The Classics of Southern Pérou
From Colca Canyon to the Inca terraces of Machu Picchu, an odyssey across Pérou's high plateaus.
Duration
14 days
From
US$2,304/pers.
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends, groupe
The spirit of travel
Discover the great classics of southern Pérou, while enjoying some detours off the beaten path. Designed as a first introduction to the country, this itinerary brings together must-see sites while offering more intimate experiences to discover Pérou in all its different facets.
In Arequipa, explore the city through its gastronomy and local flavors, an original way to approach its history and culture. Further into the Andes, leave the most popular itineraries behind to reach the colorful mountains of Palcoyo and the spectacular Ananiso canyon, still unknown to many travelers.
Between heritage, stunning landscapes, Andean traditions and encounters, the journey harmoniously alternates major sites and more intimate discoveries. A complete itinerary for a first adventure in Pérou, ideal for not missing any of its essentials while enjoying a few unexpected experiences.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Lima!
Welcome on your arrival in Lima and transfer to your hotel.
Night at Hotel 3B in standard room.
Included: private arrival transfer, room & breakfast
Gastronomic tour in Lima and flight to Arequipa
Gastronomic tour in Lima | Discovery of Peruvian cuisine classics : Explore the flavors of Pérou through a tasting of emblematic specialties and beverages in the artistic and bohemian neighborhood of Barranco, one of the most charming in Lima. Participate in a cooking workshop with our local hosts to learn how to prepare the famous ceviche and pisco sour. Dive into the history and culture of each dish during this 4-hour gastronomic experience in the heart of Barranco's streets.
A driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Lima airport.
Flight between Lima and Arequipa.
Upon your arrival in Arequipa, transfer to your hotel.
Night at Hotel Los Tambos Boutique in a standard room.
Included: lunch, English-speaking guide, private excursion, private departure transfer, domestic flight, private arrival transfer, room & breakfast
Free day in Arequipa
Free day: We remain available to help you organize an activity according to your wishes.
Night at Hotel Los Tambos Boutique in a standard room.
Included: room & breakfast
Colca Canyon: Chivay, Yanque and Uyo Uyo Ruins
We depart early in the morning for Chivay, enjoying magnificent views of the cordillera volcanoes along the way. We will cross the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve, where we can observe herds of vicuñas. Once we arrive at the village, nestled in the heart of verdant terraces over 1,500 years old, we will have lunch and then settle into the hotel.
In the afternoon, if you wish, we will set off for a short walk in the surrounding countryside.
We will depart from the hotel to visit the ruins of Uyo Uyo, an ancient Inca village located at 3,000 meters altitude. After this exploration, we will return towards the hotel, with the possibility of making a detour to the hot springs.
Shortly after our departure from Arequipa, we will make a stop at the Añashuayco quarries, where you will have the opportunity to observe stone cutters working on sillar, this white volcanic stone widely used in the region.
Colca Zip-lining Circuit Monster: Prepare yourself for an impressive zip-line descent of more than 2,000 meters long, perched at 160 meters high!
Night at Hotel Killawasi in standard room.
Included: site entrance(s), private excursion, group excursion (English-Spanish), English-speaking guide, transport
Condor Cross
Early in the morning, we will first go to the Condor's Cross, an excellent viewpoint over Colca Canyon, where we may have the chance to admire the majestic flight of condors, lords of the Peruvian sky.
Next, we will follow the canyon to visit the villages of Pinchollo and Maca.
After lunch, we will continue on the road to our next destination.
We will travel by bus from Chivay to Puno, with several stops along the way to admire the magnificent landscapes of the highlands.
Night at Hotel Sol y plaza in a standard room.
Included: English-speaking guide, guide fees, private excursion, private transport, bus ticket, room & breakfast
Lake Titicaca: Uros Islands and Immersion in Amantani
We will board together to discover the Uros Islands, entirely built from reeds.
Next, we will head to the Amantani Island. Upon arrival, our host families will pick us up and we will settle into our rooms.
A typical meal will be served at our host family's home, followed by a walk around the island in the afternoon. You will be able to admire breathtaking landscapes, explore pre-Incan ruins and learn more about the economic and social life of this "State within a State". The night will be spent with locals, for a complete immersion.
Included: breakfast, lunch, group excursion (English-Spanish), dinner, public transport, room & breakfast, English-speaking guide
Lake Titicaca: discovery of Taquile Island
The Route of the Sun
Transfer to the bus terminal.
You will cross the Peruvian highlands aboard a tourist bus with several stops at must-see sites:
Pukara, an ancient pre-Inca ceremonial center.
La Raya Pass, reaching 4,335 meters in elevation.
Raqchi, where the Temple of Viracocha, the creator god, is located.
Andahuaylillas, home to the Sistine Chapel of the Andes.
Upon your arrival in Cusco, our driver will take you from the bus terminal to your hotel.
Night at Llipimpac Guesthouse in a standard room.
Included: private arrival transfer, lunch, site entrance(s), group excursion (English-Spanish), room & breakfast
Cusco: visit to the historical capital of the Incas
In Cusco, we offer you various tours and tourist activities, enriched by our local knowledge to help you discover the city from within.
We will explore the Inca temples overlooking the city, then the colonial historic center, where the meeting of Andean and Western cultures is expressed in magnificent mansions.
According to your interests and available time, we will organize a personalized visit, taking you through the narrow streets bordered by Inca walls to discover the city, its museums, churches and palaces.
Night at Hotel Rumi Punku in a standard room.
Included: lunch, general tourist ticket, site entrance(s), English-speaking guide, private transport, room & breakfast
Sacred Valley of the Incas: Chinchero, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo
Chinchero → Sacred Valley
This morning, we will pick you up from your accommodation to head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
We will begin our visit by going to Chinchero, where we will attend an in-depth demonstration in a textile workshop. We will discover the ancestral techniques of weaving and dyeing that have persisted since the time of Inca culture.
