All of Peru: from the Amazon to the desert

Breakfast at the hotel. Get ready for an adventure-filled day travelling from Colca to Puno. Visit the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, one of the best places to view the impressive Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world. Weather permitting, you can try to spot the majestic Andean condor, the largest flying bird on Earth.

Continue to Maca to visit this village’s church and local market, then return to Chivay, where you can enjoy a buffet lunch (not included).

Next, stop at Patapampa to discover the volcanic landscapes, followed by stops at Patahuasi and Lagunillas to observe local wildlife. Arrive in Puno and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Puno.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy a fascinating excursion to Lake Titicaca, visiting the Uros floating islands and Taquile Island, where you’ll immerse yourselves in the magic of Peru’s natural beauty and some of the country’s most popular tourist attractions.

Begin at the Uros Islands, learning how the floating islands are built from totora reeds, discovering daily life of their inhabitants—the first ethnic group to settle in Puno over 3,700 years ago—and their traditional crafts. You’ll also have the option to experience a totora reed boat ride (20 soles per person, paid directly in cash).

Continue to Taquile Island, where you can take a an hour-long walk through agricultural landscapes overlooking the lake. Admire the island’s famous textiles, recognized by UNESCO for their cultural value. Enjoy a traditional lunch shared with the local community, along with music and dance. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Puno.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to Cusco, located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes and former capital of the Inca civilization. Famous for its main square, cobblestone streets and terracotta-roofed houses, the journey from Puno to Cusco is made by bus with several scenic stops.

Visit the Pucará Lithic Museum and archaeological complex, then continue to La Raya, the highest point of the route, offering breathtaking Andean views. Afterwards, recharge your batteries with the included buffet lunch.

Next, visit Raqch’i archaeological complex, home to the Temple of Wiracocha, the tallest Inca structure discovered to date. Finally, stop at the Church of San Pedro Apóstol in Andahuaylillas before transferring to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cusco.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is an unforgettable day visiting Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Transfer to Ollantaytambo to board the train* to Aguas Calientes, enjoying spectacular mountain scenery along the way. Upon arrival, take a bus up to the Inca Citadel for a guided visit of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes (morning or afternoon, subject to availability). Marvel at this 15th-century masterpiece perched over 2,000 meters above sea level.

Return by bus to Aguas Calientes and, depending on the return train schedule, enjoy free time to explore the town. Take the train back to Ollantaytambo and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cusco.

*Standard train included (Expedition or Voyager). An optional upgrade to a higher-category train (360º or Vistadome) is available during the next step in the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you have a free day to enjoy Cusco at your own pace or, if you prefer, join one of our optional activities: a full-day excursion to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)* or a panoramic nighttime tour of Cusco with a Pisco Sour workshop.** Overnight stay in Cusco.

*Optional full-day excursion to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): Depart early in the morning towards the Southern Valley, travelling by road for approximately 3 hours until reaching Cusipata. From there, continue to the community of Phulawasipata, located at an altitude of 4,626 meters. Here, you will have time to prepare before beginning the hike.

The ascent begins along a mountain stream, surrounded by Andean landscapes where it’s common to see llamas and alpacas grazing. As you continue on, the imposing presence of Apu Ausangate, the highest mountain in the region, rises beside you along the route.

After about 1 hour and 30 minutes of hiking, you’ll reach the natural viewpoint of Vinicunca, the famous Rainbow Mountain, at an altitude of 5,020 meters. Enjoy around 30 minutes to explore the area, take photographs, and absorb the energy of the landscape before heading back down.

The return hike to Phulawasipata takes about 1 hour. From there,  transfer back to Cusipata to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, before continuing the journey back to Cusco.

**Optional panoramic night tour of Cusco with Pisco Sour workshop: Enjoy a panoramic nighttime tour designed to discover Cusco’s main landmarks beautifully illuminated, including the exterior of the Coricancha Temple.

The tour ends at a well-known local bar, where you’ll take part in a Pisco Sour workshop, learning the secrets behind the preparation of Peru’s most iconic cocktail.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the inidcated time, transfer from the hotel to the airport to board your flight to Puerto Maldonado.

Upon arrival at Puerto Maldonado Airport, transfer by boat to your lodge, navigating along the rivers and gradually immersing yourself in the lush landscapes of the rainforest. Once at the lodge, and after settling into your room, you’ll take part in an excursion to explore the surrounding jungle and learn about the region’s flora and fauna.

Return to the lodge to enjoy dinner and free time. Overnight stay in Puerto Maldonado.

Note: Activities in the Amazon may vary depending on the lodge. While the overall experience will be very similar across all lodges, specific activities, such as night walks, boat excursions, wildlife observation tours, or visits to local communities, may differ. There may also be slight variations in the order and timing of activities.

Breakfast at the lodge. Today head deeper into the Amazon rainforest on an excursion by boat or on foot to a nearby lake or nature reserve, where you’ll get to experience its incredible biodiversity.

Along the way, keep your eyes open: the area is home to different species of monkeys moving through the treetops, sloths hidden among the leaves, snakes gliding quietly through the undergrowth, and white and black caimans resting along the riverbanks. You’ll also see countless brightly colored birds and, with a bit of luck, turtles, making this a real up-close encounter with nature.

