Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and have time before the 6 pm group meeting. Head to Miraflores beforehand to grab a Pisco sour or walk through Parque del Amor for some beach views. Then meet your group leader and fellow travelers for dinner to get to know everyone.
Optional Activities
- Grab a Pisco sour in Miraflores
- Stroll to Parque del Amor (Love Park)
- Dinner with group
Landmarks Parque del Amor - Day 2
Lima
This morning you'll do a half-day walking tour through Lima's historic center, checking out Plaza Mayor, old mansions, palaces, and churches like the Cathedral of Lima and San Francisco Monastery. The rest of your day is free to wander the central market and try fresh fruit and street food at your own pace.
Included Activities
- Half-day walking tour of Lima's historic centre
- Visit Plaza Mayor
- Visit Cathedral of Lima
- Visit San Francisco Monastery with catacombs
Optional Activities
- Explore Lima's central market for fresh fruit and street food
Landmarks Plaza Mayor Cathedral of Lima San Francisco Monastery - Day 3
Lima to Paracas
An early 6 am start takes you to Lima's bus station for a local bus heading to Paracas. Bring water and snacks since there won't be planned stops. Once you arrive, there's an optional guided tour of Paracas National Reserve (around 2.5 hours). Later you'll have dinner near the beach and try local tejas, those nut and fruit truffles.
Optional Activities
- Visit Paracas National Reserve with local guide (approximately 2.5 hours)
Landmarks Paracas National Reserve Islas Ballestas - Day 4
Paracas to Nazca
You have the option to take a speedboat to Islas Ballestas in the morning to see penguins, sea lions, and flamingos. After that, you'll head by bus to Nazca in the early afternoon. There's an optional 30-minute scenic flight to see the famous Nazca Lines from above, but keep in mind the planes bank sharply so you can view from both sides.
Optional Activities
- Islas Ballestas day trip by speedboat to see wildlife (penguins, sea lions, flamingos)
- Optional scenic flight over Nazca Lines (30 minutes)
Landmarks Nazca Lines - Day 5
Nazca to Arequipa
Begin with a relaxed morning in Nazca, then board a local bus heading to Arequipa. This is a long haul with no scheduled stops, so pack extra water, snacks, and something to pass the time. You'll arrive in Arequipa by evening and check into your hotel. After settling in, you can either wander around town on your own or grab dinner with the group if you're not too tired from the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Local bus transfer from Nazca to Arequipa
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Arequipa town
- Dinner with the group
Landmarks El Misti 
- Day 6
Arequipa
Your leader will take you on an orientation walk around the main square and through Mercado San Camilo. You'll see why Arequipa's called the White City with its pale volcanic rock buildings. The rest of your day is free to visit the 16th-century Monasterio de Santa Catalina, the Juanita Museum to see the Ice Maiden mummy, or just relax at cafes near the main plaza.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk
- Visit main square
- Visit Mercado San Camilo
Optional Activities
- Visit Monasterio de Santa Catalina
- Visit Juanita Museum to see the 'Ice Maiden' mummy
- Relax in cafes and restaurants near main plaza
Landmarks Monasterio de Santa Catalina Juanita Museum - Day 7
Arequipa to Chivay
Around 8 am you'll travel by private vehicle to Chivay, stopping to see llamas, alpacas, and vicunas along the way. Try coca tea at roadside stalls and pass through Patapampa at 4,800 m, the adventure's highest point. You'll descend to Chivay for a free evening to soak in local hot springs, try alpaca steak for dinner, or catch live Andean music at a peña.
Optional Activities
- Soak in local hot springs
- Dine on alpaca steak
- Listen to live Andean music at a peña (music hall)
Landmarks Patapampa - Day 8
Colca Canyon
Wake early for a short drive to Colca Canyon to watch Andean condors in the morning. You'll do a short 45-minute hike around the area depending on weather. After that, you'll travel back to Arequipa in the afternoon and have a free evening to spend with your fellow travelers.
Included Activities
- Visit Colca Canyon
- Watch Andean condor morning routine
- Short hike around Colca Canyon area (approximately 45 minutes)
Landmarks Colca Canyon - Day 9
Arequipa
You have a free day to explore more of Arequipa. Check out Casa Museo Villalobos if you want to see art collections, or take a cooking class that's offered regularly around the city. In the afternoon you'll head to the bus station to board an overnight bus to Cusco.
