Highlights Of The Andes

21 Days / 20 Nights

Overview

This 21-day adventure is the ultimate Peru experience. You’ll travel from the Pacific coast all the way to the Amazon jungle, passing through some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth.

Start in Lima, where colonial charm meets world-famous food. Then fly south to Arequipa, a stunning white city surrounded by volcanoes, and take your time to adjust to the altitude before heading into the incredible Colca Canyon to watch condors soar over one of the world’s deepest gorges.

From there, you’ll reach Lake Titicaca, that legendary high-altitude lake where the Uros people still live on floating reed islands just as their ancestors did centuries ago. A scenic journey by train or bus brings you to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, where you’ll have time to wander cobblestone streets, explore fascinating ruins, and soak in the magic of this remarkable city.

The Sacred Valley awaits with its terraces, markets, and archaeological treasures before the grand finale: Machu Picchu. Wake up early, catch the first light over the citadel, and understand why this place captivates millions.

But we’re not done yet. Trek to the famous Rainbow Mountain to see those surreal stripes of color, hike to the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, and then trade the mountains for the jungle. Your final days are spent deep in the Amazon at Tambopata, spotting monkeys, macaws, and maybe even giant otters.

It’s a lot to take in, but we’ve planned it so you have time to rest, explore on your own, and truly connect with each place. This isn’t a rushed tour it’s an immersive journey through everything that makes Peru extraordinary.

DAY	DESCRIPTION	MEALS	OVERNIGHT
Day 1	Arrival in Lima	——	Lima
Day 2	Lima – City Tour	(B)	Lima
Day 3	Flight Lima – Arequipa	(B)	Arequipa
Day 4	Arequipa Free Day (Acclimatization)	(B)	Arequipa
Day 5	Arequipa City Tour	(B)	Arequipa
Day 6	Arequipa to Colca Canyon to Chivay	(B) (L)	Chivay
Day 7	Colca Canyon, Cruz del Cóndor to Puno	(B) (L)	Puno
Day 8	Puno, Lake Titicaca Islands	(B) (L)	Puno
Day 9	Puno to Cusco (Tourist Bus/Andean Explorer Train/Titicaca Train)	(B) (L)	Cusco
Day 10	Cusco City Tour	(B)	Cusco
Day 11	Cusco Free Day	(B)	Cusco
Day 12	Cusco to Sacred Valley (Pisac and Ollantaytambo)	(B) (L)	Sacred Valley
Day 13	Sacred Valley (Maras, Moray, Salineras and Chinchero)	(B) (L)	Sacred Valley
Day 14	Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes (Train to Machu Picchu)	(B)	Aguas Calientes
Day 15	Machu Picchu to Cusco	(B)	Cusco
Day 16	Cusco, Palcoyo or Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain	(B)	Cusco
Day 17	Cusco, Humantay Lake	(B)	Cusco
Day 18	Flight Cusco to Puerto Maldonado to Tambopata	(B) (L) (D)	Tambopata
Day 19	Tambopata, Lake Sandoval Excursion	(B) (L) (D)	Tambopata
Day 20	Tambopata, Macaw Clay Lick and Canopy	(B) (L) (D)	Tambopata
Day 21	Tambopata – Puerto Maldonado – Lima – International Departure	(B)	——

Breakfast (B)

Lunch (L)

Dinner (D)

View Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival in Lima

Welcome to Peru! Our team will meet you at Jorge Chávez International Airport and take you to your hotel in Miraflores, Lima’s most charming coastal district. Take the rest of the day to settle in, shake off the jet lag, and maybe take a stroll along the oceanfront malecón as the sun sets over the Pacific.

Day 2:

Lima - City Tour

After breakfast, we’ll show you why Lima is called the “City of Kings.” Start at the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll see the grand Plaza Mayor, the impressive Cathedral, and the San Francisco Convent with its mysterious underground catacombs. We’ll head to the bohemian Barranco district with its colorful streets and artistic vibe, then visit the renowned Larco Museum to admire one of the finest collections of pre-Columbian art in the world. End the day with a walk along the Miraflores boardwalk, enjoying stunning Pacific Ocean views.

Day 3:

Flight Lima - Arequipa

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Known as the “White City” for its beautiful buildings made of white volcanic stone, Arequipa sits at 2,335 meters surrounded by dramatic volcanoes. After settling into your hotel, you’ll meet with your guide for a brief orientation about the coming days and helpful tips for adjusting to the altitude. The rest of the day is yours to relax and start acclimatizing.

