Highlights
- Marvel at the mysteries of Inca culture at Machu Picchu and other sites
- See the curious geoglyphs, called the Nasca Lines, from a scenic flight
- Explore the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest with local guides
- Eat your way around Lima and explore the UNESCO-listed historic center
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima, Food Tour | Lima |
| Day 2 | Lima History Tour | Lima |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Nasca, Archaeological Tour | Nasca |
| Day 4 | Nasca Lines Scenic Flight, Transfer to Arequipa | Arequipa |
| Day 5 | Arequipa City Tour | Arequipa |
| Day 6 | Colca Canyon Tour (Day 1) | Colca |
| Day 7 | Colca Canyon Tour (Day 2) | Puno |
| Day 8 | Day Trip to the Uros Floating Islands | Puno |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Cusco via the Pucra Museum & Temple of Wiracocha | Cusco |
| Day 10 | Tour of Pisac, Ollantaytambo & Chinchero | Cusco |
| Day 11 | Explore Machu Picchu | Cusco |
| Day 12 | Cusco City Tour | Cusco |
| Day 13 | Hike the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountains | Cusco |
| Day 14 | Transfer to Puerto Maldonado, Amazon Experience (Day 1) | Puerto Maldonado |
| Day 15 | Amazon Experience (Day 2) | Puerto Maldonado |
| Day 16 | Amazon Experience (Day 3), Depart Puerto Maldonado |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Food Tour
Hola! Welcome to Lima! Upon arrival at the airport, a private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The capital city of Peru is a vibrant coastal city that blends history and culture. You can explore its modern setting by the Pacific Ocean or head to the UNESCO-listed historic center, full of charming colonial architecture, magnificent cathedrals and palaces, and fascinating stories.
Lima is also a renowned culinary destination, celebrated for its diverse gastronomy that combines traditional Peruvian flavors with international influences. This evening you'll explore the best of the city with a food tour. Start with a chic beachfront cocktail at sunset. Next, you'll taste traditional Peruvian dishes at a well-known restaurant while surrounded by vistas of pre-Incan ruins. Finally, you'll go to Lima's bohemian Barranco neighborhood to taste the innovative dishes of a famous local chef. After, you can stroll the charming neighborhood reflecting on a great evening.
Day 2: Lima History Tour
Get ready to explore more of Lima today with a private guide, starting with a tour of the historic downtown. Begin by going back to the ancestral roots of Lima with a panoramic view of the Pucllana Pyramid, a magnificent ceremonial and archaeological center built in the fourth century CE and considered a "sacred village" by the Incas.
Day 3: Transfer to Nasca, Archaeological Tour
Early this morning, you'll take a seven-hour bus from Lima to Nasca, a town in the Peruvian desert renowned for its mysterious and enigmatic Nasca Lines. Upon arrival, a driver will take you to your hotel in Nasca.
Once settled, you'll visit Los Paredones, which was once an Inca administrative center that dates from the mid-1400s and is thought to connect the coast and the mountains. Its architecture is characterized by the use of rectangular adobes with a carved stone base. You'll also check out the Cantalloc Aqueducts, a hydraulic system that accessed underground aquifers with an extensive underground network of channels and reservoirs made of stone. Later you'll visit ceramic workshops and see techniques of the ancient Nasquence civilization.
Day 4: Nasca Lines Scenic Flight, Transfer to Arequipa
The Nasca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, draw visitors from around the world to witness the ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert floor. Nasca's character is deeply intertwined with these extraordinary lines, which have captivated archaeologists and historians for decades. Today you'll witness the intriguing archaeological site from above with a 30-minute flight.
At the appointed time, transfer to the aerodrome, where the adventure starts. From the air, you'll see many of the most famous geoglyphs. These massive images, the longest of which are 1,200 feet (370 m), vary from geometric lines to figures of animals and people. Due to the stable environment of the Nasca desert, these geoglyphs—which were created by removing the top layer of iron-oxide-coated pebbles to reveal the light-colored clay underneath—have been remarkably well preserved. Later, you'll take a transfer to the bus station for the 11-hour night bus to Arequipa.
