The Best of Peru in 12 Days
During this 12-day journey through Peru, travelers will explore the magnificent land of the Incas, the City of Kings (Lima), and the breathtaking Huacachina Oasis in Ica. We’ll visit some of the most essential and sacred locations across Peru’s diverse geography.
Enjoy a spectacular tour of Cusco’s charming streets, the fascinating Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the mysterious lost city of Machu Picchu. You’ll also discover Lima’s colonial architecture and traverse the coastal desert to reach the Huacachina Oasis. This extraordinary 12-day trip allows you to deeply explore Peru’s three main regions: Coast, Highlands, and Jungle.
Uncover the Great Inca Civilization in 12 Days of Unforgettable Adventures in Peru.
Highlights of the Trip to Peru – Land of the Incas:
- Explore Cusco’s impressive historical and contemporary sites
- Discover the majestic Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Visit the lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu
- Travel on the scenic Vistadome train
- Museum day and cultural show in Cusco
- Spectacular hike to the Rainbow Mountain
- Guided tour of Qoricancha and the Four Ruins
- Full-day trek to Humantay Lake
- Tour the City of Kings: Lima
- Explore the coastal desert and Huacachina Oasis
Highlights of the The Best of Peru in 12 Days
During this 12-day journey through Peru, travelers will explore the magnificent land of the Incas, the City of Kings (Lima), and the breathtaking Huacachina Oasis in Ica. We’ll visit some of the most essential and sacred locations across Peru’s diverse geography. Enjoy a spectacular tour of Cusco’s charming streets, the fascinating Sacred Valley of the […]- Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
- Free afternoon to rest and acclimatize. Optional walk through Plaza de Armas, San Pedro Market, and the Sapantiana Aqueduct.
- Meals Included: None
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to Chinchero, with a visit to its archaeological site and traditional textile demonstration.
Continue to the Moray agricultural terraces and the extensive salt pans at Maras.
Lunch buffet in Urubamba Valley.
Afternoon tour of Ollantaytambo fortress and terraces.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Sacred Valley (e.g., Urubamba / Ollantaytambo)
- Breakfast and transfer to Ollantaytambo train station.
- Scenic one-way Expedition train ride to Aguas Calientes.
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu, followed by free time to explore on your own.
- Return shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Breakfast in hotel. Free morning in Aguas Calientes for hot springs or butterfly farm.
- Afternoon Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo, with live Andean music and dance onboard.
- Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Visit top museums (e.g. Pachacutec Obelisk, Inca Museum, Contemporary Art, Qoricancha site).
- Evening cultural show at Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo with traditional dance and music.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
- Pick-up at 4:00 a.m. for breakfast stop in Cusipata.
- Start ~2-hour uphill trek to Rainbow Mountain (~5,200 m / 17,060 ft).
- Optional horseback ascent (not included).
- Lunch in Cusipata before return to Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
- Breakfast at hotel.
- City tour including Qoricancha, then visits to Sacsayhuamán fortress, Qenqo, Tambomachay baths, and Pukapukara within one itinerary.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
- Pick-up at 4:00 a.m. for drive to Mollepata, breakfast, and onward to Soraypampa.
- 3 km uphill trek to the turquoise Humantay Lake (~4,200 m /13,780 ft), with stunning Salkantay views (~6,300 m).
- Lunch at base, then return to Cusco (2 h drive).
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
- Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Juliaca or Cusco airport.
- Morning flight to Lima.
- Arrival and transfer to your Lima hotel. Afternoon free to explore Miraflores boardwalk and Barranco neighborhood.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Lima
- Early transfer to Paracas (~3 h drive).
- Breakfast followed by boat tour of Ballestas Islands: see sea lions, penguins, and seabirds.
- Continue to Huacachina Oasis for dune buggy ride and sandboarding among the dunes.
- Return to Lima (~7–8 h total day).
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Lima
- Breakfast at hotel. Morning free.
- Afternoon guided tour of Historic Center: Plaza Mayor, Cathedral, San Francisco Monastery and catacombs.
- Visit Huaca Pucllana pyramid and finish in Miraflores at Parque del Amor overlooking the Pacific.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Lima
- Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Lima airport for your international flight.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Round-trip transport between Cusco and the train station.
- Round-trip Expedition/Voyager train tickets.
- Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary (Circuit 1 or 2).
- Professional bilingual tour guide (English and Spanish).
- International airfare and unused domestic flights
- Extra hotel nights due to flight changes
- Meals not specified (e.g. dinners, unscheduled lunches)
- Trekking poles, early check-in, personal tips, or optional upgrades
- Valid passport
- Cash in local currency (pen) and USD
- Hiking shoes and layered clothing
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat
- Rain poncho or waterproof jacket
- Light daypack with water and snacks
Frequently Asked Questions
Train companies (PeruRail and Inca Rail) only allow one carry-on bag or backpack not exceeding 5 kg (11 lbs) and 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Larger luggage can be stored for free at your hotel in Cusco.
Yes, all of our standard shared guided tours are conducted with a maximum of 8 to 10 people per guide in Machu Picchu to ensure a close, personalized experience and optimal resolution of your questions.
Government entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and train tickets are personal and non-transferable, and their dates are rigid according to official policies. Therefore, rescheduling is subject to penalties and the availability of new tickets at the time of requesting the change.