It’s possible to explore southern Peru in a single trip! Over the course of a week, explore the most iconic destinations in southern Peru. Be amazed by the natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes of the Colca Canyon, and the incomparable architecture of the city of Arequipa.
Delve into the rich history of Inca culture and the mystery of its stone monuments in Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Discover the last Inca legacy at the world wonder, Machu Picchu. Come and be amazed by what Peru has in store for you on your next vacation!
In the morning, we will welcome you at the Arequipa airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and rest. In the afternoon, around 2:30 PM, the city tour will begin in the historic city of Arequipa. The tour includes visits to the Monastery of Santa Catalina, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of Arequipa, the Plazoleta de San Francisco, the 'El Fierro' estate, and the colonial houses and cloisters of La Compañía de Jesús.
The tour will conclude at the famous Mirador de Yanahuara, where you can capture stunning views of the Misti Volcano, one of the most iconic in Peru. The tour will end around 6:00 PM, leaving you in the city center of Arequipa for dinner before returning to the hotel to rest.
Overnight stay in Arequipa.
n the morning, after breakfast, we’ll depart north at around 8:30 AM. During the journey, we’ll admire the Chachani Volcano and visit the Vicuñas National Reserve in Pampa Cañahuas.
We will pass through notable landmarks such as the Chucura snow-capped mountain and the Toqra and Patapampa lagoons, reaching the Mirador de los Andes with breathtaking views of the Ampato snow-capped mountain, where the famous Inca mummy 'Juanita' was discovered in 1995.
Around noon, we will arrive in Chivay for an overnight stay. In the afternoon, you may choose to take a short walk and enjoy the thermal baths of La Calera.
Overnight stay in Chivay.
Early in the morning, around 6:00 AM, we will have breakfast before heading to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint to witness the flight of the condors, the largest birds in the world. We will admire the depth of the Colca Canyon for approximately two hours and then take a short hike from Cruz del Cóndor to Cruz del Cura.
We will explore the villages of Pinchollo, Yanque, and Maca, with their miniature models, Hanging Tombs, amphitheaters, churches, and terraces. Around noon, we’ll return to Chivay for lunch and then begin our journey back to Arequipa, arriving around 5:00 PM. At 7:30 PM, we will transfer you to the bus terminal for your trip to Cusco, which will take approximately seven hours.
Overnight journey, Arequipa — Cusco.
After welcoming you at the Cusco bus terminal, we will transfer you to your hotel for some rest. Later, around 1:00 PM, we will begin the city tour with a visit to Cusco Cathedral, a prominent temple consisting of three buildings filled with artistic pieces from the Cusco School. Next, we will explore Qoricancha, an ancient Inca site that was modified by the Spaniards during the Viceroyalty.
We will continue the tour by exploring nearby archaeological sites, starting with Sacsayhuaman, known as the 'House of the Sun' during the Inca era. Next, we will head to Q'enqo, a site featuring underground galleries and zigzag-carved channels. We will proceed to Puca Pucara, the red fortress, and conclude at Tambomachay. The tour will conclude at the beautiful Plaza de Armas in Cusco around 6:00 PM.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
This exciting itinerary begins with breakfast at the hotel, followed by pickup at 7:30 AM to explore the archaeological center of Pisac, showcasing the advanced architectural knowledge of the Incas.
Pisac, rather than being a fortress, was a royal estate with terraces, domestic structures, and aqueducts. The Pisac craft market offers unique and authentic souvenirs. Later, in Urubamba, you will enjoy a buffet lunch featuring the best of Peruvian cuisine and local ingredients.
The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the Ollantaytambo fortress, which highlights its agricultural and religious significance. Colcas, agricultural storage structures, and strategically placed stone blocks attest to its importance.
Finally, we will head to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, where we’ll spend the night before visiting Machu Picchu the next day.
Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
On this exciting day, we will start our journey early with a transfer to the iconic Machu Picchu, embarking on a short 25-minute bus ride to this majestic Archaeological Sanctuary. During the comprehensive two-hour guided tour, we will explore the Inca enclosures, ceremonial temples, and impressive terraces.
You will be amazed by the monumental architecture and imposing stone blocks. After the tour, we will return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have the option to relax in the thermal baths and explore the charming town before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. Our team will pick you up in Ollantaytambo and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
Breakfast at the hotel. At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
End of service with CuscoPeru.com.
