EXPLORING THE ANDES & COASTAL PERU 16 DAYS
OVERVIEW:
Experience an unforgettable 16-day Peru tour and discover the incredible diversity of the coast and the Andes in one journey. Explore Lima, Paracas, the Ballestas Islands, Ica, Arequipa, and the Colca Canyon before sailing across Lake Titicaca and discovering the islands of the Uros, Taquile, and Llachón.
Continue to Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas to discover ancient Inca sites, traditional markets, and breathtaking Andean landscapes. The highlight of the journey is the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, visiting Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, and Inti Punku before arriving at the iconic Inca citadel.
The journey continues along the Peruvian coast with Paracas, the Ballestas Islands, the vineyards of Ica, Huacachina, and a memorable culinary experience in Lima. This Peru tour package combines culture, history, gastronomy, nature, and comfort on a comprehensive journey through some of Peru’s most iconic destinations.
If you are looking for a more exclusive experience, you can also explore our 13-day luxury Peru tour, designed for travelers seeking upscale hotels, private experiences, and more personalized service.
AT A GLANCE
Day 1
Arrive in Lima – Miraflores Hotel in Lima…
Day 2
Depart Lima – Fly to Arequipa – Arrive in Arequipa – Time at leisure Hotel in Arequipa (B).
Day 3
Arequipa City Tour – Yanahuara – Santa Catalina Monastery – Plaza de Armas – Mummy Juanita Hotel in Arequipa (B).
Day 4
Depart Arequipa – National Reserve – Village of Callalli – Sibayo Colca Canyon – Chivay – Optional Calera Hot Springs Hotel in Colca Canyon (B, L).
Day 5
Colca Canyon – Cruz del Condor – Traditional Villages – Puno Hotel in Puno (B).
Day 6
Lake Titicaca – Taquile – Llachon – Pachamanca Lunch – Ccappi Uros Hotel in Puno (B, L).
Day 7
Sun Route to Cusco: Pucara Museum – La Raya – Marangani Buffet Lunch – Raqchi – Andahuaylillas – Cusco Hotel in Cusco (B, L).
Day 8
Full Day Cusco City Tour: 12 Angle Stone – Cathedral – Qoricancha – San Pedro Market – San Blas artist district – San Cristobal – Lunch – White Christ – Sacsayhuaman – Qenko -Puka Pukara – Tambomachay Hotel in Cusco (B, L).
Day 9
Sacred Valley Tour: Sulca Center – Pisac ruins + market – Taray Viewpoint – Ollantaytambo Ruins – Urubamba Hotel Sacred Valley (B, L).
Day 10
Chinchero Weaving – Maras Salt Ponds – Moray Circular Terraces Hotel in Sacred Valley (B, L).
Day 11
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo station – Train to Km 104 – Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Sungate (Inti Punku) – Machu Picchu – Bus to Aguas Calientes Hotel in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu (B, BL).
Day 12
Bus to Machu Picchu – Tour – Bus to Aguas Calientes – Train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station – Cusco Hotel in Cusco (B, L).
Day 13
Depart Cusco – Fly to Lima – Arrive in Lima – Journey to Paracas Hotel in Paracas (B).
Day 14
Tour: Ballestas Islands – Paracas National Reserve Hotel in Paracas (B).
Day 15
Optional Nazca Lines overflight – Ica Wine Tour – Tacama vineyard – Huacachina – Sandboarding + Dune buggy – Lima Hotel in Lima (B).
Day 16
Lima Gourmet Tour – Barranco – Miraflores – Cebiche and Pisco Sour class – Lunch in Huaca Pucllana – Depart Lima – International Flight (B, L)
ITINERARY:
day 1.- Welcome to Lima, Capital of Peru
Arrive at the Lima airport where our representative will greet you and private transfer to your hotel in Miraflores.
If arriving in the evening you will spend the night at the airport hotel or if arriving in the morning or afternoon we will take you to Miraflores.
- Hotel in Lima
- No meals
Hotel Selection in Lima
Day 2.- Lima – Arequipa – Leisure
will take you to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Relax and have a leisurely day in the white city of Arequipa, the second largest city of Peru.
