Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll touch down in Lima this evening, and a transfer takes you straight to your hotel. It's your first night in South America, so settle in and get some rest before the adventure really kicks off tomorrow.
- Day 2
Lima to Paracas
Start with a city tour through Lima's historic old town and the modern Miraflores district. The Larco Herrera Museum holds over 50,000 exhibits showcasing Peru's pre-Incan cultures. After lunch, you'll head south toward Paracas, a 285 km drive, and settle into your secluded hotel complex.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Lima's historic old town and Miraflores
- Visit to Larco Herrera Museum
Landmarks Larco Herrera Museum Miraflores - Day 3
Ballestas Islands - Ica
Rise early for a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands where you'll see rock formations, sea lions, penguins, and various bird species including pelicans and the famous stone candlestick. You'll meet a local fisherman to hear about his work. From there, it's a 75 km drive toward Ica with a stop at the Huacachina oasis. An optional buggy sand dune tour is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat tour to Ballestas Islands
- Meeting with local fisherman
Optional Activities
- Buggy sand dune tour in Ica (€70)
Landmarks Ballestas Islands Huacachina Oasis - Day 4
Ica to Nazca
Check out the Maria Reiche Museum dedicated to the Nazca Lines and visit the regional museum to learn more about this mysterious site. An optional flight over the Nazca Lines can be arranged (book in advance). Then you'll drive 145 km through the desert.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Maria Reiche Museum
Optional Activities
- Sightseeing flight over Nazca Lines (€135, not bookable on site)
- Visit to regional museum
Landmarks Nazca Lines Maria Reiche Museum - Day 5
Nazca to Arequipa
Travel south along the Panamericana highway toward Arequipa, a 570 km journey. This famous highway connects North America with South America and was finished in 1923. You'll see Peru's varied landscapes throughout the drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 6
Arequipa to Puno
This morning starts with a city tour of Arequipa, known as the White City because of its white volcanic rock architecture throughout. You'll spend time at the Santa Catalina monastery complex, which is well-preserved and worth taking your time with. After that, the drive to Puno takes you through Andean landscapes and small villages. The route covers about 320 km, so you're looking at several hours on the road, but the scenery makes it worthwhile.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Arequipa
- Visit to Santa Catalina monastery complex
Landmarks Santa Catalina Monastery 
- Day 7
Lake Titicaca
Head to Llachon on the Capachica peninsula in Lake Titicaca where indigenous Quechua people live traditionally. Then explore the floating islands of the Uros, constructed from reeds and inhabited for generations as a unique refuge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Llachon village on Capachica peninsula
- Visit to floating islands of the Uros
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Capachica Peninsula Uros Floating Islands - Day 8
Puno to Cuzco
See the Sillustani ruins with impressive tomb towers built by the indigenous Aymara people. Board a bus through the Altiplano plateau heading toward Cuzco, a 390 km journey with possible views of snow-capped Andes peaks. You'll stop at the Raqchi ruins and visit the church in Andahuaylillas, reportedly built on Inca temple foundations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Sillustani ruins
- Visit to Raqchi ruins
- Visit to church in Andahuaylilles
Landmarks Sillustani Ruins Raqchi Ruins Church of Andahuaylillas 
- Day 9
Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
Your day in the Sacred Valley starts at the fortress of Ollantaytambo, where you can walk around and see the Inca construction up close. From there, you board a train that runs through the Urubamba Valley, heading toward Machu Picchu. Once you arrive, you'll walk through the ancient Inca ruins and take in the site itself. It's a full day that combines history, scenery, and the actual experience of being there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Ollantaytambo fortress
- Train journey to Machu Picchu
- Visit to Machu Picchu
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu 
- Day 10
Cuzco
Visit Huilloc, a small mountain village in Urubamba province, and share lunch with local residents. Continue to the famous Chinchero market for textiles, jewelry, and fresh produce. Learn about traditional wool processing and try a pisco tasting to discover Peru's national drink. Then return to Cuzco, 70 km away.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with Andean community in Huilloc)
Included Activities
- Visit to Huilloc community
- Lunch with Andean community
- Visit to Chinchero market
- Wool processing demonstration
- Pisco tasting
Landmarks Chinchero Market - Day 11
Cuzco
Stroll through Cuzco's historic alleyways and visit the cathedral to see Cuzco school paintings and search for the famous dodecagonal stone. Walk through the Sacsayhuamán fortress with its impressive massive boulder walls overlooking the ancient Inca capital. The rest of the day is free. An optional excursion to Maras and Moray features ancient salt mines and a sunken amphitheater.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Cuzco Cathedral
- Cuzco school of painting viewing
- Visit to Sacsayhuamán fortress
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Maras and Moray (€70, minimum 4 persons, available April-October)
Landmarks Cuzco Cathedral Sacsayhuamán Maras Salt Mines Moray - Day 12
Cuzco
Your day is open for your own exploration. Browse local markets or head to the artists' quarter near San Blas for alpaca wool souvenirs and handicrafts. Alternatively, do the optional Rainbow Mountains excursion starting early. After breakfast, hike about one hour through Andean landscape to 4,980 m at Palcoyo. Return by late afternoon for a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Rainbow Mountains Palcoyo full-day excursion (€90, available March-October)
Landmarks Rainbow Mountains (Palcoyo) San Blas - Day 13
Cuzco to Lima
Leave Cuzco and fly to Lima to catch your return flight home. You also have the option to extend your adventure with the Amazon module to see another highlight of this continent.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Amazon module extension
- Day 14
Return Home
You'll head to your departure airport today to catch your flight home, wrapping up your South American trip. It's time to head back with memories from Peru and everything you've seen over the past week or so.
- Meals
- Breakfast
