Treasures of the South 12 days – 11 nights
- Duration
- 12 Days / 11 Nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Group
- Private or group
- Language
- ES - EN
- Max altitude
- 5,036 m.s.n.m
About this tour
Do you want to visit the most beautiful places in all of Peru?
This is your best option.
Itinerary
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You will arrive in the "City of Kings" today. We will welcome you and then transfer you to your hotel, where you can rest and enjoy a free afternoon.
Overnight in Lima.
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Lima City Tour. We begin our tour at Huaca Pucllana, taking in a panoramic view of this important ceremonial center belonging to the Lima culture. We then head toward downtown Lima, passing through the districts of San Isidro, Lince, and Cercado. Along the way, we will view the Palace of Justice, the Lima Museum, the Italian Art Museum, the French Palace, and Plaza San Martín. Our walking tour begins at the Plaza de Armas; here, in addition to admiring the Lima Cathedral, the Municipal Palace, the Government Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace, we will have free time to take photos of these landmarks. We will enter the Convent of San Francisco to visit one of its main attractions: the catacombs. These underground passages beneath the church served as a burial site for the city's early inhabitants and hold the remains of over 25,000 people. Finally, we will enjoy a panoramic view of the Park of Love (Parque del Amor), the Pacific Ocean, and Larcomar.
Overnight in Lima.
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You will be picked up from your hotel very early and we will head south to the city of Pisco to visit the Ballestas Islands. At the port of El Chaco, we will board a boat and begin our tour, during which we will view the "Candelabra" geoglyph and the rock formations of the Ballestas Islands. We will also see sea lions and a wide variety of birds, such as Humboldt penguins, boobies, Inca terns, pelicans, Guanay cormorants, turkey vultures, and many others. Upon arrival in Ica, we will visit a winery for a tasting session. We will also enjoy the stunning scenery of the Huacachina Lagoon, surrounded by massive sand dunes, and see the monument to the mermaid Huacachina as well as the local artisan center. In Huacachina, we will go sandboarding and take a ride in dune buggies.
Return to Lima.
Overnight in Lima.
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We will meet you upon your arrival at the Cusco airport and transfer you to your hotel so you can get some well-deserved rest.
We will begin the afternoon with a city tour through the impressive streets of Cusco.
We will start at the Cathedral and then head to the Qoricancha—also known as the Temple of the Sun. Both sites are located just steps away from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas; however, the four archaeological sites are situated about 20 km away.
We will visit Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay. -
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel around 7:00 a.m. to begin the Sacred Valley tour. We will start by visiting Chinchero, a site of great importance during the Inca era. Next, you will visit Moray, known as the first Inca agricultural experimental center. Continuing the tour, you will visit the Maras Salt Mines—the second-largest source of pink salt in the world after the Himalayas. Afterward, you will head to Urubamba for lunch. Following a delicious meal, you will continue the itinerary to visit Ollantaytambo, where you will explore the Inca temple featuring stones weighing over 80 tons. The tour then proceeds to the town of Pisac to visit another Inca citadel before returning to the city of Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
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We will pick you up from your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. and head toward the village of Cusipata, where we will make our first stop for breakfast. We will then continue the journey for about an hour and twenty minutes to the village of Chillihua, the starting point for the hike to Vinicunca (the Mountain of Seven Colors). The hike takes approximately two and a half hours; you also have the option to rent a horse for the ascent. Since the mountain is located at an altitude of over 5,000 meters above sea level, please be sure to bring warm clothing. After enjoying the scenery and the beautiful views, you will return to the vehicle and travel back to Cusipata for lunch before heading back to Cusco.
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In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the train station. From there, a bus will transport you to Ollantaytambo—a journey of approximately two hours. Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo station, you will board the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. There, you will take a bus up to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. You will enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the citadel with a private guide. Afterward, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch before heading to the train station for the return trip to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus transfer back to the city of Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
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You will have the entire day free to rest, shop, enjoy the local cuisine, or explore the corners of Cusco at your own pace. You may also choose to participate in optional activities based on your preferences.
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In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and head to the town of Mollepata—a journey of about an hour and a half. We will stop there for breakfast before continuing by vehicle for approximately one hour to the settlement of Soraypampa, where the hike begins. Soraypampa is located at 3,800 meters above sea level, and you will ascend to 4,200 meters; the uphill hike takes about three hours. During the ascent, you will enjoy views of two imposing mountains, Salkantay and Humantay. Upon reaching the lagoon, the scenery will be breathtaking. After spending some time at the lagoon, you will begin the return journey to the vehicle, which will take you to Mollepata for lunch before returning to the city of Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
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In the morning, you will board a bus bound for the city of Puno. En route, you will visit the Chapel of Andahuaylillas—often called the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas"—and Raqchi, home to the Temple of Wiracocha. We will stop in the town of Sicuani for lunch and later pause at the border between the Cusco and Puno regions, where you can see the source of one of the Amazon River's main tributaries. Our final stop will be in Pucará; arrival in Puno is scheduled for approximately 5:30 PM, at which point an Inca Kumaru representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight in Puno.
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In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the port of Puno. There, you will board a motorboat to visit the Uros Floating Islands first; locals will explain how their ancestors built the original floating islands and how they continue to preserve these techniques and customs. Afterward, you will return to the boat to continue navigating the world's highest navigable lake and arrive at Taquile Island. Here, you will observe the unique customs of the island's inhabitants compared to those of the other islands. Following a demonstration by the locals, we will head to a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, you will return to the city of Puno.
