Visit Kuelap With Machu Picchu in 15 Days

Arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru. A representative will meet you at Jorge Chavez Airport and provide a private transfer to your chosen hotel. Overnight stay in Lima.

Meals: No meals.

Flight to Cajamarca City: Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Cajamarca.

Inca’s Thermal Baths: Located just 15 minutes from Cajamarca, the Baños del Inca is a renowned medicinal spa. These thermal waters, of volcanic origin, were frequented by Inca Atahualpa for relaxation and rejuvenation. The water temperature reaches 72 °C (158 °F) and contains beneficial minerals like sodium, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, lithium, strontium, and silica, making them effective for treating rheumatic, bronchial, nervous, and skin ailments. The Baños del Inca offers collective pools, private baths, outdoor swimming areas, massage services, and eucalyptus sauna treatments. Enjoying these therapeutic waters is a memorable experience.

Private Trip from Cajamarca to Leymebamba: This scenic journey showcases the climatic and geographical diversity of the Peruvian Orient. As you travel from the mountains through stunning canyons along the Marañón River, you’ll witness the lushness of the landscape transforming from arid to vibrant. The route culminates in the picturesque town of Leymebamba, where you will spend the night.

The Leymebamba Museum: Established to house the mummies and archaeological artifacts discovered in the Laguna de los Cóndores in 1997, this museum was created by the Mallqui Center with support from international contributors. The Leymebamba Museum is home to the largest collection of mummies in the world (219 mummies), making it a unique destination in Peru. It features exhibits showcasing Inca culture, Chachapoya artifacts, and the influence of Spanish colonization on pre-Hispanic societies. Constructed in 2000, the museum protects these ancient remains and items such as ceramics, quipus, looms, and musical instruments. The museum grounds are a lovely setting to observe endemic hummingbirds while enjoying a cup of coffee.

The Leymebamba Museum consists of five rooms: three dedicated to archaeology, one for ethnography, and one for informational activities. The collection includes 261 mummies and over 200 funerary items, primarily unearthed from the Laguna de los Cóndores during an archaeological project. Overnight stay in Leymebamba.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Hike to Revash Mausoleums: Located 38.5 km north of Leymebamba in the Santo Tomás district of Luya province, the Revash Mausoleums are situated at an altitude of 2,800 m (9,186 ft). These burial sites are carved into the limestone cliffs of Cerro Carbon.

The Funeral Houses: The height and design of the mausoleums vary, each adapted to the rock formations where they are found. Some mausoleums feature one or two floors and typically have side entrances. Often, they share a common wall with adjacent mausoleums.

Paintings and Findings: Constructed from a mix of stone and clay, the mausoleums have symbolic roofs protected by rock. The structures are painted red, with cave paintings in similar hues, derived from achiote seeds. The artwork includes concentric circles and images of llamas, alongside motifs like the Andean Cross (“chackana”) and geometric shapes whose meanings remain a mystery. These designs likely symbolize life and power, with the concentric circles representing life and the crosses associated with power and warfare.

Numerous artifacts found within these mausoleums indicate their significance as collective burial sites for prestigious individuals. French archaeologists Henry and Paul Reichlein suggest the construction of this necropolis occurred in the 14th century.

To the Tribes of the Clouds – Kuelap Fortress: Located 131 km from Chachapoyas, the Kuelap Fortress stands at an altitude of 3,000 m (9,843 ft). This impressive citadel, built by the Chachapoya civilization, is remarkably well-preserved and accessible via a cable car. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valley. Kuelap is a substantial stone complex featuring circular structures, inhabited by the proud Chachapoya people, often referred to as “warriors of the clouds.” The name Chachapoya derives from the term “chachapoyacuno,” meaning “forest or mountain of fog.” From the fortress, visitors can enjoy spectacular vistas of the valley below.

Kuelap, located in the northeastern Andes of Peru in Luya province, was built by the Chachapoya archaeological culture and sits atop the limestone ridge of Cerro Barreta at an elevation of 3,000 m (9,843 ft). The site extends nearly 600 meters and features a perimeter wall that reaches up to 19 meters high in certain areas.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Early morning hotel pickup and private transfer to Jaen Airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, a representative will meet you at Jorge Chavez Airport and transfer you to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Lima.

Meals: Breakfast.

Early hotel pickup and transfer to the terminal for a double-decker bus journey to Paracas Bay.

In Paracas: Enjoy a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, known as the Peruvian Galápagos. These rocky islands, accessible only by boat, are famous for their diverse wildlife, including birds (goslings, partridges, cormorants), Humboldt penguins, dolphins, and sea lions. This excursion lasts approximately 90 minutes and is much more affordable than a trip to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.

