From the moment you arrive in Lima, a member of our team will be waiting for you at the airport to take you, in our private transport, to your hotel in the city center. You will have the rest of the day to relax and get ready for the rest of your Peru vacation package!

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided tour of colonial and modern Lima in our private vehicle. Visit the cathedral dating from 1654, the Main Square with its original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent with its catacombs. Known as the "City of Kings," Lima was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and restored in 1991, the same year UNESCO declared it a World Cultural Heritage Site. One of the few South American cities that preserves its colonial past, Lima served as the seat of the Spanish Viceroyalty during the colonial era.

After lunch, continue with a visit to the Larco Museum. The museum features several permanent exhibitions, including the Gold and Silver Gallery, showcasing the largest and finest collection of jewelry used by many notable rulers of pre-Columbian Peru.

You will also enjoy delicious Lima cuisine at the Larco Museum's restaurant (lunch included), where you can experience the region's typical flavors in a cozy and artistic atmosphere.

After Miraflores, we’ll head to Barranco, Lima’s bohemian district, known for its artistic and cultural vibe. Here, you’ll explore the famous Bridge of Sighs, a romantic icon, and visit the Barranco Main Square to admire its unique colonial mansions and charming atmosphere.

After breakfast, a Peru Inkas Top representative will pick you up from your hotel in Lima (time to be confirmed) and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Arequipa.

Upon arrival at Arequipa airport, our team will be waiting to give you a warm welcome and assist you with your check-in at the hotel. At your hotel, you’ll find complimentary coca tea and muña tea. These natural drinks will help your body adjust to the high altitude of the “White City” on your Peru tour.

After breakfast at the hotel, your cultural journey through Peru continues with a guided tour of Arequipa. You'll stroll through the "White City", exploring cathedrals, churches, monasteries, and more. Your guide will share insights into life in Arequipa from colonial times to today, including how early Spanish settlers built upon what was once home to ancient Andean civilizations.

We’ll visit some of the city's most iconic buildings, including the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa. Located in the elegant Plaza de Armas, this massive cathedral has been damaged and rebuilt several times due to earthquakes, each time emerging even more majestic.

After exploring the Plaza de Armas and nearby streets, we’ll head to the famous Yanahuara viewpoint. With its carved sillar stone arches, this scenic overlook offers stunning views of Arequipa and the majestic volcanic peaks of Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Built in the 19th century, Yanahuara is located next to the beautiful Baroque church of San Juan de Yanahuara, which dates back to 1750. The arches are engraved with the names of notable individuals who have shaped Arequipa over the past two centuries.

After the tour, we will return you to your hotel with a new appreciation for the beauty and history of this unforgettable colonial city.

Today, our journey through Peru begins early in the morning as we depart from the White City of Arequipa and head toward the Colca Valley. It's a scenic route that winds through snow-capped volcanoes, rugged pampas, traditional terraced farms, and picturesque villages where ancient ways of life remain very much alive.

Along the way, we’ll stop at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where we’ll see herds of guanacos, alpacas, and vicuñas grazing on the plains. Though we won't visit a farm, you'll witness these iconic animals in their natural habitat. The reserve spans nearly 366,936 hectares and was established to protect local flora and fauna, including the vulnerable vicuña population, which benefits from a repopulation program.

The reserve is also home to Andean foxes, southern viscachas (adorable large rodents), condors, and Andean flamingos (parihuanas), among many other species. In total, 169 animal species have been recorded, making this a great stop for birdwatching enthusiasts on a high-altitude eco-tour of Peru.

Next, we’ll pass by Chucura Volcano and reach the Andes Viewpoint of Patapampa, located at 4,900 meters above sea level. From here, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of majestic snow-covered peaks and volcanoes, including Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato.

Our next stop is Chivay, a town marking the entrance to the Colca Valley. You’ll marvel at the ancient pre-Inca terraces still in use today. Chivay, founded by the Spanish, features colonial architecture such as its church. Enjoy a traditional lunch before checking in to your hotel.

You’ll have the afternoon free to explore the town or visit the nearby La Calera hot springs, just 3 km away. Thanks to the region's volcanic activity, the Colca Valley is dotted with natural thermal baths. La Calera’s public pools reach healing temperatures around 38°C (98°F).

It’s another early start on our journey through Peru, as there are so many incredible sights to see! First, we head to the famous viewpoint known as Condor Cross (Cruz del Cóndor), near the small towns of Maca and Cabanaconde. Here, strong winds rise up from the canyon below, creating perfect conditions for the majestic Andean condors. These giant birds soar on thermal currents, often flying in pairs, usually early in the morning or late in the afternoon. With a wingspan of up to three meters, they often glide very close to the viewpoint, offering a truly breathtaking spectacle. From here, you’ll also enjoy incredible views deep into the Colca Canyon.

Around 1:00 PM, we begin the journey toward Puno, the folkloric capital of Peru. Along the way, we’ll make a brief stop at Patapampa (4,900 m.a.s.l.), the highest point of your trip so far. From this high mountain pass, you’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and distant volcanoes—Sabancaya, Ampato, Misti, and Chachani. You'll also see the traditional cairns (rock piles) left by travelers and pilgrims over the centuries. Leaving a stone is a symbolic gesture to the mountain gods, asking for a safe and pleasant journey across Peru.

