Peru South and Machu Picchu in 12 Days

Lima tour Lima relax Ica tour nazca arequipa plaza de puno lake titi kaka cusco cusco saqsayhuaman Machu Picchu Ollaytantambo

Duration

12 days / 11 nights

Group size

2 / 16

Activity level

Moderate / Challenging


Overview

In this circuit, you will discover the most popular destinations in our majestic Peru, including the City of the Kings. Here, we will explore Intihuatana Park, pass by Huaca Pucllana, El Olivar Park, and the main square, with views of the Plaza de Armas from outside, including the Municipal Palace, Government Palace, and the Cathedral of Lima. At the end of the tour, we will visit the Convent of Santo Domingo.

Next, we will head south for an excursion to the Ballestas Islands, where you can see penguins and the chandelier figure etched into a dune facing the sea. We will then proceed to the city of Nazca to fly over the impressive Nazca Lines. The tour continues to the beautiful white city of Arequipa, then to Puno, where we will navigate Lake Titicaca. Our journey will then take us to the imperial city of Cusco.

In Cusco, we will visit the Cathedral and the Qoricancha temple, and explore four nearby ruins. The following day, we will continue our visit to the Pisac Ruins and the traditional Pisac Market, enjoy the stunning landscape of the Sacred Valley, and end the day with a visit to Ollantaytambo. We will conclude the circuit with a visit to the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu and marvel at its grandeur.

Day 1 | Arrive to Lima.

Flight to Lima.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed, received, and transferred to your selected hotel.


DAY 2 | Lima Tour

Breakfast at the hotel.

Lima Colonial - City Tour

The tour begins with picking up passengers from their hotels in Lima. Our first stop is Intihuatana Park on the Malecon of Miraflores, where we can enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean. We will then explore the modern residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro, and view the Huaca Pucllana from outside—a ceremonial pre-Inca pyramid that has withstood Lima’s urban expansion.

Next, we will visit El Olivar Park and the Financial Center before heading to the Historic Center of Lima. This area, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, was the heart of the Spanish colony established in the sixteenth century. We will explore Plaza San Martin, its balconies, historic houses, Plaza Mayor, and significant buildings such as the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Desamparados Station.

We will also visit one of the most important monasteries from the seventeenth century, which houses the relics of three Peruvian saints: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macías. Afterward, we will return to Miraflores, where you will have the option to visit the local market at Larcomar.

Return to your hotel.


DAY 3 | Tour Paracas

At 2:50 am, we will pick you up from the hotel to board the bus from Lima to Paracas. The bus will depart at 4:00 am, and after a 3-hour journey, we will arrive in Paracas.

At 8:00 am, we will begin the Ballestas Islands Tour. From the Paracas dock, you'll take a boat to explore the Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, guano birds, penguins, and diverse marine life. Along the way, you'll see El Candelabro, a geoglyph etched into the side of a hill, more than 120 meters long, also known as Tres Cruces or Tridente. The best view of this figure is from the sea.

At noon, we will board a bus from Paracas to Ica, a trip of about 3 hours. Upon arrival in Ica, we'll continue with the Tubular rides, an exciting adventure through the desert where you can experience the thrill of riding on high and low dunes.

In the desert's high areas, you can try sandboarding. Our driver will provide instructions to ensure you can safely enjoy this activity, even if you're new to the sport.

At 6:00 pm, we will take the bus to Ica, where we will spend the night. The next day, we will take the overflight of the Nazca Lines.

Overnight stay in Nazca.


Day 4 | Nazca Lines Visit

Early in the morning, we will pick you up from the hotel and transport you to the aerodrome, where you will board a light aircraft for an unforgettable aerial tour of the Nazca Lines. A bilingual guide (Spanish/English) will be with you throughout the process until you board the plane. This flight, lasting approximately 35 minutes, will provide a stunning view of the Nazca desert, covered with enormous drawings and geometric shapes.

During the flight, you'll see various figures etched into the Nazca desert’s surface, including stylized animals and plants arranged in a vast network of lines, trapezoids, triangles, and spirals that have been preserved for nearly 2,000 years. These remarkable figures are one of the most impressive legacies of ancient cultures and can only be fully appreciated from the sky at an altitude of 1,500 feet.

