Highlights of Peru in 25 days

This itinerary the ultimate Peru adventure and offers the best of Peru: The best highlights of this amazing country. You will travel through different terrains of the country which will give you a sense of its size and variety in terms of ecosystems, landscapes, people, traditions and cuisines … an unforgettable journey indeed …

We gradually make our way to high altitude to optimize acclimatization.

Day 1: Arrival in Peru & overnight in Lima.

Your adventure begins today with your flight to Lima.  Our staff will meet you at the Lima airport (the Jorge Chávez International Airport) for your private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the upscale and safe Miraflores section of Lima. Miraflores is known for its shopping areas, gardens, flower-filled parks, great restaurants and beaches.

Day 2:  Lima city tour and culinary experience.

Lima is the capital of Peru, and it used to be the capital of the administration for most of South America during the colonial era; walking around its city center streets remind us of that extravagant time, with the nicely carved wood balconies and large colonial mansions built for the first Europeans who arrived to the continent in the 16th century.

We will visit the Larco Herrera Museum which displays the best collection of ancient artifacts which date back to 5000 years ago until the Inca era in the 1400 AD. Their collection of ceramic vessels, golden and silver artifacts, textiles and pre-inca mummies is simply amazing and becomes the right way to get introduced to Peruvian history.

Peru has become the capital of South American cuisine, tonight we will dine in one of Peru finest restaurants.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 3: Drive to Huacachina; visit a Pisco distillery and enjoy a buggy ride in the desert until sunset.

Today we have a 3 hour drive in the northern most end of the Atacama desert where we will visit a  Pisco distillery and will learn about the signature Peruvian grape brandy obtained out of the distillation of specific grape types; it’s one of Peru’s pride and you may understand why after a bit of tasting…

In the afternoon we will arrive at Huacachina, a fascinating small oasis where we will spend the night. In the late afternoon we will have a spectacular sunset view as we ride buggies in sand dunes of this desert.

Meals: B, L.

Day 4: Drive to Paracas to visit the Ballestas Islands, flight  over the Nazca Lines and drive back to Lima.

About one hour away from Ica lays the Paracas Peninsula from where we will board a speed boat to get to the amazing Ballestas Islands: these two islands are bursting with wildlife and are indeed a heaven for bird watchers or nature lovers. You can normally observe: sea lions and birds such as cormorants, terns, penguins…not to be missed!!!  Then we’ll get to Pisco airport to board a plane and fly over the amazing and mysterious Nazca lines (1h40 flight). Finally we’ll have some well deserved lunch and make your way back to Lima where we will stay for the night before the flight to the amazing Chachapoyas region.

Meals: B, L.

Day 5: Fly to Chachapoyas, walk the charming town and enjoy the views of Sonche Canyon.

Straight out of our hotel we will board our 90 minutes flight bound to Chachapoyas, a land of Pre-Inca Ruins, Waterfalls and Canyons. On arrival we will explore the charming small town and also we will visit the lookout points of Sonche Canyon, the views of this rugged geography are impressive.

Meals: B, L.

Day 6: Visit Revash Mausoleums and Leymebamba.

Today we will visit the small village of Revash, a small town of farmers who live at a slow pace, perched on the side of the Andes mountains in front of a valley with a privileged view. Revash villagers guard with pride a Pre-Inca set of mausoleums which still keep scholars intrigued. Our walk here will take about an hour taking the amazing views of these mountains until we get to the tombs which are nearly hanging on the cliff.

Then we will drive to Leymebamba, another small town which guards one of the most interesting museums about the Chachapoyas Pre-Inca Culture. The drive to Leymebamba is breathtaking, admiring the rugged geography of this amazing landscape.

Later in the afternoon we will arrive to the hotel to enjoy the last hours of the afternoon admiring its lovely grounds near the river.

Meals: B, L.

Day 7: Visit Kuelap

Kuelap is a hidden gem and a treasure for the world; it is known as the “sister city of MachuPicchu”. It is a Pre-Inca city built in a mountain top, where mountain meets the sky. This morning we will leave in direction of the cable cars which in about 20 minutes will take us to Kuelap Ruins. 

After enjoying our time observing the views and learning about its history we will get back to the cable cars which will bring us back to our lunch place and then to our hotel facing to Gocta water falls. 

