Peru: Treasures of the South – 11 Days in Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco

About the tour

"Peru: Treasures of the South" is a journey that reveals the most precious gems of southern Peru, combining the coast, the desert, deep canyons, and the heart of the Inca world. Over the course of 11 days , you’ll explore Lima, Nazca, Arequipa, and Cusco.

11 DAYS - 10 NIGHTS

BILINGUAL CERTIFICATE GUIDE

TICKETS

INCLUDES ALL TRANSPORTATION

Itinerary

  • Upon your arrival in Lima, a representative will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel in comfort.
  • In the afternoon (around 2:00 p.m.), we will begin our city tour of the Peruvian capital, discovering the contrast between its modern elegance and its splendid colonial heritage.
  • Today's itinerary:

📍 Miraflores Tourist District: featuring lookout points overlooking the Pacific Ocean, perfect for enjoying panoramic views
📍 Historic Center of Lima: where time seems to stand still amid wooden balconies and colonial-era facades
📍 Convent of San Francisco: famous for its catacombs and impressive Baroque architecture

  • Return to the hotel around 6:30 p. m. Free evening.
  • Accommodations in Lima.
  • Very early departure (4:00–5:00 a.m.).
  • After breakfast en route, we’ll arrive at the port of Paracas for a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and guano birds.
  • Today's itinerary:

📍 Ballestas Islands: a boat tour where you’ll observe marine wildlife in its natural habitat
📍 Traditional vineyard in Ica: enjoy a regional lunch accompanied by wine and pisco tastings
📍 Huacachina Oasis: a body of water surrounded by towering dunes, where you can feel the adrenaline rush of tubing and sandboarding, one of the most iconic experiences in the Peruvian desert

  • Return to the hotel in Ica around 6:00 p. m.
  • Accommodations in Ica.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Departure for the Nazca airfield for a breathtaking flight (approx. 20 minutes) over the mysterious figures etched into the desert: the hummingbird, the spider, the monkey, the condor, and more.
  • An archaeological wonder that continues to defy scientific explanation. You will then have free time in Nazca to have lunch on your own, after which we will return to the Nazca bus terminal to board a tour bus to Arequipa (arrival approx. 12:00 a.m.).
  • Accommodations in Arequipa.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • The morning is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You can stroll through the historic district, stop by a café with a view of Mount Misti, or simply relax before the afternoon tour.
  • Pick-up time: 2:00 p.m. from your hotel. We will begin the Panoramic City Tour of Arequipa, exploring the most iconic sites of the “White City.”
  • Today's itinerary:

📍 Carmen Alto Viewpoint: breathtaking views of the valley and the Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu volcanoes
📍 Yanahuara Viewpoint: a classic viewpoint with ashlar arches and a spectacular view of the city
📍 Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas: one of the most elegant in the country, surrounded by colonial arcades and the majestic Cathedral Basilica
📍 Santa Catalina Monastery: a small city within the city, with colorful alleys and 17th-century architecture that reveals the life of the Dominican nuns

  • End of the tour: approx. 6:00 p. m.
  • Accommodations in Arequipa.
  • Pick-up time: 7:30 a.m. from your hotel in Arequipa.
  • After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey to Chivay, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Colca Valley. Along the way, we will pass through the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, a stunning Andean ecosystem where vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas graze freely, framed by the imposing silhouettes of the Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu volcanoes.
  • As we climb, the landscape changes: the highland shrubs give way to vast plains covered in ichu grass.
  • Today's itinerary:

📍 Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve: natural habitat of vicuñas and unique Andean landscapes
📍 Patapampa Viewpoint (4,900 m a.s.l.): known as the “Viewpoint of the Andes,” offering views of snow-capped peaks and spectacular panoramic vistas
📍 Chivay: arrival in the town where we will enjoy a buffet lunch featuring local products

