Home > Must see in southern Peru

Must see in southern Peru

This itinerary is intended for all the ones wishing to discover the main places and sites of southern Peru from the Pacific coast to the Andes. This tour will allow you to explore this vast country filled with history, customs and geological diversity.

Map

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Lima
  • Day 2: Lima - Paracas
  • Day 3: Paracas - Nazca
  • Day 4: Nazca - Arequipa
  • Day 5: Arequipa
  • Day 6: Arequipa - Colca Valley - Chivay
  • Day 7: Colca Valley - Cruz del Condor - Puno
  • Day 8: Puno - Uros - Taquile - Puno
  • Day 9: Puno - Pukara - Raqchi - Andahuyalillas - Cusco
  • Day 10: Cusco - Pisac - Sacsayhuaman - Q'enqo - Cusco
  • Day 11: Cusco - Chinchero - Moray - Maras - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
  • Day 12: Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
  • Day 13: Cusco - Lima - Cusco - Lima
  • Day 14: Lima

TRAVEL BOOK

Day 1: Lima

At your arrival at the airport Jorge Chávez of Lima, you will be taken to your hotel.



English speaking assistance from airport to your hotel.
Night at the hotel El Tambo.
Included : private transport, reception with english-speaking guide, room & breakfast
Included opts : English-speaking guide

Day 2: Lima - Paracas

Departure in a private vehicle for Paracas.
Note: 163 miles; around three and a half hour travel-time.
Leaving Lima, detour to visit the site Pachacamac which was one of the most important ceremonial centre in the pre-Hispanic America. This archaeological site extends 460 hectares and includes over 50 architectural structures which most are made from stones and adobes. It shows various ruins from the Lima civilization (200-600 AD) to the Incas (1450 -1530), revealing a city that held different functions in time: religious centre, commercial crossroads and administrative centre.
Night at the hotel San Agustin Paracas Playa.
Included : private transport, english speaking guide, guide expenses, room & breakfast
Included opts : English speaking Tour Leader, Visit of Pachacamac.

Day 3: Paracas - Nazca

In the morning, departure for the port of Paracas. Excursion to the Ballestas Islands, where we peacefully observe the numerous sea lions, and different bird spices,
Arriving at Nazca, you will make a stop to the mirador of Nazca's lines for an overview of these strange geometrical designs and then to visit the Maria Reich museum dedicated to Maria Reich herself, a brilliant mathematician who has devoted her life to study the Nazca's lines.
Stop close to the city of Ica to discover the oasis of Huacachina.
Night at the hotel Majoro.
Included : private transport, room & breakfast
Included opts : English speaking Tour Leader, Excursion Islas Ballestas, Mirador and Maria Reich museum, Visit of the Oasis de la Huacachina.

Day 4: Nazca - Arequipa

Departure in private vehicle to Arequipa, the white city.

Visit of the Chauchilla’s cemetery. Interesting site dated to the Huari period (VII to IX DC) cranes, mummies and textiles well preserved to our times thanks to the dry peruvian coast conditions.
Night at the hotel Casona Solar.
Included : private transport, room & breakfast
Included opts : English speaking Tour Leader, Excursion Chauchilla

Day 5: Arequipa

Half day dedicated to the discovery of Arequipa, the "white city". Enjoy a guided tour of the colonial downtown including the main square, the cathedral, the Jesuit church and convent as well as the Santa Catalina monastery. This small city hidden within the city is full of beautiful lanes lined with ochre, blue and white colored houses, small squares and fountains that are reminiscent of Andalucia.

Free afternoon in Arequipa, the white city.

