A grand thirteen-day journey through Peru, from the Pacific coast to the Andes.
It begins in Lima with its colonial centre, continues through Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, the Ica dunes, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon with the Cruz del Cóndor, and Lake Titicaca at Puno with the Uros and Taquile islands. The Route of the Sun links Puno with Cusco, the base for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu by train. Accommodation in 3-, 4- and 5-star categories.
Highlights
Colonial Lima: Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo convent
Ballestas Islands: sea lions, Humboldt penguins and the Candelabra
Arequipa and the Santa Catalina Monastery
Colca Canyon and the condor's flight at the Cruz del Cóndor
Lake Titicaca: the floating Uros islands and Taquile
Machu Picchu by train, one of the New Wonders of the World
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
Arrival in the city of Lima. You are met and transferred to the hotel. Accommodation in Lima.
Day2
Day 2: Colonial and modern Lima
In the morning, a half-day tour of Lima. Panoramic view of the Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial site from the 4th century. A walk through the historic centre with the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall and Lima Cathedral, and a visit to the Santo Domingo convent, with its baroque façade, where Santa Rosa de Lima and San Martín de Porres rest. Accommodation in Lima.
Day3
Day 3: Lima – Ica: dune buggies and sandboarding – Paracas
Bus transfer to the city of Ica and the Huacachina oasis, where you ride the golden dunes aboard a dune buggy and practise sandboarding with an instructor. At the end of the day, bus transfer to Paracas. Accommodation in Paracas.
Day4
Day 4: Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Lima
In the morning, a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, home to guano birds, Humboldt penguins and sea lions; the Paracas Candelabra is seen along the way. Return to Paracas and, at the agreed time, bus transfer to Lima. Accommodation in Lima.
Day5
Day 5: Lima – Arequipa and Santa Catalina Monastery
Flight to Arequipa, the 'White City'. In the afternoon, a visit to the Santa Catalina Monastery, a religious citadel founded in 1579, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, and the Yanahuara and Carmen Alto viewpoints overlooking the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes. Accommodation in Arequipa.
Day6
Day 6: Arequipa – Colca Canyon
Journey to the Colca Valley, crossing the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, with vicuñas, alpacas and llamas. Arrival in Chivay (3,600 m) and lunch. Free afternoon, with the option of the La Calera thermal baths (not included). Accommodation in Colca.
Day7
Day 7: Colca Canyon – Cruz del Cóndor – Puno
Early visit to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint where, conditions permitting, the flight of the Andean condor can be seen. Return to Chivay and, in the afternoon, a tourist bus to the city of Puno. Accommodation in Puno.
Day8
Day 8: Lake Titicaca: Uros and Taquile
Boat trip on Lake Titicaca. Visit to the floating reed islands of the Uros and to Taquile Island, known for its traditional weaving, with a typical lunch on the island. Return to Puno. Accommodation in Puno.
Day9
Day 9: Puno – Cusco: Route of the Sun
Tourist bus from Puno to Cusco across the Andean altiplano. Along the way, the Pukará site museum, La Raya (4,335 m), a typical lunch in Sicuani (drinks not included), the Inca temple of Raqch'i dedicated to Wiracocha, and the San Pedro de Andahuaylillas church, the 'Sistine Chapel of the Americas'. Arrival in Cusco. Accommodation in Cusco.
Day10
Day 10: Cusco: city and archaeological park
Free morning. In the afternoon, a visit to the Koricancha, the ancient Temple of the Sun, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, and the archaeological park with the Sacsayhuamán fortress, the Kenko shrine, Puka Pukará and Tambomachay. Accommodation in Cusco.
Day11
Day 11: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Excursion to the Sacred Valley. The artisan market and archaeological site of Pisac, with its Inca terraces and temples. Buffet lunch in Urubamba (drinks not included) and a visit to the Ollantaytambo fortress. Accommodation in the Sacred Valley.
Day12
Day 12: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Train through the Andean landscapes to Aguas Calientes and a bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New Wonders of the World. Guided tour of the Inca citadel and lunch in Aguas Calientes. Return train to Cusco. Accommodation in Cusco.
