Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and head to a 2 pm welcome meeting to connect with your leader and other travelers. After that, you'll walk through the Miraflores area with your leader to get oriented, then have free time to explore on your own. This is a good opportunity to grab some ceviche, Peru's national dish, or try other local food that catches your eye. Your leader can point you toward the best restaurants in the neighborhood.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting at 2 pm
- Leader-led walking tour of Miraflores
Optional Activities
- Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (USD52)
- Bohemian Barranco tour (USD75)
- Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (USD39)
- Private Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience - Urban Adventure (USD85)
- Lima Water Show (USD40)
- Lima Pisco Making (USD35)
- Lima Eat Street (USD75)
- Private Larco Museum (USD50)
- Cathedral of Lima entrance fee (PEN12)
- Dinner at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Miraflores - Day 2
Lima to Paracas
Start the morning with a guided walking tour of Lima's historic center, stopping at Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, San Francisco Monastery and the central market. You'll then walk through Alameda de Chabuca Granda where local street food and entertainment fill the area. After lunch, travel by minivan to the port town of Paracas and have free time to relax or look around.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lima's historic center including San Francisco Monastery, the Catacombs and Central Market
- Visit to Alameda de Chabuca Granda
Landmarks/POIs Plaza Mayor Cathedral of Lima San Francisco Monastery Central Market Alameda de Chabuca Granda - Day 3
Islas Ballestas - Nazca
Begin with a two-hour guided boat tour to Islas Ballestas to see pelicans, boobies, flamingos, sea lions and penguins. Travel by private van to Huacachina oasis for lunch, then visit the Nazca Lines archaeological site and view the mysterious geoglyphs from a tower. The day ends meeting a local family for a traditional pachamanca dinner in their mud house, with a brief Pachamama ceremony and chicha beforehand.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Huacachina oasis), Dinner (Pachamanca dinner (potatoes, meat and herbs baked with hot stones) with Pachamama ceremony and chicha (corn beer))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Islas Ballestas
- Viewing tower access at Nazca Lines
- Pachamanca dinner with Pachamama ceremony
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (excluding 77 PEN Taxes at Nazca Airport) - USD100
Landmarks/POIs Islas Ballestas Huacachina Nazca Lines - Day 4
Nazca to Arequipa
Travel by private vehicle from Nazca to Arequipa, a striking 'White City' built from pale volcanic stone with El Misti Volcano rising nearby. When you arrive, take a leisurely stroll to stretch and explore the main plaza with its cafes and cathedral.
Optional Activities
- Stroll around the main plaza and cathedral area
Landmarks/POIs El Misti Volcano Arequipa Main Plaza - Day 5
Arequipa
Walk through Arequipa with a local guide visiting the main plaza, Santa Catalina Monastery and San Ignacio Chapel. You'll have a group lunch at a picanteria sampling rocoto relleno and queso helado. The afternoon is yours to explore further, checking out the cathedral, cafes, or the Yanahuara neighborhood at your own pace.
- Meals
- Lunch (Group lunch at a picanteria with Arequipa specialties including rocoto relleno, solterito and queso helado)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of main plaza, Santa Catalina Monastery and San Ignacio Chapel
- Group lunch at a picanteria
Optional Activities
- Visit Juanita Museum (Ice Maiden Inca mummy) - PEN20
Landmarks/POIs Santa Catalina Monastery San Ignacio Chapel Cathedral of Arequipa Yanahuara neighbourhood - Day 6
Arequipa to Puno
Travel by minivan to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, taking in views of the high Andean Altiplano along the way. Stop to visit the pre-Inca ruins of Sillustani with its circular chullpa towers that once served as burial sites for noblemen. You'll arrive in Puno, the Folklore Capital of Peru where Aymara and Quechuan cultures remain strongly present.
Included Activities
- Visit to Sillustani archaeological site
Landmarks/POIs Sillustani Lake Umaya - Day 7
Lake Titicaca
Take a motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca at 3,820 m, learning about its spiritual importance to the Quechua people. Visit Uros Titinos, floating islands made entirely from totora reeds, then head to Taquile Island for a one-hour walk uphill to the main village. Experience local textile culture, enjoy an optional lunch with quinoa soup and muna tea, then return to Puno by boat.