Optional Activities
- Visit Casa Museo Villalobos for art collection
- Take a cooking class
Landmarks Casa Museo Villalobos - Day 10
Cusco
You'll arrive in Cusco early in the morning on the overnight bus. After dropping your bags at the hotel, you'll have breakfast in town. Your leader will give you a choice: jump into an orientation walk right away or rest at the hotel first before an afternoon stroll. The walking tour covers the Qoricancha temple, San Pedro market, the main square, the 12 Angled Stone, and San Blas Square. Later there's an evening briefing about trekking and Machu Picchu.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in town)
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Cusco
- Visit Qoricancha temple facade
- Visit San Pedro market
- Visit main square
- Visit 12 Angled Stone
- Visit Regocijo Square
- Visit San Blas Square
- Trekking and Machu Picchu briefing at Casa Intrepid
Optional Activities
- Rest at hotel instead of immediate orientation walk
Landmarks Qoricancha San Pedro Market 12 Angled Stone San Blas Square - Day 11
Cusco / Inca Trail / Quarry Trail (Route dependent)
This day changes based on your chosen route. On the Inca Trail, you'll travel by minivan to the 82km marker, meet your porters, cook and guide, then trek uphill to a 3100m campsite while seeing Inca sites and views of Veronica Peak. Taking the Quarry Trail means an early start to Choquequilla, trekking to Socma and Perolniyoc Cascade, reaching a 3700m campsite and exploring Q'orimarca. If you chose the Cusco route, you have a free day and can consider purchasing a boleto turistico for museums and archaeological sites.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Nourishing meal prepared by cook at campsite)
Included Activities
- Route 1 - Inca Trail: Minivan transfer to 82km marker, meet local porters/cook/guide, uphill trek to campsite at 3100m with views of Inca sites Ollantaytambo, Huillca Raccay, Llactapata and Veronica Peak
- Route 2 - Quarry Trail: Visit Choquequilla, trek to Socma community, visit Perolniyoc Cascade lookout, reach campsite at 3700m, explore Q'orimarca archaeological site
- Route 3 - Cusco: Free day in Cusco
Optional Activities
- Route 3 - Purchase boleto turistico for entry to museums and archaeological sites
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Veronica Peak Choquequilla Q'orimarca 
- Day 12
Inca Trail / Quarry Trail / Cusco (Route dependent)
On the Inca Trail this is the toughest day, a steep 5 hour climb to Dead Woman's Pass at 4200m where you'll get valley views, then descend to Pacaymayo Valley campsite at 3650m. The Quarry Trail's most challenging day involves a 3 hour climb to Puccaqasa pass at 4370m with beautiful valley views, lunch, then a 2 hour hike to Kuychicassa at 4450m (the highest pass) and on to the sacred Intipunku sun gate. Staying in Cusco, you have the day free to explore cafes, restaurants, markets, or ChocoMuseo for tastings and chocolate making workshops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Route 1 - Inca Trail: Trek to Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwanusca) at 4200m with valley views, descend to Pacaymayo Valley campsite
- Route 2 - Quarry Trail: Trek to Puccaqasa pass (4370m), lunch at valley, hike to Kuychicassa (4450m), reach Intipunku sun gate with Nevado Veronica mountain views, reach campsite at 3600m
- Route 3 - Cusco: Free day to explore
Optional Activities
- Route 3 - Visit ChocoMuseo for chocolate tastings and chocolate-making workshops
- Route 3 - Explore Cusco's cafes, restaurants and markets
Landmarks Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwanusca) Puccaqasa Pass Kuychicassa Pass Intipunku Nevado Veronica ChocoMuseo - Day 13
Inca Trail / Quarry Trail / Aguas Calientes (Route dependent)
On the Inca Trail you'll climb through Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass at 3980m for views of Cordillera Vilcabamba, descend 2 to 3 hours to Sayacmarca ruins, cross a third pass to Phuyupatamarca at 3850m called 'Town Above Clouds', then take a 2 hour descent down Inca steps to Winay Wayna campsite. Quarry Trail trekkers have an all downhill day visiting the incomplete Kachiqata quarry before ending your trek at midday, then exploring Ollantaytambo's cobbled streets and training to Aguas Calientes. If you're on the Cusco route you'll drive to Ollantaytambo in 1.5 hours, then train through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes in 1.5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Route 1 - Inca Trail: Trek through Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass (3980m), descend to Sayacmarca ruins, cross to Phuyupatamarca (3850m), 2-hour descent on Inca steps to Winay Wayna campsite
- Route 2 - Quarry Trail to Aguas Calientes: Downhill trek to Kachiqata quarry, explore Ollantaytambo, train to Aguas Calientes
- Route 2 & 3 - Hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Route 3 - Train to Aguas Calientes: Drive to Ollantaytambo, train through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes
Landmarks Runkuracay Pass Sayacmarca Phuyupatamarca Winay Wayna Kachiqata Quarry Ollantaytambo Urubamba Valley - Day 14
Machu Picchu
Inca Trail hikers start before dawn with a 4 am breakfast, trek from 4:30 am after porters descend, reach the final checkpoint at 5 am, then hike 2.5 hours to Intipunku sun gate for your first views of Machu Picchu. Other routes take an early 5:30 am bus to Machu Picchu for a guided ruins tour of the site built around 1440 ad as a country retreat for Incan nobility. All routes meet up in Aguas Calientes for lunch, then take the scenic train to Ollantaytambo for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Route 1 at 4 am), Lunch (Group reunion lunch in Aguas Calientes)
Included Activities
- Route 1 - Inca Trail: Final trek to Intipunku (Sun Gate) with entrance to Machu Picchu
- Routes 2 & 3 - Early bus to Machu Picchu
- Routes 2 & 3 - Guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins including temples, palaces and living quarters
- All routes - Reunion lunch in Aguas Calientes
- All routes - Scenic train to Ollantaytambo
- All routes - Entrance and guided visit to Machu Picchu
Landmarks Machu Picchu Intipunku - Day 15
Sacred Valley
You'll travel to the Sacred Valley to meet a traditional community and enjoy an included lunch prepared by your local hosts. This fertile valley, known to the Incas as Wilcamayo, has long fed the high Andes communities. If your visit aligns with market day, you can browse stalls for hand-painted beads and warm ponchos. You'll return to Cusco by bus in the afternoon with your evening free.
- Meals
- Lunch (Included lunch prepared and cooked by traditional community hosts)
Included Activities
- Community visit in Sacred Valley
- Included lunch with traditional community hosts
Optional Activities
- Browse market stalls for hand-painted beads and ponchos (if market day)
Landmarks Sacred Valley - Day 16
Cusco
You have a free day to explore Cusco however you like. Relax with coffee and people-watching at Plaza de Armas, or stay active with mountain biking in the surrounding hills. Ask your leader for suggestions on optional activities and local tips.
Optional Activities
- Grab coffee and people-watch at Plaza de Armas
- Mountain biking in hills surrounding Cusco
Landmarks Plaza de Armas - Day 17
Cusco to Puno
You'll travel by local bus through the Altiplano plateau to Puno, with one brief stop at Pucara for snacks and a toilet break. Puno is Peru's folklore capital, known for diverse cultures and traditional dances. Your visit might coincide with an evening parade featuring costumed dancers and musicians.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Pucara for snacks and photos
Landmarks Pucara 
- Day 18
Lake Titicaca - Floating Islands & Llachon Peninsula
You'll take a slow motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca, stopping to visit the Floating Islands of Uros built entirely from totora reeds. After that, you'll transfer to Llachon Peninsula to stay with a local family in their traditional mud-brick home. You'll help with daily activities and perhaps join local kids for soccer or volleyball.
Included Activities
- Lake Titicaca boat tour
- Visit Floating Islands of Uros
- Homestay with local family on Llachon Peninsula
Optional Activities
- Help host family with daily activities
- Play soccer or volleyball with local kids
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Floating Islands of Uros Llachon Peninsula - Day 19
Taquile Island
You'll board a boat to Taquile Island where you can buy locally knitted goods (interestingly, knitting is exclusively done by men here). You'll hike uphill for about an hour to the main area to explore local markets, then descend 500 steps back to the boat. Later you'll return to Puno for a free afternoon and evening to explore.
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Taquile Island
- One-hour uphill hike to main area of Taquile Island
- Explore local markets on Taquile Island
Optional Activities
- Purchase locally knitted goods on Taquile Island
Landmarks Taquile Island - Day 20
Puno to La Paz (Border Crossing into Bolivia)
At 7 am you'll take a local bus to Desaguadero to cross the border into Bolivia. You'll say goodbye to your Peruvian leader and meet your Bolivian counterpart. After leaving the bus for Peruvian migration, you'll walk across the bridge for Bolivian immigration, then reboard. There'll be another document check about 30 minutes after crossing. Border queues will affect timing. An optional group dinner is available in the evening.
Optional Activities
- Optional dinner with group in evening
Landmarks Desaguadero - Day 21
La Paz
You have a free day until the 6 pm welcome meeting with new group members. Explore La Paz's side streets or take the cable car to Mercado de Hechiceria to see potions, incantations, and voodoo dolls. Alternatively, visit Moon Valley with its maze of canyons and clay spires. At 6 pm there's a welcome meeting followed by an optional group dinner.
Optional Activities
- Explore side streets of La Paz
- Take cable car to Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches Market)
- Visit Moon Valley maze of canyons and clay spires
- Group dinner after welcome meeting
Landmarks Mercado de Hechiceria Moon Valley - Day 22
La Paz
You'll have another free day to explore La Paz at your own pace. Visit Museo de la Coca to learn about the coca plant's regional history. Try a food tour tasting fish from Lake Titicaca and various chocolate stops. Check with your leader for options. You'll depart late afternoon for an overnight bus to Sucre.
Optional Activities
- Visit Museo de la Coca
- Food tour sampling Lake Titicaca fish and chocolate stops
Landmarks Museo de la Coca - Day 23
Sucre
You'll arrive in Sucre and drop your luggage at the hotel. You have free time to explore Bolivia's World Heritage-listed capital, a mix of Indigenous cultures and Spanish influences with colonial architecture. Visit Museo de la Recoleta, a 400-year-old convent with sculptures, paintings, and city views, or head to Plaza 25 de Mayo to see the extravagant interior of Señora de la Merced.
Optional Activities
- Visit Museo de la Recoleta
- Visit Plaza 25 de Mayo and Señora de la Merced
Landmarks Museo de la Recoleta Plaza 25 de Mayo Señora de la Merced - Day 24
Sucre
You have a free day in Sucre to wander streets lined with centuries-old houses and medieval churches. If you're up for active exploration, hike the pre-Inca Chataquila trek, mostly downhill with views of the Andes. You can also visit Cal Orcko to see the world's largest collection of dinosaur footprints estimated at 68 million years old. Grab empanadas at restaurants or fresh juice at the Central Market.
Optional Activities
- Hike the Chataquila trek (pre-Inca path, mostly downhill)
- Visit Cal Orcko dinosaur footprints site
- Eat empanadas at local restaurants
- Fresh juice at Central Market
Landmarks Chataquila Trek Cal Orcko - Day 25
Sucre to Potosi
You'll travel by local bus to Potosi, the colonial mining town that was once the wealthiest city in the Americas. Located at the base of silver ore-rich Cerro Rico, it became wealthy but fell into poverty once silver reserves depleted. You'll visit Cerro Rico for a tour and check out Santa Teresa Convent Museum to see art and treasures inside the original convent walls.
Optional Activities
- Tour of Cerro Rico and brief history
- Visit Santa Teresa Convent Museum
Landmarks Cerro Rico Santa Teresa Convent Museum - Day 26
Potosi to Uyuni
You'll travel from Potosi to Uyuni, a remote town on the edge of the high Altiplano plateau that extends hundreds of kilometers toward Argentina and Chile. Uyuni sits above one of the world's largest lithium reserves. You'll arrive with free time to rest before tomorrow's Salt Flats excursion. The hotel is basic but clean with hot water, so take advantage before heading into the desert with limited amenities.
Optional Activities
- Explore Uyuni town on arrival
Landmarks Altiplano 
- Day 27
Salar de Uyuni - Salt Flats (Day 1 of 3-Day 4WD Excursion)
You're departing this morning on a three-day 4WD excursion. First stop is Cementerio de Trenes to see abandoned locomotives engulfed by desert. Then you'll continue to Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flats, a vast landscape of blinding white salt and cactus-studded islands left from a dried-up prehistoric lake. You'll explore Inca Wasi island covered in cacti and coral-like structures, pose for photos, and take in this desolate ecosystem home to flamingos.
