The Flight of the Condor and Lake Titicaca

Beautiful scenery and colorful villages will accompany us throughout our tour of Arequipa and Puno. We will first visit the Colca canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world and home to majestic condors before moving on to the stillness of the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, cradle of ancient civilizations and the source of life in the highlands.

Visited Areas

Arequipa, Colca, Puno, Lake Titicaca

Minimum

1 passenger

Operation

All year

- DAY 1: AREQUIPA

INC: –

Arrival in Arequipa, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. Free morning. This afternoon the White City opens its doors on a journey that begins in the beautiful Colonial district of San Lazaro, the founding place of Arequipa; from here we will walk through its picturesque streets adorned with geraniums to later go to the Carmen Alto viewpoint for a chance to see the wonderful landscape of agricultural terraces and the three volcanoes surrounding the city: Misti, Chachani and Pichu-Pichu. It is time to head for the Yanahuara Colonial district, famous for its Andalusian style church and its viewpoint, architecture jewel surrounded by sillar (volcanic stone) arches. Then we will visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, impressive religious monument which was closed for about 400 years; with narrow streets, squares and gardens reminiscent of the old quarters of Seville or Granada. We will proceed to the Main Square to see its beautiful Cathedral and the stone arches that surround it, and finally, it is time to visit the Church of the Society of Jesus, founded in the seventeenth century by the Jesuits, famous for its cloisters and its magnificent San Ignacio Dome. Stay at Arequipa.

- DAY 2: AREQUIPA/COLCA CANYON

INC: B/L.

We set off to the spectacular Colca Valley going up the foothills of Chachani volcano and admiring the Misti and Picchu Picchu Volcanoes. Then we cross the vicuñas reservation of Pampa Cañahuas where we can see them running free in the high Andean lands. Peculiar villages around us. We will stop for lunch on our way to the hotel. Free afternoon to rest and enjoy the hotel and the optional visit to the thermal baths in the area. Stay at Colca Valley.

- DAY 3: COLCA CANYON/PUNO

INC: B/L

Early in the morning we will go to the Condor Cross viewpoint. Before us the shocking flight of the condors, huge Andean birds on the brink of extinction and symbol of the Andes Mountain Range. The view at this place allows us to appreciate the canyons depth, considered as one of the deepest in the world. We will then visit the Maca and Yanque towns which still keep the colonial churches. Lunch at a local restaurant, and set off for Puno. The trip takes about 6 and a half hours we will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel upon our arrival. Overnight stay at Puno.

- DAY 4: PUNO

INC: B/L

A full day tour to explore Lake Titicaca. First we will visit the Uros , the friendly inhabitants of these handmade islands made of totora reeds. Then it’s off to Taquile Island, a place in which the settlers still maintain their ancestral traditions and colorful typical clothes. A great opportunity to explore the island and get the best view of the lake. A typical lunch is provided in the island. Return to the city in the afternoon.

- DAY 5: PUNO

INC: B/BL

In the afternoon we will visit the pre-Inca cemetery of the Hatun Colla chiefs in Sillustani, on the shore of Lake Umayo. A great trip to see the funerary towers or Chullpas reaching up to six meters high. Then we will visit the colonial plateau town of Lampa, also known as the «Pink City» because most of the houses are painted with chocorosí, clay-like material brought from the surrounding hills. We will visit St. James church to see a replica of Michelangelo’s «Pieta» and paintings of the Cusqueño school. Box lunch. Transfer to the Juliaca airport to take the departure flight to Lima.

INCLUDED

AREQUIPA
– Airport transfer/hotel – Hd City Tour – 2 days / 1 night Colca Canyon
– 1 night accommodation in Arequipa – 1 night accommodation in Colca. – Daily breakfast
– Regular bus Colca – Puno
PUNO
– Transfer Bus Station / hotel – Fd Excursion Uros Islands and Taquile island with typical lunch
– Fd Chullpas of Sillustani and Lampa with Box lunch ending at the airport
– 2 nights accommodation – Daily breakfast

VISITED AREAS

Colonial district of San Lazaro, Carmen Alto viewpoint, Yanahuara, Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa Main Square Arequipa Cathedral Church of the Society of Jesus, Colca Canyon, Condor Cross Viewpoint, Maca and Yanque towns, Lago Tititicaca, Uros Islands, Church of Santiago Apóstol.