From the moment you arrive in Lima, a member of our team will be waiting for you at Lima airport to take you, in our private transportation, to your hotel in the city center. You will have the rest of the day to relax and prepare for the remainder of your vacation package in Peru!
Breakfast at the hotel.
AM. Guided tour of the city of Lima. You will experience Lima through its three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern.
Panoramic view of the “Huaca Pucllana,” a magnificent ceremonial and archaeological center built in the 4th century A.D., considered a “sacred village” by the Incas. We will visit Lima’s Historic Center, where you will admire more than fifty colonial monuments and buildings, including the Paseo de la República, San Martín Square, the Main Square, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral Basilica, and the City Hall, among others.
Entrance to the MONUMENTAL COMPLEX OF SAN FRANCISCO, the largest example of colonial religious art in the Americas. The tour includes a visit to its underground crypts, known as the “Catacombs.”
From contemporary Lima, you will visit the most traditional residential areas: the Olive Grove of San Isidro, Miraflores, and Larcomar.
Early in the morning, at the agreed time, we will take our transportation to Paracas. After a journey of almost 4 hours, we will arrive at the port to board a speedboat to the Ballestas Islands, the natural habitat of dolphins, sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and over 200 types of migratory and resident birds. On the way to the Ballestas Islands, we will pass by the Candelabra, a giant geoglyph made using the same technique as the Nazca Lines, which sparks great curiosity due to its size and depth.
After a short break, we will continue to Ica, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours, where we will visit the Main Square and explore the principal streets of Old and Modern Ica. We will then take a tour of the artisanal winery "Tres Generaciones," where we will be thoroughly introduced to the production and tasting of wine and pisco. Then we will head to the Huacachina Lagoon, also known as the "Oasis of America," where we will enjoy the wonderful desert landscape surrounded by impressive sand dunes. Afterward, we will go on a ride in a "tubular" (a type of dune buggy).
In the afternoon, we will return to Lima, arriving after approximately 5.5 hours. Transfer to the hotel.
After breakfast, a representative from Peru Inkas Top will pick you up from your hotel in Lima (time to be confirmed) and take you to the airport where you will board your flight to Arequipa.
Upon arrival at Arequipa airport, our team will be waiting to give you a warm welcome and assist you with settling into your hotel. At your hotel, you will find complimentary coca tea and muña tea. These natural drinks will help your body adjust to the high altitude of the “White City” on our Peru tour.
During our guided cultural journey through Peru, the city tour of Arequipa will take you through the streets of the White City, passing by cathedrals, churches, monasteries, and more. Your guide will tell you all about life in Arequipa, from colonial times to the present. You will learn how the city has evolved and how the first Spanish settlers built upon an area that was once home to ancient Andean peoples of Peru.
Next on our Peru tour, we will stop to admire some of the city’s most famous buildings, such as the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa. Located in the elegant Plaza de Armas, this enormous cathedral has been damaged by earthquakes numerous times over the centuries, but each time it has been rebuilt, becoming even more impressive.
After exploring the Plaza de Armas and the surrounding streets, we will head to the famous Yanahuara viewpoint. With its carved sillar stone arches, this beautiful lookout offers sublime views of Arequipa and the volcanic peaks of Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu beyond. Yanahuara was built in the 19th century and stands next to the lovely San Juan de Yanahuara, a Baroque church constructed in 1750. Engraved in the sillar stone of Yanahuara are the names of notable individuals who have lived in Arequipa over the past two hundred years.
After our tour of Arequipa, we will take you back to your hotel, confident that you now have a much greater appreciation for this beautiful colonial city that you’ve visited on your Peru journey.
Today, our Peru tour begins early in the morning as we depart from the White City of Arequipa and take the route toward the Colca Valley. It’s a beautiful journey that passes snow-capped volcanoes, rugged pampas, traditional terraced farms, and picturesque villages where ancient traditional ways of life are still very much alive.
Along the route of our Peru tour, we will make some stops, the first being at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where we can observe countless guanacos, alpacas, and vicuñas grazing on the plains. While we won’t be visiting a llama and alpaca farm in Peru, you’ll witness these creatures in their natural habitat during this Peru tour. The reserve, which covers nearly 366,936 hectares, was created to preserve local flora and fauna and their natural environment, which was previously deteriorating at an alarming rate. The reserve also protects the local vicuña population through its repopulation program.