  • In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to relax at the La Calera Hot Springs (optional activity), where the pools reach temperatures of up to 38°C, surrounded by mountains and open skies.
  • Dinner is on your own—the perfect opportunity to sample the local cuisine or take a stroll through the quiet streets of the town at sunset.
  • Accommodations in Chivay.
  • Pick-up time: 6:00 a.m. from your hotel in Chivay.
  • After breakfast, we will set off for the Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint, one of the most iconic spots in the Colca Valley. From this natural viewpoint, at over 3,800 meters above sea level, you can witness the majestic flight of the Andean condor, a bird sacred to ancient pre-Inca cultures. Its wingspan can exceed 3 meters, and watching it glide between the canyon walls—considered one of the deepest on the planet—is a breathtaking sight.
  • Today's itinerary:

📍 Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint: a stunning vantage point for watching condors in flight
📍 Colca Valley Viewpoints: photo stops to admire agricultural terraces and Andean landscapes
📍 Maca: traditional town with colonial churches and vibrant culture
📍 Coporaque: Andean community where ancestral customs and local crafts are preserved
📍 Chivay: return to enjoy a buffet lunch

  • Next, we will discuss the return trip to Arequipa.
  • Estimated time of arrival in Arequipa: 4:00 p.m.
  • Departure for Cusco at 9:00 p. m.
  • Overnight trip from Arequipa to Cusco.
  • Arrival in Cusco (approx. 6:00 a.m.), the city that bids travelers farewell as if it wanted to keep them there just one more day.
  • Upon arrival, our team will meet you and take you to your hotel. You’ll have the morning free to acclimate to the altitude (3,399 m above sea level).
  • In the afternoon (2:00–6:00 p.m.), the Cusco City Tour begins, offering a deep dive into the living history of the ancient Inca Empire:
  • Today's itinerary:

📍 Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha): the holiest site in the Tawantinsuyo
📍 Sacsayhuamán: the imposing ceremonial fortress with cyclopean walls that seem to defy logic
📍 Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay: ancient ritual centers dedicated to water, the moon, and the spiritual protection of Cusco

  • Accommodations in Cusco.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m., we’ll begin our journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a route where time seems to stand still amid mountains, terraces, and villages that still retain their ancestral spirit.
  • Today's itinerary:

📍 Chinchero: Visit an artisanal community where you’ll learn about traditional weaving with alpaca wool, dyed with natural dyes and woven with centuries of patience
📍 Moray: Marvel at its circular terraces, the ancient Inca agricultural laboratory that harnessed the microclimate to cultivate sacred plants
📍 Maras Salt Mines: marvel at more than 3,000 salt pools that have been active since pre-Inca times, glistening in the sun like mirrors of the past
📍 Urubamba: enjoy a buffet lunch featuring the most authentic flavors of Andean cuisine
📍 Ollantaytambo: visit its Inca fortress, a monumental complex that combines history, energy, and living architecture. From here, you’ll board the train bound for Aguas Calientes

  • Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
  • Accommodations in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Village).
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • We began the most anticipated day of the trip: the climb to the legendary Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the modern world.
  • Depart by bus for the Inca citadel (tour subject to availability), enjoying the views that open up among mist-covered mountains and wild orchids.
  • Once you arrive, you’ll enjoy a private guided tour of Machu Picchu, visiting the most iconic temples, agricultural terraces, and natural viewpoints.
  • You'll have free time at Machu Picchu to explore, meditate, or simply soak up the atmosphere.
  • Afterward, you’ll take a bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll enjoy a local lunch before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo.
  • From there, you’ll be transferred by private vehicle to Cusco, where this unforgettable day will come to an end.
  • Accommodations in Cusco.
  • Departure between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. for Cusipata. Breakfast en route.
  • Start of the hike to the Mountain of Seven Colors (Vinicunca, 5,036 m.a.s.l.), one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Andes, where shades of red, turquoise, and gold paint the earth like a divine masterpiece.
  • We’ll have some free time to take in the surroundings, take photos, and connect with the energy of the place.
  • Return to Cusipata for a buffet lunch, then back to Cusco (approx. 5:00 p.m.).
  • Accommodations in Cusco.
  • Depending on your flight schedule, we’ll take you to the airport, our hearts filled with memories: the sunrises over the highlands, the echoes of the Inca temples, and the silence of the mountains.
  • Every step of this journey leaves an indelible mark, because Peru isn't just a place to visit—it's a place to experience.
  • End of our services.

