Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll land at Jorge Chavez International Airport and get transferred to your hotel in Lima. The rest of the day is yours to do with as you like - either wander around Lima's historic center if you're not too tired, or just relax at the hotel after your flight.
Optional Activities
- Magic Water Circuit with Dinner (shared basis) - A guided tour of the world's largest fountain system in Exhibition Park, followed by dinner at a restaurant. Includes pick-up and drop-off, bilingual guide (Spanish and English), admission, and meal. Start time: 17:30 hours. Duration 4 hours.
Landmarks/POIs Historic Centre of Lima Magic Water Circuit - Day 2
Lima
After breakfast, you'll head out to explore Lima's colonial center. On the agenda are the Larco Museum with its pre-Columbian art collection, Casa de Aliaga which is the oldest colonial mansion in the city, Plaza de Armas central square, Government Palace, and the Cathedral of Lima. By afternoon you'll have time to yourself to rest or continue on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Larco Museum of pre-Columbian art - housed in a former mansion built on the site of a seventh-century pre-Columbian temple, featuring gold and silver articles, pottery and erotic art
- Visit Casa de Aliaga - oldest colonial mansion in Lima, owned by the Aliaga family since conquistador Francisco Pizarro granted the land to Jerónimo de Aliaga in 1535
- Tour of colonial center including Plaza de Armas, Government Palace, and 16th-century Cathedral of Lima
Landmarks/POIs Larco Museum Casa de Aliaga Plaza de Armas Government Palace Cathedral of Lima - Day 3
Lima to Paracas
Following breakfast, you'll catch a bus from Lima down to Paracas on the coast. After you arrive, you'll transfer to your hotel and then the day is free. You can relax on the beach or check out Paracas National Reserve nearby, which has marine wildlife and dramatic rock formations to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Paracas National Reserve - a protected natural area known for marine wildlife and dramatic shoreline with wind- and wave-sculpted rock formations and orange dunes
Landmarks/POIs Paracas National Reserve - Day 4
Paracas to Nasca
You'll have breakfast and then head to El Chaco pier to board a boat tour around Ballestas Islands. During the tour you'll see sea lions, boobies, pelicans, Humboldt penguins, and pass by the mysterious Paracas Candelabra geoglyph. After that, you'll transfer to the bus station to begin your journey to Nasca.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat tour of Ballestas Islands - cruise around the rocky islets' dramatic cliffs to observe sea lions, birds, pelicans, boobies, and endangered Humboldt penguins
- View Paracas Candelabra - a huge geoglyph dating to around 200 BC
Landmarks/POIs Ballestas Islands Paracas Candelabra - Day 5
Nasca to Arequipa
After breakfast, you'll take a 30-minute flight over the desert to see the Nazca Lines - those geometric designs and animal formations like the spider, condor, and monkey. You'll land and then transfer to catch a bus for a 10-hour drive to Arequipa, pulling into your hotel that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight over Nazca Lines - 30-minute aerial tour of the ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert including geometric designs, spider, condor, and monkey formations
Landmarks/POIs Nazca Lines - Day 6
Arequipa
You'll have breakfast and then explore Arequipa. Check out Plaza de Armas to see the neo-Renaissance Cathedral and Santa Catalina Monastery, a 16th-century walled community. Later in the day, head to Yanahuara and Carmen Alto neighborhoods where you'll get great views of the Misti volcano.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour of Plaza de Armas featuring the neo-Renaissance Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
- Visit Santa Catalina Monastery - a 16th-century walled community with accommodation, cloisters, squares, and kitchens
- Visit Yanahuara and Carmen Alto neighborhoods for views of Misti volcano
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de Armas Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa Santa Catalina Monastery Misti Volcano - Day 7
Arequipa to Colca
After breakfast, you're heading to Colca Valley through the Yura district, which has some impressive geographical features along the way. You'll pass through high plains and cross Pampa Cañahuas where vicuñas roam around. Then you'll reach Patapampa at 4,910m/16,109ft with views of surrounding volcanoes. Lunch happens in Chivay before you head to your hotel for a free afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in the picturesque town of Chivay)
Included Activities
- Drive through Yura district with its ravines, mountains, waterfalls and vegetation
- Visit Pampa Cañahuas to see vicuñas (indigenous Andean camelids)
- Cross Pampas of Viscachani and Toccra and pass Chucura Volcano crater
- Stop at Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa (4,910 meters above sea level) for volcano views
Landmarks/POIs Yura District Pampa Cañahuas Chucura Volcano Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa - Day 8
Colca
Starting with breakfast, you'll go to Cruz del Condor viewpoint overlooking Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest valleys at about 3,400m/11,155ft deep. You'll see condors gliding on thermals, visit traditional towns with colonial churches along the river, and check out pre-Inca terraces and the Uyo Uyo archaeological site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Cruz del Condor viewpoint of Colca Canyon to observe majestic condors
- Descend the valley to visit traditional towns: Chivay, Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma and Yanque with colonial churches
- Stop at Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints for valley views
- Visit Ocolle lookout to see 'the Amphitheatre' - pre-Inca terraces
