15-Day Enigmas of the South Tour from Lima: Larco Museum, Ballestas Islands, Nasca Lines, Colca Canyon, Titicaca Lake and Machu Picchu

What you'll experience

Highlights

15 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Arrival to Lima

   Upon your arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, our transportation service with a representative takes you to the selected hotel.
   * One night's accommodation in Lima at selected hotel.

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Tierra Viva
2. 2

   Day 2 — Lima - Larco Museum & City tour

   Wake up for breakfast in the hotel before hitting the streets of Lima's old town; a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historical buildings. Start withthe Larco Museum, located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district, which is housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boaststhe world's most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Then visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion grantedin 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jeronimo de Aliaga, oneof his captains. This is the only house from that time that to this day has always been owned by the same family. Continue toa scenic tour in the colonial downtown, which originates and spreads out from the Main Square. Here you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire and be amazed by Lima's Cathedral. Erectedin the 16th century, this building took more than 80 years to complete. After thetour, you'll be transferred back to the hotel.
   
   For tours departing from 2 Jan, 2026:
   Our guide picks you up from your hotel to begin your Historic Center of Lima tour. Start by visiting the Aliaga House, a colonial mansion with over 5 centuries of history, considered the oldest house in the Americas. Then, explore the Plaza Mayor, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you visit the imposing Lima Cathedral. Finally, visit the Larco Museum, located in the traditional district of Pueblo Libre. The museum boasts a comprehensive collection of pre-Hispanic gold and silver objects and a selection of erotic art pieces. Here, immerse yourself in over 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history. This tour is shared with other passengers.
   
   * Please note that the pickup window for this shared service is 30 minutes from the start time.
   * One night's accommodation in Lima at selected hotel, breakfast included.
    

   

   Plaza Mayor de Lima

   

   Larco Museum

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Tierra Viva
3. 3

   Day 3 — Lima - Paracas

   A shuttle with a representative will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the bus station in Lima. From there, you will board a bus that will take you to the southern coast of Peru, destination Paracas, in a journey of approximately three and a half hours. Paracas is known for its mild desert climate and is an ideal year-round destination for nature and ancient history lovers. Its impressive National Reserve offers stunning landscapes, rock formations and turquoise water beaches. Upon arrival at the Paracas bus station, you will be transferred to your hotel.
   
   For tours departing from 2 Jan, 2026:
   Begin the journey departing from Lima early in the morning*, heading south. Stop at Mirasur restaurant on the way, with the option to enjoy breakfast (not included). Continue the trip to the historic Hacienda San José in Chincha, a place filled with history and tradition. Explore the secret slave tunnels, an astonishing underground labyrinth built in the 17th century to conceal the trafficking of enslaved Africans and evade taxes. These tunnels connected several haciendas with the port, extending for more than 17 km. After this unique experience, continue the journey to the Paracas bus station*, and then transfer to the hotel*.
   
   * One night's accommodation in Paracas at selected hotel, breakfast included.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: San Agustín Paracas
4. 4

   Day 4 — Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Nasca

   This morning you will head to the El Chaco dock to embark on a one and a half hour boat ride to the Ballestas Islands. This natural reserve is known for its impressive geological formations, rich fauna and vestiges of pre-Inca cultures. The Ballestas Islands are home toa great variety of species, including blue-footed boobies, pelicans, sea lions, Humboldt penguins and other fascinating animals. During the tour, you will also observe a mysterious line drawing in the desert sand, known as the Candelabro. After the tour, you will continue your journey to the city of Nazca. You will be transferred to the Paracas bus station to take the bus to Nazca, a journey of approximately four hours. Upon arrival at the Nazca bus station, you will be transferred to your hotel.
   * One night's accommodation in Nazca at selected hotel, breakfast included.
    

