Incredible Peru Tour Package 17D 16N Itinerary:
1st Day: Arrive to Lima.
- Start the Incredible Peru Tour with the airport pick up. Transfer to the hotel in Lima.
- According to available time, stroll around the hotel area to manage casual things like money changing, eating,…
2nd Day: Drive along the coast to Paracas.
- After breakfast start the journey towards south of Peru.
- Due to longer drive today, make several interesting stops on the way.
- Reach Paracas, then visit Reserva National, which is incredible red sandy beach with sharp cliffs reaching the sea. Unfortunately it’s not for swimming, but walking only.
- Once back to the city, enjoy exploring the cuisine, bars, beach and shopping in the vibrant streets of Paracas.
- Overnight in guest house.
3rd Day: Islas Ballestas and sand dunes.
- In the morning, first join the boat tour around small Ballestas islands. During the tour take photos of amazing fauna of the islands. Here are: penguins, blue boobies, pelicans, sea lions and seals, plus many different birds. The islands are called by locals the ‘Galapagos‘ of Peru.
- Additionally, on the cliff of sand, visible only from the seaside, lies mysterious ‘Candelabra‘, believed to be hand-made by the ancient Peruvian Paracas civilisation.
- Then it’s time to take the road to the Atacama desert, right into the Huacachina oasis – the only one of it’s kind in Peru. But you reach the city of Ica first. At this point is time to taste the local pisco (alcoholic drink) and wine produced in Peru. Which one is your favourite?
- Since the sand dunes are calling, jump into buggy and enjoy the sea of sand in Huacachina. Encourage the driver to drive faster over the dunes. Also, you have a unique chance to slide down the sand dune on the wooden board. It takes some time to climb back to the top, but the experience is worth it. Memories of the dunes together with the sand stay for a few extra days on your Peru tour.
- Placement in the guest house for overnight.
4th Day: Mysterious Nazca lines (UNESCO) of incredible Peru.
- Before seeing the first Nazca lines from the observation tower (some are small enough to be seen just from the road side – no need to take an airplane), the drive is longer but very scenic. The drive takes you down on the Pan-American highway.
- While entering deeper into Atacama desert, hear the reasons for the development of many pre-Incan civilisations in this area particularly.
- Once you reach the hotel, stroll around a little centre of the town. Everywhere you look are the geoglyphs which are one of Peru’s prides.
5th Day: Nazca – most relaxing day of your tour in Peru.
- Because some might take the flight above the Nazca lines (geoglyphs), the early morning hours are free for your activities.
- After, unveil the ancient secrets of the mummies at Chauchilla cemetery. Walk along the Inca Aqueducts and see once probably prominent city of Cahuachi. Peru is full of incredible surprises.
- Afternoon is free for leisure walks in the city, eating some of local delights or just enjoy by a glass of pisco sour.
- Then, late in the evening, board on the night Cama bus to Arequipa. Luggage is already on the way there, and soon also you. Cama buses are one of the most comfortable and fastest buses in Peru.
6th Day: Early morning arrival to Arequipa.
- Since arrival is very early, check in to the hotel is not possible yet. But delicious breakfast is waiting before the tour starts.
- Then, visit the famous Juanita – mummy, found on the Ampato volcano. She is probably one of the incredible Peru finds. She is placed inside one small museum, but respect her silence and no photos, please.
- After walk through the labyrinth of colourful Santa Catalena monastery. Listen to the stories – if only walls could speak.
- Before the check in the hotel, stroll around the city with the guide for a while. See the three photogenic volcano peaks, which are hugging the city of Arequipa. City is called ‘white city’ because of the ‘sillar‘ – volcanic material they use in construction.
- Following the monasteries and churches the road brings to the Mercato – central market. Here, enjoy fresh food samples, fruit juices, chicha, chocolates or shop for healing products.
7th Day: Over the highest point of Incredible Peru Tour.
- Leave early, because the drive is long, but the scenery impeccable. Surprisingly you can encounter vultures, alpacas, llamas, guanacos, even vicuñas… Walk on the mushy Paramo and take stunning photos with the water reflections.
- Surely there is a stop to have a coca tea. Later on reach the highest altitude of the journey in Peru, called Mirador de los Volcanes (4910m). From here Peruvian volcanic mountain range is visible – the views never stop to amaze.
- After this continue downwards into Chivay and Colca Canyon. Hotel placement and time to discover small secrets of Chivay. There are restaurants, bakeries, parks and even the local central market.
8th Day: Peru and it’s biggest bird – the magnificent Condor.
- After the breakfast drive to Cruz del Condor, to see the most famous view point in Peru. But it’s famous because of the mighty condors, that are just gliding free with the wind. If lucky enough, several will fly just a few meters away.
- With condors still in picture frame, drive again over the Mirador de los Volcanes, but turning point brings more lagoons with dark blue water and more incredible animals around. Must stops for the tea with coca leaves are definitely part of the journey.
- Slowly reach sacred Sillustani and immerse yourself in the views. The chullpas or the famous towers reach up to 12m and are made with perfectly fitted stone blocks. Then find the time to cuddle with furry alpacas and don’t make llamas too angry. Buy a small local souvenir called ‘Toritos de Pucara‘ for good luck.
- Finally the view over the lake Titicaca opens for you. Variations of blue colour are mixing with dull brown and grey, but green patches are encircling the whole area. Puno is the biggest town and hotel for tonight is here.
- Depending on mood, we suggest to have a walk around city centre. There is always something interesting to see. Perhaps you can even catch a fiesta and dance together with locals.