Meals: B, L, D.

Day 8: Hike Gocta falls OR visit a hummingbird sanctuary.

This is an amazing day. 

Today it is all about the amazing views of Gocta Falls from the its most amazing angles.

We will start the day riding tuk-tuks to the little village of San Pablo where we will start our hike. We will hike for about 5 hours on irregular terrain a distance of 5miles/8Km having the most amazing views of Gocta falls.

Alternatively those who would like to enjoy a good, long and demanding trek will have the opportunity to hike 10miles/16km on challenging terrain for about 7 hours.

There is also the choice of having panoramic views of Gocta falls without having to hike; these staggering views can also be enjoyed from a look out point not too far from our Lodge where we can enjoy of a drink having the spectacular Gocta falls in front of us.

Towards the end of the afternoon we will go in search of hummingbirds to a local bird sanctuary. We could even have the opportunity of spotting the “marvelous spatuletail hummingbird” which is endemic to this part of the Andes mountains.

Meals: B, L.

Day 9: Flight to lima and flight to Arequipa.

This morning we say goodbye to Chachapoyas and make our way back to Lima to catch our flight to Arequipa, the “white city”. On arrival in Arequipa we would like to take you on an orientation walk for you to experience Arequipa at night.

Meals: B, D.

Day 10: In Arequipa – City Tour and free time.

This morning we start with a walking City Tour of beautiful Arequipa (another Unesco listed City center!). It is always sunny in Arequipa… We visit Santa Catalina Convent which is the main highlight of the City and which offers excellent views on the surrounding volcanoes. Finally we hope to leave you a bit of free time to enjoy the city at your own pace … but before that we will definitely take you to the local market for a bit of immersion in the local life.

In the afternoon we recommend the visit of the Mummy Juanita museum … a must in Arequipa …

Meals: B, L.

Day 11: Drive to Chivay in Colca Canyon.

Today we start a journey to higher elevation: we drive in direction of Chivay. To get there we cross different climate zones and a Vicuña reserve which should be a huge highlight since it is nearly guaranteed to spot  this magnificent South American camelid. Straight to lunch on arrival in Chivay and then a short drive to our hotel. In the afternoon you may want to join in a visit to the local thermal baths. 

Meals: B, L, D.

Day 12: Drive to Cruz del Condor and drive to Puno at the shores of Lake Titicaca.

After a very early breakfast we will drive along the spectacular views of the canyon until Cruz del Condor where we may be lucky enough to see condors in their natural habitat. Colca canyon is an amazing natural formation sculpted by the hand of man from ancient times who carved hundreds of terraces. For our delight, in every village along the canyons the local ladies wear beautiful multicolored embroidered dresses. Then we will pick up our box lunch in Chivay before driving  amid barren landscapes to Puno, a city located on the shore of Lake Titicaca.

Meals: B, L.

Day 13: Lake Titicaca visit – Uros and Taquile Islands.

Today a boat will take us to the floating islands of the Uros people on Lake Titicaca, we will learn about their unique way of life and also about the lake itself….then we will ride our boat to the heart of Lake Titicaca where Taquile Island is located, we will walk its surreal landscape in the roof of the Andes mountains and meet the indigenous locals who still keep the ancient codes of living in this remote area.

Meals: B, L.

Day 14: Bus ride to Checacupe – Visit Sillustani and lunch at Lampa “the pink city”.

We have a spectacular journey on our way to Cusco, the “Navel Of the World”. It is a whole day drive along amazing country side, you will notice a lot of contrast in the land and its colors and in the people. It is a very relaxed and comfortable experience which will definitely become a highlight of the trip. On the way, we will visit Sillustani (Pre Inka Ruins) and Raqchi (Inka Ruins) as a prelude of the large density of archaeological sites which are about to come the following days.

Lunch will be in the “out of the way” little town of Lampa, a hidden gem in the heart of the high andean plateau.

Meals: B, L, D.

Day 15: Admire Rainbow Mountain, visit Andahuaylillas church and the town of Pisaq in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

This morning we will start early and drive to Palccoyo where rainbow mountain is located. It is a surreal ecosystem, the crest of the Andes Mountains with staggering views of the Sowcapped Mountain Ausangate. On the way we will traverse the land of the farmers of corn and potatoes, then the land of the herders of Llamas and Alpacas and then to the alpine wilderness where rainbow mountain belongs to.