In addition to the large herds of camelids, the reserve is also home to the southern viscacha (a large and adorable rodent), foxes, condors, and Andean flamingos (also known as parihuanas). A total of 169 animal species have been identified in the reserve, including 23 mammals and 138 bird species such as blue-billed ducks, eagles, and kestrels. During their migration period, flamingos also arrive to wade in Lake Salinas. This classic Peru tour is perfect for specialized birdwatching tours in Peru, ideal for spotting high-altitude species during our Peru ecotourism adventures.
Leaving the reserve, we’ll skirt around the Chucura Volcano until we reach the Andes viewpoint at Patapampa. We’ll be at 4,900 meters above sea level, from where we can observe the stunning landscape of snow-capped peaks and volcanoes in the Arequipa Region, including Hualca Calca, Sabancaya, and Ampato.
Our next stop on this guided cultural journey through Peru will be the town of Chivay, where one end of the Colca Valley begins. The traditional terrace systems found here, built by the region’s indigenous people, are remarkable for their scale and precise construction. Chivay was founded by the Spanish, a fact reflected in its church and other colonial buildings. You can enjoy a traditional lunch in the town before we check in to our hotel.
Later, you’ll have the afternoon to explore the town on your own and, if you wish, enjoy trekking excursions in the Colca Canyon in Peru or visit the La Calera hot springs, about 3 km from Chivay. The Colca Canyon and Colca Valley are dotted with natural thermal baths and hot springs due to the region’s seismic activity. La Calera features public hot springs known for their healing properties, with temperatures around 38°C (98°F).
It's another early start on our Peru tour because there are so many amazing things to see! First, we will go to the viewpoint known as Cruz del Cóndor, near the small towns of Maca and Cabanaconde. Here, strong winds rise from the canyon, creating a favorite spot for Andean condors. They soar on the thermal currents, often in pairs, usually early in the morning and late in the afternoon. There is a good chance you’ll see these enormous condors, with their three-meter wingspans, flying very close to the viewpoint, offering a truly majestic sight. From the viewpoint, you will also have incredible views into the depths of the Colca Canyon.
Around 1:00 PM, you will begin the journey towards Puno, the capital of Peruvian folklore. Along the road, there will be a brief stop at Patapampa (4,900 meters above sea level), which is the highest point of your travels in Peru so far. From this mountain, nature will unfold before you, and the views of the western volcanoes—Sabancaya, Ampato, Misti, and Chachani—will be stunning. At the same time, you will see the large piles of stones that travelers and pilgrims have left here over the centuries. Typically, leaving a stone in the pile is a way to ask the deities for a safe and pleasant journey through Peru.
You will finally arrive in Puno around 6:00 PM. Our team will help you settle into your hotel, where you can enjoy a well-deserved rest by the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer from the hotel to the port, where we will board a boat for our excursion on Lake Titicaca. Our visit begins with the Uros Islands, a group of floating islands dating back to pre-Hispanic times. The Uros Islands (3,810 meters above sea level) are located in the bay of another island.
We will then visit Amantaní Island, where we will spend the night in homes prepared by the locals. Accommodation, lunch, and dinner on the island are included. Overnight stay on the island.
Breakfast on the island. We will depart toward Taquile.
The history of Taquile dates back to pre-Inca times. In fact, there are funerary towers from that era on the top of the hill known as “The Island,” built entirely of carved stones. These towers resemble small rectangular rooms, and unlike the tombs of Sillustani, their entrances are wide enough to allow a person to walk in standing upright.
Arrival in Puno. Overnight stay in Puno at the selected hotel.
You will be picked up at 7:00 AM, early as usual on this Peru tour, and transferred to the bus station to take the bus to Cusco. This bus ride is more like a guided tour—it stops at four interesting sites along the way where you’ll enjoy cultural visits in Peru.
Pukara: This is the most important and oldest ceremonial center of the Altiplano. There are fascinating sculptures and tombs to see.
La Raya: This is the midpoint between Cusco and Puno and the highest point (4335 meters above sea level). The landscapes are breathtaking, and it’s common to see typical Andean animals like llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. It also marks the geographic border between two cultures: Quechua and Aymara.
Raqchi (Temple of the God Wiracocha): This is an Inca church of monumental dimensions—100 meters long, 26 meters wide, and 14 meters high. The temple is divided into two naves, each with eleven enormous columns—massive!
Andahuaylillas: Known as the "Sistine Chapel of South America," this church is one of the most beautiful examples of popular Andean religious art.
