Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and get transported to your hotel. During the drive through the city, you'll catch your first views of this Pacific coastal metropolis and start getting a feel for the place.
- Day 2
Lima to Chiclayo
The morning is yours to explore Lima at your own pace. Later in the afternoon, you'll head to the airport and fly north to Chiclayo, settling into your accommodations there for the next part of the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Individual walk through Lima
- Day 3
Túcume - Lambayeque
This morning you'll check out the pyramid area of Túcume with its 26 adobe structures, including the massive Huaca Larga. The on-site museum covers the legend of Naylamp and shows archaeological finds from the area. After that, you'll drive to Lambayeque and visit the Tumbas Reales Museum to see Moche culture artifacts and objects from the tomb of the Sipán ruler.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Túcume pyramid complex
- Visit to local Túcume museum
- Visit to Tumbas Reales Museum in Lambayeque
Landmarks/POIs Túcume pyramid complex Huaca Larga Tumbas Reales Museum - Day 4
Lambayeque to Trujillo
You'll visit the El Brujo archaeological complex, an ancient site used for healing and shamanic rituals where the 'Lady of Cao' mummy was found in 2006. From there, you'll head to Trujillo to walk through the colonial center and see its historic buildings and narrow streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to El Brujo archaeological complex
Landmarks/POIs El Brujo archaeological complex - Day 5
Trujillo to Lima
Starting early, you'll see the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon with their pre-colonial architecture and ongoing restoration work on the murals. Later you'll explore Chan Chan, the massive mud-brick city from the Chimú Empire. By late morning or early afternoon, you'll reach the fishing village of Huanchaco to watch traditional reed raft fishing. In the evening, you'll fly back to Lima.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Temple of the Sun
- Visit to Temple of the Moon
- Visit to Chan Chan ruins
- Visit to Huanchaco fishing village
Landmarks/POIs Temple of the Sun Temple of the Moon Chan Chan Huanchaco - Day 6
Lima to Paracas
You have a guided tour of Lima's old town and the modern Miraflores neighborhood. You'll spend time at the Larco Herrera Museum, which holds over 50,000 pieces related to Peru's pre-Incan cultures. In the afternoon, you'll drive south on the Panamericana toward Paracas, a quiet coastal town where you can unwind for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Lima historic old town and Miraflores
- Visit to Larco Herrera Museum
Landmarks/POIs Larco Herrera Museum - Day 7
Ballestas Islands - Ica
Early start for a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands nature reserve to see sea lions, penguins, and various birds. You'll spot pelicans and the notable candlestick rock formation. You might chat with a local fisherman about his work. On the way to Ica, you'll stop at the Huacachina oasis and can choose to do a buggy tour through the sand dunes if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Ballestas Islands
- Visit to local fisherman
Optional Activities
- Buggy sand dune tour in Ica dunes near Huacachina
Landmarks/POIs Ballestas Islands Huacachina - Day 8
Nazca
You'll visit the Maria Reiche Museum to learn how the Nazca Lines have been preserved over time. If you want, you can book a flight to see the Nazca Lines geoglyphs from the air, or you can visit the regional museum instead. The choice is yours depending on your interests and budget.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Maria Reiche Museum
Optional Activities
- Sightseeing flight over Nazca Lines (must be booked in advance, not available on site)
- Visit to regional museum
Landmarks/POIs Maria Reiche Museum Nazca Lines - Day 9
Nazca to Arequipa
Today is mostly travel along the famous Panamericana highway that runs from North America through South America. You'll drive through changing landscapes and terrain as you make your way toward Arequipa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 10
Arequipa to Puno
You'll explore Arequipa's distinctive white volcanic rock architecture and learn about why locals call it the 'White City'. The Santa Catalina monastery complex is well-preserved and worth seeing. After that, you'll continue through beautiful Andean terrain and traditional villages on your way to Puno.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Arequipa
- Visit to Santa Catalina monastery
Landmarks/POIs Santa Catalina Monastery - Day 11
Lake Titicaca - Uros Islands
You'll head to Llachon village on the Capachica peninsula in Lake Titicaca to experience how the indigenous Quechua people live and farm in this region. Then you'll visit the famous Uros floating islands, which are actually constructed from reeds and float on the lake. These islands were built centuries ago by the Uros people for protection.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Llachon Andean community
- Visit to Uros floating islands
Landmarks/POIs Llachon Lake Titicaca Uros Islands - Day 12
Sillustani - Cuzco
You'll see the Sillustani ruins with their distinctive tomb towers built by the Aymara people. After that, you'll travel by bus through the Altiplano high plateau toward Cuzco, and if the weather cooperates, you'll have views of snow-capped Andes peaks. You'll make stops at the Raqchi ruins and the church in Andahuaylilles, which was built directly on top of an old Inca temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Sillustani ruins
- Visit to Raqchi ruins
- Visit to Andahuaylilles church
Landmarks/POIs Sillustani Raqchi Andahuaylilles Church - Day 13
Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
You'll visit the fortress of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley first. Then you'll take the train through the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu, the legendary Inca city that stayed hidden until its rediscovery. You'll have time to explore the ancient houses and streets there. Later in the afternoon, you'll head back down the mountain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Ollantaytambo fortress
- Train journey to Machu Picchu
- Visit to Machu Picchu
Landmarks/POIs Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu - Day 14
Huilloc - Chinchero - Cuzco
You'll travel to Huilloc, a small mountain village that keeps its traditional mountain culture alive. You'll share lunch with the community and get to know them. After that, you'll visit the Chinchero market to browse textiles, jewelry, and local produce. You'll learn about how wool is processed traditionally into Peruvian garments, then stop for a pisco tasting to learn about Peru's national drink before heading back to Cuzco.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Huilloc community with lunch
- Visit to Chinchero market
- Pisco tasting
Landmarks/POIs Huilloc Chinchero Market - Day 15
Cuzco
You can wander through Cuzco's narrow alleyways at a relaxed pace. You'll visit the cathedral and see paintings from the Cuzco school. There's a famous dodecagonal stone in the city that many people search for. You'll climb up to the Sacsayhuamán fortress with its enormous stone walls for views over the ancient Inca capital. You might grab coffee at Plaza de Armas, or if you prefer, you can head to Maras and Moray to see salt mines and a circular amphitheater instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Cuzco Cathedral
- Visit to Sacsayhuamán fortress
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Maras salt mines and Moray circular terraces
Landmarks/POIs Cuzco Cathedral Sacsayhuamán Plaza de Armas Maras Moray - Day 16
Cuzco
Your schedule is open for whatever you want to do. Check out the markets or the artists' quarter near San Blas to shop for alpaca wool items and local crafts. Alternatively, you can take a full-day Rainbow Mountains excursion, which means leaving early with breakfast included, then hiking up to about 4,980m/16,340ft to see the colorful mountain formations before returning by late afternoon. Either way, you'll have a farewell dinner in the evening to mark the end of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Optional Activities
- Full-day excursion to Rainbow Mountains (early start with breakfast, approximately one-hour hike to Palcoyo at 4,980m altitude, return by late afternoon)
Landmarks/POIs San Blas Rainbow Mountains - Day 17
Cuzco to Lima
You'll leave Cuzco and fly to Lima to catch your return flight home, wrapping up your time in Peru.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 18
Departure
You'll land at your home airport and begin the rest of your day.
