The Southern Travesia of Peru

This exciting Peru itinerary offers travelers the opportunity to experience a not-so-explored region of the country. It has been carefully designed to take guests into the Andean highlands where it feels like you’re going back into time, escaping civilization as we know it. People who will appreciate this route are those who have perhaps already done the Lima – Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco classic Peru journey and are ready to see more of the country.

The hotels in this itinerary are all locally owned and created by Andean. For those who don’t know, the owner of Andean is named Ignacio Masias. His family are the original owners of Inkaterra, who we have been partnered with for nearly 20 years. Ignacio took what he learned at Inkaterra and created Titilaka several years ago, eventually growing into a luxury adventure hotel brand called Andean. Now, with Andean you’ll see in the itinerary the following hotels: CIRQA, PUQIO, Tinajani, and Titilaka. Also, we don’t represent city hotels, but Andean has the wonderful boutique properties Fausto and Atemporal in Lima which are perfect for an end-of-trip overnight stay, or even to hang out for the day if your flight home departs late at night or early morning.

Either way, this is a product we’re very proud of. Clark originally went to Titilaka, CIRQA, and PUQIO right when they opened. Turney has since helped launch the opening of Tinajani. Safe to say we’ve watched Andean grow into this amazing product, and we are so excited to help them continue their journey. We invite you to come see the spirit of the Peruvian Andes.

Quick Summary

Day	Description	Accommodation
Day 1	Arrival in Peru	CIRQA
Day 2	Explore Arequipa's City Center & Cultural Highlights	CIRQA
Day 3	Transfer from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon	PUQIO
Day 4	Uncover the Colca Canyon at PUQIO	PUQIO
Day 5	Continue to Explore the Colca Canyon	PUQIO
Day 6	Transfer from Colca Canyon to Tinajani Canyon	Tinajani
Day 7	Unearth the Legends of Tinajani Canyon	Tinajani
Day 8	Transfer from Tinajani Canyon to Titilaka	Titilaka
Day 9	Experience the Uros Islands and Taquile	Titilaka
Day 10	Altiplano Immersion and Lake Fun	Titilaka
Day 11	Return to Lima

Itinerary Detail

Day 1: Arrival in Peru

Daily Summary

Transfer: Arrival in Lima / Walk to Domestic Terminal / Flight to Arequipa
Accommodation: CIRQA
Meals: L, D

After arrival in Lima and getting through customs and immigration, grab your bags and check in to your domestic flight at the ticket counter. From there, follow the signs to the domestic terminal where you’ll board your flight to Arequipa.

Upon your arrival, take a short and private transfer from the airport in Arequipa to CIRQA.

This afternoon, choose to relax at the hotel and acclimatize for the journey ahead, or explore the city center on your own.

Day 2: Explore Arequipa's City Center & Cultural Highlights

Daily Summary

Tour: Explore Arequipa's City Center & Cultural Highlights
Accommodation: CIRQA
Meals: B, L, D

Explore Arequipa's City Center & Cultural Highlights

At a mild elevation of only 7,600 feet (2,316 meters) above sea level and offering over 300 days of sunshine every year, Peru’s second largest city, Arequipa, is one of the most enjoyable urban destinations in Peru. And at CIRQA, guests have unparalleled access to some of the most iconic destinations in the city.

Today, choose an activity from the extensive CIRQA Excursion Guide:
-Photograph Santa Catalina or Santa Teresa Convents
-Visit the Cathedral Museum
-Explore "Juanita's Sanctuary" (Santuarios Andinos Museum)
-Wander the famous Sillar Quarries of Añashuayco Valley with a guide

That evening, enjoy a beverage at El Techo de CIRQA—the property's rooftop bar that is a great place to meet fellow travelers and relax while overlooking views of Arequipa’s volcanoes and surrounding neighborhoods as the sun sets in Southern Peru.