- Hotel in Arequipa
- Breakfast included
Hotel Selection in Arequipa
Day 3.- Arequipa City Tour with Juanita Mummy
Enjoy a wonderful day exploring the beautiful city of Arequipa surrounded by mountains and the Misti Volcano. Take a scenic drive to Yanahuara, for a visit to the popular market of Antiquilla, which until today keeps the colonial building style of the “Old Arequipa” and Yanahuara Main Plaza. Appreciate the marvelous views of the city.
Then return to the city and visit the monastery of Santa Catalina, which is a sample of four centuries of Arequipa architecture. Tour the main square, one of the most beautiful in Peru, the Jesuit Church of the Company, which on its beautiful facade announces the so-called mestizo architecture, its cloisters, and dome, the house Tristan del Pozo.
Finally, visit the Museo Santuarios Andinos for a visit of the ice maiden Juanita mummy of Ampato. Return to your hotel and time at leisure.
Breakfast included.
Hotel in Arequipa.
Day 4.- Arequipa – Colca Canyon Extended 2 Days
This morning we depart Arequipa to the city of Chivay in Colca Canyon. See incredible views of the many volcanoes of Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Stop at the National Reserve of “Salinas y Aguada Blanca”, to observe the wild vicuñas in their natural habitat where the altitude will be about 4000 meters. Pass by beautiful natural scenery where you could stop and take pictures.
Continue to the village of Callalli where you can do an optional hike of 1.5 hours to the Caves of Mollepunko) to admire carvings and paintings developed by the first inhabitants of the area dedicated to hunting and gathering.
Then drive to Sibayo (3850 m.), one of the most beautiful villages of Colca Canyon, where most homes are made of stone. Have a typical lunch with a local family.
After lunch, we will do a short visit to the village of Tuti, famous for its attractive colonial church. As we get close to the town of Chivay (3,651 m.) admire the stunning multicolor view of the terraces of the Colca Valley.
We will arrive in the city of Chivay around 3:30 pm and do a short visit to the plaza before continuing to your hotel.
- Hotel in Colca Canyon
- Breakfast and lunch included
Optional extra cost:
- Calera Hot springs.
Hotel Selection in Colca Canyon:
Day 5.- Cruz del Condor – Puno
After a very early breakfast, we depart to the famous “Cruz del Condor” viewpoint. We will have enough time to enjoy the deep majestic Colca Canyon and the powerful condor soaring above the canyon or perched on a rock ready for a picture.
Afterward, we will take you for a short walk around the canyon for about 1 hour. On our return to Chivay, we will visit the traditional villages of Pinchollo and the “Antahuilque viewpoint”, where we will 1,500-year-old terraces. Stop at the lookout point of “Choquetico” and see litomaqueta, a model of the canyon terraces carved on a rock.
Continue to Maca, an Andean community that experienced an earthquake in 1991, and the village of Yanque with the most beautiful church in the valley. Arrive in the town of Chivay and have lunch on your own. We will transfer you to your hotel in Puno.
- Hotel in Puno.
- Breakfast included.
Hotel Selection in Puno
Day 6.- Lake Titicaca Tour – Taquile – Llachon – Ccappi Uros
7:00 AM Private transfer to the port to board the motorboat and ride the Titicaca waters. Visit the exclusive island side of Taquile walking on the pristine sandy beach and meeting the Taquileños admiring their culture and textile art. Immerse in the serenity of the island by hiking around the island.
Enjoy lunch before walking to the other side of the port to continue to the community of Santa Maria -Llachon located on the tip of the Capachica Peninsula. We are welcomed by the community people and immediately delve into their culture observing their traditions and magical world.
Experience the preparation of “Pachamanca” a traditional way of cooking meat, fish, and potatoes using underground ovens. After lunch, we will go to a remote area of the National Reserve of Lake Titicaca, and explore UROS Ccapi, considered the last authentic and less-visited floating islands.
After our cultural experience, we will return to Puno.
Breakfast and lunch included
Hotel in Puno.
Day 7.- Journey from Puno to Cusco by the Sun Route
Options of travel:
- Private transport
- Tourist Bus
Tourist Bus option AM Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the bus station to board the comfortable tourist bus. Along the Sun Route, you will visit the following incredible places.
