Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and get picked up from the airport, then head to your hotel to settle in and rest. If you're up for it, there's time to explore the city a bit, and you can grab traditional Peruvian food at a local restaurant for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Explore Lima city center
- Traditional Peruvian dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks Lima - Day 2
Lima to Ica
Start with a morning tour of Lima hitting Plaza de Armas and Mercado Central. After that, you'll take a bus heading south through desert landscapes for about 3 hours to reach Ica, where you'll stay overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lima city center including Plaza de Armas
- Visit to Mercado Central
Landmarks Plaza de Armas Mercado Central - Day 3
Ica
Early morning means hiking around the Huacachina oasis with massive sand dunes all around. Once you check into your hotel and have lunch, spend the afternoon relaxing with hammocks available. If you're interested, there's optional sandboarding at sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike around Huacachina oasis sand dunes (approximately 2 hours, around 100m elevation gain)
Optional Activities
- Sandboarding lesson in the evening
Landmarks Huacachina Oasis - Day 4
Ica to Arequipa
Short bus ride takes you to Paracas for a boat tour out to Islas Ballestas where you'll see sea lions, pelicans, and other wildlife. Back in Ica for evening exploration, then an overnight bus heads to Arequipa, roughly 15 hours with reclining seats.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat tour to Islas Ballestas (approximately 2 hours on boat)
Landmarks Islas Ballestas Paracas - Day 5
Arequipa
You'll roll into Arequipa after that long bus journey. Check into your hotel and rest up. There's an optional short city tour in the afternoon if you have energy, then explore the city in the evening and have dinner at a traditional restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Short city tour of Arequipa in afternoon
- Traditional Peruvian dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Arequipa - Day 6
Cerro Verde
Hike up to Cerro Verde near Tiabaya with desert views spreading out below you. You'll go over a ridge to reach a hilltop with a Madonna statue, explore sand-covered rock formations, and climb a peak just over 3000m/9843 ft. After that, explore the Tiabaya surroundings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Cerro Verde with approximately 400m elevation gain and 3 hours walking time
Landmarks Cerro Verde Tiabaya - Day 7
Arequipa to Chivay
Bus takes you to Chivay in the Colca Canyon region. Then you'll do a short hike that includes stone ruins, an ascent through green valleys where you might spot llamas and mountain streams, and a climb over a small ridge with views down into Colca Canyon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike with approximately 600m elevation gain and 4-5 hours walking time
- Visit to stone ruins
Landmarks Colca Canyon Chivay - Day 8
Chivay to Cabanaconde
Very early start to catch Andean condors at Mirador Cruz del Condor. You'll hike through green pastures and agricultural landscapes, then take a bus to Cabanaconde or walk if you prefer. There's an optional afternoon option to descend into the canyon from the rim.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Mirador Cruz del Condor and through Colca Valley agricultural areas (approximately 2-3 hours walking)
Optional Activities
- Walk from Mirador Cruz del Condor to Cabanaconde instead of bus (approximately 1.5 hours by bus)
- Afternoon descent into Colca Canyon from rim
Landmarks Mirador Cruz del Condor Cabanaconde - Day 9
Cabanaconde to Chivay
Early return to Chivay with two options for your day: climb the 4800m/15748 ft table-like peak above town (that's a 1300m elevation gain), or relax at the hot springs at Las Caleras. The mountain gives you fantastic views over Colca Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Climb table-like peak approximately 4800m above Chivay (1300m elevation gain, 6 hours walking)
- Relax in hot springs at Las Caleras
Landmarks Las Caleras - Day 10
Chivay to Puno
About 8 hours on a bus gets you to Puno, passing snow-capped volcanoes, green grasslands, and mountain lakes. You'll stop at a village market to taste local food. When you arrive, you get views of deep blue Lake Titicaca with snow peaks in the background, then explore the harbor area in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tasting of local food at village market during journey
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Puno 
- Day 11
Atoja
Take a local camioneta shuttle to the indigenous village Chucuito, then hike up to Atoja peak at 4450m/14600 ft. It's a moderate climb through Mediterranean vegetation with turquoise Lake Titicaca sprawling out below and Bolivian mountains beyond. You'll return to Puno by bus.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Atoja summit 4450m with approximately 700m elevation gain and 4-5 hours walking time
Landmarks Atoja Chucuito - Day 12
Puno
Boat tour takes you across Lake Titicaca to visit multiple Uros reed islands where you'll learn about Uro people and their culture. Afternoon shift to Sillustani archaeological site with tall burial towers in green pastureland. The tour includes a museum, visit to a traditional farmhouse with a family, cheese tasting, and shopping options.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat tour on Lake Titicaca to Uros reed islands
- Visit to Sillustani archaeological site with burial towers
- Archaeological museum visit
- Traditional farmhouse visit with Alpaca owners
- Cheese and produce tasting at farmhouse
Optional Activities
- Purchase local cheese made by farmhouse family
- Purchase maize and potatoes from farmhouse
Landmarks Uros Islands Sillustani - Day 13
Puno to Cusco
