Peru Highlights Tour Overview
Travel around the best of Peru with our Andean Highlights Tour package. From the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu to the vibrant city of Arequipa, this tour will take you on a journey through Peru’s rich history and culture. Explore the Sacred Valley, visit the colonial city of Cusco, and witness the beauty of Lake Titicaca.
- DAY 1: AM Arequipa Arrival | PM Arequipa City Tour
- DAY 2: Trip from Arequipa to Chivay Valley
- DAY 3: Condor sightings in Colca Canyon | Trip to Puno with Sillustani
- DAY 4: Tour Uros and Taquile Island by Titicaca Boat
- DAY 5: Trip from Puno to Cusco with Rainbow Mountain Tour
- DAY 6: Free Day in Cusco
- DAY 7: Tour Pisac with Cusco City Tour
- DAY 8: Chinchero, Moray, and Ollantaytambo | PM Train to Machu Picchu Pueblo
- DAY 9: AM Machu Picchu Guided Tour | PM Return to Cusco by Train
- DAY 10: Fly from Cusco to Lima
Highlights Peru
Why You’ll Love the Highlights of Peru
- An awe-inspiring journey through the highlights of Peru with our expertly crafted tour. From Machu Picchu to the Amazon rainforest, experience the best of Peru!
- Peru is a land of incredible diversity and natural beauty. Explore the country’s top highlights, including ancient ruins, vibrant cities, and stunning landscapes.
- Ready to explore the wonders of Peru? Our Highlights Tour will take you to iconic destinations, including Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Lake Titicaca. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
10-Day Peru Highlights Tour Itinerary
Presentation of Highlights of the Peru Tour: Travel to Peru to the Andes: Arequipa, Colca Valley, Lake Titicaca, Rainbow Mountain, and Machu Picchu. Highlights of the Peru Tour: Explore ancient ruins, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes.
DURING THE MORNING ARRIVAL BY PLANE TO AREQUIPA
Organize your trip from Lima or another place in Peru to Arequipa during the morning! Our guide and driver of the vehicle are waiting for you at the airport. “Look for the Kondor Path Tours sign with your name inscribed.” Then we have the transfer service to the hotel in the center of Arequipa.
CITY TOUR AREQUIPA IN THE AFTERNOON
At 1:30 p.m., we begin with a guided tour of the White City of Arequipa, declared a “Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. Explore the most attractive historical and architectural areas of Arequipa.
EXPLORE:
- The viewpoints of Carmen Alto and Yanahuara
- The main square, with a view of the cathedral
- The portals and the church of the Company of Jesus
- Santa Catalina Monastery.
Walking Distance
A light walk
Hiking Time
5 to 13 minutes
Starting Altitude
Arequipa: 2,333m (7,654 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Arequipa: 2,333m (7,654 ft)
Highest Altitude
Yanahuara: 2,362m (7,749 ft)
At 09:30, we start the trip towards the Andes of Arequipa, towards the valley of Chivay; the journey takes approximately three and a half hours. Enjoy technical stops to enjoy the panoramic views and especially the fauna of the Andes, such as the Vicuñas “family of South American camelids” with incredible views of the Valley of the Volcanoes. In the afternoon, enjoy the thermal baths of La Calera near Chivay.
- Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve: Vicuña observation
- Toccra Wetlands: Incredible flora and fauna of the Andes
- The viewpoint of the volcanoes (4800 meters): observation of the volcanic chain of Arequipa”
- In the afternoon, go to the Thermal Baths de la Calera near Chivay.
Physical Level
2, Moderate
Walking Distance
A light walk
Hiking Time
5 to 10 minutes, mainly by car
Starting Altitude
Arequipa: 2,333m (7,654 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Chivay: 3,663m (12,017 ft)
Highest Altitude
Patabamba: 4,469m (14,662 ft)
At 06:30, the Colca Canyon trip begins towards Condors’s most spectacular viewpoint, “Cruz del Condor.” Observe the Andean condor between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
AFTER THE CONDOR VIEWPOINT:
Optional visits to the folkloric towns of Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque, with their incredible viewpoints and white ashlar chapel
At approximately 11 in the morning, visitors start the trip to Puno. At 3:30 p.m., explore the ruins of Chullpas de Sillustani before entering Puno to spend the night near Lake Titicaca, “the highest navigable and inhabited lake in the world.”
