Today, you’ll have the chance to experience Peru’s exquisite and traditional cuisine. At 9:30 a.m., your guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to one of the local markets. During the tour, you’ll walk through the market as your guide explains the various ingredients like vegetables, fruits, grains, and meats, many grown in the mountains or valleys near Lima. After exploring the market, you’ll participate in a cooking class where a chef will teach you how to prepare iconic dishes like Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Papa a la Huancaína, and Pisco Sour, which you’ll enjoy afterward.
Around 2 p.m., continue with a city tour, visiting Lima’s historic center, including the famous Government Palace (Presidential House), the Main Plaza, and several colonial buildings. You’ll visit the Plaza de Armas of Lima, surrounded by impressive structures like palaces and the Government Palace of Peru. Next, walk to the renowned Monastery of San Francisco and its remarkable underground catacombs. Other highlights include the Union Street, Archbishop’s Palace, Lima City Hall, the Cathedral, and Plaza San Martin, a popular site for gatherings and important protests.
The Historic Center, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to well-preserved colonial buildings. Lima, one of the oldest cities in South America founded in 1535, is known as the City of Kings. You’ll enjoy each site’s unique charm, with your guide providing detailed explanations and ample photo opportunities. After the tour, return to your hotel.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Standard or similar
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel and lunch
Tickets: All included

We’ll depart from your hotel at 3:30 a.m. and travel approximately 3½ hours by car to Paracas, south of Lima. In Paracas, you’ll have breakfast and then visit the famous Ballestas Islands on a boat with around 30 passengers. During the two-hour tour, your guide will provide information about these historic sites and serve as your photographer.
The Ballestas Islands are small rocky islands that are home to thousands of birds and animals like penguins, sea lions, pelicans, and dolphins. You’ll also admire the Paracas Candelabra, a famous prehistoric geoglyph located on the northern coast of the Paracas peninsula.
Afterward, continue our journey to Huacachina, about a 1-hour and 20-minute drive, where you’ll have lunch. Huacachina is a small desert town with a beautiful oasis surrounded by dunes. Here, you can enjoy activities like sandboarding and buggy rides, taking in the desert’s unique beauty.
After the dunes, we’ll travel another 2 hours to your accommodation in Nazca.
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina or similar
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Tickets: All included

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at 8:30 a.m. at the hotel and take you to the aerodrome.
You’ll fly over the Nazca Lines for approximately 40 minutes, where you’ll appreciate the large animal drawings and geometric figures visible only from the air.
Next, we’ll travel 2 hours to Ica for lunch. Ica is famous for producing wine and pisco sour. You’ll visit a well-known winery for a tasting, which will take about 1 hour.
The day concludes with a bus journey to Arequipa, where you’ll be taken directly to your hotel.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Select or similar
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Tickets: All included

You’ll have a free day to explore the beautiful city of Arequipa at your own pace. We recommend a walk around the main square to admire the city’s iconic white (sillar) buildings. Don’t forget to try the famous “queso helado” during your stroll.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Select or similar
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Tickets: None required

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Arequipa between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., heading towards the Aguada Blanca and Salinas National Reserve in Pampas Cañahuas, along a route that skirts the snowy Chachani peak. In the reserve, you’ll see South American camelids like vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas grazing in the area, as well as migratory birds like flamingos and Andean gulls in the Tocra wetlands. We’ll continue our route past the craters of an extinct volcano to reach the Mirador de Volcanes (15,748 ft/4,800 m), where you’ll see three volcanoes: Pampato, Hualca Hualca, and Sabancaya, offering a panoramic view of much of the Western Cordillera.
After the excursion, we’ll head to Chivay for a relaxing lunch, and then to the Colca Lodge, located 10 minutes from Chivay by the Colca River. Here, you’ll have a free afternoon, including the option to relax in the hot springs with views of the canyon.
Accommodation: Colca Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Tickets: All included

After breakfast, we’ll depart early for the Natural Viewpoint of the Condor Cross around 6:30 a.m. This viewpoint is a strategic place to observe the flight of condors over the canyon, the Colca River, and the ancient agricultural terraces. Here, you’ll learn about the different indigenous groups that have lived and continue to live in the Colca Valley.
We’ll return to Chivay, stopping in typical towns like Maca and Yanque, where you’ll admire beautiful colonial churches such as Santa Ana Church in Romanesque style. We’ll also visit the Choquetico and Antahuilque viewpoints, where you’ll see impressive pre-Inca tombs and models.
We’ll arrive in Chivay for a buffet lunch before continuing the journey to Puno, with two stops along the way: in Patahuasi and Lagunillas, where you’ll observe a large number of flamingos. You’ll arrive at your hotel in Puno around 7:30 p.m., with a free evening to enjoy at your leisure.
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Puno or similar
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Tickets: All included