Arrival in Cusco will be around 5:00 PM. You’ll be welcomed and transferred to your selected hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Around 8:00 AM, passengers will be picked up from their hotel. Full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley.
Visit to the town of Pisac, known for its handicraft market and Inca archaeological sites, where you can see an irrigation system, an astronomical observatory, a solar clock or Intiwatana, and terraces.
Buffet lunch at a local restaurant.
Visit to the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. Built during the Inca period as a fortified area that includes a temple, terraces, and an urban sector. Two distinct areas can be seen: one associated with worship and religion, and another dedicated to housing. It was an important administrative center that likely also served military purposes, as evidenced by its walls and watchtowers.
Visit to Chinchero, notable for its church built during colonial times, featuring beautiful paintings from the Cusco School. On Sundays, a fair is held where merchants and farmers exchange their products through bartering.
Return to Cusco. Overnight stay.
4:00 AM pick-up from your hotel in the city of Cusco, then we begin the excursion heading southeast of Cusco, passing through Cusipata (3,339 m.a.s.l.) until reaching the village of Llactoc, where we will see herds of alpacas and llamas, as well as local flora of the area. Here we begin our hike for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
As we continue, we will enjoy distant views of snow-capped mountains and breathtaking landscapes. Finally, we reach the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). After spending about 1 hour at the summit, we begin our descent for 1.5 hours back to Llactoc, where we will board our transport to return to Cusipata for a typical local lunch.
After lunch, we reboard our transport and return to Cusco, arriving in the city around 5:00 PM.
Location: Province of Canchis, Cusco, Peru
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Altitude: 3,000 – 5,200 m.a.s.l.
High Season: April to November
Breakfast at the hotel.
AM. (Approx. 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM) In the morning, the city tour will begin, including visits to the Cathedral, Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), now the Convent of Santo Domingo. The tour will then proceed to the outskirts of the city to visit the magnificent Sacsayhuaman (Puma's Head), Q’enqo (Labyrinth), a religious center dedicated to the worship of the Earth. Puca Pucara (Reddish Place), which was used as a military and control center. Our last destination is Tambomachay (Temple of Water), which was used as a center for water worship and rituals.
Transfer back to your hotel.
"The Inca Trail is for the mind, not for the feet..." (So say the guides' experience from Peru Inkas Top)
We begin the Inca Trail by picking up travelers from their hotels in Cusco and heading to Km 82. Along the way, we enjoy views of the Sacred Valley landscape and traditional villages.
Upon arrival, we get ready with all the gear, cross the Urubamba River, and start our hike toward Llactapata, an ancient Inca fortress that protected the valley and served as an agricultural center. Here, we marvel at the terraces that cultivated a variety of essential foods for the Incas.
After lunch in Tayaroc, surrounded by native flora and mountain views, we continue toward Wayllabamba. At the campsite, we relax with a snack and dinner, preparing for the next day’s challenge: ascending to the summit of Warmiwañusqa (the Dead Woman).
The second day of the Inca Trail begins with a hearty breakfast before starting the ascent to the Ayapata Valley. The one-hour hike takes us through a unique microclimate and forests to the challenging Warmiwañusca pass at 4,200 meters (13,779 ft).
The trail is marked by ancient Inca stairs and offers panoramic views of snow-capped mountains such as Huayanay. At Llulluchapampa, a good lunch and spectacular views await us.
The path continues through a cloud forest and the Puna region, home to hummingbirds, condors, and deer. After reaching the summit, we descend to the Pacaymayo Valley, where the campsite welcomes us with hot tea and a restorative dinner, recharging energies for the next day of adventure.
The campsite is well-known, and although its facilities are simple, they are sufficient to offer a genuine experience in the Andean nature.
The third day of the Inca Trail begins with breakfast, followed by a steep climb from Pacaymayo to the ruins of Runcuracay, an ancient Inca Tambo. After about an hour, you reach the second pass, where you can admire spectacular views, including the Pumasillo mountain.
The route descends through a tunnel and winds its way to Sayacmarca, a majestic Inca city. Then, the trail continues toward Chaquicocha, where a break is taken for lunch and rest.
In the afternoon, the journey reveals the beauty of the route as it passes through Phuyupatamarca and descends toward Wiñaywayna and Intipata, offering stunning views of the Aobamba Valley.
