Best of Peru

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival in Juliaca - Transfer to Puno
Upon arrival at Juliaca Airport, you will be met by your local representative and transferred to Puno, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The journey takes approximately one hour and offers your first glimpse of the Peruvian Altiplano. After check-in at the hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure to acclimatize to the altitude or take a walk along the lakeside. -/-/-

Day 2. Lake Titicaca - Uros and Amantani Islands
Today you will explore Lake Titicaca by boat. Your first stop is the famous Uros Floating Islands, handmade from layers of totora reeds and inhabited by communities that continue to preserve their traditional customs and lifestyle. Continue to Amantani Island, known for its peaceful atmosphere, ancient agricultural terraces, and spectacular views across the lake. With no cars or hotels and less developed infrastructure, the local communities have successfully preserved their cultural identity, relying mainly on farming and fishing. Learn about local traditions and the importance of Lake Titicaca to the indigenous cultures that have lived here for centuries before returning to Puno in the afternoon. B/L/-

Day 3. Puno - Arequipa
After breakfast, depart for Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city, often called the "White City" because many of its historic buildings were constructed from white volcanic stone known as sillar. Upon arrival, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, one of the country's most remarkable colonial landmarks. Founded in 1579, this vast religious complex features narrow streets, colorful courtyards, peaceful plazas, and beautifully preserved chapels, offering a fascinating insight into colonial life. B/-/-

Day 4. Colca Canyon - Chivay
Travel through the spectacular landscapes of the Andes towards Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. Along the route, pass through the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas roam freely across the high-altitude plains. Stop at scenic viewpoints before arriving in Chivay, a charming Andean town located in the Colca Valley, where you will spend the night. B/-/-

Day 5. Chivay - Cusco
Continue your journey across the Andean highlands to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and one of South America's most important historical cities. The drive passes through remote mountain landscapes, traditional villages, and wide plateaus dotted with grazing alpacas and llamas. Upon arrival in Cusco, check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to adapt to the city's altitude. B/-/-

Day 6. Cusco City Tour and Sacsayhuamán
Explore Cusco on a guided walking tour through its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Inca stonework blends seamlessly with Spanish colonial architecture. Visit the city's main square and admire the impressive colonial buildings before continuing to Sacsayhuamán Fortress. This monumental Inca ceremonial site is famous for its enormous stone walls, assembled with extraordinary precision without the use of mortar, and offers panoramic views over Cusco. After the tour, enjoy some time to explore local markets and shops offering a variety of clothing, textiles, and accessories made from high-quality alpaca and vicuña wool, traditional products of the Andean region. B/-/-

Day 7. Sacred Valley - Maras Salt Mines - Moray - Aguas Calientes
Depart for the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of Peru's most fertile and historically significant regions. Visit the Maras Salt Mines, where between 3000 and 4500 terraced salt pools have been harvested continuously since pre-Inca times. Today the pools are divided and owned by roughly 600 local families from the towns of Maras and Pichingoto, who harvest the salt using the exact same methods used hundreds of years ago. Continue to Moray, an archaeological site consisting of circular terraces believed to have served as an agricultural research center for the Incas. Later, board the train through the scenic Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. B/-/-

Day 8. Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco
After an early breakfast, take the 20-minute shuttle bus to Machu Picchu, one of the world's most celebrated archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During a guided tour, discover the history of this remarkable Inca citadel, its temples, terraces, ceremonial plazas, and sophisticated engineering. Hidden among the cloud forests of the Andes until its rediscovery in 1911, Machu Picchu remains one of the finest examples of Inca architecture. In the afternoon, return by train and road to Cusco. The train journey from Aguas Calientes to Cusco covers around 118 km, ascending from the lush Urubamba River valley into the high Andes. The scenic ride takes approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours, passing through dramatic landscapes that change from subtropical cloud forests to high-altitude plains. B/-/-

Day 9. Free Day in Cusco or Optional Excursion to Rainbow Mountain
Enjoy a free day to discover Cusco at your own pace. You may visit museums, local markets, artisan shops, or simply relax in one of the cafés surrounding Plaza de Armas. Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), one of Peru's most spectacular natural attractions, famous for its striking multicolored mineral layers and breathtaking high-altitude scenery. Bring warm layers, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, and sturdy hiking shoes because weather and altitude conditions can change quickly. To reach the top from the parking area, you can walk (the most common option, about 1–2 hours depending on pace), ride a horse (available for hire and takes you most of the way), or in some cases using a small local motorized transport/ATV service if available. There is no cable car or road directly to the top, so the final section always involves some walking. Return to Cusco in the evening. B/-/-

Day 10. Fly back to Lima. Free Day
After arriving to Lima, enjoy a free day to explore the city at your own pace. Staying in Miraflores gives you easy access to the coastal Malecón de Miraflores, Parque del Amor, Larcomar, and the beautiful Pacific Ocean views. You can also visit the historic Centro Histórico de Lima with Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, and colonial buildings, or explore the artistic Barranco district with its colorful streets, cafés, and galleries. For a more active experience, you can take a surf lesson at Makaha Beach in Miraflores, one of Lima’s most popular beginner-friendly surf spots. Local surf schools provide instructors, boards, and wetsuits directly by the beach. B/-/-

Day 11. Departure
After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Lima airport for your departure flight (transfer is not included). B/-/-