Description
This unforgettable journey invites you to discover the most extraordinary treasures of the Peruvian Andes, combining history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Over 13 days and 12 nights, you will explore the highlights of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno, Lake Titicaca, and Arequipa, experiencing the perfect balance between archaeological wonders, colonial heritage, and natural beauty.
Begin in the historic city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, where temples, narrow streets, and nearby ruins reflect the magnificence of its past. Continue to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting picturesque villages, vibrant markets, and impressive fortresses before reaching the world-famous Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The adventure extends to the high plateau of Puno, where the magic of Lake Titicaca awaits. Visit the floating islands of the Uros and the traditional communities of Amantani and Taquile, immersing yourself in their ancestral way of life.
Finally, discover the “White City” of Arequipa, surrounded by volcanoes and adorned with baroque architecture, and marvel at the majestic Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world, home to the legendary Andean condor.
This tour is designed for travelers who want to experience the essence of the Andes, combining cultural encounters, ancient traditions, and awe-inspiring natural landscapes in one of the most fascinating regions of South America.
Itinerary
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- Assistance upon your arrival at Lima’s international airport and transfer to your hotel. Here, you will receive a briefing about the contracted tour, along with the vouchers for all the included services, and an overview of the organization for the beginning of your journey through Peru.
Meals: None
Día
- Morning at leisure after your international flight, giving you time to rest and prepare for the beginning of this unforgettable journey through our wonderful Peru. After breakfast, at the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel to start the day’s tour.
- Enjoy a guided tour of the most important landmarks of Lima that contributed to its rich history. The tour begins with a panoramic visit through the Historic Center of Lima, including San Martin Square, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Cathedral Basilica, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Church of Santo Domingo, where the tombs of Santa Rosa and San Martín de Porres—two important Peruvian saints—are found, along with the city’s famous colonial balconies.
- You will then visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the largest monumental complex of colonial art in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit includes the Basilica with its 21 altars, the cloisters and chapter rooms, the monks’ library and choir, the onsite museum displaying 11 canvases from Rubens’ school, the sacristy with works by Zurbarán and Rivera, the grand courtyard decorated with 16th-century Sevillian tiles, Moorish-style arches, and the famous underground catacombs.
- Free time for lunch at a restaurant of your choice.
- In the afternoon, the tour continues through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, where you will witness the contrast between the old Lima and its modern side. Historical highlights include the Huaca Pucllana, an administrative and ceremonial center of the Lima Culture built in the 2nd century A.D. and considered sacred by the Incas; the Olive Grove Park of San Isidro, with olive trees brought from Spain in the 15th century; Miraflores’ Central Park; and Larcomar, a modern shopping and entertainment center with a privileged location offering stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
- Return to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Día
- Prepare your luggage in the morning, as later in the afternoon you will continue your journey after the scheduled tour.
- After breakfast, embark on a 45-minute drive to visit the ancient pre-Columbian pilgrimage center of Pachacamac, located in the fertile Lurín Valley with an impressive view of the Pacific Ocean. This ceremonial complex, built around 700 B.C. in honor of the Sun God, is made almost entirely of adobe bricks. It includes an oracle, temples, enclosures, and catacombs, many of which have been recently restored. Pachacamac was considered one of the main ceremonial centers of the pre-Inca era, where pilgrims traveled great distances to worship Pachacamac, the creator of the world and all living beings. The best-preserved sector belongs to the Inca period.
- The visit also includes the onsite museum, which displays an interesting collection of pre-Hispanic relics.
- After lunch, you will be transferred to the bus station (Cruz del Sur) for your journey to Paracas, where you will spend the night at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Día
- After breakfast at your hotel, you will head to Paracas, home to the most important wildlife sanctuary along the Peruvian coast. Enjoy a guided boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, where you will observe sea lions, boobies, pelicans, Humboldt penguins, and many other marine bird species. On the way to and from the islands, you will also see the enigmatic geoglyph known as “El Candelabro”, a huge figure carved into the slope of a hill, similar in style to the Nazca Lines, whose origin remains a mystery.