You’ll be picked up between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. and transferred to the lake’s port to board a boat for the Floating Islands of the Uros, where you’ll have time to explore the surroundings.
Then, continue by boat to Amantani Island, where you’ll stay with a local family. This night will be a simple yet unforgettable experience, allowing you to observe how the indigenous people of the lake live. In the afternoon, you’ll hike up the mountain to the Temple of Pachatata to enjoy the sunset and share moments with the locals.
Accommodation: Overnight with a local family on Amantani Island
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Tickets: All included

After an early breakfast with the family, you’ll take a boat to Taquile Island, known for its complex and rich textile traditions and sustainable tourism practices. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the island and enjoy a delicious lakeside lunch.
You’ll return to Puno around 3:30 p.m., with a free afternoon to relax in the city.

• Accommodation: Tierra Viva Puno
• Meals: Breakfast
• Tickets: All included

After an early breakfast, you’ll be picked up between 6:00 a.m. and 6:20 a.m. to be transferred to the bus station, where you’ll board the tourist bus to Cusco. This full-day journey includes stops along the way to visit Inca and pre-Inca ruins. Upon arrival in Cusco, our representative will welcome you and take you to your hotel.

• Accommodation: Tierra Viva Centro or similar
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch
• Tickets: All included

You’ll have a free day to explore Cusco at your own pace. It’s recommended to stroll through the charming cobblestone streets and visit the colorful San Pedro market.
In the afternoon, at 6:00 p.m., you’ll attend an information session for the Inca Trail trek at the office, where you’ll meet your guide and trekking companions and complete the necessary registration.

• Accommodation: Tierra Viva Centro or similar
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
• Tickets: Not required

At 8:00 a.m., your guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby in Cusco for a tour that winds around the mountains north of Cusco. We’ll stop at El Mirador, where you can admire the Sacred Valley and learn about its Inca history. This valley was a key Inca settlement area, notable for its fertile plains, contoured terraces, and irrigation canals built by the Incas.
We’ll continue to the Pisac ruins, where you’ll learn about Inca culture and see amazing stonework and agricultural terraces. After exploring, we’ll head to the lower town of Pisac to visit a bustling craft market, perfect for souvenir shopping.
Lunch will be at a local Andean restaurant (meal not included; feel free to choose another restaurant if you prefer).
After lunch, we’ll follow the Urubamba River to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we’ll visit Inca ruins, a significant construction site during the height of the Inca Empire, showcasing rock formations that represent the Inca god Wiracocha.
We’ll stay overnight in Ollantaytambo to prepare for the start of the Inca Trail the next day.

• Accommodation: Hotel Pakaritampu or similar
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
• Tickets: All included

We will pick you up from your location in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo. Pickup time will be between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. from Cusco, 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. from Urubamba, and 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. from Ollantaytambo, depending on your accommodation. These times will be confirmed during the information session, as they may vary based on location.
After a delicious breakfast prepared by the cook, your guide will introduce you to the porter team.
We’ll head to KM 82, passing through the first checkpoint of the Inca Trail to begin the trek. Make sure to bring your original passport to enter the trail. The first two hours of the hike are relatively easy as we head toward Patallacta, an ancient Inca checkpoint for accessing Machu Picchu.
From Patallacta, we’ll walk another 2 hours to our lunch stop. After lunch, we’ll hike for another 2.5 hours until we reach the Ayapata campsite (3,300 meters). Along this stretch, we’ll pass by two small communities where you can buy energy drinks, snacks, or essential items if needed.
We’ll arrive at the campsite around 5:00 p.m., where you can settle in and relax with a hot drink and snack alongside the porters, chefs, and guides. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., followed by rest time.