After enjoying our time in this pristine ecosystem we will drive towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

We will stop at the Andahuaylillas Church, a 16th century profusely painted church which is worth to visit. Locals call it “the sistine chapel of the Americas”.

Lunch will be at Pisaq, a picturesque town which boasts irresistible shops and souvenirs. Later on the day we will arrive to our hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Meals: B, L.

Day 16: Visit Chinchero, meet the weavers of textiles, then visit Maras salt flats and Moray Ruins.

A beautiful drive through the “granary of Cusco”, the most beautiful area we have around, takes us first to Chinchero town for a walk enjoying its charm and then for a weaving demonstration by the local people. A truly amazing and personal experience!. Then we’ll keep on driving in direction of the Sacred valley of the Incas. If we are lucky we may see the snowcapped mountains of the Sacred Valley of the Incas such as Veronica Mountain (5,750m/18,860ft) and even Salcantay Mountain (6,271m/20,569ft), one of our main “Apu” or “Mountain God”.

Before descending into the Sacred Valley, we’ll make a stop at the Inca site of Moray (the “Greenhouse of the Incas”) and invite you to join in an optional walk into the gorgeous and pristine landscape with the Andes as a background. We will even have a picnic lunch here to avoid missing out on this amazing scenery. Before the end of the day we will visit the salt pans of Maras where we will witness how ancient techniques are still efficiently used for the extraction of salt at 3,100m/10,170ft. Finally we’ll make our way to our hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Meals: B, L.

Day 17: Visit of Ollantaytambo and visit Muscapuquio terraces.

We start the day by visiting Ollantaytambo which is a very meaningful place for the Inca History since it is where the fate of the Incas was decided for good. We will not miss the visit of the important archaeological site of Ollantaytambo: more than just a temple since it is located in the most magical setting you could imagine. It is a fascinating place where the Incas studied and worshipped the Sun. Ollantaytambo town is very special too since it is a village which still keeps the Inca urban design and where people from far away Andean communities come down in their traditional dress to trade their food crops. Then we start driving high above the town to a very special place called Muscapuquio, an amazing group of Inca terraces which are connected by a long set of 520 Inca steps. We will have the choice of hiking the steps or walking along the highest section of the Inca Terraces.

Lunch today will be very special, since all these vicinities are unknown to the world of travel and it is populated by indigenous people who live of the land and totally oblivious to the outside world.

In the evening, depending on your energy level, we invite you to visit the Pablo Seminario Workshop. Pablo is a famous potter and with no doubt one of Peru most famous citizens: his art is now exposed in a permanent exhibition in the Field Museum of Chicago – at the galleries of “Contemporary Native Art”

Meals: B, L, D.

Day 18: Train to Aguas Calientes, bus ride to Machu Picchu and visit. Overnight at MachuPicchu Pueblo.

Today we’ll get a short train journey but a very spectacular one indeed: In less than two hours, you will experience a drastic change in the vegetation and fauna as you go down in direction of the jungle to Machu Picchu Town (formerly called Aguas Calientes).

Once in town we will have lunch and then take a bus to Machu Picchu site itself for a guided tour which will give you the best introductory views and information about this still very enigmatic Unesco site. From experience, we know that the afternoon is the best time at MachuPicchu, since there are less visitors. Tonight you could decide to try the thermal baths in town for a modest soak in a very special setting …

Meals: B, L.

Optional Km104 walk to Machu Picchu: You could decide as well to walk part of the Inca trail to get to Machu Picchu site: it is called “the Km104 walk”. This walk is challenging and lasts about 6 hours to get to the sun gate (3 ½ hrs up-1 ½ hrs undulating). From the sun gate it is only an hour down to Machu Picchu archaeological site.

Let us know well in advance if you wish to take this option since we will need to get an “Inca Trail Permit” which has a reduced number of tickets available everyday.

Day 19: Second visit to Machu Picchu site and train ride to Cusco.

Today we have plenty more time at Machu Picchu site. You may decide to stick with your local guide who will take you onto his favorite walk around the site or enjoy your free time at your own pace. Then we get the train back to Cusco.

Meals: B, L.

Day 20: In Cusco our signature city tour.