- After the tour, you will continue by bus to Nazca. Upon arrival, assistance and transfer to the local airport where you will board a small aircraft for an unforgettable overflight of the Nazca Lines. These mysterious geoglyphs—representing animals, birds, and geometric shapes—were etched into the desert thousands of years ago and can only be fully appreciated from the air.
- In the afternoon, at the scheduled time, transfer to the Cruz del Sur bus station to board your bus bound for the city of Arequipa, where you will spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Día
- In the morning, enjoy a guided tour of Arequipa, known as the “White City” for its beautiful architecture made of volcanic ashlar stone. The tour begins at the Main Square, one of the most beautiful in Peru, surrounded by colonial arcades and dominated by the imposing Cathedral of Arequipa, a fine example of 19th-century Peruvian architecture that houses valuable treasures of gold and silver. Next, visit the Church of the Society of Jesus, an ancient Jesuit temple considered one of the city’s most important landmarks, with an exquisite baroque façade adorned with spiral columns, laurel wreaths, flowers, birds, and other detailed carvings. A closer look reveals the blend of cultures, as angels with indigenous features can be seen—one even wearing a feathered crown.
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Continue to the Santa Catalina Monastery, a “city within a city” founded in the 16th century and opened to the public in 1970 after four centuries of cloister. Its extensive courtyards, gardens, kitchens, slave quarters, and stone laundry facilities offer a fascinating journey into the past. Today, around 20 nuns still live in a private section of the convent, which once housed up to 500 cloistered nuns.
After the morning tour, transfer back to your hotel and free time for lunch. We recommend enjoying a traditional Arequipa lunch at Sol de Mayo Restaurant.
In the afternoon, excursion to the Arequipa countryside, beginning with a visit to the Sabandía Mill, a water-powered flour mill built in 1621 that still operates today. Continue to the Founder’s Mansion, a 16th-century estate that once belonged to the city’s founder, Governor Garcí Manuel de Carbajal. Later, it was sold to the Jesuits as a retreat house, and eventually passed into the hands of the Goyeneche family. Its highlights include its beautiful restored chapel and colonial charm.
After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Evening at leisure. We recommend having dinner at your hotel and resting early, as the following day your guide will pick you up very early in the morning to begin your journey to the Colca Canyon.
Meals: Breakfast
Día
- Early in the morning, depart on an extraordinary 4-hour journey by bus to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, measuring over 3,400 meters (11,155 ft.) in depth. The route passes through Pampa Cañahuas, located within the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, a natural habitat for South American camelids such as vicuñas and alpacas. Along the way, you will enjoy breathtaking landscapes, including majestic volcanoes and Andean plateaus. The highest point of the trip reaches 4,900 meters above sea level (16,076 ft.).
- During the journey, you will also see pre-Columbian agricultural terraces, still cultivated today by the native Collagua communities, a testament to the ancient traditions that have survived for centuries. A light snack will be provided en route.
- Upon arrival at the Colca Valley, transfer to your selected lodge. The afternoon is free to rest and acclimate to the altitude. For those in good physical condition, optional activities include a short walk around the lodge to explore the surrounding landscapes, or a relaxing dip in the nearby thermal baths, famous for their healing properties.
- Overnight at your selected lodge in the Colca Valley.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
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- Early in the morning, depart towards the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, the best spot to appreciate the immense depth of the Colca Canyon, where, with some luck, you will witness the majestic Andean condor, the world’s largest flying bird, soaring gracefully over the canyon.
- On the return journey to Chivay, you will see archaeological remains, spectacular views of the canyon, and the impressive pre-Inca terraces that are still in use today. Along the way, you will also visit the traditional villages of Yanque, Coporaque, Achoma, and Maca, excellent opportunities to observe the daily life of the local inhabitants, whose customs have changed very little since Inca times. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
- Afterward, continue the scenic journey towards the city of Puno, crossing Pampa Cañahuas and the Stone Forest, passing small Andean hamlets with flocks of sheep and llamas. The surrounding mountains create a striking highland landscape that characterizes the Peruvian Andes. On the route, you will also admire the Lagunillas high-Andean lake, home to diverse bird species and unique flora. The trip continues through the towns of Imata, Santa Lucía, and Juliaca, arriving in Puno around 6:30 p.m. Upon arrival, transfer to your selected hotel for accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast
Día
After breakfast, embark on an unforgettable boat excursion on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The journey begins with a visit to the unique Uros Floating Islands, originally inhabited by pre-Inca settlers known as the “Water Tribe.” The Uros people continue their ancestral traditions, building and maintaining their islands using layers of totora reeds, which they also employ to construct their homes and boats.
