Amazing Peru

12 days from $2199*

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!

On sale prices include savings of up to $800 per couple if you reserve before December 9, 2009!

Amazing Peru

Peruvian mom & daughter in traditional dress

Join us on a fascinating voyage of discovery as we visit some of the most splendid and awesome sites in the world. Peru, like the Parthenon in Greece or the Pyramids of Egypt, provides an unforgettable glimpse of the genius of a lost world. Highlights of this tour include visits to Lima, the City of Kings and the country's capital; Cuzco, the 11,000 ft high Inca capital; Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas and one of the most impressive archeological discoveries of all time; and Lake Titicaca, among the highest and most beautiful lakes in the world. You'll also have the special opportunity to fly over the mysterious and breathtaking Nazca Lines, a fascinating wonder of the ancient world.

This is truly an unforgettable, once in a lifetime adventure, full of discovery, beauty, history, culture and more fun than you can imagine. And while there are no compromises in the quality of the hotels and the scope of touring included in our program, it's yours for a price that's as amazing as the trip itself!

Our Touring Program

Passengers traveling prior to October 2009 will follow a different itinerary.

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting journey to Peru begins this evening as you depart on your overnight flight bound for Lima.

La Catedral cliff, Paracas

Day 2: Lima & Ica. Morning arrival in Lima, Peru's diverse capital. After arrival formalities and breakfast, depart for Ica, an oasis city that lies in the dune-filled desert coast of Southern Peru. Hotel Las Dunas or similar. (Passengers traveling in October will stay at La Hacienda Bahia in Paracas.) (B)

Image of a dog, Nazca Lines

Day 3: Nazca Lines & Ica. The Nazca Lines remain one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world. Debate surrounds the origin, function, and creators of these large-scale geoglyphs. However, consensus exists on at least two characteristics of these designs-that they are pre-Inca, and that they are fascinating. Ranging in size from about 300ft to several miles in length, these designs depict not only abstract geometrical figures, but also different plants and animals, such as fish, hummingbirds, and condors. Because of their large size, the designs are best viewed from above. You'll have the opportunity to experience this superb vantage point on a small plane that flies over the Nazca Lines. After this unforgettable experience, return to Ica for overnight. (Note: The Nazca Lines flight excursion is subject to weather conditions.) (B,D)

Day 4: Paracas & Lima. Set out early this morning along the South Panamerican Highway to Paracas. Upon arrival at Paracas Bay, board your boat to the Ballestas Islands. As you sail, be on the lookout for the strange cactus-like engraving on the sand cliffs, believed to be created by the designers of the Nazca Lines. Disembark at the Paracas National Reserve, the best shorebird sanctuary in South America. Numerous species of birds (cormorants, gannets, gulls, terns, pelicans, Humboldt penguins and other species), as well as a large colony of sea lions, populate these islands.

This afternoon, return to Lima in preparation for the next exciting leg of your journey. Sol del Oro or similar. (Note: The boat excursion to Ballestas Islands is subject to weather conditions.) (B)

Day 5: Cuzco, Pisac Market & Sacred Valley. After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a short morning flight to Cuzco, capital of the Inca Empire and located 11,000 feet above sea level. Upon arrival, travel to nearby Pisac, a picturesque Andean village with a wonderful market. Here you'll have a chance to buy locally made ponchos, sweaters and other handcrafted clothing, ceramics and hand-painted beads. Enjoy browsing the "locals" section of the market, where villagers come from miles around, dressed in their traditional clothing, to barter and sell their produce.

Continue to Ollantaytambo, located at the foot of spectacular Inca ruins which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley. The temple area is at the top of a series of steep terraces which helped provide excellent defenses. Stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba river-an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. The complex, still under construction at the time of the conquest by Spain, was never completed. Casa Andina Private Collection (Passengers on the Nov. 11 departure will stay at the Aranwa.) (B)

Ruins of Machu Picchu © Promperu

Day 6: Machu Picchu. It's a short drive from your hotel to the Ollanta railroad station where you'll board the train that will take you through the lush Urubamba Valley, passing through stunning scenery en route to Machu Picchu, one of the most spectacular and enigmatic archeological sites in the world. Even those who aren't normally excited by archaeology will be impressed by this Lost City of the Incas.

