11-Day Peru Tour: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca

Summary

Peru Multi-City Adventure: From Lima to Machu Picchu & Puno

If you want real variety—from Lima’s buzz to Machu Picchu’s misty heights and Lake Titicaca’s island life—this 11-day Peru trip covers it all. You’ll see ancient ruins, wild coastlines, hidden oases, and meet locals who make every stop memorable. It’s not just sightseeing—it feels like living Peru for nearly two weeks.

What’s the experience like?

The first morning in Lima felt a bit hazy—maybe it was the sea air or just the early flight. Someone from the team was already waiting at arrivals with a sign and a big grin. We had a few hours to settle into the hotel before heading out for the city tour. Walking through Lima’s colonial streets, you can’t miss the mix of old and new—plazas full of pigeons, street vendors selling churros near Plaza Mayor, and that faint scent of coffee drifting from Café Tostado. Our guide knew all the shortcuts and pointed out tiny details on balconies I’d never have noticed alone. By evening, my feet were tired but I’d already learned how locals dodge traffic in Miraflores.

The next day started before sunrise—bags packed by 4am for the bus to Paracas. The Ballestas Islands tour was wild; sea lions barked so loud you could hear them over the boat engine. We even spotted those odd penguins waddling along black rocks. The guide explained the mystery behind the Candelabra geoglyph—some say pirates used it as a marker. Afterward, we zipped down to Ica for a quick city stroll and then hit an old pisco bodega. Tasting pisco straight from the barrel burns a little but warms you up for Huacachina’s oasis. Sandboarding there is no joke—I got sand everywhere (still finding some in my shoes). Watching sunset over those dunes is something else; it gets chilly fast once the sun drops.

Nazca came next—a short flight over those famous lines. The plane dips and turns so everyone gets a view; I clutched my seat when we banked over the hummingbird figure. Maria Reiche’s story about protecting these lines stuck with me long after landing. Back on solid ground, we caught a comfy Cruz del Sur bus back to Lima.

Cusco greeted us with thin air and coca tea at check-in (it really helps). The afternoon city tour took us from Koricancha’s golden walls to Sacsayhuamán’s giant stones—our guide joked about how nobody knows how they moved them but “maybe aliens.” Qenqo’s tunnels are cool and slightly spooky if you wander off alone for a second.

The Sacred Valley day is packed: Pisaq’s terraces look like green steps carved into mountainsides; Urubamba served up hearty Andean food (try quinoa soup if you get a chance). Ollantaytambo feels like time travel—stone streets echo under your shoes and there’s always someone selling fresh corn by the train station. That night in Aguas Calientes, our guide dropped by to go over every detail for Machu Picchu—it helped calm my nerves about tickets and timing.

Machu Picchu day means an early start again—mist clings to everything as you ride up in the bus. Walking through those ancient gates with our guide explaining each corner made it feel less crowded somehow. There’s time after for lunch in town (I grabbed empanadas at a spot called Indio Feliz) before catching the train back toward Cusco.

Maras and Moray surprised me—the salt pans shimmer white against red hillsides; local women sell bags of salt that make great gifts (I bought two). Moray’s circular terraces look almost alien but our guide explained their use as Inca agricultural labs.

Huamantay Lake is worth every step of that uphill trek—the water glows turquoise under snow-capped peaks. It gets cold fast up there; bring gloves if you have them! Rainbow Mountain is another early wake-up call but seeing those colors in person beats any photo online (and yes, it really is windy at the top).

Puno brought us to Lake Titicaca—the floating Uros islands actually bounce under your feet! Taquile Island has this slow rhythm; lunch comes with lake views and fresh trout straight from local fishermen. By now, I’d gotten used to high altitude breathing (mostly), but still took it slow climbing up Taquile’s stone paths.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lima Arrival and City Tour

• Airport pickup and hotel transfer
• Colonial and Contemporary Lima city tour

Day 2 — Paracas and Ica Tour

• Ballestas Islands boat tour
• Transfer to Ica and city tour including Plaza de Armas and Luren church
• Visit artisanal wine cellar with Pisco tasting
• Visit Huacachina Oasis with free time
• Adventure tour: Tubulares and sandboarding

Day 3 — Nazca Lines Flight and Return

• Transfer to Nazca and arrival at Maria Reiche airfield
• Overflight of Nazca Lines (30 minutes)
• Bus transfer from Nazca to Lima

Day 4 — Cusco Arrival and City Tour

• Flight from Lima to Cusco and hotel transfer
• Afternoon city tour: Koricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay

Day 5 — Sacred Valley Tour

• Guided tour of Pisaq archaeological site
• Buffet lunch in Urubamba
• Visit Ollantaytambo ruins and guided tour
• Train to Aguas Calientes and overnight stay

Day 6 — Machu Picchu Visit

• Bus to Machu Picchu ruins and guided tour
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Return by train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco

Day 7 — Maras Salt Mines and Moray

• Guided tours of Moray and Maras salt mines

Day 8 — Humantay Lake Trek

• Early pickup and travel to Mollepata for breakfast
• Hike to Humantay Lake and return
• Lunch in Mollepata and return to Cusco

Day 9 — Rainbow Mountain Trek

• Early pickup and breakfast in Cusipata
• Trek to Rainbow Mountain (Winicunca) and visit
• Buffet lunch and return to Cusco

Day 10 — Lake Titicaca Tour

• Tour Uros Floating Islands
• Visit Taquile Island with guided tour and lunch
• Return to Puno and hotel transfer

Day 11 — Airport Transfer

• Transfer to airport

Top questions

Are Machu Picchu tickets guaranteed?

Tickets are subject to availability from Peru's Ministry of Culture. If none are available for your dates or circuit choice, you'll get a full refund for your package.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

This itinerary involves walking on uneven terrain and some high-altitude hikes; it's best if travelers have moderate fitness levels.

What meals are included?

Breakfasts are included most days plus several lunches (like Urubamba buffet or Taquile Island). Some dinners are on your own so you can explore local spots.

How do transfers work between cities?

All intercity buses and trains are arranged ahead of time—including airport pickups/drop-offs and transfers between towns like Paracas-Ica-Nazca-Cusco-Puno.

What’s included

Your package covers airport pickups in Lima and Cusco, all main attraction entry tickets (including Machu Picchu circuits 1 or 2 when available), professional guides throughout each region, all scheduled bus/train/boat rides (like Ballestas Islands cruise or Nazca Lines flyover), sandboarding gear at Huacachina, walking sticks for mountain treks, oxygen support if needed at altitude spots, plus breakfasts and select lunches along the way. Local guides share stories at every stop—and you'll always know where you're headed next thanks to detailed briefings each evening.