Highlights of Peru: 14-day land & heritage tour

Lima

Tag 1: Arrive into Lima, Peru's capital

Arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport and transfer to your hotel.

Take a leisurely evening stroll through Miraflores.

Optional: Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, trying Peruvian cuisine like ceviche.

Rest and prepare for the next day's adventures.

Overnight stay in Lima.

Lima

Tag 2: Take a tour of vibrant Lima

Today you’ll embark on a city tour, for a chance to uncover the history and mysteries of Peru's much-loved capital. Visit the Huaca Pucllana, the administrative center that was composed of a set of pyramids, plazas, and courtyards. Then continue to the Plaza Mayor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll see the Lima Cathedral, Government Palace of Peru, and Municipal Palace.

Up next is the trendy neighborhood of Barranco and its flamboyant street art, before it's time to end the day with sunset views from the clifftops of Miraflores. Return to your hotel afterwards, to spend a quiet night before a day of traveling.

Lima - Paracas

Tag 3: Journey south to Paracas

Transfer south along the Pan-American Highway to Paracas, a journey time of approximately four hours. In this small yet lovely port town, you'll encounter a beautiful coastal setting filled with wildlife, desert dunes, and a laid-back atmosphere. Check into your beachfront hotel and relax.

Optionally, if time allows, visit the Paracas National Reserve (due to weather conditions, you'd need to visit before 4pm), then stop for a fresh seafood dinner as you enjoy the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Paracas - Nazca

Tag 4: A striking journey to Nazca

In the morning, you might want to take an optional boat trip to the Ballestas Islands in search of sea lions and seabirds - some of the most striking wildlife to be found in these parts of Peru.

Then, after breakfast, it's time to depart for Nazca with an optional stop en-route at the Laguna de Moron - a small desert oasis surrounded by towering sand dunes. Before arriving into Nazca, you'll also make a stop at the Palpa Geolyphs, which are believed to predate the Nazca Lines.

Arrive into Nazca and check into your hotel, with the option to enjoy a local dinner of Peruvian specialties.

Nazca - Arequipa

Tag 5: Uncover the mysteries of the Nazca Lines

Today, you'll have the option to take a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines, to see the geoglyphs from above - a truly spectacular sight and without doubt a highlight of your trip. Then, pay a visit to the Nazca Lines Museum to learn all about their history, dating back to pre-Columbian times.

You'll have the rest of the afternoon to spend at your leisure, before later departing for Arequipa on a night bus - a journey time of around 10 hours.

Arequipa

Tag 6: Welcome to Arequipa!

The many wonderful sights of Arequipa await today! First up, visit the Juanita Museum to see the famous Incan Ice Maiden, a 12-year-old girl who was frozen as part of a religious sacrificial ritual. Continue on exploring the beautiful colonial architecture of the city, stopping along the way to visit the Santa Catalina Monastery - a stunning landmark built from volcanic stone and painted a vibrant ocher color.

You could opt to stop for rocoto relleno, a local culinary specialty, for lunch. Then, spend the afternoon at the Carmen Alto viewpoint for panoramic views you'll not soon forget. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace, before an overnight stay in Arequipa.

Arequipa - Colca Canyon

Tag 7: Journey to the Colca Canyon

Depart Arequipa early for the Colca Canyon, stopping at picturesque towns along the way. You'll also get to enjoy beautiful views of the Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu volcanoes that surround the city of Arequipa.

After arriving at your accommodation in the Colca Valley, spend a free afternoon at leisure, getting to know your surroundings or simply recharging your batteries before a day of outdoor pursuits.

Colca Canyon

Tag 8: The flight of the condor

Start your Colca Canyon exploration with a visit to La Cruz del Condor, an iconic viewpoint from where you can spot condors in flight - a truly magnificent highlight of any trip to Peru, whether or not you're a birdwatching enthusiast.

Then, explore local villages such as Pinchollo, Maca, and Acoma, learning as you go about traditional agricultural practices and meeting the friendly locals. You'll have the evening to spend at leisure, your mind filled with memories of the valley's breathtaking landscapes.

Colca Canyon - Puno

Tag 9: Transfer to the shores of Lake Titicaca

Today you'll depart for Puno, a stunning city in southern Peru that rests on the shores of Lake Titicaca. You'll stop as you go at viewpoints and small towns, as well as at the pre-Incan burial site of Sillustani. The drive is estimated to take around six hours, though with all that there is to see and marvel at en-route, it should hardly feel so long!

Arrive in Puno and check into your hotel, with time to spend resting after your travels. Take a leisurely stroll along the shores of Lake Titicaca, and optionally, sample local dishes like quinoa soup for dinner.

Puno - Lake Titicaca - Puno

Tag 10: Boat to the lake's floating islands

Take a boat tour to the Uros Floating Islands, where you'll get to meet the local people and enjoy views of Lake Titicaca from a different vantage point. Next you'll journey on to Taquile Island and hike to its main square. Optionally, savor a traditional lunch prepared by the locals on Taquile, before exploring the cultural significance of the islands and their residents' unique way of life. Finally, return to Puno for an evening at leisure.

Puno - Cusco

Tag 11: Journey to captivating Cusco

Depart for Cusco today, a journey of around eight hours, enjoying scenic views along the way. Stop at the archaeological site of Raqch’i, also known as the Temple of Wiracocha, for a dose of Incan history to break up your trip.

Once you've arrived into Cusco, check into your hotel and spend the night at leisure. Explore stunning colonial architecture and take on the dynamic nightlife scene, before returning to your hotel.

Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Sacred Valley

Tag 12: The historic sites of the Sacred Valley

Today you’ll visit some of the Sacred Valley’s most impressive sites. First you’ll stop at Moray, a unique Inca site consisting of circular terraces built upon a natural depression. Then, continue on to Maras, a salt extraction complex consisting of thousands of small terraces. Locals have been collecting and selling its salt at regional markets since before Inca times.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then visit the Ollantaytambo archaeological site - a famous Inca complex that protected this area from incursions of the Amazon Basin. Finally, settle into your accommodation in the Sacred Valley, for a well-deserved night's rest.

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Tag 13: The mighty Machu Picchu

Board an early train to Aguas Calientes, enjoying stunning scenery along the way. Appreciate the changing landscape from green fields and eucalyptus forests to lush jungle, always traveling beside the meandering Urubamba River.

From Aguas Calientes you'll make the short trip up to Machu Picchu, where a guided tour will help you uncover every corner of the ancient citadel. The surrounding trails and panoramic views are second-to-none, so take the time you need and make the most of your visit.

Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch at a local café, before taking the train back to Cusco and checking into your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the city's sights.

Cusco - Lima

Tag 14: Goodbye, Peru!

This morning, enjoy some last-minute shopping for souvenirs in Cusco. Then, at a suitable time, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima, where you'll connect to your international flight to conclude your Peruvian adventure. Have a safe trip home, your mind and spirit filled with wonderful memories!