INCLUDES

Transfers and Transportation

  • Airport–hotel–airport transfers in Lima and Cusco.
  • Tour transportation for all tours and excursions.
  • Interprovincial tour buses: Nazca–Arequipa and Arequipa–Cusco (sleeper bus).
  • Tourist train tickets: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo.
  • Shuttle buses to and from Machu Picchu.

Tickets

  • Admission to all attractions listed in the itinerary:
  • Lima (City Tour and Catacombs)
  • Arequipa: Tickets to the Monastery of Santa Catalina
  • Colca Canyon
  • Cusco (Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay)
  • Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo)
  • Machu Picchu
  • Maras and Moray
  • Mountain of Seven Colors

Food

  • Daily breakfasts at hotels or along the route.
  • Lunches included in: Ica (Huacachina), Colca Canyon, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and the Mountain of Colors.

Activities and Experiences

  • City Tour of Lima and Cusco with a professional guide.
  • Excursion to the Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis (sand dunes and sandboarding included).
  • Scenic flight over Nazca (approximately 20 minutes).
  • Guided tour of the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.
  • Guided hikes to Colca Canyon and the Mountain of Seven Colors.
  • Cultural experience in the communities of Maras, Moray, and Chinchero.

Additional Services

  • A professional guide in Spanish will accompany you on all tours.
  • Hiking poles, a basic first-aid kit, and oxygen for high-altitude tours.
  • Support available throughout the entire trip.

NOT INCLUDED

Flights

  • International airline tickets (country of origin – Peru – country of return).
  • Domestic flights (Lima–Cusco–Lima).

Additional food

  • Dinners and lunches not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Alcoholic beverages or personal snacks during the tours.

Insurance and personal expenses

  • Travel insurance or international medical assistance.
  • Tips for guides, drivers, and local staff.
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, etc.).

 Optional activities

  • Vistadome Train (USD 40 one-way / USD 70 round-trip).
  • Hike up Waynapicchu Mountain (USD 60).
    Not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo or have breathing difficulties.

Other positions

  • Bank fees or transfer fees for international payments.
  • Expenses not listed as included in the itinerary.
  • Hotels
  • Original passport valid for at least 7 months. This is required for entry; without this document, you will not be able to take the tour.
  • Full sun protection: a cap or hat, sunglasses, andsunscreen. The Andean sun is intense even on cloudy days.
  • Comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes. Ideal for walking safely on uneven terrain.
  • A small backpack with the essentials:water, snacks like candy, cookies, chocolate, or nuts to keep your energy up during the hike.
  • A camera or cell phone with enough battery life. You don't want to miss the best views or the most special moments of your trip.

Peru: Treasures of the South – 11 Days in Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco

Experience the essence of Peru on a tour that combines history, culture, and nature. Explore the heart of the Inca Empire, from Cusco to Machu Picchu, with the comfort and security of an all-inclusive service. This tour is available every day of the year, with guaranteed departures for both group and private tours.

  • Price

Group rate:US$999.00 per person

  • Easy booking:

Secure your spot with a deposit of 20% of the total amount.

  • Payment of the balance:

You can pay the remaining 80% upon arrival by:

  • Credit or debit card
  • PayPal
  • Cash (soles or dollars)
  • Pix  

Access to Machu Picchu is organized through three official routes:

  • Tour 1: Panoramic View (Classic Photo)
  • Tour 2: The most comprehensive tour (panoramic views + temples)
  • Tour 3: Temple Tour (no panoramic views)

Availability is limited and subject to demand, so we recommend booking in advance.

If we are unable to find availability for your travel dates, Andean Peru Exploor will assist you in purchasing your ticket in person in Aguas Calientes. This process involves waiting in line at the official ticket office, always accompanied by our team.

Important: This option is subject to daily availability and does not guarantee admission.

Price:
$999.00

100% secure payments

Why

travel

with Andean Peru Exploor?

Because we don't just organize tours… We create experiences that connect with the traveler's soul.