   

   Ballestas Islands

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Casa Andina Standard Nasca
5. 5

   Day 5 — Nazca - Nazca Lines overflight - Arequipa

   Be picked up to fly over the Nazca Lines from the city's airfield. From above, observe gigantic figures such as a monkey, a spider, and a condor, while attempting to unravel their mysterious patterns. This enigmatic flight lasts 30 minutes*. Afterward, enjoy free time in the city. In the afternoon, transfer to the bus station to board the bus from Nazca to Arequipa, a journey of approximately ten hours. Upon arrival at the Arequipa bus station, transfer to the hotel.
   * One night's accommodation in Arequipa at selected hotel, breakfast included.
   * Pick-up service in Lima is available from designated hotels. 
   * Transfers from the bus station to the hotel in Paracas are provided by a Spanish-speaking driver. 
   * Baggage allowance: up to 20 kg in the hold and 5 kg hand luggage. 
   * Maximum passenger weight for the flight is 90 kg; an additional fee applies if exceeded. We suggest requesting the reference weight for each passenger, as if this weight is exceeded, an additional charge will be made, or, if necessary, the number of passengers on each vessel will be modified for safety reasons. 
    

   

   Nazca Lines

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Tierra Viva Arequipa
6. 6

   Day 6 — Arequipa - City Tour & Santa Catalina Monastery

   Our guide and transportation will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Carmen Alto viewpoint, where you can admire the Chili River and the Misti and Chanchani volcanoes. Next, you will visit Yanahuara's viewpoint to appreciate the urban contrast and see constructions of white volcanic stone known as sillar. Afterward, the tour will continue at Plaza de Armas, a quintessential urban meeting space. Finally, you will explore the Convent of Santa Catalina, featuring plazas, cloisters, and streets.
   * Dress code for visiting the churches: pants, long shorts or skirts that cover the knees, otherwise, the entrance will not be allowed. Please note that the pick-up time for this service is 30 minutes from the scheduled start time.
   * One night's accommodation in Arequipa at selected hotel, breakfast included.
    

   

   monastery of santa catalina

   

   Cusco Plaza de Armas

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Tierra Viva Arequipa
7. 7

   Day 7 — Arequipa - Colca Canyon

   The tour begins by exploring the Colca Valley, passing through the district of Yura. Then, you will cross the Pampas Cañahuas Reserve, home to an extensive population of vicuñas, one of Peru's four native Andean camelids. Next, you will pass through Vizcachani, the Pampas de Toccra and border the crater of the Chucura volcano to reach the Mirador de los Andes in Patapampa (4,910 masl). From the viewpoint you will observe the different volcanoes that surround the city of Arequipa. Then, you will have lunch inthe town of Chivay and in the afternoon  you will rest at the hotel of your choice in the Colca.
   * Please note that the pick up time for this service, as it is a shared service, is 30 minutes from the start time. For those passengers interested, in the afternoon they could visit the Thermal Baths with an additional cost.
   
   For tours departing from 2, Jan, 2026:
   Early in the morning, they pick you up from your hotel to start the journey to Chivay. The route follows a paved road through the Aguada Blanca National Reserve in Pampa Cañahuas, a vast plain where you can see vicuñas in their natural habitat. Make a brief stop in Patahuasi, where you have the opportunity to taste local herbal teas and use the restroom facilities before continuing. The journey continues through Viscachani and the Toccra wetlands, home to alpacas, vicuñas, and various migratory birds. Then, arrive at Patapampa, the Andes Viewpoint (4,910 m.a.s.l.), from where you can admire the impressive volcanic range. After that, start the descent to the town of Chivay (3,635 m.a.s.l.), arriving around midday. After lunch, get transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to rest or explore the area at your own pace. The evening is free for dinner on your own.
   
   * One night's accommodation in Colca at selected hotel, breakfast and lunch included.
    

   

   Colca Canyon

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Tierra Viva Arequipa
8. 8

   Day 8 — Colca Canyon

   This day, you will have the opportunity to visit the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, where you can enjoy a natural spectacle watching the condors flying over the canyon. Then, you will descend to the valley floor to explore some of the picturesque rural villages along the Colca River, such as Chivay, Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, Yanque and the viewpoints of Antahuilque and Choquetico. At the Ocolle viewpoint you will appreciate an amphitheater and then head to the archaeological site of Uyo Uyo. After the second day of the tour, you will return to the hotel to rest.
   
