Discover the best of the Peruvian Andes.
Departures: Daily
Length: 14 days / 13 nights
Destinations: Lima / Arequipa / Colca Canyon / Puno / Lake Titicaca / Cusco / Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu
Highlights: One of our most popular itineraries, this fantastic two-week trip visits all of the highlights of the Andes region of Peru. Observe condors in the stunning Colca Canyon, travel across Lake Titicaca to visit the floating Uros Islands, and be enthralled by the Inca heritage with tours of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Tailor Made: This is a suggested holiday that can be booked exactly as described if you wish or that can be used to help inspire you on the fascinating journeys and destinations in Peru. Like all our holidays this itinerary can be tailored, customised and crafted by our friendly experts to suit your own travel style, personal requirements, wishes, budget and interests. Simply get in touch to discuss, and we would be delighted to create a truly personalised holiday for you.
Holiday Itinerary
Arrive at any time in Lima and we will meet you and escort you to your chosen hotel in the heart of the coastal district of Miraflores.
Meals: None
Overnight: Hotel in Miraflores, Lima
Today you will go on a city tour of Lima. The tour will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage heart of colonial Lima taking you to both the major plazas in the city centre, and with panoramic views of the Presidential Palace and Cathedral. A highlight is a visit to the Monastery of San Francisco with its collection of religious art and subterranean catacombs!
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel in Miraflores, Lima
Today you have the option of a morning or evening flight from Lima to Arequipa, and at the appropriate time we will meet you at your hotel in Lima to escort you to the Lima airport, assist with check-in for the flight, and meet you on arrival in Arequipa. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and start to acclimatise, and to enjoy your first meal in Arequipa - a city famous for its Andean cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Arequipa
Today you will enjoy a free day in the beautiful Andean city of Arequipa. We include free time here as this is the first destination you will be visiting at altitude, and Arequipa is a great location to acclimatise. If you wish you may choose to explore this wonderful city and visit some of the areas of interest, including the stunning central Plaza de Armas and Santa Catalina monastery which was closed to the public for hundreds of years and is beautifully painted inside with a religious art collection and relaxed atmosphere.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Arequipa
You will set off early in the morning to journey towards the Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world. The journey will take you across a high altiplano where wild herds of vicuñas can be seen grazing, a typical Andean sight. The journey will continue past Chucure volcano, before reaching Patapampa, which is at the highest point of the journey (4800 metres) and from where there is stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape, including views of the volcanoes that dot this region of Peru. Upon arrival at the Colca Canyon you will check into your hotel (either in the town of Chivay, the gateway to the Colca Canyon, or deeper in the canyon depending on your hotel choice) and will have the afternoon free to buy some lunch, relax in your hotel or stroll through the town. An optional visit to thermal baths can be arranged (not included).
Meals: Breakfast, Evening Meal
Overnight: Hotel in Colca Canyon
Today you will depart to “Cruz del Condor”, an impressive viewing point 3400 metres above the base of the valley where it is possible to see condors gliding on thermals rising from the valley floor. You will also see ancient pre-Incan hanging tombs dug into cliff faces and pass through local traditional Andean villages before returning to Chivay where you will have time to enjoy a lunch of your choice. During the afternoon you will travel to the city of Puno, on the banks of Lake Titicaca. This journey will take most of the afternoon however the journey takes you over the altiplano landscape and has great views of the Andes mountains so it is a beautiful journey to make. There will also be opportunities to stop and take photos at points on the way. You will spend the night in Puno, on the banks of Lake Titicaca.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel in Puno, Lake Titicaca
This morning we will escort you to the banks of Lake Titicaca where you will join one of the tour boats that operate across the lake. The tour will take you across the turquoise lake to the famous floating Uros Islands where you will be able to visit the man-made islands, constructed using reeds, and learn more about the fascinating people that live there. In the afternoon you will visit the funerary towers of Sillustani, a pre-Inca burial ground consisting of towers overlooking Lake Umayo. The ruins are situated in a spectacular location with incredible views of the surrounding area.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel in Puno, Lake Titicaca
After breakfast you will depart on a full day tour travelling from Puno to the city of Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire. The road you will follow is called “Ruta del Sol” (which translates as the Sun Road) and the tour includes stops at archaeological and interesting sites along the way, including a colonial Andean church built in 1626, a tour of the Inca archaeological site of Raqchi, and outstanding views of snow-capped Andean mountains. Upon arrival in Cusco we will escort you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Central hotel in Cusco
