Explore the best of southern Peru in 11 days: history, culture, and stunning landscapes in a single journey.
From the coast of Lima to the mystical Machu Picchu, passing through the marine biodiversity of the Ballestas Islands, the sandboarding adventure at the Huacachina Oasis, the majestic Lake Titicaca, and the towering Andes with Rainbow Mountain.
An unforgettable journey with vibrant and surprisingly diverse destinations.
This 11-day tour of Peru is the perfect option for those looking to discover the natural, historical, and cultural wealth of the country's south.
highlights of the package
- Day 1: Arrival in Lima – Transfer to hotel.
- Day 2: Lima city tour – Visit to the Larco Museum or the Gold Museum.
- Day 3: Ballestas Islands, vineyards, and Huacachina Oasis – Return to Lima.
- Day 4: Flight to Puno – Transfer to hotel.
- Day 5: Lake Titicaca tour – Visit to the Uros and Taquile Islands.
- Day 6: Bus ride from Puno to Cusco – Visits to Pukara Museum, Raqchi Temple, and Andahuaylillas Chapel.
- Day 7: Cusco City Tour – Visit to Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, and Tambomachay.
- Day 8: Sacred Valley tour – Visit to Pisaq and Ollantaytambo, buffet lunch, train to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 9: Machu Picchu tour – Guided visit, return to Cusco.
- Day 10: Rainbow Mountain tour – Hike between 4000m and 5100m.
- Day 11: Farewell from Cusco – Transfer to the airport. End of services.
ITINERARY
Meals: Breakfast = (B), Lunch = (L), Dinner = (D)
Arrival in Lima
Upon arrival in Lima, the capital of Peru, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a free day to rest and explore Lima's famous cuisine. Overnight in Lima.
City Tour and Larco Herrera Museum
Estimated time: 9:00 to 13:30 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
We begin by visiting Lima at the Larco Herrera Museum, located in an 18th-century colonial mansion. Here, you'll discover the world's largest and most impressive pre-Columbian art collection, including the best and most complete collection of gold and silver from Peru, as well as the famous erotic ceramics of the Moche culture.
The city tour of Lima starts with a visit to Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Hispanic archaeological site dating back to the 4th century AD. We then explore the historic center of Lima, visiting its plazas, the Government Palace, Lima's Cathedral, and other landmarks showcasing its beautiful colonial and republican architecture. We’ll also visit the San Francisco Church and its catacombs. To finish, we’ll explore the modern side of Lima in the residential and financial areas of San Isidro and Miraflores, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Overnight in Lima.
*The Gold and Arms Museum of Peru can be chosen instead of the Larco Museum.
Ballestas Islands – Huacachina Oasis – Buggies
Approximate Schedule: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Meals:
We’ll pick-up from your hotel in Lima and set off south. After about 3 hours, we’ll arrive at the Port of Paracas, where we’ll board a boat for the first adventure of the day.
7:30 AM – Ballestas Islands Tour
We’ll board the boat to explore the Ballestas Islands, a natural paradise where you can see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a variety of seabirds up close. Along the way, we’ll also spot the mysterious “Candelabra” geoglyph—an enormous figure carved into the sand that still leaves experts scratching their heads. This part of the tour lasts about 2 hours.
Next, we’ll drive to Ica (around 1 hour away), where we’ll stop at a local winery. Here, you’ll get to see how Pisco and wine are made, and of course, taste some of the best local varieties.
Lunch Break (à la carte options)
After lunch, we’ll make our way to the famous Huacachina Lagoon, also known as the Oasis of America. Surrounded by massive sand dunes, it’s the perfect spot for some excitement. We’ll jump into our Buggies and zoom through the desert, and if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s also the chance to try your hand at sandboarding down the dunes.
At the scheduled time, we’ll begin our return journey to Lima, arriving around 8:00 PM.
Flight to Puno
Based on your flight schedule, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Puno.
Upon arrival, our team will welcome you at Juliaca Airport, known as the "City of Winds," situated at an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level. From there, we’ll take a scenic 1-hour drive to the city of Puno, where you'll check into your hotel.
You’ll have the rest of the day to relax and acclimatize, preparing for the exciting adventures ahead.
Optional add-on:
On the way, you can visit the Sillustani Chullpas, a fascinating pre-Inca burial site with towering funerary structures, located beside the serene Umayo Lagoon.
Full Day Tour to Lake Titicaca
Estimated time: 7:00 to 16:30 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we explore two of the most iconic islands on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. At the scheduled time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel to begin this unforgettable experience.
We’ll board a speedboat to the Uros Islands (3,812 meters above sea level), a group of floating islands made from totora, an aquatic plant used by the inhabitants to build their homes and boats. The Uros people have preserved their traditions since ancient times, offering a unique cultural experience.
Next, we’ll continue by boat to Taquile Island, home to a Quechua community that has maintained a collective work organization. Their textile art, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, is one of the highlights of the visit.
Here, we’ll enjoy a traditional lunch followed by a walk along paths that offer spectacular views of Lake Titicaca.
After the visit, we’ll return to Puno, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight in Puno.
Sun Route Excursion Puno - Cusco
Estimated time: 7:00 to 17:30 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance from Cusco to Puno: 387 km via paved road
At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the bus station to begin one of the most fascinating journeys to the city of Cusco. You’ll notice the scenery changing as you travel through different altitudinal zones. Starting in the highland plateau, we’ll then descend into the inter-Andean valleys. As you travel through the Peruvian highlands, you’ll pass through small villages with farmers and camelid herders in their natural surroundings.
