Ricky's Favorite

From the mountains to the sea

Within Peru there are two cities which I consider to be ‘as Peruvian as it gets’ – Arequipa and Piura. They are at two ends of the spectrum but have one thing in common – their inhabitants are definitely not to be called Peruvians, but Arequipeño or Piurano.
I deliberately avoided including Machu Picchu – because this itinerary is really for somebody who wants to avoid the crowds or perhaps has already been to Peru before. This is also really for travelers who want to relax, have a good time and not move around too much – meaning that there are hardly any treks. So kick back and enjoy some culture and maybe a ceviche and a beer on the beach.

Good time to travel: This itinerary is possible year round. Absolute Best time: December - March

Arrive in Lima after your international flight. You will be met by our English-speaking representative and transferred to Casa Inca.

Enjoy an in-depth full day visit of Lima. Your tour will cover the pre-Hispanic and colonial sites as well as the Museo Rafael Larco Herrera Museum, including a lecture by Ulla Holmquist. Specializing in pre-Inca cultures, Ulla is an associate archaeologist at the museum and was curator of the Museo de Arte de Lima. Visit the eminent Casa Aliaga Mansion where you’ll enjoy cocktails in this home unique to the Americas. Enjoy dinner at one of Lima’s top gourmet restaurants before retiring to the Casa Inca.

Day 3

Full day Local Culinary and Art Experience in Lima and the Lurin Valley

Enjoy an intimate and local taste of the cuisine of Lima, hosted by our friend Penelope Alzamora. On this gastronomical journey you will learn from Penelope, a chef with great experience in the food industry. She will take you to her parents’ beautiful pottery studio (Jallpa Nina) located 20 minutes south of Lima in the Lurin Valley which features a lovely garden. Marilyn, Penelope’s mother and an internationally renowned artist, will show you around her ceramic studio explaining the process of this ancient and important art in Peru.
Penelope will teach you specific and essential techniques of the menu we have selected for your lunch as well as the use of local ingredients. While you help to make ceviches and tapas, your lunch will be slowly cooking in a traditional way. Enjoy your gourmet feast tasting the ceviches and tapas followed by lunch on the beautiful garden. Enjoy a sweet ending with Lima’s most traditional dessert.
Tonight you stay at the Casa Inca.

You will be collected by our representative and driven to the airport to catch a morning flight to Arequipa. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and driven to your hotel, the atmospheric and cozy Molino Blanco. This unique owner-operated Guest House is located in what was an old mill very near the town centre. In the afternoon, you will enjoy guided visits of the highlights of the city such as the Museo Santuarios Andinos where Inca frozen mummies are kept, the wonderful 16th century Santa Catalina Convent and the new Colonial Art Museum in the Convent of Santa Teresa.

Today you have an early morning departure with your guide in your 4x4 vehicle to the Colca Canyon. The journey time is approximately five hours on a paved (75% of the journey) and unpaved but in good condition (25% of the journey) road. You will go across the high altitude plateau (over 4,000m/13,200ft) with its astounding landscapes and see plenty of local wildlife such as the graceful wild Vicuna. Enjoy a box lunch en route before you arrive in the mid-afternoon at your lovely hotel, the Colca Lodge, overlooking the river and with private thermal pools.

Day 6

Colca: Condor Cross and Charming Churches

The main highlight of the Colca is viewing the majestic condor, the world's largest flying bird and a native of the Andes. The Colca is one of the best spots anywhere to view this species in the wild.
This morning we take an early drive to La Cruz del Condor, approximately 1 ½ hours away, to try and get a glimpse of the Condor in flight, before returning to the Lodge for lunch. You then spend the afternoon visiting local churches with your expert guide. The fourteen Spanish villages in the valley and canyon each boast a church with an impressive and surprisingly rich Baroque interior. Hear your guide explain how a unique Andean undertone has influenced the Catholic faith here and how this is reflected in these churches, before returning to your hotel, the Colca Lodge.

Drive back to Arequipa and your hotel the Molina Blanco before enjoying a relaxing afternoon at your leisure in Peru’s second city. This is a wonderful place to buy quality alpaca knitwear.

Day 8
Arequipa to Piura (via Lima)

Today you will connect to Piura via Lima. A representative and guide will take you around Piura before you head off along Peru’s most beautiful coastline.
It was here that Spanish Conqueror Francisco Pizarro founded the first Spanish city in South America, San Miguel de Piura, in 1532. Piura has lovely narrow, cobbled streets and charismatic colonial houses such as that of Peruvian national hero Miguel Grau. Visit the beautiful Church of San Francisco, where Piura proclaimed its independence on the 4th of January in 1821. The famous Plaza de Armas, Peru's oldest park, is located in the heart of Piura and is very popular within families with children. Your tour will include a visit to Catacaos, 20 minutes south of Piura, a place famous for its ‘hats’ and ‘silversmith’ arts. After your tour, enjoy lunch at El Nuevo Ajicito, where you will experience why Piuran cuisine is known for being one of the best in Peru.
After a culture-filled morning, relax on the beach before you head back to your hotel. We recommend the Punta Sal Hotel for families and the DCO for adults only.

This coast is teeming with wildlife and during this exciting sailing trip you might see South American fur seals, bottled-nosed dolphins,  short-beaked common dolphins, marine turtles, colorful Blue-footed boobies and many more wonderful species sheltering here. Travel between June till November and it is possible to spot the humpback whales that migrate to these coasts in search of warm waters.  
During this tour the yacht will set anchor in a protected bay where you will be able to enjoy a refreshing swim before returning to your hotel.

Today you take to the waters once again with a full day motor boat adventure through the best preserved section of the Mangrove Swamps National Sanctuary of Tumbes. You will visit Matapalo Island and its interior lagoon and relax on the last beach of Peru’s northern coastline Punta Capones. You will visit the island of the birds and take in the mangrove forest’s unique scenery and sounds. This tour is an ideal way to enjoy close contact with nature and relax at the same time.
Back to your hotel for a third night.

Make the most of your last day by relaxing on the beach before you take your flight back to Lima in the evening to catch your international flight home.