Walking Distance
A light walk
Hiking Time
10 to 20 minutes
Starting Altitude
Chivay: 3,663m (12,017 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Cruz Del Condor: 3,802m (11,646 ft)
Highest Altitude
Patabamba: 4,469m (14,662 ft)
At 7:40 a.m., pick-up service from the hotel in Puno will go to the port of Lake Titicaca to start the excursion to the islands of Uros and Taquile. The tour is done by speedboat to have more time in our visits, enjoying the trip around Lake Titicaca to the fullest.
UROS FLOATING ISLANDS
It is a magnificent trip to take pictures of the entire population or islands of the Uros. Visitors can ride inside the boat, on the back, or on the roof for one of the best full-perspective photos. Enjoy walking on one of the floating islands and visiting the native families of Lake Titicaca.
TAQUILE ISLAND
When we arrive at the port of Taquile, we have to climb a slope that we recommend strolling up until we reach the Taquile square. Once in Taquile, we take a guided tour through the traditions and culture of the islanders, with unique panoramic views of Lake Titicaca. We arrive back in Puno between 03:30 and 04:30 p.m.
Physical Level
2, Moderate
Walking Distance
A light walks
Hiking Time
10 to 25 minutes
Starting Altitude
Puno City: 3,827m (12,555 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Uros Island: 3,827m (12,555 ft)
Highest Altitude
Taquile: 3,827m (12,555 ft)
At 05:00, we start the trip to the northwest of Puno towards the rainbow mountains of Vinicunca, “approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes of travel”.
Once we get to the Rainbow Mountain parking lot, The saddle horses wait for us to ride them for 50 minutes near the colorful peak! 18-minute walk to the Rainbow Mountain Passes to enjoy the views and the Rainbow Mountain range.
To have a complete experience through the Andes of Cusco, the return on horseback takes about 35 minutes until you reach the vehicle! The vehicular trip continues to Cusco, which lasts about three more hours.
Physical Level
5, Challenging
Walking Distance
A light walk, mainly by horse
Hiking Time
A short hike (35 min), mainly by horse (100 min)
Starting Altitude
Llactoq: 4,900m (16,076 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Llactoq: 4,900m (16,076 ft)
Highest Altitude
Rainbow Pass: 5,100m (16,732 ft)
For many travelers, the center of Cusco, especially the main square, is one of the most charming in all of Peru, so it is worth giving yourself a day of free time to explore the center of Cusco at your leisure or do other activities. Cusco is the tourist metropolis of all of Peru.
Activities to explore in Cusco
- Visit the Cathedral of Cusco.
- The main temple of the Incas! the famous Coricancha
- The panoramic bus ride through the city
- The church of La Merced, Company of Jesus
- Chocolate Museum Experience
- The stone of the 12 angles
- The San Blas neighborhood is a neighborhood of artists and artisans.
- In the traditional market of San Pedro
- Inca and Colonial Museums of the Center of Cusco
Walking Distance
None, optional
Starting Altitude
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Highest Altitude
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
At 09:00, we start a trip to explore part of the Sacred Valley and the Inca ruins northwest of Cusco, known as the Four Ruins. Visit the ruins of Pisac, such as the Cuyo Chico and Taray viewpoints, with views of the Inca terraces and the Inca Valley.
Returning to Cusco, visit the incredible Inca fountains of Tambomachay with their peculiar and unique architecture, then explore the Inca control of Puca Pucara and the Qenqo labyrinth. The exploration ends with the colossal temple of Sacsayhuaman, where the stones are immense! For many researchers, Sacsayhuaman is the ultimate architectural expression of the Inca empire.
EXPLORE:
- Pisac Inca and Colonial Viewpoint
- Cuyo Chico Viewpoint
- Pisac Ruins
- The Pisac Colonial Ovens “make delicious empanadas with nutritious flour from the Andes.”
- Tambomachay Inca Fountain
- Inca control of Puca Pucara, “red fortress.”
- Ruins of Qenqo “labyrinth and underground passages”
- Sacsayhuaman ruins “megalithic construction.”
Physical Level
2, Moderate
Walking Distance
A light walks
Hiking Time
10 to 35 minutes
Starting Altitude
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Sacsayhuaman: 3,500m (11,482 ft)
Highest Altitude
Tambomachay: 3,765m (12,352 ft)
At 7:30, we start the trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo! Firstly, by car, and then by train.
During the trip, visit charming places such as the textile center of Chinchero, the incredible ruins of Chinchero, and the salt mines of Maras, with their white views intermingling with the valleys. A guided visit to the magnificent circular terraces of Moray and the ruins of Ollantaytambo with its imposing temple of the sun
In the afternoon, travel by train for approximately one hour and 40 minutes until we reach Machu Picchu Pueblo, better known as Aguas Calientes, to spend not far from the ruins of Machu Picchu. “at the foot of the mountain.”