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In the morning, we will welcome you at the Arequipa airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and rest. In the afternoon, around 2:30 PM, we will pick you up from your hotel to start the City Tour in the historic city of Arequipa.
We will visit the famous Monastery of Santa Catalina and learn about its history and significance to the city. We will stroll through the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of Arequipa, La Plazoleta de San Francisco, the 'El Fierro' estate, as well as the main colonial houses and cloisters of La Compañía de Jesús.
We will conclude this experience at the famous Mirador de Yanahuara, where you can capture stunning photos of the Misti volcano, one of Peru’s most iconic landmarks, with the white city of Arequipa at its base. The tour ends around 6:00 PM, leaving you in the city center of Arequipa for dinner, before returning to your hotel to rest.
Overnight stay in Arequipa.
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The people of Arequipa are very proud of their land and customs, often considering themselves an independent nation.Be sure to ask your guide about their customs and cuisine, which is truly delicious.
Don’t forget to try the shrimp chupe, and for dessert, the queso helado. Remember to use sunscreen, as it can get quite hot during the day, but be sure to dress warmly at night.
In the morning, breakfast will be served at the hotel, and around 8:30 AM, we will board our transport heading north. During the journey, you will enjoy views of the Chachani Volcano and reach Pampa Cañahuas in the Vicuñas National Reserve.
We will also see the snow-capped Chucura Mountain, the Toqra and Patapampa lagoons, and reach the Mirador de los Andes, where you will enjoy views of the snow-capped Ampato Mountain. This is where the famous Inca mummy 'Juanita' was discovered in 1995.
We will also see the Hualca-Hualca Mountain and the Andes mountain range. Around noon, we will arrive in Chivay, where we will spend the night. In the afternoon, you will have the option to take a one-hour walk around Chivay and enjoy the thermal baths of La Calera.
Overnight stay in Chivay.
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Take precautions against altitude sickness in Colca. Coca tea is helpful, as are oxygen and altitude sickness pills. Don’t forget to take photos with llamas and alpacas, wear appropriate clothing for the thermal baths, apply sunscreen, and, most importantly, bring warm clothing, as it gets cold in Colca at night.
Early in the morning, around 6:00 AM, breakfast will be served at the hotel, after which we will head to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint to witness the spectacular flight of condors, the largest flying bird in the world.
We will also observe the impressive depth of the Colca Canyon during the journey. The trip lasts approximately 2 hours, and on the way back, we will take a one-hour walk from Cruz del Condor to Cruz del Cura. Afterward, we will visit the traditional villages of Pinchollo, Yanque, and Maca, where we will see scale models, Hanging Tombs, amphitheaters, churches, and terraces.
Around noon, we will return to Chivay for lunch, and after our meal, we will begin the return journey to Arequipa, arriving around 5:00 PM. At approximately 7:30 PM, we will transfer you to the bus terminal to start our journey to the beautiful city of Cusco (the trip takes approximately 7 hours).
Overnight stay in Arequipa.
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We will welcome you and pick you up at the Cusco bus terminal to transfer you to your hotel for some rest.
After lunch, we will pick you up from your hotel around 1:00 PM to start our city tour, beginning with the Cusco Cathedral, one of the most important temples in Peru. It consists of three buildings: the Basilica, Triumph, and Holy Family. Inside, you will find artistic pieces created by the Cusco school.
Next, we will visit Qoricancha, a marvelous site built by the Incas for sun worship, later modified by the Spanish during the Viceroyalty for the evangelization of the indigenous people. Inside, you can still observe walls built with great precision by the Incas, as well as artistic Catholic religious pieces.
We will continue our guided tour, exploring the archaeological sites near the city of Cusco. We will start with Sacsayhuaman, whose name means "satisfied falcon." This site was built with enormous stone blocks and during the Inca era, it was known as the "house of the sun." It was an important religious center in the local tradition.
Then, we will head to Q'enqo, a Quechua word meaning 'labyrinth,' named for its underground galleries and zigzag-carved channels. We will continue our journey visiting Puca Pucara, also known as the red fortress, built with red-toned stones.Finally, we will visit Tambomachay, an Inca site dedicated to water worship.
