Peru South and Machu Picchu in 12 Days
Classic Service
From $1.00 USD per person
- Excellent value, competitive prices, and high-quality experiences.
- Combination of public and private transport to ensure maximum comfort and optimal sightseeing of the Sacred Valley’s historical and captivating sites.
- All major highlights are covered, with ample time for personal exploration.
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 | Lima.
- DAY 2 | Lima Relax
- DAY 3 | Full Day Paracas & Ica
- DAY 4 | Nazca Lines Overflight - Arequipa
- DAY 5 | Tour in Arequpa
- DAY 6 | Transfer Arequipa-Puno
- DAY 7 | Uros Islands Visit
- DAY 8 | Transfer to Cusco
- DAY 9 | Morning Resting
- DAY 10 | Visit Pisaq Sacred Valley
- DAY 11 | Machu Picchu Guided Tour
- DAY 12 | Transfer to airport
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 TourThe 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:
- Andahuaylillas Temple: Often called the "Sistine Chapel of America," known for its exquisite artwork.
- Raqchi: The Inka temple, showcasing impressive ruins of an ancient Inca structure.
- Raya Pass: Located at 4,335 meters, this high-altitude pass offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
- Pukara Museum: Featuring Inka and Aymara artifacts and history.
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 CuscoAt 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:
- Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun): Known for its impressive architecture and historical significance.
- Sacsayhuaman: A ceremonial complex often referred to as the "head of the Puma," reflecting the shape of Cusco as a puma during Inca times.
- Qenqo: A temple dedicated to Pachamama, or Mother Earth.
- Pucapucara: An archaeological site that served as a checkpoint to the Sacred City of Cusco.
- Tambomachay: An Inca resting place and a temple dedicated to the natural element of water.
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:
- Casa de las Escogidas
- Intiwatana (el reloj solar que marca las estaciones del año)
- Kallancas (sheds para guerreros)
- Baños y acueductos
- Terrazas
- Ascenso al Huayna Picchu
- Puerta del Sol
- Puente Inca
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
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer from the hotel to the airport
- Flight from Cusco to Lima
- Arrival in Lima
- Waiting at the airport for the international flight
Includes
- Transfers to and from each destination.
- 2 nights' accommodation in Lima with breakfast.
- Traditional city tour in Lima, including the Convent of Santo Domingo.
- 1 night accommodation in Nazca with breakfast.
- Visit to the Ballestas Islands.
- Overflight of the Nazca Lines (taxes not included).
- 2 nights' accommodation in Arequipa with breakfast.
- 2 nights' accommodation in Puno with breakfast.
- Full-day tour of Lake Titicaca with a traditional lunch.
- 3 nights' accommodation in Cusco with breakfast.
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
- City tour of Cusco plus visits to four nearby ruins: Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Sacsayhuaman, and Tambomachay.
- Full-day Sacred Valley tour with buffet lunch.
- Full-day Machu Picchu tour with buffet lunch.
- Bus transportation with Consetur up and down.
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back (Expedition Train with lunch at El Mapy restaurant for 2 and 3-star categories; Vistadome Train with lunch at Tinkuy restaurant (Sanctuary Lodge) for 4 and 5-star categories).
- For 2 and 3-star hotels, the tourist bus with stops and entrance fees will be used on the Puno-Cusco route.
- For 4 and 5-star hotels, the Peru Rail Titicaca Train will be used on the Puno-Cusco route, with departures only on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. On other days, a tourist bus will be used with a discount of $200 per person.
PRICES
Essential elements
- Original passport (and International Student Card (ISIC) if applicable).
- T-shirts.
- Comfortable pants.
- Sun hat.
- Sunglasses.
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended).
- Insect repellent.
- Toiletries.
- Personal medication.
- Camera and film.
- Flashlight with extra batteries (headlamps are ideal).
- Shorts.
- Sandals.
- Extra money.
- Swimsuit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, with an entrance fee of US$4).
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