Day 4:

Arequipa Free Day (Acclimatization)

Today is all about taking it easy. Your body needs time to adjust to the altitude, so there’s no rush. Sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and explore Arequipa at your own pace. You might visit the Andean Sanctuaries Museum to see Juanita, the famous Inca ice maiden, wander through the bustling San Camilo market, or simply relax in one of the lovely cafés around the Plaza de Armas. Our team is available if you need recommendations.

Day 5:

Arequipa City Tour

Now that you’re acclimatized, it’s time to discover Arequipa properly. We’ll explore the elegant Plaza de Armas, visit the impressive Cathedral, and step inside the Church of the Company of Jesus with its intricate mestizo baroque carvings. The highlight is the Santa Catalina Monastery, a city within a city a maze of cobbled streets, colorful walls, and peaceful plazas that once housed nearly 500 nuns. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the Yanahuara and Carmen Alto viewpoints for spectacular panoramas of the city and the imposing Misti volcano.

Day 6:

Arequipa to Colca Canyon to Chivay

Early start today as we journey toward the Colca Canyon. The drive takes us through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you’ll spot herds of wild vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas grazing on the high plains. We’ll stop at Patapampa pass, the highest point at 4,910 meters, for photos and to marvel at the vast Andean landscape. After descending into the Colca Valley, we’ll arrive in the charming town of Chivay for lunch. The afternoon is free you can explore the town, visit the local market, or relax in the natural hot springs (optional). Overnight in Chivay.

Day 7:

Colca Canyon, Cruz del Cóndor to Puno

We leave early to reach the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, arguably the best place in the world to watch Andean condors in flight. These magnificent birds, with wingspans reaching 3 meters, ride the morning thermal currents rising from the canyon one of the deepest on Earth at over 3,400 meters. After this unforgettable experience, we’ll visit some traditional villages where locals still wear colorful embroidered clothing, then enjoy lunch before continuing our journey to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Check in and rest at your hotel.

Day 8:

Puno, Lake Titicaca Islands

Today we explore the legendary Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 meters. By boat, we’ll first visit the floating islands of the Uros, an extraordinary community that has lived on islands made entirely of totora reeds for centuries. You’ll learn how they build and maintain these islands and experience their unique way of life. Then we continue to Taquile Island, famous for its textile traditions recognized by UNESCO. Here, the men do the knitting and their work is exquisite. We’ll enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by a local family before returning to Puno in the late afternoon.

Day 9:

Puno to Cusco (Tourist Bus/Andean Explorer Train/Titicaca Train)

One of the most scenic journeys in South America awaits. Whether you choose the tourist bus or one of the luxury train options, the route from Puno to Cusco crosses the dramatic Altiplano with stops at fascinating sites along the way.

Tourist Bus: Comfortable first-class bus with stops at the Pukará museum, La Raya pass (4,335 m), the impressive Wiracocha temple at Raqchi, and the stunning Andahuaylillas church, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.” Includes guide and buffet lunch.

Andean Explorer: Travel in style aboard Belmond’s luxury sleeper train with gourmet dining, panoramic windows, and impeccable service.

Titicaca Train: Elegant train with observation car, live entertainment, and excellent cuisine.

Arrival in Cusco in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel in the historic center.

Day 10:

Cusco City Tour

Morning free to continue acclimatizing to Cusco’s altitude (3,400 m). Take a slow walk around the Plaza de Armas, duck into a café for some coca tea, and soak in the atmosphere of this incredible city where Inca walls still line the streets. In the afternoon, we begin our guided tour with the Cathedral, home to remarkable colonial art and the famous “Last Supper” painting featuring a guinea pig. Next is Qorikancha, once the richest temple in the Inca Empire, covered in gold before the Spanish arrival. We continue to the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuamán with its massive zigzag walls, and the nearby sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and the water temple of Tambomachay.

Day 11:

Cusco Free Day

A day to explore Cusco at your own rhythm. Get lost in the narrow streets of San Blas, the artisan quarter filled with workshops and galleries. Visit the Inka Museum or the Pre-Columbian Art Museum. Hunt for treasures in the markets. Or simply sit in the Plaza de Armas and watch the world go by. If you’re feeling adventurous, we can arrange horseback riding, mountain biking, or a cooking class (additional cost).

