12-Day The Best of Peru: Lima, Nasca, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco & Machu Picchu

Arrival in Lima and transfer to your hotel. 

In the afternoon, we will visit the "City of Kings." Our tour begins in the district of Miraflores, with our first stop at the famous Parque del Beso (Park of the Kiss), a city landmark offering stunning views of Lima Bay. Next, we head to historic downtown Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with stories from the past. Along the way, we’ll pass by Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca pyramid resembling a modern city. 

Upon arriving at the Plaza Mayor (Lima’s Central Square), surrounded by the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Government Palace, and the Municipality, we’ll visit the Cathedral of Lima, home to the crypt of conquistador Francisco Pizarro. We’ll then cross the Plaza Mayor to enter the Convent of Santo Domingo, a colonial architectural gem frozen in time. Here lie the remains of the revered saints Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres, and San Juan Masías. Inside, we’ll discover a grand library with books dating back to the 15th century. Notably, this convent also housed San Marcos, the first university in the Americas. After our exploration, we will return to the hotel.

Early in the morning, we will transfer to the bus station to depart for Paracas. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Later, you will head to the local airfield for an exciting flight over the Nazca Lines, enormous geoglyphs visible only from the sky, depicting various insects and animals such as a monkey, hummingbird, condor, and spider. The origins of these mysterious drawings remain unknown, with many believing they form part of a large astronomical calendar. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the hotel’s facilities and explore the surrounding areas.

Early in the morning, you will head to the pier for a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands. Along the way, you’ll catch a glimpse of the “Chandelier,” a giant geoglyph etched into the sand, reminiscent of the Nazca Lines. Once at the islands, you'll have the opportunity to observe sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins, and various other sea birds in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the bus station for your journey back to Lima. Upon arrival, you’ll be taken to your hotel for an overnight stay in Lima.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free morning to acclimate to the altitude. In the afternoon, the "White City" welcomes you on a tour that begins in the charming colonial district of San Lázaro, the founding place of Arequipa. From here, stroll through its picturesque, geranium-lined streets before heading to the Carmen Alto viewpoint, where you can take in the stunning agricultural terraces and the three majestic volcanoes surrounding the city: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu-Pichu.

Next, we will visit the Yanahuara Colonial district, known for its Andalusian-style church and its viewpoint, a true architectural gem with arches made from sillar (volcanic stone). We will then explore the Santa Catalina Monastery, a fascinating religious monument that remained closed for 400 years, with its narrow streets, squares, and gardens reminiscent of old Seville or Granada.

The tour continues at the Main Square, where you'll admire the magnificent Cathedral and the stone arches surrounding it. Finally, visit the Church of the Society of Jesus, founded by the Jesuits in the 17th century, famous for its cloisters and the stunning San Ignacio Dome. Overnight stay in Arequipa.

After breakfast, we set off for the spectacular Colca Valley, ascending the foothills of the Chachani Volcano and admiring breathtaking views of the Misti and Pichu Pichu volcanoes along the way. We’ll cross the Pampa Cañahuas vicuña reserve, where these graceful animals can be seen roaming freely across the high Andean plains. As we pass through the area, you’ll also notice the unique charm of the surrounding villages. We’ll stop for lunch en route to the hotel. The afternoon is free for you to rest, enjoy the hotel’s amenities, or take an optional visit to the nearby thermal baths. Overnight stay in Colca Valley.

Early in the morning, we will head to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, where you’ll witness the majestic flight of the condors, massive Andean birds on the verge of extinction and a symbol of the Andes. From this vantage point, you'll also have the chance to admire the stunning depth of the canyon, one of the deepest in the world. Afterward, we will visit the towns of Maca and Yanque, both preserving beautiful colonial churches. Following lunch, we will depart by bus for Puno, a journey of approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Puno.

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day tour exploring the wonders of Lake Titicaca. Our first stop will be the Uros floating reed islands, where the welcoming locals will share the fascinating techniques used to construct their handmade reed boats and islands. We will then continue by motorboat to Taquile Island, where the residents preserve their ancestral traditions and proudly wear their colorful traditional clothing. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the island and take in breathtaking views of the lake. A typical lunch will be served at a local community restaurant. As the sun begins to set, we will return by boat to the pier in Puno. Overnight stay in Puno.

After breakfast, we will depart on a scenic tour bus to Cusco, stopping along the way to visit the fascinating attractions of this beautiful route. Our first stop will be the Pucara Museum, where you’ll have the chance to admire local craftsmanship and pick up a classic bull-shaped ceramic. Next, we’ll enjoy lunch and take in the stunning views at La Raya, the natural border between Puno and Cusco. We then continue to Racchi, home to the impressive Temple of the god Wiracocha, known for its striking walls and narrow streets. Before reaching our final destination, we’ll stop in Andahuaylillas to visit its charming chapel, often referred to as the "Sistine Chapel of the Andes." We will arrive in Cusco by late afternoon. Overnight stay in Cusco.

After breakfast, we will escape the crowds and visit Sacsayhuamán, an awe-inspiring ceremonial fortress featuring colossal constructions and breathtaking landscapes that harmonize with the surroundings. Next, we’ll have a panoramic view of Qenqo, an ancient Inca shrine dedicated to the Puma, which houses an altar used for sacrifices. Our journey continues to the Puca Pucara viewpoint and Tambomachay, a monument showcasing impressive architectural expertise, considered one of the cornerstones of the Andean cosmology.

In the afternoon, enjoy an exclusive city tour starting in the artistic district of San Blas, a unique blend of Inca and Spanish influences. Along the way, we’ll stop at Plazoleta Nazarenas, surrounded by colonial buildings such as the former San Antonio Abad University and its neighboring church. From there, we’ll head to the Plaza de Armas to visit the majestic Cathedral, home to priceless colonial artworks. Our final stop will be the Koricancha, or Quri Kancha (Golden Temple), welcoming us with its grandeur and rich history. Overnight stay in Cusco.

After breakfast, we will explore the most remarkable sites of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be Chinchero, one of the most picturesque and traditional towns in the Sacred Valley, where we’ll admire its Inca archaeological complex and beautiful colonial church. Chinchero is also renowned for its skilled women weavers, who may demonstrate ancient Inca techniques for dyeing and spinning alpaca wool.

We’ll then continue to Moray, a stunning and intriguing Inca archaeological site made up of colossal concentric terraces that resemble a large amphitheater. In Inca times, it functioned as an agricultural laboratory where diverse microclimates were recreated.

Lunch will be served at a charming local restaurant. Finally, we’ll visit the magnificent archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, a site of great importance to the Incas as a military, religious, and agricultural center. Highlights include the Temple of the Ten Windows, the Ñusta's baths, and the Temple of the Sun. The breathtaking views from the heights of Ollantaytambo will close this magical day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Overnight stay in the Sacred Valley.

After breakfast, embark on a scenic train journey to witness one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Upon arriving at Aguas Calientes station, our staff will assist you in boarding the bus that winds its way up to Machu Picchu, offering breathtaking views of the Urubamba River and its canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will captivate you with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, stairways, and urban areas, where the energy of this ancient site is palpable. After a guided tour, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. At the arranged time, we will return to Cusco and transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Cusco airport for your departure. Upon arrival in Lima, our staff will assist you with your connection flight. Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to see you again soon!

WEB-12DBEX / WEB-12DBPV