After a tasty lunch included at the lodge, you’ll have free time to relax and enjoy the lodge’s facilities or keep exploring the jungle at your own pace. As night falls, enjoy a dinner at the lodge—a great way to wind down and share the day’s experiences while surrounded by the sounds of the Amazon. Overnight stay in Puerto Maldonado.

Note: Activities in the Amazon may vary depending on the lodge. While the overall experience is very similar at all lodges, specific activities, such as night walks, boat trips, wildlife-viewing excursions, or visits to local communities, may vary. There may also be small changes to the order and timing of activities.

Breakfast at the lodge. Enjoy your final morning waking up to the sounds of the jungle, with parakeets chatting in the trees and monkeys moving through the branches. At the indicated time, transfer to Puerto Maldonado to catch your return flight to Lima.

Note: Activities in the Amazon may vary depending on the lodge. While the overall experience is very similar at all lodges, specific activities, such as night walks, boat trips, wildlife-viewing excursions, or visits to local communities, may vary. There may also be small changes to the order and timing of activities.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the bus station to begin your journey to Ica (the bus departs at 6:30 a.m. and the trip takes around 5 hours. We recommend bringing snacks for the journey. The buses have restrooms).

Once in Ica, you’ll visit the Huacachina Oasis, where the Ica Desert welcomes you with an adrenaline-filled experience. Ride in dune buggies, racing across sand dunes nearly 100 meters high, with steep climbs and drops that get the heart pumping.

The experience continues with the option to try sandboarding, sliding down the soft desert sand. You can then take photos with the oasis as a backdrop and enjoy the striking contrast between the arid desert and the lush green oasis.

Afterwards, you’ll have free time for lunch at the oasis (lunch not included), to stroll around, or to paddle across the lagoon in the typical pedal boats. You can also choose to join the optional wine and pisco route*, as Ica is a key region for producing these drinks thanks to its sunny climate and soils ideal for growing grapes such as Quebranta, Italia, Albilla, and Torontel (for pisco), as well as Cabernet Sauvignon (for wine). Ica is the country’s main producer and home to historic wineries.

Later,  meet at the designated point in Huacachina to begin the road transfer to your next destination: Paracas. After about 1 hour of travel, arrivel at the hotel to rest. Overnight stay in Paracas.

*Optional wine and Pisco route: On this excursion, you’ll explore the world of pisco, Peru’s iconic spirit, whose reputation has reached far beyond its borders. Visit two traditional vineyards that still use ancestral techniques. First, stop at a small artisanal winery, followed by a visit to the award-winning Tacama Winery, founded during colonial times. Here, you’ll learn about the pisco production process and its careful crafting, preserved through historic methods.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you’ll explore the marine life of the Peruvian coast. At the indicated time, transfer to El Chaco pier to board your boat and enjoy your first views of “El Candelabro”, a mysterious figure etched into the desert dunes whose origins remain unknown. It’s estimated to be over 2,500 years old and is believed to have served as a guide for ancient sailors.

Next, continue to the Ballestas Islands, an impressive meeting point between desert and sea. These three islands are known for their rock formations shaped by the ocean and their rich biodiversity, including both endemic and migratory species. Resident wildlife includes sea lions and 18 bird species, such as the Humboldt penguin, red-legged cormorant, and guanay cormorant.

Finally, return to the pier and enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore at your own pace. You may also choose to join the optional flight over the Nazca Lines from Pisco.*

At the end of the day, return by bus to Lima (departure at 4:40 p.m., an approximately 4-hour journey. We recommend bringing snacks for the trip. Buses have restrooms). Once in Lima, you can enjoy an optional dinner at Huaca Pucllana**, a unique dining experience with views of a pre-Inca pyramid and a selection of Peru’s finest flavors. Overnight stay in Lima.

*Optional flight over the Nazca Lines: Get ready to take off and admire the mysterious Nazca geoglyphs from above. The plane departs from the local airport and rises to the perfect height to view the famous desert figures (remember to bring your passport to take the flight). The Nazca Lines include almost 800 large-scale geoglyphs, depicting animals, plants, and human figures. From the air, you can spot the hummingbird, condor, pelican, monkey, and spider, among the most iconic designs. Their origin and purpose remain a mystery, but they were created between 500 BC and 500 AD. Preservation is thanks to the dry local climate and the work of archaeologist María Reiche, which has allowed this UNESCO World Heritage Site to remain visible today.

**Optional dinner at Huaca Pucllana: Enjoy a unique gastronomic experience at one of Lima’s most iconic restaurants, with privileged views of a pre-Inca pyramid and a carefully curated selection of Peru’s best flavours.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you’ll discover the two sides of Lima: the modern city, represented by the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, and the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll tour the different districts and see how old and new coexist in the city.

Explore downtown Lima on foot, with the main highlight being Plaza Mayor, a beautiful colonial square surrounded by iconic buildings like the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s Palace. You’ll also visit the Convent of Santo Domingo, where the relics of three Peruvian saints are kept: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres, and San Juan Macías.

After exploring the historic centre, return to modern Lima and head to the Pacific coast, enjoying views from the Parque del Amor and its famous sculpture by Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín. You can also join an optional tour of the bohemian Barranco neighborhood.* Overnight stay in Lima.

*Optional Barranco walking tour: Stroll through streets full of history, murals, and creative art spaces. Admire Víctor Delfín’s sculpture, enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean, cross the iconic Bridge of Sighs, and finish the experience by tasting Peruvian coffee and cacao.