Day 3: Transfer from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon

Daily Summary

Transfer: Transfer from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon
Accommodation: PUQIO
Meals: B, L, D

Take an early morning transfer from CIRQA to PUQIO, Andean's first tented camp in the Colca Canyon of Peru. The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest river canyons in the world and has a rich cultural legacy. Visitors to the Colca Canyon with Andean will enjoy a true off-the-beaten-path experience. From hikes to horseback rides and visits to steaming thermal geysers, seeing the Andean Condor in its natural habitat will just be the cherry on top.

The transfer itself is 4 hours long and is punctuated by scenic stops along the way.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at PUQIO. Our recommendation is to hit the hot tub with some pisco or muña tea, or Andean mint tea!

Day 4: Uncover the Colca Canyon at PUQIO

Daily Summary

Transfer: Uncover the Colca Canyon at PUQIO
Accommodation: PUQIO
Meals: B, L, D

On the first full day at PUQIO, select from the many ways to explore the region based on your interests and experience level.

The following excursions are included in your stay:
-PUQIO Origen: a combination hike, herb gathering, and natural hot tub soak
-Explore and photograph the nearby village of Yanque, home of the Church of the Immaculate Concepcion which has been declared a National Monument
-Ride horses along ancestral pathways through the Colca Valley
-Visit the pre-Inca citadel of Uyo Uyo
-Explore the vibrant artisanal world of traditional weaving in the region
-Visit the iconic Cruz del Cóndor
-And more!

These following excursions are additional cost:
-Guided visit to the planetarium to view the stars and planets of the Southern Hemisphere
-Hike along the Canocota Canyon to the Malata archaeological site
-Ride mules to the Alto Pinchollo Geysers in an otherworldly landscape at 14, 435 feet (4,400 meters) above sea level
-And more!

The full excursion book can be found at clarkkotula.com.

Day 5: Continue to Explore the Colca Canyon

Daily Summary

Transfer: Continue to Explore the Colca Canyon
Accommodation: PUQIO
Meals: B, L, D

Today, select another outing from the excursion book at PUQIO.

The following excursions are included in your stay:
-PUQIO Origen: a combination hike, herb gathering, and natural hot tub soak
-Explore and photograph the nearby village of Yanque, home of the Church of the Immaculate Concepcion which has been declared a National Monument
-Ride horses along ancestral pathways through the Colca Valley
-Visit the pre-Inca citadel of Uyo Uyo
-Explore the vibrant artisanal world of traditional weaving in the region
-Visit the iconic Cruz del Cóndor
-And more!

These following excursions are additional cost:
-Guided visit to the planetarium to view the stars and planets of the Southern Hemisphere
-Hike along the Canocota Canyon to the Malata archaeological site
-Ride mules to the Alto Pinchollo Geysers in an otherworldly landscape at 14, 435 feet (4,400 meters) above sea level
-And more!

The full excursion book can be found at clarkkotula.com.

Day 6: Transfer from Colca Canyon to Tinajani Canyon

Daily Summary

Transfer: Transfer from Colca Canyon to Tinajani Canyon
Accommodation: Tinajani
Meals: B, L, D

Early morning transfer from PUQIO to Tinajani, Andean's newest tented camp. This four- to five-hour drive takes visitors through Peru's lesser-traveled southern highlands, with the possibility of stopping at Sillustani—one of the region's most important pre-Hispanic burial sites. There is also the Pink City of Lampa, a photogenic and charming village along the way. After what seems like a short trip, guests will arrive at Tinajani: the "Canyon of the Guardians."

Check-in at Tinajani to your private tented camp nestled quietly and eco-consciously into the Tinajani Canyon. This is a unique region of Peru for many reasons, but specifically with Andean because of their ability to operate sustainably in the protected region. By using a similar style of tent to PUQIO called "campamentos," Tinajani has exceedingly minimal impact on the environment. Each of the six campamentos include an accommodation tent, rest tent, private bathroom, hot tub, wood stove, and private terrace—making it much more of a private tented palace than a standard glamping tent.

This afternoon, relax in your campamento and enjoy the view or select a quarter- or half-day excursion from the tour book.

