Peru 12 Days: Lima, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, and Cusco

Overview

1. Day 01

   Lima

   • •Arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima
   • •Transfer and check-in at your hotel in Miraflores or Barranco
   • •Explore the neighborhood.
2. Day 02

   Half-Day City Tour

   • •Visit to Lima’s historic center (Plaza Mayor, Cathedral, Government Palace)
   • •Visit to the Larco Museum (pre-Columbian art collection)
   • •Walk through Miraflores and Love Park, with ocean views
   • •Free afternoon
   • •Overnight in Lima.
3. Day 03

   Lima → Paracas → Ballestas Islands and transfer to Nazca

   • •Early morning bus departure to Paracas (3.5 hours)
   • •Morning boat tour to the Ballestas Islands (2 hours)
   • •Visit to a vineyard in Ica + lunch
   • •Dune tour and sandboarding in Huacachina
   • •Afternoon journey from Ica to Nazca
   • •Check-in at your hotel in Nazca
   • •Overnight in Nazca.
4. Day 04

   Overflight of the Nazca Lines and transfer to Arequipa

   • •Early flight over the Nazca Lines (30–45 minutes)Bus or private transfer to Arequipa (8–9 hours)Arrival in Arequipa at nightHotel check-in and rest
5. Day 05

   Arequipa

   • •City tour of Arequipa: Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, and Santa Catalina Monastery
   • •Visit to the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries (home of the Juanita mummy)
   • •Afternoon free to enjoy Arequipa’s local cuisine.
6. Day 06

   Arequipa → Colca Canyon (Full Day) → Puno

   • •Early departure from Arequipa to Colca Canyon (3–4 hours)
   • •Stop at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint to observe the flight of the condors
   • •Visit to traditional villages such as Maca and Yanque
   • •Admire the stunning landscapes of the canyon, considered one of the deepest in the world
   • •Lunch at a local restaurant
   • •Afternoon/evening transfer directly to Puno (4–5 hours)
   • •Arrival in Puno and hotel check-in
7. Day 07

   Lake Titicaca

   • •Full-day tour of Lake Titicaca
   • •Visit to the floating Uros Islands
   • •Visit to Taquile Island
   • •Lunch with the Uros community
   • •Return to Puno in the afternoon
8. Day 08

   Train from Puno to Cusco

   • •Journey on the Titicaca Train from Puno to Cusco (approximately 10 hours)
   • •Enjoy the Andean landscapes along the way
   • •Stop at La Raya (the highest point of the route)
   • •Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel
9. Day 09

   Cusco

   • •City tour of Cusco: Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, and Qorikancha
   • •Visit to nearby archaeological sites: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay
   • •Free afternoon to explore the San Blas and San Cristóbal neighborhoods
10. Day 10

    Sacred Valley → Aguas Calientes

    • •Sacred Valley tour: Pisac and Ollantaytambo
    • •Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town)
    • •Hotel check-in in Aguas Calientes
    • •Preparation for the visit to Machu Picchu the following day
11. Day 11

    Machu Picchu → Cusco

    • •Morning visit to Machu Picchu
    • •Guided tour of the citadel (2–3 hours)
    • •Free time to explore or hike Huayna Picchu Mountain (advance reservation required)
    • •Return by train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco
12. Day 12

    Cusco → Airport

    • •Breakfast at the hotel
    • •At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport.

Itinerary

• DAY 01Welcome to Lima, the City of Kings

  Your Peruvian adventure begins upon arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, where our representative will welcome you and transfer you comfortably to your hotel located in the exclusive districts of Miraflores or Barranco, known for their outstanding culinary scene and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.

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

  Free afternoon

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Lima

  Meals included: None

• DAY 02Discovering the History of Lima

  Breakfast at the hotel

  In the morning, you will immerse yourself in Lima’s rich colonial history with our half-day city tour. You will explore the majestic Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will admire the impressive Plaza Mayor, the magnificent Cathedral of Lima, 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 take you thousands of years back into Peru’s ancient history.

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

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Lima

  Meals included: Breakfast

• DAY 03Lima – Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Nazca

  Early start to make the most of this adventure-filled day. You will travel by bus to Paracas (3.5 hours), known as the “Little Galápagos” of Peru. Upon arrival, you will embark on an exciting boat tour to the Ballestas Islands (2 hours), where you can observe an incredible variety of marine wildlife, including sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and hundreds of coastal birds in their natural habitat.

