Departures: Monthly, 1st Saturday
Minimum: 7 participants
Season: March to November

The great classic circuit! A fabulous drive takes us across Peru's most famous natural, historical and cultural destinations. We finish in Cusco, the mythical capital of the Incas, from where the possibilities of extending the journey are countless.

Day 01 (Sat) LIMA - PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
Full board
Right after breakfast we depart south and cover the 260 KM that separates the city of Lima from this protected peninsula. Established to preserve coastal environments and species now becoming extinct, is a place of lonely and magnificent beaches where one may camp for days without seeing a soul, with the exception of a few fishermen. This solitary but grandiose deserted scenario is inhabited by flamingoes, cormorants and shoals of Dolphins and Sea Lions. After tasting some of the best sea food in Peru, we continue with a visit to the small but interesting site museum that exhibits textiles, ceramics and funerary bundles belonging to the Paracas-Nazca cultures since this area was one of their centers.
The last hours of the day are use to set a camp in the beach, start a fire and prepare the evening meal.
* Optional: Hotel

Day 02 (Sun) PARACAS - ICA - NASCA
Full board
Early in the morning we sail by motor boat from the Paracas harbor to Ballestas Islands.
From time immemorial, guano has been extracted from here. This is an exceptional natural manure formed by the dejection of the thousands of sea birds that nest in the islands, and which in the XIX century constituted a major source of income. On the way to the islands, whilst the boat is still close to the coast, a strange figure in the form of a candelabrum, associated with ancient astronomical observations, can be seen engraved on the sand cliffs.
Thereafter, the boat circles the islands where sea lions can be seen frolicking in the sea or lying in the rocks. The place is full of sea birds: pelicans, lancers, cormorants, penguins, and once on a while even great condors can be seen taking benefit of one of the richest seas in the world. Back from the Islands, we choose to leave the Busy Pan-American Highway, continuing our travel with an "off the beaten track" drive to the south limits of the park. This Overlanding Peru exclusive route across the "Tables de Ica", one of the driest places on earth, is a great chance to experience the rare, yet powerful, beauty of the desert.
After coming back to the highway in the locality of Ica, we continue to Nasca where we camp.
* Optional: Hotel.

Day 03 (Mon) NASCA - AREQUIPA
Full board
Nasca is famous for the lines and figures of gigantic scale, drawn in the desert near the foothills of the Andean range.
The designs represent different animals and plants: the spider, the monkey, the condor and the hummingbird, among other, can all be traced in an immense labyrinth of lines.
Subterranean pre-Hispanic aqueducts, old cemeteries and gold mines are amongst other places to visit in this mandatory traveler's stopover. We continue to Arequipa and expend the night in a centric hotel.
*Optional: Flight over the Nasca Lines and Figures.

Day 04 (Tue) AREQUIPA
Full board
We will take the morning to visit Arequipa, "The city of the Volcanoes" and its beautiful colonial constructions made of "sillar", the volcanic rock.
The Santa Catalina Convent, which runs since the 16th century, the Cathedral and the Jesuite temple erected in a baroque-half caste style, can be visited this day.
Overnight at hotel.
*Optional : City tour.

Day 05 (Wed) AREQUIPA - COLCA VALLEY
Full board
In the morning we will depart for the Colca valley. After a trip along high plains of Pampa Cañahuas (4,300 meters above sea level), inhabited by wild alpacas and vicuñas, we will camp at the hot springs of La Calera, by the Colca river, for a well deserved relax after the trip.
*Optional: Hotel.

Day 06 (Thu) COLCA VALLEY
Full board
Today exploration will take us to a canyon considered the deepest one in the world. The Colca valley is also famous for its countless andenes or farming terraces, its beautiful churches, colorful dresses and the majestic flight of the Condor.
In the afternoon, we will return to our camp near the hot springs.
*Optional: Hotel.

Day 07 (Fri) COLCA VALLEY - PUNO
Full board
Leaving behind the view of snow covered mountains and volcanoes; we will travel along high mountain plateaus which constitute the "aquarium divortium" of the continental waters. Have reached the oriental face of the Andes, we will continue to travel at altitudes of around 4,000 meters above sea level all the way to Puno, the lake city.
Overnight at hotel in town.

Day 08 (Sat) PUNO
Full board
Lake Titicaca is not only the highest sailable lake in the world. With its 8,300 km2, it plays a very important role in the cosmology and several Andean beliefs. It is to this great lake that an ancient legend bestows the birth of the first royal Inca couple: Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo.
Early in the morning we will embark on our way to Taquile Island, where the Quechua inhabitants have maintained old ways from the Inca times. During our sailing, we will visit the Uros, people who live on their floating islands in houses made entirely of reeds.
We will stay over night in rooms prepared by the Taquilians.

Day 09 (Sun) PUNO
Full board
After walking the town, we will visit the old temple dedicated to the Pachamama or Mother Earth, which is situated at the highest part of the island. From this place, we will be able to see highest peaks of the Real mountain range, on Bolivian soil.
In the first hours of the afternoon we will sail back to Puno. We will spend the rest of the afternoon at the handy-craft markets.
Overnight at hotel in town

Day 10 (Mon) PUNO - CUSCO
This time we will travel north bound to the city of Cusco. On route we will visit the impressive Sillustani tombs. Short before reaching Cusco, we will visit Raqchi, a majestic temple dedicated to Wiracocha, the civilizing god of the Andes.
Arrival in Cusco. Overnight in Cusco

Day 11 (Tue) CUSCO
Breakfast - lunch
Cuszco the final stop of this journey, place the traveler in a privilege position to choose from countless ways to explore the ruins, mountains and jungles of the region, all full with rewarding experiences.

END OF SERVICES

Included:
Bilingual guides and drivers, kitchen assistance, transportation in our expedition vehicle, hotel nights mentioned in the itinerary, two man tents including sleeping pads and all camping facilities, first aid kit.

Not included:
Meals, sleeping bags, hiking boots and personal equipment, *optional hotel nights or excursions, tips. Airports taxes: international US$28.00, national US$4.00. Personal or medical expenses. Local flights. Extension programs.