Day 5: Arequipa City Tour
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Colca Canyon Tour (Day 1)
Start the day early with a three-hour scenic drive to Colca Canyon, passing through spectacular landscapes of snowcapped volcanoes and quaint Andean villages. As the road climbs up to the Reserva Nacional de Salinas y Aguada Blanca, look for wild vicuñas (smaller cousins of the llama) and viscachas (chinchilla-like rodents). At the highest point, you'll reach Patapampa Pass at 15,300 feet (4,820 m) above sea level. Here, you'll visit Mirador de Los Andes for incredible views of the peaks and volcanoes, including Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato.
Next, descend down into the town of Chivay, where you'll begin to see pre-Inca agricultural terraces that characterize the landscape of the canyon. Stop in the main square of Chivay for lunch before being dropped off at your hotel. Use the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the hotel facilities, rest, and relax. You might also like to visit one of the public natural thermal baths nearby.
Day 7: Colca Canyon Tour (Day 2)
Early this morning, you'll meet your guide and drive to Condor Cross Lookout Point, one of the best viewpoints over the canyon and home to the famed condors that gracefully soar on the thermal currents. The road leads past picturesque villages and pre-Inca ruins dominated by the Ampato and Hualca glaciers, both visible in the distance. Once you reach Cruz del Condor, you can stand at the viewpoint and gaze into the depths of the canyon, which stretches nearly 4,000 feet below.
Return to Chivay for lunch and to browse the local market before starting the five-hour drive to Puno. Luckily you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Andes on the way! Puno is at a higher altitude than Arequipa, and it's a good idea to take it easy after arrival so you can acclimatize.Day 8: Day Trip to the Uros Floating Islands
Today's adventure takes you to the floating Uros Islands. It is believed that the Uros were one of the first ethnic groups to populate the Andean region, and they live on human-made floating islands constructed out of the totora reeds that grow in abundance around the lake. During today's visit to these islands, you'll learn about their everyday life and traditions.
Enjoy a local lunch of quinoa soup, vegetables, and fresh fish from the lake at a restaurant on Taquile Island. After, explore the island, which was mostly isolated from the outside world until the 1950s. As a result, the Taquileños follow a very different way of life. On the island, decisions are made communally, there are no cars, and there is very little electricity. Learn about the lives and traditions of the Taquileños, such as the exquisite weavings created by local artists, and appreciate the stunning views of Lake Titicaca from the island's shores. Eventually, take a boat back to Puno.
Day 9: Transfer to Cusco via the Pucra Museum & Temple of Wiracocha
Get ready for a grand adventure as you journey from Puno to Cusco by coach. The 10-hour journey will be broken up with small tours and a buffet lunch, making the time fly by as you make your way across the country. Your first stop is the Pucra Museum, home to pre-Incan artifacts, followed by La Raya, a remote scenic lookout, for a short stop at 14,222 feet (4,335 m) above sea level.
Continue on, stopping for an early lunch and then see Raqchi, a set of Inca ruins at the Temple of Wiracocha, set 11,400 feet (3,480 m) above sea level. Your last stop is to see The Sistine Chapel of America, set within the church of San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas. It was built by the Jesuits in the 16th century on top of a huaca, or sacred place for the Incas, and is made of adobe and brick. Finally, you'll pull into Cusco in the early evening. Take a transfer to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing dinner.
Day 10: Tour of Pisac, Ollantaytambo & Chinchero
This morning you'll travel to Pisac, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region, to explore the ancient Inca burial grounds, irrigation systems, and astronomy centers. See these ancient sites, then venture into town to witness the bustling textile market and choose from a wide assortment of colors, styles, and designs as souvenirs. Pause for a traditional Peruvian lunch, savoring Andean cuisine at a restaurant overlooking the Urubamba River.
In the afternoon, continue to the ancient Inca city of Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Inca urban planning. Walk through the streets with Inca-era canals and view the ancient houses still in use today. Climb the agricultural terraces where you'll be able to see the stone quarries used to build the city. It's amazing to think how far these large stones were transported. After, you'll head to Chinchero, a small rustic Andean town, to explore its ruins before making your way back to Cusco.
Day 11: Explore Machu Picchu
Today is the day you'll witness the marvel of Machu Picchu, a 15th-century Inca citadel located at 7,970 feet (2,430 m). This masterpiece of engineering served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court. To get there, take a transfer from your hotel in Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station for an early morning ride through the Urubamba River Canyon and a cloud forest before ending at Aguas Calientes, the base for most Machu Picchu adventures. From here, you'll take a 25-minute bus ride up to the ruins.
Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Built as a seasonal residence for the Inca family, the site was abandoned 100 years after construction and remained largely hidden from the outside world until the early 20th century. Your guide will lead you around the site, sharing stories and facts about the curious citadel. After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and grab lunch in the picturesque town center before your return train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.
Day 12: Cusco City Tour
Get to know Cusco today, the capital of the Inca Empire, on a guided tour through the city. First, walk through the Plaza de Armas and explore the Cusco Cathedral, home to several paintings from the Escuela Cuzquena (Cusco School), created during the 17th and 18th centuries. From there, head to the remainder of the legendary Qoricancha, or the Temple of the Sun, once the most important temple to the Inca, whose walls were said to be plated with gold.
Finally, head to Sacsayhumán, a 15th-century dry-stone complex sitting on a steep hill. Wrap up the tour with visits to other archaeological sites, like Q'enquo, Tambomachay, and Puka Pukara, then enjoy the rest of the day as you please.
Day 13: Hike the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountains
Rise and shine early this morning as you get ready to hike the colorful Vinicunca Rainbow Mountains. This undiscovered land is full of wild desert landscapes, snowcapped glaciated peaks, alpaca herds, and pristine beauty. A guide will collect you at 3 am to begin the drive through the South Valley to the trailhead at Quesiuno, stopping for breakfast on the three-hour journey. Start the hike by following a stream, passing herds of alpacas and llamas while enjoying views of the Ausangate Mountain. You'll hike through villages where you meet the locals and appreciate their potato fields and unique fauna.
After two hours, you'll finally reach the beautiful mountains, sitting 16,466 feet (5,020 m) above sea level. Various mineral deposits cause their distinctive multicolored appearance in shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. The trek is challenging, but the awe-inspiring view and natural beauty make the hike worthwhile. Return along the same trail and relax on the journey back to Cusco. Your group will stop for a buffet lunch en route.
Day 14: Transfer to Puerto Maldonado, Amazon Experience (Day 1)
Today you'll venture into Peru's Amazon! But first, take a transfer to the Cusco airport for your short flight to Puerto Maldonado. This is where you'll begin your Amazon adventure with a 25-minute boat ride navigating the clay-colored Madre de Dios River to reach a hidden jungle lodge called Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion. Settle into your stylish stilted wooden cabaña or room, then head to the palm-thatched Casa Grande dining room for a hearty buffet lunch.
After, get out and explore the jungle on foot with a local guide. The protected Tambopata National Reserve backs the lodge, so there's a good chance you'll see exotic wildlife and tropical plants. Back at the lodge, enjoy a relaxing dinner that draws on local Amazon ingredients for inspiration. You'll also have the opportunity to join a guided twilight riverboat ride to see species that have adapted to the shadows of the night.
Day 15: Amazon Experience (Day 2)
Wake up to the sounds of the jungle. This morning you'll visit Lake Sandoval, a glassy, oxbow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Follow a sun-dappled jungle trail, then board a dugout wooden canoe to quietly paddle through mangroves and glide onto Lake Sandoval, flanked by picture-perfect palms. This serene lake is home to endangered river otters, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles, and black caimans.
Return to the lodge in time for lunch before embarking on an afternoon adventure. This is where you'll take a 20-minute boat ride across the Madre de Dios River to climb the exhilarating Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and navigate the Anaconda Walk. The first is a 1,135-foot-long (344 m) network of seven suspension bridges strung between treetop observation platforms. As you ascend, keep an eye out for white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys, and the three-toed sloth. Then tackle the Anaconda Walk, an elevated wooden boardwalk through the wetlands.
Day 16: Amazon Experience (Day 3), Depart Puerto Maldonado
Wake up this morning to the cacophony of jungle sounds in this unspoiled natural wonderland. Listen as parakeets chatter away in the trees and monkeys swing through the treetops. Then enjoy a slow breakfast before checking out. A motorized wooden boat will be waiting to transfer you back along the snaking Madre de Dios River. You'll make a short visit to a Butterfly House before reaching the airport to see some of Peru's 3,700 known butterfly species.
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