Compare Classic Tour Peru & Puerto Maldonado by Tangol Tours vs Premium Peru in Depth by Intrepid Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 11 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 2,722 | $ 6,352 |
| Price Per Day | $ 247 | $ 423 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Come to explore the wonders of Peru, a country rich in archaeological culture and ancestral history. |
Uncover Peru’s best on this 15-day Premium journey through lush valleys, rich rainforests and Inca heartlands. Travel south from Lima to the charming city of Arequipa, see condors circling some of the deepest ravines in the world at Colca Canyon, and experience the wild heart of the Amazon Jungle. Consider trekking along the acclaimed Inca Trail, or relax on a scenic train ride, all to witness the magnificence of the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. With a local leader each step of the way joining you on orientation walks and filling you in on the histories of the land, you’ll get to peruse Peru the local way. |
DAY 1. LIMA: Arrival in Lima, and private transfer with only driver to the hotel. Overnight.
DAY 2. LIMA / CUSCO: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to take the next flight to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco, and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll pick you up from the hotel in Cusco and start the Cusco Walking Tour in San Blas, an awesome neighborhood located in the upper part of Cusco City, with amazing views to this magical place. Walking through Hatun Rumiyoq Street, we will see the famous wall with the twelve-angle stone which belongs to the Archbishop’s Palace building, place where Inca Sinchi Roca has lived before. You will admire the spectacular architecture around the Main Square and El Regocijo Sq., until we reach the San Francisco´s Square with its beautiful botanical garden. Then, we will back to the hotel. Overnight.
DAY 3. CUSCO / SACRED VALLEY / CUSCO: Breakfast at the hotel. We will pick you up from the hotel in Cusco, to start a 30 Km. journey until Pisac. This fantastic place has an amazing market, and archaeological temples of stone buildings, with incredible views to the valley and the magnificent Inca platforms. Then, we will continue until Urubamba to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, and later we will reach Ollantaytambo. Its temple was the headquarter of Inca’s army, as well as a religious and agricultural place. It has stunning views, and more than a hundred Inca platforms with an advanced irrigation canal for that period. We will visit Chinchero, and its typical and colorful Inca market, full of traditional craft as ceramics and Andean looms. After the visit, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight.
DAY 4. CUSCO / MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO: Early in the morning, we will pick you up from the hotel in Cusco, and go to Poroy train station in private transport. You will take the Expedition train, and start a little more than 3 hours’ journey to Aguas Calientes train station. At this point, we will board the bus until the wonderful Machu Picchu Citadel, well-known as The Lost City of the Inca. The guided tour along 2 hours, will let you explore this awesome archeological site with incredible landscapes. Machu Picchu, a World Heritage Site, was the main place of Inca’s farming, and the most important urban place from Incan Empire. Enjoy your free time in Machu Picchu, take pictures or if you are brave you can climb Huayna Picchu (optional), and admire the entire citadel around. Also, you have the option to back to Aguas Calientes and have lunch (optional). At the arrange time, you should arrive at the Aguas Calientes train station to back to Cusco City, arriving to Poroy train station first and take a private transport to the hotel.
DAY 5. CUSCO / PUERTO MALDONADO: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Puerto Maldonado. After picking you up from Puerto Maldonado Airport, we will take a short city tour, and then we will go to the "Puerto Capitanía" to take the motor boat to go inside the jungle for 2 hours. We will arrive at the lodge to accommodate, and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we will have an expedition to Cocha Caiman, a small lagoon, to observe the large number of black and white alligators that live in this zone. You will love the spectacular sunset and the beautiful heaven colors. We will return to the lodge for a good dinner, and rest.
DAY 6. PUERTO MALDONADO: One of the best moments of sleeping in the jungle, is waking up listening to the sounds that nature gives to us. After breakfast, we will start a walk towards the depths of the jungle, to observe the flood forest until arriving to the majestic Lake Apu Victor, with beautiful landscapes and crystal clear waters. We will go up to the Amazon viewpoint, and to appreciate the wonderful Peruvian jungle, and a great variety of flora and fauna. We will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Monkey Islands, located in the heart of the Madre de Dios River. During the walk, we will observe different types of monkeys, and animals in general. We will enjoy a beautiful sunset. At the end, we will return to the lodge for dinner.
