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Complete Peru Adventure (14 Days)
- Duration14 days / 13 nights
- DifficultyChallenging
- Max. altitude5,036 m
- Group sizeMax. 18
Overview
Complete Peru Adventure — from the desert to the high Andes
A complete journey through Peru for travelers who love exploring overland and want to finish with a high-mountain adventure. Visit the Paracas Reserve and the Huacachina Oasis, fly over the Nazca Lines, discover Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, sail Lake Titicaca and experience Machu Picchu. To close, three unforgettable hikes: Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake and the Seven Lakes of Ausangate.
Who this package is for
Ideal for active travelers in good physical condition who want to combine culture, history and nature. The first part of the trip is relaxed and helps you acclimatize; the demanding hikes, above 4,200 m (13,800 ft), come at the end.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included by default: you can choose your hotel category when booking or ask us to add it to your package. The itinerary includes nights in Lima, Huacachina, Arequipa, Chivay, Puno, Aguas Calientes and Cusco, plus one night on the sleeper bus between Nazca and Arequipa. Our team can suggest options to suit your style and budget.
Highlights
- Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis
- Flight over the Nazca Lines
- Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
- Lake Titicaca: Uros and Taquile
- Sacred Valley and guided Machu Picchu
- Rainbow Mountain – Vinicunca
- Humantay Lake
- Seven Lakes of Ausangate
Itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Lima
When you land at Jorge Chávez International Airport, our team will be waiting for you to welcome you and take you to your hotel.
After the transfer, take the chance to rest and get ready for your journey through Peru as you start discovering the charms of the Peruvian capital. The rest of the day is free.
Day 2Paracas Reserve and Huacachina Oasis
We leave Lima at 4:45 am for Paracas, where a boat trip takes you around the Ballestas Islands to spot sea lions, penguins and seabirds, as well as the enigmatic Paracas Candelabra.
Next we continue to Ica for a wine and pisco tasting, and end the day at the amazing Huacachina Oasis, surrounded by golden dunes, where you can enjoy the thrill of dune buggies and sandboarding.
You spend the night right at the oasis, soaking up the magic of this one-of-a-kind place.
Day 3Nazca Lines and journey to Arequipa
After breakfast, we leave Huacachina at 9:00 am for Nazca.
At midday you board an exciting flight of about 35 minutes over the Nazca Lines, admiring their mysterious figures etched into the desert from above.
Then enjoy a free afternoon in Nazca to explore the town and have dinner. At 10:00 pm you board a comfortable sleeper bus to Arequipa, spending the night on board.
Day 4Arequipa – City tour
Arrival in Arequipa between 8:00 and 9:00 am, with a welcome at the bus terminal and transfer to your hotel.
Free morning to rest, then at 1:45 pm we set off on the City Tour to see the city's main sights, including the Carmen Alto and Yanahuara viewpoints, Incalpaca, the Founder's Mansion, the Sabandía Mill and the Paucarpata terraces.
The tour ends at around 5:30 pm near the charming Plaza de Armas.
Day 5On the road to Chivay
After breakfast, we leave at 8:00 am for the town of Chivay, crossing the Andean highlands and passing through charming mountain villages.
Along the way, our guide will share stories about the history and ancient cultures of the region.
We expect to reach Chivay at around 12:30 pm and check in at the hotel. In the afternoon you can relax in the La Calera hot springs, an optional activity not included.
Day 6Colca Canyon and journey to Puno
We leave Chivay at 6:30 am to visit the spectacular Colca Canyon and watch the majestic flight of the condors over the mountains.
After the visit we return to Chivay for lunch on your own, then travel on to Puno, arriving at around 7:00 pm, with a transfer from the bus terminal to your hotel.
Day 7Lake Titicaca
After breakfast, we leave at 7:00 am for the port to board an unforgettable boat trip to the Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island.
Get a close look at the traditions, customs and handicrafts of the local communities, and enjoy a traditional lunch with a spectacular view of the lake.
Return to Puno at around 5:00 pm and transfer to your hotel.
Day 8Route of the Sun – on to Cusco!
We leave Puno at 7:00 am for a journey full of culture, history and incredible scenery.
Along the way you will visit the Pukara Museum, the La Raya pass, Raqchi and the church of Andahuaylillas, with a buffet lunch stop in Sicuani.
At the end of the day you arrive in Cusco, where our team will be waiting to take you to your hotel. As the city sits at around 3,400 m (11,150 ft), we recommend resting, staying hydrated and eating light meals to acclimatize well.
Day 9Sacred Valley of the Incas and Aguas Calientes
We recommend taking only a backpack with what you need for the night in Aguas Calientes; your larger luggage can stay in Cusco.
We set off at 7:30 am to visit Pisac, with its impressive agricultural terraces, and Ollantaytambo, one of the great gems of Inca architecture.
After lunch in Urubamba, you board a scenic train ride of about 2 hours to Aguas Calientes, where our team will meet you, take you to your hotel and brief you on the long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
Day 10Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
Enjoy the unforgettable experience of exploring Machu Picchu on a guided visit of about 2.5 hours, walking among its temples, plazas, terraces and viewpoints while learning more about Inca history and culture.
After the tour, head back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own and, at the scheduled time, board the train to Ollantaytambo, where transport will be waiting to drive you back to Cusco.
Day 11Rainbow Mountain – Vinicunca
At around 4:30 am, our transport will pick you up at your hotel and drive to Cusipata, where we stop for breakfast at about 7:00 am.
We then continue to the trailhead and begin a hike of approximately 2 hours uphill to the top of Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, with rest stops along the way. Although demanding because of the altitude, the route rewards you with incredible scenery, and your guide will share information about the site.
