Southern Peru – 9D / 8N Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and Arequipa
9 days
Private and Group
Included
Year-round
Experience the very best of southern Peru in one unforgettable journey. Upon arrival in Lima, you will take a direct flight to Cusco, where this great adventure begins through the country’s most iconic destinations: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, and Arequipa.
In Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, you will discover its rich history, colonial streets, and the impressive Machu Picchu, the jewel of the Andean world. You will then continue to Puno and the magical Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, before finally arriving in Arequipa, the elegant White City and gateway to the breathtaking Colca Canyon.
Short Itinerary: Southern Peru – 9D / 8N Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and Arequipa
- Day 1: Lima – Cusco (flight included) – City Tour (afternoon)
- Day 2: Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero)
- Day 3: Machu Picchu Full Day
- Day 4: Cusco – Puno by tourist bus (Route of the Sun)
- Day 5: Lake Titicaca: Uros and Taquile Islands
- Day 6: Puno – Chivay (Colca Canyon)
- Day 7: Condor Cross – Arequipa
- Day 8: Arequipa City Tour
- Day 9: Arequipa – Lima (domestic flight included)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Lima – Cusco City Tour
In the morning, board the flight from Lima to Cusco (approximately 1 hour).
Our staff will be waiting to welcome you to Cusco and transfer you to your hotel, where you will be offered coca tea to help you acclimate to the altitude.
In the afternoon, enjoy a City Tour. You will visit the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), as well as the four archaeological sites located near the city: the Fortress of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and finally Tambomachay, known as the “Inca Baths.”
At the end of the afternoon, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Cusco.
Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour
After breakfast, pickup will be between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. We will depart passing through Corao and travel along the Vilcanota River, enjoying a panoramic view of the Inca citadel of Pisac. We will visit the traditional indigenous market of Pisac, where you will have the opportunity to learn about local customs and bargain with the vendors.
We will make a stop in Urubamba, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this part of the valley. Here you can also observe the gateway to the jungle, a route once used by the Incas. You will have time to walk through its narrow streets and gain a clear idea of what this military, religious, and cultural center was like during the Inca Empire.
On the way back to Cusco, we will visit the picturesque town of Chinchero, home to the remains of the royal estate of Túpac Inca Yupanqui. We will admire its well-preserved Inca Wall in the main square and visit the beautiful colonial church with interesting frescoes on its portico, built on the foundations of an Inca structure.
At the end of the tour, we will return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Overnight at the hotel in Cusco.
Day 3: Machu Picchu Full Day
Very early in the morning, we will begin the journey from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station to continue by train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley and the route that follows the Urubamba River.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will take the bus that ascends to the Machu Picchu citadel. Once at the archaeological site, you will enjoy a guided tour visiting its main sectors, learning about its history, architecture, and the importance it had within the Inca Empire.
After the guided tour, we will descend back to Aguas Calientes to board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco.
Overnight at the hotel in Cusco.
Day 4: Cusco – Puno by Tourist Bus (Route of the Sun)
After a good breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the bus station.
07:00 a.m.: Departure of the Cusco – Puno tourist bus. The journey includes four guided visits to points of interest:
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The Andahuaylillas Church, known as the “Sistine Chapel of America.”
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The Inca temple of Raqchi.
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La Raya Pass (4,335 m / 14,222 ft above sea level).
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The Inca Aymara Museum of Pukara.
Each visit lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. A buffet lunch will be served in Sicuani (included). During the stops, you will have time to ask questions, take photos, and explore.
Upon arrival in Puno, our staff will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Puno.
Cusco – Puno by Tourist Bus (Route of the Sun)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the port of Puno (Lake Titicaca), where you will board a motorboat to visit the floating Uros Islands for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. There, you will observe the local customs of the islanders and their traditional handicrafts.
We will then continue our boat journey to visit Taquile Island, renowned for its outstanding natural beauty, as well as its ethnic, cultural, and archaeological significance. Afterwards, we will return to the port of Puno, where you will be picked up and transferred back to your hotel. If you wish, we can also drop you off in downtown Puno to explore the city on your own.
Overnight at the hotel in Puno.
Day 6: Puno – Chivay (Colca Canyon)
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from Puno to Chivay in the morning. The journey takes approximately 6 hours until arriving in Chivay, the town where Colca Canyon is located, known for its religious celebrations, cultural heritage, and traditional festivals.
During the route, we will visit three places:
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Lagunillas Lagoon.
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Cañahuas Pampas.
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Volcanoes Viewpoint (Patapampa).
Overnight accommodation in Chivay.
Día 7: Chivay – Cañón del Colca – Arequipa
After breakfast, we will depart for the “Condor Cross.” From this viewpoint, where the canyon begins, you will be able to appreciate its impressive depth. In this stunning landscape, you will also have the opportunity to see the Andean condor in its natural habitat.
After a brief stop at the Condor Cross, we will continue our journey through Colca Canyon, admiring the traditional villages of Pinchollo, Madrigal, Lari, Maca, Achoma, Yanque, and others.
