Holiday in Peru with a rental car
15 days - from € 5.430 per person
self-drive - Andes - ancient civilizations
- Drive with your own rental car over high passes through the Andes
- Meet Juanita, ice mummy from the Inca era
- See the Cordillera Real reflected in the waters of Lake Titicaca
- Enjoy the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate
- Sip a cocktail in Cusco's central square, the "Navel of the World"
Travel itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam - Lima
Your Unique journey through Peru starts today. You will fly from Amsterdam to the Peruvian capital Lima. Upon arrival in Lima you will be welcomed and brought to your accommodation. Lima is known as the culinary capital of Latin America. What you should definitely try is the delicious fish dish Ceviche, raw fish cooked in lime juice. We will be happy to advise you on the better restaurants for this evening.
Overnight stay: Villa Barranco | bed & breakfast
Day 2: Lima
Today, together with your guide, you will visit the most important sights of Lima, the city that was for a long time the most important city of South America during colonial rule. You will visit the characteristic districts of Miraflores and Barranco, the historic city center with its two beautiful squares, the buildings with wooden balconies, the cathedral and the San Francisco church. In addition, a visit to the Larco museum is more than worthwhile. This museum contains a huge private collection of pre-Columbian utensils, jewelry and ceremonial attributes, most of which are made of gold.
Overnight stay: Villa Barranco | bed & breakfast
Day 3: Lima - Arequipa
Today you fly to Arequipa. Upon arrival in Arequipa you will be welcomed and brought to your hotel. The city is beautifully situated with the majestic peak of the "El Misti" volcano in the background. There is some uncertainty about the origin of the name Arequipa. There are several stories going around. One of them is that the Aymara people invented the name because in their language 'ari' means mountain and 'quipa' means behind. Literally translated it says 'behind the mountain' by which the El Misti volcano is meant.
Overnight stay: Palla Boutique Hotel | bed & breakfast
Day 4: Arequipa
Today you can explore Arequipa by yourself. For example, pay a visit to the Santa Catalina monastery. This enormous building is a city in the city itself. Also a must is the museum about the ice girl Juanita. This mummy of a young girl, dating from the 15th century, was found by the famous high mountain archaeologist Johan Reinhard on top of the El Misti volcano. In addition, you should definitely take a look at the cathedral at the central square Plaza de Armas.
Overnight stay: Palla Boutique Hotel | bed & breakfast
Day 5: Arequipa - Colca Canyon
(approx. 180 km | 4 hour drive)
Today you will drive, by rental car, to the Colca Canyon, which is said to be the deepest gorge in the world. The route crosses the middle of the Andes, passing altitudes of 4700 meters. A fantastic route, but take it easy because of the altitude. Lastly you will arrive at your accommodation, situated 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 6: Colca Canyon
The Colca valley is a colorful area with Inca villages discovered by the Spaniards. The locals still adhere to the old traditions and way of life and therefore still make use of the agricultural terraces. On this day you can visit the 'Cruz del Condor' in the Colca Canyon. The gorge is the habitat of the condor, the largest flying bird in the world. At this spot they sometimes fly about 5 meters above you.
Overnight stay: Colca Lodge | bed & breakfast
Day 7: Colca Canyon - Puno
(approx. 290 km | 5.5 hour drive)
Today's ride will take you from the Colca Canyon to Puno. On the way you will travel through an impressive landscape with small traditional mountain villages. You will pass the beautiful mountain lake Lago Lagunillas and cross the town of Juliaca before arriving in Puno. Puno is located on Lake Titicaca on the border of Peru and Bolivia and the highest navigable lake in the world, at almost 4000 meters above sea level. The landscape is truly beautiful. The clear blue lake is surrounded by some of the most impressive mountains of the entire Andes. From a historical point of view, this place is enormously important. According to legend, the first Inca king was born on the Island of the Sun, an island located in the Bolivian part of this lake.
Overnight stay: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca | bed & breakfast
Day 8: Puno
After breakfast you will visit the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians on shared basis (with other tourists) under the guidance of an English-speaking guide. This authentic population lives in traditional way on Lake Titicaca. They live on self-made islands of reed. You will also visit the island of Tacquile, a place where the Aymara Indians still live in the traditional way. Tacquile is also known for the production of the 'Sicuri', a musical instrument which is essential for the folklore of the Peruvian highlands. In the afternoon you will be brought back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca | bed & breakfast
Day 9: Puno - Sacred Valley
(approx. 425 km | 8 hour drive)
Today you will leave for the Sacred Valley of the Incas and along the way you will pass several ruins. First of all there is the ruin of Sillustani, a pre-Inca cemetery on the shores of Lake Umayo. The tombs are built above the ground and look like small turrets. They are called Chulpas. Most of the tombs have been robbed and others have never been finished. This is followed by the ruins of Raqchi, also known as the temples of Wiracocha. Here you can still see the baths, food storage and houses in good condition. You drive on and pass several villages before you arrive in the Sacred Valley. Your accommodation is located in the village Urubamba.