• Walking Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles) – 6-7 hours
• Camp Elevation: 3,300 meters (10,827 feet)
• Difficulty Level: Moderate (acclimatizing to the Inca Trail)
• Weather: Warm and breezy
• Accommodation: Tents
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Tickets: All included

Your porters will wake you early with a cup of hot coca tea to prepare for the day. We’ll start early, as this will be the longest day of the trek. You’ll hike for approximately 4 hours to reach the highest point on the route, Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 meters/13,829 feet). Upon arrival, we’ll take a short break to enjoy the views before descending into the next valley, Pacaymayu Valley (Hidden River), hiking for another 1.5 hours until our lunch stop, where you can refill your water bottles.
After lunch, we’ll ascend again to the second pass of the hike, trekking for 2 hours until we reach Runcu Raccay, a small Inca site where you’ll see two large waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After crossing the second pass, we’ll stop to rest and take a brief tour. You’ll also have the chance to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. Finally, we’ll walk for another 20 minutes to reach Chaquiccocha campsite (Dry Lake, 3,600 meters).
After dinner, if you’re not too tired, you can stargaze and learn about the fascinating Inca constellations under the clear southern hemisphere sky, far from light pollution.

• Walking Distance: 16 km (9.94 miles) – 7-8 hours
• Camp Elevation: 3,600 meters (11,811 feet)
• Difficulty Level: Challenging (you’ll have conquered the two highest passes)
• Region: Andean and cloud forest climate
• Weather: Cold and rainy
• Accommodation: Tents
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Tickets: All included

Congratulations on completing Day 14 and beginning Day 15! We’ll start early at 6:30 a.m. for what is often considered the most beautiful day on the Inca Trail. We’ll walk for 2 hours along what we call “Inca Flat” (gentle inclines) and enter the jungle known as the Cloud Forest. During the trek, you’ll have the chance to see Salkantay, the second-highest peak in the Sacred Valley, and enjoy a panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range.
After passing through Inca sites, we’ll reach the final peak at Phuyupatamarka (3,600 meters/11,811 feet), where you’ll have stunning views of the Urubamba River. From here, you’ll get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain, though the site itself remains hidden.
From Phuyupatamarka, we’ll descend for 3 hours via stairways to our campsite near Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”), the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite due to its proximity to the citadel. Along the descent, we’ll visit two Inca ruins: Phuyupatamarka (“Town in the Clouds”) and Intipata (“Terraces of the Sun”). We’ll arrive at the campsite around 1:00 p.m. for lunch.
In the afternoon, you’ll have time to relax and prepare for the final day at Machu Picchu. Around 4:30 p.m., your guide will provide a short orientation and tour of the Wiñay Wayna ruins, explaining the site’s significance and summarizing information learned throughout the trek. We’ll then enjoy a special farewell dinner with the porters and chefs, following the Inca Trail tradition to thank them for their hard work.

• Walking Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles) – 5 hours
• Camp Elevation: 2,600 meters (8,530 feet)
• Difficulty Level: Easy (descent)
• Region: High Cloud Forest
• Weather: Warm and very humid
• Accommodation: Tents
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Tickets: All included

You’ll wake up at 3:30 a.m. to prepare for the most exciting day of the trek. We’ll have breakfast at 4:00 a.m. and get ready at the checkpoint to be among the first to start hiking when the gates open at 5:30 a.m.. We’ll bid farewell to our team of porters and chefs before heading to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where you’ll have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory.
We’ll reach the Sun Gate at 6:30 a.m. and continue with an hour-long walk to the Lost City of the Incas. As we get closer to Machu Picchu, the views of the city become increasingly breathtaking. Around 7:40 a.m., we’ll arrive at the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu for a 2-hour private guided tour.
After the tour, you’ll receive your bus tickets to descend to Aguas Calientes. Your guide can join you in Aguas Calientes for an optional last lunch at a local restaurant (not included). During lunch, your guide will hand over your train tickets. If you choose not to attend lunch, make arrangements to collect the tickets before leaving Machu Picchu. Unless upgraded, we’ll reserve seats on the Expedition train departing Aguas Calientes at 3:20 p.m. or 4:22 p.m. Be at the platform at least 30 minutes before departure. This 2-hour train ride will take you to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (depending on the train), where an Alpaca driver will greet you and transfer you back to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel.

• Note: The most thrilling and magical day (early wake-up at 3:30 a.m.)
• Region: High Cloud Forest and subtropical
• Weather: Warm and very humid (carry plenty of water)
• Accommodation: Tierra Viva Centro or similar
• Meals: Breakfast
• Tickets: All included (Huayna Picchu mountain entry not included)

