12 Day Southern Peru Tour

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Arrival in Cusco – Sacred Valley & 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.

   Meals: Lunch

   Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star hotel in Urubamba

2. 2Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo – Train to Aguas Calientes⌄

   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.

   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.

   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.

   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.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

   Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star hotel in Machu Picchu village

3. 3Explore Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco⌄

   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.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

   Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star hotel in Cusco city

4. 4Inca Sites & Walking tour⌄

   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.

   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.

   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.

   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.

   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.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

   Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star hotel in Cusco city

5. 5Rainbow Mountain Hike⌄

   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.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

   Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star hotel in Cusco city

6. 6Fly to Puerto Maldonado – Amazon Lodge⌄

   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.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star Lodge in the jungle

7. 7Lake Sandoval Adventure⌄

   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.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star Lodge in the jungle

8. 8Jungle Canopy Walk – Flight to Cusco⌄

   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.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star hotel in Cusco city

9. 9Train Ride from Cusco to 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.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

   Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star hotel in Puno city

10. 10Uros, Taquile & Amantani Island Homestay⌄

    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.

    Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

    Overnight: Overnight at homestay in Amantani island

11. 11Return to Puno⌄

    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.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Overnight: Overnight at a good 3-star hotel in Puno city

12. 12Juliaca Airport Transfer – Flight to Lima⌄

    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.

    Meals: Breakfast