After the overflight, there will be time for lunch before we board a bus to Arequipa at 2:30 pm, arriving around 11:30 pm. Upon arrival in Arequipa, you will be assisted and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.


DAY 5 | Tour in Arequpa

Breakfast at the hotel. The day is free for personal activities, or you can opt for the La Campiña Arequipeña tour as an additional excursion.

La Campiña Arequipeña Excursion (Optional and Additional Tour)

In the afternoon, at 2:00 pm, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin the La Campiña Arequipeña tour. This engaging excursion includes visits to some of the most beautiful architectural monuments and viewpoints around the white city of Arequipa.

We will drive to the outskirts of the city to start with a visit to the stunning Mirador de Sachaca, offering a panoramic view of Arequipa and its surrounding volcanoes.

Next, we will proceed to the Founder's Mansion, a colonial-era building where García Manuel de Carvajal, the founder of Arequipa, resided in the 15th century.

Finally, we will journey through a picturesque Andean landscape to the Sabandia Mill, an impressive structure made of volcanic rock (ashlar) featuring an old stone mill built in 1785. The excursion will conclude at 6:00 pm in the city center.

Overnight stay in Arequipa.


DAY 6 | Transfer Arequipa-Puno

Early breakfast at the hotel.

At a convenient time, transfer to the bus station for the journey to Puno.

At 1:30 pm, depart by tourist bus to Puno, with a travel time of approximately 6 hours.

At 7:30 pm, arrive in Puno.

Reception at the bus station and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight stay in Puno.


DAY 7 | Uros Islands Visit

At 7:00 am, we will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the port of Lake Titicaca.

A local guide will be waiting with the boat to start our adventure on the lake. After departure, the guide will highlight key points of interest on Lake Titicaca. We will first visit the famous floating islands of Los Uros, where we will stop at one of the islands to meet its inhabitants and learn about their customs. Afterward, we will return to the boat and continue our journey to Taquile Island, with the boat trip taking approximately 3 hours.

Taquile is a large island known for its beautiful textiles. Visitors will have the opportunity to see how the locals create traditional high Andean garments such as ponchos, belts, and gloves, all handmade. To reach the top of the island, we will walk along a gently sloping path with stunning views of the lake. It is recommended to walk slowly due to the altitude of over 3,800 meters. After about 45 minutes, we will arrive at the center of Taquile, where you can rest and visit a small museum showcasing important aspects of Taquile life through photographs.

Our group will have lunch at a local restaurant near the plaza. Following lunch, you will have free time to explore the weaving workshops and take photos with the islanders. Later, we will descend to the pier and start our return trip to Puno, arriving around 5:00 pm.

Overnight stay in Puno.


DAY 8 | Transfer to Cusco

At 6:15 am, we will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the Puno bus terminal.

During our approximately 10-hour tour, we will make 4 stops with guided visits to key attractions in the southern corridor of the Altiplano. The itinerary includes:

Each visit lasts between 20 to 40 minutes, allowing you to ask questions, take photos, and explore at your own pace, ensuring an enriching experience.

We will arrive in Cusco at 4:30 pm, where you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight stay in Cusco.


DAY 9 | Morning Resting

Free time in the morning for acclimatization or shopping.

City Tour in Cusco

At 1:00 pm, we will pick you up from the hotel, and at 1:30 pm, our city tour will begin. A professional guide will provide detailed information about all the tourist attractions we will visit and will be available to answer any questions and meet the needs of our visitors.

The places we will visit include:

Overnight in Cusco.


DAY 10 | Visit Pisaq Sacred Valley

At 8:00 am, we will pick you up from your hotel to start our tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will depart the city and cross the Sacsahuaman archaeological park, arriving at the Taray viewpoint. This vantage point offers stunning views of the Inca terraces and current cultivation lands surrounding the sacred river of the Incas, "Willcamayuc."

Next, we will visit the archaeological park of Pisaq and the vibrant indigenous market of Pisaq, where local people sell and buy various products. This market is a great place to shop for handicrafts and souvenirs.

After some free time at the market, we will proceed to the town of Urubamba for a buffet lunch, featuring a diverse selection of dishes made with local ingredients.

Our journey will then take us to Ollantaytambo, the last living Inca city. Ollantaytambo is renowned for its historical significance and a legendary love story involving General Inca Ollantay and Princess Cusi Qoyllor, who defied royal opposition.