The well-preserved granite stone path leads to Phuyupatamarca, and then it descends down stone staircases to Wiñaywayna. A visit is made to the extensive and well-preserved Inca complex before setting up camp.
It is recommended to be attentive to personal belongings in this busy campsite. The day ends with a cup of tea and a buffet dinner, preparing for the arrival at Machu Picchu the next day.
The fourth day of the Inca Trail starts very early, at 4:00 am, to reach Inti Punku and enjoy the spectacular sunrise illuminating Machu Picchu. The 1 to 2-hour hike in the dark requires the use of a headlamp.
From Inti Punku, there is a descent of approximately 50 minutes down to Machu Picchu, where registration takes place and the guided tour begins. The tour lasts about 3 hours, followed by free time to explore or rest.
There are also additional options, such as climbing Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) or visiting the Inca Bridge with special extra permits.
The day ends with a bus ride to Aguas Calientes and a train back to Cusco, arriving around 8 to 9 pm.
Today you will begin a new adventure. In the morning, after a delicious breakfast, you will leave "The Imperial City" and fly to Iquitos. Start your journey by arriving in Iquitos, where our staff will welcome you and provide the necessary information for your stay. Transfer to your hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Pickup from the hotel to begin our adventure through the Peruvian jungle, then we will transfer to the town of Nauta, the first settlement founded by the Spanish on the banks of the Marañón River; the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours covering 97 km. On the way to the port of Nauta, we will visit San Joaquín de Omaguas, one of the oldest populated centers in the Loreto region, from where we can view the source of the mighty Amazon River, the largest and longest river in the world. We will also visit the Samuel Fritz Interpretation Center where our guides will tell us the history of San Joaquín de Omaguas and its strategic role in the 17th and 18th centuries as the headquarters of evangelical missions.
At the port of Nauta, we will board the boat to continue the journey to the ecolodge. Along the way, we will visit Fundo Casual (during the high water season) where we will search for species of flora and fauna. Upon arrival at the ecolodge, a descendant of the Kukama Kukamiria ethnic group will welcome us and invite us to enjoy a refreshing seasonal fruit drink. Assignment of bungalows.
After lunch, our guide will invite us to choose a sustainable activity to carry out during our stay at the ecolodge (for example, planting a tree or a plant, learning 10 words in Kukama, etc.).
To complete the experience, we will have the opportunity to explore the Ethnobotanical Ecotrail, which allows us to visit 10 species of Amazonian flora with the support of Amana (a virtual guide generated by our augmented reality app).
After dinner, our guide will hold a talk about myths and legends of the Amazon, during which we will have the opportunity to take a tour of the Mythological Ecotrail to visualize and learn about 5 characters from Amazonian mythology. Overnight stay.
After breakfast, our guide will invite us to visit the Private Reserve of our ecolodge (restinga forest). Here, we will put our adventurous spirit to the test through trails full of biodiversity. A guided walk interpreting flora and fauna following the path of primates and other animals. The guide will explain the use of medicinal plants and trees. During our tour, we will have the opportunity to take the Fauna Ecotrail, which will allow us to gain more knowledge about 6 species of the area through the narration of a virtual guide.
In the afternoon, we will head to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, in the Nauta Caño area, where we will register and enter the reserve.
During our visit, we will take an excursion in search of pink and gray dolphins along the creek of the same name, and we will also be in contact with the vast variety of flora and fauna that the reserve offers us.
The first thing that will catch our attention is the river waters that so faithfully reflect the sky, clouds, the vegetation on the banks, and the large trees, giving visitors the feeling of navigating among endless mirrors, which is why Pacaya Samiria is also known as “The Forest of Mirrors.”
During the trip, we will identify various birds and practice artisanal fishing with the equipment used by Amazonian people for subsistence purposes.
Night excursion through the forest surrounding the ecolodge. Overnight stay.
After breakfast, a boat excursion along the Marañón River towards Cocha Shiriyacu (depending on the season and suitable fishing conditions). We will visit the San Jorge Community and the Women's Artisan Center (Pua Kamatawara), known for their work with natural fiber (Chambira) and carving in wingo or gourd. Return to the ecolodge.
At the appropriate time, we will board the boat to the port of Nauta. Arrival at the port of Nauta and transfer to Iquitos.
Transfer to Iquitos airport, flight to the city of Lima to catch your connecting flight back home.
This marks the end of your 20-day journey in Peru with some additional surprises along the way! It's truly amazing everything you can include in a 20-day itinerary in Peru!
