Peru in a Nutshell: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno & Arequipa - 16 Days

Highlights

• Spend three days exploring the wonders of Machu Picchu with day hikes
• Walk among ancient Inca wonders in Pisac, Moray, Maras, and beyond
• Take a day trip to the floating islands of Uros, where you'll have lunch 
• Spend a morning touring the colonial architecture of Arequipa with a guide

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Explore 

Hola! Welcome to Lima, the capital and largest city in Peru. One-third of the country's population lives in this coastal city, and today you'll have the chance to explore at your pace. Upon arrival at Lima airport, take a transfer to your hotel, drop off your bags, refresh, and get out there. Perhaps you want to visit the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where colonial architecture and ancient ruins intertwine. Or simply stroll along the picturesque coastal cliffs of the Miraflores district, enjoying breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean on the Malecon, a picturesque boardwalk atop the cliffs.

Day 2: Free Time, Evening Food Tour

Day 3: Fly to Cusco, Explore

Rise early for your transfer to Lima's airport, where you'll catch a flight to Cusco, an ancient city and the former capital of the Inca empire, which reigned from the 13th to 16th centuries after conquering the Killke settlement. It's also the gateway to the Sacred Valley, which you'll experience in the coming days. Upon arrival, you'll meet a local driver for a transfer to your hotel. Settle in, then head out to explore the bustling historic city center.

Day 4: Cusco City & Market Tour

Wake up with a hunger to explore local life in Cusco. On today's tour, you'll start at the legendary Mercado Central de San Pedro, a large and diverse market where locals shop for fresh produce and groceries daily. This market experience is as authentic as it gets in Peru! Wander past stalls peddling mouth-watering fruit juices, home-style meals, medicinal herb stalls, and rows of various meats, bread, vegetables, and other necessities.

After the market experience, you'll visit the Sun Temple, known as Qoricancha, which was once the most important temple to the Inca. It's said the walls were once plated with gold, and you'll be able to explore smaller temples dedicated to the moon, rainbow, stars, lightning, thunder, and more. From here, you'll walk to the religious site of Sacsayhumán, a 15th-century dry-stone complex sitting on a steep hill, before returning to the hotel for a rest.

Day 5: Explore the Pisac Ruins, Pachamanca Farm Lunch, Visit Ollantaytambo

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 Pachamanca lunch at the El Albergue Farm in Ollantaytambo. Pachamanca means earth oven, and you'll taste a traditional meal of chicken, pork, lamb, and potatoes cooked on hot rocks with salad and more.

After lunch, you'll tour the organic farm, cañazo (sugar cane liquor) distillery, and coffee roasting facility before continuing to the ancient Inca city of Ollantaytambo. This is 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 once transported. 

Day 6: Explore Moray & Maras: Inca Agricultural Laboratories & Salt Mines

Get ready to embark on a cultural journey from your hotel in the Sacred Valley to Moray, where you'll discover the fascinating Inca agricultural laboratories. During the drive, you can take in the stunning scenery of the snowcapped Andes and the golden fields of wheat. You'll also stop at villages where you can learn about the local way of life and traditions. On arrival in Moray, you'll be awestruck by the three magnificent terraces carved deep into the earth.

Day 7: Sacred Valley Zipline Experience

There are plenty of thrills today when you zipline across the magnificent Sacred Valley. This ziplining adventure features seven cables, ranging from 500 feet (150 m) to 2,300 feet (700 m), totaling 1.7 miles (2.8 km) of zipline fun. The adventure begins with a half-hour hike and an easy via ferrata (fixed climbing route) up to the first line. Then you'll fly off into the distance, equipped with all the safety gear. Each cable on the route is different, starting off easy and progressing as you move along. 

Day 8: Inca Trail Day 1: Hike to Wiñay Wayna, Transfer to Aguas Calientes

Early this morning, you'll take the train from Ollantaytambo to Station KM 104, where the short version of the Inca Trail begins. On the 90-minute train journey, watch how the valley turns into a canyon and then a cloud forest. Disembark and start the challenging uphill path to Chachabamba, a well-preserved archaeological site that was likely used for religious purposes and as an entrance to Machu Picchu. From here, ascend for three hours to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna at 8,964 feet (2,732 m), an ancient rest area for travelers on the Inca trail.

