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The beauties of Peru in a single journey: from Lima to Huacachina, the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, trekking at Rainbow Mountain, Arequipa, Cuzco, and of course, Machu Picchu. One of those “once-in-a-lifetime” adventures.

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Party and nightlife
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Monuments and history
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Itinerary

Peru is a country of extraordinary landscapes and ancient civilisations, and this itinerary is designed to take us deep into its history and natural beauty. From Inca cities and dramatic canyons to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, each stop reveals a different side of the country.

Starting in Lima, we travel inland to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, where condors soar above the peaks. We continue to Chivay before reaching Lake Titicaca, where we’ll meet local communities and learn about their traditions.

The journey then takes us to high altitude for a trek on Rainbow Mountain, followed by the Sacred Valley and the iconic archaeological site of Machu Picchu. We return to Lima at the end of the trip, bringing with us a collection of unforgettable experiences.

A map of a travel itinerary in Peru, showing a loop route that starts and ends in Lima.
A man in a white t-shirt stands on a stone wall overlooking ancient terraced ruins and a steep mountain peak under a cloudy sky.

Check-in: the adventure begins in Lima

Round-trip flights or transportation to reach the destination are not included in the package, so you can decide from where and when you want to leave! This gives you complete freedom of choice to adjust your travel itinerary to your needs.

After we have checked into the hotel and gathered for the Welcome Meeting, we then spend the afternoon visiting the modern capital of Peru, the cultural and economic centre of the country. In addition to its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lima offers picturesque residential neighbourhoods overlooking the Pacific ocean - we explore the surroundings and then have our first group dinner together!

A wide, sandy beach beside a calm body of water, with green grassy patches and a rocky headland under a partly cloudy sky.

To the desert

We head to the National Reserve of Paracas by bus. As soon as we arrive we immediately understand the origin of the name ("para" means storm, "aca" means sand). We are in a vast, desert area, overlooking the ocean, with very strong gusts of wind that make it wild and impressive. We explore the reserve, with its almost otherworldly landscapes, and then we take an excursion to the nearby Ballestas Islands.

The Peruvian Galapagos

The Ballestas Islands are considered the Peruvian Galapagos thanks to their particular ecosystem: here there are several animal species, such as penguins, sea lions and various birds. The excursion lasts about two hours so we'll have the chance to make new friends - if we are lucky, we'll also meet the friendly dolphins. Once back on the mainland, there's a bus waiting for us: we reach Ica, where we'll finally have time to enjoy our dinner! But we won't be late as we'll get on our night bus, which will take us straight to Arequipa while we fall asleep.

An elevated view of a bustling city plaza filled with palm trees, green spaces, and people walking among historic buildings under a cloudy sky.

Welcome to Arequipa

Finally, we arrive in Arequipa, the famous white city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It lies at the foot of the majestic El Misti volcano which is 19101 ft tall. After our night bus trip, we'll have time to freshen up once we arrive at the accommodation before heading out to explore the white city.

Let’s visit the city

In the afternoon we begin to get used to the altitude and visit the historic center such as the Santa Catalina Monastery, dating back to 1580, which covers 215,278 square ft. It's an entire neighbourhood that makes this convent the largest religious building in Peru! Sunset is undoubtedly the best time to be here and admire the view of the city. During dinner, we can experience local specialties like cuy..? If you're feeling brave!

A WeRoad group trip on a rocky viewpoint photographs a condor flying over a mountain canyon under a cloudy sky.

To Arequipa

We set off from Arequipa around 4am to head towards Chivay, at 12,000 ft above sea level, the gateway to the Colca Canyon. The trip takes about 5 hours and winds along the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, so...let's make the most of it by taking many photos during our breaks! Llamas, alpacas and majestic smoky volcanoes await us along the way. After a quick bite for breakfast, we head to the first high altitude hike. After 40 minutes we reach the summit above the Cruz del Condor. As the name implies, if we arrive early enough and the weather is nice, we'll be able to admire these immense predatory animals flying over our heads! IMPORTANT: We'll reach 16,400 ft along the way. Just remember that everyone reacts differently to altitude. Severe dizziness, wheezing and even vomiting may occur. However, we can easily buy adequate medicines for altitude sickness prevention. We arrive in Chivay in the afternoon where we slowly get used to the altitude and make the most of the afternoon by visiting the historic centre and its characteristic market.

A rocky hillside with green terraced fields and trees overlooks a large blue lake under a partly cloudy sky.

