- 4.9/5 576 Latest reviews
- Destination: Peru
- Duration: 13 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: In-Depth
About This Trip
Peru vacation — this 13-day in-depth private journey offers a comprehensive and immersive exploration of South America's most extraordinary destination, combining ancient civilizations, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant local culture in one seamless experience.
From the historic streets of Lima and the wildlife-rich coast of Paracas to the white-stone elegance of Arequipa and the dramatic depths of Colca Canyon, this Peru vacation reveals the country's diverse beauty at a relaxed and meaningful pace. Along the way, discover remarkable archaeological sites, colonial architecture, and authentic traditions that define the very soul of the Andes.
The adventure continues through the Andean highlands to Lake Titicaca, where reed floating islands and traditional Taquile Island communities preserve centuries-old lifestyles, before reaching Cusco — the former capital of the Inca Empire. Explore the Sacred Valley, vibrant Pisac Market, and the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, guided by local experts who bring history to life. Ideal for travelers seeking deeper cultural connection, this private Peru vacation balances iconic landmarks with meaningful encounters for an unforgettable 13-day journey through one of South America's most fascinating destinations.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 2
Lima
Lima Cathedral, Larco Museum
3
Paracas
Ballestas Islands Exploration
4 - 5
Arequipa
Arequipa City Highlights Tour
6
Colca
Colca Canyon
7
Colca - Puno
Sillustani
8
Puno
Lake Titicaca, Uros Islands Floating Island, Taquile Island
9
Puno - Cusco
Chapel of Andahuaylillas, Raqchi Ruins, Pukara Museum
10
Cusco
Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Cusco Cathedral
11
Sacred Valley
Pisac Market, Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo
12
Machu Picchu
Walk around "the Lost City of the Incas"
13
Lima
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Lima – Gateway to the Andes
Day 1 of your Peru vacation begins in Lima — South America’s gastronomic capital and the vibrant gateway to the Andes. Arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport where a private representative meets you and transfers you to your hotel in Miraflores — a sophisticated coastal district known for its ocean-view parks, upscale restaurants, and lively café culture.
The rest of the day is completely yours. Walk along the dramatic Pacific cliffs at Parque del Amor, explore the Larcomar shopping center perched above the ocean, or simply settle in and enjoy your first taste of Peru’s world-renowned cuisine — setting the tone for an extraordinary 13-day journey ahead.
Highlights: Arrival in Lima, private airport transfer, Miraflores district, Pacific Ocean views, Peruvian cuisine
- Lima
- Day 2: Lima City Tour – History, Culture & Coastal Drive
Your Peru vacation continues today with a fully guided exploration of Lima’s extraordinary colonial heritage and pre-Inca archaeological treasures. Begin with a walking tour of Lima’s UNESCO-listed historic center — grand plazas, the ornate Lima Cathedral, and colonial-era streets built directly over ancient Inca foundations. Continue to the renowned Larco Museum, where beautifully preserved artefacts spanning 5,000 years of Peruvian civilization tell the story of one of the world’s great ancient cultures.
In the afternoon, travel south along Peru’s dramatic Pacific coastline toward Paracas — witnessing the striking contrast between the Atacama Desert’s golden sands and the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. Arrive in Paracas in time for a relaxed evening by the bay, with a vivid desert sunset marking the end of a rich cultural day.
Highlights: Lima historic center, Lima Cathedral, Larco Museum, UNESCO heritage, coastal drive to Paracas
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- Paracas
- Day 3: Douro Valley Wine Estate Tour
One of the most exciting mornings of your Peru vacation — a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, a protected natural sanctuary often called the “Poor Man’s Galápagos.” Observe vast colonies of sea lions basking on rocky outcrops, Humboldt penguins waddling along the shore, flamingos wading in coastal lagoons, and thousands of seabirds nesting on sheer cliff faces.
After the excursion, continue inland across the sweeping desert landscapes of southern Peru toward Nasca. The scenery shifts dramatically — from the Pacific coastline to vast arid plains etched with ancient geoglyphs visible only from the air. Arrive in Nasca for a relaxed evening and prepare for the journey deeper into the Andes.
