport to the local Thermal Baths, where you can relax in these volcanic hot waters known for their many benefits. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Yanque (Miskiwasi B&B)
Breakfast, then departure with the horses for the itinerant ride (approximately 6 hours on horseback). You ride along the right bank of the Colca River, where you can admire the beauty of the landscapes, made up of snow-capped peaks and magnificent pre-Inca terraces literally sculpted into the mountainside. The first terraces were built in the 13th century AD. In this region, most inhabitants work in agriculture, and you will see them tending their fields throughout your journey. You will pass through the village of Ichupampa, then climb up to the recently restored site of Lamparashi, which contains skulls, bones, and textiles dating back to the pre-Inca period. This is a superb route offering exceptional views over the Colca Valley. Picnic lunch en route toward Lari. The horseback ride then continues to Madrigal, where you will spend the night in a very simple hostal, with the possibility of having a campfire in the evening. Aperitif and dinner on site.
After a pleasant breakfast, you leave Madrigal and begin the ascent of the Chimpa hill on horseback. You will pass by a natural window carved into the rock before reaching the Chimpa Fortress, an ancient Collagua military lookout offering an incredible view over the valley on one side and, on the other, over both sides of the second deepest canyon in the world: the Colca Canyon. You then descend on foot before continuing on horseback toward the village of Pinchollo. First, you will reach the Colca River via a descent facing impressive peaks rising over 6,000 meters. After crossing the bridge, the horseback ride continues, allowing you to gradually appreciate the scale and beauty of the countless pre-Inca terraces. The slow and steady rhythm of the ride gives you ample time to take in the magnificent horizon and its many subtleties. You will enjoy an outdoor lunch in this splendid environment (including a glass of wine). Arrival in Pinchollo in the mid-afternoon, where you will leave the horses.
A private vehicle will then take you to the two most famous lookouts overlooking the Canyon: Cruz del Cura and Cruz del Condor. Here, you will be able to admire the incredible depth of the canyon and observe the majestic flight of the immense condors, which usually reappear at the end of the day (when the area becomes quiet again), just before a magnificent sunset. Your vehicle will then take you to La Granja, a 3-star hotel located right on the edge of the canyon, offering spectacular views. Dinner and overnight on site. (Please let us know if you are sensitive to heights; in that case, we will select a room on the mountain side.)
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a short transfer to Pinchollo, then departure on horseback toward the Pinchollo geyser (approximately 6 hours on horseback). This day - one of the highlights of your journey - offers absolute tranquility as you ride toward the Hatun Infiernillo geyser (located at 4,500 meters), surrounded by immense volcanoes and numerous snow-capped peaks. This geyser, active all year round, is truly impressive thanks to its powerful and regular steam eruptions. You will have time to relax and enjoy the moment before beginning your descent. Picnic lunch on the way down, following a different trail that offers magnificent viewpoints before reaching the village of Pinchollo. Your private vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Arequipa, where you will enjoy a delicious dinner at the Zigzag gourmet restaurant. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Los Tambos or Casa de Melgar.
Breafast at the hotel and according to the flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport. End of our trip in Peru.
If you want an extension in Lima, Puno, Cusco, the Machu Picchu or any other destination in Peru, please tell us during your booking.
| From | 22/03 | 05/04 | 17/05 | 07/06 | 28/06 | 23/08 | 13/09 | 11/10 | 01/11 | 29/11 |
| To | 28/03 | 11/04 | 23/05 | 13/06 | 04/07 | 29/08 | 19/09 | 17/10 | 07/11 | 05/12 |
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Arequipa airport for your flight to Cusco. Morning arrival in Cusco. Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, guided tour of the historic center of the Inca capital (Plaza de Armas, the 12-angled stone, San Pedro market), the San Blas district, and the Koricancha site. Optionally, and upon prior request, it is possible to add a visit to the Sacsayhuaman site (late morning). Overnight in Cusco at your 3-star hotel (MOAF hotel or equivalent).
After breakfast, departure in a private vehicle through the stunning Sacred Valley. Your first stop will be the Inca village of Chinchero. You will then continue to Moray to admire the circular terraces carved into the mountainside for agricultural experiments. Next, you will visit the Maras salt ponds, where salt is still harvested artisanally. You will finally arrive in the well-preserved village of Ollantaytambo and visit its impressive fortress built into the mountainside. After the visit, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes, the village located at the foot of Machu Picchu. (Important: travelers are only allowed to bring one carry-on bag when traveling to Aguas Calientes). Overnight in Aguas Calientes at your hotel, Panorama B&B.
>Visits of the Inca sites are self-guided; a guide is optional (please inform us at the time of booking if you would like to be accompanied by a guide).
Early breakfast. Then transfer by bus to the mysterious Citadel of Machu Picchu. This incredible archaeological site amazes all travelers with its beauty, architecture, and impressive natural setting. You will have time to enjoy this New Wonder of the World, rediscovered only a century ago. (We will book Circuit 2 for you, which is the most complete route to explore the Machu Picchu site). As an option, it is possible to purchase a second ticket for the demanding yet spectacular hike up the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu (Montaña), upon prior request at the time of booking. Afterwards, transfer back to the village of Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, return by train to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel and overnight stay.
>The visit of Machu Picchu is self-guided; however, a guide can be arranged in advance at the time of booking for a visit of about two to two and a half hours. Regulations regarding the mandatory presence of a guide at Machu Picchu are currently in a transition phase. At the moment, a guide is not required, but this may change by the time you make your reservation. We will inform you accordingly. Thank you for your understanding.
Breakfast at the hotel, then private transfer to Cusco International Airport according to your flight schedule. End of the trip.
| From | 22/03 | 05/04 | 17/05 | 07/06 | 28/06 | 23/08 | 13/09 | 11/10 | 01/11 | 29/11 |
| To | 31/03 | 14/04 | 26/05 | 16/06 | 07/07 | 01/09 | 22/09 | 20/10 | 10/11 | 08/12 |
