Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Lima
Your local guide meets you at Lima International Airport and takes you to your hotel. It's a straightforward arrival day, giving you time to settle in and adjust to the city.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru (International Landing)
Included Activities
- Airport greeting and hotel transfer with English-speaking guide
- Day 2
Lima City Tour and Pachacamac
After breakfast, walk through Lima's historic center to see San Martin Square, the Place of Arms, and the cathedral. The San Francisco convent has catacombs worth checking out. From there, head south to the Pachacamac archaeological site where you'll find pre-Hispanic temples and Inca structures before returning to the city for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lima historic center (San Martin Square, Place of Arms, government palace, cathedral)
- Visit San Francisco convent catacombs
- Visit Pachacamac archaeological site including Temple of the Sun, Mamacona, and Temple of Pachacamac
Landmarks San Martin Square Place of Arms Government Palace Cathedral of Lima San Francisco Convent Pachacamac Archaeological Site - Day 3
Lima to Tarma
You'll drive along the railway route through mountain landscapes toward La Oroya, then continue on to Tarma in the Andes. This flower-filled city gives you a sense of the region, and you'll stay overnight at a converted hacienda that's now a hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Tarma (the city of flowers)
Landmarks Tarma - Day 4
Tarma to Huancayo
The drive toward Huancayo includes stops at the Tarmatambo archaeological site and several colonial villages. At the Convent of Santa Rosa de Ocopa (built in 1725), you'll see the impressive library. Once in Huancayo, spend time at the local market browsing regional handicrafts including goldwork, ceramics, and textiles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Tarmatambo archaeological site
- Visit colonial villages in Mantaro Valley
- Visit Convent of Santa Rosa de Ocopa
- Visit Huancayo market
Landmarks Tarmatambo Archaeological Site Convent of Santa Rosa de Ocopa Mantaro Valley Huancayo Market - Day 5
Huancayo to Huancavelica
Travel through Andean landscapes to Huancavelica, an indigenous mining town with colonial churches and historic squares including the Place d'Armes and Cathedral. A city tour happens either today or tomorrow morning depending on when you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Huancavelica (Place d'Armes, Cathedral, colonial houses, San Sebastian and San Francisco squares)
Landmarks Huancavelica Cathedral San Sebastian Square San Francisco Square - Day 6
Huancavelica to Ayacucho
Journey to Ayacucho, a well-preserved Andean city important to Peru's independence movement. Explore the historic center with its 16th-century Cathedral featuring Spanish Baroque and Andean influences. Colonial churches are scattered throughout the cityscape, giving you plenty to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Ayacucho historic center
- Visit Cathedral of Ayacucho
Landmarks Ayacucho Cathedral Plaza de Armas (Ayacucho) - Day 7
Ayacucho: Quinua and Huari
Start in Quinua, known for its reddish ceramic handicrafts and the Historical Sanctuary of Pampa de Ayacucho with its 44-meter obelisk. Next, check out Huari, a pre-Columbian city with circular architecture that served as an important administrative center, complete with aqueducts, an amphitheater, and underground chambers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Quinua
- Visit Historical Sanctuary of Pampa de Ayacucho
- Visit Huari archaeological site
Landmarks Quinua Historical Sanctuary of Pampa de Ayacucho Huari Archaeological Site - Day 8
Ayacucho to Paracas
Depart early on a scenic drive toward Paracas, descending the Ruta de Los Libertadores through Andean landscapes. You'll pass through Castro Virreyna, cross lagoons formed by the Rio Pisco at Santa Ines, and visit the Inca ruins at Tambo Colorado before reaching Paracas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Tambo Colorado Inca ruins
Landmarks Tambo Colorado Santa Ines Lagoons - Day 9
Paracas, Ica, and Nazca
Set out early by motorboat to the Ballestas Islands for a 2.5-hour trip observing thousands of birds including gannets and sea bass. Later, head to Ica via the Panamerican highway to visit the archaeological museum with mummies, pottery, and textiles. Continue to Nazca with a stop at a pisco distillery to learn about local spirit production.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Ballestas Islands motorboat excursion
