Highlights
- Travel to the remarkable floating islands on Lake Titicaca
- Explore the cobbled streets and colonial plazas of Cusco
- Tour legendary Machu Picchu, a mountaintop Inca citadel
- Spot exotic wildlife on jungle excursions in Puerto Maldonado
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima, Optional Activities | Lima |
| Day 2 | Fly to Juliaca, Transfer to Puno | Puno |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Uros Floating Islands | Puno |
| Day 4 | Fly to Cusco, Self-Guided Tour | Cusco |
| Day 5 | Cusco Free Day | Cusco |
| Day 6 | Sacred Valley Tour, Transfer to Ollantaytambo | Ollantaytambo |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to Machu Picchu, Transfer to Cusco | Cusco |
| Day 8 | Fly to Puerto Maldonado & the Amazon | Puerto Maldonado |
| Day 9 | Jungle Nature Tours: Parrot Clay Lick & Botany | Puerto Maldonado |
| Day 10 | Fly to Lima, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Optional Activities
¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima! Peru's largest city sits on the Pacific coast and is home to one-third of the country's population. Like most of Peru, Lima boasts a long, complex history, both Indigenous and colonial. The city is located on the site of a pre-Columbian Ychsma settlement, which was conquered by the Inca Empire in the 15th century and later by Spanish conquistadores. Today Lima is a melting pot of cultures with influences spanning the globe, including Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian—especially Chinese and Japanese.
Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will pick you up at the terminal for the 30-minute drive into the city to your hotel in the trendy Miraflores district. After checking in, you can head out and discover Lima's fascinating history and culture for yourself. The city's breezy location on the coast makes this the perfect metropolis to explore on foot.
If you like, begin a self-guided walking tour in the UNESCO-listed historic center and marvel at Spanish-colonial landmarks like the Lima Cathedral, which dates to 1535. For culture and history, head to Museo Larco, a museum that boasts a vast collection of pre-Columbian art and artifacts. Later in the day, return to Miraflores and Parque del Amor (Love Park), which sits on the coastal cliffs and is the perfect spot to enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the Pacific.
Day 2: Fly to Juliaca, Transfer to Puno
A driver will pick you up at your hotel in the morning for the ride back to the airport. There you'll catch a 1.5-hour flight south from Lima to Juliaca, a transit hub in the Puno region of Peru. From there, it's an hour's drive south to your hotel in the city of Puno, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Not only is this the largest body of water in South America, but Titicaca's elevation of 12,507 feet (3,812 m) makes it the highest accessible lake in the world.
This region is a hotbed of history, culture, and ecological diversity. Here, ancient archaeological sites sit alongside upscale hotels and Indigenous farming communities. For example, the coast near Puno is home to the Uros people, who live on floating islands made from the totora plant, a thick, buoyant reed. Several other ethnic groups, notably the Quechua and Taquileños, inhabit other, larger islands on the lake, most of which have no electricity or paved roads.
As for ecology, photographers and naturalists will enjoy spotting some of the many avian species and waterbirds here, which include ibises, hawks, and even flamingoes. However, It's a good idea to take it easy on your first day to acclimatize to the elevation. Drink lots of water and make sure to rest. Later, you can check out some of the town's restaurants and cafés for an authentic dining experience.
Day 3: Day Trip to Uros Floating Islands
Wake up early to catch a spectacular sunrise over the lake and surrounding Andes mountains. Then, after breakfast, you'll board a ferry for a full-day tour around the lake. The first stop is at one of the floating Uros Islands. It is believed that the Uros people were one of the first ethnic groups to populate the Andean region thousands of years before even the Incas. You'll learn about the Uros' culture and traditions during the visit. They're happy to share, as this Indigenous group supplements their hunting/fishing economy by offering guided tours of their island homes and selling traditional handicrafts.
After the tour, hop back on the ferry and return to the mainland. The trip takes about an hour, during which you can relax and enjoy the lake scenery. Once back in Puno, you'll return to your hotel and have the evening free.
Day 4: Fly to Cusco, Self-Guided Tour
In the morning, transfer to the airport in Juliaca and catch a one-hour flight north to Cusco. Located high in the Andes at 11,200 feet (3,400 m), this area has been settled for thousands of years. However, it wasn't until 1200 CE that Cusco was officially founded as a center for Inca rule. It remained the capital of the Inca Kingdom until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Today this well-preserved historic city boasts an incredible mix of Spanish-colonial architecture and ancient Inca archaeological sites.
Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the city. After checking in, you can head out to discover Cusco on a self-guided tour—but take it slow, as the altitude will affect you. Start at the Plaza de Armas, the city's main square, which is located in the historic center. Once a central meeting point during the Inca Empire, the Spanish founded the plaza in 1534, destroying and replacing the Inca buildings with colonial mansions and churches. The most famous is the Cusco Cathedral, which dates to 1654 and remains remarkably well-preserved.
From here, you can walk to nearby Inca sites. For example, a few blocks from the plaza is Qoricancha (The Temple of the Sun). Built by the Inca Emperor Pachacutec (1438-1572), the temple's interior walls were reputedly covered in gold. After the arrival of the Spaniards, it became the basis for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent. If you like, venture just outside Cusco to witness other impressive sites like Sacsayhuamán and Quenqo, archaeological complexes that date to the 15th century and were mainly used for religious and agricultural rituals.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Cusco Free Day
The day is yours to continue acclimating to the altitude while hitting some of Cusco's famous landmarks. If you haven't already, wander the winding, cobbled streets of San Blas. This bohemian neighborhood has a wealth of Spanish-colonial landmarks, art galleries, handicraft shops, and cozy cafés.
