Day 01: Arrive Lima

We are welcomed at the airport and transferred to our hotel.  Check in time starts from 2:00 PM. Lima, Peru’s coastal capital and the “City of Kings,” founded in 1535, blends colonial history, diverse cultures, and world-renowned cuisine into a vibrant urban experience.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores Hotel, Lima (2 nights)

Day 02: Lima

Our discovery of Lima begins with sweeping views of the Pacific coastline before diving into the city’s modern face at Miraflores and San Isidro. Here, manicured parks like Parque del Amor and El Olivar meet sleek architecture. En route, we catch a panoramic glimpse of Huaca Pucllana, an ancient adobe temple that predates the Inca and has withstood centuries of urban change.

Continue to the Historic Centre of Lima*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the capital and most important city of the Spanish dominions in South America until the 18th century. Here, vibrant buildings frame Plaza San Martín and Plaza de Armas, home to landmarks such as the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and City Hall. A highlight of the tour is the San Francisco Monastery, one of Lima’s most revered religious and historical monuments. Famed for its baroque design and elaborate interior, it houses a vast library and eerie catacombs, offering an evocative look into Lima’s colonial-era life and traditions. (B)

Day 03: Lima/Huaraz (Drive)

We will be transferred from our hotel to the bus station to board our public bus to Huaraz (shared, no guide). It is an approximately 7.5-hour drive. On arrival, we will be assisted at the bus station and taken to our hotel to acclimatize to the altitude. Rest of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Andino Club Hotel, Huaraz (2 nights) (B)

Day 04: Huaraz/Chavin De Huantar/Huaraz (Drive)

Starting in Huaraz (3,100m), we travel through the Santa River Valley, passing picturesque towns like Recuay, Ticapampa, and Catac, before ascending to the stunning Cordillera Blanca. We visit Querococha Lagoon (3,980m) and reach Cahuish Pass (4,550m), then descend through the scenic Conchucos Valley to Chavín de Huantar (3,180m). A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chavín de Huantar was a major religious and cultural center from 1,700 BC, known for its monumental stone structures, temples, and the iconic Lanzón deity idol. After lunch, we tour the Chavín Museum to admire ceramics and sculptures, showcasing the remarkable achievements of this ancient civilization. We return to Huaraz for hotel transfer. (B, L)

Note:  This tour is shared with other travelers. Private tour is available at additional cost – please see our Prices & Dates section.

Day 05: Huaraz/Huascarán National Park/Trujillo (Drive)

We visit the Callejon de Huaylas, including Carhuaz, Caraz, Yungay and Lake Llanganuco, situated in the Huascarán National Park*. Found in the Cordillera Blanca, the world's highest tropical mountain range, Mount Huascarán rises to 6,768 meters above sea-level. The deep ravines watered by numerous torrents, the glacial lakes and the variety of the vegetation make it a site of spectacular beauty. It is home to species such as the spectacled bear and the Andean condor. In the evening, we will be taken to the bus station to board our bus from Huaraz to Trujillo (public bus, shared with no guide). The bus departs around 9:00 PM and arrives in Trujillo the next day around 6:30 AM.

Overnight: On the bus (1 night) (B, L)

Note: Late check-out from our hotel is included on this day.

Day 06: Arrive Trujillo

We arrive in the morning. Our room will be available for early check-in. We will have all day to ourselves to rest at the hotel or walk around the city. Trujillo, founded in 1534, is one of Peru’s oldest cities and is renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture, which reflects its historical importance as a key center during the Spanish colonial period.

Overnight: Hotel Costa Del Sol Trujillo Centro, Trujillo (3 nights) (B)

Day 07: Trujillo/Chan Chan/Huanchaco/Trujillo (Drive)

Experience the impressive Chan Archaeological Zone* and its museum. The Chimu Kingdom, with Chan Chan as its capital, reached its peak in the 15th century, not long before falling to the Incas. This huge city is considered to be the largest archaeological site in South America. It was home to 100,000 habitants who stubbornly resisted the expansion of the Inca Empire. Take in the Nik An Palace, whose walls are adorned with depictions of fish, seabirds and moons. Afterwards, visit the Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History at the National University of Trujillo. We then continue to Huanchaco, a traditional seaside town, to watch local fishermen on their their “Caballitos de Totora”, traditional reed boats that uphold the millennia-old tradition of artisanal fishing. (B)

Note: Chan Chan is closed on Mondays.