- Visit Ica Archaeological Museum
Optional Activities
- Pisco distillery visit and tasting
Landmarks Ballestas Islands Ica Archaeological Museum - Day 10
Nazca to Puerto Inca
Visit the Cantayoc aqueducts, a unique underground pre-Columbian water system still used by local peasants. Then drive 100 km to Puerto Inca, an Inca-built port site, to explore the archaeological remains. An optional early morning flight over the Nazca Lines is available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Cantayoc aqueducts
- Visit Puerto Inca archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Plane flight over Nazca Lines (approximately 35 minutes - approximately $150 USD per person)
Landmarks Cantayoc Aqueducts Puerto Inca Archaeological Site Nazca Lines - Day 11
Puerto Inca to Arequipa
Take a long drive across varied landscapes and arrive in Arequipa by early evening. This 'White City' sits at 2,360 meters/7,740 feet and is surrounded by volcanic peaks. The distinctive white sillar stone gives it a unique appearance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Landmarks Arequipa 
- Day 12
Arequipa City Tour
Explore Arequipa's colonial center including the Santa Catalina convent with its 20,000 square meter citadel-like complex. Visit the Museum of the Mummy 'Juanita', an Inca girl discovered on the Ampato volcano. Tour the Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, and Church of the Society of Jesus, then wander through Chilina and Yanahuara districts with their gardens and viewpoints.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Santa Catalina Convent
- Visit Museum of the Mummy 'Juanita'
- Visit Plaza de Armas (Arequipa)
- Visit Arequipa Cathedral
- Visit Church of the Society of Jesus
- Visit Chilina district
- Visit Yanahuara district
- Visit San Camillo market
Landmarks Santa Catalina Convent Museum of the Mummy Juanita Plaza de Armas (Arequipa) Arequipa Cathedral Church of the Society of Jesus Chilina District Yanahuara District San Camillo Market 
- Day 13
Arequipa to Colca Canyon
Head toward Colca Canyon, passing through the Pampa Cahuas reserve where Andean wildlife grazes on high desert steppe. After lunch in Chivay where the canyon begins, spend the afternoon relaxing in the local hot springs (a small supplement applies).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Pass through Pampa Cahuas reserve
- Visit Chivay
Optional Activities
- Afternoon relaxation in Chivay hot springs (small supplement)
Landmarks Pampa Cahuas Reserve Colca Canyon Chivay - Day 14
Colca Canyon
Depart early for the Cross of the Condor viewpoint to watch Andean condors at sunrise. Hike toward Salto del Cura (about 1 hour) for spectacular canyon views. After returning to Chivay, discover typical canyon villages and the Antahuilque watchtower. In the afternoon, visit the pre-Inca ruins of Uyo Uyo, ancient capital of Colca (moderate fitness required).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Cross of the Condor viewpoint
- Hike to Salto del Cura
- Visit typical canyon villages
- Visit Antahuilque watchtower
- Visit Uyo Uyo pre-Inca ruins
Optional Activities
- Free time in Yanque (for those not hiking to Uyo Uyo)
Landmarks Cross of the Condor Salto del Cura Antahuilque Watchtower Uyo Uyo Yanque - Day 15
Colca Canyon to Puno
Journey toward Puno with a stop at Sillustani, an Inca and pre-Inca cemetery on Umayo Lagoon. See the distinctive stone tower tombs called chullpas where the Kollas buried their sovereigns. Then continue to Puno, a city of 80,000 on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Sillustani archaeological site
Landmarks Sillustani Archaeological Site Umayo Lagoon Lake Titicaca Puno - Day 16
Lake Titicaca
Take a full-day boat excursion on the world's highest navigable lake at 3,850 meters/12,630 feet. Visit the floating Uros Islands where Aymara inhabitants build homes and boats from totora reeds. Continue sailing to Taquile Island where residents preserve ancient Inca customs and you'll enjoy views from the 3,950-meter/12,960-foot village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Uros floating islands
- Visit Taquile Island
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Uros Islands Taquile Island 
- Day 17
Puno to Cusco