Pucara Museum 3900 meters – Here we will observe Pucará style sculptures and multi-colored ceramics used for rituals and domestic.
La Raya 4335 meters – Stand at the highest point between Cusco and Puno where you will observe high peaks as well as rivers born from its hillside that flows towards Cusco and the Sacred Valley and those that flow towards Puno to be tributaries of Lake Titicaca.
Marangani Buffet Lunch – We will stop in Sicuani for lunch and to relax before starting the restarting tour.
Raqchi “Temple of Wiracocha” – The Inca Wiracocha Temple was built in honor of the invisible Superior God.
Andahuaylillas San Pedro Church – Visit the church of San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas, built by the Jesuits in the 16th century. Tour the inside and you will be surprised by the mesmerizing murals and lavish embellishments such as a gold-leaf altarpiece.
Arrive in Cusco around 6:00 pm, where our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel in heart of the city.
Hotel in Cusco
Breakfast and lunch included
Optional Upgrades Extra Cost:
- Private transportation to Cusco at your pace and flexible.
Perurail Titicaca Train from Puno to Cusco only operates on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Belmond Andean Explorer Luxury Train with a night in an en-suite cabin operates from Puno to Cusco only on Wednesdays.
Hotel Selection in Cusco
Day 8.- Full-Day Cusco City Tour
In the morning after a delicious breakfast, take a stroll in the charming city of Cusco admiring the Inca and Colonial architecture. Visit the 12-angle stone and take some pictures before walking up to San Blas the artist district to see the special art.
Tour the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas observing the beautiful altars and paintings. Take a nice walk to the Qoricancha Sun Temple which was not only the most sacred site in the Inca belief but was considered the very center of the Inca world. Enjoy a cultural visit to the San Pedro Market where the local people shop for products.
In the afternoon we will go ta a fine restaurant in Cusco to have a delectable Peruvian lunch. After lunch, the fun and excitement continue. Take a drive above Cusco for a visit to the White Christ where you will take spectacular pictures of the city of Cusco below.
Fix your eyes on the well-preserved ruins of Sacsayhuaman with its massive, genius-built walls which still remain today. Then off to the Qenko ruins which were possibly used for sacrifices and rituals. Our final visit will take us to Tambomachay the Inca baths possibly once used as a spa for the Inca ruler.
Breakfast and lunch included
Following an excellent day, return to your hotel.
Hotel in Cusco.
Day 9.- Cusco – Sacred Valley – Sulca Center– Pisac ruins + market – Taray Viewpoint – Ollantaytambo Ruins – Urubamba
Depart Cusco to the Sacred Valley taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valley. Stop at the Sulca Center to see the camelids, alpacas, and llamas. Continue to the Inca ruins of Pisac for a delightful hike to the Inti Watana (Sun Temple), baths, altars, water fountains, and ceremonial platforms.
Take a drive down to the town of Pisac for a stroll around the colorful handicraft market where you can pick up some souvenirs. Go to the viewpoint of Taray for some terrific pictures. Enjoy a Peruvian lunch in Urubamba.
Continue to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo for a walk around the ruins facing the town. Stroll the ancient streets with its Inca design that can still be seen.
- Return to your hotel and relax.
- Hotel in the Sacred Valley
- Breakfast and lunch included
Hotel Selection in the Sacred Valley
Day 10.- Chinchero Traditional Weaving – Maras Salt Ponds – Moray Circular Terraces
Travel to the rustic town of Chinchero which is higher in altitude than Cusco. Observe an ancient weaving demonstration by the indigenous people with their colorful typical wear. Visit the small adobe colonial chapel built around the 17th century upon the foundations of the Inca Temple.
The inside is covered with lovely floral and religious designs. We will have lunch in town. After lunch, drive to the small colonial town of Maras for a walk around the Plaza.
Continue driving around the mountain to the magical Salineras, with stunning scenery of the salt ponds staggered down the mountainside in terraces that are maintained and worked by the families of nearby communities.
Our next visit takes us to the Moray circular terraces sitting on a high plateau. No one knows for sure what they were used for as there are different hypotheses.
The most accepted theory is that the Incas used this site as an agricultural laboratory to test plants in different temperatures. Moray demonstrates the ingenuity of the Incas.