Scenic bus journey for 7 to 8 hours through green pastures, rugged mountains, deep blue lakes, and Andean villages gets you to Cusco. Check into your hotel, then explore Plaza de Armas and its impressive colonial architecture. Dinner happens at a nearby restaurant or café.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Plaza de Armas and surrounding colonial architecture
Landmarks Plaza de Armas Cusco - Day 14
Cusco to Aguas Calientes
Bus takes you to Ollanta to see impressive Inca ruins. You'll have time to climb around and do a short hike into the green valleys. By evening you'll head to the market square for dinner before catching a train to Aguas Calientes at 19:45.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Ollanta Inca ruins
- Optional climb of ruins hill
- Short hike in surrounding valleys (approximately 3 hours)
Landmarks Ollanta Aguas Calientes - Day 15
Machu Picchu
Early morning walk from your hotel straight to Machu Picchu ruins via the ancient Inca trail, getting there before the crowds arrive. You'll cross a hanging bridge over Rio Apurimac and go up steep stone Inca steps through jungle. Then climb Machu Picchu mountain using old Inca paths away from the main groups. Afternoon bus back to Aguas Calientes, then train to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk to and visit Machu Picchu ruins via ancient Inca trail from hotel (approximately 1-1.5 hours ascent)
- Climb of Machu Picchu mountain via old Inca paths (approximately 2 hours)
- Visit to Machu Picchu archaeological complex
Landmarks Machu Picchu Rio Apurimac 
- Day 16
Cusco
Full day to explore Cusco at your own pace since yesterday was early. You can rest up or do a self-guided architectural tour of this unique colonial city. There's also an option to take an overnight bus to Arequipa this evening if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Cusco architecture
- Take overnight bus to Arequipa this evening
Landmarks Cusco - Day 17
Cusco to Arequipa
Return to Arequipa by bus journey (about 10 hours) in a luxury coach with reclining seats. You'll pass through dramatic mountain landscapes with snow-capped volcanoes. Once you arrive, check into your hotel and explore restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Arequipa - Day 18
Arequipa to Misti Basecamp
Early jeep drive gets you to Aguada Blanca at 3350m/10990 ft. Hiking starts around 9:00am through dry scrub landscape up to 4085m/13400 ft, then over lava sand and scree to basecamp at 4650m/15250 ft. You'll set up camp on flat ground and spend the night as temperatures drop below freezing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Jeep drive to Aguada Blanca at 3350m
- Guided hike with approximately 1200m elevation gain from 3600m to 4800m (4-5 hours with full pack)
Landmarks Volcán Misti Aguada Blanca - Day 19
Misti Summit Climb
Summit attempt starts before dawn. Climb about 1100m/3609 ft over 4 to 7 hours to reach the 5821m/19098 ft summit using old railroad rails on ridge route with sometimes snowy sections. Descent takes about 4 hours covering 2200m/7218 ft through volcanic sand. Break camp and return to Arequipa by vehicle for afternoon or evening rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Pre-dawn guided summit push to 5821m Misti summit (approximately 1100m ascent, 7-9 hours total including descent and 2200m descent)
Landmarks Volcán Misti - Day 20
Arequipa
Full day exploring Arequipa if you didn't summit Misti. Check out Cayma village perched like a balcony over the city with colonial architecture and churches. Explore downtown museums including Museo Santuarios Andes with the Juanita mummy. See Santa Catalina monastery complex, historic streets, and Mercado San Camillo. Grab lunch in Cayma.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Santa Catalina monastery complex
Optional Activities
- Visit Cayma village on Arequipa balcony
- Visit Plaza San Miguel with colonial church
- Lunch in Cayma
- Visit Museo Santuarios Andes and see Juanita mummy
- Explore historic downtown streets
- Visit Mercado San Camillo market
Landmarks Cayma Santa Catalina Monastery Museo Santuarios Andes Mercado San Camillo - Day 21
Arequipa to Chachani Basecamp
Jeep drive takes you to Chachani basecamp at 4900m/16076 ft on a small high plateau. You can camp immediately or walk about an hour to the main camp on flatter terrain. Tents go up and the day requires minimal exertion, letting you start later and possibly combine this with your Misti climb.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Jeep drive to 4900m high plateau
- Optional short walk of approximately 1 hour to main basecamp
Landmarks Volcán Chachani - Day 22
Chachani Summit Climb
Steep ascent over loose scree on unclear tracks, then another section with slippery volcanic sand and ice-free slopes. Climbing tracks lead to a panoramic summit point. Off-road vehicle brings you back to Arequipa for a good night's sleep.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided summit climb with approximately 1200m ascent over steep scree and volcanic sand slopes (6-8 hours walking), descent 4 hours
Landmarks Volcán Chachani - Day 23
Arequipa to Lima
Domestic flight to Lima takes less than an hour. This gives you recovery time from the mountain climbs. You'll see diverse Peruvian landscapes from the air - sand dunes, Andean passes, and coastal views. Afternoon in Lima has souvenir shopping opportunities. Optional visit to the upscale Miraflores district showing Peru's modern side, or self-guided city exploration.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Souvenir and gift shopping in Lima
- Explore Miraflores district
- Short city tour
Landmarks Miraflores - Day 24
Lima to Home
Final departure day with your tour guide accompanying you to the airport. You'll say farewell after extraordinary tour experiences and head home, possibly with a stopover in Madrid. Your flight path takes you over Peru one more time, showing the Andes and Amazon region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