9th Day: On half of the Incredible Peru tour – visiting lake Titicaca.
- Probably most cultural day of the tour. Start early and board the boat, which takes you directly to the man made reed islands of Uros. The people here belong to Aymara tribe and they welcome the visitors in extremely colourful clothes. Also their means of transportation are colourful. Peak inside the houses, as Uros’s chief explains how they make the island and how they live.
- Then board the boat again and head towards tonight’s stop called Taquile island. Perhaps the clothes of the people are not so colourful, but the traditions are quite unique. The people on the island are speaking Quechua language, which is the most widely spoken indigenous language in Peru.
- First have late lunch with purely local ingredients and walk around the island a little. Depending on your mood depends how far you go, be sure the guide with you will explain about the local herbs and other interesting facts of the island. They will check you in the designated guest house. Then the dinner is served and at night you are invited to join the dance around bonfire.
10th Day: Back to the shore of lake Titicaca.
- Since breakfast is served by locals, it might not be such an early morning. But, do come out and enjoy the sun to warm up after a little colder night.
- Next, the local families will demonstrate their handicrafts and tools they use to survive on the island.
- Slowly it is time to have a last walk over the island back to the boat, which takes you to Puno directly. But be sure to say goodbye to your new friends of Taquile.
- Check in the hotel to take the shower and refresh yourself.
- As Puno represents Peru and its minorities we take you for a short but insightful walk. Look into the city life, the trends and difficulties; yet, local food is also a must-try.
- Then have some time for yourself and spend it as you see it right.
11th Day: All the way to Cusco.
- Accordingly to the itinerary of Incredible Peru tour from Puno the driver takes you directly to Cusco. It’s probably one of your longest drive, so relish the scenery and changing landscape. During the drive there are some stops and fell free to take a nap inside the warm van.
- At last, arrive to Cusco and check in the hotel. the guide give some suggestions how to spend time on your own in the city that has so much to offer.
12th Day: Cusco – the navel of the Inka world.
- Finally made it to the centre of the Inka world. Today visit Sacksaywaman and Quenqo to explore some of most stunning architecture Inka created. Definitely don’t forget the view once above the city of Cusco. In Quenqo be amazed by the rituals the Inca performed.
- After, return to the city to visit museum of Qorikancha and get familiar with the Inca astrology. Then walk the narrow streets of cobblestone to see 12-angle brick, Plaza del Armas with Chatedral (outside) and local market to try delicious fruit smoothies, food and chocolate.
- Free late afternoon and evening. Go party in one of the most authentic cities in Peru.
13th Day: Into the Sacred valley.
- After breakfast the driver makes stop at two interesting stops. See the ‘watch station’ and a temple, Puka Pukhara and Tambomachay.
- Then scenic drive follows, with breath-taking views of the Sacred valley. In no time, jump out of the car to walk and explore the terraces of Pisac. When talking about the drinks or food, make a stop in the town of Pisac. However, if you are more experimental with food, stop at one of the roadside restaurants and try the specialty of Sacred valley: cuy (guinea pig).
- Eventually arrive to Ollaytantambo and visit the fortress-temple above the main square. See the sun clock and be amazed by the architecture. Of course, check in the hotel and absorb the vibe of this touristic but colourful small town.
14th Day: Train to Aqua Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Incredible Peru tour is not only about the Machu Picchu, but certainly this site is ‘a cherry on the top of the cake‘ of the tour.
- At first take the train to Aqua Calientes, where the buses and tourist gather to reach the marvellous Machu Picchu. Spent some time around the town and have a coffee with a slice of pie in one of charming cafeterias.
- When is time to take the bus up to the open air archaeological site, wait patiently in the queue and sit tight on the designated seat. The drive is short but winding, featuring a few heart-stopping moments.
- Ultimately, you are here, just few steps up and here it is – the incredible Machu Picchu. The one place in Peru that has intrigued archaeologists and historians for decades, and still does. Instead of trying to figure it all out, just capture the tranquillity and amazing vibe of the site itself. The way around the site is one-way only, so spend as much time as possible where you feel like it.
- At the end, take bus back to Aqua Calientes and board the train to Ollaytantambo.
15th Day: Back to Cusco.
- Because Machu Picchu was the ultimate goal, you should know that Peru is filled with plenty of hidden gems worthy to see.
- On the way back to Cusco, first stop by the salt terraces in Maras. Lear about the Andean salt and why is so important since centuries for Peru. Then visit the experimental crop growing terraces of Moray.
- After get familiar with the local crafts centre in Chinchero, which is here to help the local Peruvian communities.
- Back to Cusco to relax, shop or party – it’s your last night on the high altitude.
16th Day: Fly to Lima – capital of Peru.
- Take earlier flight to Lima, once in Lima the guide shows you around the capital.
- While walking the old streets the understanding why Lima culture is very different from Cusco is the most prominent. Despite the gaps between local communities, the city has more modern costal than Andean vibe. Try out some more pisco and chocolate.
- Furthermore, do you know that ladies used to veiled their faces here in Peru? The statues on the main square are representing this fashion trend, which lasted from 16-19. century.
- Lastly, back to have a good night rest in the hotel.
17th Day: International flight back and the end of Incredible Peru tour package.
- Accordingly to the flight times, transfer from the hotel to the airport will be arranged.
- Adios Machu Picchu and all the incredible sites of Peru.
Explore our other exciting tour packages for more travel adventures: Okinawa Tour Package 12 Days 11 Nights, Borneo Tour Package 9 Days 8 Nights, Malaysia Tour Package from Singapore | Unique Fortune Telling