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Route of the Sun

The Route of the Sun is a whirlwind of an adventure, taking you through a variety of beautiful Peruvian terrain, enriched with the life, heritage, history, and culture of her people.

Within this 9 day journey you’ll set your sights on Peru’s mammoth mountains and volcanos, shimmering sunlit lakes, incredible Inca architecture, charming colonial cathedrals, golden dunes, ancient geoglyphs shrouded in mystery and Peru’s prolific fauna and flora.

Along the Sun Route, you’ll visit the famous sites and cities of Peru including the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu citadel, Rainbow Mountain, Uros Islands, Arequipa, Puno, Ica, Huacachina, Colca Canyon, and the Nazca Lines, to name a few.

Route of the Sun

9 days / 8 nights
From: $2130 $1917 Per Person

For treks and tours, the deposit is $200 + $10 service fee = $210 per person. The remaining balance must be settled before the tour.

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Route of the Sun

Tour Info

Destination:Cusco, Puno, Arequipa, Ica, Lima
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Difficulty:Moderate
Total Distance:41 km / 25.5 miles
Group Size: 2 - 8 Persons
Price:$2130.00p/p$1917.00p/p
Payment Terms:Advance of US$ 210 through PayPal and Balance on Arrival
Price Includes:
  • All transportation provided including pick up and drop off at your hotel
  • Professional guide
  • General Tourist Ticket
  • Entrance fee to the Cathedral
  • Entrance fee to Qoricancha
  • Entrance fee to Maras Salt Mines
  • Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
  • Entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain
  • Entrance fee to Red Valley
  • Entrance fee to Humantay Lake
  • Train tickets (round trip)
  • Bus tickets (round trip)
  • Entrance fee to Uros Island
  • Entrance fee to Taquile Island
  • Entrance fee to Monastery of Santa Catalina
  • Entrance fee to Church Compañia of Jesus
  • Entrance fee to Colca Canyon
  • Ballestas Islands
  • Entrance fee to Huacachina
  • Dune buggies in Huacachina
  • 8 night’s stay at a 3 star hotel
Not Included:
  • Meals

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu

After an 8:00 am pickup from your hotel and a 20 minute drive we’ll arrive at Huayllarcocha where you’ll bear witness to Peru’s famed fauna, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. On this leg of the cultural tour, you’ll learn all about the different types of wool and, by the end of your trip, you’ll be a true Peruvian wool pro.

A 30 minute drive from Huayllarcocha will take us to the enchanting lookout point of Taray, from where you’ll be able to garner a glimpse of the Sacred Valley. Another 30 minute drive will take us to the archeological site of Pisaq, where you’ll see sprawling agricultural terraces built by the ancient Incas, featuring their meticulous stone and clay works, while our guide enlightens you on the history of the Incas of Pisaq.

We’ll then return to the town of Pisaq to visit the handicraft market, where you may chance upon some Peruvian handicraft gems to gift your loved ones back at home.

Then it’s off on another 1 hour drive to Urubamba, where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at a local Peruvian restaurant.

After lunch, we’ll go on a 30 minute drive to Ollantaytambo fortress, taking a quick pitstop in Yanahuara to visit a Chicheria – a local corn brewery – where you’ll get to try some Chicha, a popular brewed concoction dating back to Inca times.

Then we’ll hit the road again to get to Ollantaytambo and visit the Last Living Inca Village which features an intricate network of curiously designed water channels, some passing under houses within the village.

We’ll then visit the Ollantaytambo fortress before catching the 90 minute train to Machu Picchu town, also known as Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in Machu Picchu town or Aguas Calientes, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant before retiring for the night to get a good night’s sleep before your full day tour of Machu Picchu.

Day 2: Citadel of Machu Picchu, Cusco

Machu Picchu

With an early wake up call to kickstart the day, you’ll check-out of the hotel after enjoying a nutritious breakfast. Then it’s off to catch the 30 minute bus to Machu Picchu so we can make it in time to witness Machu Picchu’s spectacular sunrise.