Highlights: Ballestas Islands, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, coastal wildlife, desert landscapes
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- Nasca
- Day 4: Nasca to Arequipa – Journey Through Southern Peru
The overland journey south is one of the most scenically rewarding days of any Peru vacation — the landscape shifting dramatically from coastal desert through fertile river valleys to the rising volcanic foothills of the Andes. Travel through remote communities and vast open plains, gaining a profound sense of the country’s extraordinary geographic diversity.
Arrive in Arequipa — the “White City” of Peru and a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its stunning sillar volcanic stone architecture, colonial elegance, and spectacular mountain backdrop. Three snow-capped volcanoes — El Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu — frame the city in one of the most dramatic urban settings in South America.
Highlights: Southern landscapes, scenic overland journey, Andean foothills, UNESCO-listed Arequipa, volcanic scenery
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- Arequipa
- Day 5: Arequipa City Tour & Santa Catalina Monastery
Explore the historic heart of Arequipa with a guided city tour — one of the cultural highlights of this Peru vacation. Walk through elegant colonial plazas, admire the ornate Baroque façade of the Cathedral on Plaza de Armas, and enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding volcanoes from traditional mirador viewpoints scattered throughout the city.
Enter the magnificent Santa Catalina Monastery — a vast walled religious complex so large it resembles an entire city within a city. Founded in 1580, its vivid orange and blue courtyards, quiet cloisters, and centuries-old cells tell the stories of the nuns who lived here in complete seclusion for over 400 years. The afternoon is free to explore local markets, sample traditional Arequipeño cuisine, or relax in a café overlooking the main square.
Highlights: Arequipa city tour, colonial architecture, local culture, Santa Catalina Monastery
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- Arequipa
- Day 6: Arequipa to Colca Canyon – Andean Highlands
The Colca Canyon section of your Peru vacation begins today with a scenic drive into the high Andes — one of the most dramatic landscape transitions of the entire journey. Travel through traditional Andean villages where ancient agricultural terraces still produce the same crops they have for centuries, and pause at panoramic viewpoints overlooking the vast altiplano plateau stretching to the horizon.
Along the way, spot alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas grazing freely across high-altitude grasslands against a backdrop of snow-dusted volcanic peaks. Arrive in the Colca Valley — one of the world’s deepest canyons at over 3,000 metres — where terraced agriculture and living Inca-era traditions remain central to the daily life of local communities.
Highlights: Andean highlands of Peru, alpacas and llamas, panoramic viewpoints, Colca Canyon
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- Colca Canyon
- Day 7: Colca Canyon to Puno – Condors & Ancient Tombs
Begin the most spectacular morning of your Peru vacation at Cruz del Condor — the famous canyon viewpoint where giant Andean condors with wingspans of up to 3.2 metres ride the thermal currents rising from the canyon floor far below. Watching these majestic birds soar silently overhead is one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences in all of South America.
Continue across the high altiplano toward Puno, stopping at the remarkable pre-Inca burial site of Sillustani — where massive cylindrical stone towers called chullpas rise dramatically above the shores of Lake Umayo. Arrive in Puno — gateway to Lake Titicaca and one of the most culturally rich cities in the Andean highlands.
Highlights: Cruz del Condor, Andean condors, high-altitude altiplano
- B , L
- Puno
- Day 8: Lake Titicaca – Floating Islands & Island Life
Lake Titicaca is one of the most culturally profound stops on any Peru vacation — the world’s highest navigable lake at 3,812 metres above sea level, and home to communities whose traditions and beliefs predate the Inca Empire by thousands of years. Board a boat and cruise across the deep blue waters toward the famous Uros floating islands — extraordinary artificial islands constructed entirely from totora reeds harvested from the lake.
Meet the Uros people, learn how the islands are built and maintained, and hear stories of a way of life sustained entirely on the water for centuries. Continue to the natural island of Taquile, where the local community preserves ancient weaving traditions recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — the intricate textiles woven here carry deep social and spiritual meaning passed down through generations.
Highlights: Lake Titicaca, Uros floating islands, Taquile Island, Andean traditions
- B , L
- Puno
- Day 9: Puno to Cusco – Highland Cultural Route
The highland route from Puno to Cusco is one of the most historically rich drives of your Peru vacation — passing ancient temples, elaborately decorated colonial chapels, and Inca ceremonial ruins along one of the Andes’ most storied corridors. Begin with a stop at the Pukara Museum, where ancient stone sculptures and pre-Inca artefacts reveal civilizations that flourished here long before the rise of the Inca Empire.
