WhyYou’ll Love These Tours
The Complete Peru Experience
Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, Peru’s full sweep, coast to Andes, in one seamless journey.
Places Most Tours Never Reach
Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca are destinations most Peru itineraries skip entirely. This one puts them at the center.
Seamlessly Handled, Start to Finish
Private guides, pre-booked trains, and end-to-end support across five destinations, every transition handled.
Overview
Experience the full sweep of Peru on our signature 13-day grand tour, a private journey that takes you from Lima’s culinary scene and colonial history through the volcanic city of Arequipa, into the dramatic depths of Colca Canyon, across the vast altiplano to the sacred shores of Lake Titicaca, and through the ancient Inca heartland of the Sacred Valley to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu. Among our most comprehensive Peru cultural tour packages, this journey is built for travelers who want the complete picture - not just the highlights, but the landscapes, cultures, and living traditions that connect them. Five destinations, thirteen days, and not a single one wasted. For travelers comparing our 2-week Peru tour packages, this itinerary offers an exceptionally complete experience while remaining carefully paced. Backed by 1,500+ five-star reviews and our core philosophy of “German precision, Peruvian passion.”
Lima: The Starting Point That Earns Its Days
Your journey begins in Lima with two and a half days that do the city proper justice. A culinary tour through local markets and celebrated restaurants or a hands-on market visit and tasting, introduces you to the extraordinary depth of Peruvian cuisine from day one. A guided half-day city tour walks you through the UNESCO-listed historic center: the grand Plaza Mayor, the ornate Cathedral, and the baroque colonial quarter that set the tone for everything that follows.
Arequipa: The White City
A short flight south brings you to Arequipa, Peru’s second city and one of the most beautiful in South America, built almost entirely from white volcanic sillar stone with the snow-capped cone of El Misti volcano rising behind it. A full guided city tour takes in the extraordinary Santa Catalina Monastery, a self-contained city within a city, the Plaza de Armas, and the colonial streets of the historic center, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Colca Canyon: Condors and Ancient Terraces
Two full days in Colca Canyon, one of the deepest gorges on Earth at over 3,400m below the canyon rim, deliver the most dramatic natural scenery on the entire itinerary. Pre-Inca agricultural terraces still in use today line the canyon walls, traditional Collagua and Cabana communities maintain centuries-old customs, and the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint offers one of the most extraordinary wildlife moments in South America: giant Andean condors, with wingspans of up to 3.2m, riding the thermal currents at eye level. Day 6 closes with a transfer across the altiplano to Puno and the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Lake Titicaca: The Roof of the Americas
A full day on the world’s highest navigable lake (3,830m / 12,565ft) visits the Uros Islands, entirely man-made floating platforms constructed from totora reeds, where the Uros people have maintained their unique way of life for generations, before continuing to Taquile Island, whose weaving traditions are recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. A hilltop lunch with panoramic views over an impossibly blue lake closes one of the most extraordinary days on the itinerary.
Sacred Valley: The Inca Heartland
The train from Puno to Cusco runs on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays, a scenic journey across the open altiplano that is an experience in itself. From Cusco, we head straight into the Sacred Valley for two days of Inca culture and authentic Andean life. The circular terraces of Moray and the cascading salt pools of Maras frame an afternoon with a local community for a weaving demonstration and lunch. The following day brings Ollantaytambo, the most intact example of Inca urban planning still standing, a traditional Pachamanca feast cooked underground, and the scenic train to Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu & Cusco: The Final Chapter
Early entry at Machu Picchu puts you at the citadel in the morning mist, ahead of the crowds, with a licensed guide who brings the architecture, astronomy, and Inca history fully to life. Back in Cusco, a full guided city tour takes in Koricancha, the Plaza de Armas, and the monumental ruins of Sacsayhuamán, before the tour closes with a memorable final dinner. An unforgettable evening that combines a traditional Andean dance show with dinner overlooking the Plaza de Armas.
Tour Highlights
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1 : Arrival in Lima
- Day 2 : Culinary Tour or Market Visit & Tasting
- Day 3 : Lima Half-Day City Tour
- Day 4 : Flight to Arequipa & City Tour
- Day 5 : Colca Canyon Day 1
- Day 6 : Colca Canyon Day 2 & Transfer to Puno
- Day 7 : Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island
- Day 8 : Scenic Train to Cusco
- Day 9 : Moray, Maras Salt Mines & Local Community
- Day 10 : Ollantaytambo, Pachamanca & Train to Aguas Calientes
- Day 11 : Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco
- Day 12 : Cusco City Tour & Farewell Dinner
- Day 13 : Farewell
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Lima
Today’s Highlight: Touch down in Peru and settle into one of Lima’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Welcome to Peru. Upon arrival, our team will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores or Barranco. The rest of the day is yours to settle in, take a first walk along the Pacific cliffs, and soak up the energy of South America’s culinary capital.
Overnight in Lima
Day 2 : Culinary Tour or Market Visit & Tasting
Today’s Highlight: Dive straight into Lima’s extraordinary food scene, either on a full culinary tour or through a hands-on market visit and tasting.
Lima is one of the world’s great food cities and Day 2 is dedicated entirely to understanding why. Choose between a full guided culinary tour through local markets, street food stalls, and one of Lima’s celebrated restaurants or a more intimate market visit and tasting experience, exploring the ingredients, producers, and flavors that make Peruvian cuisine unlike anything else on Earth. Either way, ceviche, pisco, and causa are on the menu.
Breakfast & Lunch included
Overnight in Lima
Day 3 : Lima Half-Day City Tour
Today’s Highlight: Walk the UNESCO-listed historic center and discover the colonial elegance that earned Lima its place on the world heritage list.
A guided half-day tour of Lima’s historic center: the grand Plaza Mayor, the ornate Cathedral, the baroque architecture of the colonial quarter, and the famous catacombs beneath the San Francisco Convent, one of the most remarkable underground sites in the Americas. The afternoon is free to explore Miraflores or Barranco at your own pace before an early evening transfer to prepare for tomorrow’s flight south.
Breakfast included
Overnight in Lima
Day 4 : Flight to Arequipa & City Tour
Today’s Highlight: Arrive in Peru’s most beautiful colonial city, framed by snow-capped volcanoes and built from white volcanic stone.
A short flight south brings you to Arequipa (2,335m / 7,660ft), the White City. Your afternoon guided tour takes in the spectacular Santa Catalina Monastery, a self-contained colonial city within a city covering over 20,000 square meters, the grand Plaza de Armas, and the historic streets of the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arequipa also has one of Peru’s finest regional food scenes, and dinner is the perfect first introduction.
Breakfast & Lunch included
Overnight in Arequipa
Day 5 : Colca Canyon Day 1
Today’s Highlight: Descend into one of the world’s deepest canyons, past ancient terraces and traditional Andean villages still living by the old ways.
Depart early for Colca Canyon, at over 3,400m below its rim, one of the deepest gorges on Earth. Today’s route winds through dramatic volcanic landscapes, past pre-Inca agricultural terraces still farmed by local families, and through traditional Collagua and Cabana villages where colonial churches, elaborate textiles, and centuries-old customs remain very much alive. Stop at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint for your first chance to spot giant Andean condors, wingspans up to 3.2m, soaring on the morning thermals above the canyon.
Breakfast & Lunch included
Overnight in Colca Canyon
Day 6 : Colca Canyon Day 2 & Transfer to Puno
Today’s Highlight: A final morning in the canyon before crossing the vast altiplano to the shores of Lake Titicaca.
A second morning in Colca allows for a deeper exploration of the canyon floor, local hot springs, and further condor sightings before the afternoon transfer across the high altiplano to Puno (3,830m / 12,565ft). The drive itself is one of the most atmospheric on the itinerary, open grasslands, grazing alpacas, and distant volcanic peaks stretching to the horizon. Arrive in Puno in the late afternoon and settle in ahead of a full day on the water tomorrow.
Breakfast & Lunch included
Overnight in Puno
Day 7 : Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island
Today’s Highlight: Walk on islands made entirely of reeds, meet the families who built them, and climb to a hilltop view over the world’s highest navigable lake.
Board a boat for the Uros Islands, entirely man-made floating platforms constructed from totora reeds, where the Uros people have maintained their unique way of life for generations. Spend time with local families, learn how the islands are built and maintained, then continue to Taquile Island. This UNESCO-recognized community has preserved its textile traditions so completely that their weaving is listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Hike to the hilltop plaza for sweeping lake views and enjoy a traditional lunch before heading back to Puno.
Breakfast & Lunch included.
Overnight in Puno
Day 8 : Scenic Train to Cusco
Today’s Highlight: Cross the vast altiplano by train as the Andes rise around you, one of South America’s great rail journeys.
Today’s transfer from Puno to Cusco is an experience in itself. The train departs on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays, crossing the open altiplano grasslands, passing through small Andean towns, and climbing steadily into the mountains with panoramic windows framing the landscape throughout. Arrive in Cusco in the afternoon with time to settle in before heading to the Sacred Valley tomorrow.
Breakfast included
Overnight in Cusco
Day 9 : Moray, Maras Salt Mines & Local Community
Today’s Highlight: Ancient Inca engineering, a surreal salt landscape, and an afternoon with an Andean family who still lives by the old ways.
Transfer to the Sacred Valley for a full day of Inca culture and authentic Andean life. Visit Moray, the Inca’s remarkable circular agricultural terraces designed as an open-air laboratory using altitude to create different micro-climates. Continue to the Maras salt mines, where thousands of terraced pools have harvested mineral-rich spring water since pre-Inca times, still worked by the same local families today. The afternoon takes you into a local Andean community for a traditional weaving demonstration and a home-cooked lunch in the valley.
Breakfast & lunch included
Overnight in Cusco
Day 10 : Ollantaytambo, Pachamanca & Train to Aguas Calientes
Today’s Highlight: Two civilizations layered on top of each other and an unforgettable final dinner in the Andes.
Explore Ollantaytambo, the most intact example of Inca urban planning still standing, with dramatic fortress terraces and original stone streets still in daily use. Then sit down to a traditional Pachamanca feast: marinated meats and vegetables slow-cooked in an earth oven with hot volcanic stones, just as Andean communities have done for over 1,000 years. In the late afternoon, board the scenic train to Aguas Calientes as the valley narrows and the mountains close in around you.
Breakfast & lunch included
Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Day 11 : Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco
Today’s Highlight: Machu Picchu before the crowds, early entry, expert guiding, and the citadel almost to yourself.
Rise early for first entry into Machu Picchu, morning mist, golden light, and the ruins nearly to yourself. Your licensed guide brings the architecture, astronomy, and Inca history fully to life. After time to explore at your own pace, descend to Aguas Calientes and board the train back to Cusco for the night.
Breakfast & lunch included
Overnight in Cusco
Day 12 : Cusco City Tour & Farewell Dinner
Today’s Highlight: Two civilizations layered on top of each other and an unforgettable final dinner in the Andes.
A full guided day in Cusco takes in Koricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, where perfectly fitted stonework still stands beneath a Spanish colonial church, the vibrant Plaza de Armas, and the monumental ruins of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city. The evening closes the tour in style: for standard bookings, dinner at Tunupa combines a traditional Andean dance show with sweeping Plaza de Armas views. For premium bookings, MAP Café, set inside the Museo de Arte Precolombino, offers one of the finest dining experiences in Cusco in an extraordinary setting.
Breakfast & Dinner included
Overnight in Cusco
Day 13 : Farewell
Today’s Highlight: A final Peruvian breakfast before the journey home.
A full guided day in Cusco takes in Koricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, where perfectly fitted stonework still stands beneath a Spanish colonial church, the vibrant Plaza de Armas, and the monumental ruins of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city. The evening closes the tour in style: for standard bookings, dinner at Tunupa combines a traditional Andean dance show with sweeping Plaza de Armas views. For premium bookings, MAP Café, set inside the Museo de Arte Precolombino, offers one of the finest dining experiences in Cusco in an extraordinary setting.
Breakfast & Dinner included
Overnight in Cusco
- Included
- Airport transfers with our staff accompanying you
- All tours stated in the itinerary with fluent English speaking licensed local guides
- Entrance tickets for all tours
- Private Machu Picchu tour with entrance tickets, train tickets and shuttle bus
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary above (vegan and vegetarian options available). We eat in some of the best restaurants in the area.
- Trekking pole, first aid kit and oxygen for the hikes
- Welcome kit and virtual support during your trip
- Not Included
- Domestic and international flights (will be added in the quote if desired)
Prices
- Service
- Comfortable 3-start hotels
- Standard train to Machu Picchu
- Shared transfers
- Daily breakfast
- Service
- Upgraded 4-start hotels
- Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
- More comfortable transport
- Restaurant upgrades
- Service
- Luxury 5-start hotels
- Hiram Bingham train (optional)
- VIP private transfers
- Exclusive experiences
Hotels
AC Hotel Miraflores
- Oceanfront hotel
AC Hotel Miraflores sits on the Malecón de la Reserva with direct Pacific Ocean views, steps from Larcomar and Parque Kennedy, featuring air-conditioned rooms, rooftop restaurant with panoramic ocean views, fitness center, on-site art gallery, and two dining options serving European-Peruvian fusion cuisine.
Souma Miraflores
- 650 m from Parque Kennedy
Souma Miraflores offers modern comfort near Parque Kennedy and Larcomar, with air-conditioned rooms, outdoor pool, fitness center, rooftop terrace, restaurant, and convenient access to Lima’s highlights.
Lima 18 Boutique Hotel
- Steps from Huaca Pucllana
Palacio del Inka Luxury Collection
- 500 m from Plaza de Armas (main square)
Palacio del Inka, beside the Koricancha Temple, is a luxury hotel built on original Inca foundations, featuring stunning colonial architecture and guided historical tours.
Novotel
- 350 m from Plaza de Armas (main Square)
Novotel Cusco, set in a restored 16th-century building just three blocks from the main square, offers modern comfort, local charm, and a heated courtyard for relaxing.
Rumi Punku
- 300 m away from Plaza de Armas (main square)
Hotel Rumi Punku is a charming 3-star stay just 300m from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, offering cozy rooms with private bathrooms and cable TV, free WiFi, and a traditional courtyard garden.
CIRQA - Relais & Châteaux
- Next to Arequipa’s Main Square
Casa Andina Premium Arequipa
- 300 m from city center
Casa Andina Standard Arequipa
- 0.7 km from city center
Tambo Del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
- Next to Urubamba River
Tambo del Inka is a luxury Sacred Valley resort with a private train station to Machu Picchu, elegant rooms with local details, a spa, pool, and stunning mountain views.
Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado
- 11 km from Ollantaytambo
Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley offers mountain views near Ollantaytambo, with a spa, outdoor activities, gardens, playgrounds, and an observatory for relaxed stargazing.
Tierra Viva Valle Sagrado
- 11 km to Ollantaytambo
This hotel offers 36 spacious rooms with warm wood and stone accents, lush gardens, Andean mountain views, and an on-site sauna for a relaxing retreat.
Titilaka - Relais & Châteaux
- Next to Titicaca Lake
GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca
- Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca
Casa Andina Standard Puno
- 450 m from city center
Love these hotels?
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this different from a standard Peru tour?
Most Peru itineraries go straight from Lima to Cusco. This one takes the long route and that’s the point. Arequipa, Colca Canyon, and Lake Titicaca add three destinations that most travelers never reach, connecting the volcanic south with the Inca heartland in a journey that gives Peru its full geographic and cultural context.
When does the Puno to Cusco train run?
The scenic train between Puno and Cusco operates on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays. We schedule your itinerary specifically around these departure days so the train is always part of Day 8, it is one of the most atmospheric journeys on the entire trip and not something we’d replace with a road transfer.
How high does this itinerary go and how is altitude managed?
The highest point on the tour is the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint in Colca Canyon at approximately 3,900m (12,800ft), and Puno at 3,830m (12,565ft). Rather than arriving directly in Cusco from Lima, the itinerary moves through Arequipa (2,335m) first, a natural and gradual ascent that gives your body time to adjust before reaching higher altitudes. Oxygen, first aid, and coca tea are available throughout.
What is the best time of year for this 13-day Peru grand tour?
The dry season from May to October is ideal across all five destinations, clear skies for condor sightings in Colca, stable conditions on Lake Titicaca, and the best trail and road access throughout. The wet season from November to April is still possible but brings rain to Colca Canyon and the Sacred Valley. February should be avoided for the Inca Trail as it closes for annual maintenance.
Can this itinerary be customized?
Yes, all Exploor Peru tours are 100% private and customizable. If you’d like to add a night in Colca, extend your time in Arequipa, include a cooking class in Lima, or adjust the hotel category at any point, speak to one of our Peru experts and we’ll design the right version for your group.
Is Colca Canyon suitable for all fitness levels?
Yes, this itinerary is designed to experience Colca Canyon without requiring a full descent hike. The focus is on scenic viewpoints, traditional villages, and the Cruz del Cóndor condor sighting, which involves light walking suitable for most fitness levels. If you’d like to add a more challenging canyon trek, we can arrange this as an upgrade.
How is altitude managed on this itinerary?
Altitude management is built into the structure of this 13-day Peru itinerary from the start. Rather than flying directly into Cusco, the route takes you first to the Sacred Valley at lower altitude for two nights before the trek begins. The Inca Trail itself ascends gradually, giving your body time to adjust. Guests are advised to stay well hydrated, avoid heavy meals on the first high-altitude days, and consult their doctor about altitude medication before travel.
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does this tour visit?
Four. Lima’s historic center, Arequipa’s historic center, Machu Picchu, and the weaving traditions of Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca are all UNESCO-recognized, making this one of the highest concentrations of World Heritage experiences on any Peru itinerary. The condor sightings at Colca Canyon and the Uros floating islands round out a journey of genuine global significance.