We will conclude our tour at the beautiful Plaza de Armas in Cusco, around 6:00 p.m.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
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After your CuscoPeru.com tour, we recommend taking a stroll around the Plaza de Armas and its surroundings, where you can appreciate the work of Cusco artisans in local craft shops.
You can also enjoy the famous Peruvian cuisine in nearby restaurants or simply take a break on one of the benches in the Plaza de Armas and capture the classic photo for memories, all in a warm atmosphere despite the cool Cusco nights.
If you enjoy nightlife, around the square, you will find many discos and bars full of tourists and locals looking to have fun.
We will begin our day with breakfast at your hotel. Around 7:30 AM, we will pick you up and head to the Archaeological Site of Pisac, located 45 minutes from Cusco. Pisac will give you an insight into the advanced architectural knowledge the Incas achieved during their time.
Some studies suggest that it was not a fortress but a 'royal estate' during the reign of Inca Pachacutec, consisting of terraces, domestic and ceremonial structures, and aqueducts that supplied water for agricultural purposes. Another compelling reason to visit Pisac is its craft market, where you can find unique and authentic souvenirs.
At noon, we will head to the town of Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch, offering you the chance to taste delicious Peruvian cuisine. Urubamba was one of the main agricultural centers of the Inca Empire. Currently, the best corn in the world is cultivated here, and during the rainy season, the valley is filled with native fruits such as peaches, capulí, quince, and high-quality strawberries, among others.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, an agricultural, religious, and astronomical center. This is evidenced by the Colcas, agricultural product storage systems preserved by the wind, and its finely carved stone blocks strategically placed to face the Sun God, symbolizing control over the Sacred Valley. At Ollantaytambo, we will board the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night before visiting Machu Picchu early the next day.
Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
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Today, you will embark on an exciting journey to explore one of the wonders of the modern world, Machu Picchu. We will begin early by transferring you to the bus station for a brief 25-minute ride to the majestic Archaeological Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Upon arriving at Machu Picchu, you will experience its magical energy, temperate climate, tranquility, natural beauty, terraced landscapes, and incredible stone constructions, including Inca enclosures and ceremonial temples. The lush green terraces and the imposing mountain range surrounding it create a stunning landscape that exceeds all expectations. You will be amazed by its massive, intricately joined stone blocks, making it one of the most important religious, political, and cultural centers of the Inca Empire.
The Machu Picchu tour lasts approximately 2 hours, during which our guide will provide you with all the information and address any questions you may have. At the end of this fascinating tour, you will have delved into the mysteries and history of Machu Picchu, leaving with an unforgettable experience that will stay with you forever.
Upon returning to Aguas Calientes, you will have time to relax in the hot springs or take a leisurely stroll through the town before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo, where we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
IMPORTANT: The train schedules mentioned are approximate and subject to change based on train availability.
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Breakfast at the hotel. At the appropriate time, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
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2* Hotels
Casona Plaza Hotel Colonial - Conde De Lemos - Hotel Conquistador, in Arequipa
Hotel 7 Ventanas - Hotel Casa Elena, in Cusco
Hotel Wiracocha Inn - Hotel Terrazas De Luna, in Aguas Calientes
Important: Depending on availability, a hotel of similar category will be assigned. (Subject to availability).
3* Hotels
DM Hoteles Arequipa - Hotel El Cabildo, in Arequipa
Hotel Inkarri - Hotel Tika Wasi - Hotel Sueños Del Inca, in Cusco
Hotel Tara Machupicchu - Hotel Retama Machupicchu, in Aguas Calientes
Important: Depending on availability, a hotel of similar category will be assigned. (Subject to availability).
3* Superior Hotels
Hotel San Agustín Posada Del Monasterio - Tierra Viva Arequipa Plaza, in Arequipa
Hotel San Agustin Int. - Los Portales Cusco, in Cusco
Hotel Taypikala Machupicchu - Hotel Inti Punku, in Aguas Calientes
Important: Depending on availability, a hotel of similar category will be assigned. (Subject to availability).
4* Hotels
Hotel Sonesta - Hotel Casa Andina Select, in Arequipa
Hotel Costa Del Sol - Hotel Sonesta - Hotel San Agustin Plaza, in Cusco
Hotel Jaya Machupicchu - Hotel Hatun Inti Boutique, in Aguas Calientes
Important: Depending on availability, a hotel of similar category will be assigned. (Subject to availability).
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To start your reservation process please send us the following information:
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