Fantastic Peru: Discover Peru in 13 unforgettable days, exploring its main natural, cultural, and archaeological wonders. This comprehensive tour begins in Lima with a city tour of its historic center and continues to the southern coast to explore the Ballestas Islands, an adventure in the Huacachina desert, and a flight over the enigmatic Nazca Lines from Ica. Then, fly to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, where the impressive Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu—Wonder of the World—await you, the magical Humantay Lagoon, the circular terraces of Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, the iconic Rainbow Mountain, and the Q’eswachaka suspension bridge, the last remaining vestige of Inca engineering.
Conclude your trip in the Andean highlands by sailing the majestic Lake Titicaca, visiting the floating islands of the Uros, experiencing a cultural experience in Amantaní, and learning about the textile tradition of Taquile. The package includes domestic flights, tourist trains, admission to all sites, expert guides, meals as per itinerary, and carefully selected hotels. It is ideal for travelers who want to experience the best of Peru in a single trip, combining adventure, vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and local hospitality.
ITINERARY
Fantastic Peru Itinerary 13D/12N
D1: Arrival in Lima – Welcome to Peru
- Arrival at the airport.
- Reception and private transfer to your hotel in Miraflores or the historic center.
- Brief orientation briefing about the trip.
- Free time to rest or stroll along the Malecón.
- Overnight at a hotel in Lima.
D2: Lima City Tour – Heritage and Modernity
- Breakfast at the hotel and start of the tour.
- Guided city tour (approximately 4 hours), visiting:
- Plaza Mayor, Lima Cathedral, Government Palace, City Hall
- Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs.
- Panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana.
- Tour of Miraflores and the Parque del Amor (Love Park).
- Free afternoon for shopping or dining.
- Overnight at the hotel in Lima.
D3: From Lima: Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Huacachina
- Very early departure (4:00 a.m.) to Paracas.
- Boat tour to the Ballestas Islands (2 hours): sea lions, guano birds, the Candelabra.
- Transfer to Ica and visit the Huacachina Oasis.
- Tube ride and sandboarding in the dunes.
- Free time to explore or relax at the oasis.
- Overnight at the hotel in Ica.
D4: Nazca Lines Overflight – Return to Lima
- Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Nazca.
- Transfer to the Nazca airfield for the overflight.
- 30-minute overflight over the mysterious Nazca Lines: the hummingbird, the monkey, the astronaut, among other figures.
- Free lunch.
- Return to Lima by land in the afternoon.
- Overnight at a hotel in Lima.
D5: Flight Lima – Cusco / Archaeological City Tour
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Morning flight to Cusco (1 hour).
- Reception, coca tea, and transfer to the hotel.
- In the afternoon, archaeological city tour.
- Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun).
- Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
- Return to the hotel.
- Overnight at a hotel in Cusco.
D6: Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes Connection
- Departure to the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a professional guide.
- Stops in: Taray, Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo.
- In the afternoon, train to Aguas Calientes.
- Reception and transfer to the hotel.
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
D7: Machu Picchu – Inca Experience
- Early breakfast.
- Take the tourist bus to the citadel.
- 2.5-hour guided tour of the main areas.
- Bus descent to Aguas Calientes.
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes.
- Return train to Ollantaytambo + bus transfer to Cusco.
- Overnight at hotel in Cusco.
D8: Humantay Lagoon
- Departure at 4:30 a.m. for Mollepata.
- Breakfast en route.
- 1.5-hour hike to Humantay Lagoon.
- Free time to enjoy the scenery.
- Local lunch.
- Return to Cusco (approximately 6:00 p.m.).
- Overnight at hotel in Cusco.
D9: Maras and Moray
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Half-day tour, visiting the archaeological sites of Maras and Moray.
- Return to Cusco around 2:00 p.m.
- Free afternoon to explore more of Cusco.
- Hotel night in Cusco.
D10: Rainbow Mountain
- Departure at 4:00 a.m. for Cusipata.
- Breakfast en route.
- 1.5-hour hike to Rainbow Mountain.
- Panoramic views, photos, and a rest stop.
- Local lunch en route.
- Return to Cusco at approximately 5:00 p.m.
- Overnight at a hotel in Cusco.
D11: Queswachaka Inca Bridge
- Full-day excursion south of Cusco.
- Visit to the Queswachaka Bridge, the only Inca bridge made of plant fiber.
- Stops at high Andean lagoons and communities.
- Local lunch.
- Return in the afternoon.
- Overnight at a hotel in Cusco.
D12: Route of the Sun – Cusco to Puno
- Breakfast en route
- Departure by tourist bus to Puno around 6:30 am. You will visit:
- Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Paso La Raya, and the Pukará Museum.
- Buffet lunch en route.
- Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
- Overnight stay in Puno.
D13: Lake Titicaca – Uros – Taquile
- Navigation on the highest navigable lake in the world.
- Visit to the Uros people.
- Navigation to Taquile:
- Hiking along Andean trails.
- Lunch at a communal restaurant.
- Return to Puno at approximately 4:00 pm.
- End of tour or transfer to Juliaca airport.
INCLUDES
Included in Fantastic Peru 13D/12N
- All airport-hotel-airport transfers.
- Private or tourist ground transportation between cities and scheduled destinations.
- Sightseeing bus with guided stops along the Ruta del Sol (Cusco – Puno).
- Expedition or Voyager train ticket (Cusco – Aguas Calientes – Cusco).