EXPLORE:
- The textile center of Chinchero is “a sample of Inca ancestral fabric.”
- Chinchero ruins with views towards the Chinchero plains
- Raqchi’s viewpoint “views towards the Sacred Valley.”
- Maras Salt Mines
- Circular ruins of Moray
- Ollantaytambo Ruins
Walking Distance
A light walks
Hiking Time
10 to 35 minutes
Starting Altitude
Chinchero Ruins: 3,800m (12,467 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Machu Picchu Pueblo: 2,065m (6,774 ft)
Highest Altitude
Chinchero Ruins: 3,800m (12,467 ft)
In the morning, enjoy a 2-hour guided tour inside the Machu Picchu citadel through Circuit 1 or 2, which are the best for panoramic views from the Machu Picchu viewpoint!
The guided tour consists of visiting the fantastic sites of the Inca citadel, such as the house of the Inca guardian, the agricultural area, the residential area, the temple of the sun, the quarries, the sundial, the residence of the chosen ones of the sun, and the Inca sources. The tour takes you walking to enjoy every corner of Machu Picchu and get some of the best photographic perspectives of Machu Picchu.
After noon, we return to Cusco by train to Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, we board the private tourist vehicle to travel to Cusco. “The whole trip takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.”
Walking Distance
A light walk
Hiking Time
2-hour guided tour
Starting Altitude
Machu Picchu Pueblo: 2,065m (6,774 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Highest Altitude
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
When travelers indicate their air flight from Cusco to Lima, we have a transfer service from the hotel to the Cusco airport.
Thank you very much for your trips with Kondor Path Tours in Peru.
Starting Altitude
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Lima: 79m (259 ft)
10-Day Peru Highlights Tour INCLUSIONS
- Personalized trips and excursions
- Active itinerary with unique cultural and Amazon experiences
- English-speaking local guide (s)
- Ground transportation by land with Fuel and Driver
- Pick and drop off at your accommodation in Arequipa, Colca Valley, Puno, and Cusco.
HOTEL 3 stars
- AREQUIPA: 1 night of accommodation: Casa Andina Select Arequipa Plaza or Hotel Los Tambos, Tierra Viva Arequipa Plaza, Hotel Riviera Colonial, or similar, based on a double or matrimonial room. Check-In: 11:00 hrs.; Check-Out: 09:00 hrs.
- CHIVAY VALLEY: 01 night of accommodation: Casa Andina Standard Colca or Vita Hotel Colca, based on a double or matrimonial room. Check-In: 11:00 hrs.; Check-Out: 09:00 hrs.
- PUNO: 02 nights of accommodation: Hotel Conde de Lemos, Sol Plaza Hotel Puno, Casa Andina Standard Puno, or similar to the Hotel Waman, Retama, based on the twin-share or matrimonial room. Check-in: noon; check-out: 9:00 a.m.
- CUSCO MOUNTAINS: 04 nights of accommodation: Hotel Maytaq, OR Hotel Royal Inka I-II, Ruinas, Anahuarque, or Rumi Punku, based on a double or matrimonial room. Check-In: 11:00 hrs.; Check-Out: 09:00 hrs.
- AGUAS CALIENTES: 01 night of accommodation: Hotel Santuario Machu Picchu (***), OR similar to the Hotel Waman, Retama, based on the twin-share or matrimonial room. Check-in: noon; check-out: 9:00 a.m.
AREQUIPA & COLCA: 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Day
- Transfer service on the first day from the Arequipa Airport to the hotel
- Guided excursions through the City Tour and Colca Canyon.
- Convent of Santa Catalina, Colca Canyon, Sillustani entrance tickets
- On day 3: Box Lunch
- Arequipa, Colca Valley, and Puno overnight
LAKE TITICACA: 4th. Day
- Speedboat transportation on Lake Titicaca
- Puno Port, Uros, and Taquile entrance tickets
- Local lunch in Taquile
- Puno overnight
CUSCO TOURS
5th Day: Rainbow Mt. from Puno to Cusco
- Access ticket to Vinicunca
- One horse with Andes saddles to ride per person “back and forth.”
- a local muleteer to pull each client’s horse.