Night at the hotel Casona Solar.
Included : english speaking guide, entrance fees, room & breakfast

Day 6: Arequipa - Colca Valley - Chivay

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Colca by the Colca Canyon route. On the way we will pass through the Pampa Cañahua nature reserve area where we can possibly observe vicunas and other camelids. We will stop at the Patapampa pass at an altitude of 4,900 m to view the surrounding volcanoes of Ampato, Sacanbaya and Hualca-Hualca. Transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, visit to the local market in Chivay and rest time in the local hot springs.
Night at the hotel Pozo del Cielo.
Included : english speaking guide, entrance fees, private transport, room & breakfast

Day 7: Colca Valley - Cruz del Condor - Puno

After breakfast we will start our day with a stop at Cruz del Condor, at the heart of Colca, to observe Andean condors in flight and appreciate the depth of the canyon (1200m). We will then travel toward Chivay visiting the lookout points at Antahuilque and Choquetico, the pre-Inca cemetery and the traditional picturesque villages of Maca (3262m) and Yanque (3417m) along the way. After lunch the journey continues on toward Puno.

Note: around 5 hours of travel.
Night at the hotel Intiqa.
Included : entrance fees, private transport, room & breakfast

Day 8: Puno - Uros - Taquile - Puno

At 7:30 in the morning, transfer to the port of Puno to embark for the islands of Uros and Taquile. After a 25-minute cruise, we visit of the floating islands. These islands are not natural; the Uros tribe, whose main activity is fishing, built them.
We then head for Taquile (around 2-hour cruise), an island of great cultural interest, where residents live in harmony with the ancestral traditions. Back to Puno in mid-afternoon. Transfer to the hotel.

NB: You also have the opportunity to make a two-day tour with overnight at the inhabitant.
Night at the hotel Intiqa.
Included : english speaking guide, private transport, room & breakfast

Day 9: Puno - Pukara - Raqchi - Andahuyalillas - Cusco

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle to Cuzco, Navel of the Incan Empire. This itinerary allows you to enjoy wonderful landscapes along the way, via the Raya Pass, at 4320 meters above sea level (14,173 feet). Stop at the typical village of Pukara, the archaeological site of Raqchi and the “Sistine Chapel” of the Andes in Andahuaylillas. Transfer to the hotel in Cuzco at the end of the afternoon.
Night at the hotel Encantada.
Included : private transport, english speaking guide, guide expenses, entrance fees, room & breakfast
Included opts : Entrance fees

Day 10: Cusco - Pisac - Sacsayhuaman - Q'enqo - Cusco

Departure at 7.30am in a private vehicle on an all-day excursion to explore the Sacred Valley and Cusco. The first stop will be at the ruins of Pisac, one of the main Inca sites, where the different areas (administrative, religious, military) are scattered on the mountainside. Also observable are the large terraces that were used for agriculture but also protected from the effects of erosion. Then we will take a walk around the colorful handicraft market before taking to the road again, this time in the direction of Cusco. Discovery of the ruins around Cusco (Sacsayhuaman and Q’enqo) and of the historical center: Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Cathedral where several paintings of the Cusco School and many gold and silversmithery pieces and precious stone objects are displayed.
Return to the hotel in Cusco.
Night at the hotel Encantada.
Included : private transport, english speaking guide, entrance fees, room & breakfast

Day 11: Cusco - Chinchero - Moray - Maras - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

Departure at 7.30am in a private vehicle on an all-day excursion to explore the Sacred Valley. The first stop will be a visit to the colonial village of Chinchero to visit the colonial church and the Inca ruins. Then we will continue our excursion visiting the village of Maras and the salt flats perched in the cordillera there! We then set off to visit to the cultural site of Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory before continuing on toward Ollantaytambo.


Departure for a 2 hours ride by train to Aguas Calientes. The Vistadome's wagons are completely covered with glass for a panoramic view throughout the journey.
Night at the hotel Hatun Inti Classic (ex Inti Inn).
Included : private transport, english speaking guide, guide expenses, entrance fees, train ticket, room & breakfast
Included opts : English-speaking guide, Guide's accommodation, Entrance fees, Guide's train ticket.

Day 12: Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

In the early morning, direct connection to the shuttle service that will drive you to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Arrival to Machu Picchu, wonder of the world.

Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city of the fifteenth century in Peru. Abandoned during the collapse of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu sacred city, forgotten for centuries, is considered as a masterpiece of Inca architecture. It was unveiled in 1911 by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham.

Together with your english speaking guide, you will start to discover the archaeological complex, still covered by the morning mist, built on top of a ridge and surrounded by precipices. A stunning view that evolves with the progression of the sun! After the guided tour (around 3 hours for the visit), you have the opportunity to discover on your own.

Train back to Ollantaytambo.
Reception at the train station and transfer to the hotel in Cusco.
Night at the hotel Encantada.
Included : bus ticket, guide expenses, entrance fees, english speaking guide, train ticket, private transport, room & breakfast
Included opts : Bus guide, English speaking guide , Guide's meals, Guide's train ticket.

Day 13: Cusco - Lima

Transfer to Cusco's airport.


English speaking assistance from your hotel to the airport.

Flight to Lima.

Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Night at the hotel El Tambo.
Included : private transport, departure transfer with english speaking guide, domestic flight, airport tax, transfer arrival, room & breakfast
Included opts : Assistance by a local guide during the transfer.

Day 14: Lima

Free day.
Three hours before take-off, transfer to Jorge Chavez airport in Lima. Connection with the international return flight.
Included : private transport, transfer departure

Night in the hotel El Tambo   Lima

Level : 3*
Included : room & breakfast

El Tambo hotel is located in the heart of Miraflores district and just a few steps from the Pacific. The hotel rooms are modern, comfortable and evoke the culture and heritage of the country. The perfect place to discovering the different districts of the peruvian capital.

Night in the hotel San Agustin Paracas Playa   Paracas

Level : 3*
Included : room & breakfast

The San Agustin Paracas is located amidst the beauty that only the Paracas Bay can offer. In every corner you will feel a part of the great history of the place. 123 rooms on 2 areas, all rooms have ocean view from the second floor rooms feature a terra.

Night in the hotel   Nazca

Level : 3*
Included : room & breakfast

"Majoro" comes from the Quechua and means "place of bushes". The hotel is located in the heart of 60 hectares of nature. It features large recreation areas creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. It offers various services such as bar, restaurant and swimming pool. The decoration is different in each room, from traditional to modern or avant-garde. All rooms are very well ventilated.

Night in the hotel Casona Solar   Arequipa

Level : 3*
Included : room & breakfast

Nacional Monument classified by UNESCO in 1980, Casona Solar is a true architectural remains of the eighteenth century. The modern and comfortable rooms open onto spacious patios and gardens offering peace and tranquillity for travellers.

Night in the hotel Pozo del cielo   Chivay

Level : 3*
Included : room & breakfast

Located just 1 km away from the main square in Chivay, the Pozo del Cielo offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and heating. The rooms have functional furniture and a private bathroom. It offers a restaurant. A breakfast buffet is served each morning. Guests can also enjoy local specialities at the restaurant.

Night in the hotel   Puno

Level : 3*
Included : room & breakfast

Located just a 5 minutes walk from the center of Puno, the Intiqa Hotel offers tastefully decorated rooms and equipped with free Wi-Fi. You may try and taste the regional flavours in the restaurant. The Intiqa Hotel offers comfortable rooms decorated with warm tones. They are equipped with cable TV and a private bathroom with shower. Every morning you may enjoy a full breakfast with regional products. Guests will also enjoy local specialties at the restaurant.

Night in the hotel Encantada.   Cusco

Level : 3*
Included : room & breakfast

This charming hotel is located in the Arts District in San Blas, the heart of Cusco. The modern and elegant infrastructure offers a great comfort, surrounded by magnificent gardens where guests can relax in between various visits to Cusco and surrounding areas. Beyond the discovery of the Inca capital, the location is the ideal starting point to visit some of the most famous tourist attractions in South America such as the magnificent sanctuary of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley sites.

Night in the hotel Hatun Inti Classic (ex Inti Inn)   Aguas Calientes

Level : 3*
Included : room & breakfast

Hatun Inti Hotel Classic (ex Inti Inn) is a charming hotel located at the foot of Machu Picchu, in the main street of the village of Aguas Calientes. The rooms are cozy and comfortable and the hotel is located close to the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes where you can relax after your tour of the citadel.

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