Lake Titicaca

We set off to the largest freshwater basin in South America: Lake Titicaca! It takes approximately 6 hours to get to this magical lake, but we promise - it will be worth it! To break up the journey, we can take in some nice views at the Mirador de Los Volcanes! When we arrive in Puno, the locals will welcome us with a delicious family dinner: we'll be able to try out some specialities of the local cuisine. It's the perfect way to get to know the locals, ask questions about their habits and traditions, interact with the children and get to know the most traditional and colourful Peruvian dance!

A WeRoad group trip in traditional red and white clothing poses on a rocky hilltop overlooking a body of water at sunset.

Uros Islands and Taquile

We wake up in a place that feels enchanted, surrounded by peace and silence, and prepare for the day ahead. Today, we leave Luquina and set out at nearly 4,000 metres above sea level for a breathtaking panoramic boat excursion among the floating islands of Uros—artificial islets built from totora reeds, an aquatic plant, and home to around 1,800 people of this ethnic group. And for the boldest travellers... a refreshing dive is an absolute must!

Towards the Rainbow Mountain!

After cruising across the highest navigable lake in the world, we return to Puno and hit the road toward our next stop: Rainbow Mountain!

A WeRoad group trip poses for a photo on a mountainside with a large, colorful, striped mountain in the background under a blue sky.

Hiking day

We have a little confession to make: today’s gonna be the most beautiful and challenging day! The Rainbow Mountains will literally leave us breathless: a trek like this is generally easy... but things are different here! Guess why? We'll reach 17060 ft! The Rainbow Mountains, located not far from Cuzco at 17060 ft, are a real miracle of nature, discovered a few years ago when the snow melted, revealing the natural beauty of the rock beneath.

On the road to Cuzco

After this hike, we return to the base to have some food - the effort was huge but the landscape has definitely rewarded us. Now we are ready for a 3-hour transfer to reach the most beautiful city in Peru, Cuzco.

An ornate stone cathedral with twin bell towers overlooks a busy, paved city square filled with people, with green mountains in the background.

History and more...

Today we take it easy: we can visit the historic districts of Cuzco and its ancient colonial Cathedral. Or we can go for a stroll along the narrow Inca alleys and the picturesque San Pedro market.

A woman with a backpack sits on a dirt ledge overlooking a large, circular terraced archaeological site under a cloudy sky.
A wide view of white and brown terraced salt pans covering a mountainside under an overcast sky.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas

Today we get lost in the enchanting Sacred Valley of the Incas, where archaeological, historical and folkloristic evidence of the ancient Inca civil settlements are enclosed.

Chinchero

That's the perfect example of a town built entirely by the Inca - the walls are made with large blocks of stone cut and perfectly overlapping. Thanks to the panoramic tour of the walls, we can appreciate the surrounding green meadows with numerous grazing animals, the eucalyptus woods and the shapes of the glaciers from afar. After this stroll, it's time to stop at a local market. Here we can sip different types of lightly alcoholic drinks, cheers! If we are hungry, we can taste the traditional foods prepared by the locals in the typical pots.

Maras

The traditional village nestled in the heart of a cultivated valley at 11154 ft above sea level, where we'll admire the particular colonial church. Let's take a look inside to appreciate some Cusqueña canvases. Going down, we come across the beautiful salt flats: 3,000 tiny pools arranged on terraces and filled with saltwater.

Moray

This archaeological complex was the world's first agricultural research centre and is believed to have been used by the Incas to study the effects of different climatic conditions on crops.In fact, it has two gigantic circular depressions, about 164 ft deep, used by the Incas to acclimate the seeds of cereals and potatoes to the Andean altitudes.

Finally, Ollantaytambo!

It is a mountain fortress that features structures built with mammoth blocks of granite positioned in line, the Wall of the Living Rock, the Temple of the Condor and the huge military fortress.In the late afternoon, we leave Ollantaytambo for Aguas Calientes: we can finally relax and have an easy peasy evening waiting for the next stop...Machu Picchu!

A high-angle view of ancient stone ruins and green terraces nestled in lush mountains, with a prominent peak rising against a cloudy sky.

Welcome to Machu Picchu

We have an early alarm today and we are ready for the greatest Peruvian adventure! We take the shuttle that will take us along a zigzagging path to the gates of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu in just 30 minutes. Describing what awaits us is impossible: this city has been lost for centuries, and today we can see this incredible wonder nestled between the Andean peaks.