We will return to Chivay for lunch and then continue on to Arequipa, concluding the tour at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Overnight at the hotel in Arequipa.
Day 8: Arequipa – City Tour
After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will pick you up to begin the tour of the “White City,” including the Santa Catalina Monastery, undoubtedly the jewel of Arequipa. It was opened to the public in 1970 after having remained in cloistered life for 400 years and houses countless examples of colonial art.
You will also visit the Main Square, the cloisters of the Church of the Society of Jesus, and the districts of Cayma and Yanahuara, where you will enjoy magnificent views of the Misti Volcano, as well as a visit to a traditional colonial house known as the Founder’s Mansion.
Free afternoon in Arequipa to explore the city on your own.
Overnight at the hotel in Arequipa.
Day 9: Arequipa – Lima Flight
- AM Transfer from Hotel to the Airport.
- Return flight to Lima (approximately 40 minutes).
- End of services.
What the tour includes?
Included
Flights
- Lima – Cusco flight
- Arequipa – Lima flight
Cusco
- All transfers: airport, hotel, bus station, etc.
- Cusco City Tour (transportation, guide, entrance fees).
- Sacred Valley Tour (transportation, guide, entrance fees, and lunch).
- 03 nights of hotel accommodation in Cusco.
Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu 1-day tour.
- Cusco – Ollantaytambo (train station) – Cusco transportation.
- Round-trip train ticket.
- Bus ticket up and down to Machu Picchu.
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
- Professional guide at Machu Picchu.
Puno / Lake Titicaca
- Cusco – Puno Tourist Bus (bus, guide, entrance fees, buffet lunch).
- Lake Titicaca Tour (boat, guide, entrance fees, lunch).
- 02 nights of hotel accommodation in Puno.
Arequipa / Colca Canyon
- Arequipa – Colca Canyon Tour 2D / 1N (bus, guide, entrance fees, hostel in Chivay).
- Arequipa City Tour (transportation, guide, entrance fees).
- 02 nights of hotel accommodation in Arequipa.
General Services
- All transfers during the 9-day program.
Not Included
- International flights.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Entrance to hot springs (S/ 10 soles).
- Huayna Picchu entrance fee (USD 75).
- Travel insurance.
Recommendations
- Original passport or ID
- Rain poncho (November to April)
- Light long-sleeve clothing and pants
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Bottled water and snacks
- Small backpack or carry-on (maximum 12 kg for domestic flights)
- Backpack or small bag for the Machu Picchu train (5 kg limit)
- Camera
- Cash (small bills)
Important Program Information
- Tickets to Machu Picchu sell out 2–3 months in advance and are subject to official circuits based on the selected date.
- Hiking activities in Cusco may be affected by altitude; prior acclimatization is recommended.
- Lake Titicaca navigation is provided on a shared service.
- Entrance tickets are included only according to the confirmed itinerary.
- Please bring cash for personal expenses and payments on the islands.
- The program may vary due to weather conditions or train and route o
Tour Prices for Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno & Arequipa – 9 Days
BUDGET
$1050
PER PERSON- 2⭐ HOTEL
- Domestic flights
- Entrance tickets included
- Group services
- Expedition or Voyager train
- Book with 30%
TOURIST
$1250
PER PERSON- 3⭐ HOTEL
- Domestic flights
- Entrance tickets included
- Group services
- Expedition or Voyager train
- Book with 30%
SUPERIOR
$1500
PER PERSON- 4⭐ HOTEL
- Domestic flights
- Entrance tickets included
- Transfers and guided tours in a small group
- Private guided tour in Machu Picchu
- Vistadome or 360° train
- Book with 50%
How to book?
To begin the reservation process, please send us the following information:
Full name:
Passport number:
Nationality:
Date of birth:
Gender:
Phone number:
It is very important that you also provide us with your hotel information in the city of Cusco, so we can pick you up at the start of the tour.
PAYMENT METHODS
We offer the following options to complete your reservation payment:
1. WeTravel
You can make your payment through WeTravel, with a 4.5% service fee.
Important: to book with WeTravel, prior coordination with the agency is required in order to send you your 30% payment link, which includes the mentioned fee.
2. PayPal
You can make your payment via PayPal, with a 7.5% service fee.
The payment request will be sent by the agency.
PayPal account:
peru-sites@hotmail.com
PERU SITES TRAVEL AGENCY
3. Izipay
You can make your payment through Izipay, with a 5.2% service fee.
Important: to book with Izipay, prior coordination with the agency is required in order to send you your 30% payment link, which includes the mentioned fee.
4. Western Union
You can make your payment via Western Union, with no fee.
In this case, the sending information and beneficiary details will be provided by the agency. After sending the payment, you must share the MTCN code of the transfer to confirm your reservation.
- Book your Machu Picchu entrance ticket 3 to 4 months in advance, as well as your hotel.
- Ask about group discounts for 5 or more passengers.