There is an option to go up on horseback (around 100 soles, paid in cash on site).
After taking in the view and snapping photos, we begin the roughly 1.5-hour descent back to the vehicle. We then have lunch at a local restaurant and return to Cusco, arriving at around 5:30 pm. Drop-off is at Plaza Regocijo.
Comfortable sneakers or hiking boots are recommended. In the rainy season, bring a waterproof poncho.
Day 12Humantay Lake
We start our journey with a hotel pickup at around 4:30 am, heading for the majestic Humantay Lake, one of the most impressive natural sights in the region.
The first leg takes about two hours to the village of Mollepata, where we stop for a hearty breakfast. We then drive another hour to Soraypampa, the starting point of the hike.
The hike up to Humantay Lake takes approximately 2 hours, on a trail that, while challenging because of the altitude, rewards you with spectacular scenery.
There is an option to go up on horseback (around 100 soles, paid in cash on site).
Once at the lake, located more than 4,200 meters (13,780 ft) above sea level, you will have time to explore, admire its crystal-clear turquoise waters and capture the beauty of Andean nature at its finest.
After the visit we begin the descent, about 1.5 hours, back to the meeting point to board our van. Back in Mollepata, we enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant. Finally, we return to Cusco, arriving at around 5:00 pm, wrapping up a day full of adventure, nature and unforgettable scenery. Drop-off is at Plaza Regocijo.
Day 13Seven Lakes of Ausangate
We leave Cusco at around 4:00 am for Pacchanta, where we have breakfast before starting the hike to the Seven Lakes of Ausangate, lying above 4,600 m (15,090 ft).
The trail takes roughly 2.5 hours out and 2.5 hours back, past brightly colored lakes, towering peaks and incredible Andean scenery.
After the hike we have lunch, with the option to relax in the Pacchanta hot springs (optional, about 20 soles).
We return to Cusco at around 6:30 pm, wrapping up a day full of nature, adventure and connection with the Andes.
Day 14Departure / return home
After breakfast, make the most of your last hours in Cusco to explore the historic center, its squares, charming streets, viewpoints and markets, or simply say goodbye to the city at your own pace.
At the agreed time, our team will take you to Cusco airport, arriving 2.5 hours before your flight.
Take home the best memories, experiences and the unique energy of the Andes.
What's included
Included
- Airport–hotel transfer in Lima
- Hotel–airport transfer in Cusco
- All local transfers in each city
- Professional guide on every tour
- Ballestas Islands excursion in Paracas
- Ica vineyard visit with wine and pisco tasting
- Huacachina Oasis excursion
- Transport from Ica to Nazca
- Flight over the Nazca Lines
- Nazca airport tax
- Executive sleeper bus from Nazca to Arequipa
- Arequipa city tour
- Colca Canyon excursion (Arequipa – Chivay)
- Arequipa tourist ticket
- Executive bus from Chivay to Puno
- Lake Titicaca excursion: Uros Floating Islands and Taquile
- "Route of the Sun" tour from Puno to Cusco
- Route of the Sun tourist ticket
- Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu excursion
- 1-day Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Round-trip train (tourist class)
- Bus up and down between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Rainbow Mountain tour: includes breakfast, entrance fee and lunch
- Humantay Lake tour: includes breakfast, entrance fee and lunch
- Seven Lakes of Ausangate tour: includes breakfast, entrance fee and lunch
Not included
- Domestic and international flights
- Accommodation and meals not mentioned
- Entrance fees: Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) for the Sacred Valley
- Optional horse ride at Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake (about 100 soles)
- Pacchanta hot springs (about 20 soles) and La Calera hot springs (optional)
- Snacks
- Water
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
- A warm layer and travel pillow for the overnight sleeper bus
- Warm clothing for Puno and the Colca Canyon (cold nights and early mornings)
- Light clothing for the coast and desert (Paracas and Huacachina)
- Hat, gloves and windproof jacket for the high-altitude hikes
- Hiking boots or sneakers with good grip
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Avoid alcoholic drinks
- Avoid raw food
- Drink only bottled water
- Keep your documents with you at all times
Frequently asked questions
Is a 14-day itinerary with hikes very tiring?
It is an intense itinerary that combines overland travel with three days of high-altitude hiking. That is why the hikes come at the end of the trip, when your body is better acclimatized after Arequipa, Puno and Cusco. If you like, we can add a free day between the hikes to ease the pace.
Which places will I visit on this itinerary?
You will travel across Peru from Lima to Cusco: Paracas, Ica and Huacachina, the Nazca Lines, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, Puno and Lake Titicaca, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, finishing with Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake and the Seven Lakes of Ausangate.
How do I travel between destinations?
The whole route from Lima to Cusco is overland, by tourist transport, executive bus (including an overnight sleeper bus from Nazca to Arequipa) and the Route of the Sun from Puno to Cusco, plus the train to Machu Picchu. International and domestic flights into Lima and out of Cusco are booked by the traveler.
Do I need to be fit for the hikes?
Yes. Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), Humantay Lake and the Seven Lakes of Ausangate are demanding hikes above 4,200 m (13,800 ft), with uphill stretches and less oxygen available. You do not need to be an athlete, but good physical condition is important.
At Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake there is an option to go up on horseback (about 100 soles, paid in cash on site).
Can I have free days during the trip?
Yes! This itinerary has no fully free days, but there are free afternoons in Nazca and Chivay. We can add free days in Arequipa or Cusco, for example between the hikes, to match your profile and travel pace.
Can the 14-day itinerary be customized?
Yes! Every trip can be adapted to the destinations you want to see, your pace, interests and activity level. We can adjust tours, add free days or combine different regions to create an itinerary just for you, subject to availability.
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