- Bus tickets to and from Machu Picchu.
- Tourist transportation to Maras, Moray, Humantay, Vinicunca, and Q’eswachaka.
- 12 nights of accommodation in superior tourist category hotels or similar:
- City tour in Lima and Cusco.
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina tour with tubing and sandboarding.
- Nazca Lines overflight from Ica airfield.
- Excursion to the Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu.
- Tour to Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain.
- Half-day tour to Maras and Moray by tourist transportation.
- Excursion to the Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge.
- Lake Titicaca Tour: Uros, Amantaní (experiential), and Taquile.
- Daily breakfasts at hotels.
- Buffet lunches: Sacred Valley, Route of the Sun, Vinicunca, Humantay.
- Lunch and dinner in Amantaní (experiential).
- Lunch in Taquile.
- Breakfast and snacks during some longer excursions.
- General Cusco tourist ticket (archaeological sites).
- Entrance to Machu Picchu.
- Air ticket for the Nazca overflight.
- Official bilingual tour guides (Spanish-English) on all tours.
- Permanent assistance throughout the trip.
NOT INCLUDED
- Not Included in Fantastic Peru 13D/12N
- Domestic and international flights.
- Meals not mentioned (lunches/dinners outside of the tours).
- Admission to sites not mentioned.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips for guides, drivers, and staff.
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, or additional snacks.
- Optional horseback riding for Rainbow Mountain or Humantay (if desired).
- Airport taxes.
- Additional luggage
RECOMMENDATIONS
Fantastic Peru 13D/12N Recommendations
Before the trip:
- Acclimatization: Cusco is located at 3,399 m above sea level. We recommend arriving early to acclimatize and avoid discomfort.
- Physical fitness: For the Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lagoon, it is recommended to be in moderate physical condition. If you have respiratory or heart problems, or limited mobility, consult your doctor beforehand.
- Advance reservations: Make your reservation in advance, especially if you want tickets to Huayna Picchu or premium services such as the Vistadome train.
- Vaccinations and health: No specific vaccinations are required. Bring any necessary personal medication and travel insurance.
What to pack:
- Light clothing for the day and warm clothing for the evening (temperatures vary considerably).
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho, especially during the wet season (November to March).
- Sun hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen.
- Hiking shoes or comfortable, non-slip footwear.
- Small backpack for day hikes (approximately 25 L).
Personal items:
- Identification documents and/or original passport (required for Machu Picchu).
- Mask and hand sanitizer.
- Personal medication, altitude sickness pills, or coca infusions.
- Camera or cell phone with a good battery.
- Cash (Peruvian soles).
During the tour:
- Follow the guide’s instructions at all times, especially at archaeological sites or on hiking trails.
- Avoid eating heavily on the first day to prevent altitude sickness.
- Remember to stay hydrated and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
- Respect environmental regulations: do not leave waste or take natural or cultural elements.
- Be punctual for pick-ups and drop-offs (schedules are shared if the tour is a group tour).
Connectivity and communication:
- Hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes offer Wi-Fi.
- In rural areas like Vinicunca or Humantay, mobile signal is limited or nonexistent.
- If you want to stay connected, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card (Claro or Movistar) with a local data plan.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions Fantastic Peru 13D/12N
1. Is it necessary to acclimatize before this tour?
Yes. We recommend at least one day of acclimatization before embarking on challenging hikes such as Rainbow Mountain or Humantay. Our itinerary begins with gentle activities to facilitate adaptation.
2. What is the best time to take this trip?
The best time is during the dry season: from April to October, when there is less rain and better views. November to March is the rainy season, but the landscapes are greener.
3. How difficult is the hike to Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lagoon?
Both hikes have a moderate to high level of difficulty due to the altitude (over 4,000 meters above sea level). It is recommended to be in basic to intermediate physical condition, go at a slow pace, and wear appropriate clothing.
4. Is admission to Machu Picchu included?
Yes, the package includes general admission to Machu Picchu (Classic Circuit 1 or 2). If you wish to enter Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you must request it in advance (limited seating and an additional cost).
5. What type of train is included in the package?
We include the PeruRail Expedition tourist train or the Inca Rail tourist class. You can request an upgrade to the Vistadome train for an additional cost.
6. What if I don’t want to hike Rainbow Mountain?
You can rent a horse on-site (service offered by local residents), with direct payment. No advance reservation is required.
7. Are the tours private or shared?
The tours are shared group tours (group service with other travelers). We also offer private options for couples, families, or small groups upon request.
8. Can I climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, but advance reservation is required and incurs an additional cost.
9. Can I take this tour with children or seniors?
Yes, but it is recommended to adjust the itinerary. The hikes to Vinicunca and Humantay are not recommended for children under 8 years old or seniors with health or mobility issues.
10. What happens if I don’t arrive at the pickup point on time?
All transfers and tours have set schedules. If a passenger is late, the activity may be lost without a refund. We always recommend being ready 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
11. Can I adjust the itinerary if I arrive later or depart before day 8?
Yes, we can customize the itinerary based on your flight schedule. You just need to let us know in advance so we can arrange transfers and reschedule activities without missing any important experiences.
DEPARTURE DATES
Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Rainbow Mountain are the most popular destinations in Cusco, Peru. We currently offer daily tours to this impressive mountain.
PRICES
Adult: $1,600 per adult
Student: $1,500 per adult