You’ll then get to explore Machu Picchu for 2 – 3 hours while our tour guide sheds light on the ancient Incan ways and the history behind the magnificent citadel. You’ll then get to explore Peru’s urban areas independently and enjoy a little spontaneous exploration of Peru’s famed archeological site.

You’ll then hop on the bus and head down to Machu Picchu town or Aguas Calientes, where you will reunite with our tour guide. You may then take a pitstop for lunch at a local restaurant (not included in the tour package) before hopping on a 2 hour train ride to Ollantaytambo. From here you will be chauffer driven to Cusco where you will be dropped off safely at your hotel.

Day 3: Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, Puno, Uros Island

We’ll pick you up from your hotel at 4:00 am and take a 2 hour drive across the Andes to arrive in Cusipata, where a delicious breakfast awaits your arrival. We’ll then take a 1 hour van drive to Phulawasipata where we’ll begin the spectacular tour of Rainbow Mountain with a 2 hour gradual uphill hike.

Upon reaching the Rainbow Mountain, which appears bathed in a kaleidoscope of colors, you’ll get to soak up its stunning sights and surroundings before taking a 1 hour and 30 minute hike back to Phulawasipata.

Upon arriving in Phulawasipata, we’ll hop on a 1 hour bus ride to Cusipata village.

You’ll then be whisked away to Puno, from where you’ll be taken on a boat across Lake Titicaca to one of the Uros Islands, where you’ll be spending the night at the Uros Island lodge. You’ll spend the rest of your evening immersing yourself in relaxation, watching Lake Titicaca’s golden sunset as you bask in the resplendent serenity of the isle.

Day 4: Uros Island, Arequipa

You’ll be picked up from your hotel by our guide who’ll take you on a boat ride across the crystal clear waters of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

You’ll then get to traipse along one of the Uros island’s pristine and white sandy beaches before you visit its weaving community who will impart upon you the artistry of textile weaving, declared by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.

On this tour, you’ll also be greeted with a warm welcome from the people of Peru and imbibe in their life, traditions, and culture, before heading back to Puno city.

You’ll then be taken to Arequipa city, where you’ll spend the night at a charming 3 star hotel in Arequipa.

Day 5: Arequipa, City Tour, Colca Canyon

arequipa city tour

After picking you up from your hotel, we’ll kickstart the day’s tour of the stunning city of Arequipa which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. We’ll start from the Yanahuara and Carment Alto Viewpoints. From here, you’ll be gifted with sweeping vistas of Arequipa’s cityscape, flanked by massive and mammoth volcanos that lay, at rest, on the horizon.

Then it’s off to the Historical Center of Arequipa, or Plaza de Armas, to glean insights into the city’s architectural design, which has oft been characterized by colonial buildings made of white volcanic stone known as sillar, and the Basilica Cathedral.

Our guide will then take you on a tour of the famous Santa Catalina Monastery. Built in 1579 and founded by doña María de Guzmán, this Monastery was home to around 450 people who entered into a life of service to the church.

After the quaint and captivating tour of Santa Catalina Monastery’s enchanting architecture and history, we’ll visit Church Compañia of Jesus and finally the colorful Cupola of San Ignacio.

Then we’ll be off on a 4 hour van ride to Colca Canyon where you’ll spend the night at a 3 star hotel.

Day 6: Colca Canyon, Arequipa

On day 6 of your tour, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and head to the Cruz del Condor in Colca Canyon, soaking up stunning sites of the Chachani and Pichupichu Volcanos along the way.

Once you reach Colca Canyon you’ll be treated to an amazing hiking experience, sightings of Condors as well as a dip in the riverside hot springs in the village of Llahuar (optional). Nearly twice as deep as America’s Grand Canyon, you’ll also be able to take mind-blowing pictures of Colca Canyon, one of Peru’s most iconic travel destinations.