The journey continues across the lake to the beautiful island of Taquile, where the inhabitants preserve a distinctive social system and are internationally recognized for their remarkable textile art, declared by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Upon arrival, you will have time to enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by the locals, followed by a walk through the island’s rolling hills, archaeological sites, and stunning viewpoints over Lake Titicaca.
In the afternoon, return to Puno and transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure – we recommend dining at the hotel for comfort and relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Día
- After breakfast, depart in a comfortable tourist bus towards Cusco, crossing the stunning landscapes of the Altiplano. The journey is both cultural and scenic, with several fascinating stops along the way.
- Our first visit is to the town of Ayaviri, a well-known center for textiles and livestock breeding, where we explore the impressive Kalasaya Temple, ancient ruins belonging to the pre-Inca Pucara culture. Continuing our route, we stop at Raqchi, home to an extraordinary Inca sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec in honor of the great Inca deity Wiracocha. The site is remarkable for its massive central wall with a finely carved stone base, flanked by huge adobe walls and circular side columns, surrounded by structures once used as housing and storage.
- Further along, we pass through La Raya Pass (4,335 m / 14,222 ft), the natural border between Cusco and Puno, where herds of vicuñas and llamas roam freely. We then admire the peaceful Huacarpay Lagoon, whose still waters reflect the surrounding mountains in a breathtaking natural setting.
- Our last stop is the charming town of Andahuaylillas, where we visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” for its remarkable baroque art and richly painted ceilings.
- Enjoy a buffet lunch at a country restaurant, tasting the flavors of the Peruvian highlands, before continuing the trip to Cusco. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Evening free; dinner at your own expense.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Día
- After breakfast, enjoy a free morning to rest and acclimatize. We recommend having lunch at your hotel or a nearby restaurant before beginning your guided afternoon tour.
- In the early afternoon, discover the historic heart of Cusco with visits to the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), the imposing Cusco Cathedral, and the Temple of the Sun (Korikancha), once the most important religious site of the Inca Empire.
- The excursion then continues outside the city to explore four of Cusco’s most remarkable Inca complexes:
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Qenqo, a ceremonial site with carved stone altars and labyrinthine passages.
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Tambomachay, known as the Inca baths, with its finely engineered aqueducts and water channels.
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Puca Pucara, a military and administrative center offering panoramic views of the Cusco valley.
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Sacsayhuamán, an extraordinary fortress strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco, famous for its colossal stone walls with massive blocks—some more than 9 meters high and weighing over 350 tons—perfectly fitted without mortar.
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- Return to your hotel for a short rest.
- At 7:45 p.m., enjoy a special dinner with a live folkloric show in a traditional Cusco restaurant. Delight in Andean music played on ancestral instruments and admire colorful dances performed in traditional costumes. Guests are warmly invited to join in the celebration, making this an unforgettable cultural evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Día
- After breakfast, embark on a guided excursion through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, along the picturesque Vilcanota River. Our first stop will be at the Inca citadel of Pisac, where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the impressive archaeological site. We then visit the traditional market of Pisac (held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays), a vibrant space where locals trade handicrafts, textiles, and fresh produce. Here, you will have the opportunity to interact with the local people, witness their customs, and practice your bargaining skills. On Sundays, you may also attend a Quechua Mass, celebrated in the native Andean language.
- We continue our journey to enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon, we pass through the towns of Calca and Urubamba on our way to the remarkable fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo. This site was built to guard the entrance to the valley and to protect it from invasions. Its temples, terraces, and stone constructions showcase the strategic and architectural genius of the Incas. Walking through the narrow streets of Ollantaytambo gives visitors a vivid sense of what life was like in this important military, religious, and cultural center during the Inca Empire.
- After the visit, we return to Cusco for an overnight stay. The evening is free for you to explore the city at your own pace. We recommend strolling around the Plaza de Armas, soaking in its vibrant nightlife, and enjoying a refreshing Pisco Sour in one of the charming pubs surrounding the square.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Día
- Early in the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before being transferred to the Poroy train station to board your train for a scenic four-hour journey to Aguas Calientes, the town located at the base of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham.
- Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will take a 25-minute bus ride up the winding mountain road to reach the awe-inspiring “Lost City of the Incas.” Here, you will embark on a three-hour guided tour of the citadel. Your guide will explain the extraordinary level of engineering and architectural mastery achieved by the Incas: the precise stone constructions, sophisticated hydraulic systems, stairways carved directly into the mountain, and the Intihuatana (the “Hitching Post of the Sun”), which served as a solar calendar to regulate agricultural cycles.
- You will also visit remarkable sectors such as the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Priest’s House, the Inca Baths, and the Temple of the Three Windows. Each of these sacred spaces transports you back in time, allowing you to imagine the daily life and spiritual practices of this extraordinary civilization.
- After the guided visit, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch at a local restaurant (not included). In the afternoon, you will board the train back to Cusco, where our representative will meet you for your transfer to your hotel.
- The evening will be free for you to enjoy Cusco at your leisure—perhaps by joining the lively celebrations around the Plaza de Armas.
Meals: Breakfast
Día
- Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Cusco. At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Lima, where you will connect with your international departure flight to your home country.
Meals: Breakfast
End of Our services
Includes
- Lima: City tour con visita al Museo Larco Herrera.
- Arequipa: City tour con visita al Monasterio de Santa Catalina y excursión al Cañón del Colca (2 días / 1 noche).
- Puno: Excursión de día completo en bote a las Islas Flotantes de los Uros y Taquile, con almuerzo incluido.
- Cusco: City tour con visita a 4 ruinas cercanas y cena con show folclórico.
- Valle Sagrado de los Incas: Excursión de día completo a Písac arqueológico, mercado artesanal de Písac (disponible martes, jueves y domingos) y la fortaleza inca de Ollantaytambo.
- Machu Picchu: Visita guiada a la ciudadela inca.
Servicios incluidos:
- 12 noches de alojamiento en hoteles seleccionados.
- Todos los desayunos y comidas especificadas en el itinerario.
- Entradas a todos los sitios arqueológicos, museos y atractivos mencionados.
- Traslados aeropuerto / hotel / aeropuerto en todas las ciudades.
- Transporte turístico terrestre en las rutas mencionadas:
- Lima / Paracas / Nazca – Arequipa en Cruz del Sur servicio crucero.
- Puno – Cusco con almuerzo buffet en restaurante campestre en ruta.
- Ticket de tren Cusco – Aguas Calientes – Cusco.
- Ticket de bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
- Guías bilingües (español / inglés) durante todas las excursiones.
- Asistencia permanente durante toda la estadía en Perú.
Does not Include
- Vuelos domésticos e internacionales.
- Impuestos aeroportuarios.
- Exceso de equipaje (especialmente en el bus Puno – Cusco).
- Bebidas alcohólicas, gaseosas o agua mineral embotellada.
- Gastos personales.
- Propinas para guías, conductores y personal de servicio.
- Llamadas telefónicas nacionales e internacionales.
- Alimentación no especificada en el programa.
What to bring
- Carry a valid passport and personal documents.
- Wear comfortable and light clothing for the day, and warm clothing for the cold nights.
- Use appropriate footwear for walks and excursions.
- Do not forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or cap.
- Bring a rain poncho or waterproof jacket, especially during the rainy season (November – March).
- Stay hydrated and consider drinking coca tea or other products recommended for altitude.
- Carry cash in soles (local currency) for small expenses in markets and small towns.
- Bring a camera or mobile phone with enough battery and memory.
- Respect the rules and signs at archaeological and natural sites.
- Always follow the guide’s instructions during the excursions.
Book Now
Booking in advance is recommended.
Treasures of the Andes 13D/12N
13D/12N