From the coast to the Andes – Ja Travel Designer

Peru: A Journey from the Pacific to the Heart of the Amazon

This tour offers a comprehensive experience of Peru that perfectly combines the rich history of the pre-Columbian and Inca civilizations with the country’s astonishing natural diversity. The journey begins on the coast with deserts and marine life, ascends through the Andes to explore colonial cities, the mystical Lake Titicaca, and the treasures of the Sacred Valley, culminating in the majesty of Machu Picchu and concluding with an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

This itinerary is designed to help you discover the cultural, spiritual, and natural essence of Peru in a single trip.

Highlights of the itinerary

Lima: Tour of the historic colonial center and the modern Miraflores neighborhood overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Coast and Desert: Excursion to the Ballestas Islands and an adventure riding buggies and sandboarding in the Huacachina oasis.

Nazca: Flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines

Arequipa: Tour of the “White City.”

Lake Titicaca: Cruise on the world’s highest lake, visiting the floating islands of the Uros and Taquile Island.

Sacred Valley of the Incas: Spiritual encounter with a shaman, visit to the Maras salt flats and the historic town of Ollantaytambo.

Machu Picchu: Hike to the legendary Inca citadel and ride on the “Train of the Andes.”

Cusco: Tour of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire.

Amazon (Puerto Maldonado): Immersion in the jungle, boat trip on Lake Sandoval to spot giant otters and caimans, and night hikes to discover tropical biodiversity.

Itinerario

Day 1

Arrival in Lima - Discovering the Capital of the Viceroys

According to the scheduled itinerary, meet and greet at Jorge Chávez Airport.
Upon exiting the airport, our team will welcome you and take you directly to the city’s historic center (20 km, about a 45-minute drive).
Before diving into history, enjoy a culinary break at Café Pancho Fierro: freshly ground coffee and golden empanadas—a little treat that will give you energy for the whole day.
The guided tour begins in Lima’s Historic Center.
Lunch at a restaurant.
After lunch, transfer to the bohemian neighborhood of Miraflores.
Check-in at the hotel.
The rest of the afternoon is free to relax or stroll along the Malecón overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Dinner at a restaurant.

Day 2

Lima - Paracas - La Caravedo - Huacachina - Ica

Early morning departure from Lima toward the southern coast, traveling along the Pacific Ocean via the Pan-American Highway South.
Arrival at the port of Paracas, the gateway to the national reserve. Board a boat for an excursion to the Ballestas Islands, a natural sanctuary inhabited by sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins, and hundreds of seabirds.
After this maritime adventure, we head to the Ica Valley to visit La Caravedo, Peru’s oldest distillery (founded in 1684). We’ll discover the secrets of pisco production, followed by a refined tasting.
Lunch is served at the hacienda.
In the afternoon, we’ll continue on to the Huacachina Oasis, a gem surrounded by towering golden dunes. Enjoy a buggy adventure and an introduction to sandboarding before watching the sunset over the desert—an unforgettable moment amid the fiery sky and endless sand.
At the end of the day, we’ll arrive at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3

Ica - Nazca

Early morning departure southward, crossing the vast, arid expanse of the coastal desert. The landscapes unfold in a symphony of sand and rocks, dotted with small green oases.
Upon arrival in Nazca, there is an optional opportunity to take a flight over the Nazca Lines—mysterious, ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Monkeys, hummingbirds, condors, and other gigantic figures are only visible from the sky, offering a unique and enigmatic experience.
Lunch en route.
In the afternoon, visit the Chauchilla Cemetery, a fascinating archaeological site that houses pre-Columbian tombs and incredibly well-preserved mummies, witnesses to a civilization that disappeared centuries ago.
Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4

Nazca - Arequipa

We set out at dawn along the iconic Panamericana Sur, a legendary highway that runs along the Pacific coast and winds through landscapes of untamed beauty.
Our first stop is the Llauca Valley, known for its centuries-old olive groves: a tasting of local olives, true treasures of the Peruvian coast.
Along the way, we’ll enjoy a picnic by the sea: a moment suspended between the ocean and the desert, where the murmur of the waves accompanies the simple, hearty flavors of the meal.
Next, the road climbs back toward the Andes, with the majestic silhouettes of the volcanoes as a backdrop.
Arrival in the “White City” of Arequipa in the afternoon.
Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 5

Arequipa

Breakfast at the hotel. Next, visit the Plaza de Armas, the majestic Cathedral (exterior), and the fascinating Santa Catalina Monastery, a veritable city within a city. You’ll understand why Arequipa captivates visitors with its architecture and traditions.
Lunch at a traditional restaurant.
Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 6

Arequipa - Puno

Departure from Arequipa toward the Peruvian Altiplano, a vast plateau where the sky seems to touch the earth. The road climbs gradually, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped volcanoes and endless plains.
Along the way, a stop at the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, a protected area where herds of vicuñas, alpacas, and wild llamas graze freely. A living spectacle of Andean wildlife in its natural habitat.
Lunch en route.
In the afternoon, visit the Sillustani necropolis, an impressive archaeological site on the shores of Lake Umayo.
Arrival in Puno in the evening.
Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 7

Titicaca Lake

Morning boat trip to Lake Titicaca, which is navigable.
Visit islands rich in traditions and experience the hospitality of their inhabitants.
Lunch on Takile Island.
In the afternoon, return to the city of Puno.