   For tours departing from 2, Jan, 2026:
   Early in the morning, they pick you up from your hotel and take you to the town of Yanque, where you visit its charming main square. Then, the journey continues to the Cruz del Cóndor, one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the Colca Canyon. From here, you have the opportunity to observe the majestic flight of the Andean condor in its natural habitat. On the way back, make stops at various scenic viewpoints before reaching the town of Maca, where you can admire its picturesque square and surrounding landscapes. After lunch at a restaurant in Chivay, get transferred to your hotel to rest and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
   
   * One night's accommodation in Colca at selected hotel, breakfast and lunch included.
    

   

   Colca Canyon

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Casa Andina Standard Colca
9. 9

   Day 9 — Colca Canyon - Puno

   Enjoy the morning at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities. In the afternoon you will depart for Puno crossing the National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca and the stone forests of Patahuasi. Finally, after a six-hour drive, you will arrive at your destination and be transferred to your hotel.
   
   For tours departing from 2, Jan, 2026:
   Late in the morning (the pickup time varies depending on your hotel's location), get picked up and taken to your lunch spot in Chivay. Afterward, continue the journey to Puno, traveling through breathtaking Andean landscapes for approximately five and a half hours. Along the way, stop in Patahuasi, where you can find restroom facilities and have a chance to take a short break. Later, at the Lagunillas viewpoint, admire high altitude lagoons and observe migratory birds like flamingos, gracefully gliding over the water. Finally, arrive in the city of Puno, where you are transferred to your hotel to rest and acclimate to the altitude.
   
   * One night's accommodation in Puno at selected hotel, breakfast and lunch included.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hacienda Puno
10. 10

    Day 10 — Puno - Titicaca Lake: Uros and Taquile

    In the high-altitude city of Puno lies Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Here, the Uros people constitute an ancestral society inhabiting artificial islands constructed on bases woven from totora reeds, which grow in the lake itself. The tour begins with a transfer to the port of Puno, where a boat awaits to take you to the beautiful Uros Islands. After a magical one-and-a-half-hour excursion, you will continue to the island of Taquile, renowned for its ancestral culture and traditional way of life. Here, there will be an informational session about the island, followed by a delightful lunch. Finally, you will return to the city of Puno.
    * Please note that the pick-up time for this service, being shared, is 30 minutes from the scheduled start time.
    * One night's accommodation in Puno at selected hotel, breakfast and lunch included.
     

    

    Lake Titicaca

    

    Uros Islands

    

    Taquile Island

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hacienda Puno
11. 11

    Day 11 — Puno - Cusco

    Prepare for a journey to Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire, exploring a route that traverses breathtaking landscapes of the Andes, with native villages and wildlife. During the tour, you will stop at the archaeological site of Pucara, which dates back to 200 BC. - 300 A.D. Then, you will stop briefly at La Raya, the highest point of the route at 4,313 meters above sea level, after this visit, you will enjoy an exquisite lunch. Continuing on the route, you will have the opportunity to visit the village of Raqchi, famous for housing the temple of Wiracocha. Also, explore the charming village of Andahuaylillas, known for its church, called the Sistine Chapel of America due to its impressive works of art. Finally, you will arrive at your hotel in Cusco.
    * Please note that due to the shared nature of this service, the pickup window is 30 minutes from the scheduled start time. 
    * One night's accommodation in Cusco at selected hotel, breakfast and lunch included.
     