Continue to the impressive Raqchi Ruins — a major Inca ceremonial complex dedicated to the god Wiracocha, featuring one of the largest surviving Inca walls in the country. Visit the stunning Chapel of Andahuaylillas — often called the “Sistine Chapel of Peru” for its extraordinary interior murals and gilded Baroque ceiling — before arriving in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and one of the most captivating cities in South America.
Highlights: Highland cultural route, Pukara Museum, Raqchi Ruins, Chapel of Andahuaylillas
- B , L
- Cusco
- Day 10: Cusco City Tour & Sacred Inca Sites
Dive deep into the living history of Cusco — a highlight of any Peru vacation — beginning with the magnificent Coricancha, the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire, its original golden walls now partially visible beneath the Spanish colonial church built on top of it. Continue to the grand Cusco Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, then ascend to the colossal fortress of Sacsayhuamán — built from limestone blocks weighing up to 120 tonnes and fitted together so precisely that not even a sheet of paper can pass between them.
Explore the nearby archaeological cluster of Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay — each site revealing different aspects of the Incas’ remarkable understanding of engineering, astronomy, water management, and religious ceremony. The afternoon is free to explore Cusco’s vibrant San Blas artisan quarter, browse the colourful Mercado San Pedro, or simply sit in the Plaza de Armas and absorb the living history surrounding you.
Highlights: Cusco city tour, Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Inca archaeological sites
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- Cusco
- Day 11: Sacred Valley – Pisac, Ollantaytambo & Inca Legacy
The Sacred Valley day is a highlight of any Peru vacation — combining Pisac’s vibrant artisan market with the magnificent Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo in a single extraordinary day. Travel through the fertile valley where the Incas cultivated maize, potatoes, and quinoa on vast agricultural terraces still farmed today, stopping first at the Pisac ruins perched dramatically above the valley floor.
Browse the colourful Pisac Market — overflowing with hand-woven textiles, ceramic pots, silver jewellery, and traditional Andean crafts — before continuing to Ollantaytambo, one of the finest and best-preserved Inca towns in Peru. Walk the massive ceremonial terraces of the Sun Temple, then board the scenic Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes — winding through cloud forest and past rushing rivers as the mountains close in around you.
Highlights: Sacred Valley, Pisac Market, Ollantaytambo ruins, scenic train
- B , L
- Aguas Calientes
- Day 12: Machu Picchu – Legendary Wonder of Peru
The single most iconic day of your Peru vacation — an early morning bus ride to Machu Picchu, the legendary Lost City of the Incas, perched at 2,430 metres above sea level on a narrow ridge above the Urubamba River. Your expert local guide brings the citadel to life — revealing the history, symbolism, and extraordinary precision behind the mortarless stone temples, agricultural terraces, and ceremonial plazas built here in the mid-15th century.
Wander through the Temple of the Sun, the Room of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana ritual stone, while panoramic views of the surrounding cloud-draped Andean peaks stretch to the horizon in every direction. After the guided tour, free time allows you to explore at your own pace, photograph the iconic llamas grazing on the terraces, or simply sit in silence and absorb one of the greatest human achievements in the ancient world before returning to Cusco.
Highlights: Machu Picchu guided tour, Inca citadel, Andean mountain views
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- Cusco
- Day 13: Cusco to Lima – Departure Day
Your Peru vacation draws to a close this morning with a private transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight to Lima, where you connect with your international departure. Take a final look at the cobblestone streets, terracotta rooftops, and the soaring Andes as you leave behind one of the world’s most extraordinary travel destinations.
Depart Lima carrying memories that will last a lifetime — condors soaring above Colca Canyon, reed islands floating on Titicaca, the golden walls of Coricancha, and the sunrise breaking over Machu Picchu on a clear Andean morning. Your 13-day Peru vacation ends here, but South America’s greatest country will call you back.
Highlights: Departure from Lima, end of 13-day in-depth vacation , lasting cultural memories
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