DAY 7. PUERTO MALDONADO / CUSCO: After breakfast, we will return to Puerto Maldonado city, and take you to the airport for your next flight to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco, and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight.
DAY 8. CUSCO / PUNO: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the bus station to take the tourist bus to Puno (8 hours). During the way, you will do 3 visits to Raqchi, Andahuaylillas and Puca Pucará. A buffet lunch is included at local restaurant. Arrival in Cusco, and private transfer with only driver to the hotel. Overnight.
DAY 9. PUNO: After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the lake port of Puno, where a regular boat will take you to the floating islands of the Uros. The Uros are an ancestral society that populate a series of artificial islands built on the basis of the totora plant, which grows in the same lake. The islands are constructed by weaving the totora in the places where it grows thicker and forming a natural layer. On top of it they built their houses, also of totora, and cook outdoors to prevent possible fires. After Uros visit and, an hour and a half boat trip, you will continue your journey to the island of Taquile. This is Quechua, unlike the other Aymara speaking islands on the lake. It was part of the Inca empire and vestiges of this culture can still be seen in its constructions. Once there you will be given a brief explanation of the island and witness a cultural activity. After lunch, you will return to the port of Puno, where our transport will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Overnight.
DAY 10. PUNO / AREQUIPA: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the bus station to take the touristic bus to Arequipa (6:30 hours). Arrival in Arequipa and transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon, and overnight.
DAY 11. AREQUIPA: Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning for rest or personal activities. In the afternoon, the journey begins with the transfer from the hotel to the center of Arequipa city, in the colonial district of San Lazaro, place where the city has been founded. Then, we will visit the Main Square, one of the most beautiful in Peru, and neighbor of the imposing Arequipa cathedral built in the seventeenth century and completely rebuilt after several earthquakes. We will see the Cathedral and the Church Compañía de Jesús (1590), considered a classic example of the local baroque architecture that keeps inside a sample exceptional paintings and murals. From there we will go to Santa Catalina Monastery, an authentic medieval cloister built in 1579 and is still in use to this day. Then, we will visit Yanahuara and Carmen Alto districts to have a Panoramic view of the countryside, without a doubt a fantastic image. Return to the hotel and overnight.
DAY 12. AREQUIPA / LIMA: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Arrival in Lima and transfer to the hotel. In the night, we will go to the Larco Museum in a shared transport, to visit it with knowledgeable local guide. Enter the museum and begin your enriching exploration of the exhibitions; see over 50,000 ancient Peruvian pots; admire glittering jewelry and intricate masks; marvel at the accurate detail of Moche portrait vessels, ceramic sculptures resembling human faces; and discover ceramics created by ancient Inca, Nazca and Chancay cultures. After gaining heightened historical insight, take a seat in the elegant dining room to begin your culinary experience. Enjoy the ambient atmospheric and beautifully sculpted gardens as you sip a freshly mixed pisco sour and converse with your companion. Pleasure your palate with regional specialties. After dinner, you will be driven back to your hotel. Overnight.
DAY 13. LIMA / OUT: Breakfast at the hotel, we will start the panoramic City Tour Lima at the “Parque del Amor”, located in the touristic district of Miraflores, where you will enjoy beautiful ocean views. We will continue with the panoramic visit to Huaca Pucllana, archeological site located in the middle of the city, and belongs to the pre-inca culture of Lima. Then, we will pass through El Olivar Park, in the financial district of San Isidro, full of olive trees and gorgeous houses from the colonial era. We will arrive at the Historic Center of Lima, visiting the San Martin Square until we reach the Main Square, the scene of beautiful buildings such as the Government Palace and the Cathedral. At this point, we will start to walk until the impressive Santo Domingo Convent, where it harbors the relics of the most representative saints of the city. At the end, you will be transferred to the airport to take your international flight.
**END OF SERVICES**
Day 1 Lima
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Peru. Your adventure begins in Lima, Peru’s lively capital city. When you arrive, you'll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel. Here, you'll meet your small group of fellow travellers and your local leader for a 6 pm welcome meeting. If you arrive in Lima early, the city is full of bars converted from old mansions, so you may like to head out for your first pisco sour. After your meeting, join your leader and small group for a welcome dinner. Lima has one of the world’s most revered culinary scenes, and this evening you’ll head to one of the city’s best restaurants, with views surrounded by ancient ruins. The creative chef offers up traditional Peruvian dishes with modern twists in a one-of-a-kind environment.
