Inca Road 12 Days

Day 1: Lima – Paracas – Ica

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure in a private off-road vehicle at dawn, heading south on the Pan-American Highway to reach the Paracas Peninsula (242 km – approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes). Excursion by motorboat to the Ballestas Islands, also known as the “guano islands,” considered the Galapagos of Peru. On the cliffs and along the beaches, you can observe numerous colonies of sea lions, seals, penguins, boobies, cormorants, and other bird species. Upon return, after about 2 hours, excursion to the Paracas Natural Reserve, where desert cliffs cut through the ocean, creating geological curiosities shaped by wind and wave erosion. Continue south, crossing the Tablazo de Ica, along the tracks that traverse the coastal desert overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Arrival in Ica in the afternoon, the green oasis famous for its large production of asparagus and fruit, and identified as the best wine region in Peru. Accommodation in a hotel located within a vineyard. Time dedicated to discovering the winemaking traditions of this renowned winery and strolling through its vineyards while tasting Pisco, the famous Peruvian brandy. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Ica – Nazca 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the archaeological city of Nasca (145 km – approximately 2.5 hours). Visit the Antonini Museum, directed by Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Orefici, where the archaeological heritage discovered by the archaeologists of the “Nasca Project” is preserved and analyzed. Since 1982, the project has been involved in excavations at the ceremonial center of Cahuachi, the Estaqueria site, and other important sites in the Nasca River Valley. Also significant are the lines traced on the Pampa de Jumana, which were studied throughout her life by archaeologist Maria Reiche and still represent the greatest enigma of Peru’s archaeological history. Accommodation in a hotel. Overnight stay. Important: It is possible to choose to fly over the Nasca lines. We suggest that those who are particularly interested book the overflight during the booking process from Italy.

Day 3: Nazca – Camaná – Arequipa 

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue the journey through the southern desert, with cliffs that shape the Pacific coast, to reach Camanà (390 km – approximately 6 hours). Leaving the Pan-American Highway, you will ascend to the altitude of 2363 meters in Arequipa (170 km – approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes). Accommodation at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 4: Arequipa

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning dedicated to the visit of the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa, known as “the white city,” surrounded by the imposing Misti volcano (5822 m) and Chachani volcano (6075 m) that overlook the wide valley in a picturesque setting. Visit the beautiful Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral (which can be visited individually and not with a guide), the interesting baroque churches, the Jesuit Monastery, and the Santa Catalina Monastery, important examples of colonial architecture and among the best-preserved in Peru. Excursion to the “Mirador de Yanahuara,” from where you can admire the panoramic view of the city and the surrounding volcanoes. On the way back, visit the pre-Inca terraces of Chilina. Afternoon at leisure for individual visits and shopping. We recommend a visit to the Museum where a pre-Inca mummy, Juanita, is preserved. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5: Arequipa – Chivay 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the Colca River Valley (170 km – approximately 4 hours), ascending the Andean foothills and reaching the Patapampa Pass at an altitude of 4910 meters. The descent to Chivay (3050 m.a.s.l.) passes through the Inca terraces still used by farmers for growing corn and potatoes. Visit the typical Andean villages with colonial churches and people dressed in splendid traditional costumes, especially women who wear very refined costumes with Spanish colonial fashion influences. (Possible bathing in the thermal waters of La Calera – entrance fee required). Accommodation at the hotel and free time. Overnight stay.

Day 6: Colca Canyon – Puno 

Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning excursion to Cruz del Condor to observe the spectacular Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, and the majestic flight of the Andean sacred bird, the condor. The condors soar through the “throat” of the canyon, taking advantage of the thermal updrafts of warm air. Departure for Puno (320 km – approximately 6 hours), crossing the desert plateau known as the “puna,” at an average altitude of 4000 meters, in the landscape of the Central Andes. Along the way, you can observe colonies of flamingos and Andean camelids on the shores of colorful lagoons. From the bustling town of Juliaca, continue to visit the pre-Inca necropolis of Sillustani, used by the Tiahuanaco culture to bury their kings, whose tombs have been partially destroyed by looting and lightning strikes. Continue to Puno, a city located at an altitude of 3800 meters on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Accommodation at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 7: Lake Titicaca (Taquile Island) 

Breakfast at the hotel. According to Andean legend, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the founders of the Sun dynasty, emerged from the foam of Lake Titicaca. They set off together to new territories in the Andes, giving rise to the culture and history of the Inca people. Visit the floating islands made of totora reeds in the Bay of Juli, where the Uros people of Aymara culture once lived. The islands have become a controversial tourist attraction. Continue the navigation on Lake Titicaca to reach Taquile Island (3 hours of navigation). Upon arrival at the port, ascend a path cut into the cultivated terraces that leads to the village (we recommend ascending slowly to avoid unnecessary exertion). Free time to get to know the people who have preserved Inca traditions in the majestic landscape of Lake Titicaca and the snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Real. Return by boat to Puno and transfer to the hotel. Free time and overnight stay.