Your first morning in Cusco will be free time for you to use at your leisure. Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage city, and it is packed full of architectural, religious and historical sites that are worth visiting in your free time. In the afternoon you will go on a city tour of Cusco and the surrounding area to give you an opportunity to visit some of the Inca sites on the outskirts of the city, including Sacsayhuaman and Tambomachay, as well as some of the more important sites within the city, including the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and Cusco Cathedral.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Cusco
Today is a highlight of the holiday as you tour the length of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the valley that stretches between Cusco and Machu Picchu, visiting many of the most important archaeological ruins hidden within the depths of the valley. The first stop on the tour is a visit to the traditional Andean village of Chinchero where you will see demonstrations of the traditional craft techniques of the Chinchero people as well as visit the Inca ruins within the village and the colonial church. The tour continues to the Inca ruins of Moray, giant circular terraces that it is believed were used by the Inca as a fascinating botanical experiment to enable different crops that grow at different climates to be cultivated all together in one area. Next you visit the salt fields of Maras which are believed to date from Incan times where an entire valley has been forged into a network of salt pans. The final stop on the tour is the Inca town of Ollantaytambo and you will tour the giant Inca complex that overlooks the town. You will spend the night in a hotel in the Sacred Valley, amidst the stunning scenery of this special place.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Hotel in Sacred Valley
We will collect you from your hotel early in the morning to take you to Ollantaytambo train station from where you will journey by train to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu, one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. The train is the best way to travel to the famous iconic site: the coaches provide comfort while there are excellent views of the outstanding Peruvian landscape passing Andean villages and snow-capped mountain vistas. Upon arrival at the town of Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), the gateway to Machu Picchu, you will take the short bus ride up the valley to Machu Picchu itself and will then tour the site in full. You will visit all of the important areas including the Temple of the Sun and Intihuatana Sundial, before having free time to explore or take photos by yourself. After the visit you will return to Aguas Calientes where you will be able to relax or buy some souvenirs in the craft market before returning to Cusco by train later in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Central hotel in Cusco
Today enjoy a free day in Cusco to relax following your visit to Machu Picchu and for you to explore the capital of the Inca Empire. Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city is blessed with countless places of interest to visit so we include free time so you can explore the fascinating markets selling bizarre foods, art galleries showcasing the fine art of the Cusco School, ancient Inca temples, beautiful colonial-era architecture and churches featuring golden altars.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Cusco
At the appropriate time we will collect you from your hotel in Cusco and will escort you to Cusco airport from where you will take a flight to Lima. On arrival in Lima you will be met by your guide and will transfer to your hotel for the evening. You will have the rest of the day and night free to explore Lima and enjoy your final evening in Peru.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel in Miraflores, Lima
Today at the appropriate time we will escort you to Lima airport and assist with your check-in for your flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: N/A
Included
- Two domestic flights within Peru (Lima - Arequipa / Arequipa - Lima)
- All excursions
- English-speaking guides for all excursions
- Entry fees to all sites included in the itinerary (including Machu Picchu)
- Accommodation
- All meals detailed
- Private transfers to / from airports or hotels
- All transport and travel within Peru
Not Included
- International flights to/from South America. We exclude international flights to give the option to compare flight pricing or use air miles, however we can include and provide international flights as part of your holiday and any international flights booked through us would be ATOL-protected as part of your package with us. Depending on time of year, departure airport and airline preference flight prices start from around £800pp economy. If you would like us to include international flights or provide a quote just let us know your preferred departure airport when you enquire.
ATOL PROTECTION
This is a flight-inclusive package holiday. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate.
Contact Us if you want more information or want to book this holiday. One of our Peru holiday specialists will be more than willing to help.