Day 08: Trujillo

Today, explore the amazing Sun and Moon pyramids, the center of power of the Moche civilization. It is said that the Sun pyramid took more than 50 million bricks to construct. We will also see the stunning sets of mud-brick friezes on the walls of the Temple of the Moon that have been recently excavated by archaeologists. We will also be able to appreciate several artefacts and tombs of the Moche civilization at the Site Museum of Huacas de Moche. (B)

Note: The Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon are closed on Mondays.

Day 09: Trujillo/Sipan/Tucume/Chiclayo (Drive)

Journey on to Chiclayo. Along the way, we will visit Sipan or Huaca Rajada, the place where the most important archaeological discovery of Peru was made in recent times. Here, we will see a replica of the Tomb of the Lord of Sipan and other nearby tombs. We then visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan to admire the magnificent collection on display in the most modern museum of Peru. Finally, visit the Ceremonial Center of Tucume, an archaeological complex consisting of 26 pyramids dating from 1,000 to 1,530 B.C. This site was the second capital of the Lambayeque or Sican culture.

Overnight: Costa del Sol Hotel Wyndham, Chiclayo (1 night) (B)

Note: The Museum of the Royal Tombs is closed on Mondays.

Day 10: Chiclayo/Lima (Flight)

We are transferred to Chiclayo’s airport for our flight to Lima (cost not included). On arrival in Lima, our local representative meets us and transfers us to our hotel (check-in from 2:00 PM). The afternoon is free. End your day in Lima with a visit to the spectacular Magic Water Circuit, holder of the Guinness World Record as the world’s largest public fountain park. The circuit features 13 cybernetic fountains choreographed with laser lights, music, and images that dance in perfect harmony with the water.

Then, explore the historic center of Lima by night, taking in its main streets and squares beautifully illuminated. After the tour, choose to return to your hotel or be dropped off at a restaurant of your choice in Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores Hotel, Lima (3 nights) (B)

Note:  This tour is shared with other travelers. Private tour is available at additional cost – please see our Prices & Dates section.

Day 11: Lima

A day free to enjoy Lima. Alternatively, we can arrange for you to take part in one of the optional tours below:

Optional: Sacred City of Caral-Supe* (10h)

Depart early for a full-day journey north to the Caral ruins, located in the Supe Valley, about 200 km (124 mi) from Lima. At 4,700 years old, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the oldest known city in the Americas, built around the same time as the pyramids of Egypt and Mesopotamia. The site is remarkably well preserved, notable for its scale and sophisticated architectural design.

After your visit, enjoy a relaxing drive back to Lima.

Optional: Pachacamac Ruins (4h)

Located 33 km (20 mi) south of Lima in the Lurín River Valley, Pachacamac is one of Peru’s most significant pre-Incan archaeological sites. Once a major religious and administrative center, it was dedicated to the creator god Pachacamac and used by four successive cultures. (B)

Note: Closed on Mondays.

Day 12: Lima/Nazca Lines/Lima (Drive/Flight)

We take a bus to Paracas (public shared bus with no guide) and drive to Pisco. Here, board a light aircraft, enjoying a flight over Pisco, Ocucaje, Palpa and the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana*. Located in the arid Peruvian coastal plain, the geoglyphs of Nasca and the pampas of Jumana cover a vast area of about 450 square kilometers. These lines, which were scratched on the surface of the ground between 500 B.C. and A.D. 500, are among archaeology's greatest enigmas because of their quantity, nature, size and continuity. The geoglyphs depict living creatures, stylized plants and imaginary beings, as well as geometric figures several kilometers long. They are believed to have had ritual astronomical functions. After our experience, transfer to a local restaurant in Paracas to enjoy lunch. After our meal, transfer to the bus station for our return to Lima. (B, L)

Note: Exact timing of Nazca Lines overflight can only be confirmed 1 day before. Nazca Lines overflight is shared with other travellers.

Day 13: Lima/Arequipa (Flight)

We are transferred to the airport for our flight to Arequipa (cost not included) to visit the Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa*. Begin your city tour at the Yanahuara and Carmen Alto viewpoints, where sweeping views of fields, pre-Inca terraces, and the snow-capped volcanoes—Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu—frame the White City. Continue to San Lázaro, Arequipa’s oldest and most traditional neighborhood. En route to the center, visit the 17th-century Church of La Compañía de Jesús, renowned for its intricate façade and beautifully carved cloisters.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic center showcases colonial grandeur. Admire the stately Cathedral, elegant fountain, and arched colonnades made of white volcanic “sillar” stone. End your tour at the Santa Catalina Monastery, a walled complex often called a “city within a city.” Once home to cloistered nuns for over 400 years, it opened to the public in 1970, though a portion remains reserved for the few nuns who still live there.

