South Peru Essentials
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This 9-day adventure begins in Lima and ends in Puno, offering a rich blend of history, culture, and stunning landscapes. You’ll explore Lima’s colonial heart and museums before flying to Cusco to discover Inca ruins like Sacsayhuaman and the Temple of the Sun. The journey continues through the Sacred Valley with visits to traditional villages and the impressive Ollantaytambo fortress. A highlight is the visit to Machu Picchu, with time to soak in its magic. The tour finishes with a scenic trip to Puno, including a boat ride to the unique floating islands of Lake Titicaca. A perfect mix of culture and nature awaits.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
9 daysHotel Rating
3-5 star hotelsStarts
LimaEnds
PunoMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Peru that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guide.Country
PeruPassengers
£1,263.75
£300.00
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 20
Trip Type
Group Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guide.Group Size
Min 2 / Max 20Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Group ToursAccommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Itinerary
Day 1 - Lima
Upon arrival at Lima Airport, a representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city. Lima, Peru’s capital, is a vibrant metropolis blending modern life with rich history, currently experiencing dynamic cultural and economic growth. You may choose to rest and recover from your journey or explore the city at your leisure to get your first impression of Lima’s bustling atmosphere. Alternatively, you can join an optional evening excursion to the Magic Water Circuit – a spectacular park featuring the world’s largest fountain system, recognised by Guinness World Records. This shared tour includes pick-up and drop-off, a bilingual guide, admission to the fountains, and dinner at a local restaurant. Please note this option is unavailable on Sundays and Mondays, starts at 17:30, and lasts approximately four hours. Overnight stay is in Lima.
Day 2 - Lima
After breakfast at the hotel, we explore Lima’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in colonial architecture. Our tour begins in the colonial downtown, where we visit the Main Square to admire the grand Spanish Empire buildings. We then see Lima’s 16th-century Cathedral before heading to Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, still owned by the same family today. Next, we visit the traditional district of Pueblo Libre to explore the Larco Museum, housed in a restored viceregal mansion built atop a seventh-century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum features an extensive collection of pre-Hispanic gold and silver artefacts, including pieces of erotic art. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Overnight in Lima.
Day 3 - Lima - Cusco
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Lima airport for your domestic flight to Cusco. Please ensure your flight arrives no later than 10:30 to allow time for your afternoon activities. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, we begin the tour at Coricancha, known as the Temple of the Sun, originally built by Inca Pachacuti and later incorporated into the Santo Domingo Convent by the Spanish. Next, visit Cusco’s Cathedral, the dominant landmark of the Main Square, followed by Sacsayhuaman, a vast Inca fortress constructed with massive stones fitted together with remarkable precision. We continue to Qenqo, an archaeological site used for agricultural rituals, and conclude with a visit to Puka Pukara, or ‘Red Fort’, a complex believed to have served military purposes and as a resting place for the Inca entourage. After the tour, return to your hotel to relax and prepare for the days ahead. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 4 - Cusco - Yucay
After breakfast, we collect you from your hotel in Cusco for a morning visit to Chinchero, a traditional Andean town perched high above the valley. The local community preserves Inca textile techniques and customs, visible in their clothing and daily life. Explore the archaeological remains and the seventeenth-century church, one of Peru’s earliest Catholic buildings. Next, we transfer to the Living Museum of Yucay, where you’ll see authentic demonstrations of traditional Andean crafts such as textile weaving, adobe construction, pottery, and silverwork, recreated as they were in Inca times. The museum is also home to llamas, sheep, and alpacas, which you can feed. Later, arrive in Ollantaytambo, a town continuously inhabited since Inca times. Visit the village and ascend the impressive fortress built into the mountainside. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, offering a refined Andean dining experience that reflects the spirit of the Sacred Valley. After lunch, we return you to your hotel. On Sundays, the visit includes time at the local market. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
Day 5 - Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Ollanta Station to begin your journey by train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes offers a lively handicrafts market, a variety of restaurants, and accommodation options for those who wish to stay overnight close to the mountain and visit the site early the next day. From here, a short trip takes you to Machu Picchu, an extraordinary example of Inca engineering and architecture. This ancient sanctuary, once a retreat for Inca Pachacuti, is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After exploring the citadel, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch followed by a free afternoon to relax or explore independently. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 6 - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Aguas Calientes. You may choose to revisit Machu Picchu to explore further – optional extras include a second entrance ticket and bus transfers between Aguas Calientes and the site, subject to availability. Consider visiting Intipunku, the ‘Sun Gate’ that once served as a control point, or take on the climb to Huayna Picchu for panoramic views (both require separate tickets and transport, also subject to availability). In the afternoon, transfer to the train station in Aguas Calientes for your journey back to Ollanta. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco for your overnight stay.
Day 7 - Cusco - Puno
After breakfast, we transfer to the bus station to begin our journey to Puno. Our first stop is Andahuaylillas, a town 40 kilometres from Cusco, renowned for its Church of Andahuaylillas—often called the ‘Sistine Chapel of America’ due to its remarkable artwork. We then continue to Racchi to visit the Wiracocha Temple, an impressive rectangular structure measuring 30 metres wide by 20 metres high. Lunch is served in Sicuani, followed by a brief stop at La Raya, the highest point on the route between Cusco and Puno, sitting over 4,313 metres above sea level. Next, we visit Pucara, home to the Lithic Museum and known as the first true urban settlement of the lacustrine highlands, dating from 100 to 300 AD. Finally, we complete the journey to Puno, where a representative will assist you with hotel check-in. Overnight in Puno.
Day 8 - Puno
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Puno’s lakeside port to board a boat for the floating islands of the Uros. These unique islands are man-made from totora reeds that grow in Lake Titicaca, and the Uros people continue to live in traditional reed houses, cooking outdoors to reduce fire risk. After approximately an hour and a half on the water, continue to Taquile Island, once part of the Inca Empire. Here, you will receive an introduction to the island’s culture and observe a local cultural activity. Enjoy a traditional lunch before returning to Puno for your overnight stay.
Day 9 - Puno
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Puno Airport for your onward journey.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Reviews
Accommodation Standard
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Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Prices & Dates
'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices (if available) are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room.
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