    

    Andahuaylillas

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Tierra Viva Cusco
12. 12

    Day 12 — Cusco - City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites

    Enjoy a guided tour of the charming and magical city of Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca empire. In the company of the group, you will visit the Convent of Santo Domingo, located in the ancient temple of Coricancha. Next, you will visit the Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption, the main temple of Cusco. Afterwards, you will explore the hills of Cusco, starting with the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, and then visit the archaeological complex of Qenqo. You will continue with a visit to the military architectural complex of Puca Pucara and the ruins of Tambomachay, also known as the Bath of the Inca. Finally, you will return to your selected hotel. It is worth mentioning that this tour is shared with other passengers.
    * Please note that the pick-up time for this service, as it is a shared service, is 30 minutes from the starting time.
    The Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), included in the itinerary, is a personal and non-transferable document that grants access to 16 important attractions in Cusco and its surroundings, such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. It also allows entry to various sites in the Sacred Valley Circuit, such as Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray and Chinchero.
    * One night's accommodation in Cusco at selected hotel, breakfast included.
      
      
      
     

    

    Sacsayhuaman

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Tierra Viva Cusco
13. 13

    Day 13 — Cusco - Sacred Valley: Chinchero, Living Museum of Yucay

    A vehicle picks you up in the morning and takes you to the picturesque town of Chinchero. Explore its impressive agricultural terraces and the 17th-century church, built on an ancient Inca palace. Next, stop at a viewpoint to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Sacred Valley. Then, visit the Yucay Living Museum, where you witness the creation of textiles, pottery, and silverwork using ancient Inca techniques. Enjoy a delicious traditional lunch in the Sacred Valley. After lunch, visit the impressive Ollantaytambo Fortress, an important ceremonial center known for its remarkable agricultural terraces extending up the surrounding mountains. At the end of this full-day tour, return to your hotel. This tour is shared with other passengers.
    * Please note that due to the shared nature of this service, the pick-up window is 30 minutes from the scheduled start time. The Chinchero market is included in tourist visits planned for Sundays.
    * One night's accommodation in Urubamba at selected hotel, breakfast and lunch included.
      
      
      
      

    

    Ollantaytambo

    

    Chinchero

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: AVA Spots
14. 14

    Day 14 — Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco

    Our transportation service picks you up from your hotel in Urubamba (Sacred Valley) and transfers you to the Ollantaytambo train station. This transfer is shared with other passengers.
    * Please note that the pickup window is up to 30 minutes as a shared transfer. 
    You board the train at the Ollantaytambo station heading to the Aguas Calientes station (Machu Picchu Pueblo). Upon arrival, you receive assistance. For your return to Ollantaytambo station, you board the train. Each journey lasts approximately one and a half hours, and schedules are subject to availability.
    Aguas Calientes, located on the slopes of Machu Picchu, offers a vibrant handicrafts market, a variety of restaurants and lodging options. Just a 25-minute bus ride away is Machu Picchu, an impressive feat of engineering and architecture believed to have served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," captivates with its historical splendor and natural majesty. At the end of the visit, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes to start your return to Cusco. This tour is shared with other passengers.
    * From the confirmed entry time to the Machu Picchu citadel, you will have half an hour to reach the entrance of Machu Picchu Mountain and start your hike. 
    * Remember to confirm your reservation as soon as possible to proceed with the purchase of tickets in advance due to the limited capacity of the citadel. The selection of the circuit to Machu Picchu and schedule will be made according to availability at the time of confirming the reservation.
    Enjoy a delicious set lunch menu at Café Inkaterra while taking in the breathtaking view of the Vilcanota River. The restaurant is known for its unique blend of Andean cuisine and contemporary trends, resulting in a fusion style meal with a distinctive flavor.
    After your train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, a shuttle will be waiting for you at the train station to take you to your selected hotel in the city of Cusco. This transfer will be shared with other passengers.
    * Please note that, as it is a shared transfer, the waiting time from the arrival of the train is up to 30 minutes before leaving for Cusco.
    * One night's accommodation in Cusco at selected hotel, breakfast and lunch included.
     

    

    Machu Picchu

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Tierra Viva Cusco
15. 15

    Day 15 — Cusco - Home

    Our transportation service and a representative pick you up to take you from your selected hotel to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco.
    Domestic flight from Cusco to Lima.
    Domestic flight from Lima.
    * Breakfast included.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Important info

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