Day 8

Puno - Sacred Valley of the Incas

Today, the route takes you from the vast Peruvian Altiplano to the fertile valleys of Cusco. The journey, one of the most spectacular in the country, reveals contrasting landscapes: endless plains, Andean mountain passes, and green valleys that foreshadow the gentle beauty of the Sacred Valley.

Lunch at a restaurant.

Along the way, visit the famous “Sistine Chapel of the Andes” in Andahuaylillas, a 17th-century Baroque gem featuring sumptuous frescoes, gilded details, and painted ceilings that bear witness to the encounter between European art and Andean symbolism.
Continue on to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, cradle of ancient civilizations and a land of great agricultural fertility.
Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 9

Sacred Valley of the Incas

The day begins with a visit to the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo, with its cobblestone streets and stone houses that seem frozen in time. Here, the Inca heritage lives on in everyday life.
In the privacy of a traditional home, you’ll meet with an Andean priest (shaman). You’ll participate in a purification and energy-recharge ritual—an ancestral ceremony rich in symbolism and spirituality—at the very heart of Peru’s living traditions.
Lunch at a restaurant in the Sacred Valley.
In the afternoon, visit the famous Maras salt flats, an impressive labyrinth of gleaming salt pans that have been mined since Inca times. The contrast between the white of the salt, the blue of the sky, and the surrounding ochre-colored mountains creates an unforgettable panorama.
Return to our hotel in the Sacred Valley in the afternoon.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 10

Umasbamba

Departure this morning for the highlands of Chinchero, to the indigenous community of Umasbamba, located at an altitude of 3,780 meters. Here, time seems to have stood still, and Andean traditions remain alive, following the rhythm of the land.
Lunch at a local resident’s home.
Return to the hotel in the Sacred Valley—Urubamba—in the afternoon.
Dinner at a restaurant.

Day 11

Machupicchu - Cusco

Early morning departure for the Ollantaytambo station (30 km, about a 45-minute drive). Board the Inca Rail/Kitco train, an authentic “Andes train,” which winds through the valley and follows the Urubamba River until it reaches the town of Aguas Calientes.
From Aguas Calientes, take a bus up to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu.
Visit and tour of the Machu Picchu citadel in all its splendor.
After the visit, descend to the town.
Lunch at a restaurant.
After lunch, we’ll take the train back to the town of Ollantaytambo and then head to the city of Cusco.
Upon arrival in the city, we’ll check into the hotel.
Dinner at a restaurant.

Day 12

Cusco

We’ll begin by exploring the area around Cusco with a visit to the magnificent archaeological site of SAQSAYHUAMAN, considered an Inca temple, which features three massive walls built with blocks weighing over 120 metric tons, and we’ll continue with a visit to the famous Temple of El Quenqo, a site of sacrifices.
Afterward, we’ll head to the city of Cusco for a walking tour. We’ll visit the famous Temple of the Sun.

Day 13

Cusco - Puerto Maldonado

Morning transfer to the Cusco airport to catch the flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon.
Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the Madre de Dios River. Board a motorized canoe to reach the Hacienda Concepción by Inkaterra lodge, located in the heart of the rainforest.
Check into your comfortable bungalows, surrounded by lush vegetation and the song of tropical birds.
Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 14

Amazon Rainforest: Excursion to Lake Sandoval and Nighttime Exploration

Wake up in the heart of the jungle, lulled by the song of toucans and the whisper of the forest. After breakfast, set out on an unforgettable excursion to Lake Sandoval, located in the Tambopata National Reserve.
Aboard a small canoe, enjoy a peaceful cruise across the calm waters of the lake—an emerald mirror surrounded by giant palm trees. You may spot giant otters, black caimans, hoatzins, and a wide variety of tropical birds.
Lunch at the lodge.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time to relax in the hammock at your bungalow or explore the botanical trails that reveal the medicinal plants used by local communities.
In the evening, a guided outing into the forest for a night hike. By lantern light, the jungle reveals another side: the chirping of insects, the glowing eyes of amphibians, and a mysterious atmosphere where every sound becomes a discovery.
Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 15

Puerto Maldonado - Lima

Wake up to the tranquility of the jungle. After breakfast, cruise back down the Madre de Dios River to Puerto Maldonado.
A packed lunch will be provided for the trip and the wait at the airport.
Return flight to Lima.
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Dinner at the restaurant.

Day 16

Departure

Depending on the schedule, transfer from the hotel to the airport to catch your outbound international flight.

Inclusiones

Todo lo que necesitas

Transportation

Transfers in Lima, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco, and Puerto Maldonado. Private transportation for all the visits listed in the itinerary.

Hotel

Hotels in Lima, Arequipa, Puno, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco, and an all-inclusive lodge in Puerto Maldonado

Professional Guide

A private guide for all the tours listed in the itinerary.

Domestic Flights

Domestic flights (Lima–Arequipa / Cusco–Puerto Maldonado / Puerto Maldonado–Lima). Flights booked at the “light” fare, including a carry-on bag and a 10-kg carry-on suitcase.

Tickets

Admission tickets to the various sites mentioned in the program.

Meals

Full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) as indicated in the itinerary.

Train

INCA RAIL Train (The door-to-door bimodal system applies to the round-trip train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo for groups of 2 to 8 passengers).