Experience the best of Peru on a 15-day tour through the south of the country, one of the most privileged regions of our territory. Discover the natural treasures of Paracas, savor the intense flavors of the gastronomic capital of Arequipa, explore the Andes, and meet fascinating communities on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Finally, immerse yourself in our millennia-old past and Inca heritage as you arrive in Cusco. An unforgettable trip awaits you!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Lima: Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Peruvian capital is a showcase of history and modernity. Its historic centre preserves the colonial architectural ensembles that coexist closely with the Pacific Ocean and a characteristic bohemian essence.
Arequipa: A jewel of the colonial era and gastronomic capital par excellence, Arequipa is surrounded by volcanoes, offering a memorable panorama.
Colca Valley: Admire the elegance of the condors that fly over this valley and its 4,000-meter-deep canyon, one of the deepest on the planet.
Lake Titicaca: A boat ride takes you to the island of Taquile as well as the man-made floating islands of the Uros, true wonders of local ingenuity.
Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of pre-Columbian past and Spanish architecture. Its temples, squares and streets are surrounded by hills in which amazing sites such as Sacsayhuamán and Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay are hidden.
Machu Picchu: The "Lost City of the Incas" is the reason why thousands of people come to Peru. It is hidden in the vegetation. Discover our past through its rooms, temples, bridges and religious sites, built in communion with the surrounding landscape.
1 giorno: ARRIVAL LIMA
Upon arrival at Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport, a chauffeured vehicle and a representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
Overnight in Lima.
2 giorno: LIMA
Your guide will greet you at your hotel and take you to explore the historic heart of the city. You will be amazed by Casa Aliaga, a colonial house of more than 5 centuries, considered the oldest house in South America. Next, you'll explore the UNESCO-listed Plaza Mayor, where you'll have the opportunity to discover the majestic Lima Cathedral. Your day will end on a high note at the Larco Museum, housed in a sumptuous eighteenth-century colonial house, where you will immerse yourself in more than 5,000 years of Peruvian history through an exceptional collection of ceramics, gold and silver. This excursion is done in a group with other participants.
Overnight in Lima.
3 giorno: LIMA – PARACAS
Sightseeing bus tour with an English-speaking guide. We'll start the day by leaving Lima early in the morning*, heading south. On the way, a stop is planned at the Mirasur restaurant, where you will have the opportunity to have breakfast (not included). Later, the journey will continue to the historic Hacienda San José, in Chincha, a place steeped in history and tradition. There, we'll explore the amazing secret slave tunnels, a surprising underground labyrinth built in the seventeenth century to hide the African slave trade and evade taxes. These galleries connected several haciendas to the port for more than 17 km. After this unique experience, we'll head back to the Paracas bus station, before being transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Paracas.
4 giorno: PARACAS – NAZCA
Ballestas Islands Excursion in Shared Service with English-speaking guide. This morning, we'll head to the El Chaco dock to board a boat and set off on a one-and-a-half-hour excursion to the Ballestas Islands. This nature reserve is renowned for its impressive geological formations, abundant wildlife and the remains of pre-Inca cultures. The islands are home to a wide variety of species, including blue-footed boobies, pelicans, sea lions, Humboldt penguins and many other fascinating animals. During the navigation, we'll also be able to admire the mysterious Candelabra, a huge figure traced in the desert sand. After this excursion, you will continue your journey to. You will be transferred to the bus station in Paracas to take a regular bus to Nazca (about 4 hours journey). Upon arrival at Nazca Bus Station, a transfer will take you to your hotel.
Overnight in Nazca.
5 giorno: NAZCA – AREQUIPA
Unaccompanied Flight over the Nazca Lines. Today you will be transferred to the Nazca Airfield to fly over the Nazca Lines. From the sky, you can contemplate enigmatic geoglyphs representing a monkey, a spider, a condor and many other mysterious figures, while trying to unravel their secrets. This fascinating flyover lasts about 30 minutes*. At the end of the experience, you'll have free time in the city. In the afternoon, you will be taken to the bus station to take a scheduled bus to Arequipa (about 10 hours journey). Upon arrival, a transfer will take you to your hotel.
*In Paracas, transfers between the bus station and the hotel are provided by a Spanish-speaking driver.
*The maximum weight allowed for overflight is 90 kg. Beyond that, a surcharge of USD 40 will apply. We recommend that you ask for the indicative weight of each passenger in advance: in the event of exceedance, an adjustment of the number of passengers per aircraft may be necessary for safety reasons.
Overnight in Arequipa.
6 giorno: AREQUIPA
In the afternoon, we'll set off to discover the most remarkable attractions of Arequipa. You'll start at the Carmen Alto viewpoint, which offers panoramic views of the city, the Chile River, and the Misti and Chachani volcanoes. Then, we'll go to the Yanahuara viewpoint, famous for its Sillar architecture. We'll continue our tour through the Plaza de Armas, the beating heart of the city, and finally, we'll explore the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a real labyrinth of streets, squares and cloisters.
*Dress code for churches: During the tour, the use of short-sleeved polo shirts, tank tops, shorts above the knees is not allowed, under penalty of being refused entry. Please note that for shared transfers, there is a maximum waiting time of 30 minutes.
Overnight in Arequipa.
7 giorno: AREQUIPA – CANYON DE COLCA
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to start the drive to Chivay. The route follows an asphalt road through the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, in the Cañahuas pampas, a vast plain where vicuñas can be seen in their natural habitat. A short stop is planned in Patahuasi, where you'll have the opportunity to taste local infusions and use the sanitary facilities before continuing. The journey continues through Viscachani and the Toccra Marshes, populated by alpacas, vicuñas and various species of migratory birds. You will then reach Patapampa, the viewpoint of the Andes (4,910 m above sea level), from where you can admire the impressive volcanic range. Then, descent to the town of Chivay (3,635 m above sea level), where you will arrive around noon. After lunch, transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is free to rest or explore the surroundings at your own pace. The evening is also free to dine according to your desires.