Visit Ica’s Sand Dunes and the Huacachina Oasis: Begin with a guided visit to a local winery producing Pisco and grappa. You’ll learn about the production process and tour the winery with a staff member. Afterward, visitors can sample various types of Pisco and wines made on-site. Next, visit the Regional Museum of Ica, one of the most significant museums on Peru’s southern coast, showcasing fascinating artifacts from various cultures in the Ica region. Finally, head to the Huacachina Oasis, located 5 km from Ica’s center, where you can relax by the picturesque lagoon and take in the views. The massive dunes surrounding the oasis allow for thrilling activities such as sandboarding.

Consider joining a dune buggy tour for an exciting opportunity to surf the sand—perfect for adventure lovers!

When the time comes, transfer to the terminal for a 2-hour bus trip to Nazca. Upon arrival, you will be picked up at the bus terminal and taken to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Nazca.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Nazca Lines: These enormous geoglyphs are etched into the arid plateau of the Nazca desert, spanning about 80 kilometers between Nazca and Palpa in southern Peru. There are over 300 different designs, including stylized representations of local animals such as whales, parrots, a 180-meter-long lizard, hummingbirds, condors, and a giant spider measuring about 45 meters. Overall, the geoglyphs consist of more than 10,000 lines, some measuring 30 meters in width and extending over 9 kilometers, making them easily visible from the air or nearby hills. The figures include trees, wings, the alligator astronaut, and many others, demonstrating the ancient inhabitants’ profound understanding of geometry.

When the time comes, transfer to the bus terminal for a double-decker bus trip to Arequipa. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Arequipa.

Meals: Breakfast.

Exploring Arequipa: Since 2000, Arequipa has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s charm stems from the blend of Spanish and indigenous cultures, evident in its distinctive architecture. Known as the “White City” for the color of its buildings, you will visit the famous Santa Catalina Monastery and admire the impressive cathedral in Plaza de Armas. During this guided tour, explore the Monastery of Santa Catalina, an extensive colonial complex surrounded by beautiful walls. The main square has maintained its historic charm, resembling an outdoor museum of sillar architecture.

Trip to Chivay (Colca Canyon): This journey offers travelers the chance to experience one of Peru’s most spectacular attractions: the Colca Valley and Colca Canyon. The first stop is at the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you may spot wildlife like vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas. Next, visit the Mirador de los Volcanes to admire several volcanoes exceeding 5,000 meters, including Misti, Chachani, Pichupichu, Hualcahualca, Sabancaya, Chucura, and the Cordillera de Chila. Arrive in Chivay, where you have the option to visit thermal baths in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Chivay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

The Colca Canyon Excursion: Today, you will visit various Andean towns, including Yanque, Maca, and Pinchollo, for short visits and photo opportunities. The highlight of the tour is the stop at Cruz del Cóndor, where you can observe the majestic Andean Condor in flight—a truly spectacular sight! Afterward, return to Chivay and enjoy free time to explore the village and its thermal baths. Overnight stay in Chivay.

Meals: Breakfast.

Trip to Llachon Community by Private Car: This scenic route takes you through charming towns and a beautiful lagoon called Lagunillas, where you might spot trout farms and, if you’re lucky, Andean flamingos and other birds. One highlight of this journey is the burial towers of Sillustani, impressive cylindrical structures built long before the Incas. These towers are some of the finest examples of ancient cylindrical architecture in Peru, with no equal elsewhere in South America. An optional tour of Sillustani will provide insights into pre-Inca civilizations and stunning views of Umayo Lagoon, located at the base of the Sillustani plateau.

Upon reaching Llachon, enjoy fantastic views of the lake and take short hikes to scenic hills and ancestral ceremonial sites. The peninsula is home to about 1,300 residents, belonging to the Quechua ethnic group.

To Ticonata Island and Its Mummies: A short boat ride will take you to Ticonata Island, where several archaeological remains, including funeral baskets, mummies, and ceremonial vessels, have been discovered. Many of these artifacts are now displayed in the Tiahuanaco Museum on the island. Overnight stay in the Llachon community homestay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

To Taquile Island: Upon arriving at Taquile Island, you will walk along a narrow path, taking in views of Lake Titicaca and the traditional homes of the Quechua people. You’ll have some free time to explore the main square before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, typically serving grilled trout. After lunch, you’ll head down to the dock to board your motorboat for the next part of the excursion.

To Uros Floating Islands: Continue your journey to the Uros community, where the Uros people inhabit the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. This unique location is unlike anywhere else on Earth. At the end of the day, return to Puno and transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Puno.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Route of the Sun from Puno to Cusco: Enjoy a scenic and entertaining journey along the famous “Route of the Sun.” The trip departs from Puno and covers nearly 400 km to Cusco, with five stops at notable attractions:

• Pucará:Known as the temple of fertility.
• La Raya Pass:Offering beautiful Andean landscapes.
• Sicuani:A charming rural area where you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch.
• Raqchi:Home to the Temple of Wiracocha, the creator god of the Andean world.
• Colonial Temple of Andahuaylillas:Often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of America.

