Family holiday Peru

Day 3: Lima – Paracas

(approx. 225 km | 3.5 hour drive)
In the morning, the rental car you will be travelling with for the next few days will be delivered to your hotel. With this you drive to Paracas. After you have left the huge capital, follow the coast to the south via the Panamericana Sur. You will pass several villages and small towns. The desert-like landscapes are sometimes interrupted by green riverbeds that surround the banks of rivers from the Andes. 
Overnight stay: Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort | bed & breakfast

Day 4: Paracas

In the morning you will visit the Ballestas Islands known for its exuberant wild life. Here you will see sea lions, seals, albatrosses, gannets and penguins, who are very busy gathering food. On the way on the boat you will undoubtedly see the famous Candelabro (the candle), hidden in the hilly landscape. This upright 'pole' is at least 50 meters high and stories about its origins are connected to the mysterious Nazca lines. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to further explore the Paracas National Park by yourself. This nature reserve consists of the tropical desert and coastline of the Paracas peninsula. The park consists for 65% of water and is one of the only two protected marine areas in Peru. Paracas is home to an enormous concentration of birds and offers unique geological landscapes, such as the impressive cliffs on the coast. You can go for walks, bird watching or take a buggy ride through the desert. 
Overnight stay: Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort | bed & breakfast

Day 5: Paracas – Nazca 

(approx. 215 km | 3.5 hour drive)
Today you drive further south from Paracas to Nazca. Along the way you will pass the city of Ica. From Ica you can make a small detour to the oasis of Huacachina, which is located just outside Ica. This oasis is surrounded by high sand dunes, where you can go sandboarding. Just before entering the town of Nazca you will see watchtowers on the right side. From these towers you can see the world famous figures that have shaped the landscape. Of course this is also possible from a small airplane. 
Overnight stay: DM hotel | bed & breakfast

Day 6: Nazca – Arequipa 

(approx. 570 km | 9.5 hour drive)
A long route is planned today. But the landscapes you drive through today make this route a real pleasure to drive. You will leave the desert-like coastal strip and end up in the Andes and get to know the colonial city of Arequipa. The city is beautifully situated with the majestic peak of the "El Misti" volcano in the background. The Plaza de Armas is considered one of the most beautiful in Peru; the cathedral and the numerous colonial buildings beautify the square.
Overnight stay: Palla Boutique hotel | bed & breakfast

Day 7: Arequipa

A guide will take you through the centre of Arequipa. You will visit the Plaza de Armas with its colonial buildings, the Church of the Jesuits, with a mix of Baroque art and Spanish Baroque and colourful frescoes at the San Ignacio Dom. You will also visit the Monastery of Santa Catalina. This beautiful historical complex will remind you of the Spanish style as can be found in Andalusia. The tour ends at the districts of Cayma and Yanahuara, where you will have a beautiful view. Afterwards you will be brought to your hotel.  
Overnight stay: Palla Boutique hotel | bed & breakfast

Day 8: Arequipa – Colca Canyon 

(approx. 220 km | 4.5 hour drive)
From Arequipa you drive today towards the Colca Canyon. Along the way you will pass the villages Pampa de Arrieros, Pampa Cañahuas (where the national reserve of Aguada Blanca is located), Vizcachani and Tojra (a good location to spot Andean birds). These places are a nice break on your route. After a drive of about 4.5 hours you will arrive in Chivay, the most important city in the Colca Valley. Here you can visit the local market. From here it is not far to your accommodation. You will stay in Colca Lodge, located at an altitude of 3250 meters, on the banks of the Colca River and surrounded by hundreds of pre-Inca agricultural terraces that have been declared a National Heritage of Peru.
Overnight stay: Colca Lodge | bed & breakfast

Day 9: Colca Canyon

Early in the morning you will be taken to 'Cruz del Condor' to spot condors. The Colca Canyon is the habitat of the condor. They fly through the canyon, usually in the morning and evening. In the meantime they are looking for food in more distant areas. From the place where you go you can take a very close look at the condor, sometimes they fly about 5 meters above you. In the afternoon you will make a walk of about 3 hours through the valley to the archaeological site of Uyo-Uyo. At this site you will see spherical and rectangular buildings of almost 4 meters high. It is assumed that the indigenous people here used to live from agriculture because of the canal they built and used to provide the land with water. 
Overnight stay: Colca lodge | bed & breakfast