After exploring Ollantaytambo, we will board a tourist train to the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machupicchu town. Upon arrival, we will pick you up from the train station and transfer you to your selected hotel.

Optional: Visit to the town's hot springs.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu.

DAY 11 | Machu Picchu Guided Tour

At 6:30 am, we will transfer you from the hotel to the bus station.

We will board a tourist bus for a 30-minute journey to Machupicchu, where you'll enjoy views of the lush forest within this national reserve.

Upon arrival, you will start a 2-hour guided tour of Machupicchu, exploring the main palaces and key attractions of the Inca city.

After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore this wonder of the world at your own pace. We recommend visiting:

You may also choose to climb Huayna Picchu, visit the Puerta del Sol, or see the Inca Bridge, depending on your preferences.

If you didn’t visit the town's hot springs the night before, you will have time to enjoy them today.

At the scheduled time, we will head to the railway station to board the train for our return journey to Ollantaytambo, followed by a tourist bus to Cusco. The train typically departs at 3:20 pm.

We will arrive in Cusco at 7:00 pm and transfer you to the hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.

DAY 12 | Transfer to airpor
Includes
PRICES

Peru South and Machu Picchu in 12 Days - 2024

$ 1.00 USD (CLASSIC)

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Peru travel - Trip Advisor comments

Tripadvisor Reviews

5.0 (More than 840 reviews)

Perfect

10th of September, 2024
(5 out of 5 stars)

Perfect. Everything well organized, very good treatment by everyone.Los portadores Muy Buenos e esfuerzados. El guia Percy es muy muy bueno.

María Caridad A

Experiencia inolvidable

8th of September, 2024
(5 out of 5 stars)

Unforgettable experience. The guide, Santiago, is a professional from head to toe. Very attentive, very knowledgeable and a great person. The group of porters and cook have also been wonderful. They have looked after us very well, always with a smile and the cook is a spectacle. Without a doubt, I would highly recommend this team to the next brave people who venture on the Inca Trail.

jamasvi

SALKANTAY TREK

7th of September, 2024
(5 out of 5 stars)

It is a magical journey that pushes your body to the max but with rewards around every corner. Nature is incredible, Machu Picchu is a dream and the energy of the place is beautiful.Nuestros guías (Iza y Percy) fueron muy cálidos y sus relatos son atrapantes ! Se genera un vínculo muy lindo con ellos y el resto del grupo.

Antonella L

Highly recommended agency!!!!

31st of August, 2024
(5 out of 5 stars)

We were delighted with the organization of our trip to Peru. Everyone at the Inka Trail Expeditions agency was very kind and helpful at all times. They gave us very good advice and we enjoyed the visits and tours planned. We are looking forward to seeing more of this wonderful country.

juan b

It was a great experience of nature and its history Encounters with nature and its stories

6th of August, 2024
(5 out of 5 stars)

The activities were varied and very appropriate for the tour that was carried out with a great guide who instructs on the history of this beautiful place. I just think that it should be more specific with brochures or pamphlets to better enjoy the experience.

Alfredo L

An experience of adventure and delicious food!!

5th of August, 2024
(5 out of 5 stars)

The landscapes were incredible and the explanations of the guide Percy, who was always explaining to us and always paying close attention to all the members of the group so that we arrived safely at our destinations, not to mention the delicious food provided by our cook, the Chinese (Victorian), a real chef! He took care of feeding us with the appropriate meals for the activities! Highly recommended!!

erika m

Great experience on the Inca Trail

29th of July, 2024
(5 out of 5 stars)

Increíble experiencia de la mano de nuestro guía Elio. Muy informado y atento a nuestras necesidades en todo momento. Siempre estuvo a la altura de lo que esperábamos y más. Muy buena la comida y el staff que nos acompañó que siempre nos cuidaron.

Lautaro M

Excellent

24th of July, 2024
(5 out of 5 stars)

Las vistas increíbles! Experiencia única! Staff impecable! Sin palabras. Súper recomendable realizarlo con la empresa COLIBRI. Quedamos muy conformes.

Sofia P

Agency with great treatment and good group management

14th of June, 2024
(5 out of 5 stars)

I loved the tour provided by the agency. It was a wonderful experience with people who explained to us about each of the places visited.

María teresa M

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Inca Trail to Machu Picchu