Highlights of Peru

19 Day Example Itinerary

Nasca Lines Colca Canyon Lake Titicaca CuscoMachu Picchu Amazon

This comprehensive itinerary encapsulates the very best of Peru, from Andes to Amazon, coast to Colca Canyon and the ancient treasures of Inca Peru. The journey takes you from the windswept coastal plain etched with ancient civilisations up into the traditional Aymara and Quetchua culture of the Peruvian altiplano highland before plunging you into the steamy Amazon. Highlights include the Nasca Lines, the magnficent Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca before you reach the climax – the Inca capital Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Overfly the enigmatic Nasca Lines
  • Marvel at swooping condors in the Colca Canyon
  • Visit the floating reed island of Uros on Lake Titicaca
  • Explore Machu Picchu following in the footsteps of the Inca
  • Stay at jungle lodge deep in the Amazon Rainforest

What’s included

  • Private tours for most included activities
  • Meet & greet airport service
  • Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
  • Expert guides in each destination

flexibility

This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.

18

Nights

Price Guide

from $7050pp

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 1

Arrive Lima

plan line
Day 2

Lima – History, Art & incredible Cuisine!

Arrive Lima where you will be met and driven to your hotel. Two days in the Peruvian capital gives you plenty of time to recover from the jetlag as well as explore the city’s many attractions. You may like to visit the colonial centre, home to the cathedral, presidential palace and historic mansions or head instead to the fascinating pre-Incan pyramid of Huaca Pucllana and the stunning Larco Herrera Museum. Lima is arguably the foodie capital of South America where you can delve into Surquillo Market, enjoy a street food tour or simply round off your stay with dinner at Central or Maido, two of the continent’s best restaurants.

Day 3-4

Nasca & Ballestas – Wildife & Geoglyphs

Transfer south along the coastal desert to Ica and overfly the famous Nasca Lines, one of Peru’s iconic sites, a series of huge geoglyphs etched into the desert sands some 1500 years ago. From above, the true extent of the lines, shapes and figures from monkeys and spiders to hummingbirds become visible. Close by, you may like to take a buggy across Huacachina’s towering dunes or a boat-trip out to the Ballestas Islands, dubbed the mini-Galapagos, a wonderful haven for wildlife including Humboldt penguins, sea-lions and blue-footed boobies.

Day 5-6

The Picturesque “White City” of Arequipa

Fly to the “white city” of Arequipa, a charming university city ringed by the three volcanoes Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. Best explored on foot, the city is renowned for its fine colonial architecture and the fascinating Santa Catalina Convent, a colourful city within a city whose elegant patios, gardens and chapels date back to the 16th century.

Day 7-8

The Colca Canyon – Swooping Condor

Head into the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon, a truly immense area of gullies, gorges, and pre-Incan terraces dotted with traditional villages. Here, venture to the Condor’s cross, THE place to spot condors in South America where each morning, these magnificent birds ride the early thermals and circle directly in front of the visitors. For hikers, there are stunning walks down into the depths of the canyon itself or more relaxing, a number of picturesque hotsprings where you can drink in the panoramic views.

Day 9-10

lake Titicaca – Sacred lake of the Inca

Continue by road to Puno on the banks of Lake Titicaca, sacred lake of the Inca. Another of Peru’s iconic destinations, you can enjoy boat trips out to the floating “totora” reed islands of the Uros people or further afield to the remote island communities of Taquile or Llachon. For something special, you can stay on a private island hotel or even enjoy a unique homestay on Amantani.

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Day 11-13

The Inca Capital Cusco

Continue by road – or better still by train – to the wonderful Inca capital of Cusco, an intriguing colonial city built on the ashes of the Inca empire. Cusco offers a treasure trove of riches to explore. Experience the contrast between the Korikancha Inca Temple of Sun and the towering colonial cathedral; immerse yourself in the flavours and scents of San Pedro market or traditional workshops and galleries of San Blas or head into the hills to visit the magnificent Sacsayhuaman fortress and fascinating Inca sites of Qenko, Tambo Machay and Puka Pukara. For thrill seekers, there is excellent walking, biking, paddling and rafting close-by or you may like to spend a day venturing into the picture-postcard Sacred Valley.

Day 14-15

The Highlight – Machu Picchu!

Boarding a train, you will weave your way through the beautiful Vilcabamba mountains skirting the banks of the raging Urubamba River. On reaching the village of Aguas Calientes, you will continue by bus up to the magical citadel of Machu Picchu for a guided tour of South America’s most famous lost Inca city. If you are keen walkers, there is no better way to reach Machu Picchu than by the stunning 1 Day Inca Trail which takes you high into the mountains to arrive at the citadel via the famous sun-gate. The following day, enjoy a second visit to Machu Picchu before you return by train to Cusco.

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Day 16-18

Into the Amazon Rainforest

Fly to Puerto Maldonado at the southern entrance to Peru’s steamy Amazon. Here, you will be met and transferred by road and river to reach your jungle lodge shrouded in tropical rainforest. All meals and excursions are included and each day you will head into the forest accompanied by expert, naturalist and local guides in search of the remarkable wildlife. Activities range from walking, fishing and bird-watching to boat trips, community visits and night walks.

Day 19

Return Flight to Lima for onward connections

A note on price

The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.

Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).

Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.

Price Guide from $7050 per person

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season from April to November when there are bright sunny days and an average temperature of around 20° though dropping to just above zero at night due to the altitude. The Amazon is hot and sticky all year round though marginally more oppressive and wet between the months December and March.

Add on’s

A short flight north, Ecuador is a natural add-on to Peru and there is no better way to finish your South American adventure than with a breathtaking Galapagos cruise. Our favourite ships, motor cruisers, yachts and catamarans can be found here – please contact us for departures and detailed itineraries.

Heading east, there are direct flights from Lima to Rio which leads you on nicely to Foz do Iguacu in Brazil, gateway to the mighty Iguassu Falls and Buenos Aires.

There are also direct connections from Lima to Bogota and the colonial gem Cartagena as well as to San Jose and the breathtaking volcanoes, national parks and wildife of Costa Rica – Arenal and the Osa Peninsula are unmissable!

If you have not tired of ancient ruins, you can fly direct to Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula and immerse yourself in the Mayan world of Merida, Chichen Itza and Tulum – which then leads you on nicely to the golden sand and powder soft beaches of the Riviera Maya……

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