Options include:
-A short hike to a remarkable rock formation or archaeological site on the 400 acre property
-A mindful meditation at the centennial Qolle Tree
-As the sun sets, both a short hike to an overlook for magic hour or star gazing are not to be missed

Day 7: Unearth the Legends of Tinajani Canyon

Daily Summary

Transfer: Unearth the Legends of Tinajani Canyon
Accommodation: Tinajani
Meals: B, L, D

Spend a full day exploring the other-worldly Tinajani Canyon and surrounding region. Options include hiking to legendary sites such as the Devil's Seat and Tina and Ajani–the namesake formations and story of the canyon–or cycling adventures that cover more ground. The vast Puya de Raimondi forest is not to be missed; an area featuring epic Queen of the Andes plants that can grow to be over 30 feet (10 meters) tall. And of course, this quiet region of Peru is home to many lesser-visited destinations such as Ayaviri's Cathedral. Only a few minutes drive away from Tinajani, this village is the home of the Church of San Francisco de Asís—a church built on the foundations of an ancient Inca temple. Pucará lies just a distance beyond, where artisanal crafts and museum are waiting to be explored.

Of course, for guests who want to do as much as possible, the Cordillera Route embarks on a full-day wild journey through stark landscapes, quaint villages, and life-giving waterways.

The full excursion book for Tinajani can be found at clarkkotula.com.

Day 8: Transfer from Tinajani Canyon to Titilaka

Daily Summary

Transfer: Transfer from Colca Canyon to Tinajani Canyon
Accommodation: Titilaka
Meals: B, L, D

After a final breakfast at Tinajani, depart for another 4 –to five-hour drive to Titilaka—Andean's first property in Peru. The drive features sweeping viewpoints of distant volcanoes, plenty of opportunities to spot wild vicuñas, and surreal rock formations of the Stone Forest of Imata. As with all the drives included in the Southern Travesia, it is a key ingredient of the journey itself.

This iconic property sits on a small peninsula on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable body of water in the world. The lake is said to be the birthplace of the Inca, and of the sun itself. Each of the 18 rooms at Titilaka, organized into categories of King, Dawn, Dusk, and Corner, appreciates unimpeded views of the shoreline and lake and provides the utmost in luxury that travelers by now have come to expect of the Andean portfolio.

Spend the afternoon enjoying the property, soaking in the hot tub, or taking a quick paddle on the lake. We recommend a sunset Pisco Sour (or other beverage of choice) in front of the campfire before dinner.

Day 9: Experience the Uros Islands and Taquile

Daily Summary

Transfer: Experience the Uros Islands and Taquile
Accommodation: Titilaka
Meals: B, L, D

Chances are you'll want to experience the most legendary part of Lake Titicaca on your first full day at Titilaka: the floating Uros Islands. This full-day excursion takes guests on a private guided experience of the Uros Islands, far from the crowds that gather in Puno. You'll get to see an authentic floating island made of Totora reeds, witness how this incredible Uros Titino community lives in the middle of the lake, and have the chance to take home a souvenir.

Before returning home, your boat will stop at Taquile Island; a land-based island visible from the lodge that is home to Quechua people. This community is renowned for their rich textile artistry that continues to thrive today, and has recently been recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. An outdoor lunch organized by Titilaka awaits guests with a nearly unbelievable view down to the lake below. After the 7-9 hour experience is complete you will surely see why it is the number one activity in the book at Titilaka!

Day 10: Altiplano Immersion and Lake Fun

Daily Summary

Transfer: Altiplano Immersion and Lake Fun
Accommodation: Titilaka
Meals: B, L, D

On your second full day at Titilaka and last in Peru, make it count with another excursion. Titilaka is surrounded by a region known as the Altiplano, a stark landscape between the Western Cordillera and Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. Full of treeless, rolling plains and scattered volcanic peaks, it is one of the highest inhabited regions on earth. And as a guest of Titilaka you have premier access to observe its rich cultural heritage and opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Some of your options for today include:
-Aymara Route: a full-day mountain bike adventure punctuated by a visit with the local community and a picnic lunch overlooking Bolivia's majestic Cordillera Real mountain range
-Visit to Sillustani, the region's largest and most significant pre-Hispanic burial ground
-Colla Route: a full-day hike along the ancient Colla Route, with a summit that provides views of 90% of the lake
-Explore Molloco and Aramu Muru, mystical archaeological sites that are both photogenic and deeply spiritual
-And more!