Peruvian dinner

After enjoying Machu Picchu from every angle, in the late afternoon we return to Cuzco. Here it is possible to stroll and choose where to spend the evening among bars, cafes, sandwich bars, restaurants, disco and karaoke, many of which stay open until dawn to spend a well-deserved evening in good company!

A crowd of people gathers in a large stone plaza before an ornate historic cathedral, with green mountains rising in the background.

Back to Lima

With a domestic flight, we say goodbye to Cuzco and return to the capital Lima. We leave our backpacks in the accommodation and we are ready to fully enjoy this last day in Peru. Where do we start? The ideal place to start breathing the historical atmosphere is Plaza Mayor, where Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1535, making it the oldest square. Its grandeur is reflected in the buildings that surround it, such as the Palacio del Gobierno, the Palacio Arzobispal and the Cathedral.

Farewell dinner

We conclude this incredible journey with dinner: we shared a unique adventure that we'll always remember. Peru is like this: once it gets inside you, it never leaves. Let's drink to this country and us!

A WeRoad group trip posing for a photo on a grassy viewpoint with ancient ruins and steep green mountains in the background.

Check-out and goodbye

Time to say goodbye: see you in your next WeRoad adventure!

What's included

  • 9 nights hotel/guesthouse in shared room with private bathroom

  • 1 night overnight bus

  • 1 night homestay in shared room with shared bathroom

  • 10 breakfasts (of which 4 packed breakfast due to early departure)

  • Domestic flight from Cuzco to Lima with airport transfers

  • Medical and baggage insurance - (coverage limits by destination country/region - €10,000 Italy, €20,000 Europe, €30,000 World, €50,000 USA/Canada)

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Entrance tickets to:

    • Sacred Valley

    • Maras

    • Vinicunca

    • Colca Canyon

    • Paracas National Reserve

    Approx. USD70

  • Ballestas Islands Tour - approx. USD55

  • Public transport (bus, metro, taxis, trains, uber, etc)

  • Food and beverages unless specified

  • All souvenirs and extras that you wish to buy and will be able to squeeze in your backpack 

  • Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section

Optional activities

Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.

  • Entrance ticket to Santa Catalina Monastery - approx. USD12

  • Hot Springs in Chivay - approx. USD15

  • Local guides in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu - approx. USD35

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Accommodation

    Small hotels, apartments and a night with a local family on Lake Titicaca to have an authentic experience with the local community.

    The first hotel will be shared with you at least 2 days before your departure by your Group Leader!

    Standards of accommodation in some parts of Peru, particularly in high-altitude or remote areas, may differ from those commonly found in Europe. Facilities can be more basic, with occasional lack of hot water or heating. These conditions reflect local norms and are part of the travel experience. We recommend packing appropriate clothing for cooler temperatures.

  • Transports

    A night bus, a domestic flight, train, van, local transport where possible and private transfers.

  • Staff

    Our trips are led by a Group Leader who has been specifically trained by us to lead group travels to ensure you have the best time. A WhatsApp group with all travel participants will be created two weeks prior to departure by your Group Leader.

  • Luggage

    Backpacks are mandatory to allow easy transfers - we recommend a 45L backpack for our trips.

  • Tickets to Machu Picchu

    Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most sought-after destinations, and entrance tickets are limited.

    In line with site regulations, all visits follow a circuit-based system designed to manage visitor flow and protect the archaeological site. There are currently three circuits, each providing access to different viewpoints and areas.

     

    While our tour includes a Machu Picchu entrance ticket, the specific circuit is managed through the official allocation system, which is beyond our control.  In some cases, members of the same group may be allocated different circuits. Our team will always do its best to keep groups together whenever possible.

     

    We recommend booking early to help us secure the best possible arrangements. Your Group Leader will confirm ticket details in the WhatsApp group before departure.

  • Access to Rainbow Mountain

    The main access to Vinicunca via Cusipata has been officially closed since November 28, 2024, with no formal reopening announced.

    To prioritize your safety and follow local guidelines, our groups will either visit Vinicunca via Pitumarca route or enjoy the scenic Palcoyo trek—a beautiful, less-crowded alternative to a mountain with the same rainbow effect. You'll get more info from your Group Leader in the Whatsapp group.

  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalLima (LIM)
ReturnLima (LIM)
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FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Peru

From$ 2,144
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$ 2,040
Book with $ 0
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