Great Adventure Peru: Lima, Cusco and Puno with Machu Picchu, Mountain of Colors and Humantay Lagoon
TRIP SUMMARY
Discover the best of Peru on an unforgettable tour that combines history, culture, and nature. This comprehensive tour includes the main Andean cities of Lima, Cusco, and Puno, with visits to iconic destinations such as Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), and Humantay Lagoon. You’ll also explore the majestic Lake Titicaca and its floating islands.
The package includes guided hikes, comfortable transportation, accommodations, and authentic experiences with local communities. Ideal for travelers who want to experience the most spectacular landscapes of the Andes and experience the essence of Peru in a single trip.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Lima City Tour: History, Culture and Peruvian Flavor
Discover the historical and cultural richness of Lima, the capital of Peru, on a fascinating tour of its impressive Historic Center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Plaza Mayor, Lima Cathedral, the majestic Convent of San Francisco, and its mysterious catacombs.
The tour also includes the modern districts of Miraflores and Barranco, famous for their Pacific Ocean views, urban art, and bohemian atmosphere. This is the perfect way to experience the perfect fusion of tradition and modernity.
Day 2: Huacachina and Ballestas Islands Tour: Adventure and Nature on the Peruvian Coast
Experience an unforgettable day exploring the natural wonders of Peru’s southern coast. Begin with an exciting boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, known as the “Peruvian Galapagos,” where you can observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a wide variety of seabirds.
Then enjoy the magical Huacachina, an oasis surrounded by impressive dunes in the middle of the desert, perfect for sandboarding and high-speed buggy rides. An ideal tour for adventure, nature, and photography lovers.
Day 3 - Cusco City Tour: Living History of the Inca Empire
Explore the magical city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, on a tour that combines history, culture, and ancient architecture. Visit key attractions such as the legendary Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and the majestic Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, located in the hills surrounding the city.
This tour is ideal for those who want to experience the cultural legacy of the Incas and the colonial beauty of Cusco in a single day, accompanied by professional guides.
Day 4: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour: Living Culture and Andean Landscapes
Discover the majesty of the Sacred Valley of the Incas on an exclusive tour that combines history, spectacular landscapes, and living culture. Visit iconic archaeological sites such as Pisac, with its impressive Inca terraces, and the Ollantaytambo fortress, considered the last surviving Inca city.
The VIP experience also includes a stop at Moray, an enigmatic Inca agricultural laboratory with unique circular terraces, and the famous Salineras de Maras, a collection of more than 3,000 salt pools that have been exploited by hand since ancient times.
This tour offers comfortable transportation, a professional guide, and additional stops at panoramic viewpoints, local markets, and traditional villages, allowing for a complete immersion in the natural and cultural richness of the Sacred Valley.
Day 5: Machu Picchu Full Day Tour: Wonder of the World in One Day
Enjoy an unforgettable experience visiting the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, on a comprehensive day tour. The trip begins with a train transfer from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, enjoying breathtaking Andean landscapes.
Once at Machu Picchu, you’ll tour the main structures of this enigmatic sanctuary with an expert guide: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Plaza, and the terraces, while learning about the history, culture, and mysteries of the Incas.
The tour includes transportation, entrance fees, a professional guide, and free time to explore and take photographs of this amazing World Heritage Site.
Day 6: Humantay Lagoon Tour – Adventure and Nature in Cusco
The Humantay Lagoon tour is a unique experience for nature and hiking lovers in Cusco, Peru. This day trip takes you to the impressive Humantay glacial lagoon, located more than 4,200 meters above sea level, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks. During the tour, you’ll enjoy a moderate hike with spectacular mountain scenery, Andean flora, and fauna.
Ideal for those looking to connect with nature and capture unforgettable photos, the tour includes transportation from Cusco, a professional guide, breakfast, and lunch. Humantay Lagoon is one of the most popular destinations near Machu Picchu, the perfect complement to your visit to the Sacred Valley.
Day 7: Puno – Uros Floating Islands – Amantaní Island (Night at a Local House)
The tour begins in Puno with a transfer to the port to board a boat bound for the famous Uros Floating Islands. Here, you’ll learn about the way of life of this ancient community, who live on islands built with totora reeds, while learning about their customs, history, and relationship with Lake Titicaca.
The journey continues to Amantaní Island, one of the most authentic and less touristy islands on the lake. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by local families with whom you’ll share a hands-on tourism experience. You’ll have lunch with traditional dishes made with Andean produce, and in the afternoon, you’ll hike to the pre-Incan temples of Pachatata and Pachamama, from where you’ll enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the lake at sunset.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner and optional participation in a local festival with traditional music and dance (including traditional attire). Overnight at a family home in Amantaní.
Day 8: Amantaní Island – Taquile Island – Puno
After breakfast, you will embark for Taquile Island, famous for its unique textile culture, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Here, you will take a light hike to the main village, enjoying stunning views of Lake Titicaca.
The inhabitants of Taquile are known for maintaining ancestral traditions and their communal way of life. You will have time to visit their artisan shops, observe their handmade textiles, and enjoy a typical lunch prepared with fresh trout or local products.
In the afternoon, return by boat to Puno and transfer to your hotel or bus station, thus concluding the tour.
Day 9: Rainbow Mountain Tour – Vinicunca, Cusco
The tour to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is one of the most popular and spectacular excursions from Cusco, ideal for trekking and nature lovers. Located at over 5,000 meters above sea level in the Vilcanota Mountain Range, this mountain amazes visitors with its vibrant natural hues of red, yellow, green, and blue, produced by ancient minerals that create a unique landscape.
The adventure begins in Cusco with a transfer by tourist transport to the starting point of the hike. The route offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains, Andean valleys, and local communities. After a moderately difficult hike of approximately 3 hours (round trip), you will reach the main viewpoint to appreciate the Rainbow Mountain in all its splendor and capture unforgettable photographs.
The tour includes transportation, breakfast, lunch, entrance fees, and a professional guide. It is ideal for travelers seeking a unique experience in contact with Andean nature and picture-postcard landscapes.
WHAT DOES THE TRIP INCLUDE?
Includes
- Tourist transportation
- Bilingual guide
- Admission to all sites
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba
- Breakfast and lunch (Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain tour)
- Interprovincial bus tickets from Cusco to Puno (and vice versa)
- First aid kit, including a small oxygen tank.
Not included
- Accommodation in Cusco and Lima.
- Water and snacks.
- Horses available upon request (Huamntay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain tour).
- Flights
- Dinners
- Not mentioned in the program
Recommendations
- Water.
Raincoat – poncho – long-sleeved shirt. - Trekking shoes.
- Winter hat and gloves.
- Waterproof pants.
- Snacks.
- Sunscreen, SPF 35+ recommended.
- Sunglasses and a sun hat.
- Camera with spare batteries: batteries drain faster at high altitudes.
- Binoculars.
- Cash for extra cats (souvenir or horse rental is optional).
- Trekking poles (especially recommended for steep descents; can be rented from us).