Included Activities
- Lake Titicaca motorboat tour
- Visit to Uros Titinos floating islands
- Visit to Taquile Island with guided walk
Optional Activities
- Set lunch of quinoa soup and muna tea (Andean mint tea)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Titicaca Uros Titinos Taquile Island - Day 8
Puno to Cusco
Travel by public tourist bus across the scenic Altiplano to Cusco, the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city. When you arrive, join a guided walking tour through lesser-known sights including the Qoricancha temple facade, San Pedro market, the main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square. Try local specialties like adobo cusqueño or alpaca steak for dinner.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walking tour visiting Qoricancha temple facade, San Pedro market, main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square
Landmarks/POIs Qoricancha San Pedro Market Plaza Mayor 12 Angled Stone Regocijo Square San Blas Square - Day 9
Cusco
You have a free day in Cusco to explore independently using your included boleto turistico pass. Check out museums and archaeological sites like the Contemporary Art Museum, Regional History Museum, Qosqo Native Art Museum, and Inca ruins at Q'enqo, Pica Pakara, and Pisac. Or visit Qoricancha, which sits beneath a Dominican church built over the former Inca empire's richest temple.
Included Activities
- Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included)
Optional Activities
- Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
- Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD100
- Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
- Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
- Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
- Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
Landmarks/POIs Contemporary Art Museum Regional History Museum Qosqo Native Art Museum Q'enqo Pica Pakara Pisac - Day 10
Cusco to Ollantaytambo
Travel through the Sacred Valley by bus, stopping for a guided tour of Sacsayhuaman, an imposing Inca fortress showing the civilization's military strength. Visit AMA Restaurant in Urubamba that supports single mothers, then head to Huilloq community for a Pachamama offering ceremony and textile techniques demonstration. Have a guinea pig lunch (vegetarian option available) before arriving in Ollantaytambo for a guided archaeological tour and free time.
- Meals
- Lunch (Guinea pig lunch at Huilloq community (vegetarian option available upon request))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sacsayhuaman
- Visit to AMA Restaurant with coffee and cake
- Community visit to Huilloq
- Guinea pig lunch (vegetarian option available)
- Guided tour of Ollantaytambo archaeological site
Landmarks/POIs Sacsayhuaman Urubamba Huilloq community Ollantaytambo - Day 11
Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
Take a scenic train ride through the winding Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes in the cloud forest below Machu Picchu. Your leader can suggest great walks around town. Or if you prefer, trek the One Day Inca Trail (11 km/7 miles) with a local guide, a challenging mix of up and downhill passing Chachabamba and Winay Wayna (2,680 m), ending at Intipunku with views over Machu Picchu.
Included Activities
- Train journey to Aguas Calientes
Optional Activities
- 1 Day Inca Trail (Must pre-book at least 30 days before departure) - USD465
Landmarks/POIs Urubamba Valley Chachabamba Winay Wayna Intipunku (Sun Gate) - Day 12
Aguas Calientes to Cusco
Head up the winding road to Machu Picchu on an early 5:30 am bus. A guided tour walks you through temples, palaces and living quarters of this circa 1440 AD Inca retreat built for nobility. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then board a scenic train to Ollantaytambo and drive back to Cusco for the night.
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Machu Picchu
- Entrance and guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Train journey from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu - Day 13
Cusco
You have another free day in Cusco to explore further. Use your boleto turistico to visit any sites you missed earlier, relax at a cafe on Plaza de Armas for people-watching, or try active adventures like mountain biking in the surrounding hills. Your leader can suggest optional activities to help you make the most of the day.
Optional Activities
- Mountain biking in hills surrounding Cusco
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de Armas - Day 14
Cusco to Lima
Take a short flight from Cusco to Lima, traveling unescorted on this leg. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and meet a new local leader who can help with optional activities or final arrangements. The rest of the day is free to revisit sites you missed at the trip's beginning or shop for last-minute souvenirs. Consider gathering the group for a final night out on the town.
