This tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Peru’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and ancient Inca traditions. It begins in the vibrant city of Lima, the culinary capital of South America, and passes through the Ballestas Islands, Machu Picchu, to the high waters of Lake Titicaca. 
 

Package details:

Duration
12 days 11 nights
Activities
Adventures, Aqueology, hikking, cultural
Difficulty
Moderate
Maximum Altitude
3300 m.a.s.l.
Destination
Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca trail, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Titicaca lake, Uros floating islands
Group Size
Small group or private
Overview

Explore the Peruvian coast, including the vibrant city of Lima, the mysterious Nazca Lines, the Ballestas Islands, and Huachina Oasis. Then, continue the journey to the highlands by traveling to Cusco and exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas with surrounding archaeological sites. Next, hike the last part of the Inca trail, visiting the Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna archaeological sites and the sun gate of Intipunku. Discover the magic of Machu Picchu Inca citadel, one of the new world's seven wonders. Following the itinerary, we tour the city of Cusco, visiting amazing Inca temples, Inca streets, and colonial art and architecture blended with Inca culture. Next and finally, you embark on an exclusive tourist bus journey to Puno, visiting Raqchi, Andahuaylillas Chapel, and the Lithic Museum along the way. We end the adventure in Peru by exploring the Titicaca Lake, the highest navigable lake in the world, and visiting the Floating Islands of Uros. 

Highlights

  • Sightseeing tour along the modern and colonial parts of Lima
  • Visit the San Francisco catacombs and the Larco Herrera Museum
  • Watch the Nazca lines from the air in a small plane
  • Explore the Pacific Ocean and Ballestas Islands looking for wildlife
  • Enjoy the adventure of buggy cars and sandboarding in Huacachina Oasis
  • Discover Cusco City and massive Inca temples 
  • Explore the beauty and fascinating history of the Sacred Valley
  • Explore traditional villages, huge Inca temples, and Andean terraces
  • Marvel at the architectural wonders of Pisac and Ollantaytambo
  • Combine traditional tours with the adventure of trekking the Andean mountains
  • Hike one of the world's best trekking routes
  • Arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sungate
  • Return on the panoramic trains (Vistadome or 360°)
  • Hike through Andean peaks to the Rainbow Mountain
  • Explore the highest navigable lake in the world
  • Learn ancient traditions and customs at Uros Floating Islands and Taquie Island
  • Comfortable accommodation in charming locations
  • Knowledgeable guides to share the history and stories of each location
  • Savor delicious Peruvian meals
  • Safe and reliable transportation throughout the journey

Itinerary at glance

Day 1 / Arrival in Lima in the afternoon or night

  • We pick you up from the airport
  • Hotel in Miraflores tourist district
  • If you arrive in the morning, you could do a city tour in the afternoon

Day 2    / Lima

  • Sightseeing city tour in the morning
  • Visits to San Francisco convent catacombs and Larco Herrera Museum
  • Breakfast included
  • Hotel in Miraflores tourist district

Day 3 / Lima - Pisco - Huacachina - Paracas

  • Travel by ground to Pisco for about 3 hours
  • Tour to Nazca Lines from the air for about 1 and a half hours.
  • Enjoy the Huacachina Oasis and desert in buggy cars and sandboarding
  • Spend the night in Paracas

Day 4 / Paracas - Lima

  • Enjoy your hotel in the morning and the nice weather
  • Explore the Pacific Ocean and Ballestas Islands looking for wildlife
  • Return to Lima in the afternoon
  • Spend the night in Lima

Day 5 / Lima - Cusco / city tour

  • Transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco
  • Pick up from the airport and transfer to your hotel
  • Explore the huge archaeological site of Saqsyhuaman
  • Explore the surrounding ruins of Qenqo, Tambomachay, and Puca Pucara
  • Visit the Inca Temple of the Sun Qorikancha
  • Spend the night in Cusco City

Day 6 / Super Sacred Valley tour

  • Full-day tour with lunch included
  • See llamas, alpacas, and other camelids in a llama farm
  • Explore the archaeological Inca sites of Pisac, Moray, and Ollantaytambo
  • Visit the local handicraft market of Pisac
  • Visit the Inca salt mines of Maras 
  • Lunch at a tourist restaurant to taste Peruvian meals
  • Spend the night in Ollantaytambo, an Inca living town

Day 7 / Short Inca Trail - Machu Picchu

  • Drive to Ollantaytambo train station, train to Km 104 of the railroad.
  • Hike the last part of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and enjoy the stunning views from the Sun Gate.
  • Spend the night in Machu Picchu

Day 8 / Machu Picchu - Cusco

  • Explore Machu Picchu in the early morning.
  • Take the Panoramic train on the way back.
  • Spend the night in Cusco

Day 9 / Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca - Cusco

  • Visit the Amazing Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
  • Travel on a small group tour and make friend
  • Hike along with Llamas and Alpacas
  • Marvel at the Snow-capped Ausangate peaks.
  • Support our Social projects when booking with us

Day 10 / Cusco - Puno

  • Exclusive tourist bus with tours en route
  • Visit Wiracocha temple in Raqchi, Andahuaylillas chapel, and a lithic museum
  • Breakfast at the hotel and lunch in a tourist restaurant
  • Hotel in Puno

Day 11 / Titicaca Lake

  • Explore the lake in a speedboat 
  • Visit Uros Floating Islands and learn about ancient traditions
  • Hike Taquile Island and get amazing views of the lake.
  • Breakfast at the hotel and lunch in Taquile

Day 12 / Puno - Lima

  • We take you to the airport after breakfast
  • Transfer to Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima
  • End of the tour

Pricing

  • From 4 to more, in a double or twin room: $1997
  • Single supplement: $409
  • Hotel upgrades are available to 4-star or 5-star hotels
  • Contact us for less than 4 participants to get a quote
Full Itinerary
Day 1 / Arrival in Lima in the afternoon or night

We will be your host upon arrival to the vibrant city of Lima. We will be waiting for you inside Lima Airport and will transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores's tourist district. The drive will take approximately 50 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Once at your hotel, enjoy a pleasant night.

Included:

  • Tourist van or minibus with wide windows and airconditioning
  • Professional driver and agency representative
  • 3-star hotel in Miraflores tourist district
     
Day 2 / Lima city tour and Larco Herrera Museum

Around 8 am we will pick you up from your hotel and explore Lima, starting with a sightseeing tour of San Martin Plaza, the Plaza de Armas, and the colonial and modern parts of the city. Then we visit the Monastery of San Francisco and the Catacombs. Following that, we will proceed to the Larco Herrera Museum, renowned for its impressive permanent exhibitions. Notably, the Gold and Silver Gallery houses the largest collection of jewelry worn by pre-Columbian Peruvian rulers. This includes finely crafted crowns, earrings, nose ornaments, clothing, masks, and vases made of gold adorned with semi-precious stones. After the tour, we take you back to your hotel.

You have the afternoon free to explore the hotel surroundings. You could visit the Miraflores pier, where you can find lovely plazas, people paragliding next to the sea, nice restaurants, the Larcomar shopping mall, and more. Larcomar is more than just a shopping mall; it's a popular tourist destination with various attractions and amenities. They offer a wide range of stores selling clothing, accessories, souvenirs, handicrafts, and more.

Included:

  • Tourist van or minibus with wide windows and airconditioning
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Entrance tickets
  • 3-star hotel in Miraflores tourist district
     
Day 3 / Lima - Pisco - Huacachina - Paracas

We pick you up early in the morning and drive through the Pan-American highway south towards Pisco village. We reach Pisco airport and check in for the small-plane flight over the Nazca Lines. You will have a briefing first to explain all the routes, and the guide onboard will be the pilot. After boarding the small plane, you will travel to Nazca. You will see from the air 19 genuine Nazca lines: Whale, Dog, Spider, Heron, Hands, Flower, Astronaut, Hummingbird, Condor, Pelican, Tree, Monkey, Spiral, Seaweed, Parrot, Lizard, Palpa, Voyager, Fertility, and Royal. After lunch at Paracas, we drive for 40 minutes to Huacachina Oasis. There, we explore the desert in buggy cars and practice sandboarding. We return to Paracas to spend the night.

Included:

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer to Pisco in a minivan with wide windows and air conditioning
  • Small plane tickets: Grand Caravan Cessna. 
  • Guided tours in English
  • Entrance tickets
  • Buggy cars and sandboarding equipment 
  • 3-star hotel in Paracas
     
Day 4 / Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Lima

Enjoy a pleasant morning at the hotel with a swimming pool (confirm with us for availability), and then explore the Pacific Ocean in a speedboat. Along the tour, you will discover migratory birds like Guanays, Inca terns, Kelp gulls, Peruvian boobies, Peruvian pelicans; and sea fauna like penguins, sea lions, and even a whale. After the tour, we drive back to Lima for about 4 hours.

Included:

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Tour in a speedboat with lifevests and guide onboard
  • Entrance tickets
  • Transfer to Lima in a minivan with wide windows and air conditioning
  • 3-star hotel in Lima
     
Day 5 / Lima - Cusco / city tour

At the given time, we pick you up from your hotel in Lima and take you to the airport for your flight to Cusco City. The driving time to the airport is around 50 minutes, and the flight takes around one and a half hours. Remember that you need to be at the airport two hours before the flight departure. Once in Cusco, we will pick you up and drive towards your hotel, which is in a great location in the historical center. Try to arrive before 11 am to have enough time for lunch since the tour starts around 12.50 pm from your hotel.

City tour and nearby archaeological sites: We will pick you up from your hotel and start the tour by visiting Cusco's main plaza and the surrounding streets, which still have Inca walls. Then, we will visit the 12-angled Inca stone, representing the architectural masonry of the Inca. Then, we will continue to the Inca Temple of the Sun, which was called Qorikancha in Inca times. The Coricancha, or Temple of the Sun, was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, and it was dedicated to Inti, the Sun God. There, we will find amazing Inca stonework and learn more about the Inca religion and architecture.

Following the tour, we drive towards the hills of Cusco, where the Sacsayhuaman archaeological site is located. There, we will find amazing, huge Inca walls made of huge stone bricks with tons of weight. It was a ceremonial and military center, a marvel at the ingenuity of Inca engineering, believed to worship lightning. We also visit the ceremonial temple of Qenqo and the fountain of Tambomachay. After the tour, we take you back to your hotel.

Included:

  • Tourist minivan with wide windows, air conditioning, and a professional driver.
  • A professional English-speaking tour guide
  • Entrance tickets to visit the mentioned places
  • Hotel in Cusco (3-star with a great location)
Day 6 / Super Sacred Valley tour

Full-day tour with lunch included. Around 7 am we pick you up from your hotel and set off towards the north of Cusco. Our first stop is a llama farm where you will see llamas, alpacas, and other South American camelids, as well as learn about Inca weaving techniques.

We continue to Pisac Archeological site where you can find stunning Inca ruins and breathtaking views. Highlights include terraced agricultural areas called Andean Terraces that showcase the Incas' advanced farming techniques. The site also features ceremonial plazas, intricately carved stone structures, and a Sun Temple with an Intihuatana stone, believed to have been used for astronomical observations and rituals. Pisac Archaeological Site is a captivating blend of historical significance and natural beauty.

Next, we visit the Pisac handicraft market, where you can find beautifully handcrafted textiles with intricate Inca motifs, including alpaca wool garments, blankets, and rugs, artisanal ceramics, jewelry made from silver and semi-precious stones, and intricately carved wooden items are also popular offerings.

We continue to the farming village of Urubamba for lunch at a carefully selected tourist restaurant, where you can savor authentic Peruvian cuisine. After a delicious meal, we drive to Maras Inca salt mines to find ancient salt pans showcasing traditional salt production methods from Inca times. Then, we continue to the circular Andean terraces in Moray. These unique circular terraces were used by the Incas for experimental farming and studying the effects of different microclimates on crops.

Finally, we drive towards Ollantaytambo village, considered the last living Inca town, to enjoy a guided tour of the archaeological site. There, you will find amazing temples with fine architecture. The site includes ceremonial centers, residential areas, and agricultural terraces, all reflecting the strategic and cultural importance of the Inca Empire.

Spend the night in Ollantaytambo village.

Included:

  • Tourist van with wide windows, air conditioning, and a professional driver
  • A professional English-speaking tour guide
  • Entrance tickets to visit the mentioned places
  • Meals: buffet lunch at a tourist restaurant 
  • Hotel in Ollantaytambo (3-star with a great location) 
Day 7 / Short Inca Trail - Machu Picchu

Around 5 am (time to be confirmed), you'll board the first train to Km 104 - Chachabamba, marking the start of the Short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu. Upon reaching Km 104, you'll need to present your original passport for entry.

Your adventure begins with a visit to the Chachabamba archaeological site. Under the guidance of your tour guide, you'll explore and delve into its rich history. Following this, you'll set out on the lost Inca Trail. Although the trail is narrow, it offers mesmerizing views. A four-hour hike will lead you to Wiñaywayna, one of the most magnificent Inca sites along the trail. Here, you can admire its intricate architecture, streets, water fountains, and temples. Midday, you'll enjoy a delicious boxed lunch at a nearby campsite.

After lunch, you'll resume your journey with an easier one-hour hike to the Sun Gate. Along the way, you might spot beautiful orchids and a variety of birds. As you reach the Sun Gate, prepare to be greeted by the breathtaking sight of Machu Picchu. The final leg of today's hike, an hour-long descent, will bring you to the upper region of Machu Picchu by around 4:00 p.m., a time with fewer tourists. This offers a serene environment to take photos and watch the sunset over the ancient citadel.

Your day concludes with a bus ride to Aguas Calientes, where you'll check into your hotel and rest.

Aguas Calientes Altitude: 2000m - 6561ft
Highest altitude: 2700m - 8858ft
Distance: 15km - 8 miles
Duration: 7 hours
Meals: lunch, dinner
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty: Moderate

Included:

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in a tourist van or minibus
  • Professional tour guide.
  • Train tickets (tourist train) from Ollantaytambo to Km 104
  • Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail.
  • First Aid Kit and Oxygen tank
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes village
  • Meals: 1 box lunch and 1 dinner at a local restaurant.
  • 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
     
Day 8 / Machu Picchu - Cusco

Start your day early with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before catching the first bus to Machu Picchu to witness the mesmerizing sunrise. Once there, embark on a guided tour of this iconic Inca citadel. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the most captivating parts of Machu Picchu.
After your guided tour, you'll have personal time to explore the citadel at your own pace or undertake optional hikes to either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Please note that these hikes are separate from the Machu Picchu citadel tour and are not included in your package.
After exploring the ancient wonders, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy lunch at your own expense before boarding the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, our private transport will take you back to your hotel, with an expected arrival time of 7:30 p.m.

  • Aguas Calientes: 2000m - 6561ft
  • Highest altitude: 2400m - 7874ft
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Meals: breakfast at the hotel

Included:

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Professional tour guide
  • Entrance ticket to visit Machu Picchu
  • Train tickets from Aguas Calientes village to Ollantaytambo
  • Transfer from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco (tourist van or minibus)
  • 3-star hotel in Cusco
Day 9 / Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca - Cusco

After being collected from your hotel lobby in Cusco at 4.30 am, drive for 4 hours to Cusipata Trailhead. Along the way, you'll also stop for breakfast in a local family house at Cusipata town (3386 m / 11108 ft). As you climb, you'll see several shepherding villages, potato farming lands, and amazing views of the Mountains.

Once we arrive at Cusipata Trailhead (4629 m / 15187 ft), begin the 2-hour hike up to Rainbow Mountain ( 5017 m / 19459 ft). Enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and herds of llamas and alpacas, and keep up the local women's pace that works here by renting horses you can hire. Upon arrival at the top of Rainbow Mountain, you´ll be rewarded with a 360° of amazing views of the colored mountains and the Ausangate Mountain (6398m/20991ft), the highest peak in Cusco.

After spending time at Rainbow Mountain, if you still have energy and the altitude is not taking your breath away, you can take a 20-minute hike to the amazing and rarely visited Red Valley (4934 m / 16187 ft). Marvel at the moon-like landscape, take plenty of photographs, then start descending back to the trailhead to take our transportation for lunch in Cusipata town. Arrival at Cusco is around 5:pm, and the transportation will drop you off near the Plaza de Armas at Regocijo Square.

Rainbow Mountain Peru Tour will take you on a genuinely unique adventure through a preserved wild natural terrain with amazing views of the Ausangate Glacier Peak, isolated local villages, and colorful mountains. This tour is by far one of the most spectacular day hikes at a great value.

Included:

  • Comfortable transportation with AC
  • Blankets on the drive to stay warm.
  • Breakfast with a local family atyou'llata
  • Professional Native Tour Guide
  • Entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
  • Trekking poles
  • First aid kit, oxygen tank
  • Lunch with a local family at Cusipata
  • Drop off at Regocijo Square
  • 3-star hotel in Cusco
     
Day 10 / Cusco - Puno

Around 6 am, we pick you up from your hotel and take you to the tourist private bus station. We take a tourist bus to Puno City. This service is provided for tourists only. It includes a professional guide onboard and tours along the way. You will visit Andahuaylillas Chapel, the mighty Temple of Wiracocha in Raqchi village, the majestic La Raya pass (road limit between Cusco and Puno, with a beautiful view of the Chimboya Glacier), and the fascinating Lithic Museum of the Pukará culture. Around 5.30 pm, you will arrive at Puno station, and we take you to your hotel.

Included

  • Hotel transfers
  • Bilingual tour guide (English-Spanish)
  • Entrance ticket for the bus and to the places to visit
  • Hot drinks like herbal teas, cold drinks like soda, mineral water
  • Buffet lunch in a tourist restaurant 
     
Day 11 / Titicaca Lake and Uros Floating Islands

We pick you up from your hotel and take you to the lake’s dock. Then we take a full-day tour along Titicaca Lake, visiting the Uros floating islands and the Taquile island, where we will learn the costumes of the local people. The Uros people have lived on the man-made reed-covered floating islands known as the Uros islands since before the Inca era. There are 120 man-made islands that make up an archipelago and are located about 5 km (3 miles) from the Puno port. Taquile residents are renowned for having developed an original, locally controlled, sustainable tourism model that provides homestays, group lodging, cultural activities, local guides, and restaurants. Due to the island's remoteness, particularly during a time before motorized boats, many other local customs survived like weaving. Though the designs and hues may have changed over time, the meaning is still evident in their creations. Even UNESCO has acknowledged Taquile and its textile art as "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity".

Included:

  • Sheltered speedboat
  • Entrance tickets 
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide
  • Lunch at Taquile island
  • 3-star hotel in Puno
     
Day 12 / Puno - Lima

At the given time, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Juliaca airport since Puno does not have one. Remember that you need to check in two hours before the flight departure. The driving time is around 40 minutes. Please, let us know your flight information. 

Inclusions:

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Private van or minibus
  • End of the tour

Inclusions of the package

  • Airport transfers
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off for the tours
  • Transport for the tours
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Entrance tickets to the places to visit
  • Meals described and breakfast at hotels
  • 3-star hotel accommodations in the room type selected

Not Included in the package

  • Flight tickets
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance

Inclusions of the Short Inca Trail:

  • Professional tour guide.
  • All transportation costs.
  • Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
  • Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail.
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
  • All necessary bus tickets to Machu Picchu.
  • Meals: 1 box lunch and 1 dinner at a local restaurant.
  • First Aid Kit and Oxygen tank.
  • Round-trip train tickets.
  • Vistadome Panoramic return train.

Not included in the Short Inca trail:

  • First breakfast and second-day lunch
  • Travel Insurance