Best of Peru Highlights

Upon arrival in Lima, we transfer to your hotel.

In the afternoon, we begin our exploration of the Peruvian capital, often called the City of Kings. Our tour starts in the coastal district of Miraflores, where we visit the well-known Parque del Amor - a popular viewpoint overlooking Lima Bay.

We then continue to Lima’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in colonial history. En route, we pass Huaca Pucllana, an impressive pre-Inca adobe pyramid standing amid the modern city.

At Plaza Mayor, the historic heart of Lima, we admire the grand architecture surrounding the square - including the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Government Palace and the City Hall. We enter the Cathedral of Lima, which houses the tomb of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro.

Crossing the square, we visit the Convent of Santo Domingo, an important religious and historical landmark. Here lie the remains of three Peruvian saints - Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres and San Juan Masías. Inside the convent we also discover a remarkable library containing books dating back to the 15th century. The convent was once home to the first university in the Americas, San Marcos University.

After the visit, we return to the hotel.

Lima - Paracas. Early this morning, we transfer to the bus station for the journey south to Paracas. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel.

Later, we head to the local airfield for an unforgettable flight over the Nazca Lines. These enormous geoglyphs - visible only from the air - depict animals and geometric shapes such as a monkey, hummingbird, condor and spider. Their true purpose remains a mystery, although many believe they may have formed part of an ancient astronomical calendar.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel or explore the surrounding coastal area.

Paracas - Lima. Early this morning, we travel to the pier for a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands.

Along the way, we pass the famous Paracas Candelabra - a giant geoglyph carved into the hillside overlooking the sea, reminiscent of the Nazca Lines. At the islands themselves, we observe a variety of wildlife including sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins and numerous seabirds that inhabit this protected marine reserve.

In the afternoon, we transfer to the bus station for the journey back to Lima. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Lima - Arequipa. After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel and you have the morning free to acclimatise to the altitude.

In the afternoon, we explore Arequipa, known as the White City for its buildings constructed from pale volcanic stone called sillar. We begin in the historic district of San Lázaro, where the city was founded, strolling through its narrow streets lined with colourful flowers.

We then continue to the Carmen Alto viewpoint, which offers beautiful views over agricultural terraces and the surrounding volcanoes - Misti, Chachani and Pichu-Pichu.

Next, we visit the charming district of Yanahuara, known for its picturesque square and elegant stone arches built from sillar.

Our tour continues at the Santa Catalina Monastery, a remarkable religious complex that remained closed to the outside world for more than 400 years. Its colourful streets, small plazas and peaceful courtyards resemble a miniature Spanish town.

Finally, we visit Arequipa’s main square to admire the impressive Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus, a 17th-century Jesuit church famous for its richly decorated cloisters and the ornate San Ignacio dome.

Please note: The flight from Lima to Arequipa is not included in the cost of your tour and must be booked independently.

Arequipa - Chivay. After breakfast, we travel towards the spectacular Colca Valley. The journey takes us past the foothills of the Chachani Volcano with views of the iconic Misti and Pichu-Pichu peaks.

We cross the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve, where vicunas - the wild relatives of alpacas - roam freely across the high Andean plains.

Along the way, we pass small Andean villages before stopping for lunch en route to the hotel in the Colca Valley. The afternoon is free for you to rest, enjoy the hotel facilities or visit the nearby thermal baths.

Chivay - Maca - Yanque - Puno. Early this morning, we travel to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint. Here we watch the majestic Andean condor soaring on the rising thermal currents above the canyon. Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world, making this an impressive natural spectacle.

Afterwards, we visit the traditional villages of Maca and Yanque, both known for their colonial churches and local culture.

Following lunch, we continue by bus to Puno, a journey of around five hours across the high Andean plateau. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast, we set out for a full-day exploration of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

Our first stop is the remarkable floating islands of the Uros people. Built entirely from totora reeds, these islands have been home to the Uros community for generations. During the visit, we learn about their traditions and how the islands and reed boats are constructed.

We then continue by boat to Taquile Island, where local communities maintain strong ancestral traditions. The island is known for its distinctive textiles and colourful traditional dress.

A typical lunch is served at a local community restaurant before we return by boat to Puno in the late afternoon.

Puno - Andahuaylillas - Cusco. After breakfast, we depart by tourist bus for Cusco, travelling along one of the most scenic routes in southern Peru.

Our first stop is the Pucará Museum, where we learn about the region’s ancient cultures and see traditional ceramics, including the famous bull figures placed on rooftops for protection.

We continue to La Raya, the natural border between the regions of Puno and Cusco, where we stop for lunch and enjoy views of the surrounding Andean landscape.

Next, we visit the archaeological site of Raqchi, home to the impressive Temple of Wiracocha, dedicated to the Inca creator god.

Before reaching Cusco, we stop at Andahuaylillas to visit its beautifully decorated church, often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the Andes.

We arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, we visit the impressive archaeological complex of Sacsayhuamán, a ceremonial fortress known for its enormous stone walls and commanding views over Cusco.

We continue with a panoramic view of Qenqo, an ancient ceremonial site, before visiting Puca Pucara and Tambomachay - an archaeological complex associated with water worship and important to Inca cosmology.

In the afternoon, we explore Cusco’s historic centre, beginning in the artistic district of San Blas, known for its narrow streets and artisan workshops.

We continue to the charming Plazoleta Nazarenas before reaching the Plaza de Armas, where we visit the Cathedral, home to important colonial artworks.

Our final stop is Koricancha, once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated to the sun god Inti. Today its remarkable Inca stonework forms the foundation of the colonial Church of Santo Domingo.

Cusco - Sacred Valley. After breakfast, we explore some of the most important sites in the Sacred Valley.

Our first stop is Chinchero, one of the most traditional towns in the valley. Here we visit its Inca archaeological remains and colonial church. We may also see local weavers demonstrating traditional techniques used to dye and weave alpaca wool.

Next, we continue to Moray, a fascinating archaeological site consisting of large circular terraces believed to have been used by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory to experiment with different microclimates.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca towns. This important archaeological complex once served as a military, religious and agricultural centre. Highlights include the Temple of the Sun and the impressive terraces overlooking the valley.

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco. After breakfast, we board the train for a scenic journey through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes.

Upon arrival, we take the bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu, enjoying views of the Urubamba River far below.

Machu Picchu - the Lost City of the Incas and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - reveals an extraordinary complex of terraces, temples, stairways and residential areas set high among the mountains.

During our guided tour, we explore the most important sectors of the citadel and learn about the history and significance of this remarkable Inca site.

After the visit, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Cusco, where we transfer to the hotel

After breakfast, we transfer to Cusco Airport for your departure flight. Upon arrival in Lima, our staff will assist with your onward international connection.

Please note: The flight from Cusco to Lima is not included in the cost of your tour and must be booked independently.