12 Day Southern Peru Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Cusco – Sacred Valley & Pisac
1 stop
1
Pisac
Upon arrival in Cusco, we’ll drive directly to the Sacred Valley to help you adjust to the altitude. Visit the impressive Inca ruins and artisan market of Pisac. Enjoy a traditional buffet lunch surrounded by breathtaking scenery before checking in at your hotel in Urubamba—an ideal place to relax and prepare for your adventure.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo – Train to Aguas Calientes
4 stops
2
Maras
The Maras Salt Mines, or Salineras de Maras, are a dazzling patchwork of thousands of shallow pools carved into the mountainside, used since Inca times to harvest salt from a natural spring. The sunlight reflecting off the white salt creates a spectacular view, especially against the backdrop of the Sacred Valley. Visitors can watch local families continue the centuries-old tradition of salt production in this unique and beautiful setting.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Moray
Moray is a fascinating Inca archaeological site made up of circular terraces built into a natural depression in the earth. These concentric rings create different microclimates, which the Incas are believed to have used as an agricultural laboratory to experiment with crops at various altitudes. Surrounded by stunning Andean scenery, Moray offers both a glimpse into ancient farming ingenuity and a breathtaking spot for photography.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
Chinchero
Known as the “Town of the Rainbow,” Chinchero is a charming Andean village famous for its vibrant textile traditions and stunning mountain views. Its colonial church, built atop Inca foundations, overlooks ancient agricultural terraces, while the local market bursts with colorful handwoven goods. Visiting Chinchero offers a genuine glimpse into living Inca heritage.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is a remarkable Inca town and fortress, known for its massive stone terraces that climb the mountainside. Once a strategic military, religious, and agricultural center, it was also the site of a rare Inca victory over Spanish forces. Today, it’s one of the best-preserved living Inca towns, with original cobblestone streets, ancient aqueducts, and breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Explore Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
1 stop
6
Machu Picchu
Wake early for your unforgettable visit to Machu Picchu. A professional guide will take you through the citadel’s temples, terraces, and hidden corners, revealing Inca secrets along the way. the guided tour in the Inca citadel is about two and a half hours. Afterward, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Then board the train to Ollantaytambo and continue by vehicle to your hotel in Cusco’s historical center.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Inca Sites & Walking tour
5 stops
7
Sacsayhuaman
Explore the sacred sites of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, and Tambomachay in the morning. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through Cusco’s charming streets, visiting the Sun Temple (Qorikancha), the 12-Angled Stone, the grand Cathedral, and Casa Garcilaso Museum. Optionally, attend a live Andean dance performance at the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
8
Tambomachay
Tambomachay, often called the “Bath of the Inca,” is an archaeological site known for its finely carved stonework and flowing aqueducts fed by natural springs. Believed to have been a place of ritual purification and water worship, it showcases the Inca’s advanced hydraulic engineering amidst the serene Andean landscape.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
9
Qorikancha
Qorikancha, or the Temple of the Sun, was the most important sacred site of the Inca Empire. Once covered in sheets of pure gold that reflected the sunlight, it served as a religious center dedicated to Inti, the Sun God. The Spaniards later built the Santo Domingo Convent on its foundations, creating a striking blend of Inca stonework and colonial architecture that still stands in Cusco today.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
10
Cusco Cathedral
Dominating the Plaza de Armas, the Cusco Cathedral is a masterpiece of colonial architecture built atop an Inca palace. Completed in the 17th century, it houses an extraordinary collection of Cusqueña School paintings, intricate wood carvings, and priceless religious treasures. Blending Spanish Renaissance style with Indigenous artistry, it’s both a place of worship and a living testament to Cusco’s layered history.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
11
Housed in a beautiful colonial mansion, the Casa Garcilaso Museum showcases Cusco’s rich history and culture through an impressive collection of artifacts, textiles, ceramics, and colonial art. The building itself was once the home of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, the famed chronicler who bridged Inca and Spanish worlds, making it a place where history and heritage come vividly to life.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Rainbow Mountain Hike
1 stop
12
Vinicunca Mountain
Rise early for a spectacular day trip to Vinicunca, known as Rainbow Mountain. Hike through scenic high-altitude landscapes, passing herds of llamas and snow-capped peaks. Reach the summit and admire the mountain’s vivid mineral colors. After a box lunch, return to Cusco filled with awe and a sense of accomplishment.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Fly to Puerto Maldonado – Amazon Lodge
1 stop
13
Tambopata National Reserve
Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Amazon. Travel by motorized canoe to your jungle lodge. After lunch, take a guided rainforest walk to discover towering trees, vibrant birdlife, and tropical plants. As night falls, enjoy the sounds of the jungle and settle in for your first night in the Amazon.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Lake Sandoval Adventure
1 stop
14
Tambopata National Reserve
Today, visit Lake Sandoval, a protected oxbow lake deep in the Tambopata Reserve. Paddle quietly through calm waters to spot giant otters, caimans, monkeys, and tropical birds. After lunch, continue exploring jungle trails with a naturalist guide. In the evening, join a twilight excursion to encounter nocturnal wildlife in their natural habitat.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Jungle Canopy Walk – Flight to Cusco
1 stop
15
Tambopata National Reserve
Start your day high above the forest floor with a thrilling walk across hanging bridges in the jungle canopy. Watch for toucans, parrots, and monkeys from above. After lunch at the lodge, return to Puerto Maldonado for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel for a restful evening.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Train Ride from Cusco to Puno
1 stop
16
Puno
Board the scenic Titicaca train for a full-day journey across Peru’s stunning Altiplano. Enjoy gourmet meals, Andean music, and incredible views of valleys, herds of alpacas, and distant peaks. This luxurious and cultural experience concludes in Puno, where your driver will transfer you to your hotel near Lake Titicaca.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Uros, Taquile & Amantani Island Homestay
1 stop
17
Uros Floating Islands
Sail across Lake Titicaca to explore the floating islands of Uros, built entirely from reeds. Continue to Taquile Island, known for its handwoven textiles and unique culture. In the afternoon, arrive at Amantani Island for a homestay with a local family, offering a warm cultural exchange and authentic Andean hospitality.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 11
Return to Puno
1 stop
18
Enjoy breakfast with your host family, then take time to explore Amantani’s peaceful landscapes before sailing back to Puno. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening. Stroll through town or dine by the lake as your highland journey nears its end.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 12
Juliaca Airport Transfer – Flight to Lima
1 stop
19
This morning we’ll provide a comfortable transfer to Juliaca Airport for your return flight to Lima. We hope this incredible journey through the Andes, Amazon, and Lake Titicaca leaves you with unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for Peru’s cultural and natural wonders.
Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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