Peruvian Adventure 12 Days: Lima – Arequipa – Puno – Cusco

Your Peruvian adventure begins with your arrival at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport, where our representative will greet you and comfortably transfer you to your hotel located in the exclusive areas of Miraflores or Barranco, known for their excellent cuisine and beautiful views of the Pacific.

After settling in, you will have time to explore these charming Lima neighborhoods, discovering their bohemian streets, art galleries, and seaside promenades with spectacular sunsets.

Free Afternoon

Breakfast at the hotel

In the morning, you’ll immerse yourself in Lima’s rich colonial history with our half-day City Tour.

You’ll tour the majestic Historic Center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll admire the impressive Plaza Mayor, the magnificent Lima Cathedral, and the imposing Government Palace.

The next stop will be the fascinating Larco Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of pre-Columbian art that will transport your thousands of years back in Peruvian history.

We’ll continue with a relaxing walk through the modern Miraflores district, visiting the romantic Parque del Amor (Love Park) with its spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The afternoon will be free for you to enjoy Lima’s incredible, world-renowned cuisine or continue exploring the city at your own pace.

Early start to make the most of this adventurous day. You’ll depart by bus to Paracas (3.5 hours), considered Peru’s “Little Galapagos.” Upon arrival, you’ll embark on an exciting boat tour to the Ballestas Islands (2 hours), where you’ll observe an astonishing diversity of marine fauna: sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and hundreds of shorebirds in their natural habitat.

Afterward, you’ll enjoy lunch while taking a fascinating tour of the Ica vineyards, where you’ll learn about the production process of Pisco, Peru’s national drink.

The adventure continues with an adrenaline-fueled sandboarding experience in the Huacachina dunes, a stunning natural oasis surrounded by enormous golden dunes.

At dusk, you will travel from Ica to Nazca to check into your hotel and rest after an exciting day.

Get ready for a unique experience: a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines (30-45 minutes), declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From above, you will contemplate these enigmatic geometric and zoomorphic figures designed more than 2,000 years ago by the ancient Nazca civilization. The hummingbird, the monkey, the spider, and the condor are just some of the impressive figures you can see from the air.

After this unforgettable experience, you will begin a panoramic trip by bus or private transportation to the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa (8-9 hours), known as the “White City.” for its buildings constructed from volcanic ashlar. You will arrive in the evening to check into your hotel and rest.

Spend this day exploring the architectural treasures of Arequipa. Our comprehensive city tour will take you to the monumental Plaza de Armas, the imposing Cathedral, and the city’s colonial jewel: The Monastery of Santa Catalina, an authentic citadel within the city, with its colorful alleys and perfectly preserved convents dating back to the 16th century.

You’ll also visit the fascinating Andean Sanctuaries Museum, where you’ll meet “Juanita,” the mummy of an Inca girl sacrificed more than 500 years ago and perfectly preserved thanks to the low mountain temperatures. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to enjoy Arequipa’s exquisite cuisine, famous for dishes such as rocoto relleno, ocopa, and adobo.

Very early in the morning, you’ll begin an exciting expedition to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world. During the journey (3-4 hours), you will cross the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you can spot vicuñas and alpacas in their natural habitat.

The highlight will be a stop at the famous Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor, where you will have the unique opportunity to observe the majestic flight of the Andean condors, the largest flying birds in the world, gliding over the impressive canyon. You will also visit charming traditional villages such as Maca and Yanque, where time seems to stand still, preserving ancient customs.

After a nutritious lunch at a local restaurant with panoramic views, you will continue your journey to Puno (4-5 hours), the folkloric capital of Peru located on the shores of the mystical Lake Titicaca.

Arrival and check-in at your hotel.

Get ready for a full-day tour to the majestic Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world (3,812 meters above sea level). Your first stop will be the striking Uros Floating Islands, built entirely of totora (water reed) by its inhabitants, who maintain ancient traditions.

You will continue sailing to the beautiful Taquile Island, world-renowned for its textiles, considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Here you will enjoy an authentic traditional lunch in a local home while admiring unforgettable panoramic views of the deep blue lake. In the afternoon, return to Puno to rest and reflect on the cultural experiences you have had during the day.

Today you will experience one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world. The luxurious Titicaca Train will take you from Puno to Cusco (approximately 10 hours) on an unforgettable journey through stunning Andean landscapes. During the journey, you will pass through valleys, mountains, and small traditional villages that seem frozen in time.

The train will make a special stop at La Raya, the highest point on the route (4,319 meters above sea level), where you can take stunning photographs of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and purchase local handicrafts. Arrive in the imperial city of Cusco in the afternoon/evening and transfer to your hotel located near the historic Plaza de Armas.

After breakfast, you’ll immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire with our comprehensive city tour. You’ll visit the majestic Plaza de Armas and the impressive Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), considered the most important religious center of the Inca Empire, upon which the Convent of Santo Domingo was built.

In the afternoon, you’ll discover the impressive Inca ruins surrounding the city: the formidable Sacsayhuamán fortress with its enormous, perfectly assembled stone blocks, the Qenqo ceremonial center, the Puca Pucara lookout post, and the Tambomachay ritual baths. You’ll end the day with free time to stroll through the picturesque neighborhoods of San Blas and San Cristóbal, known for their artisan workshops and art galleries. Free afternoon

Today you will explore the mystical Sacred Valley of the Incas, a fertile valley watered by the Urubamba River and flanked by majestic mountains. Your first stop will be the colorful Pisac market, where local artisans offer beautiful textiles, ceramics, and silver jewelry. You’ll also visit the impressive archaeological complex of Pisac, with its agricultural terraces and ceremonial buildings.

After a buffet lunch featuring organic products from the valley, you’ll continue to the impressive Ollantaytambo fortress, one of the few places where the Incas achieved victory over the Spanish conquistadors. You’ll admire its enormous terraces and the Temple of the Sun, built with monoliths weighing several tons.

At sunset, you’ll board the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), a picturesque town surrounded by mountains and subtropical jungle.

Check-in at your hotel and time to prepare for the next day’s great adventure: Machu Picchu.

The most anticipated day has arrived. Very early, you’ll board a bus to the entrance of the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. At dawn, when the first light of the sun illuminates the ancient stones, you’ll begin a guided tour of this incomparable archaeological site (2-3 hours).

You’ll explore its main sections: The Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (sundial), the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Plaza, and the residential areas. Your specialized guide will reveal the secrets and mysteries that still surround this masterpiece of Inca engineering and architecture.

You’ll have free time to explore on your own or, if you’ve booked in advance, climb the enigmatic Huayna Picchu Mountain, from where you’ll get spectacular views of the entire citadel. In the afternoon, you’ll take the train back to Ollantaytambo, and from there, ground transportation will take you back to your hotel in Cusco for one last night in the Inca capital.

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll have free time for final shopping or sightseeing, depending on your departure time. At the scheduled time, our representative will transfer you to Cusco International Airport for your connecting or return flight, bringing you the best memories of your Peruvian adventure.