Included Activities
- Transfer from airport to hotel
- Day 15
Lima to Buenos Aires
Depart Lima and fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina's cosmopolitan capital known for Latin passion, European elegance and distinctive style. Meet your new leader at a 6 pm welcome meeting. Argentinians dine late, so you'll have plenty of time to explore top restaurant recommendations and sample Argentina's renowned steak.
- Day 16
Buenos Aires
Explore Buenos Aires on a half-day tour with an expert local guide starting in Plaza de Mayo. You'll discover the city's famous neighborhoods including San Telmo, one of the oldest areas, and La Boca where Caminito Street gives the area its distinctive character. After lunch, head toward Retiro and Recoleta to learn how families built a small-scale Paris and visit ornate mausoleums at one of the world's most famous cemeteries. The evening is free.
Included Activities
- Buenos Aires city tour including Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, La Boca, Caminito Street, Retiro and Recoleta Cemetery
Optional Activities
- Football game (prices from) - USD120
- Tango show ticket prices from - USD120
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de Mayo San Telmo La Boca Caminito Street Retiro Recoleta Cemetery - Day 17
Buenos Aires to Foz do Iguazu
Fly to Puerto Iguazu in northeast Argentina to see Iguazu Falls, which straddle the Argentina-Brazil border and are higher than Niagara and wider than Victoria Falls. Cross into Brazil to see panoramic views of multiple thundering waterfalls. You can optionally take a helicopter flight over the falls for enhanced views. Spend the night in Foz do Iguazu on the Brazilian side to prepare for exploring the Argentinian side tomorrow.
Included Activities
- Tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
Optional Activities
- Helicopter ride over the falls (min 3 people) - BRL630
- Bird Park Entrance - BRL80
Landmarks/POIs Iguazu Falls - Day 18
Iguazu Falls
Visit the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls and get up close to the waterfalls via a series of boardwalks. Learn the Guarani legend of how serpent god M'Boy split the river in two. For an exhilarating experience, take an optional Zodiac boat ride to the base of the falls. In the afternoon, visit a Guarani community to meet some of the region's remaining indigenous people and learn about their way of life and how they've preserved traditions. Return to your hotel on the Brazilian side.
Included Activities
- Tour of the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls
- Visit to Guarani community
Optional Activities
- Zodiac boat ride to the base of the falls - USD90
Landmarks/POIs Iguazu Falls - Argentinian side Guarani community - Day 19
Foz do Iguazu to Rio de Janeiro
Take an early morning flight from Foz do Iguazu to Rio de Janeiro. The day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Relax and people-watch at the beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema. If timing works out, catch a football match or Carnival rehearsal. As evening comes, consider taking the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain to watch the sunset before heading to samba clubs in bohemian Lapa.
Optional Activities
- Carnival rehearsal (June to Carnival only) - BRL120
- Football game tickets - BRL400
- Samba show - BRL200
- Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car (entrance) - BRL160
Landmarks/POIs Copacabana Beach Ipanema Beach Sugarloaf Mountain Lapa - Day 20
Rio de Janeiro
Start early on a guided tour at Corcovado Mountain for sweeping views of Rio from beneath the Christ the Redeemer statue before crowds arrive. Discover the eclectic architecture, restaurants and art galleries of Santa Teresa neighborhood, then visit Selaron Steps, artist Jorge Selaron's staircase featuring 215 steps decorated with thousands of tiles from over 60 countries. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Later, rejoin the group for a farewell dinner at a fun local restaurant specializing in smoky grilled seafood and meat with fresh zesty salads.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner at a local restaurant specializing in smoky grilled seafood and meat with fresh zesty salads)
Included Activities
- Rio de Janeiro city tour including Corcovado Mountain with Christ the Redeemer views, Santa Teresa neighborhood and Selaron Steps
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks/POIs Corcovado Mountain Christ the Redeemer Santa Teresa Selaron Steps - Day 21
Rio de Janeiro
No activities are planned today. Depart at any time that works for you. If you'd like to stay longer and soak up more sun in Rio, additional accommodation can be arranged subject to availability.