- Visit Uyo Uyo archaeological site
Landmarks/POIs Cruz del Condor Colca Canyon Chivay Pinchollo Maca Achoma Yanque Antahuilque Viewpoint Choquetico Viewpoint Ocolle Lookout Uyo Uyo Archaeological Site - Day 9
Colca to Puno
You'll have a relaxed breakfast and free morning at your hotel. Later in the afternoon, you'll start traveling to Puno on Lake Titicaca's western shore. The route takes you through Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve with stone forests and high plains. You'll stop at viewpoints and local cafes along the way, then arrive in Puno and settle into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Box lunch)
Included Activities
- Drive through Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve
- Visit stone forests of Patahuasi
Landmarks/POIs Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve Patahuasi Stone Forests Lake Titicaca - Day 10
Puno
After breakfast, you'll head to Puno port and board a boat to Uros Islands, which are man-made islands created entirely from floating totora reeds where the indigenous Uros people live. You'll explore there, then sail to Taquile island with its Incan heritage and ruins. The local community will share their customs with you, and you'll have lunch on the island before returning to Puno.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on Taquile island)
Included Activities
- Visit Uros Islands - man-made islands created from totora reeds inhabited by indigenous Uros people
- Sail to Taquile - small Inca Empire island with ruins and Incan heritage
- Cultural demonstration from local Taquile community sharing customs and traditions
- Lunch on Taquile island
Landmarks/POIs Uros Islands Taquile - Day 11
Puno to Cusco
Following breakfast, you'll board a bus for your journey across the Andes to Cusco, which sits at 4,313m/14,149ft altitude. Along the way you'll pass traditional villages and spot local wildlife. You'll stop at Pukara, an early urban settlement from 100-300 AD, then Racchi with its striking Wiracocha Temple. Before reaching Cusco, you'll visit Andahuaylillas and its Church. You'll transfer to your hotel once you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit archaeological site of Pukara - first urban settlement on Lake Titicaca established between 100 and 300 AD
- Visit Racchi and the Wiracocha Temple - a rectangular structure 30 metres wide and 20 metres high
- Visit Church of Andahuaylillas - known as the 'Sistine Chapel of America' for its high quality art
Landmarks/POIs Pukara Wiracocha Temple Racchi Andahuaylillas - Day 12
Cusco
You've got a free morning to rest at your hotel or walk through Cusco's cobblestoned streets and shops. In the afternoon, a guide will take you starting at Santo Domingo Convent, which was built on Coricancha, an important Inca sun temple. You'll see the cathedral in Plaza de Armas, then head to the Cusco hills for Sacsayhuaman fortress with panoramic city views, followed by Qenqo and Puca Pukara.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Santo Domingo Convent - built on the site of Coricancha, an important Incan complex dedicated to sun worship
- Visit cathedral in Plaza de Armas
- Visit Sacsayhuaman fortress on Cusco hills with panoramic city views
- Visit Qenqo archaeological site - believed location of Inca religious rituals
- Visit Puca Pukara - ancient military site with rooms, courtyards, baths, aqueducts and towers
Landmarks/POIs Santo Domingo Convent Coricancha Plaza de Armas Cathedral Sacsayhuaman Qenqo Puca Pukara - Day 13
Sacred Valley
After breakfast, you'll go to Chinchero, a high-altitude town with valley views and traditional clothing and handicrafts to see. You'll check out archaeological remains and a 17th-century church. The Yucay Museum of Living Culture is next, where you can watch textiles, pottery, and silverware being crafted using ancient Inca techniques, and you can feed llamas and alpacas. Lunch is local cuisine in Ollantaytambo, then you'll explore the town's streets and climb the mountainside fortress.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local cuisine lunch in Ollantaytambo)
Included Activities
- Visit Chinchero town - high-altitude town with traditional clothing, customs and local handicrafts
- See archaeological remains in Chinchero
- Visit 17th-century church in Chinchero - one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru
- Visit Yucay Museum of Living Culture - see textiles, adobe pottery and silverware being crafted using ancient Inca techniques
- Interact with llamas, sheep and alpacas at Yucay Museum
- Explore streets of Ollantaytambo - inhabited continuously since Inca times
- Climb iconic Ollantaytambo fortress built into the mountainside
Optional Activities
- Visit local market in Chinchero (available on Sundays)
Landmarks/POIs Chinchero Yucay Museum of Living Culture Ollantaytambo Ollantaytambo Fortress - Day 14
Machu Picchu
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Ollanta station to board a scenic train to Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo. Once there, you'll visit Machu Picchu, the UNESCO World Heritage Site and lost city of the Incas built around 1450. Your guide will help you explore the iconic monuments. You'll have lunch back in Aguas Calientes, then board the train back to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Aguas Calientes)
Included Activities
- Scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) - approximately two-hour journey
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu UNESCO World Heritage Site - explore iconic monuments and learn about the citadel built around 1450 by Inca emperor Pachacutec
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes - Day 15
Cusco Departure
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll transfer to the airport for your departure, concluding your journey through Peru's natural and historical sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast
