Experience the best of Peru on this 14-day journey that covers the country's most iconic destinations. Explore the colonial white city of Arequipa, visit the desert of Paracas, discover the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon, witness the stunning Lake Titicaca, and uncover the mystery of Machu Picchu. In addition, you can choose from optional tours in the Sacred Valley to make the most of your journey to this fascinating country.
Welcome to Lima, known as “the city of the kings”! Upon arrival, you will be privately transferred to your hotel (Early check-in is not included).
Your sightseeing tour will take you through the modern districts of Lima and its historic center, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. As you explore the main plaza and Plaza San Martin, you'll be struck by the diverse architecture of the buildings. Your guide will introduce you to the city's rich architectural heritage, including Santo Domingo Monastery, which boasts some of the finest carved choir stalls in Lima and is also the oldest in the city. Founded in 1551, San Marcos University, the first university in South America, was established here. Your next stop is at the Larco Herrera Museum, where you can gain an intuitive understanding of 3,000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history through its impressive collection. Considered worldwide icons of pre-Inca art, the museum's masterpieces have been displayed in the world's most renowned museums.
Afternoon at leisure
This morning you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Arequipa (flight not included). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Enjoy a half-day walking city tour of Arequipa. Because some of the old buildings are made of white volcanic material (sillar) Arequipa is also known as the ‘white city’. You will visit the extraordinary Santa Catalina Convent. This cloister, built in the 16th century, is a huge construction that once served as a town within itself housing 450 nuns. Traditionally, the oldest daughters of Arequipa’s aristocratic families entered the convent in their early teens and spent their lives there, cloistered away. The convent complex has been beautifully refurbished, bringing the past vividly alive once more.
In the early morning, you will leave Arequipa and head towards Colca valley. On your way, you will pass Pampa de Arrieros, Pampa Cañahuas (where we find the Vicuna National Reserve of Aguada Blanca), Vizcachani, and Tojra, a good place for spotting Andean birds. The majestic volcanoes Mismi (5,597 m/18,360 ft), Misti (5,825 m/19,110 ft), Chachani (6,075 m/19,930 ft), and the glaciers Ampato (6,288 m/20,630 ft), Sabancaya (5,976 m/19,606 ft) and Hualca Hualca (6,288 m/20,630 ft) provide picturesque panoramic views as you enter the Colca Valley.
After four hours on the road, you will arrive in Chivay, the most important town in the Colca Valley, where you will make a short stop to explore the local market. Afterward, you will continue the journey to your hotel.
In the early morning, you will drive to the observation point ‘Mirador Cruz del Condor’, located between Maca and Cabanaconde, one of the deepest parts of the canyon. Here, you find the perfect spot to look down 1,200 m (3,937 ft) into the canyon. It’s here that the legendary condor, the bird with the largest wingspan in the world, can be seen rising and circling on the morning thermals, silhouetted against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery. Afterward, you will make some stops in some of the picturesque towns en route to visit their colonial churches.
You then say goodbye to Colca to continue your trip across Altiplano landscapes to Puno. The average altitude en route reaches 4,500 m (14,700 ft). After a 6-hour ride, you reach the city on the shores of Lake Titicaca: Puno.
Unlike the classic tour, this full-day trip by speedboat offers a reduced time en route (e.g. 75 min from Puno to Taquile versus 2 hrs 30 min aboard the traditional boat). Our tour takes you against the flow to avoid the busy tourist crowds offering a more genuine way to experience Titicaca Lake. The first stop is on Taquile, the weavers' island. Across the centuries, ‘Taquilenos’ have preserved traditions, such as a communitarian life where everything is shared. Men always seem to be walking around the island knitting the woolen caps they wear. Around noon you reach the remote community of Luquina on the Chucuito Peninsula. Locals in this less-known area are not visited by mass tourism yet. After lunch including typical Andean dishes take time to soak up the mesmerizing views - the deep earthy red color of the soil in the strong highland sunlight contrasts magnificently against the deep blue of Lake Titicaca. The backdrop of the snowcapped Cordillera Real on the far side completes a splendid picture. On your back to Puno, there is a last stop to visit one of the floating reed islands of the Uros.
This morning you will be transferred to the bus station (or train station) in Puno.
A ten-hour bus trip takes you through picturesque Andean landscapes dotted by small villages and herds of llamas and vicunas. Your final destination is Cusco, however you make three important stops along your way: the first one is at La Raya Pass (4,335 m/ 14,172 ft) to enjoy a panoramic view of the snow-capped Andes. Lunch will be served in a typical restaurant en route. Then your tour continues to visit the Viracocha Temple. This was the only Inca temple featuring cylindrical stone columns covered by fine clay layers. The last stop is in Andahuaylillas known by its baroque church dating from the 17th century.
Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred from the bus station (or train station) to the hotel in Cusco.
This morning you walk will through the major sites of interest in Cusco. You visit the famous cathedral with its magnificently carved woodwork, ornate altar, and many hundreds of canvases from the 17th-century Cusco Painting School. You continue exploring the cultural wealth of Cusco at the Temple of the Sun where we witness the incredible masonry of the Incas, an engineering feat that remains an enigma. Afterward, you walk along Hatunrumiyoc Street named after the 12-angled stone clearly visible in the remaining walls of what used to be Inca Roca’s Palace. You make a last stop in San Blas artisan quarter. Its steeped cobblestone alleys not only offer spectacular views of the city but are lined with workshops and galleries, a great way to soak in Cusco's artistic atmosphere.
Today you will visit the salt mines of Maras, where an intense white shines like snow on a sunny day - an impressive sight for any visitor. Salt was extracted from these mines from Inca times on, and the same method has been used ever since. You then head to Moray. The circular terraces hidden among the hills are similar to a Greek amphitheater. Surrounded by an impressive backdrop of snow-covered mountains, Moray was used as an open-air agricultural lab for adapting crops to different environmental conditions.
Finally, you will visit the fortress of Ollantaytambo where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out.
After visiting the fortress, you will board the train from Ollantaytambo station. The train ride takes you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to Machu Picchu.
Dinner will be served at your hotel.
This morning, your guide will assist you onto the shuttle bus to the citadel’s entrance. During your guided tour, you will experience the uniqueness of the location and the genius that went into its construction. The duration of your magical trip to one of the world’s seven new wonders will be 2.5 hours, after which you will make your way back out of the citadel with your guide.
You will return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollanta (or Poroy) and will be transferred to Cusco (only with a Spanish-speaking driver).
Day at leisure. Explore the fascinating capital of the Incas on your own, or take part in one of our optional tours.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport in Cusco for your flight to Lima (flight not included).
Upon arrival at the airport, you will start your journey in a private vehicle to Paracas (with a Spanish-speaking driver only).
Optional Excursion:
Nasca Flight (please see additional cost below)
In the afternoon head down to Pisco airstrip and take a 1.5-hour flight over the Nasca Lines aboard a modern small airplane. During the flight, you can see and take pictures of the most famous figures: The Condor, the Hummingbird, and many more. Best viewed from the air, these huge geometric patterns and hundreds of perfectly straight lines were carved into the desert sand, by the Nasca people centuries ago.
Aboard a comfortable speedboat, you head out toward the ocean and the Ballestas Islands. Here you enjoy close-up observations of dozens of sea lions as they swim near the boat or sun themselves on shore and watch hundreds of various marine bird species including the Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian pelicans, and with some luck even one of the famous Humboldt penguins (there is no chance to disembark).
Afternoon at leisure.
Morning at leisure.
Journey in a private vehicle from Paracas to Lima, ending at the airport for your international flight (flight not included).
Welcome to Lima, known as “the city of the kings”! Upon arrival, you will be privately transferred to your hotel (Early check-in is not included).
Your sightseeing tour will take you through the modern districts of Lima and its historic center, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. As you explore the main plaza and Plaza San Martin, you'll be struck by the diverse architecture of the buildings. Your guide will introduce you to the city's rich architectural heritage, including Santo Domingo Monastery, which boasts some of the finest carved choir stalls in Lima and is also the oldest in the city. Founded in 1551, San Marcos University, the first university in South America, was established here. Your next stop is at the Larco Herrera Museum, where you can gain an intuitive understanding of 3,000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history through its impressive collection. Considered worldwide icons of pre-Inca art, the museum's masterpieces have been displayed in the world's most renowned museums.
Afternoon at leisure
This morning you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Arequipa (flight not included). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Enjoy a half-day walking city tour of Arequipa. Because some of the old buildings are made of white volcanic material (sillar) Arequipa is also known as the ‘white city’. You will visit the extraordinary Santa Catalina Convent. This cloister, built in the 16th century, is a huge construction that once served as a town within itself housing 450 nuns. Traditionally, the oldest daughters of Arequipa’s aristocratic families entered the convent in their early teens and spent their lives there, cloistered away. The convent complex has been beautifully refurbished, bringing the past vividly alive once more.
In the early morning, you will leave Arequipa and head towards Colca valley. On your way, you will pass Pampa de Arrieros, Pampa Cañahuas (where we find the Vicuna National Reserve of Aguada Blanca), Vizcachani, and Tojra, a good place for spotting Andean birds. The majestic volcanoes Mismi (5,597 m/18,360 ft), Misti (5,825 m/19,110 ft), Chachani (6,075 m/19,930 ft), and the glaciers Ampato (6,288 m/20,630 ft), Sabancaya (5,976 m/19,606 ft) and Hualca Hualca (6,288 m/20,630 ft) provide picturesque panoramic views as you enter the Colca Valley.
After four hours on the road, you will arrive in Chivay, the most important town in the Colca Valley, where you will make a short stop to explore the local market. Afterward, you will continue the journey to your hotel.
In the early morning, you will drive to the observation point ‘Mirador Cruz del Condor’, located between Maca and Cabanaconde, one of the deepest parts of the canyon. Here, you find the perfect spot to look down 1,200 m (3,937 ft) into the canyon. It’s here that the legendary condor, the bird with the largest wingspan in the world, can be seen rising and circling on the morning thermals, silhouetted against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery. Afterward, you will make some stops in some of the picturesque towns en route to visit their colonial churches.
You then say goodbye to Colca to continue your trip across Altiplano landscapes to Puno. The average altitude en route reaches 4,500 m (14,700 ft). After a 6-hour ride, you reach the city on the shores of Lake Titicaca: Puno.
Unlike the classic tour, this full-day trip by speedboat offers a reduced time en route (e.g. 75 min from Puno to Taquile versus 2 hrs 30 min aboard the traditional boat). Our tour takes you against the flow to avoid the busy tourist crowds offering a more genuine way to experience Titicaca Lake. The first stop is on Taquile, the weavers' island. Across the centuries, ‘Taquilenos’ have preserved traditions, such as a communitarian life where everything is shared. Men always seem to be walking around the island knitting the woolen caps they wear. Around noon you reach the remote community of Luquina on the Chucuito Peninsula. Locals in this less-known area are not visited by mass tourism yet. After lunch including typical Andean dishes take time to soak up the mesmerizing views - the deep earthy red color of the soil in the strong highland sunlight contrasts magnificently against the deep blue of Lake Titicaca. The backdrop of the snowcapped Cordillera Real on the far side completes a splendid picture. On your back to Puno, there is a last stop to visit one of the floating reed islands of the Uros.
This morning you will be transferred to the bus station (or train station) in Puno.
A ten-hour bus trip takes you through picturesque Andean landscapes dotted by small villages and herds of llamas and vicunas. Your final destination is Cusco, however you make three important stops along your way: the first one is at La Raya Pass (4,335 m/ 14,172 ft) to enjoy a panoramic view of the snow-capped Andes. Lunch will be served in a typical restaurant en route. Then your tour continues to visit the Viracocha Temple. This was the only Inca temple featuring cylindrical stone columns covered by fine clay layers. The last stop is in Andahuaylillas known by its baroque church dating from the 17th century.
Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred from the bus station (or train station) to the hotel in Cusco.
This morning you walk will through the major sites of interest in Cusco. You visit the famous cathedral with its magnificently carved woodwork, ornate altar, and many hundreds of canvases from the 17th-century Cusco Painting School. You continue exploring the cultural wealth of Cusco at the Temple of the Sun where we witness the incredible masonry of the Incas, an engineering feat that remains an enigma. Afterward, you walk along Hatunrumiyoc Street named after the 12-angled stone clearly visible in the remaining walls of what used to be Inca Roca’s Palace. You make a last stop in San Blas artisan quarter. Its steeped cobblestone alleys not only offer spectacular views of the city but are lined with workshops and galleries, a great way to soak in Cusco's artistic atmosphere.
Today you will visit the salt mines of Maras, where an intense white shines like snow on a sunny day - an impressive sight for any visitor. Salt was extracted from these mines from Inca times on, and the same method has been used ever since. You then head to Moray. The circular terraces hidden among the hills are similar to a Greek amphitheater. Surrounded by an impressive backdrop of snow-covered mountains, Moray was used as an open-air agricultural lab for adapting crops to different environmental conditions.
Finally, you will visit the fortress of Ollantaytambo where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out.
After visiting the fortress, you will board the train from Ollantaytambo station. The train ride takes you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to Machu Picchu.
Dinner will be served at your hotel.
This morning, your guide will assist you onto the shuttle bus to the citadel’s entrance. During your guided tour, you will experience the uniqueness of the location and the genius that went into its construction. The duration of your magical trip to one of the world’s seven new wonders will be 2.5 hours, after which you will make your way back out of the citadel with your guide.
You will return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollanta (or Poroy) and will be transferred to Cusco (only with a Spanish-speaking driver).
Day at leisure. Explore the fascinating capital of the Incas on your own, or take part in one of our optional tours.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport in Cusco for your flight to Lima (flight not included).
Upon arrival at the airport, you will start your journey in a private vehicle to Paracas (with a Spanish-speaking driver only).
Optional Excursion:
Nasca Flight (please see additional cost below)
In the afternoon head down to Pisco airstrip and take a 1.5-hour flight over the Nasca Lines aboard a modern small airplane. During the flight, you can see and take pictures of the most famous figures: The Condor, the Hummingbird, and many more. Best viewed from the air, these huge geometric patterns and hundreds of perfectly straight lines were carved into the desert sand, by the Nasca people centuries ago.
Aboard a comfortable speedboat, you head out toward the ocean and the Ballestas Islands. Here you enjoy close-up observations of dozens of sea lions as they swim near the boat or sun themselves on shore and watch hundreds of various marine bird species including the Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian pelicans, and with some luck even one of the famous Humboldt penguins (there is no chance to disembark).
Afternoon at leisure.
Morning at leisure.
Journey in a private vehicle from Paracas to Lima, ending at the airport for your international flight (flight not included).
Prices are not valid on national holidays:
