The Ultimate Peru Expedition: Inca Trail, Amazon & Colca (16 Days)

Day 1 – Arrival in Lima

Upon your arrival at Lima’s international airport, a member of our local team will welcome you and accompany you to your hotel for your first night in Peru.

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Private vehicle

• Hotel in Lima

 Day 2 – Lima – Paracas National Reserve – Paracas

After a good breakfast, your Peruvian adventure begins with a visit to the Paracas National Reserve—one of the most important coastal ecosystems for resident and migratory birds.

You will visit the Obelisk, the Interpretation Center (where you’ll learn about the Paracas culture and the local flora and fauna), and the stunning Red Beach, named after its characteristic reddish sands.

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Public bus (Lima–Paracas)

• Private vehicle (for the reserve)

• Entrance fees

• Hotel in Paracas

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 Day 3 – Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Huacachina

Early departure for an excursion to the Ballestas Islands, where you will observe the mysterious Candelabro geoglyph and large colonies of sea lions, cormorants, pelicans, and Humboldt penguins.

Then continue along the Pan-American Highway to Ica, an oasis town known for fruit orchards and vineyards. Optional visit and tasting at the traditional bodega El Catador.

Your journey continues to the famous Huacachina Oasis. In the afternoon, you may enjoy an optional buggy and sandboarding activity.

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Private vehicle

• Entrance fees

• Hotel in Huacachina

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 Day 4 – Huacachina – Ica – Nazca

Continue through the desert toward Nazca, where the Andes begin to rise in the landscape.

Visit the fascinating pre-Inca cemetery of Chauchilla, where desert conditions preserved ancient tombs and remarkably intact mummies. Check-in at your hotel. Afternoon at leisure.

Note: Optional flight over the Nazca Lines available on site (approx. €150 per person).

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Private vehicle

• Entrance fees

• Hotel in Nazca

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 Day 5 – Nazca – Arequipa

Today you travel toward the Andes, following the Pacific coast before ascending to the “White City” of Arequipa.
It is a long travel day, with arrival in Arequipa in the evening.

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Private vehicle

• Hotel in Arequipa

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 Day 6 – Arequipa, the White City

Morning city tour of Arequipa, surrounded by the Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu volcanoes. Visit Carmen Alto, the traditional district of Yanahuara, the main square, the Jesuit Church, and the impressive Santa Catalina Monastery—“a city within the city.” Free afternoon to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Private vehicle

• Entrance fees

• Hotel in Arequipa

• Breakfast

 Day 7 – Arequipa – Chivay – Coporaque

Depart Arequipa toward Chivay, passing near the Chachani volcano and through the Salinas y Aguada Blanca Reserve—home to wild vicuñas. Cross the lunar landscapes of Pata Pampa (4,910 m) before reaching Coporaque, a village in the heart of the Colca Valley. After settling in with your host families and enjoying lunch, you will experience a presentation of local traditional dances.
Dinner and overnight in Coporaque.

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Private vehicle

• Entrance fees

• Homestay

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 Day 8 – Coporaque

A full day of cultural immersion spent with local families, discovering and participating in their daily activities.

Meals and overnight at the homestay.

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Entrance fees

• Homestay

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 Day 9 – Coporaque – Condor Cross – Puno

Early breakfast, then visit the famous Condor Cross viewpoint—an exceptional place to observe Andean condors soaring over the canyon walls. Discover the landscapes and villages of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world.
Return to Chivay for lunch before taking a public bus to Puno.

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Public bus (Chivay–Puno)

• Private vehicle (Condor Cross)

• Entrance fees

• Hotel in Puno

• Breakfast, lunch

 Day 10 – Puno – Lake Titicaca

Transfer to the port of Puno for a boat excursion on Lake Titicaca.

Visit the floating reed islands of the Uros before navigating to Taquile or Amantani Island, known for their strong community-based traditions inherited from Inca times.
Return to Puno in the afternoon.

Included

• English-speaking guide

• Private boat

• Entrance fees

• Hotel in Puno

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 Day 11 – Puno – Cusco

Scenic bus ride to Cusco with several stops along the way:

• Pukara Museum

• La Raya Pass (4,360 m)

• Lunch in Sicuani

• Raqchi Temple (Inca sanctuary)

• The “Sistine Chapel of the Andes” in Andahuaylillas
  Arrival in Cusco in the late afternoon.

Included

• English-speaking local guide

• Tourist bus Puno–Cusco

• Entrance fees

• Breakfast, lunch

• Hotel in Cusco

 Day 12 – Cusco, the Navel of the World

Visit the four major Inca archaeological sites around Cusco: Tambomachay, Pucapucara, Qenqo, and the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress.

Continue with visits to the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha) and Cusco’s Cathedral, home to masterpieces of the Cusqueña art school.
Free afternoon to enjoy the historic center.

Included

• English-speaking local guide

• Private vehicle

• Entrance fees

• Breakfast

• Hotel in Cusco

 Day 13 – Cusco – Chinchero – Moray – Maras

After breakfast, depart for Chinchero to visit its colonial church and Inca ruins.
Continue to Moray, an ancient agricultural laboratory, and then to the Maras salt ponds—still exploited by local families today.

Arrive in the village of Maras for a homestay, including afternoon activities with your hosts.

Included

• English-speaking local guide

• Private vehicle

• Entrance fees

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Homestay

 Day 14 – Maras – Pisac – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Farewell to your hosts, then drive to Pisac to visit its remarkable archaeological site.
Continue to Ollantaytambo, an Inca fortress famous for resisting the Spanish conquest.

In the late afternoon, board the scenic Andean train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.

Included

• English-speaking local guide

• Private vehicle

• Train to Aguas Calientes

• Entrance fees

• Breakfast, lunch

• Hotel in Aguas Calientes

 Day 15 – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

At sunrise, board the bus to Machu Picchu to enjoy the site before the crowds.
Guided tour of the Lost City of the Incas, exploring its agricultural terraces, urban sectors, and astonishing stonework.
Return to Aguas Calientes for the train back to Ollantaytambo, then transfer to Cusco.

Optional activities (not included, advance booking required):

• Huayna Picchu hike

• Machu Picchu Mountain hike

Included

• English-speaking local guide

• Private vehicle

• Train to Cusco

• Entrance fees

• Breakfast, lunch

• Hotel in Cusco

 Day 16 – Cusco – Lima – International Flight

Flight from Cusco to Lima, followed by assistance for your international connection.

Included

• Airport assistance

• Private transport

• Breakfast

PRICE INCLUDES

• 3-star hotel accommodations (contact us for upgrades)

• Meals as specified

• Cultural activities with families in Coporaque and Maras

• Private and shared land transportation

• Airport assistance

• English-speaking guides

• All excursions mentioned in the program

• Entrance fees to national parks, historical sites, museums, and churches

• Domestic flight Cusco–Lima

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Travel insurance

• Meals not mentioned (approx. $5–$10 per meal)

• Drinks

• Tips (approx. $2 per day per person for guides)

• International flights

 Travel Recommendations

Baggage & Clothing

• Layered clothing: Light clothes for the coast (Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca) and warm layers for the Andes (Arequipa, Colca, Puno, Cusco).

• Comfortable walking shoes for archaeological sites and altitude walks.

• Useful items: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimsuit (for thermal baths in La Calera).

Health & Altitude

• The itinerary provides gradual acclimatization. Walk slowly, stay hydrated, and avoid heavy meals when at altitude.

• To ease altitude symptoms, try coca tea or coca candies. Inform your guide immediately if you feel unwell.

• Drink only sealed bottled water. Avoid ice cubes and raw street food.

Safety & Well-being

• Keep valuables in your hotel safe or on you.

• Carry digital and paper copies of important documents.

• Always keep a small daypack with essentials.

Culture & Respect

• Homestays (Coporaque & Maras): Participate and interact—these are meaningful moments of exchange.

• Respect the sites: Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines, and Maras salt ponds are fragile and sacred.

• Photography: Always ask permission before photographing local people.

Money & Tips

• Currency: Peruvian sol (PEN).

• Withdraw cash in Lima or Cusco when possible.

• Bring small bills for artisan markets.

• Tips are appreciated (approx. $2–$3/day for guides and drivers).

Practical Information

• Electricity: 220V, plug types A, B, C (bring a universal adapter).

• Internet: Wi-Fi available in most hotels; limited in rural areas.

• Phone: Activate international roaming or purchase a local SIM card for convenience.