You will arrive in Puno around 6:00 PM. Our team will assist you with your hotel check-in so you can enjoy a well-deserved rest by the shores of the sacred Lake Titicaca.

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be picked up early in the morning and transferred to the port to board a motorboat for your full-day excursion on Lake Titicaca. Our first stop will be the Uros Floating Islands, a group of handmade reed islands that date back to pre-Inca times. Located in the bay of Puno at 3,810 meters above sea level, the Uros people continue to preserve their unique way of life and ancient traditions on these fascinating islands.

We’ll then continue to Taquile Island, known for its warm and welcoming inhabitants who maintain traditional customs, dress, and lifestyle. Taquile is especially renowned for its exquisite handwoven textiles made using techniques passed down through generations. These intricate and symbolic designs reflect the social status and cultural beliefs of the local people.

After exploring the island and enjoying a delicious lunch prepared by local families, we’ll return to Puno in the afternoon. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax or explore the lakeside town.

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a luxury journey from the serenity of Lake Titicaca to the historical richness of Cusco aboard the Titicaca Train. This unforgettable trip features stunning landscapes, live cultural performances, and gourmet dining—all in the comfort of a beautifully appointed train.

• 7:40 AM: Departure from Puno to Cusco on the Titicaca Train.
• Brief stop at Juliaca Station: Observe the vibrant local commerce in this bustling regional hub.
• Welcome Show in the Bar Observatory Car: Enjoy a complimentary drink while watching live music and three traditional Cusco dances.
• Exclusive Baby Alpaca Fashion Show: Admire elegant baby alpaca garments in a runway show inspired by Andean culture.
• Gourmet 3-Course Lunch: Savor a fine lunch prepared with local ingredients as you cross the breathtaking Andes.
• Stop at La Raya: The highest point on the route, offering panoramic mountain views and a local artisan market.
• Pisco Sour Class: Participate in an interactive workshop to prepare Peru’s iconic cocktail, guided by expert bartenders.
• Live Music and Dances: Continue enjoying traditional dances and music from the Puno region on board.
• Afternoon Tea: Relax with a refined tea service, featuring pastries and sweet bites.
• Arrival at Wanchaq Station – Cusco: Conclude your journey at Wanchaq Station, just 10 minutes from Cusco’s main square.
• Reception and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will explore the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas in a very special way, including visits to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines.

We’ll begin the day in the colorful town of Chinchero, home to the remains of the royal estate of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. You’ll admire the well-preserved Inca walls in the main square and learn about local textile traditions.

Next, we’ll visit the impressive circular terraces of Moray—an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory designed to simulate different microclimates. Afterward, we’ll pass through the village of Maras to reach the famous salt mines. This complex consists of over 3,000 shallow pools fed by a natural underground salt spring. With the sun’s heat, the water evaporates and crystallizes, producing pink salt that is harvested by local families and renowned worldwide for its medicinal properties.

We will continue to Urubamba for a short break and lunch at a local restaurant, where you’ll enjoy a delicious Peruvian buffet featuring a variety of salads, soups, main dishes, and desserts.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. Built as a military, religious, and agricultural center, it served to guard the entrance to the valley from potential invaders. Walking through its streets offers a vivid impression of how the Incas lived and defended this region.

After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station where you will board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes. This Orient Express-style train is the most exclusive way to visit Machu Picchu and includes a gourmet lunch served on board.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, board the bus with your guide for the short scenic ride up to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the most spectacular archaeological site in the world.

After the tour, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have some free time before boarding the Hiram Bingham train back to Poroy in the afternoon. The return journey features a bar car with an open-air observatory, live classical music, snacks, cocktails, and a gourmet dinner.

Upon arrival in Poroy after 9:00 PM, you will be received and transferred to your hotel in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire.

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll begin a half-day tour of the beautiful city of Cusco and its surrounding Inca ruins.

AM (09:00 to approx. 14:00 hrs). The tour begins with a visit to the Cathedral, a masterpiece of colonial architecture. Then, you’ll explore Qoricancha, the ancient Temple of the Sun, located inside the current Convent of Santo Domingo.

Afterward, the excursion continues to the outskirts of the city to visit the impressive Sacsayhuaman fortress, known for its massive stone walls. Then you’ll see Q’enqo, a sacred site for ceremonial and religious purposes dedicated to the Earth. Continue to Puca Pucara, a military outpost with strategic views, and finish at Tambomachay, the Temple of Water, which was used for ritual baths.

Return to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure in Cusco.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our morning tour at 9:00 AM through the traditional San Blas neighborhood and the Mendívil Workshop.

San Blas was originally inhabited by Inca nobility, who built impressive stone structures near what is now Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. Many buildings still preserve their Inca foundations. Today, San Blas is a charming maze of cobbled streets filled with artisan workshops and galleries. A highlight of the neighborhood is the San Blas Church, which houses a magnificent wooden pulpit—an invaluable masterpiece carved by an indigenous craftsman.

You will also visit the Mendívil Workshop, open to travelers who wish to admire the beautiful pieces created by Hilario Mendívil, one of Peru’s most renowned artisans. His signature style, known for elongated-necked virgins and saints, is now continued by his descendants.

After breakfast, we will pick you up at the scheduled time for your transfer from the hotel to the Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima.

This marks the end of your unforgettable 12-day journey through Machu Picchu and Peru—with plenty of surprises along the way! It’s truly amazing how much you can experience in a 12-day itinerary in Peru!