Perhaps visit San Pedro Market. Located just a couple blocks from Plaza de Armas, it's the place to shop for fresh produce, meats, cheeses, alpaca clothing, and much more. It's also renowned for its fresh-fruit juices available from various market stalls. Sticking with the food theme, you can also visit a picnteria (traditional lunchtime restaurant) to sample regional cuisine like cuisine, like llama and cuy (guinea pig).
Day 6: Sacred Valley Tour, Transfer to Ollantaytambo
Get ready for a full day of culture in Peru's famous Sacred Valley, a historically rich area north of Cusco. It begins early with a pickup from your hotel and a drive into the valley and the village of Chinchero, believed by the Inca to be the birthplace of the rainbow. Here, you'll tour Inca terraces and colonial-era churches, plus visit a weaver's studio to learn about the town's famous textile production. See firsthand the process of cleaning and weaving wool, then browse the selection of colorful textiles for the perfect gift or souvenir to take home.
Afterward, continue to the archaeological site of Moray, a series of circular stone terraces built by the Inca. These were likely developed for experimental microclimate agriculture and are a fine example of the engineering prowess of that ancient civilization. From Moray, you'll transfer to the nearby Maras Salt Flats, an intricate network of stone pools developed by the Inca to harvest salt through evaporation. Harvesting continues to this day, with local community members managing the flats according to traditions dating back to the time of the Inca.
From there, you'll visit the ancient city of Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Inca urban planning. As you walk amid the site, you'll witness marvels of early civil engineering in the form of ancient canals and Inca-era homes still in use today. You'll overnight here at a hotel in town.
Day 7: Day Trip to Machu Picchu, Transfer to Cusco
After an early breakfast, you'll board a train in Ollantaytambo for the two-hour ride northwest to Aguas Calientes, the base for day trips to the legendary Machu Picchu. The scenic train ride takes you through the Urubamba River canyon and into a misty cloud forest before arriving in the town. Once there, you'll break for lunch and board a bus for the 25-minute ride up a mountain to the "Lost City of the Incas," a 15th-century Inca citadel at 7,970 feet (2,430 m). This engineering masterpiece served as a sanctuary/retreat for Inca Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court.
During a two-hour tour led by an expert guide, you'll hike to all corners of the complex and visit its most famous features and landmarks. These include astronomical/ritual stone structures like the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. Many landmarks, like the Sacred Plaza and Inca Bridge, showcase the Incas' architectural prowess. The agricultural terraces are also impressive, demonstrating the Incas' skill at cultivating crops on steep hillsides.
After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you'll board a train back to Cusco via Ollantaytambo. Check into your hotel in Cusco and enjoy a free evening in the city.
Day 8: Fly to Puerto Maldonado & the Amazon
In the morning, you'll transfer to the airport in Cusco and board a one-hour flight south to Puerto Maldonado. Located in southeastern Peru and known as the "gateway to the Amazon," this is your last stop before embarking on adventures in the Peruvian rainforest.
Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will transfer you to a port on the Madre de Dios River. There, you'll board a boat for the 2.5-hour ride on the water, relaxing and enjoying a packed lunch as you marvel at the rainforest scenery on the banks. Your destination is the Refugio Amazonas Lodge, the jungle cabin where you'll overnight.
After a warm welcome from the manager, you can unpack and relax after your travels. If you're itching for some adventure, you can embark on a nocturnal wildlife tour by boat to spot caimans. From the safety of the boat, shine your flashlight around the riverbanks to try and spot their red eyes gleaming in the light.
Day 9: Jungle Nature Tours: Parrot Clay Lick & Botany
Immerse yourself in the Amazon rainforest on this unforgettable full-day adventure. In the morning, board a boat for the 30-minute ride up the river to Tres Chimbadas, a lake deep in the Peruvian Amazon. Here you'll enjoy a nature tour to spot resident wildlife like giant river otters, caiman, hoatzin, and tropical birds. Afterward, you'll return to the lodge.
Later, you'll leave the lodge on a 20-minute hike to the Parrot Clay Lick. Take a seat behind a secluded blind and watch hundreds of colorful parrots and parakeets descend on the river to snack on the mineral-rich clay lining the banks. Common species that congregate in this area include the yellow-headed Amazon, blue-headed parrot, and dusky-headed parakeet.
After a break for lunch, you'll travel 20 minutes downriver by boat, then disembark and hit the trail on a curated ethnobotany trail tour. Designed by the staff of Centro Ñape, a communal organization that produces natural medicines from native plants in the rainforest, this educational jaunt is an immersive way to learn about local Amazonian flora and its medicinal uses. Later, you'll return to the lodge and, after dinner, will have the option to embark on another nocturnal wildlife tour.
Day 10: Fly to Lima, Depart
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge amid the calls of nearby rainforest birds. Afterward, you'll transfer by boat back to Puerto Maldonado, where you'll fly to Lima and catch your connecting flight home. Safe travels!
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