Overnight in Colca.
8 giorno: CANYON DE COLCA – PUNO
Early in the morning, depending on the location of your hotel, you will be picked up to start the tour. We'll make a short stop in the village square of Yanque before heading to the Cruz del Cóndor, the most beautiful viewpoint to admire the immensity of the Colca Canyon and observe the majestic flight of the Andean condor. On the way back, several stops are planned at different viewpoints until you reach the village of Maca. You will then enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Chivay.
In the afternoon, we'll leave for Puno (about 5 hours and 30 minutes drive). On the way, we'll stop at Patahuasi, where there are various services, as well as at the Lagunillas viewpoint, from where we'll be able to observe migratory birds such as flamingos. Upon arrival in Puno, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Puno.
9 giorno: PUNO
In the heart of the city of Puno, perched in the heights, nestles Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. This is where the Uros, an ancestral community, live on artificial islands built from braided totora reeds, directly from the lake. The tour begins with a transfer to the port of Puno, where a boat is waiting to take you to the beautiful islands of Uros. After an enchanting excursion of an hour and a half, we'll continue our way to the island of Taquile, renowned for its ancestral culture and traditional way of life. Once there, you will attend a presentation on the island and a cultural activity. After a delicious lunch, we'll start our return trip to Puno.
Overnight in Puno.
10 giorno: PUNO – CUSCO
Puno – Cusco Shared Service Trip with English-speaking guide. Discover Cusco, the former Inca capital, through breathtaking Andean landscapes, meeting typical villages and wildlife. Your itinerary includes a stop at the archaeological site of Pucará, dating back to the second and third centuries BC. We'll then take a short break at La Raya, the highest point of the route at 4,313 meters above sea level. After this tour, we'll enjoy a delicious lunch. Continuing on your way, you will discover the village of Raqchi, famous for its temple of Wiracocha, and then the charming village of Andahuaylillas, known for its church nicknamed the "Sistine Chapel of America". Finally, we'll arrive at your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
11 giorno: CUSCO
Discover the magic of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Your tour will begin with the Convent of Santo Domingo, built on the ruins of the Temple of the Sun, the Coricancha. You will then be amazed by the Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption, a masterpiece of religious art. Then, we'll set off to discover the surrounding hills of Cusco and their archaeological sites. You'll visit the impressive Sacsayhuamán Fortress, the mysterious Qenqo Complex, and the Puca Pucará site, among others. We'll finish at the ruins of Tambomachay, also known as the Inca Baths. After this unforgettable day, we'll return to your hotel, full of new discoveries. Note that this tour is done in a group, allowing you to share this unique experience with other enthusiasts.
Overnight in Cusco.
12 giorno: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
A vehicle will pick you up in the morning to take you to the picturesque village of Chinchero. We'll discover its agricultural terraces and its 17th-century colonial church built on an ancient Inca palace also recognized as one of the first Catholic constructions in Peru. Along the way, we'll stop at a lookout point to admire the spectacular landscapes of the Sacred Valley. Next, we'll visit the Living Museum of Yucay, where we'll be able to witness the creation of textiles, adobe objects, ceramics, and silver objects using ancient Inca techniques. You will enjoy a delicious typical lunch of the Sacred Valley. You will then enjoy a delicious typical lunch. After lunch, we'll head to the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo, an important ceremonial center known for its impressive agricultural terraces that stretch across the sides of the surrounding mountains. At the end of this full-day tour, you'll return to your hotel to relax and soak up the renewed Inca spirit. This tour is shared with other travelers.
Overnight in Urubamba.
13 giorno: SACRED VALLEY – MORAY & MARAS – SACRED VALLEY
Today, you will be picked up from your hotel in the Sacred Valley (Urubamba) to explore the archaeological sites of Maras and Moray. In Moray, you'll admire its enigmatic concentric circular agricultural terraces, ingeniously designed to recreate different microclimates. As for Maras, it stands out for its impressive complex of salt pans that are still in operation today: these pre-Columbian salt mines offer a dazzling natural spectacle.
Overnight in Urubamba.
14 giorno: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
A transport will pick you up from your hotel in Urubamba (Sacred Valley) to take you to the Ollantaytambo train station. This transfer is shared with other passengers. Board the train from Ollantaytambo Station to Aguas Calientes Station (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where you'll receive assistance upon arrival. For your return, you will make the same journey. Each route lasts approximately an hour and a half, and schedules are subject to availability.
Aguas Calientes, located on the slopes of Machu Picchu, offers a bustling handicraft market, a variety of restaurants, and accommodation options. Just a 25-minute bus ride away, you'll find Machu Picchu, a marvel of engineering and architecture, which is said to have served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacútec. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," captivates with its historical brilliance and natural majesty.After the tour, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes and then take the train back to Cusco. This tour is shared with other passengers.
You will enjoy a delicious lunch at Café Inkaterra, with a unique view of the Vilcanota River. This restaurant combines Andean cuisine and architecture with contemporary trends, creating dishes with an original taste and fusion style. Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo train station after your train journey from Aguas Calientes, a vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco. This transfer will be shared with other travelers.
Overnight in Cusco.
15 giorno: CUSCO DEPARTURE
Your Peruvian adventure is coming to an end. A driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Cusco Airport.
Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while warm clothing is recommended for the high-altitude Andean regions. It is not recommended to wear tank tops, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.