Classic Cusco, Puno, Arequipa & Lima (14 Days)

Overview

Highlights

• Machu Picchu with a professional guide
• Sacred Valley, Moray and Maras Salt Mines
• Route of the Sun from Cusco to Puno
• Lake Titicaca: Uros and Taquile
• Colca Canyon and its condors
• Sillar Route in Arequipa
• Ballestas Islands, Ica and Huacachina
• Lima city tour

1. Day 1Arrival in Cusco and acclimatization

   As soon as you leave the airport, our private car will be waiting to welcome you and take you comfortably and safely to your hotel.

   This is a free day, designed so you can rest from your journey and let your body adjust gently to Cusco's altitude of approximately 3,400 meters (11,150 ft) above sea level.

   No rush and no commitments: take the time to rest, stay hydrated and start soaking up the magical atmosphere of the Andes.

2. Day 2Andean women, Moray and Maras Salt Mines

   After breakfast, at around 8:30 am, we leave Cusco for the Valley, a lower-altitude area that is ideal for an unhurried day.

   Our first stop is with the Andean Women, where you will see the traditional process of making wool by hand, from washing and dyeing to spinning and weaving textiles decorated with geometric designs that reflect the Andean worldview and harmony with nature.

   Next we visit Moray, an impressive archaeological site made up of circular terraces, and then continue to the Maras Salt Mines, with hundreds of salt pools built by the Incas on the mountainsides and still in use today.

   After the visits we return to Cusco, arriving at around 3:00 pm at Plaza Regocijo, leaving the rest of the afternoon free to rest or explore the city at your own pace.

3. Day 3Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes

   Check out of your hotel. We recommend taking only a backpack with what you need for the night in Aguas Calientes, while your larger luggage can stay in Cusco.

   After breakfast, at around 7:30 am, we set off for the Sacred Valley of the Incas, starting with the charming Pisac Archaeological Complex, where you will learn about Andean culture and history.

   Next we continue to Urubamba for a lunch break, before heading on to Ollantaytambo, one of the most impressive and best-preserved Inca towns in the Sacred Valley.

   At the scheduled time, you will board the train to Aguas Calientes, the charming town at the foot of Machu Picchu.

   On arrival, our team will be waiting for you at the station to meet you and take you to your hotel, so you can travel with complete peace of mind.

4. Day 4Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

   The big moment of the trip has arrived!

   In the morning we head up to Machu Picchu with a professional guide, who will lead you through the sanctuary and share every detail of this incredible city built by the Incas.

   During the visit you will learn about the history and architecture of Machu Picchu: the impressive agricultural terraces, ancient buildings, temples, ceremonial spaces and the way the Incas made the most of nature and the mountain's strategic location.

   After the visit we return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time for lunch, a stroll around this charming town or simply a rest until it is time to board the train back to Cusco.

   At the scheduled time you will board the train back to Cusco, taking home not only beautiful photos but the unforgettable experience of having visited one of the greatest wonders of the world.

5. Day 5Free day in Cusco

   Enjoy a well-earned rest! Relax and experience Cusco at your own pace: stroll around the historic center, discover cafés, restaurants and little shops, or simply soak up this charming city.

6. Day 6Route of the Sun – Cusco to Puno

   Today you travel from Cusco to Puno on a beautiful journey through stunning Andean landscapes, visiting some of the main sights along the way.

   At around 6:00 am we pick you up at your hotel to begin the experience. En route we stop at the church of Andahuaylillas, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas"; the Raqchi Archaeological Site, with its impressive Inca remains; and the Pukara Museum, where you will learn more about one of the oldest cultures in the region.

   Arrival in Puno is expected at around 5:00 pm. On arrival, a car will be waiting to take you comfortably and safely to your hotel.

   A journey that combines history, culture and Andean scenery in a single day!

7. Day 7Lake Titicaca – Uros floating islands and Taquile

   After breakfast, at around 7:00 am, we pick you up at your hotel for a special day on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

   We board a motorboat to visit the famous Uros Floating Islands, handcrafted from totora reeds, where you will learn about the history and way of life of their inhabitants. We then cross the lake to Taquile Island, known for its beautiful scenery, ancestral traditions and local culture.

   At the end of the tour we return to Puno, finishing at around 5:00 pm.

   A day to experience Andean culture, the landscapes of Lake Titicaca and the age-old traditions of its peoples.

8. Day 8On the road to Chivay

   After breakfast, we leave Puno for Chivay, crossing the beautiful Andean highlands and charming mountain villages.

   On arrival, check in at the hotel. In the afternoon you can relax in the La Calera hot springs, an optional activity not included.

9. Day 9Colca Canyon and journey to Arequipa

   After breakfast at the hotel, our team will pick you up at 6:30 am to start one of the most spectacular days of your trip.

   We visit the magnificent Colca Canyon, considered one of the deepest in the world, and watch the majestic flight of the condors over the mountains. A breathtaking natural show!

   After the visit we return to Chivay for lunch on your own, then travel on to Arequipa, with a transfer to your hotel.

10. Day 10Sillar Route

    Discover the famous Sillar Route (Ruta del Sillar), one of Arequipa's most iconic tours, and learn the story of the volcanic stone that gives the city its distinctive white architecture.

    On the tour you visit the impressive Añashuayco quarries, watch the stonemasons at work and see carvings sculpted into the rock itself, set in a unique landscape shaped by the volcanic activity of the Andes.

11. Day 11Flight to Lima

    Time to say goodbye to Arequipa!

    At the agreed time we will pick you up at your hotel for a comfortable transfer to Arequipa airport for your flight to Lima.

    When you land in Lima, our driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the Miraflores district. The rest of the day is free.

    Note: the Arequipa–Lima flight is not included in the package.

12. Day 12Ballestas Islands, Ica vineyards and Huacachina

    Departure from Lima at 5:00 am for Paracas, where we take a speedboat tour of the Ballestas Islands, known as the "Peruvian Galápagos", with the chance to spot sea lions, penguins and many seabirds, as well as the mysterious Paracas Candelabra.

    Next we visit a traditional Ica vineyard for a tasting of Peruvian wines and piscos, then continue to the incredible Huacachina Oasis, surrounded by desert dunes, where you can enjoy dune buggy rides and sandboarding.

    At the end of the day we return to Lima, arriving at around 9:00 pm.

13. Day 13Colonial and modern Lima city tour

    After breakfast, we set off at around 9:15 am to discover the highlights of Lima.

    Visit Huaca Pucllana, the historic center with Plaza Mayor, Plaza San Martín and the San Francisco Convent, plus the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

    We finish at the Love Park (Parque del Amor) and Larcomar, with beautiful views over the Pacific Ocean. The tour ends at around 12:30 pm.

14. Day 14Departure / return home

    Time to say goodbye to Lima!

    At the agreed time, we will pick you up at your hotel for a comfortable, relaxed transfer to Lima airport for your flight home.

    We hope you take home not only wonderful memories, but also the desire to come back and discover even more of Peru.

What's included

What to bring

• Bring your passport or ID (needed to purchase entrance tickets)
• Dress in layers
• Comfortable sneakers
• Sunscreen, cap and sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Water
• Snacks
• Motion-sickness medication for the winding roads
• Rain poncho during the rainy season
• Cash in Peruvian soles
• A small backpack for the night in Aguas Calientes
• Warm clothing for Puno and the Colca Canyon (cold nights and early mornings)
• Light clothing for the coast and desert (Paracas and Huacachina)
• Avoid alcoholic drinks
• Avoid raw food
• Drink only bottled water
• Keep your documents with you at all times

Frequently asked questions

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