11-Day Peru Tour: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu & Puno Adventure

Summary

Multi-Day Peru Itinerary: From Lima to Lake Titicaca

You’ll travel across Peru—from Lima’s colonial streets to Paracas’ wild coastlines, fly above Nazca’s ancient lines, explore Cusco and Machu Picchu’s mysteries, hike high-altitude lakes and mountains, then finish among floating islands on Lake Titicaca. If you want real variety—with history, food, adventure and local culture all packed into one trip—this tour covers it all without feeling rushed.

What’s the experience like?

The first morning in Lima felt a bit hazy—maybe it was the sea air or just the excitement. After a quick airport pickup (our driver was already waving when we landed), we dropped our bags at the hotel and grabbed a coffee from a street vendor near Parque Kennedy. The city tour kicked off in the afternoon. Wandering through Plaza Mayor, I could hear church bells echoing off the old colonial buildings. Our guide pointed out tiny details on the balconies that I’d never have noticed alone. By early evening, traffic started buzzing and we headed back to rest up for an early start.

Day two began before sunrise—4am is rough but worth it for Paracas. The bus ride south was quiet; most people dozed off until we hit Paracas’ salty breeze. At the pier, pelicans squabbled over scraps while we boarded a small boat for the Ballestas Islands. Sea lions barked from rocky outcrops and you could smell the ocean mixed with guano (not exactly pleasant but real). We caught sight of the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph on a sandy hillside—nobody really knows who made it. Later in Ica, after checking out Plaza de Armas and sampling pisco at a local bodega (the grape smell lingers), we hit Huacachina’s oasis for sandboarding and dune buggy rides—sand gets everywhere but it’s hilarious fun.

The next morning brought us to Nazca for that famous flyover. The tiny plane rattled as we circled above giant shapes—the monkey, hummingbird, condor—etched into endless desert. It’s surreal seeing them from above; on land you’d never know they’re there. Afterward, another long bus ride took us back to Lima for one last night before heading to Cusco.

Cusco hits you with altitude right away—thankfully coca tea at check-in helps. The city tour covered Koricancha’s golden walls and Sacsayhuamán’s massive stones (I still can’t figure out how they moved those). In Pisac’s market the next day, women in bright skirts sold everything from woven hats to purple corn snacks; I picked up a bag of salted cancha to munch on during our drive along the river to Urubamba for lunch (try the rocoto relleno if you like spicy). Ollantaytambo’s terraces are steep but worth climbing for views over red-tiled roofs.

Machu Picchu day started before dawn with sleepy faces boarding buses up winding roads through misty jungle. Our guide explained how ticket circuits work—only certain paths are open each day—and led us past llamas grazing between ancient stones. There’s something quiet about standing there as clouds drift by; even with other visitors around it feels personal somehow. After exploring, we had time in Aguas Calientes for lunch (the trout is fresh) before catching our train back toward Cusco.

Maras and Moray surprised me—the salt pools shimmer white under sun while Moray’s circular terraces look almost alien against green hillsides. Local women sell pink salt by the bag near Maras; I grabbed some as souvenirs (it tastes great sprinkled on tomatoes). Humantay Lake meant another early start and a tough hike—thin air makes every step count—but reaching that turquoise water surrounded by snowy peaks is something I won’t forget soon.

Rainbow Mountain was even tougher—a cold wind whipped across open plains dotted with alpacas—but when you finally crest that last hill and see stripes of red and gold earth laid out below… well, photos don’t do it justice. Back in Cusco by late afternoon, everyone looked tired but happy.

Puno brought us to Lake Titicaca where boats glide between floating reed islands built by hand—the Uros people showed us how they weave everything from houses to boats using totora reeds (they let me try weaving too; mine was pretty wonky). On Taquile Island, lunch came with lake views so wide you lose track of time watching sunlight dance on blue water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Lima City Tour

• A representative meets you at Lima airport
• Transfer to hotel in Lima
• Lima Colonial and Contemporary City Tour (5 hours)

Day 2 — Paracas and Ica Adventure

• Transfer Lima to Paracas early morning
• Ballestas Islands boat tour (2 minutes)
• Transfer Paracas to Ica
• Ica City Tour including Plaza de Armas and wine cellar
• Visit Huacachina Oasis
• Adventure tour: Tubulares and Sandboarding

Day 3 — Nazca Lines and Return to Lima

• Transfer Ica to Nazca
• Overflight of Nazca Lines (30 minutes)
• Bus transfer Nazca to Lima

Day 4 — Cusco Arrival and City Tour

• Flight Lima to Cusco
• Reception and hotel transfer in Cusco
• Coca tea and acclimatization
• Cusco City Tour: Koricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay (5 hours)

Day 5 — Sacred Valley Tour

• Visit Pisaq archaeological site (1 hour)
• Buffet lunch in Urubamba
• Visit Ollantaytambo ruins (1 hour)
• Train to Aguas Calientes and overnight stay

Day 6 — Machu Picchu Tour

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

Day 7 — Maras Salt Mines and Moray

• Visit Moray agricultural terraces (40 minutes)
• Visit Maras Salt Pools (1 hour)
• Return to Cusco

Day 8 — Humantay Lake Trek

• Early transfer to Mollepata and breakfast
• Hike to Humantay Lake (1.5 hours)
• Return to Mollepata and lunch
• Return to Cusco

Day 9 — Rainbow Mountain Trek

• Early pickup and breakfast in Cusipata (30 minutes)
• Trek to Rainbow Mountain (1.5 hours)
• Visit Rainbow Mountain (40 minutes)
• Return trek (1 hour 15 minutes)
• Buffet lunch in Cusipata (30-40 minutes)
• Return to Cusco

Day 10 — Lake Titicaca: Uros and Taquile

• Transfer to Puno port
• Tour Uros Floating Islands (2 hours)
• Tour Taquile Island with guided visit (2 hours)
• Lunch with panoramic lake view
• Return to Puno hotel or city center

Day 11 — Airport Transfer

• Transfer to airport

Top questions

Is Machu Picchu entry guaranteed?

Machu Picchu tickets depend on availability from Peru's Ministry of Culture. If no tickets are available for your dates or circuit choice (1 or 2), you'll get a full refund for your package.

How physically demanding is this tour?

You’ll need moderate fitness—there are hikes at high altitude (like Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain) plus walking tours at ruins and cities. Some days start very early.

Are meals included?

Yes! Breakfasts are included most days plus several lunches (like Urubamba buffet or Taquile island meal). You’ll also have chances to try local foods along the way.

What about transportation between cities?

All intercity transport is arranged: buses between Lima-Paracas-Ica-Nazca-Lima-Cusco-Puno plus train rides to/from Machu Picchu and boat trips on Lake Titicaca are covered.

What’s included

Your package includes airport transfers in Lima and Cusco; guided tours with local experts at each major site; all attraction entry tickets (including Machu Picchu circuit 1 or 2 if available); intercity buses; train tickets Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo; boat rides at Ballestas Islands and Lake Titicaca; sandboarding/tubular adventures in Huacachina; breakfasts most days plus select lunches; walking sticks for mountain hikes; oxygen support if needed; all hotel pickups/drop-offs; plus professional guides throughout Peru’s top highlights.