Experience the beauty of one of the deepest gorges in the world, the Colca Canyon. You will fall in love with this magical landscape, with its diverse flora and fauna.
This tour also includes the most beautiful spots in Arequipa and Puno. Puno is located on Titikaka Lake, the highest, navigable lake in the world.
Then spend another night with a local family on the island of Amantani in Lake Titicaca, where you will surely have an unforgettable experience sharing the customs and customs with you.
At the end of the tour we visit the tombs “Chullpas” in Sillustani
Upon arrival in Arequipa, you will be transferred to your hotel by one of our drivers. Arequipa is also called the “White City” and this name comes from the white walls, built from ashlars of volcanic origin. Arequipa lies at the foot of the mighty mountains Chachani, Misti and Pichu Pich with their snow-capped peaks. In the center of the city, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, you will find churches, the colonial-baroque style, the Santa Catalina Monastery. Arequipa is a typical Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful courtyards and squares.
After you have moved into your hotel, visit with our guide the beautiful monastery “Santa Catalina”, the district Yanahuara with its colonial houses, the cathedral and many other attractions. Then it’s back to your hotel in Arequipa.
After breakfast we drive to Chivay, which is about 4 hours from Arequipa. Along the entire route, you can see the typical pre-Inca terraces where, until today, mainly corn, quinoa and wheat are cultivated. In the days before the Spaniards came, the civilizations of the “Collaguas” and Cabanas lived here, and the people here still wear their traditional clothing and have retained much of their lifestyle. Worth seeing on this route, are some of the colonial churches, mostly richly decorated and found in almost every small town.
After arriving in Chivay, you can visit thermal baths and take a relaxing bath. Then we have lunch and you move into your room in one of the numerous hotels.
The afternoon is at your free disposal. Visit the traditional market or walk to an old Inca bridge, which is very close by. From there, you have a fantastic view of the “Colca Valley” with its many terraces and small lakes.
After a very early breakfast, we drive to the viewpoint “Cruz del Condor” at 6 o’clock. This is the best place to observe the majestic condor, the largest flying bird in the world, in its natural environment. Always a highlight that you will never forget again.
Then we drive through the “Colca Valley” to admire the picturesque old villages Pinchocllo, Madrigal, Lari, Maca, Achoma and Yanque, founded in the 16th century by order of Viceroy Toledo. We also visit some of the richly decorated churches. We will have lunch in Chivay and then back to Arequipa, where we will spend the night.
After breakfast, we bring you to the bus stop of Arequipa, from where you take a tourist bus to Puno. Upon arrival in Puno known as the folklore capital of Peru, you will be transferred to your hotels.
After breakfast, we drive to the harbor, board a boat to visit the islands of Lake Titikaka. First, the floating islands of Urus are on the program. Each island is inhabited by 3-10 families, the “Uroaymaras”. They built their houses, including the roof of reed mats. Meanwhile, some families have replaced their roofs with metal. Among the islanders, traditional fishing, especially striped fish and carachi, and the hunting of wild birds still play a big role.
The men skilfully ride the reed boats across the lake, while the women are experts in weaving textiles.
Then we drive and visit the island of Amantani, where we will spend the night. The flora of this island consists mainly of Muna, Cantutas (Peruvian national flower), sage and Patamuña Tola. 8 communities on the island are dedicated to the cultivation of potatoes, corn, quinoa, beans and peas. Her most representative handicrafts consist of textiles and carved stones. In the evening we enjoy typical island food and then traditional dances performed by the islanders. (Overnight with families).
After breakfast, we say goodbye to our hosts at 8pm on Amantani, board a boat and drive on to the island of Taquile, 1 3/4 hours away. From the highest point of the island, we can see ruins from pre-Inca times. During the colonial and early 20th century political prisoners were imprisoned on the island. In 1970, the island of Taquile became the property of the islanders again. Typical of Taquile are the friendly islanders, with their traditional way of life. Their customs and customs play a major role to this day. In their textiles, decorated with symbols and bright colors, they show their lifestyle, their customs and their ancient Andean faith. Around 2 pm we leave Taquile and drive back to Puno, which we reach around 5 pm. In Puno there is dinner and overnight.
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the ruins of Sillustani. This historic site is located on the banks of Umayo Lake. Sillustani is known for its grave towers, also called “Chullpas”. These are round stone towers in which the deceased, especially the leaders and first settlers of Collao were buried. Some of the towers are almost 12 meters high. Near the Chullpas, there is a museum that contains mainly finds from the civilizations of Colla, Tiahuanaco and Inca. Afterwards we drive to the nearby airport in Juliaca and fly back to Lima. There you will be picked up and taken to your hotel.