Stop for a picnic lunch while admiring the massive green mountains and native orchids. From here, the trail becomes easier, continuing through the semi-tropical cloud forest to Intipunku (Sun Gate), where you'll enjoy your first panoramic views of Machu Picchu. Descend half an hour to the citadel for a short break and an opportunity for photos at sunset. You won't explore the ruins today—instead, pass through the Sun Gate and take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you'll check into the hotel to rest and relax.

Day 9: Inca Trail Day 2: Hike to Huayna Picchu, Transfer to Aguas Calientes

Today you'll get to marvel at the wonders of Machu Picchu once more. This 15th-century Inca citadel located at 7,970 feet (2,430 m) was once the retreat for an Inca empower and his court. Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before meeting your guide for the 25-minute bus ride back up to the ancient site.

This morning you'll set off on a more modest hike up the summit of Huayna Picchu. It takes approximately 90 minutes to two hours to reach the top of Huayna Picchu mountain, but the bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu makes every step worthwhile. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the top before returning to the ruins for the bus back to Aguas Calientes.

Day 10: Guided Tour of Machu Picchu, Train to Cusco

Start early to beat the crowds and get the best views of ancient Machu Picchu bathed in morning light. Meet your guide and take a bus back up to the citadel for a three-hour guided tour of the site. 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.

Over the next few hours, your guide will lead you around the site, sharing stories and facts about the curious 15th-century citadel. This masterpiece of engineering served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed, giving visitors a sense of the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel. After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and grab lunch in the picturesque town center before your return train to Cusco.

Day 11: Free Day: City Tour, Rainbow Mountain Trek, or Humantay Lake Hike

Today is yours to explore Cusco as you wish. You could choose to join another guided city tour and venture down the narrow, cobbled laneways in search of the most famous sights and landmarks. Or lace up those sneakers and make a very early start for a challenging all-day hike up the jaw-droppingly beautiful Rainbow Mountains, sitting 16,466 feet (5,020 m) above sea level. Mineral deposits created a distinctive multicolored appearance with shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue, and you'll likely see llamas and alpacas among the landscape.

Alternatively, the half-day hike to Humantay Lake is easier. While it's still a very early start, this simpler hike takes you to Soraypampa to begin the steep trek. The reward is breathtaking views of snowcapped peaks and glacial lakes when you reach the crystal-clear waters of Humantay Lake at 14,100 ft (4,300 m).

Day 12: Luxury Titicaca Train to Puno

This morning you'll travel in style from Cusco to Puno aboard the opulent PeruRail Titicaca Train. Crossing the Andes on the Cusco-Puno route is an unforgettable experience in itself, but traveling on this special train in 1920s-style Pullman carriages makes it a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. This train offers passengers a luxurious 10.5-hour ride with gourmet dining, endless panoramic views, and entertainment such as Peruvian dancing and afternoon tea. Marvel at the serene waters and stunning peaks as you cross the Peruvian Andes en route to Puno.

Day 13: Visit the Uros Floating Islands

This morning begins a guided tour of the Uros Islands. It is believed that the Uros were one of the first ethnic groups to populate the Andean region, and they live on man-made floating islands constructed out of the 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 14: Transfer to Cabanaconde via Colca Canyon, Chivay & the Calera Hot Springs

Start the day early with a filling breakfast at your hotel in Puno before setting off on a 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, located at a breathtaking 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.

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, then continue to the Calera Hot Springs, renowned for the therapeutic effects of its thermal waters. You can either take a dip in the natural baths or just take in the stunning scenery before being dropped at your hotel in Cabanaconde.

Day 15: Visit Mirador Cruz del Condor, Lunch in Chivay, Transfer to Arequipa

Early this morning, you'll meet your guide and drive to Mirador Cruz del Condor, 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 canyon's depths, which stretches nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 m) below.

Return to Chivay for lunch and to browse the local market before starting the three-hour drive to Arequipa. Luckily you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Andes on the way!

Day 16: Arequipa City Tour, Fly to Lima, Depart

Escape to the past this morning in Arequipa, a town known for its warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage. On a guided tour, you'll walk through the Monastery Santa Catalina and the Compañia Church, famous for its incredible Baroque style. You'll also wander to Arequipa's Main Square, visit the peculiar Neo-renaissance Cathedral, then explore the traditional district of Yanahuara, with its pretty plaza and views of the volcanoes Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. 

Later this afternoon, take a transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. From here, catch an international flight to your next destination or back home. Safe travels!

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