Day 12:

Cusco to Sacred Valley (Pisac and Ollantaytambo)

We descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a fertile corridor that was the agricultural heartland of the empire. Our first stop is Pisac, where one of Peru’s most vibrant craft markets takes place. Browse textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and more before visiting the impressive Inca ruins perched high above the town with stunning views of the terraced hillsides. After a buffet lunch overlooking the Urubamba River, we continue to Ollantaytambo. This living Inca town has been continuously inhabited since the 13th century, and its massive temple complex and fortress are among the best-preserved in Peru. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Day 13:

Sacred Valley (Maras, Moray, Salineras and Chinchero)

Another day of Sacred Valley wonders. We start at Moray, a fascinating site where the Incas built circular agricultural terraces that created different microclimates essentially an ancient agricultural laboratory. Then on to the Maras salt mines, where thousands of shallow pools have been used to harvest salt since Inca times, creating a surreal white-and-pink landscape cascading down the mountainside. After lunch with panoramic views, we visit Chinchero, a traditional weaving village where local women demonstrate ancient techniques of natural dyeing and textile creation using methods passed down through generations. Return to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Day 14:

Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes (Train to Machu Picchu)

After breakfast, transfer to Ollantaytambo station where you’ll board the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. This scenic journey follows the rushing Urubamba River as it carves through a dramatic canyon, with the landscape transforming from Andean highlands to cloud forest. The train’s panoramic windows ensure you won’t miss a thing. Arrival in Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu, and transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is free to explore this quirky little town, browse the craft market, or soak in the natural hot springs that give the town its name.

Day 15:

Machu Picchu to Cusco

The day you’ve been waiting for. Wake early for a light breakfast, then catch the bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu. Entering the citadel as the morning mist lifts is simply magical. Your guide will lead you through the main sectors over 2-3 hours, explaining the mysteries of this extraordinary place: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone, the Room of the Three Windows, and more. You will follow the circuit selected for your visit. With advance booking, we secure Circuit 2, the best option as it covers the most iconic viewpoints and areas of the citadel. If Circuit 2 is unavailable, we offer alternative circuits that still showcase Machu Picchu’s highlights. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore on your own, find quiet corners, and take it all in. For those who reserved in advance, optional climbs to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain offer even more spectacular views. In the afternoon, descend to Aguas Calientes, board the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo, and transfer by vehicle to Cusco.

Day 16:

Cusco, Palcoyo or Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

Very early departure (around 4:00 am) for one of Peru’s most photogenic natural wonders: the Rainbow Mountain. After about 3 hours driving through the Andean countryside, we stop for breakfast in a local community. Then begins the trek approximately 2 hours at high altitude to reach the summit at 5,200 meters. The effort is worth it: before you lies a mountain painted in impossible stripes of red, yellow, green, and turquoise, the result of mineral deposits exposed over millennia. Take your time for photos and to simply marvel at nature’s artistry. We descend, enjoy a packed lunch, and return to Cusco by early evening.

Day 17:

Cusco, Humantay Lake

Another early start, but trust us it’s worth it. We drive about 3 hours to Soraypampa, passing through beautiful Andean landscapes. From there, we trek approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Humantay Lake at 4,200 meters. The lake is stunning: an intense turquoise color nestled beneath the snow-capped Humantay peak. Spend time enjoying the scenery, taking photos, and feeling the power of this sacred place. We descend, have lunch, and return to Cusco in the afternoon with plenty of time to rest before tomorrow’s jungle adventure.

Day 18:

Flight Cusco to Puerto Maldonado to Tambopata

Trade the mountains for the jungle. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve in the southern Amazon. Upon arrival, we’ll take you to our lodge office where you can store any unnecessary luggage pack light for the jungle. Then board a motorized canoe for a scenic ride along the Madre de Dios River, already spotting birds and perhaps caimans along the banks. Arrive at your jungle lodge, settle in with a tropical welcome drink, and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, take your first jungle walk with a naturalist guide who’ll introduce you to the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon. Dinner at the lodge, followed by an optional night excursion to search for caimans and experience the jungle after dark.