Day 10: Colca Canyon - Sacred Valley

(approx. 460 km | 9 hour drive)
Today you have a long drive ahead with you rental car. You drive from the Colca Canyon to the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley is fed by many rivers, which descend through adjacent valleys and gorges and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages. The valley was highly appreciated by the Incas for its specific geographical and climatic advantages. It was one of the most important centres of agriculture and is still the best place for growing corn in Peru. Upon arrival at your hotel, you will return your rental car.
Overnight stay: Sol y Luna | bed & breakfast

Day 12: Sacred Valley – Lares Valley – Wacawasi 

Today you will start with a multi-day hike with the Machu Picchu as your final destination. You will be taken to the Lares valley in the north of the Sacred Valley. Experience the incredible beauty and rich culture of the Andes during this multi-day hike which takes you through a diversity of landscapes, traditional mountain villages with their ancient cultures and finally the Machu Picchu. 

At 6.00 am you will be taken to the Lares valley at an altitude of 3250 meters. Here you can enjoy the hot springs and delicious lunch. The horses will carry the food, backpacks and camping gear during the trip. You will then hike for about 3 hours to Wacawasi, where you will meet the locals. They will teach you more about the old techniques of weaving. Tomorrow will be an intensive day, so go to bed early
Overnight stay: Camping Wacawasi | full board

Day 13: Wacawasi – Abra Ipsay – Patacancha

You wll wake up early in the morning with a nice breakfast. Today you have the longest day with a hike of 7 to 8 hours on the program. First you walk in the direction of Abra Ipsay at an altitude of 4480 meters. The climb gives an indescribable panoramic view of the snow peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon. Halfway you will make a stop for lunch. As you continue your hike you will pass the Andean communities, who have a great knowledge of natural agriculture and ancient ways of working with textiles. A unique region where you will see many colourful clothes. Then you descend to the village of Patacancha at 3720 meters altitude, where your campsite is located.
Overnight stay: Camping Patacancha | full board

Day 14: Patacancha – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu

In the early morning you will be taken to Ollantaytambo train station. The train will take you to Machu Picchu. Here your trekking of about 3 hours starts to the well preserved remains of Wiñay Wayna. Along the way you will encounter beautiful waterfalls, flora and birds. After lunch you will have time to rest or explore the area. You will visit Inti Punku, Inca Gate of the Sun and at the end of the day you will have your first look at the Machu Picchu. Once you have crossed the ridge you will arrive at the great archaeological discovery. After an overview and a short introduction of the magical city, you will be taken by bus to the city of Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night in a hotel.
Overnight stay: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo | full board

Day 15: Machu Picchu – Cuzco

In the morning you will have the chance to really visit the Machu Picchu. In the morning your private guide will take you on a more extensive tour of the remains of the city. Enjoy this great place, where the Incas managed to build a city on top of this ancient mountain peak From this hidden city you have a mighty view over the surrounding subtropical rainforest. After lunch you will take the train back to Poroy. Upon arrival at the train station you will be brought to your hotel in Cuzco.
Overnight stay: El Mercado | bed & breakfast

Day 16: Cuzco – Puerto Maldonado – Amazon

A new adventure in a new environment, you will leave today for the Amazon. You will take a domestic flight from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado from where you will be brought to your lodge. You will sail over the Madre de Dios river. Along the way you will get acquainted with different mammal species such as turtles, birds, lizards, caimans. You will make a stop at the monkey island and after that you will reach the Sandoval lake reserve. From here it is a 5 kilometre (about 2 hours) walk before you reach your lodge and room. In the afternoon you will board a boat or catamaran and sail over the Sandoval Lake where you can see the giant otter, black caiman and various birds. Here, along the edge of the forest decorated by overhanging palms, you will hear the sounds of the hundreds of Red-bellied and Blue-and-yellow macaws as they return to the palm forest for the night. After this you will return to the lodge for dinner. After dinner you will board the boat again to look for black caimans, which are very rare in the Amazon today. However, they are very common in Lake Sandoval. They can reach a length of about 4 meters and compete with the giant otters for their share in the fishery. On clear nights, the boat continues to the lake to obtain an unobstructed view of the vast southern sky, with its unknown star signs and the beautiful views of the Milky Way.
Overnight stay: Sandoval Lake Lodge | full board

Day 19: Amazon – Lima

After breakfast you will start your journey back to the airport of Puerto Maldonado. Here you will board your domestic flight to Lima. Upon arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by our local staff and taken to your hotel.
Overnight stay: The Lot hotel | bed & breakfast

Day 20: Lima - Amsterdam

Today, unfortunately, your unique journey comes to an end. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Lima airport where you will board your international flight to Amsterdam.

Day 21: Amsterdam 

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.