Peruvian in traditional dress

Unknown to the outside world until archeologist Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911, Machu Picchu is now the most recognizable symbol of the Inca Empire. Believed to have served as a country retreat town for Inca nobility, the complex consists of giant walls, terraces, and ramps constructed from precisely cut rock formations. This impressive architectural feat, in combination with its breathtaking natural setting amidst mist-covered green mountains above the rushing Urubamba River, makes for a visually stunning, and even mystical, experience. Return to Cuzco for overnight. Casa Andina Private Collection or similar. (Passengers traveling on the Nov. 11 departure will stay at the Picoaga.) (B)

Cuzco

Day 7: Cuzco. According to Incan legend, Cuzco was founded by Manco Cápac, whose golden sceptre disappeared into the ground on its own showing him where to establish the city of Cuzco (the navel of the world). This afternoon, a guided tour takes you to the main sites of this impressive city, including the Plaza de Armas, center of the Inca Empire, where Francisco Pizarro proclaimed the conquest of Cuzco and where you find the beautiful 16th century cathedral, built on the ruins of the Koricancha, an important Inca temple to the Sun God. During Inca times this temple was literally covered with gold, but within months of the arrival of the first conquistadors this incredible wealth had all taken as treasure for Spain. (B)

Day 8: Cuzco. Enjoy a full day at leisure for sightseeing and shopping in Cuzco. Your tour guide will gladly offer suggestions for independent exploration. (B)

Puno © casa Andina

Day 9: Cuzco & Puno. Take a drive of unbelievable beauty through the Andes and toward the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca. Driving from Cuzco to Puno through the Andes, you reach an elevation of more than 14,000 feet at La Raya (the apex between the Andes and Altiplano) as you pass through tiny villages of craftsmen, potters and weavers, farms, waterfalls, clear blue sky, deep blue water and dry, reddish-brown landscape. Have cameras charged and ready for the incredible panoramic shots you'll want to take along the way.

Later today, arrive in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, 12,500 feet above sea level. Casa Andina Private Collection Puno or similar (B)

Lake Titicaca

Day 10: Lake Titicaca, Uros & Taquile. This morning you'll visit beautiful, Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America and, according to Andean legend, the birthplace of civilization. Legend holds that Mama Ocllo and Manco Capac, the founders of the Inca Empire, appeared from the deep waters of this lake.

Houses on the Uros floating island

A highlight of your tour is a visit to the floating island of Uros, where many of the inhabitants still practice the old traditions of fishing, trapping birds, weaving and sailing in boats and living in houses made of totora reeds which grow abundantly in the lake.

Peruvian boy in traditional dress

Continue to Taquile, the largest island on the Peruvian side of the lake. Taquileños, the Island locals, are famous for their beautiful woven goods, widely regarded as some of the highest quality handicrafts in Peru. Here, you'll also be able to take in breathtaking views of the lake, which looks like an ocean surrounded by mountains. Return to Puno this afternoon. (B,L)

The cathedral in Lima

Day 11: Lima/Depart Peru. After breakfast this morning, transfer to the airport for your short flight back to Lima. This afternoon, embark on a city tour of both modern and colonial Lima. See the historical center and the San Francisco Church as well as Plaza de Armas and the Government Palace. Visit the fashionable districts of San Isidro and Miraflores with their beautiful parks and elegant residences facing the ocean.

Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your travel companions before transferring to the airport tonight for your return flight to the US. (B,D)

Day 12: Arrive USA. Your amazing Peruvian adventure ends today as you touch down in Miami.

Important Notes

The high altitudes reached on this trip (Cusco is at 11,000 feet above sea level) and the amount of walking involved, often on uneven terrain, requires that you be in good physical condition to fully enjoy the trip. We strongly suggest that you consult your physician if you have any concerns regarding your ability to handle these conditions.
In order to visit so many of Peru’s must-see sights, this tour requires several long bus rides as well as early morning departure times in order to comply with flight and train schedules. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Peru, click here.

The trip last May to Peru and Ecuador was one of the best vacation experiences I have ever had. The food was excellent and the other 7 couples on the tour were super. Machu Picchu, Lima, Quito, Lake Titicaca, and the Galapagos Islands were all fun to visit. I will be touring with Friendly Planet again this May to Japan.

— Arthur Low, Sunnyvale, CA

testimonial photo This was an excellent tour and a fantastic way to see various sights of Peru, not just limited to Machu Picchu. The hotel accommodation was of a very high standard and our tour guide, Julio, was everything you would want in a guide - knowledgeable, approachable, friendly (in fact friendly doesn't come close to describing just how willing to assist Julio was - no request was too big or small for him and he always had a smile for everyone).

— Jennifer Gourley

We traveled to many places and enjoyed many tours before, but this was so special. Your tour guide was by far the best we have ever had. He made our trip extra special, attended to all the details and treated us with great respect. He made the trip effortless and took the worry totally out of the trip. We were surprised by the quality of service provided to us. All the arrangements were made with our comfort in mind; the hotel rooms were the nicest we have stayed in. We would definitely use Friendly Planet for our next vacation and recommend this service to all our friends.

— Raksha Patel, Pinellas Park, FL