Peru: Coast & Andes — 9 Days

Between 09:15 - 09:30 a. m. we pick you up from your hotel to begin the city tour. We start at the Love Park in Miraflores along the Malecón, featuring the iconic “El Beso” sculpture and colorful mosaic walls, then continue with a panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana, a major pre-Inca ceremonial site. At 10:00 a. m. we enjoy a panoramic stop at San Martín Square, followed by a deeper colonial experience at 11:00 a. m. inside the San Francisco Monastery and Catacombs, visiting the choir room, library, sacristy, and underground crypts. At 14:00 p. m. we return to your hotel in Miraflores.

We depart Lima at 04:40 a. m. along the Pan-American Highway South in tourist transport, with onboard guidance and an overview of the day. Around 06:00 a. m. we make a short breakfast stop (at the traveler’s expense); a box breakfast is usually provided and there’s also time to buy local bread and drinks. In Paracas, the 09:30 a. m. boat excursion begins with views of the Candelabra geoglyph and continues to the Ballestas Islands, home to seabirds, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. Back in the bay, at 10:00 a. m. we enjoy a tasting of traditional sweets such as tejas and chocotejas. At 13:00 p. m. you’ll have free time for lunch (on your own). At 14:00 p. m. we visit an artisan winery to learn about wine and pisco production with a tasting included, then at 15:00 p. m. we head to the Huacachina Oasis; at 15:30 p. m. you may choose to do dune buggies and sandboarding. We return to Lima at 17:30 p. m..

In the morning, we transfer you from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Cusco. On arrival, our team welcomes you and escorts you to the hotel so you can rest and acclimatize—Cusco sits at about 3,399 m (11,152 ft). In the afternoon, enjoy a four-hour city tour visiting Qoricancha, the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress, and the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucará, and Tambomachay. After an inspiring look into Inca history and panoramic Andean views, we return to the hotel to rest.

We pick you up at 07:30 a.m. to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, known for its fertile landscapes and milder climate. We begin at the Taray Viewpoint for sweeping valley views, then visit the vibrant Pisac Market and continue to the Pisac ruins to learn about Inca engineering and significance. Enjoy a buffet lunch in Urubamba, then head to Ollantaytambo to explore its terraces and ceremonial areas. Later, we go to the train station and ride to Aguas Calientes, where our staff will assist with the hotel transfer and provide key recommendations for your Machu Picchu visit.

After breakfast, according to your entry schedule, we take you to the bus station for the ~25-minute ascent to the citadel (you must bring your original passport and physical ticket). Inside Machu Picchu (about 2,430 m / 7,972 ft), your guide explains its history, architecture, and purpose while completing the circuit in about 2 hours. Afterwards, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes (25 minutes) and you’ll have free time for lunch on your own. Then we board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our staff will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco—an unforgettable highlight of the trip.

We start early at 04:30 a.m. with hotel pickup in Cusco and travel south through Andean towns to Cusipata for an energizing breakfast. We continue to Phulawasipata (4,600 m / 15,092 ft), the starting point for a ~1.5-hour hike through highland scenery with alpacas, llamas, and dramatic views of the Ausangate range. At the viewpoint of Vinicunca (5,300 m / 17,388 ft), enjoy time for photos and the surreal multicolored landscape. We hike back down, enjoy an Andean buffet lunch in Cusipata, and return to Cusco, arriving around 5:00 p.m..

We depart at 04:30 a.m. with pickup in Cusco and drive northeast through valleys and traditional villages to Mollepata for breakfast. We then continue to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft) to begin the hike. The ascent takes about 2 hours to reach Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), famous for its turquoise waters and mountain backdrop. After free time to explore and take photos, we hike back down to Soraypampa, return to Mollepata for a buffet lunch, and arrive back in Cusco around 6:00 p.m..

At the scheduled time, we transfer you to the airport for your return flight. You’ll leave Peru with a complete experience across coast, city, and the Andes—full of culture, landscapes, and adventure.