We’ll then head to Chivay, a southern Peruvian town nestled in the Colca Valley considered to be the gateway to Colca Canyon. Then it’s off to the Antahulique viewpoint where you’ll be granted stunning views of ancient terraces.

As the day draws to a close, we’ll take a 4 hour van ride back to Arequipa, where we’ll drop you off safely at your hotel.

Day 7: Arequipa, Ica

After enjoying a lovely breakfast served at the hotel, we’ll pick you up you’re your hotel in Arequipa.

You’ll then be chauffer driven to the glorious south Peruvian city of Ica in our private transportation.

On this 12 hour journey across Peru, get ready to be enamored by the vastness of the mountains that unfurl before you, the bubbly waters of the ocean that lap along the shores as you pass by Peru’s coastal terrain, and the emerald green agricultural fields that look as though blessed with bountiful offerings, as you take the winding road to Ica.

Once you arrive, you’ll check in to your hotel for the night.

Day 8: Ica, Pisco and Wine Tour, Huacachina

We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Ica and head on over to one of Ica’s lovely vineyards for the Pisco and Wine Tour. Pisco, a brandy of Peruvian origin, is made by distilling fermented grape juice.

After the 1 hour tour and tasting of the wines and piscos offered by one of Ica’s most famous vineyards, we’ll head to.

Afterwards, we’ll head to Huacachina, a tiny oasis village enveloped in the golden dunes of the Ica desert. In Huacachina, you’ll get to go on an adrenaline-packed dune buggy and sandboarding tour amidst the dunes of Ica, before calling it a day.

You’ll then spend the night at a charming hotel in Huacachina.

Day 9: Huacachina, Nazca Lines, Ballestas Islands, Lima

With an 8:30 am pickup from your hotel, we’ll take you to the airfield. Here, you’ll hop on a 40 minute flight which will grant you an aerial view of the famous Nazca line drawings of animals and geometric figures.

You’ll then visit the mystical Islas Ballestas, or Ballestas Islands, on a 2 hour boat tour with our professional guide who will shed light on the historical significance of these small islands that dot the ocean off the coast of Paracas.

You’ll also get to see the hundreds, if not thousands, of birds and animals like penguins, sea lions, pelicans, and dolphins that have taken up residence in and around these magnificent islets.

You’ll also get to see the Paracas Candelabra, or the Candelabra of the Andes, where lies a prehistoric geoglyph etched into a seaside hill on the northern face of the Paracas Peninsula.

With the drawing to a close, we’ll drive you to Lima where you’ll be dropped off safely at your hotel.

Packing List

Day Pack

  • Water
  • Sun hat
  • Rain gear
  • Fleece
  • Camera
  • Music (phone)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste

Official Papers

  • Valid and Original Passport (same passport used for booking your trek)
  • Travel Insurance (we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for your trip)

Duffle Clothing

- 8-9Wicking t-shirts
- 8-9 pairsHiking pants
- 9 setsUndergarments
- 9 pairsHiking socks
- 1Fleece
- 1Warm down jacket (for the chilly night air)
- 1Rain jacket and pants
- 1Sun hat
- 1Woolen hat
- 1Swimsuit
- 1Headlamp (essential)
- 1 pairWaterproof gloves
- 1Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- 1Large towel (we will be providing a small towel)
- 1Power bank
- Large plastic bags (to help organize and keep clean)

Footwear

  • Sturdy hiking boots (waterproof, lightweight, broken-in with aggressive tread)
  • Comfortable shoes (walking shoes, sandals or other comfortable footwear)
  • Flip flops

Travel Accessories

  • Bottle of water
  • Flashlight
  • Toilet paper
  • Sunglasses and retainer strap
  • Sunblock and lip balm
  • Toiletry kit
  • Small washcloth
  • Earplugs
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Insect repellent and appropriate clothing for mosquitoes
  • Several ziploc bags

Extra Money For

  • Drinks
  • Tip or gratitude
  • Souvenirs

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Route of the Sun
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