AREQUIPA COLCA CANYON AND LAKE TITICACA PUNO GUIDED TOUR

At the morning will be the reception at bus station or airport in Arequipa and then transfer to your selected hotel in Arequipa downtown.

At 2PM we begin the walking city tour of Arequipa, including Santa Catalina monastery, the Main Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Peru, and the Cathedral, a prime example of XIX century Peruvian architecture, housing beautiful treasures in gold and silver. We also visit the La Compañia Church, and ancient Jesuit temple, one face is even crowned with feathers. Also, we go out center to visit the Yanahuara and Carmen alto viewpoint from is possible to appreciate the magnificent of conical form of Misti volcano and Chachani snow-capped.

Departure to the Colca canyon in our private car. We drive to get out of the city by the north part of Desierto de Atacama until the section of "El pedregal Majes", from this zone we take gravel bumpy road passing very arid areas, with lot of cactus forest up to the highlands. Short explore the remains of Wary culture named Huacan - Visit the south part of the Volcanoes range named Pampa Qerqe and Ampato mountain viewpoint (4300M). Along the way we will observe groups of Vicuñas gazing at high altitudes, luckily we will find some pink flamingos during the rainy season.

Around 1PM we will arrive to small Andean town of Huambo, this quiet place offers modest restaurant to have lunch. Short walk to observe the colonial church of San Lorenzo Martir.

Few more hours driving on good road get another high pass to get great spots of Colca canyon, and surrounding snow-peaks. Finally, arrival to Cabanaconde (3280M), where is located the accommodation for this night. Dinner will be offered in town (B - L - D).

OPTIONAL hike will be available across the agriculture fields before to arrive to hotel. No more than 2hrs.

Today the breakfast will be at 6:30AM offered by the hotel. Then you will be transferred to appropriate viewpoint to see the great deepest section of the canyon. OPTIONAL hiking along the canyon to " Mirador Cruz Del Condor".

After wait for the Condors flights, drive along the Colca valley with stops in different lockouts on the left bank of Colca River. The stops also include to visit small colonial towns to visit few churches and explore local handIcraft.

Around midday arrival to Chivay town to have lunch included.

Around 1PM we begin great journey across high mountains and volcanoes. The first highest pass will be Mirador De Los Volcanes Patapampa (4910M), this is great viewpoint to observe very close active volcano as known as Sabancaya and Ampato. Continue with journey we will enter to the biggest national reserve as known as Salinas and Aguada Blanca located on the northeast face of Chachani and Misti volcano, this reserve is the home for lots wildlife, and decorated by groups of Vicugnas, Alpacas and Llamas grazing next to wetlands.

The next stops along the way to Puno, will be at Mirador de Lagunillas, another small lagoon surrounded by snow-peaks over 4500M of altitude, at the lagoon is easy to observe very close different birds as Andean goose, Andean flamingos, and others types.

Between 6PM - 7PM we will arrive to the hotel in Puno (3820M), this city is located just next of the Lake Titicaca (B - L).

At 6:45AM you will be picked up from your hotel. Travel and after 2 hours by motor boat and then you will arrive at the Uros Island. Fishermen and hunters inhabit the floating islands of the Uros. The residents of the Uros use the cattail, a type of rush, which grows in the lake, to create the conditions that ensure the islands stay afloat. The dense roots that the plants develop support the island. The roofs are waterproof and the houses are extremely humid because of the surrounding water.

Continue traveling in our boat, we will get the next island called Amantani, just arriving there will be first contact with local’s families, they bring you up to the homes, there you get your accommodation for one night in basic typical room between the agriculture fields. The local family will supply yours all foods (1L - 1D - 1B). After lunch all the group together walk up to highest point of island, called Pachatata temple = 4200M. Is the best place to get pictures from all surround views of this blue sacred lake of the Incas. After the explanation of your tour guide, back to the homes to get your dinner and then you can go to enjoy typical dances with the local music players - Stay with a local family home (L - D).

At 7AM after family breakfast meet the entire group and travel by boat to the Taquile island, 2 and half hours crossing the lake you will arrive at the last place to visit. Visit and explanation about the live, culture, typical costume and every common activity at the main square, short treks around the island including lunch in the co-operative restaurant, there is also a co-operative shop on the plaza that sells exceptional woolen goods which are not cheap but of very fine quality. Taquile Island is famous for its craft production, particularly for its beautiful textiles. The island is narrow only about 1 KM wide, but 6Km to 7Km. long, on Taquile there are numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins and Inca terracing.

At 4 or 5pm you will return to Puno (B - L).

At 7AM we pick-up from your hotel and then we go by private car, Sillustani archaeological site is located 34Km away and the north of Puno. It is one the most important necropolis in the world. It stands at 4000M. There will visit the famous Chullpas of Sillustani, cylinder burial towers built of stone, (12M/40ft tall) where the Aymaras buried their important leaders. Just in front of the Chullpas is the lake Umayo, only adds beauty to the place, the Chullpas known as lagarto and Intiwatana are most prominent. Here you will have the opportunity to observe the wild guinea pigs, birds and other wildlife of the area. This trip takes 4 hours maximum, and then transfer to the airport of Julia and flight to Lima and end of our service (L).