Travel by road to Cusco with multiple stops along the way. Cross the La Raya pass at 4,338 meters/14,230 feet where Amazon sources begin. Stop in Raqchi for lunch and visit the Temple of Viracocha. Continue through Altiplano landscapes to Andahuaylillas to see the church known as the 'Sistine Chapel' of the Andes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Typical lunch in Raqchi)
Included Activities
- Cross La Raya pass
- Visit Raqchi Temple of Viracocha
- Visit Andahuaylillas church
Landmarks La Raya Pass Raqchi Temple of Viracocha Andahuaylillas Church 
- Day 18
Cusco
Explore Cusco, the UNESCO World Heritage capital of the Inca Empire, visiting four major Inca archaeological sites including the fortresses of Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara, plus the Qenqo amphitheater and Tambomachay water temple. Return to the city to discover the historic center with the Plaza de Armas, Church of the Society of Jesus, Hatun Rumiyoc street, and San Blas district. Note: Special June ceremony available for Inti Raymi festival.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sacsayhuaman fortress
- Visit Puca Pucara fortress
- Visit Qenqo amphitheater
- Visit Tambomachay water temple
- Visit Cusco historic center
- Visit Plaza de Armas (Cusco)
- Visit Church of the Society of Jesus
- Visit Hatun Rumiyoc street
- Visit San Blas district
Landmarks Sacsayhuaman Puca Pucara Qenqo Tambomachay Qoricancha (Santo Domingo) Plaza de Armas (Cusco) Church of the Society of Jesus (Cusco) Hatun Rumiyoc Street San Blas District - Day 19
Sacred Valley
Explore several sites in the Sacred Valley with a local guide. Start with Chinchero, a village with cobbled streets, Inca ruins, and a colonial church. Visit Moray, an Inca agricultural observatory with its restored experimental center featuring a unique amphitheater-shaped natural crater. Continue to the colorful salt mines of Maras, important during Inca and pre-Inca economies.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chinchero village
- Visit Moray agricultural observatory
- Visit Maras salt mines
Landmarks Chinchero Moray Maras Salt Mines - Day 20
Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes
Visit Patacancha in the Lares Valley where shepherds maintain pastoral traditions and weave llama and alpaca wool. Accompany the shepherds and enjoy a traditional Andean barbecue called pachamanca in the village. Continue to Ollantaytambo to see its impressive fortress with over 750 meters of structures built atop Inca remains as a stronghold during Manco Inca's resistance. Then take a 1 hour 40 minute train ride to Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Pachamanca (traditional Andean barbecue))
Included Activities
- Visit Patacancha village and accompany shepherds
- Pachamanca (traditional Andean barbecue) experience
- Visit Ollantaytambo fortress
- Train journey to Aguas Calientes
Landmarks Patacancha Ollantaytambo Aguas Calientes - Day 21
Machu Picchu
Rise early and take a shuttle bus up to the citadel for a guided tour of the 'Lost City of the Incas'. Explore the dwellings, terraces, Temple of the Sun, main square, Inti Watana (solar calendar), sacred rock, Inca palace, and tombs. After the visit, descend to Aguas Calientes and return by train to Ollantaytambo (1 hour 40 minutes), then drive back to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Shuttle bus to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel
- Train journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Optional Activities
- Huayna Picchu mountain ascent (not included in base package, reserved in advance)
- Machupicchu mountain ascent (not included in base package, reserved in advance)
Landmarks Machu Picchu Temple of the Sun (Machu Picchu) Inti Watana Huayna Picchu Machupicchu Mountain - Day 22
Vinincunca (Rainbow Mountain)
Depart very early for Vinincunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain or Mountain of Seven Colors. The climb to the viewpoint takes approximately 2 hours. Along the way, observe llamas and alpacas with shepherds wearing traditional colorful costumes. Cross beautiful ravines toward the highest elevations surrounded by snow-capped mountains, then descend through the Red Valley for final views before returning to Cusco with a lunch stop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike to Vinincunca viewpoint
- Visit Red Valley
Landmarks Vinincunca (Rainbow Mountain) Red Valley - Day 23
Cusco to Lima Departure
Fly from Cusco to Lima in the morning, then transfer to your international flight for departure.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru (International Shipping)
- Meals
- Breakfast