Breakfast and lunch included
After an eye-opening experience, we will leave you at your hotel.
Hotel in Sacred Valley
Day 11.- Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Transfer from your hotel in the Sacred Valley to the Ollantaytambo station to take a train ride to Km104, Chachabamba (2150m/7,053ft). Disembark with your guide and walk to the checkpoint to present your passports and permit.
The excitement begins ascending at your pace observing the lovely Vilcanota River and cloud forest. We pass a pristine waterfall en route to the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2650m/8,694ft).
This site is set on a steep hillside overlooking the Vilcanota River, consisting of upper and lower house complexes connected by a staircase and fountain structures. Here we will enjoy a box lunch in nature.
After lunch, we continue for about 1 to 2 hours through the cloud forest hiking upwards to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the sacred entrance to Machu Picchu.
Soak up the experience and take some pictures of the citadel below before hiking for about 50 minutes there and exiting to take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Breakfast and Box lunch included
Hotel Selection in Aguas Calientes
Day 12
Machu Picchu Tour – Train ride – Cusco
Early morning shuttle bus to Machu Picchu, a 25-minute ride. Reach the magical Machu Picchu, the place you have waited to visit all your life. Relish in a fantastic historical fun walking tour with your guide of this impressive city of the Incas.
Tour the guardhouse, main temples, royal tomb, sacred plaza, and more. After a fabulous time return to town and have lunch before boarding the train to the Ollantaytambo or Poroy station. Private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
- Hotel in Cusco.
- Breakfast and lunch included
Optional extra cost:
Upgrade to Hiram Bingham luxury train
Add Huayna Picchu if available or Montaña Hike
Day 13.- Cusco – Lima – Paracas
Transfer to the Cusco airport for your flight to Lima. Arrive in Lima where our staff will greet you to start your journey in private transport or by bus to Paracas. In Paracas enjoy the hotel amenities.
- Hotel in Paracas
- Breakfast included
Hotel Selection in Paracas
Day 14.- Lima – Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Paracas National Reserve
This morning, walk to the nearby port to board the boat for a tour of the Ballestas Islands habitat of sea lions, guaneras, and diverse marine fauna.
On route observe the Candelabra engraved on the side of a hill, a geoglyph of rock formation eroded by the sea wind. After a splendid tour from the boat, we return to the port. You could choose to have a tour of the Paracas National Reserve by vehicle or if adventurous by biking, ATV, or mini buggies.
Take in the undoubtedly natural scenery that allows you to appreciate the beauty of the place and its varied flora and fauna. The Lagunillas, La Mina, and Mendieta beaches stand out, as well as the Piedra Redonda and Tres Marías islands.
- After a wonderful time return to your hotel.
- Hotel in Paracas
Breakfast included
Optional extra cost:
VIP Sunset Dinner in the Desert of Paracas.
Tour of Paracas National Reserve by Biking, ATV or Mini buggies.
Day 15.- Optional Nazca Lines Over Flight – Ica Wine Tour – Huacachina – Lima
This morning you could choose to do the optional Nazca Lines overflight from the nearby Pisco airport. Travel to Ica for a tour of the vineyards of Tacama known for its fine wine, sparkling wine, and pisco.
This vineyard is housed in a 16th-century farm and is the oldest one in Peru. Enjoy lunch in the Tacama Restaurant. Continue to Huacachina for adventure sandboarding and dune buggy on the dunes of the beautiful desert.
Breakfast included
Return to Lima arriving in the evening.
Hotel in Lima
Day 16.- Lima Gourmet Tour – International Flight
The chef will meet you at your hotel in the morning to start the tasty food tour. Enjoy great overviews of Lima, the city of Kings. Visit Miraflores and Barranco savoring organic coffee, and drinking a fruit smoothie, and fresh fruit at a local market.
Enjoy a hands-on cocktail class of Pisco and make a delectable ceviche with a top chef. A great cultural and food-tasting tour that ends with a delicious lunch or dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant amidst the ruins. Return to your hotel.
Later in the evening transfer to the airport for your international flight.
- Breakfast and lunch included
Add more days to this program: Consult us!
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
WHAT TO BRING
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