With our guide, we will make stops at the following points of interest:
• Pukara: Visit its lithic museum, a key site to learn about the pre-Inca history and culture of the region.
• Raqchi: An impressive archaeological site featuring the monumental Temple of Wiracocha.
• Andahuaylillas Chapel: Known as the "Sistine Chapel of America," it is one of the most beautiful examples of popular Andean religious art.
Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be welcomed at the bus station and transferred to your hotel for rest.
Cusco City tour
Estimated time: 7:00 to 17:30 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Pick-up from your hotel or a central point in Cusco, and we begin to explore the ancient capital of the Inca Empire.
Our first stop will be the Qoricancha Temple, also known as the Temple of the Sun of the Incas, located near the Plaza de Armas. Here, you will admire the refined Inca architecture, with its impressive walls of perfectly fitted stone, as well as a valuable collection of paintings from the Cusco School.
Next, we will head out of the city by transport, enjoying panoramic views of Cusco. There, we will visit the Fortress of Sacsayhuamán (3,700 m.a.s.l.), an imposing construction with gigantic limestone blocks assembled with astounding precision.
We will continue on to the archaeological site of Qenqo (3,580 m.a.s.l.), Pukapukara (3,680 m.a.s.l.), and Tambomachay, ancient Inca religious sites, each with structures from that era, each playing an important religious and political role in its time.
We will end the tour with the return to the city of Cusco.
Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour
Approximate schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Your adventure begins with a hotel pick-up at 8:00 AM, followed by a journey to the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is the Pisac archaeological site, famous for its impressive agricultural terraces and meticulously built palaces atop the mountain. You’ll enjoy stunning views and have the chance to take unforgettable photos before heading down to the colonial town of Pisac, where you can buy water, snacks, or souvenirs.
Next, we continue to Urubamba, a charming town where you'll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. After lunch, we proceed to the Ollantaytambo fortress, an awe-inspiring site featuring massive granite stone structures, temples, and terraces.
After exploring the Sacred Valley, we head to the Ollantaytambo train station, where you'll board a train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), according to your scheduled departure. Upon arrival in Machu Picchu Pueblo, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can rest and prepare for the next day’s exciting visit to Machu Picchu.
Train Schedule from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu:
Departures begin at 3:37 PM and continue into the evening.
Approximate distance:
Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu: 45 km / 1 hour 45 minutes by train
Tonight will be the perfect opportunity to rest comfortably before your visit to the Wonder of the World.
Machu Picchu Tour
Entry Hours: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Meals: Breakfast included
After breakfast at the hotel, we will board the bus to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at this legendary Inca city, we will begin a guided tour with an expert guide who will share fascinating insights into the history and significance of Machu Picchu. You will explore stunning viewpoints, scenic trails, and important religious and ceremonial sites, all offering breathtaking panoramic views—perfect for capturing amazing photos.
Once the guided tour concludes, we will return by bus to Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you’ll have free time for lunch and to explore the town before boarding your return train to Cusco or the Sacred Valley, according to your schedule.
Estimated distances:
Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo: 45 km / 1 hr 45 min by train
Ollantaytambo – Cusco: 76 km / 1 hr 30 min by car
Machu Picchu – Poroy: 94 km / 3 hrs 15 min by train
Poroy – Cusco: 18 km / 30 min by car.
Rainbow Mountain
Estimated time: 5:00 to 16:30 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
We will start early, picking you up from your hotel to head south of Cusco. During this nearly two-hour trip, enjoy the first views of Andean landscapes and small villages along the way. We will reach Cusi Pata (3,310 m) for an energizing breakfast to prepare for the hike.
We’ll continue for another 1.5 hours until reaching the starting point, which is located at around 4,630 meters. From there, we’ll begin our hike, which will last about two hours, reaching the Rainbow Mountain at 5,200 meters. This trail is surrounded by immense mountains, colorful vegetation, and snow-capped peaks, including Apu Ausangate (6,384 m). Along the way, you’ll encounter local people still preserving their traditions and wearing colorful clothes. You’ll also see alpacas and llamas, always curious about visitors.
Upon reaching the top of Rainbow Mountain, you’ll be amazed by the natural colors of the landscape. Take time to enjoy the breathtaking views and capture unique photos. Afterward, we’ll return along the same trail for about one hour, then head to the restaurant for lunch.
Finally, we’ll return to Cusco, with an estimated arrival time between 16:00 and 17:00 hrs.
Maximum altitude: Rainbow Mountain (5,100 meters)
Hiking distance: 5 km (round trip)
Hiking time: 3 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate. It’s recommended not to suffer from knee, ankle, or heart problems that could be affected by the altitude.
Note: There are two routes to reach Rainbow Mountain: one through Pitumarca and another via Cusipata. The main difference between them is the travel time by vehicle and the hiking distance.
Pitumarca Route: The total travel time by vehicle is approximately 6 hours (round trip). However, the hike is longer, covering 7 km and taking around 4 hours (round trip).
Cusipata Route: This route requires 1 additional hour of travel time compared to Pitumarca, but the hike is shorter, with a 3.5 km trail and an estimated duration of less than 3 hours in total.
Both options offer breathtaking landscapes and the chance to enjoy an unforgettable experience. On a private tour, you can choose the route that best suits your fitness level and preferences. However, for group tours, the Pitumarca route is prioritized.
Farewell
Estimated schedule: According to your flight time
Meals: Breakfast
At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima, followed by your international departure.
End of our services.
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