Llama, Machu Picchu, Peru

Highlights of Peru

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

12 Days

Prices Start from

£3,950pp(ex. flights)

Encompassing the highlights of Southern Peru, this holiday through the land of the Incas is one of extremes; from one of the deepest canyons in the Americas, to the highest navigable lake in the world, it takes in dramatic scenery, indigenous communities and wildlife.

Journey between colonial-era cities to Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca before travelling by train and foot to the celebrated Machu Picchu.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Isla del Sol, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia 1

Lake Titicaca

Explore Lake Titicaca meeting the locals who inhabit its shores whose age old traditions endure.

Volcano El Misti, Arequipa, Southern Peru 2

The White City

Amble through the cobbled streets and many markets of the white city of Arequipa.

Condor, Colca Canyon, Peru 3

Colca Canyon

See condors soar above the beautifully barren landscapes of the Colca Canyon.

Machu Picchu, Peru 4

Machu Picchu

Travel by train before completing the final leg to Machu Picchu on foot, arriving as the sun sets.

Explore our suggested itinerary

Peru on your wishlist? Talk to our experts about tailoring this trip for you.

  • Day 1

    Arrive Lima

  • Day 2

    Lima - Arequipa (Casa Andina Arequipa)

  • Day 3

    Arequipa

  • Day 4

    Arequipa - Colca Canyon (Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs)

  • Day 5

    Colca Canyon - Puno (Casa Andina Premium Puno)

  • Day 6

    Puno (Casa Andina Premium Puno)

  • Day 7

    Puno - Cusco - Sacred Valley (Sol y Luna Lodge)

  • Day 8

    Sacred Valley (Sol y Luna Lodge)

  • Day 9

    Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Aquas Calientes (Inkaterra Machu Picchu)

  • Day 10

    Machu Picchu - Cusco (Inkaterra La Casona)

  • Day 11

    Cusco (Inkaterra La Casona)

  • Day 12

    Cusco - Lima

Day 1

Arrive Lima

Arrive into Lima and overnight close to the airport.

Day 2

Lima - Arequipa (Casa Andina Arequipa)

Fly to Arequipa and transfer to your accommodation.

Day 3

Arequipa

Amble through the cobbled streets and many markets of the white city of Arequipa, built from volcanic sillar stone and surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes.

Day 4

Arequipa - Colca Canyon (Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs)

Travel overland for around three hours to Colca Canyon, journeying through stark yet beautiful landscapes in the foothills of the Andes and crossing a mountain pass at nearly 5,000 metres.

Day 5

Colca Canyon - Puno (Casa Andina Premium Puno)

An early start to see enormous Andean condors as they soaring above the vast canyon. Travel overland for around five hours to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Day 6

Puno (Casa Andina Premium Puno)

Explore Lake Titicaca – walk along the lake edge or sail its waters to reconnect with the ancient cultures and people who inhabit its shores and islands.

Day 7

Puno - Cusco - Sacred Valley (Sol y Luna Lodge)

Board the train to spend a full day crossing the Peruvian Andes from the shores of Lake Titicaca to Cusco,  Imperial City of the Incas. On arrival travel overland around 90 minutes to your accommodation in the Sacred Valley.

Day 8

Sacred Valley (Sol y Luna Lodge)

Explore the Sacred Valley, visiting the circular terraces of Moray, the saltpans of Maras as well as thriving Inca villages from Ollantaytambo, set below an ancient Inca fortress and temple to Chinchero, famed for its colourful Sunday market.

Day 9

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Aquas Calientes (Inkaterra Machu Picchu)

Board the train to journey to Km 104 station where you will disembark and continue your journey into Machu Picchu on foot. Day four of the full Inca Trail this five hour trek traverses incredible scenery arriving at the citadel in the clouds as the sun sets. Descend to Aguas Calientes to overnight.

Day 10

Machu Picchu - Cusco (Inkaterra La Casona)

Revisit the site of Machu Picchu this morning before a four hour train journey to Cusco.

Day 11

Cusco (Inkaterra La Casona)

Spend today at leisure exploring Cusco. Alternatively, journey out of the city to visit the salt terraces and Inca ruins at Maras and Moray.

Day 12

Cusco - Lima

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru

Lake Titicaca to Cusco by Train

This full day crossing takes around ten and a half hours and links the shores of Lake Titicaca with Cusco, the Imperial City of the Incas. Journeying through the Peruvian Andes it runs parallel to the rivers and soaring peaks of Peru’s altiplano region. An open air observation carriage provides photography and viewing opportunities of the panoramic vistas and the top notch service and cuisine onboard only add to the experience.

Inca Trail near Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Peru
Sacred Valley, Peru

Machu Picchu by Train and Foot

From the mountains and remote communities of Sacred Valley, a second train journey takes you almost all the way to one of the worlds most iconic sites, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu. Disembarking at station Km 401 which is around 15 kilometres from the site, you will finish your journey on foot on the trek known as the One Day Inca Trail. Taking around four hours at a leisurely pace the first section is fairly steep but doable for most fitness levels, and arrival on foot at the citadel as the sun sets makes it more than worth the effort.

Maras Salt Terraces, Cusco, Peru
Maras Salt Terraces, Cusco, Peru
Inca Terrace Ruins, Moray, Sacred Valley, Peru
Inca Terrace Ruins, Moray, Sacred Valley, Peru

Salt Terraces, Maras & Moray

At an altitude of 3,672 metres, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Chinchero is famed for its colourful Sunday market and indigenous people. Its authentic dress of the local farmers, walls of an Inca fortress with trapezoidal niches and colonial church with paintings by the indigenous artist Chiwantito all combine to give Chinchero a unique charm. Onward to Maras, renowned for its salt mines and hundreds of salt ponds, and Moray, a remote Inca agricultural experimental centre known for its elliptical irrigation terraces, each with its own micro-climate.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Casa Andina Premium Arequipa £££££

  • Peru
  • City

Set behind a magnificently carved facade that leads to a contemporary sky-lit lobby, Casa Andina Premium Arequipa is a national monument in its own right. Its stone-walled bar and restaurant, serving a fusion of traditional Arequipa delicacies and haute cuisine, opens out onto a central courtyard, while the fourth-floor terrace boasts impressive views of the cathedral and distant El Misti Volcano.

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Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs £££££

  • Peru

Surrounded by ancestral farming terraces in the Colca Valley, Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs boast astonishing views over the neighbouring Peruvian National Heritage pre-Inca terraces and across a luscious valley. Inspired by Inca architecture, the lodge is constructed almost entirely from native materials and techniques that include mud bricks, stones and thatching. A charming lodge that consciously blends in with the surrounding landscape, Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs offers 45 exquisite rooms that are decorated with rustic furnishings and bold fabrics and connect with the impressive gardens.

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Casa Andina Premium Puno £££££

  • Peru

Perched in meticulously landscaped grounds and with an undulating hilly backdrop, Casa Andina Premium Puno is positioned at 3,800 metres above sea level in front of Lake Titicaca. Offering spectacular views over the lake and privileged boardwalk access to a lakeside pier, the property even has its own private train station. Its 46 well-appointed rooms and suites are bright and modern, with some offering breath-taking views over the lake from balconies that absorb panoramic views from sunrise to sunset. The on-site restaurant features large windows with views towards the water, and a cosy bar area with an open fire provides an ideal spot for a sip of Pisco at the end of an active day.

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Sol y Luna Lodge £££££

  • Peru
  • Boutique

Encompassed by the majestic mountains and undulating landscapes of the Sacred Valley, Sol Y Luna is an authentic-feeling Andean retreat that is hidden on the outskirts of Urubamba. Aside from being ideally placed for train journeys to Macchu Picchu, the property also offers a number of thrilling excursions from paragliding to Peruvian Paso horseback riding. A traditional Peruvian restaurant serves superb dishes in front of an open fire and centres around time-honoured flavours.

