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DO HAVE YOU HAVE MORE THAN A WEEK

Arequipa - Colca - Puno - Cusco
Suggested length of stay: 11 days (by plane) / 15 days (by car)

This is one of the most heavily-visited circuits in South America, not just because of the connections between the cities, but also for the many attractions in the region.

The route starts out at Arequipa, a 50-minute flight from Lima or 14 hours by road (1,0003 km). The stopover in Arequipa, at 2,335 meters, will enable visitors to get used to the altitude, but above all take in sights such as the Cathedral and the Santa Catalina Convent, while the city outskirts features some beautiful countryside. From Arequipa, the road heads on to the town of Chivay (five hours), the gateway to the Colca Valley, which is littered with soaring volcanoes and breath-taking landscapes. Chivay offers a wide range of possibilities to tour the valley and reach the lookout point of Cruz del Condor, which grants visitors spectacular views of condors wheeling across the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest. Also worth a look-in are the nearby picturesque villages, which feature fine Baroque churches and main squares, authentic traces of their colonial past. Adventure sports lovers will also discover endless opportunities for hiking, climbing and rafting.

The next stop on the tour, whether by train, car or plane, is Puno, 281 km southeast of Arequipa. Visitors can take boat trips across Lake Titicaca and visit the islands, which feature marvelous natural scenery, white sandy beaches, the unique fauna and flora of the highland plains and above all, the people and their traditions.

From Puno, the train winds its way north to Cuzco, dubbed the archaeological capital of the Americas. The trip takes five hours by road. The city of Cuzco offers visitors endless possibilities for tourism. One interesting alternative is to tour the city's many churches and colonial buildings to take in the exquisite art forms which were the result of the encounter between native and Western cultures. Particularly striking are the oil paintings dating from the seventeenth-century Cuzco School. But Cuzco is above all an archaeological treasure, featuring temples, fortresses, palaces and other Inca buildings, including the citadel of Machu Picchu, held to be one of the wonders of the world. The area around Cuzco is also ideal for adventure sports of all kinds.

Circuito Trujillo - Chiclayo – Cajamarca
Suggested length of stay: 8 days

From Lima, visitors can get to Trujillo overland 561 km up the North Pan-American Highway, an eight-hour trip, or take a 45-minute flight. Trujillo, capital of the department of La Libertad, is home to dozens of superb examples of colonial and republican mansions, as well as pre-Inca constructions such as the Temples of the Sun and Moon and Chan Chan, the world's largest mud-brick citadel. For those fond of water sports, the beaches near the city are superb.

From Trujillo the road heads north to Chiclayo, capital of the department of Lambayeque, a two-hour trip by road. In addition to the area's sun-drenched beaches, the city of Lambayeque also features the Brüning Museum, which houses a spectacular collection of gold pieces crafted by the Moche and Chimu, two of the ancient civilizations that dominated the area.

From Chiclayo the road climbs up into the northern highlands, a six-hour journey to the bucolic city of Cajamarca. Upon arrival, visitors are advised to rest and take precautions against high-altitude sickness. Cajamarca is filled with reminders of its ancient past: the Ransom Chamber (of Atahualpa, the Inca emperor captured by the Spaniards), the Inca Baths and the Ventanillas de Otuzco tombs, in addition to colonial churches and convents. Cajamarca nestles amidst fertile countryside where visitors can take part in farming chores alongside the local community.

Cusco – Manu
Suggested length of stay: 8 days

This circuit combines the archaeological and cultural legacy of Cuzco with Peru's greatest natural treasure: the Manu National Park.

Visitors are advised to take the one-hour flight to Cuzco, where recent arrivals should rest up due to the high altitude. Cuzco is a unique example of the blend of native and colonial architecture, where visitors will find colonial constructions built on top of Inca foundations. The surrounding region also features many attractions: the town and church of Andahuaylillas, the Ollantaytambo fortress and the town of Pisac are just a few of the many attractions to be found in Cuzco, which are crowned by a visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu.

From Cuzco the road heads down to the Manu National Park, a journey that can take from 9-12 hours down to the villages of Atalaya and Shintuya, from where one continues by boat for another 5-6 hours. There are also 30-minute flights from Cuzco to Boca Manu, from where the boat ride takes 4-6 hours. The Manu teems with record numbers of species of plants, birds, insects, butterflies, mammals and reptiles, and is doted with an extraordinary diversity of eco-systems. The area is best visited from May to August. Visitors should bring insect repellent and sunblock.

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