Included Activities
- Visit Cementerio de Trenes (Train Cemetery)
- Visit Salar de Uyuni (world's largest salt flats)
- Explore Inca Wasi island
Landmarks Cementerio de Trenes Salar de Uyuni Inca Wasi - Day 28
Andean Desert - Laguna Colorada (Day 2 of 3-Day 4WD Excursion)
After breakfast you'll travel through Andean Desert wilderness, passing Chiguana Salt Lake, the active Ollague Volcano, and small lakes of various colors where you might spot pink flamingos. You'll continue to Siloli Desert with its seven-colored mountain and Arbol de Piedra rock formation. Then you'll visit Andean wildlife reserve and hike around Laguna Colorada watching for llamas, vicunas, and foxes. You'll stay at local community accommodation for rest and an included dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pass Chiguana Salt Lake
- View active Ollague Volcano
- Visit Siloli Desert with seven-colored mountain
- Visit Arbol de Piedra (Stone Tree) rock formation
- Visit Reserva de Eduardo Avaroa
- Hike around Laguna Colorada (Red Lake)
Landmarks Chiguana Salt Lake Ollague Volcano Siloli Desert Arbol de Piedra Reserva de Eduardo Avaroa Laguna Colorada - Day 29
Geysers and Laguna Verde
Rise early to catch sunrise over surrounding geysers, bubbling fumaroles especially active in the morning due to cold air. There's an optional morning dip in a hot spring. You'll drive through barren landscapes often compared to Salvador Dali paintings to the strikingly green Laguna Verde, Valle de Rocas and San Cristobal mining town. Return to Uyuni around 5 pm for the night at your leisure and an optional group dinner at a local restaurant after your desert days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing over geysers
- Drive to Laguna Verde
- Visit Valle de Rocas (Rock Valley)
- Visit San Cristobal mining town
Optional Activities
- Morning dip in hot spring
- Optional dinner and drinks at local restaurant with group
Landmarks Laguna Verde Valle de Rocas San Cristobal - Day 30
Uyuni to Tilcara (Argentina - Border Crossing)
This is a long travel day crossing the border into Argentina. You'll depart at 6 am from Uyuni heading to La Quiaca, arriving around 1:30 pm. You'll cross into Argentina on foot before taking a taxi to the bus station. After a brief lunch stop, you'll board the next bus to Tilcara, arriving around 6 pm. There are no planned activities on arrival, but an optional group dinner is available if you're not too tired from the journey.
- Meals
- Lunch (Brief lunch stop)
Optional Activities
- Dinner with group on arrival
Landmarks La Quiaca - Day 31
Tilcara
You have a free day to explore Tilcara, one of Argentina's oldest continuously inhabited places in the Quebrada de Humahuaca mountain valley. Indigenous culture dating over 10,000 years still flourishes here. Check out pre-Inca ruins at Pucara de Tilcara or venture to the colorful hills of Purmamarca. Visit the vibrant Mercado Municipal de Tilcara for authentic lunch and local street food. Ask your leader for suggestions.
Optional Activities
- Visit pre-Inca ruins at Pucara de Tilcara
- Visit colorful hills of Purmamarca
- Visit Mercado Municipal de Tilcara for local street food and lunch
Landmarks Pucara de Tilcara Purmamarca Mercado Municipal de Tilcara - Day 32
Tilcara to Buenos Aires
You'll have a relaxed morning in Tilcara before transferring to Jujuy for an evening flight to Buenos Aires. You'll arrive in Argentina's capital, a combination of fiery Latin passion, European architecture, and excellent cuisine. Over the next few days you'll explore at your own pace, sampling alfajores, wandering San Telmo's cobblestone streets, chatting about football with locals, browsing Museo Evita, walking among tombs at La Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron rests, visiting museums, checking out La Boca's colorful Caminito artists' street and the famous Boca Juniors stadium, or catching tango at Palermo's Plaza Serrano.
Optional Activities
- Sample alfajores
- Wander San Telmo's cobblestone streets
- Chat football with locals
- Visit Museo Evita
- Walk among tombs at La Recoleta Cemetery
- Explore Recoleta district museums
- Visit La Boca and Caminito artists' street
- See Boca Juniors stadium
- Catch tango at Palermo's Plaza Serrano
Landmarks San Telmo Museo Evita La Recoleta Cemetery La Boca Caminito Boca Juniors Stadium Plaza Serrano Recoleta - Day 33
Buenos Aires
You have a free day in Buenos Aires to continue exploring at your own pace.
- Day 34
Buenos Aires
You have a free day in Buenos Aires to continue exploring at your own pace.
- Day 35
Buenos Aires
Your trip ends after breakfast. There are no planned activities. If you'd like additional accommodation in Buenos Aires, you can make an optional request subject to availability.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extended stay in Buenos Aires (additional accommodation subject to availability)