Day 8: Puno – Cusco 

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue the journey with the final leg that leads to the city of Cusco (380 km), crossing the arid plateau that gradually ascends to La Raya Pass (4300 meters above sea level), at the foot of the “Santa Rosa” glacier, where herds of Andean camelids can be observed. Along the way, after Ayaviri, visit the Tinajani Canyon valley to observe the Puja, an endemic plant that the Milanese botanist Antonio Raimondi discovered in the late 1800s in the Chavín de Huantar area in northern Peru. Descending into the fertile valleys of Sicuani and Cusco, visit the ruins of the temple dedicated to Viracocha, the supreme Inca deity, from which, according to Andean cosmology, the entire universe descends. In the church of Andahuaylillas (17th century), also known as the “Sistine Chapel” of South America, admire the marvelous frescoes by anonymous artists and the golden altars. Arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon and check into the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 9: Cusco – Chincheros – Moray – Maras – Machu Picchu Pueblo 

Breakfast at the hotel. Traveling through the panoramic plateau of Cusco, overlooked by the Salkantay Mountain (6271 m), visit the Andean village of Chincheros, where in the colonial church (which may not always be open to the public), you can observe interesting paintings and frescoes from the famous Cusco School of colonial painting. Visit the Moray terraces, which recent excavations have shown to be a production and processing center for freeze-drying potatoes for easy transportation throughout the Tawantinsuyu (Inca Empire). Finally, visit the spectacular Inca salt pans of Maras, carved into the mountainside, still used by the villagers for salt extraction. Continue to the Ollantaytambo train station and depart in the late afternoon by train to Machu Picchu Pueblo (1 hour and 45 minutes). The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Arrive in the small and bustling village located at an altitude of 2040 meters, built around the railway tracks, with shops and bazaars for tourists, pubs, and restaurants of all kinds. Proceed on foot to reach the hotel. Overnight stay.

Important: – Only one carry-on baggage (backpack or small bag, weighing a maximum of 8 kg) is allowed on trains to/from Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Please pack a carry-on bag with essentials for the Machu Picchu excursion. Please carefully read the code of conduct for visiting Machu Picchu, provided in the useful information section. – Admission to Huayna Picchu is not included. If you are interested, please request it at the time of booking.

Day 10: Machu Picchu – Sacred Valley – Cusco 

Breakfast at the hotel. “We suddenly found ourselves in the midst of a series of buildings covered by the jungle. The walls were made of beautiful white granite, wonderfully cut and worked in a way that they fit perfectly without the need for cement. The site was one marvel after another: we soon realized that we were in the middle of the most wonderful ruins that had ever existed in Peru.” (July 24, 1911, Hiram Bingham discovers Machu Picchu). Early in the morning, take a minibus up the hill to Machu Picchu (12 km), at an altitude of 2350 meters. At sunrise, you can witness the magical play of the first rays of sun illuminating the stones of the Inca citadel before starting the guided tour of the most important archaeological site in South America, discovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. In recent years, research on the Inca citadel has shown that Machu Picchu was a “center for agricultural, architectural, and astronomical development” established by Pachacutec, the most important Inca ruler. Return by minibus to Machu Picchu Pueblo and take the train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, meet the driver/tour leader and continue by land to Cusco (65 km). Check into the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 11: Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel. Located at an altitude of 3350 meters, Cusco, which translates to “the navel of the world” in the Quechua language, is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. The archaeological sites, treasures from the colonial era, markets, churches, and squares make Cusco the most fascinating city in South America. Visit the colonial center of Cusco, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its churches and palaces built on the foundations of Inca temples. Then, explore the surroundings of Cusco to visit the archaeological sites of Tambomachay and Quenqo and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay.

Day 12: Departure from Cusco 

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure for further individual visits to beautiful Cusco or for shopping at the markets and antique shops in the San Blas neighborhood. According to the agreed-upon schedule, transfer to Cusco airport. Departure for the return to Italy (not included) or continuation for optional extensions.