You’ll be picked up for the Rainbow Mountain trek between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. from any hotel, Airbnb, or hostel in Cusco. We’ll drive for 2.5 hours to the trailhead, arriving around 7:00 a.m. At the start of the trail, our chef will prepare a delicious breakfast including coffee, hot chocolate, tea, bread, fruit salad, eggs, and hot drinks. Cusco’s altitude is 3,300 m (11,300 ft), while the trailhead at Phulawasipata is 4,200 m (14,300 ft).
Cusco’s climate is usually chilly, and the trailhead even colder, so it’s essential to bring a warm jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves.
After breakfast, we’ll begin a 2-hour uphill hike to the Rainbow Mountain ridge. Depending on your pace, the hike may take between 1.5 and 2.75 hours. Along the way, we’ll take short breaks where your guide will explain details about the surrounding mountains and geography. You’ll see llamas and alpacas, as well as some locals.
The trail is relatively wide, making it suitable for those with vertigo or fear of heights. Hiking is more enjoyable in the dry season when the paths are less slippery. In the rainy season, waterproof boots and trekking poles are recommended. This is your chance to see why Rainbow Mountain has become an Instagram favorite according to CNBC!
We’ll reach the summit around 9:00 a.m.. The peak, at 6,384 m (20,944 ft), is one of the highest points in Peru.
After taking time for some stunning photos, your guide will share interesting facts about this fascinating place, including the origin of its colors and Inca history. Take a few last photos before beginning the descent. Rather than following the main route, we’ll walk to a viewpoint to see the Red Valley before continuing.
This valley is the grand finale of the excursion, and many travelers find it even more breathtaking than Rainbow Mountain. We’ll walk about 2.5 hours downhill to the end of the trail, near the starting point, where you’ll enjoy a freshly prepared meal including cold drinks, appetizers, soup, and a main course.
After lunch, we’ll drive for 2.5 hours back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. Your guide will confirm the next day’s activities.

• Accommodation: Tierra Viva Centro or similar
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch
• Tickets: All included

Today, our representative will meet you at your hotel in Cusco to accompany you to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Please schedule this flight for the morning to ensure you arrive in Puerto Maldonado before 12:00 p.m.
Upon landing in Puerto Maldonado, your guide will greet you at the airport and take you on a canoe ride along the Tambopata River to the lodge. Along the way, you’ll observe the landscape transitioning from settled and deforested areas to untouched jungle. A box lunch will be provided on board.
Upon arrival, you’ll receive a welcome drink and meet the rest of the lodge staff. In the late afternoon, you’ll embark on an introductory walk through the “terra firma” forest behind the lodge (Trail Two), dominated by giant trees like the Brazil nut and Dipteryx. This trail frequently offers sightings of animals such as saddleback tamarins, brown capuchins, agoutis, pacas, blue morpho butterflies, trogons, toucans, and various bird species.
After dinner, you’ll have the option to join a night walk to observe nocturnal animals or insects, enhanced by specialized lighting. Approximately 50% of rainforest animals are active at night.

• Accommodation: Tambopata Ecolodge
• Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner
• Tickets: All included

After an early breakfast, you and your naturalist guide will board the motorized canoe for a short trip to the trailhead. You’ll embark on a morning of exploration by foot and paddle canoe through the Condenado Lake system, rich in bird and aquatic life. You might see a family of giant otters near the lake. Birds you may encounter include rufescent tiger herons, great egrets, wattled jacanas, hoatzin, and the noisy Donacobius.
Remember to bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is no shade on the water. You’ll return to the lodge in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to explore the forest near the lodge with or without a guide, or relax and bathe in the clear, cool Gallucunca stream next to the lodge.

• Accommodation: Tambopata Ecolodge
• Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner
• Tickets: All included

After an early breakfast, you’ll take a short boat ride downstream to the trailhead. Here, you’ll set out on a longer hike to a spectacular hidden lake, crossing streams and swampy areas, and passing giant Lupuna trees (Kings of the Jungle) that thrive in this part of the forest. Along the way, you’ll learn more about the forest and its wildlife. At the lake, you may spot the elusive black caiman and giant otters.
You’ll return to the lodge for lunch, with the afternoon free to relax or bathe again.

• Accommodation: Tambopata Ecolodge
• Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner
• Tickets: All included

Your morning activities will focus on your departure flight from Puerto Maldonado. Try to schedule your flight to leave around noon. If time allows, enjoy the morning observing wildlife, which is often very active at this time, with the sounds of howler monkeys in the background. When ready, you’ll return to the airport for your next adventure.
Once back in Lima, our representative will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

• Accommodation: Casa Andina Standard Miraflores or similar
• Meals: Breakfast
• Tickets: All included

We’re sad to see you go but hope you’ve enjoyed your adventure exploring the southern gems of Peru.
Our transfer will pick you up from your hotel in Lima to take you to the airport for your departure flight.

• Accommodation: Not required
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
• Tickets: All included