After this visit we will go to Moray which is an agricultural laboratory that you will discover with your guide.
Then, we will head to the Maras salt ponds, from where we will begin, if you wish, a magnificent walk, all downhill, to the Urubamba river.
Sacred Valley → Ollantaytambo
After meeting up with our driver, we will end our day at Ollantaytambo, where we will visit the Incan ruins of the village.
Night at Hotel Sol Natura Ollantay in a standard room.
Included: lunch, site entrance(s), English-speaking guide, private transport, room & breakfast
Machu Picchu Discovery
Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu
You will need to head to the main avenue of Aguas Calientes to take a shuttle that will take you to the entrance of the Machu Picchu. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
Today marks probably one of the highlights of your trip!
The Machu Picchu stands at 2,430 m altitude in the heart of the tropical forest, in an exceptional setting. This site represents probably one of the most impressive urban achievements of the Inca Empire at its peak. Its immense walls, terraces and ramps seem to be carved harmoniously into the rocky cliffs.
We will enjoy a guided tour of approximately 2 hours with our local guide, followed by free time so you can explore this wonder of the world at your own pace.
Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes
After your visit to Machu Picchu, you will hike back down to Aguas Calientes, a trek of approximately 1h30.
If you prefer to descend by bus to the village instead, it is possible to buy your ticket at the exit of the site.
You will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where the train company will welcome you to board a shuttle bus that will take you to Wanchaq station in Cusco.
Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo
You will take the train from Aguas Calientes towards Ollantaytambo.
Night at Hotel Sol Natura Ollantay in a standard room.
The Must-See Attractions of the Sacred Valley
Cusco → Sacred Valley
The day begins from your hotel in Ollantaytambo. We will come pick you up to set off to discover the ruins of the village, accompanied by our guide.
Sacred Valley → Pisac
After completing our visit, we will head towards the town of Pisac. Along the way, we will stop at Tambo de Uno Urco or at Arin waterfall, where we will enjoy a pleasant picnic.
The afternoon will be dedicated to visiting Pisac market, followed by exploring the archaeological park perched on the heights of the village.
Palcoyo and Ananiso Canyon: Hiking in the Andes
We will pick you up early this morning to head south of Cusco, towards the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, the starting point of our day's hike.
We will start by observing the unique and colorful landscapes of the site, then we will embark on a magnificent hike, mainly downhill, to the village of Ananiso. Throughout this approximately 4-hour route, we will enjoy spectacular views of the Ausangate mountain range as a backdrop.
Upon arrival in Ananiso, we will take a long break to regain our strength and enjoy our lunch.
After this rest period, we will set off to explore Ananiso Canyon, located just a few minutes from the village. This canyon, millions of years old, offers a splendid setting and is home to rock paintings that the more adventurous can discover by wading through a small part of the river, with water around your feet!
We will finally return to the village where our driver will be waiting for us to head back.
Night at Llipimpac Guesthouse in a standard room.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- The international flight to the departure point
- Internal flights unless otherwise mentioned
- Airport taxes during the trip
- Your mandatory travel insurance
- What is not mentioned in "The price includes"
Included
- The trip as described in the itinerary
- The guidance of a Pasión Andina guide
- Local teams' services
- Hotel nights on a double room basis
- Necessary Transportation for Your Trip
- The entrance fees for the activities mentioned
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- More than 60 days before departure: 40% of the total price (deposit retained)
- Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
- Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns entry requirements for tourism stays in Peru. Entry regulations may change, so we recommend you verify the information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Peru, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after your entry date and must contain at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Tourism stay without a visa
Entry requirements depend on your nationality. You must verify the visa requirements and any visa exemptions applicable to you with the embassy or consulate of Peru in your country of residence.
Generally, immigration authorities may request:
an exit ticket from the country (return flight or onward travel),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
confirmation of an accommodation booking for the first nights.
Health and vaccinations
Vaccination requirements depend on your nationality and the regions you plan to visit. However, certain vaccinations are strongly recommended according to the areas visited:
yellow fever is recommended for travelers going to the Amazon regions and low-altitude areas (below 2,300 m); an international vaccination certificate may be required upon entry if you are arriving from a risk country,
updating routine vaccinations (hepatitis A, typhoid fever, tetanus) is advised.
Precautions against malaria are recommended in certain regions of the Peruvian Amazon. Consult a doctor or international vaccination center before your departure.
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
When a minor travels without one or both parents, Peruvian authorities may require a notarized parental authorization, ideally translated into Spanish. Additional requirements may apply depending on your country of residence.
Entry requirements verification
Entry conditions may vary according to your nationality. You must check with the embassy or consulate of Peru in your country of residence to verify the specific requirements that apply to you.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have assistance and repatriation insurance as well as foreign medical expenses coverage.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, find out about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the agreement detailing all coverage and the procedure for filing a claim are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claim notification procedures. The participant must therefore keep this agreement with them for the entire duration of their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
Visitors can stay in Peru without a visa. A valid passport for at least 6 months after entry is required. The immigration form (TAM) is now electronic and must be completed upon arrival. Before booking your trip, check the entry requirements applicable to your nationality with the Peruvian consular authorities.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailor-made trip, budget between 160 and 270 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transportation and English-speaking guide. International flights (900-1400 euros round-trip) are additional. Access to Machu Picchu (permit, train, bus) represents a separate budget.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each trip to match our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage, which protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Sacred Valley of Cusco
Explorer of the Andes and Forgotten Worlds, based in Cusco
Peru often feels like traveling through several worlds in a single trip. Each region tells a different story, with its own landscapes, traditions, and its own way of experiencing time.
— Lionel