Day 2 Arequipa
Start the day with a walking tour with your leader through downtown Lima. Admire the buildings of Plaza Mayor and visit the eerie catacombs of the Saint Francis Monastery, then head away from the tourist trail to Alameda de Chabuca Granda – an area popular with the locals. Later, catch a flight to Arequipa – a beautiful Spanish colonial city. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk with your leader. Known as La Ciudad Blanca (The White City), Arequipa’s buildings have been built almost exclusively from a white volcanic material called sillar, giving the city an appearance like no other. Situated in a valley at the foot of the El Misti volcano, the city also boasts a truly remarkable backdrop.
Day 3 Arequipa
This morning, meet a local guide who’s an expert on all things Arequipa and set out on a tour of the city. Explore Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square, then continue to the Santa Catalina Monastery while your guide shares stories of the city’s history along the way. Stop by the San Ignacio Chapel to appreciate its mural paintings. Visit the beautiful Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa with another local expert guide who will discuss the many layers of the building’s history – from its construction in 1656 to its subsequent destructions and rebuilds. The afternoon is free your own discoveries. Why not pick up an Alpaca jumper and meet the llamas and alpacas of Mundo Alpaca or take part in an active adventure in the surrounding hills and rivers. Or maybe visit the museum that houses 'Mummy Juanita' – the well-preserved body of a young Inca girl who died sometime between 1450 and 1480.
Day 4 Colca Canyon
This morning, drive through the Altiplano high plains to the Colca Valley and Canyon. On the way you'll see grazing vicunas, llamas and alpacas, as well as stone cairns built by local Indigenous communities. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, the Colca Canyon provides some breathtaking views. The pre-Inca terraces carved into its walls are still cultivated today, and the area is dotted with traditional Indian villages with locals in colourful dress. Stop at the highest point (4910 m) to enjoy views of the landscape below. Drive to the town of Chivay, where you'll have some time to soak up the local hot springs, then continue to the Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca Hotel – your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening. With a prime location along the rugged Colca River, this resort offers tranquillity and comfort. The grounds feature tumbling waterfalls, organic gardens and pools, making this the perfect spot to explore. With modern rooms, first-class service and fantastic amenities, this stay is one to remember.
Day 5 Lake Titicaca
Rise early this morning to visit the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, where Andean condors, one of the world's largest flying birds, can often be seen soaring in the air. After lunch, begin the drive to Puno. On the way, you'll stop off at the Sillustani archaeological site for about an hour, where you'll climb to the top of the hill to appreciate the ruined 'chullpas', or funeral towers. These towers were built by a pre-Inca civilisation centuries ago to house the remains of noble men. Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Puno is full of Aymara and Quechuan Indian culture. The town is known as the folklore capital of Peru and is renowned for its traditional dances.
Day 6 Lake Titicaca
See the striking scenery and unique cultures of the area on a cruise around Lake Titicaca today. This morning, depart from the port in Puno for the floating Uros Islands. The Uros people constructed these islands to isolate themselves from rival tribes in ancient times. They are built completely from multiple layers of totora reeds, which grow in the shallows of the lake. Call into Taquile Island, where you'll spend an hour walking to the top of the hill to see local traditional clothing and shops for woollen handicrafts. Explore this extraordinary place before traveling back to Puno for the evening. Back at your hotel, enjoy sunset over Lake Titicaca, while you sample wine and cheese in the garden.
Day 7 Cusco
Rise early and travel to Cusco. The journey will be broken up with plenty of stops, including a visit to the Raqchi Archaeological Site. Arrive in Cusco by late afternoon. Cusco is South America's oldest continuously inhabited city, and was the home of the Inca for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today Cusco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. At 3450 m above sea level, it’s important to take time to acclimatise to the city’s altitude. After settling in at the hotel, take a casual walk around Plaza de Armas with your leader and pick up some excellent dinner recommendations along the way.
Day 8 Cusco
This morning, discover the best of Cusco on a walking tour. First, enjoy a special tour of the World Heritage-listed Cusco Cathedral with a local historian guide. Built on top of an Incan palace, the building is now one of Cusco’s greatest repositories of art, and your guide will share its history from past to present. Then, tour the Coricancha Temple with another local guide. The temple was once covered in sheets of gold that were eventually removed to raise a ransom for the life of Atahualpa, and later the Spanish demolished the temple to build a Dominican church on its foundations. Soon after, head to the colourful San Pedro market. The rest of the day is yours – speak to your leader about the option to arrange a cooking class at a local restaurant using fair trade products, or the half-day Inkilltambo trek, exploring an archaeologic site on the city’s outskirts.