Day13
Day 13: Cusco – Lima
At the agreed time, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima.
Suggested hotels
Britania Miraflores
Standard
Lima
3-star option in Lima.
Casa Andina Miraflores Centro
Standard
Lima
3-star option in Lima.
Dazzler Miraflores
Superior
Lima
4-star option in Lima.
José Antonio Deluxe
Superior
Lima
4-star option in Lima.
El Pardo DoubleTree by Hilton
Luxury
Miraflores
5-star option in Lima.
Pool
Spa
Gym
Restaurant
Bar
Business center
Parque Kennedy (half a block)
Larcomar (10-min walk)
Huaca Pucllana (1.5 km)
Malecón de Miraflores (10-min walk)
Hilton Miraflores
Luxury
Lima
5-star option in Lima.
Emancipador
Standard
Paracas
3-star option in Paracas.
La Hacienda Bahía Paracas
Superior
Paracas
4-star option in Paracas.
Aranwa Paracas
Luxury
Paracas
5-star option in Paracas.
Crismar by Xima
Standard
Arequipa
3-star option in Arequipa.
Sonesta Arequipa
Superior
Arequipa
4-star option in Arequipa.
Costa del Sol Wyndham Arequipa
Luxury
Arequipa
5-star option in Arequipa.
Pozo del Cielo
Standard
Colca
3-star option in Colca.
Colca Lodge
Superior
Colca
4-star option in Colca.
Aranwa Colca Resort & Spa
Luxury
Colca
5-star option in Colca.
Casa Andina Standard Puno
Standard
Puno
3-star option in Puno.
José Antonio Puno
Superior
Puno
4-star option in Puno.
GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca
Luxury
Puno
5-star option in Puno.
Mabey Cusco
Standard
Cusco
3-star option in Cusco.
Inkarri Cusco
Standard
Cusco
3-star option in Cusco.
José Antonio Cusco
Superior
Cusco
4-star option in Cusco.
Sonesta Cusco
Superior
Cusco
4-star option in Cusco.
Aranwa Cusco
Luxury
Cusco
5-star option in Cusco.
Palacio del Inka
Luxury
Cusco
5-star option in Cusco.
Andean Wings Valle Sagrado
Standard
Valle Sagrado
3-star option in Valle Sagrado.
Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay
Superior
Valle Sagrado
4-star option in Valle Sagrado.
Aranwa Valle Sagrado
Luxury
Valle Sagrado
5-star option in Valle Sagrado.
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in Lima: 3 night(s) with breakfast
Included: Accommodation in Paracas: 1 night(s) with breakfast
Included: Accommodation in Arequipa: 1 night(s) with breakfast
Included: Accommodation in Colca: 1 night(s) with breakfast
Included: Accommodation in Puno: 2 night(s) with breakfast
Included: Accommodation in Cusco: 3 night(s) with breakfast
Included: Accommodation in Valle Sagrado: 1 night(s) with breakfast
Included: Airport / hotel / airport transfers (private)
Included: Transfers to bus and train stations (private)
Included: Half-day tour of colonial and modern Lima
Included: Boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands
Included: Dune buggies and sandboarding in Huacachina
Included: Scheduled bus Lima / Ica / Paracas / Lima
Included: Half-day tour of Arequipa and the Santa Catalina Convent
Included: Colca Canyon 2D/1N (lunch included on the first day)
Included: Scheduled bus Colca / Puno
Included: Full-day excursion to the Uros and Taquile islands (lunch included)
Included: Tourist bus Puno / Cusco 'Route of the Sun' (lunch included)
Included: Half-day tour of Cusco and the Sacsayhuamán archaeological park
Included: Full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (lunch included)
Included: Machu Picchu by Expedition or Voyager train (lunch included)
Included: Excursions, entrance fees and guiding in regular (shared) service
What's not included
Not included: National and international airfare
Not included: National and international airport taxes and visa fees
Not included: Early check-in and late check-out
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks not included with meals
Not included: Expenses not specified in the programme
Not included: Optional excursions and services
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
La Calera thermal baths — The La Calera thermal baths near Chivay, with mineral-rich waters, in the Colca Valley.