Peru : The Colca valley and canyon

INDICATIVE ITINERARY *:

Day 1: Arrival at Arequipa International Airport (2,335 meters above sea level) and transfer to your 3-star hotel. Welcome meal organized with the team (lunch or dinner at a local gourmet restaurant). Afternoon visit to the magnificent colonial-style city center, the Santa Catalina Monastery (the most important in South America), and the charming Church of La Compañía. Overnight at your 3-star hotel.

Day 2: After breakfast, you'll depart from your hotel by private transport and head towards the Colca Valley (5 hours including stops). Along the way, you'll cross the Salinas and Aguada Blanca Reserve, where you can observe llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. You'll then pass the highest point of the route, the impressive Volcano Viewpoint, at 4,910 meters above sea level. Next, you'll descend to Chivay in the valley, at 3,600 meters above sea level, where you'll have lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, you'll be transferred to Yanque to check into your charming 3-star hotel, either the Miskiwasi or the Eco Inn. In the afternoon, you'll depart for your first horseback ride. This ride passes by the viewpoint in the village of Achoma, which offers a superb view of the valley villages (4.5 hours). This first "acclimatization" hike will allow you to appreciate the vastness of the landscapes and the magnificent peaks that overlook the valley. Return to your hotel to enjoy some rest. In the evening, dinner in Yanque followed by an overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 3: Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for your second horseback riding excursion (6-hour ride – lunch en route). You'll set off from your hotel on horseback and pass through the Plaza de Armas of Yanque, where the village church stands. Built in the colonial style by the Spanish in the 17th century (AD), the church is located. You'll then cross the stone bridge overlooking the Colca River, where you can see the Collagua Way (pre-Inca period) and the caves carved into the cliff face that were used to store corn. The ride continues to the archaeological site of Uyo-Uyo (resembling a small ghost town), characterized by its ancient houses, irrigation system, and numerous examples of coexistence between the Collagua and Inca cultures. Afterward, you can enjoy a delicious lunch (glass of wine included) and relax for a while. You will then continue to the village of Coporaque, passing by the "amphitheater": impressive pre-Incan terraces in the shape of semicircles. Behind the village, you will ascend to the "Collagua" cemetery, which overlooks the valley and contains skulls, bones, and textiles dating back to the 13th century AD. The view from this spot is magnificent! Return to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will travel by private transport to the local hot springs to relax in these warm volcanic waters with their numerous beneficial properties. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel (Miskiwasi).

Day 4: After breakfast, depart with the horses for a 6-hour trek. You'll ride along the right bank of the Colca River, where you can admire the stunning landscapes of snow-capped peaks and cultivated fields on magnificent pre-Inca terraces, literally "carved" into the mountainside. The first terraces were built in the 13th century AD. In this region, the inhabitants work primarily in agriculture, and you'll see them working in the fields throughout your journey. You'll pass through the village of Ichupampa and then arrive in Lari for lunch at a local family's home. Afterward, continue your trek to Madrigal, opposite Chimpa Hill. Then, transfer to a family home in Lari (basic comfort), a 40-minute drive away. In the evening, enjoy an aperitif and dinner.

Day 5: After a pleasant breakfast, transfer to Madrigal followed by a horseback ascent (1-hour ride). You'll pass a natural window carved into the rock and arrive at the Chimpa Fortress, a former Collagua military stronghold, offering incredible views of the valley on one side and, on the other, the two sides of the Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world! We'll descend on foot, then continue our horseback ride to the village of Pinchollo. You'll first reach the Colca River on horseback, descending past impressive peaks (over 6,000 meters high). After crossing the bridge, the ride continues, allowing you to gradually appreciate the scale and beauty of the countless pre-Inca terraces. The pace of the ride gives you time to appreciate the magnificent horizon and its many subtle details. Enjoy an al fresco lunch in this splendid setting (glass of wine included). Continue your horseback ride to Pinchollo, where you'll leave the horses. A private vehicle will then take you to the two most famous viewpoints overlooking the canyon (Cruz del Cura and Cruz del Condor). You'll be able to appreciate its incredible depth and witness the majestic, immense condors soaring overhead, which typically reappear at the end of the day (when the area has become calm) before the magnificent sunset. The vehicle will then take you to the 3-star Hotel La Granja, located on the edge of the canyon, where the view is breathtaking! Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel (please let us know if you are prone to vertigo; we will then choose a room with a mountain view).

Day 6: Breakfast at the hotel followed by a quick transfer to Pinchollo, then departure on horseback to the Pinchollo Geyser (6 hours). This day, one of the highlights of your trip, will allow you to appreciate immense volcanoes and numerous snow-capped peaks – in perfect tranquility – during the ascent to the Hatun Infiernillo Geyser (located at 4,500 meters altitude). This geyser, active year-round, is impressive due to its regular and substantial steam eruptions. You can rest there for a while. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the descent back to the village of Pinchollo via a different route offering magnificent views. In Pinchollo, your private vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Arequipa for a delicious farewell dinner. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Breakfast at the hotel and return to Arequipa in our transportation (3-hour trip). End of the services.

EXTENSION OF 3 DAYS FOR THE SACRED VALLEY OF INCAS (MEALS NOT INCLUDED):

Day 7: 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 3-star hotel. In the afternoon, guided tour of the historic center of the Inca capital and nearby ruins, such as the impressive Sacsayhuaman site. Overnight in Cusco.

Day 8: After breakfast, depart by private vehicle through the stunning Sacred Valley. First, you will discover the Inca village of Chinchero. Then, you will visit Moray to admire the circular grottoes carved into the mountainside for agricultural experiments. Continue to the Maras salt mines, where salt is still harvested using traditional methods. Finally, you will arrive at the remarkably well-preserved village of Ollantaytambo and visit its impressive fortress built into the mountainside. Afterward, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes, the village at the foot of Machu Picchu (Important: travelers are only allowed carry-on luggage to Aguas Calientes). Overnight in Aguas Calientes at your accommodation: the Panorama B&B. Independent visits to the Inca sites are optional; a guide is available (please inform us at the time of booking if you would like a guide).

Day 9: Very early breakfast. Then transfer by bus to the mysterious Citadel of Machu Picchu. This incredible archaeological site surprises all travelers with its beauty, architecture, and impressive natural setting. You can take your time and appreciate this New Wonder of the World, rediscovered only a century ago! Entrance to Huayna Picchu or the Mountain is included if you enjoy hiking; you'll then have a lovely view overlooking the Inca citadel (please indicate your preference when booking). Afterward, transfer to the village of Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, return by train to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel and overnight stay. You can explore Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu or the Mountain independently; a guide can be booked in advance for a two-hour tour of Machu Picchu. Legislation is currently in a transitional phase regarding the requirement for a guide to visit Machu Picchu. Currently, his presence is not mandatory, but this may become so at the time of your booking. We will inform you at that time. Thank you for your understanding.

Day 10: Breakfast at the hotel and private transfer to Cusco International Airport depending on the time of your flight. End of the stay.

* Indicative pritinerary that may be subject to change if necessary.