- Lunch: Box lunch
- First aid kit plus one portable oxygen balloon
- Cusco overnight
6th Day: Free Day in Cusco
7th Day: Tour Pisac with Cusco City Tour
- Admissions for the ruins of Cusco and the Sacred Valley—Full BTG Cusco
- Cusco overnight
8th. Day: Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo | PM Train to Machu Picchu Pueblo
- Inca Salt Mines of Maras entrance tickets
- Outbound PeruRail train from OLLANTAYTAMBO to MACHU PICCHU – VISTADOME TRAIN N° 603. Departure at 15:37
- Lunch: Box lunch
- Machu Picchu Pueblo overnight
9th. Day: AM Machu Picchu Guided Tour | PM Return to Cusco by Train
- Roundtrip Bus Tickets to/from Machupicchu
- Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket at 08:00: Valid exclusively for the printed date, route, and time. The ticket is personal and non-transferable.
- 2 hours of guided tour service inside the citadel of Machu Picchu
- NOTE: THERE IS NO FREE TIME, according to the new regulations of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary since 2015. If travelers require more hours, they must buy a new ticket.
- Inbound Train Journey: From MACHU PICCHU to OLLANTAYTAMBO—on board the VISTADOME TRAIN N° 32 Departure at 14:55
- Private transfer service from the train station from OLLANTAYTAMBO to CUSCO
- Cusco overnight
10th Day: Cusco Out
- Transfer service to Cusco airport
On-site logistical support from our office in Peru
All taxes (Peru)
EXCLUSIONS
- International airfare, domestic airfare within Peru, airport departure taxes (Approximate cost: US$ 31.00 for international flights and US$ 10.40 for each domestic flight)
- Reconfirmation of international flights and items of a personal nature
- Spending money: allow approximately US$40–90 per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips, personal expenses, and extras.
- Meals that are not described in the service.
- Travel Insurance
- Tipping is a personal gesture: “guide (S) and driver.”
What to Bring for the Highlights of Peru?
We recommend using a duffel bag or backpack, whichever you find easiest. A good-sized daypack is also essential.
PACKING LIST
Cold Weather: Cusco Andes Mountains
- Long-sleeved shirts or sweaters.
- Scarf.
- Warm gloves.
- Warm hat.
- Warm layers.
Documents:
- You must bring your original passport.
- Flight information: “E-ticket printouts may be required when entering Peru and for local flights.”
- Insurance information required: “With photocopies.”
- Passport required: “With photocopies.”
Essentials:
- Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
- Cash, credit, and debit cards
- Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
- Ear plugs
- First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, a whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandages or plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel or wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, and any extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
- Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
- Fleece top/sweater
- Footwear
- Hat
- Locks for bags
- Long pants/jeans
- Money-belt
- Outlet adapter
- Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
- Reusable water bottle
- Shirts/t-shirts
- Sleepwear
- Small travel towel
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries (Preferably biodegradable)
- Watch an alarm clock
- Waterproof backpack cover
- Windproof rain jacket
Health & Safety:
- Hand sanitizer is required.
Warm Weather:
- Sandals/flip-flops
- Shorts and skirts (Longer shorts and skirts are recommended)
- Sun hat/bandana
- Swimwear
Notes of Highlights Peru:
Machu Picchu Tickets are valid for a single entry, and re-entry is impossible! To re-enter, you have to buy a new entrance ticket in advance.
* Kondor Path Tours: A Travel Tour Operator 100% for the Highlights of Peru Tour
10-Day Peru Highlights Tour Price Information
PRICES PER PERSON [U.S Dollar] 2024, with hotel*** twin-share or matrimonial
Soon, we will update the prices!
- Solo Travel USD$000.
- 02 participants USD$000. “Prices reduce if more people are in your group.”
- 03 participants USD$000.
- 04 participants USD$000.
- 05 participants USD$000.
- 06 participants USD$000.
- 07 participants USD$000.
- 08 participants + USD$000.
Highlights of Peru Tour Upgrade
Enhance Your Trip
TRAIN SERVICES
By PeruRail / PER PERSON
- + $50.00 Vistadome train (MACHUPICCHU-OLLANTAYTAMBO) + Transfer to Cusco from Ollantaytambo
- + $45 Vistadome train (one way: MACHUPICCHU – POTOY) Inbound Journey
- + $445.00 Hiram Bingham train (Train MACHUPICCHU-POROY) Inbound Journey
EXTRA TICKETS
- +$75 Huayna Picchu
- +$75 Montaña
- +$60 RE-ENTRY TO MACHU PICCHU
DISCOUNTS
- This applies to the following services:
- Machu Picchu Fee: Highlights of Peru Tour College Students: $20 off
INQUIRE ABOUT THE PERU HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
Highlights of the Peru Tour 10-Day: Embark on a journey through history and culture with our Peru highlights tours. Explore ancient ruins, sample local cuisine, and immerse yourself in Peru’s vibrant culture.