Of course, the boat house available on site at Titilaka offers kayaks and paddle-boards to enjoy being on the lake. Mornings are less windy and offer an ideal time to get out before departing on an excursion. This could also be saved for your last day prior to departure.

Discover the full excursion book at clarkkotula.com.

Day 11: Return to Lima

Daily Summary

Transfer: Return to Lima
Meals: B

Depending on the time of your flight, take a two-hour transfer from Titilaka to Juliaca; then fly from Juliaca to Lima.

Either connect at the airport, or we can help arrange a day tour or extra night in Lima at either Atemporal or Fausto (both hotels that are under the Andean brand).

Accommodation

CIRQA

Arequipa, Peru

At a mild elevation of only 7,600 feet (2,316 meters) above sea level and offering over 300 days of sunshine every year, Peru’s second largest city, Arequipa, is one of the most enjoyable urban destinations in Peru. CIRQA is the first luxury boutique hotel of its caliber to grace Arequipa and offers visitors a hip, historic, and architecturally stunning place to call home. Only one block from the picturesque and lively Plaza de Armas, CIRQA offers 11 guest rooms and two gourmet restaurants, all inside a former monastery which dates back to the founding of the city in 1540. The rooftop “El Techo de CIRQA” is a great place to meet fellow travelers and relax while overlooking views of Arequipa’s volcanoes and surrounding neighborhoods as the sun sets in Southern Peru.

Arequipa is known as the “white city” due to the ubiquitous use of a white volcanic rock for building called “sillar,” quarried form nearby volcanoes that surround the city, which dazzles white under the ever-present sunshine. CIRQA offers guests the ability to stay on a half-board rate or choose a fully-inclusive option which includes over a dozen privately-guided local excursions. Thanks to its lower elevation, Arequipa is a great place to relax and acclimate upon arrival to Peru before heading to Cusco via daily direct flights. It is also the jumping-off point to explore nearby Colca Canyon. CIRQA is easily combined with its sister properties: PUQIO in the Colca Canyon and Titilaka on Lake Titicaca, via a gorgeous overland driving route through the Andes called the Southern Travesia.

PUQIO

Yanque, Peru

PUQIO in the Colca Canyon of Peru is the latest creation from visionary hotelier Ignacio Masias. When he opened Titilaka on the shores of Lake Titicaca in 2008, it was the start of a vision to bring unique, high-end experience lodges to lesser-known and under-appreciated destinations throughout Peru. (Other properties developed by the Masias family include Hotel B, CIRQA, Fausto, and Atemporal, as well as the Inkaterra group of properties.)

PUQIO is the third hospitality project that pieces together a new exploratory route through the Southern Highlands of Peru– connecting CIRQA in Arequipa, PUQIO in Colca Canyon, and Titilaka on Lake Titicaca into a miraculous, authentic, off-the-beaten-path overland adventure–far from the crowds and trodden path most visitors choose in Peru of Cusco-Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu.

The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest river canyons in the world and has a rich cultural legacy. The pre-Incan Cabana and Collagua peoples, for thousands of years, have built and farmed the most extensive system of terracing you will find in Peru. Visitors to the Colca Canyon will rejoice in long walks through colorful fields of crops, offering endless opportunities to speak with and learn from the local people. The Colca Canyon is arguably the best place in South America to witness the Andean Condor soar in its natural habitat, and the canyon is full of geothermal activity resulting in hot springs and geysers. The peaceful valley is brimming with cute colonial towns where folklore festivals happen throughout the year, artisans abound, and interesting churches reflect the mix of Incan and Catholic faiths. The valley is also full of pre-Incan archeological sites that can be explored on foot or horseback.