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Inkaterra Machu Picchu £££££

  • Peru
  • Boutique

Tucked away in 12 acres of private Peruvian cloud forest, Inkaterra Machu Picchu is an estate built to replicate a traditional Andean village. Occupying a riverside location and set amongst stone pathways, terraced hills and waterfalls, the village accommodation is surrounded by a plethora of stunning bird species that includes the golden-headed quetzal and the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock.

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Inkaterra La Casona £££££

  • Peru
  • City

Built within a 16th-century manor house that is positioned atop the former training grounds of an elite Inca army, Inkaterra La Casona is a carefully restored property that reflects the traditions and cultures of centuries of Peruvian culture.

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How does this holiday make a positive impact?

Our long standing partners in Peru are founding partners of Turismo Cuida, a community of travel entrepreneurs committed to promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism. One pilot project is working in alliance with the Association of Recyclers of Cusco to collect plastic bottles and other waste within the Cusco – Machu Picchu corridor, with a view to Reuse Reduce and Recycle.

A stay at Sol y Luna Lodge directly contributes to their Sol Y Luna Association, an organisation dedicated to providing quality education to children within the Sacred Valley region.

Sustainable Farming is a key part of life at Inkaterra Machu Picchu. Native Andean fruits and vegetables are grown at their farm and used both within their restaurant and for research purposes. As well as dining on this local produce, during a stay here guests can also learn about and gain hands on experience of sustainably harvested honey and tea.

Galapagos Islands

Consider flying to the Galapagos Islands, Darwin’s playground and home to a delicate collection of fearless wildlife and idyllic landscapes. Stay in one of the many beautiful lodges, or take to the sea for a cruise with expert guides in tow.

5 days - Price on request

Galapagos Seaman Journey Boat, The Galapagos
Galapagos Seaman Journey

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £3,950 Per person

When to travel

Peru in January

January begins the rainy season in the Andes and the Amazon as they reach the summer months. Along the coast, this can be one of the best times to visit, although it is a hotspot for locals.

Peru in February

As the rains continue, February can be a good time to avoid crowds. While Machu Picchu remains open, trekking in this area is a challenge as the Inca Trail closes for the month. Heavy rains in the Amazon increase water levels on the river, making wildlife viewing slightly more challenging however it does allow you to adventure into areas otherwise not reachable by boat in other months of the year.

Peru in March

March can be a good time to visit Peru. As the rainy season draws to the end, the coast will still be experiencing summer weather while inland you can expect rains. This can be one of the least crowded months for Machu Picchu and the local tourism on the beaches has subsided as children go back to school.

Peru in April

April is considered one of the best times to travel to Peru with pleasant temperatures and avoiding the busiest period. As there is still some rain, the landscape is vibrant.

Peru in May

As the dry season begins and winter sets in, temperatures are comfortable and the countryside is green with life from the rainy season.

Peru in June

June marks the start of the peak season in Peru. Skies are clear, making for picturesque sightseeing. As this is officially the start of winter, cooler temperatures are expected especially in the evenings.

Peru in July

July begins the peak travel season as international holidays open. With warm, sunny days and cooler evenings, this is also the peak time for trekking the mountainous landscapes of the Andes.

Peru in August

August continues the peak season throughout the country. With cooler evening temperatures, brings a morning fog in the Sacred Valley, which clears to blue skies by the afternoon. Expect dry, sunny weather in the Amazon during this time.

Peru in September

As spring draws in during the month of September, expect cloudy mornings which clear to blue skies in the afternoon. Showers become more likely as this is considered the shoulder season before the green season begins.

Peru in October

Temperatures begin to increase in October as summer approaches. As the dry season comes to an end, the chance of precipitation increases along with clouds.

Peru in November

Temperatures rise in November with rain increasing from the middle of the month. As a shoulder season, this can be a good time to travel to avoid crowding in Machu Picchu.

Peru in December

Weather in December sees increased temperatures as summer begins, along with the start to the rainy season. Rising water levels in the Amazon makes wildlife viewing slightly more challenging along the shores.

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