Day 19:

Tambopata, Lake Sandoval Excursion

Early breakfast to take advantage of the best time for bird watching. Excursion to Lake Sandoval, located within the Tambopata National Reserve. After a walk of approximately 3 km through the forest, we navigate in traditional canoes on this beautiful oxbow lake, habitat of giant river otters, monkeys, caimans, piranhas, and an incredible variety of birds. Picnic lunch on the shores of the lake. Return to the lodge in the mid-afternoon. Free time to rest in your room or in the hammocks. In the afternoon, ethnobotany activity to learn about medicinal plants used by native communities. Dinner and nocturnal activity of identifying jungle sounds.

Day 20:

Tambopata, Macaw Clay Lick and Canopy

Very early, after coffee or tea, departure to a parrot and macaw clay lick, where these colorful birds gather at dawn to ingest clay rich in minerals. Unique natural spectacle with hundreds of birds of different species. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Mid-morning, experience on the canopy walkway, a system of hanging bridges and platforms 30 meters high that allows you to observe life in the forest canopy, including monkeys, toucans, and other species difficult to see from the ground. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, canoe excursion to fish for piranhas using traditional techniques. Special farewell dinner.

Day 21:

Tambopata to Puerto Maldonado to Lima, Departure

Wake to the sounds of the jungle one last time. After breakfast, take a final short walk around the lodge area, then board the boat for the return journey to Puerto Maldonado. Along the way, keep your eyes open for any wildlife you might have missed. In town, you may have time to visit the local fruit market and try some exotic Amazonian fruits. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, where our team will assist with your connection to your international flight home. Farewell, Peru!

Included

Personalized assistance at all airports and stations
All transfers mentioned in the itinerary in private service
20 nights of accommodation in selected hotels and lodges
Daily breakfasts at all hotels and lodges
6 lunches as specified: Colca Canyon (Day 6), Colca to Puno (Day 7), Lake Titicaca (Day 8), Puno to Cusco journey (Day 9), Sacred Valley Pisac/Ollantaytambo (Day 12), Sacred Valley Maras/Moray (Day 13)
Full board in Tambopata: Day 18 (L, D), Day 19 (B, L, D), Day 20 (B, L, D), Day 21 (B)
All tours and excursions mentioned with professional bilingual guides
Vistadome train tickets Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Bus tickets Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu with assigned circuit
Tourist bus OR Andean Explorer train OR Titicaca Train from Puno to Cusco (according to selected option)
Entrance fees to all archaeological sites and attractions mentioned
All excursions and activities in Tambopata including boat transfers
Travel kit and information materials
24/7 travel assistance throughout your trip

Not Included

International flights
Domestic flights (Lima-Arequipa, Cusco-Puerto Maldonado, Puerto Maldonado-Lima)
Airport departure tax (if applicable)
Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
Dinners throughout the tour (except in Tambopata)
Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel/lodge staff
Personal expenses or services not specified
Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain (must be requested in advance)
Hot springs entrance in Chivay and Aguas Calientes
Optional activities during free days
Travel and cancellation insurance
Yellow fever vaccination
Services not specified in the itinerary

Important Notes:

Altitude acclimatization: This itinerary is designed for gradual acclimatization. Please follow your guide's advice, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol during the first days, and don't overexert yourself. Coca tea helps!
Machu Picchu circuits: The Peruvian government assigns visit circuits based on entry time. These circuits cannot be changed, but all include the main highlights of the citadel.
Rainbow Mountain (Day 16): This trek reaches 5,200 meters and requires reasonable fitness. Weather can be unpredictable — the excursion may be modified if conditions are unsafe. Palcoyo is offered as a lower-altitude alternative with similar colorful landscapes.
Humantay Lake (Day 18): A moderate trek reaching 4,200 meters. Walking poles are helpful and can be rented locally.
Tambopata packing: Travel light to the jungle. Bring breathable long-sleeved shirts and pants, a rain jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent, a flashlight, and binoculars if you have them. Leave large suitcases in Puerto Maldonado.
Yellow fever vaccination: Strongly recommended for the Amazon region. Please consult your doctor at least 10 days before departure.
Flexibility: The order of visits may vary due to weather, local conditions, or operational requirements. We always ensure you experience everything included without compromising quality
Reservations: Book early, especially for travel during high season (May to September) and for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permits, which sell out months in advance.
Physical condition: Moderate fitness is required. Some days involve significant walking and altitude. Please inform us of any health conditions so we can make appropriate arrangements.