Overnight in Puno.
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In the morning, you will be transferred from Puno to Juliaca Airport to board your return flight to Lima. From Lima, you will take your international flight back to your home country, thus concluding this unforgettable experience in Peru.
Included
- Accommodation: 11 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast included (Lima, Cusco, and Puno).
- Private transfers:
- Arrival transfer in Lima (Airport – Hotel).
- Arrival transfer in Cusco (Airport – Hotel).
- Departure transfer in Puno/Juliaca (Hotel – Juliaca Airport).
- Land, water, and rail transport:
- Shared tourist transport for tours in Lima, Paracas/Huacachina, Cusco City Tour, Super Valley VIP, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, the Cusco–Puno route (Raqchi), and Lake Titicaca.
- Boat/Launch for the Lake Titicaca circuit (Uros and Taquile Islands).
- Transfer from the hotel to the Ollantaytambo train station.
- Tourist train: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (round trip).
- Shuttle bus (up and down) between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (Consettur).
- Tour guide:
- Professional bilingual shared guide for all group excursions (Lima, Paracas, Cusco, Super Valley VIP, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay, Cusco–Puno, and Lake Titicaca).
- Professional private guide for the guided tour of Machu Picchu.
- Admission tickets: Entry to all tourist attractions scheduled in the itinerary.
- Meals included: Daily breakfasts at the hotels and scheduled buffet lunches on high-altitude and long-distance tours (Super Valley VIP, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, and Route of the Sun).
Not included
- Airfare: International flights and domestic legs (Lima – Cusco and Juliaca – Lima).
- Unspecified meals: Dinners on all nights and lunches on days 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, and 12.
- Optional Machu Picchu access: Tickets for the hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Adventure tour extras: Optional rental of horses or trekking poles for Humantay and the Rainbow Mountain (7 Colors).
- Travel insurance: Medical, accident, or baggage coverage.
- Personal expenses: Tips, drinks, handicrafts, or laundry.
Information and recommendations
- Adapting to different altitudes: You will travel from the coast (Lima and Paracas) to the Cusco highlands (3,400 m a.s.l.), the high mountain ranges (Humantay at 4,200 m a.s.l. and Rainbow Mountain at 5,200 m a.s.l.), and finally to the Puno plateau (3,800 m a.s.l.). The rest day on Day 8 is crucial for regaining your strength before continuing the journey.
- Flight logistics: You must purchase domestic flight tickets for the Lima–Cusco leg (morning of Day 4) and the return flight from Juliaca to Lima (afternoon/evening of Day 12).
- Luggage for Machu Picchu: Bring only a small bag or carry-on backpack (maximum 5 kg) for the Machu Picchu excursion; large luggage can be left in storage at your hotel in Cusco.
- Layered clothing and varied weather: Bring clothing suitable for the dry heat of the Ica desert, lightweight casual wear for Lima and Cusco, and heavy thermal layers, gloves, a hat, and a raincoat for mountain hiking days and the boat trip on Lake Titicaca (where winds can be cold).
Frequently asked questions
Are domestic flights within Peru included?
No. Flight tickets for the Lima–Cusco (Day 4) and Juliaca–Lima (Day 12) routes must be purchased independently by the passenger.
Which airport should I arrive at at the end of the trip on Day 12?
The departure transfer on Day 12 runs from Puno to Inca Manco Cápac International Airport (JUL), located in the city of Juliaca, approximately one hour from Puno.
How is the journey between Cusco and Puno made on Day 10?
The transfer takes place via shared tourist transport along the route known as the "Ruta del Sol" (Route of the Sun), featuring guided sightseeing stops—such as the Raqchi archaeological site—and including lunch.
What happens on Day 8 (Free Day)?
There are no scheduled activities or tours. You can use the day to rest from the hikes, explore Cusco's historic center, visit local museums, or shop for souvenirs at the artisan markets.
Before you travel
Important information about Machu Picchu
Limited-capacity tickets
Entry to the citadel has a daily capacity set by the Ministry of Culture. In high season (May to September) tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. We book your entrance as soon as you confirm.
Original passport
Bring the same document used to buy the tickets: it is checked on the train, the bus and at the Machu Picchu gate. Students: valid university ID.
Circuits and entry time
Visits follow signposted circuits at the time printed on your ticket. Arrive at the gate 30 minutes early. There are no restrooms inside the citadel: they are next to the entrance.
What to bring (and what not)
Small backpack, rain poncho, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat and water in a reusable bottle. Single-use plastics, food, drones, tripods and walking poles without rubber tips are not allowed.
Altitude and weather
Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m (7,970 ft), lower than Cusco (3,399 m). The climate is subtropical: strong morning sun and sudden showers, especially from November to March.
Train and bus
You travel by train to Aguas Calientes (from Ollantaytambo or Cusco station) and then take a 25-minute bus up to the entrance. We coordinate schedules, tickets and transfers.
Conservation rules
Touching or climbing the walls, leaving the trails, smoking and feeding animals are not allowed. You will visit the citadel with an official licensed guide.
Inca Trail
Inca Trail permits are limited and issued by name (non-transferable). The trail closes every February for maintenance; during that month we offer alternatives such as Salkantay or the train tour.
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