Pucara Museum: Located at 3,900 meters, Pucará was the first regional population center in the Titicaca basin during the Late Formative Period (500 BC-200 AD). It provides valuable information about the origins of Andean civilization. The Pucará style is characterized by impressive monolithic sculptures and multi-colored ceramics.

Abra La Raya: This pass is situated at an altitude of 4,335 meters (14,232 feet) and serves as the watershed between the valleys flowing into Lake Titicaca and those leading to Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Marangani Buffet Lunch: Located at an altitude of 3,552 meters, Sicuani is an important intersection city surrounded by beautiful snowy hills. Enjoy a buffet lunch in our family-friendly restaurant.

Raqchi – Temple of Wiracocha: Raqchi is at 3,225 meters above sea level. The most notable building is the Wiracocha Temple, believed to have been built by the Inca Wiracocha in honor of the invisible supreme god of the Andean people.

You will arrive in Cusco around 5:00 PM. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas: This valley is key to the Incas, known for its mild climate and fertile plains, which were essential for agriculture. The Sacred Valley, sitting at an altitude of 2,800 meters (9,186 feet), offers beautiful landscapes and significant archaeological sites. We will depart early in the morning for Pisaq, located about an hour from Cusco, where we will tour the archaeological sites for about two hours. Next, we will head to Urubamba, passing through villages like Coya, Lamay, and Calca along the Vilcanota River. Arrive in Urubamba around noon for lunch at a buffet restaurant (not included in the tour) before continuing to Ollantaytambo for a guided tour.

Trip to Santa Teresa: Our journey continues to Santa Teresa, ascending towards Abra Malaga and the snowy Veronica peak at an altitude of 4,316 meters (14,150 feet). Enjoy breathtaking views of the Cusco geography. After a 15-minute break at Abra Malaga, we will descend into the jungle of the Inca Trail, experiencing various climates, from snowy landscapes to the warm jungle. At Alfamayó, you will find a well-preserved Inca trail. The route continues to the district of Santa Maria, located at an altitude of 1,575 meters (5,200 feet).

Colcamayo Thermal Baths in Santa Teresa: Afterward, we can take a 30-minute walk to Santa Teresa Hot Springs. This thermal water complex features three pools with varying sizes and depths, fed by medicinal water ranging from 40°C to 44°C (104°F to 111°F). The Santa Teresa thermal baths are known for their clear waters, which have healing properties for skin ulcers, bone pain, and rheumatism. Visitors can also cool off in cold streams from the Uripata lagoons. The pools are surrounded by soft sand, rocks, lush vegetation, and the soothing sounds of the river and mountains. The thermal baths are equipped with bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, soccer fields, camping areas, a cafeteria, a food and beverage kiosk, and a viewpoint. They also offer a hydromassage system. Overnight stay in Santa Teresa.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Walking from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes: On this day, we will take a 30-minute car ride to the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Station. For those who prefer to walk, the trek from the Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes, known as the Town of Machu Picchu, takes about three hours. Once in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your assigned hotels, and you’ll have some free time to explore before optional tours to Machu Picchu, or take a 20-minute train journey to Aguas Calientes.

Meals: Breakfast.

Guided Visit of Machu Picchu & Hike to Huayna Picchu: Rise early for a 20-minute bus ride to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. The bus ride climbs 6 km to the stunning site of Huayna Picchu, also known as Wayna Picchu (Quechua for “Young Peak”). Access to Huayna Picchu is limited to 200 visitors per day. The Incas constructed trails and temples on Huayna Picchu’s slopes. The peak is approximately 2,720 meters (8,920 ft) above sea level, about 360 meters (1,180 ft) higher than Machu Picchu itself. According to local guides, this peak was where the high priest and local virgins resided.

Every morning before sunrise, the high priest and a small group would walk to Machu Picchu to herald the new day. The Temple of the Moon, one of the three main temples in the Machu Picchu area, is located on the mountain’s side and sits at a lower elevation than Machu Picchu. Nearby is the Great Cavern, another sacred temple with exquisite masonry. Other major temples at Machu Picchu include the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of Three Windows, the Principal Temple, the “Unfinished Temple,” and the Temple of the Sun, also known as the Torreon. Then, we will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, Circular Tower, Sacred Sun Dial, Royal Quarters, Temple of the Three Windows, and various burial grounds.

The Sun Gates of Machu Picchu provide a stunning vantage point overlooking Peru’s most famous ruins. Tourists flock to this outcrop high in the Andes to enjoy the same breathtaking view featured in nearly every postcard of the Machu Picchu citadel. Also known as Inti Punku, the Sun Gates consist of two stones positioned at a narrow passage in the mountain’s crevice just above Machu Picchu. Each day, sunlight shines brilliantly through this portal at sunrise, giving it its name.

Return to Cusco via train at either 2:30 PM or 7:00 PM. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your selected hotel for an overnight stay in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast.

Flight to Lima: At the designated time, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. Check in for your international flight home.

Meals: Breakfast.