14-Day Peru Adventure: The Ultimate Exploration for Nature and Culture Lovers

Welcome to Peru! Upon your arrival at Lima Airport, your private driver will be ready to welcome you and transfer you to your comfortable hotel in the heart of the city. Take the afternoon to relax after your flight and get settled in. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may choose to explore the surrounding area or take it easy and relax in your accommodation, preparing for the exciting days ahead.

Begin your exploration of Lima through a pleasant walking tour, admiring the beautiful colonial constructions and discovering why it is known as the “City of Kings.” Along our way you can appreciate important constructions including UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Main Square. Located on this impressive site you will visit the Archbishop’s Palace and Municipal Palace. You continue to one of the city’s most important landmarks, the Saint Francisco Monastery famous for the interesting stories and century-old history of its imposing architecture as well as its famous catacombs. 

Lunch will be served at an excellent restaurant where you will have the opportunity to try the highest quality Peruvian cuisine. In the afternoon, you visit the fascinating Larco Museum. Set in an elegant 18th century mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens, this museum houses an extensive collection that features over 3,000 years of local archeological artifacts and art, including sculptures, textiles, jewelry, pottery and valuable collection of metallic and textile items.

Fly from Lima to Arequipa, a city known as the “White City.” Your local guide will greet you and take you on a beautiful drive to your hotel. Spend the afternoon discovering Arequipa’s Historical Center, a mix of colonial-era churches and charming cobbled streets. Visit the majestic Santa Catalina Monastery, a city within a city, with colorful paintings, narrow small streets, and tranquil courtyards. Enjoy views of the city with snow-capped volcanoes and relax with a leisurely dinner in a traditional restaurant.

Start your day early as you drive to the second deepest canyons in the world, Colca Canyon. Along the way enjoy the dramatic beauty of the Andean landscape, passing through high plateaus, winding roads and scenic valleys surrounded by volcanoes. You stop at the Mirador de los Andes at an elevation of 15,100 ft for some fabulous views of the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon you arrive in Chivay and will be able to relax at our hotel’s hot springs. What better way to relax than soaking in some natural thermal spring waters surrounded by the depth of the canyon.

Today you start early again for an unforgettable visit to the Condor Viewpoint. You will have the unique opportunity to see in flight Andean Condors, among other birds. Afterwards we continue our journey through Andean landscapes that will leave you speechless. Through this lovely route you will arrive at Puno city, located at the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world. Arrive in Puno in the evening and settle in for the night.

This morning, you will depart by boat for a 1:30 hour ride across the world's highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca to Taquile Island. There, you will trek along an ancient pre-Inca trail and learn about the fascinating world of Taquileños and their centuries-old tradition of weaving. In the afternoon, visit the strange floating islands of Uros built by the indigenous Uros out of totora reeds. Learn how they live in these fragile constructions and how they are made and maintained. Return to Puno in the afternoon. Farewell dinner at a nice restaurant with views to the lake and the mountains.

After breakfast, you take the luxurious Titicaca Train, along the Andean Plateau. You will be viewing snow-capped peaks and fresh alpine lakes, passing through rocky canyons, crossed by hanging bridges and small Andean villages. Moreover, you will be enjoying local life passing through a window of the carriage and tasting a three-course menu in its unique dining room. As evening arrives you will arrive in Cusco and transfer to your hotel to rest and prepare for your exploration of this ancient Inca city.

Today, explore Cusco’s most important archaeological sites. Start with a visit to the mighty Sacsayhuaman, an ancient Inca fortress overlooking the city. Learn about its historical significance and enjoy panoramic views of Cusco. Continue your journey to the Sacred Valley, stopping at the village of Pisac. Here, you’ll see the iconic Pisac ruins, with its beautiful terraces and dramatic mountain backdrop. After visiting the archaeological site, explore the local Pisac market, known for its textiles and handicrafts, before returning to Cusco.

After visiting many incredible locations, today’s schedule brings you to visit two rarely explored locations in the Sacred Valley. The first will be Maras archaeological remains, which were used as experimental agriculture terracing. Next you will visit the Inca Salt Flats of Maras, one of the largest collections of salt ponds in the world, which have been harvested for centuries using the same traditional techniques. After lunch, you will take the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas.

Start the day with a guided tour to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu. After the guided tour, you are free to wander the site and take in the natural beauty of the surroundings with spectacular views of the mountains and valleys. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Then board the Vistadome train to return to Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, you will meet your driver for the return to Cusco.

Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado and transfer by boat to your Amazon rainforest lodge. Along the way, you’ll be able to experience some moments of the wildlife and vegetation of the Tambopata National Reserve. Once at your lodge, you’ll receive an orientation and briefing before taking a night walk to spot nocturnal creatures in the rainforest.

Choose from a variety of activities that allow you to experience the wonders of the Amazon rainforest up close. Paddle through Oxbow Lake in a canoe, where you may spot caimans, otters and a variety of bird species. Take a walk on an elevated pedestrian walkway for panoramic views of the forest or visit a local farm to learn about the crops and plants that thrive in this unique ecosystem. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and optional lecture on conservation efforts in the region.

After breakfast, return by boat and car to Puerto Maldonado, where you’ll catch your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Spend your last day in Peru on a culinary adventure with a Lima gourmet food tour. The tour will take you through several of Lima’s districts, sampling local foods such as superfoods and Peruvian coffee. Spend the rest of the day relaxing before departing for the airport for your international flight home.