PUQIO itself is an oasis of peace and tranquility nestled among ancient terraces in the heart of the valley. This very small property offers just eight guest rooms, four luxury tents, and four adobe cottages. The onsite restaurant focuses on traditional Andean recipes, using clay and open flame to produce family-style feasts using farm-fresh ingredients. Such a small property prides itself on personalized, attentive service, and daily guided excursions are provided in the rates.

PUQIO and the Colca Canyon are ideal places for repeat visitors to Peru looking to explore a new area away from the crowds—or first-time visitors who prefer more authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations. PUQIO can be visited alone as a side trip from Arequipa, or included in an overland adventure between CIRQA in Arequipa and Titilaka on Lake Titicaca. Simply check in at one and check out at the other.

Tinajani

Juliaca, Peru

There is lesser-known Peru, and then there is Tinajani Canyon. Introducing the newest property by Andean: Tinajani in Southern Peru. This exclusive tented camp takes advantage of one of Peru’s least visited natural wonders, the Tinajani Canyon. A beautiful natural canyon sometimes compared to the American Southwest, this area is rich in Andean cultural significance and modern outdoor exploration. At 3,895 meters (12,900 feet) above sea level, this is Andean’s highest property—which lends even more ambiance to the surreal natural sandstone towers and arches along the Tinajani River. It is no surprise that this area holds significant spiritual meaning for the local Quechua people, and guests of Tinajani have the opportunity to be visitors in this mystical energy and even participate in traditional ceremonies during their stay.

Aside from the beauty of the surrounding landscape, there are pre-Inca and Inca cultural sites scattered throughout the region, ample hiking trails, and cycling routes to explore. The best part is that this is truly one of the least known areas of Southern Peru, drawing a stark contrast to the crowds of Machu Picchu or Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain).

As the fourth installment of the Southern Travesia crafted by Andean that includes sister properties PUQIO, Titilaka, and CIRQA, Tinajani is an ideal destination for travelers seeking a one-of-a-kind overnight before or after Machu Picchu. Only a four-hour drive from the main square in Cusco, Tinajani allows guests to skip the flight from Cusco to Juliaca in favor of a slower, more immersive experience of Southern Peru.

Titilaka

Puno, Peru

Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, boasts hundreds of miles of shoreline, dozens of inhabited islands and is home to an astonishing collection of indigenous customs, festivals, and languages that are all rooted in the immediate environs of the lake. However, most visitors to the mythical birthplace of the Incas never get to experience these wonders. Instead, they travel a heavily trodden path to observe sometimes contrived cultural programs on just two main islands—experiences that do not do proper justice to Lake Titicaca and the region's rich indigenous heritage.

Titilaka was created to provide an alternative for visitors seeking an authentic, intimate, and comfortable encounter with the cultural nuances and and natural splendor of Lake Titicaca. Located an hour east of Puno on a remote portion of the lake shore, Titilaka houses just 18 suites, categorized as 'sunrise' or 'sunset.' Each suite is replete with radiant floor heating, extra large soaking tubs, and sumptuous daybeds beneath panoramic windows overlooking the lake.

However, more so than the contemporary luxury of the property, it is the unique experiences that allow guests to interact with the local indigenous populations in authentic ways that really sets Titilaka apart. A visit to the floating islands of Uros and to the charming Island of Taquile are of course offered, but the magic begins when exploring the neighboring communities and landscape around the hotel itself, which, due to the hotel's location & local partnerships, are virtually exclusive experiences for Titilaka guests.

About Clark Kotula Representation

Representatives for a hand-picked collection of the finest and most authentic tourism experiences in Central & South America.

Luxury boutique hotels that share common characteristics and philosophies. They are individually owned and reflect their owners visions and passions for sharing the magic of the destinations in which they are located. The luxury they provide visitors is not expressed by opulence, ostentation and overwhelming infrastructure, but rather a firm sense of place created by a fusion of personalized service and design elements in harmony with the cultural and natural world that surround them.

Our partners provide visitors to Latin America a true insight into the destination they are visiting, and we provide the travel trade and press an insight into working with them.

We welcome the travel trade and press to become familiar with our partners, understand what we do for you and use the marketing materials links on each of the properties pages.