All travelers to Peru fall in love with Cusco. Cusco has a beautiful setting and you will love strolling through its ancient alley ways. Today we start our City Tour by San Pedro market … for us San Pedro market is a must in Cusco since this is where it all happens: it is located in a very “local” part of town (not the touristy part: the real Cusco…), where the typical Cusqueños go for their cheap meals …this is where we will also discover the variety of the products the land offers in Cusco area…this is where you come face to face with the essence of the local life … then to Sacsayhuaman, an Inca Temple of cyclopean stone masonry giving breathtaking views on the city; then we walk around the city center visiting the main highlights: San Blas and its charming cobbled stone streets,  the Cathedral (where we will get insights on local religious traditions), Qoricancha, (Temple of the Sun of the Incas…)

Cusco is the oldest city in South America and our hotel will be located in the old part of town, the part of it listed by Unesco.

Meals: B, L.

Day 21: In Cusco – free day.

You would love to take one extra day in Cusco: You may want to relax by soaking the atmosphere in, visit Museums or do a bit shopping… You could also go for a “make your own chocolate experience – from the bean to the bar”, or you could also opt for a cooking class experience … there’s so much to do in Cusco.

Meals: B.

Day 22: Fly to the Amazon Rainforest and journey across the wilderness to the Lodge.

Today we will fly to Puerto Maldonado and delve deep into the remote Amazonian Rainforest where our lodge is located.

After our flight, followed by a car journey, followed by a boat ride we will arrive to our lodge in the middle of the remote Amazon rainforest. We will have some exploration lead by our expert guides of the amazon forest who will translate the messages of this 700,000 hectares forest for us. We may spot capybara, geese, macaws, caiman and other large species during our journey.

Meals: B, L, D.

Day 23: Exploration of the Amazon rainforest – explore the Macaw Clay Lick.

It is an amazing spectacle! to observe dozens of large Macaws and hundreds of parrots having their daily routine of ingesting clay in the early morning. This is a real treat for the senses which immerses us in the daily life of wild animals that live in this untouched part of the planet.

Later in the day we will walk amongst huge trees in search of monkeys and peccaries. After sunset we will embark on an exploration of the evening wildlife, which is when most mammals become active. The symphonies of the rainforest in the evening are another highlight to be remembered.

Meals: B, L, D.

Day 24: Exploration of the Amazon rainforest – hike the trails, spot the wildlife at the pond and enjoy the sunset cruise. 

The Amazon rainforest is full of surprises, we will embark on an exploration today which will focus in discovering what nature has spontaneously prepared for us. The wildlife and flora are abundant and chances of amazing encounters are high in this remote region. The pond near the lodge has a platform where it becomes easier to spot hoatzins, the Muscovy duck, oropendolas, fly catchers and more.

The sunset cruise is another high moment of our journey. It is probably the best way to say goodbye to Peru, it is truly amongst the world’s most spectacular sunsets, with countless shades of orange and pink, making our views of the sky and the amazon forest unforgettable.

Meals: B, L, D.

Day 25: Journey back to Puerto Maldonado and fly to Lima.

In the morning hours we will take our boat ride followed by a car journey to Puerto Maldonado, followed by a flight to Lima reflecting on the amazing adventures and travel memories we collected on this amazing journey in one of the most bio-diverse countries of the planet.

Meals: B.

– End of our services –

All entrance tickets to listed visitor’s attractions.
All transportation, MachuPicchu train tickets and bus tickets at MachuPicchu.
All meals specified in the itinerary.
All domestic flights.
Drinking water during our excursions and meals.
A professional private Tour Guide at each location of the trip.
Our attention to detail, love for what we do and our 24/7 assistance.
Meals that aren’t specified in this itinerary.
International flight tickets.
Travel insurance.
An extra small overnight duffle bag for the one night at MachuPicchu (due to the train restrictions we can only take carry on size bags on board)
Rain protection (umbrellas aren’t allowed at MachuPicchu site)
Insect repellent for MachuPicchu and the Amazon rainforest (you can also get this locally).
Sun protection.
A down jacket, a beannie and light gloves for Rainbow Mountain visit.
What is the best time of the year for this itinerary?
What items aren’t allowed at MachuPicchu?
Some practical suggestions about high altitude sickness
Can I drink tap water in Peru?
What currencies are broadly used in Peru?
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