Overnight: El Cabildo Hotel, Arequipa (1 night) (B)

Note:  This tour is shared with other travelers. Private tour is available at additional cost – please see our Prices & Dates section. Santa Catalina Monastery is closed Jan. 1, Easter and Dec. 25. Visit to the painted ceilings of San Ignacio dome (the “Sistine Chapel” of the Americas) is available for an additional fee.

Day 14: Arequipa/Cusco (Flight)

We take a short flight to the City of Cusco* (cost not included). Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is over 1,000 years old and stands out for its rare fusion of ancient Andean and Spanish colonial heritage. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel (check-in from 12 PM) and embark on our city tour.

Begin your tour at the Plaza de Armas with a visit to the grand Cathedral, built atop an Inca temple and famed for its blend of Andean and Spanish art, including a Last Supper painting featuring local delicacies. Then continue to Qorikancha, once the Incas’ most important sun temple, later transformed by the Spanish into the Church of Santo Domingo. Head into the hills to visit Inca ruins: Sacsayhuaman, a ceremonial fortress known for its colossal stones fitted without mortar, the carved temple of Qenqo, the military site of Puca Pucara, and the aqueducts of Tambomachay.

Overnight: San Agustin Plaza Hotel, Cusco (1 night) (B)

Day 15: Cusco/Sacred Valley (Drive)

Our full-day excursion through the Sacred Valley begins at the Taray Viewpoint, offering stunning panoramic views of the valley's breathtaking landscape. We then visit the Pisac ruins, one of Peru’s most significant and well-preserved ancient sites, strategically located atop a mountain with exceptional views and showcasing brilliant Inca engineering. Next, we explore the vibrant Pisac market, renowned for its high-quality ceramics, textiles, and jewelry. Our journey continues to Ollantaytambo, a historic site where the Incas famously fought the Spanish, offering impressive terraces and commanding views of the surrounding valley. Lunch at a local restaurant is included before we return to our hotel in the Sacred Valley, the heartland of the Inca Empire.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Hotel, Sacred Valley (1 night) (B)

Day 16: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu/Cusco (Drive)

We drive to the train station in Ollantaytambo to board the Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes for our visit to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu*. These epic ruins stand at 2,430 meters above sea level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height. Its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. Lost in history, it was not rediscovered until 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. After our guided tour, we return to Cusco in the late afternoon.

Overnight: San Agustin Plaza Hotel, Cusco (1 night) (B, L)

Note: Transfer to/from Ollantaytambo will be with Spanish-speaking driver only. English-speaking driver available at additional cost. Train rides will be unaccompanied. Guide will meet you upon exit from the train, take you to tour Machu Picchu, then drop you off for lunch.

Day 17: Cusco/Puno (Drive)

Today we take a trip on a special bus to Puno that will allow us to appreciate the wonderful landscapes en route. The journey includes a stop at La Raya pass (4,300 meters above sea level), the natural boundary between Cusco and Puno, from where we can take photos of the snow-capped Andes Mountains. We will also stop at the ruins in Raqchi, known as Temple of the God, as well as Wiracocha, and Andahuaylillas village, to visit a beautiful church from the 17th century with an impressive organ decorated with angels and cherubs.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Hotel, Puno (2 nights) (B)

Note: Bus is shared with other travellers and has a English-/Spanish-speaking guide. Private transfer available at additional cost.

Day 18: Puno/Lake Titicaca/Taquile/Puno (Boat)

Today we explore Lake Titicaca by boat. First we will visit the man-made islands of the Uros people, also known as People of the Lake. Each island is built by hand out of layers of reed. We then head to Taquile Island, where the local community maintains their traditions, customs and colorful clothing. The islanders are skilled craftspeople and express in each piece astonishing techniques developed by their ancestors for centuries.  Enjoy a typical lunch before transferring back to our hotel. (B)

Note: This tour is shared with other travellers. For an additional fee, you can be accompanied by a private guide – please see our Prices & Dates section.

Day 19: Puno/Sillustani/Lima (Flight)

We visit the archaeological site of Sillustani, located 34 kilometers north of Puno. This ancient cemetery site is filled with the tower-like chullpa tombs, built out of stone up to a height of 12 meters. Nearby is Umayo Lake, offering a beautiful and mystic landscape. We then head to Juliaca, flying to Lima (cost not included) to connect with our departure flight. Alternatively, continue our adventure with Bestway to other parts of South America, including nearby Bolivia. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 8 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
Email us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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