  Afterwards, you will enjoy lunch while visiting the vineyards of Ica, where you will learn about the production process of Pisco, Peru’s national spirit.

  The adventure continues with an adrenaline-filled sandboarding experience in the dunes of Huacachina, a stunning natural oasis surrounded by massive golden sand dunes.

  At sunset, you will travel from Ica to Nazca to check in at your hotel and rest after an exciting day.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Nazca

  Meals included: Lunch

• DAY 04Nazca – Arequipa: Mysteries in the Desert

  Prepare yourself for a unique experience: the overflight of the mysterious Nazca Lines (30–45 minutes), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From above, you will admire these enigmatic geometric and zoomorphic figures, created 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 will be able to see from the air.

  After this unforgettable experience, you will begin a scenic journey by bus or private transport to the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa (8–9 hours), known as the “White City” due to its buildings made of white volcanic stone (sillar). You will arrive at night to check in at your hotel and rest.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Arequipa

  Meals included: Breakfast

• DAY 05Arequipa – The White City

  Spend this day exploring the architectural treasures of Arequipa. Our comprehensive city tour will take you to the monumental Plaza de Armas, the impressive Cathedral, and the city’s colonial jewel: the Santa Catalina Monastery, a true citadel within the city, with its colorful narrow streets and convents perfectly preserved since the 16th century.

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

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Arequipa

  Meals included: Breakfast

• DAY 06Arequipa – Colca Canyon – Puno

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

  The highlight of the day will be the stop at the famous Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where you will have a unique opportunity to witness the majestic flight of the Andean condors—the largest flying birds in the world—soaring over the breathtaking canyon. You will also visit charming traditional villages such as Maca and Yanque, where time seems to stand still, preserving ancestral customs and traditions.

  After a nourishing 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 hotel check-in

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Puno

  Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

• DAY 07Puno – Lake Titicaca: Sailing the Highest Navigable Lake in the World

  Prepare yourself for a full-day tour of the majestic Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world (3,812 masl). Your first stop will be the remarkable floating Uros Islands, entirely built from totora reeds (water reeds) by their inhabitants, who continue to preserve ancient traditions passed down for generations.

  You will then continue sailing to the beautiful Taquile Island, world-renowned for its textiles, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Here, you will enjoy a traditional homemade lunch in a local family house while taking in unforgettable panoramic views of the deep blue lake. In the afternoon, you will return to Puno to rest and reflect on the cultural experiences of the day.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Puno

  Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

• DAY 08Puno – Cusco: Crossing the Andes on the Legendary Titicaca Train

  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 breathtaking Andean landscapes. Along the way, 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 of the route (4,319 masl), where you can take stunning photographs of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and purchase local handicrafts. Arrival in the imperial city of Cusco in the afternoon/evening, followed by a transfer to your hotel located near the historic Plaza de Armas.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

• DAY 09Cusco: The Archaeological Capital of the Americas

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

  In the afternoon, you will discover the remarkable Inca ruins surrounding the city: the formidable fortress of Sacsayhuamán with its massive perfectly fitted stone blocks, the ceremonial center of Qenqo, the watchtower of Puca Pucara, and the ritual baths of Tambomachay. You will 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

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Meals included: Breakfast

• DAY 10Cusco – Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes

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

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

  In the late afternoon, you will board the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), a picturesque town surrounded by mountains and subtropical jungle. Hotel check-in and time to prepare for the great adventure of the following day: Machu Picchu.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Aguas Calientes

  Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

• DAY 11Machu Picchu – Cusco: The Wonder of the Inca World

  The most anticipated day has arrived. Very early in the morning, you will take the bus up to the entrance of the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. At sunrise, when the first light of day illuminates the ancient stones, you will begin a guided tour of this incomparable archaeological site (2–3 hours).

  You will explore its main sectors: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (sun dial), 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 will then have free time to explore on your own or, if booked in advance, hike the enigmatic Huayna Picchu Mountain, offering spectacular panoramic views of the entire citadel. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and continue by land transport to your hotel in Cusco for a final night in the Inca capital.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

• DAY 12Cusco – Farewell

  After breakfast at the hotel, you will have free time for last-minute shopping or optional activities, depending on your flight schedule. At the coordinated time, our representative will transfer you to Cusco International Airport for your connecting or return flight, taking with you the best memories of your Peruvian adventure.

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