Day 9 Ollantaytambo
Today you'll head for the Sacred Valley. Just outside of Cusco, visit the fortress ruins of Sacsayhuaman. The massive stone blocks forming the settlement's walls give you an idea of the ingenuity of the Inca. Continue on to the Sacred Valley. Treasured for its climate, fertile land and the Urubamba (Sacred) River, the valley has long been the main source of food in the high Andes. Afterwards, visit AMA – a local restaurant specializing in organic produce, and learn how they support single mothers in the Sacred Valley while enjoying a snack and drink. Continue to Willoq community to take part in an ancient cooking ritual known as pachamanca. This cooking method, which dates back to the time of the Inca empire, sees meats and vegetables marinaded in spices cooked slowly in the earth. You will also learn about traditional textile techniques that are used by the community – and you’ll even have the chance to make your own bracelet with the local women! Later, continue to the town of Ollantaytambo. Built over an ancient Inca settlement, this is one of the few places where the Inca defeated the Spanish. Explore the archaeological site with an expert local guide who will discuss the evidence of the Incas' engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals, dams on the Urubamba River and towering sets of terraces.
Day 10 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Today’s journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes will reveal some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. Board the 360 Machu Picchu Train – with high domed windows in each carriage, there’s few better ways to view the magical Andes Mountains. The train also features an open-air observation carriage so you can marvel at the landscape from every angle. Disembark the train in Aguas Calientes, briefly drop your belongings off at your hotel, then take a short bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu, where you will be joined by a guide who will take you through the ruins and tell you stories of its history and the ancestral people of the region. The true purpose behind Machu Picchu may always be a mystery, since no historical records of the complex exist. Most archaeologists, however, believe it to be the 15th-century headquarters of Emperor Pachacuti. Your leader can advise how to get the most out of your visit. Later, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night before heading back up to Machu Picchu first thing in the morning for your second visit.
Day 11 Cusco
Rise before the sun and take the winding road back up to Machu Picchu for another morning uncovering its secrets. On your second visit, explore more of the extraordinary architecture of the many temples, palaces and living quarters. The sight of the ruins of Machu Picchu against a lush backdrop of forested mountain is one you’re sure to remember. You'll have time along the way to take any photos you may have missed yesterday. Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, then catch a standard train back to Ollantaytambo. From here, you'll make the drive back to Cusco for the evening.
Day 12 Amazon Jungle
Today you will catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado. When you arrive in the afternoon, take a bus to the port where you will board motorised canoes and head into the Amazon rainforest. Keep an eye out for macaws, herons, alligators and capybaras along the way. Here you’ll find Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion – your Feature Stay for the next two nights. Built in the heart of a 380 hectare-private ecological reserve, this unique resort is focused on the conservation of local habitats and features 25 private cabanas plus an on-site team of expert local guides. Enjoy lunch at the lodge then explore the Concepcion Trails with an expert guide. As darkness begins to fall, join a guided Twilight River boat ride and see how many caimans you can spot lurking on the riverbanks. Dinner is a la carte and draws on local Amazon ingredients to create a meal to remember.
Day 13 Amazon Jungle
After breakfast, board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly glide across Lake Sandoval, keeping an eye out for red howler monkeys, giant river otters and colourful macaws along the way. After lunch you may like to walk along the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway – a 344 m network of suspension bridges that take you high above the forest floor to some of the best places to spot toucans, woodpeckers, monkeys and three-toed sloths. Join a night walk to discover the nocturnal activity in the surrounding areas or book into the lodge’s spa, before you meet your group for dinner.
Day 14 Lima
This morning, travel back to Puerto Maldonado, then take a flight to Lima, arriving in the early afternoon. Enjoy a few hours at leisure to explore any of the city’s sights you may have missed the first time around, then get back together with your fellow travellers and leader for dinner. Overlooking an ancient pre-Inca archaeological site and serving up a delectable menu of Peruvian delights, this final dinner is sure to leave you with a lasting memory of your time in Peru.
Day 15 Lima
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Lima, just speak to your booking agent.
