Peru. Inca's masterpieces, cities and wild nature

In the morning we leave for Machu Picchu, the world famous city of the Incas (a 15 minutes trip). More than a hundred years have passed since this place was discovered, and scientists are still puzzling over the purpose of this city. Most agree that Machu Picchu was the seat of the legendary Inca emperor Pachacuti. 

Facts are a simple matter. It is much more difficult to convey sensations. Imagine that you are on a hill, and suddenly below you see the ruins of a huge city, as if hanging over an abyss!.. Fortunately, the Incas took care of the safety of their creation and came up with a unique construction technology that protects against earthquakes. 

After the excursion, we take a train and in about 2 hours we reach the final station - the town of Ollantaytambo where we check into a hotel.

We walk around the city, explore ruins of the Inca fortress. When the Spanish conquerors captured Cusco, the supreme ruler Manco Inca Yupanqui moved the capital to Ollataitambo and fought the colonists from here. Moreover, this city is famous for having preserved many of the traditions of the Incas. For example, traditional pre-Columbian doors are still being made here. 

In a "collective" taxi we travel to Cusco (1 hour on the way). Here we will have a few hours to continue our exploration of the city. You can visit the market and souvenir shops. Pay attention to the colorful local textiles, alpaca wool items and the traditional alcoholic drink pisco. Late in the evening we leave by bus to Puno (about 7 hours on the way) where we will continue our guided tour to Peru.

We arrive in Puno, a small town near Lake Titicaca 3812 meters above sea level. This is the highest mountain lake in the world, used by ships! We leave for the island of Takil, where less than 2 thousand people live in tiny villages. There are no roads and motor vehicles are prohibited. The locals wear unusual costumes with white shirts, and the local men are known not only as first-class fishermen, but also skilled weavers. The fabrics and clothing that are made here are valued throughout the country. 

On boats we head to another part of the lake, where the unique floating islands of the Uros tribe are located. These small, mobile islands were made of reeds that grow on the shores of Titicaca. Legend has it that the Uros fled from the mainland from the persecution of the Incan king and were forced to build their homes on the water.

 Usually on an island measuring 15 by 15 meters there are several simple huts in which one family lives. We will see a very unusual way of life.In the evening we return to Puno, and spend the night in the hotel.

In the morning we take a bus to Chivay (5 hours on the way). We’ll stop at the Patapampa observation deck 4,910 meters above sea level. We might even see snow! We will also visit the lagoon, where lots of mountain birds gather. In Chivay we change for the public transport and head to Cabanaconde (2 hours on the way), the village with the best views over the Colca Canyon. We check into a guesthouse.

We leave for the Colca canyon. Just imagine - it is twice as deep as the famous Grand Canyon in the USA! We will hike to the Sangalo oasis in about 4 hours, admiring the sheer cliffs that support the sky. The fast river is rustling right next to us. What a sound! We will spend the night in the lodge with basic conditions. There might not even be electricity here. The next day we hike back to Cabanaconda (4 hours), from there we leave by bus to Arequipa (7 hours drive) where we check into a guesthouse.

We leave the hotel and realize that we are in a huge city, the second largest in Peru. But the main thing is the local views and incredible colonial architecture. Raise your head, look around - the city is surrounded on three sides by volcanoes - Misty, Chachani, and Pichu-Pichu. White historical buildings, cathedrals look especially unusual against such a background! 

One of our favorite places is the Monastery of De Santa Catalina built in 1579. Here you will find out why only girls from the richest families of Peru were admitted to the institution. And what happened to the luxurious dowry that these brides of Christ brought with them.

The volcanoes that surround the city are getting closer today - we leave for Arequipa. Here we will enjoy rafting on the Chile river! For about an hour and a half, we will be fighting fast waters. After the rafting, we leave by bus to the ocean coast (about 8 hours on the way). Late in the evening we check into a guesthouse in the city of Nazca.

In the morning we will see something incredible - huge drawings dug in perfect lines on a semi-desert land more than two thousand years ago! Scientists are still puzzling over their purpose. Can you see the shapes of a monkey, a spider and a whale?

Our guided tour to Peru continues with a bus ride to Huacachina, an oasis on the edge of the Atacama Desert (3 hours on the way). Ready for some action? We will do sand boarding! After enjoying the view of the red sun settling into the hot sands, we head to Paracas (1 hour on the way) and check into the guesthouse.

Let`s take a motor boat to the Ballestas Islands (2 hours). These stones, scattered among the purest clear water, are the home of seals and lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins and many other birds. We'll watch them up close!

After lunch, you can go cycling in the Paracas National Park. It is known for abundant wild life, and the views of the ocean meeting with sheer yellow cliffs...

In the morning we leave for Lima by a comfortable bus (4 hours on the way) and fly home. Our small group trip to Peru is over. Thank you for traveling with us!