Overnight stay: Hotel Soy Y Luna | bed & breakfast
Day 10: Sacred Valley
This day is scheduled off and you can determine your day program yourself. This fertile region was of great economic and spiritual importance to the Inca culture. It was one of the most important centers for agriculture and is still the best place for growing corn in Peru. The valley is the basin of the Urubamba River, where numerous archaeological sites and villages can be visited. It is a beautiful area to drive through and stop wherever you want.
Overnight stay: Hotel Soy Y Luna | bed & breakfast
Hotel Sol y Luna
During your stay in the Sacred Valley you will stay in the charming Sol y Luna hotel, part of Relais & Chateaux. A beautiful accommodation, with 43 cottages, beautiful gardens and two restaurants, where you will immediately feel at home!
In 1996 Franz and Petit, owners of this hotel, came to the Sacred Valley. They wanted to start a school here for underprivileged children from the area. To make this dream come true, they needed a source of income and they decided to start a luxury boutique hotel. Their dream came true: a beautiful hotel where they welcome you warmly and a school where the number of school children is still increasing. During your stay you can of course also visit this school.
Day 11: Machu Picchu
A special day today, because you are going to visit the Machu Picchu! From the Sacred Valley take the train to Aguas Calientes, the base for a visit to the Machu Picchu. Together with your guide you will visit this famous complex that was probably built by the Incas at the beginning of the 15th century. The buildings and the surroundings make the Machu Picchu a magical sight. Enjoy this special place today, your guide can tell you everything you want to know. In the afternoon you will return to the Sacred Valley by train and be brought to your accommodation.
Overnight stay: Hotel Soy y Luna | bed & breakfast
Day 12: Sacred Valley - Cuzco
(approx. 65 km | 1.5 hour drive)
Today's ride is short, reason enough to take a little detour to the salt flats of Maras and the archaeological site of Moray. Moray, is a terraced complex in the shape of an amphitheater. These terraces were used for agricultural experiments and date back to the Inca era. At the salt flats of Maras, enjoy the beautiful view that you have here on the white color of the salt and the different colors that the mountains show because of the many minerals. The salt that is collected here is sold by the locals at the markets. Cuzco is the longest inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere, lies at an altitude of 3360 meters and is nicknamed the 'imperial city'. Upon arrival at the hotel you can return your rental car and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay: Hotel JW Marriot Cuzco | bed & breakfast
Day 13: Cuzco
This day gives you the opportunity to explore this beautiful city. Be sure to visit the Plaza de Armas, which is home to the famous cathedral. Cuzco comes from the Quechua word "Cosqo", which means "Navel of the World". The entire city center consists of colonial buildings, built on the foundations of the old Inca palaces. There is plenty to do in this beautiful city!
Overnight stay: Hotel JW Marriot Cuzco | bed & breakfast
Day 14: Cuzco - Lima - Amsterdam
Your journey through Peru is unfortunately over. Our local staff will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Cuzco airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Lima. You will then board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam.
Day 15: Amsterdam
Your unique journey is over. Today you will arrive in Amsterdam.
Price
From € 5.430 per person
- On the basis of 2 persons travelling together
- Depending on the time of booking, flight availability and period of travel
Included:
- domestic flights, economy class
- 13 overnight stays, meals as mentioned
- 8 days rental car (cat. Renault Duster or similar alternative) including basic-insurance, pick-up in Arequipa and drop-off in Cuzco
- all transfers and excursions (with English speaking guides) as mentioned
- 24/7 our backup; locally and in the Netherlands
- extensive travel document package with small attention
Not included:
- international flights, if desired we can reserve these for you
- early check-in / late check-out, subject to availability, sometimes given by hotel. If you want to be sure that you have this, please enquire about the surcharge.
- (Dutch) public contribution Calamity fund; € 2.50,- per booking
- SGR contribution of € 5,- per person per booking
- travel and cancellation insurance
Request travel proposal
Would you like to make this trip too? We can of course arrange the above journey for you, but we are also happy to put together a programme based on your wishes and ideas. Feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04, send an e-mail to info@sapapanatravel.nl or request a customized quote below. We will be happy to help you.
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