- 4.9/5 576 Latest reviews
- Destination: Peru
- Duration: 13 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: In-Depth
About This Trip
Most Peru trips go straight from Lima to Cusco. This 13-day private trip goes the long way, through the south: the Pacific coast, the deserts of Paracas and Nazca, the white city of Arequipa, the deep canyons of Colca, and Lake Titicaca, before ending in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
You will take a boat to the Ballestas Islands, drive past the Nazca plains, visit a 16th-century convent in Arequipa, watch condors rise from Colca Canyon, and cross the altiplano into Inca country. It is a tailor-made trip with a private guide and driver, with several long driving days, and suits travelers who want variety and don't mind covering distance.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1
Lima
Arrival, Miraflores
2
Lima to Paracas
Historic center, coast drive
3
Paracas to Nazca
Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve, Nazca
4
Nazca to Arequipa
Long scenic drive
5
Arequipa
Historic center, Santa Catalina Monastery
6
Colca Canyon
Highland drive, viewpoints
7
Colca to Puno
Cruz del Condor, Andean route
8
Lake Titicaca
Uros floating islands, Taquile
9
Puno to Cusco
Raqchi, Pukara Museum, high Andes
10
Cusco
Cusco and nearby Inca sites
11
Sacred Valley
Pisac, Ollantaytambo
12
Machu Picchu
Train, guided visit
13
Cusco to Lima
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Lima
Your driver meets you and takes you to your Miraflores hotel. Walk the clifftop paths if you have energy, and have a first taste of Peruvian food.
Highlights: Airport transfer, Miraflores coast
- Lima
- Day 2: Lima to the Paracas Coast
Spend the morning on Lima’s colonial center, including the Plaza Mayor and cathedral, and the Larco Museum. After lunch, drive south along the Pacific, about 4 hours, to Paracas.
Highlights: Lima historic center, Larco Museum, coastal drive
- B
- Paracas
- Day 3: Ballestas Islands and on to Nazca
Take an early boat to the Ballestas Islands to see sea lions, penguins and seabirds, then visit the desert coast of the Paracas Reserve. Drive on to Nazca, about 3 to 4 hours. An optional flight over the Nazca Lines is available at extra cost.
Highlights: Ballestas boat trip, Paracas Reserve, optional Nazca flight
- B
- Nasca
- Day 4: Nazca to Arequipa
This is the longest drive of the trip, about 9 hours with stops, across desert and mountain. You arrive in Arequipa in the evening to rest below the volcano El Misti. Bring snacks and a good playlist.
Highlights: Desert and Andean scenery, Arequipa arrival
- B
- Arequipa
- Day 5: Arequipa and Santa Catalina
Walk Arequipa’s white volcanic-stone center, then explore Santa Catalina Monastery, a walled city within the city, where nuns lived in near-isolation for centuries. The afternoon is free for local food and markets.
Highlights: Plaza de Armas, Santa Catalina Monastery, local lunch
- B
- Arequipa
- Day 6: Into Colca Canyon
Drive into the highlands, crossing a pass above 4,000 m, and stop to see vicuñas and alpacas. You reach the Colca valley by afternoon. Drink plenty of water and take it easy, since this is a big altitude jump.
Highlights: Highland pass, alpacas and vicuñas, valley arrival
- B
- Colca Canyon
- Day 7: Condors and the Road to Puno
Rise early for the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, where condors ride the canyon’s morning thermals. Then take a long drive of 6 to 7 hours across the altiplano to Puno.
Highlights: Cruz del Condor, altiplano drive, Puno arrival
- B , L
- Puno
- Day 8: Lake Titicaca
Take a boat onto Lake Titicaca to the Uros floating islands, then continue to Taquile for its weaving traditions and lake views. Return to Puno in the afternoon.
Highlights: Uros reed islands, Taquile, lake views
- B , L
- Puno
- Day 9: Puno to Cusco
Cross the high Andes to Cusco with stops at the Pukara Museum, the Raqchi temple and the Andahuaylillas chapel. The route is long, so we start early.
Highlights: Pukara, Raqchi, Andahuaylillas
- B , L
- Cusco
- Day 10: Cusco and Inca Sites
Visit the Qorikancha, the Cusco cathedral, and the hilltop ruins of Sacsayhuaman and nearby sites. Walk the San Blas streets in the evening.
Highlights: Cusco city tour, Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Inca archaeological sites
- B
- Cusco
- Day 11: Sacred Valley
Visit the Pisac market and ruins, then Ollantaytambo, the fortress town where Inca stonework still stands. Spend the night in the valley or take the evening train toward Machu Picchu.
Highlights: Pisac, Ollantaytambo
- B , L
- Aguas Calientes
- Day 12: Machu Picchu
Take the train to Aguas Calientes, then the bus up to the citadel for a guided visit. Return to Cusco or overnight in Aguas Calientes, depending on your booking.
Highlights: Machu Picchu guided tour, Inca citadel, Andean mountain views
- B
- Cusco
- Day 13: Cusco to Lima and Depart
Transfer to the airport and fly to Lima for your flight home.
Highlights: Departure from Lima, end of 13-day in-depth vacation , lasting cultural memories
- B
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