Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Puno & Cusco 12-Day

About the Tour

The great Peru circuit: from the coast and desert to Colca, Titicaca, and Machu Picchu in 12 days.

Lima, Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, Nazca Lines, Arequipa, Chivay, Colca Canyon, Cruz del Condor, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Uros, Taquile, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain

This 12-day Peru itinerary is the country’s grand circuit — spanning the coast, the desert, the deep southern Andes, and the Inca heartland. Starting in Lima with the Ballestas Islands and Huacachina, the route passes through the Nazca Lines overflight and continues to Arequipa, the White City, with its stunning colonial architecture.

From there we descend into the Colca Canyon — one of the world’s deepest — to witness the flight of the Andean Condor at Cruz del Condor. The route continues to Puno and Lake Titicaca with the Uros and Taquile Islands, culminating in Cusco with the Sacred Valley, the legendary Machu Picchu, and the spectacular Rainbow Mountain.

Cusco

The imperial city of Cusco is located in southeastern Peru, in the Andes Mountains. It sits at over 3,300 meters (10,800 feet) above sea level and was the former capital of the Inca Empire. Today, it is one of the most important tourist destinations in South America.

Lima

Lima is located on the central coast of Peru, along the Pacific Ocean, and is the main international gateway to the country.

Puno

Puno is located in southeastern Peru, in the Andean region, near the border with Bolivia, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Tour Images

Step by step

Itinerary – Peru Grand Circuit 12 Days

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Day 1

Arrival in Lima

Private airport transfer to hotel. Overnight in Lima.

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Day 2

Paracas + Ballestas Islands + Huacachina – Night in Huacachina

Pick-up 4:30 a.m. Ballestas Islands boat tour. Huacachina: buggy ride and sandboarding. Return ~5:00 p.m. Overnight Huacachina.

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Day 3

Nazca Lines Overflight + Bus to Arequipa

Breakfast. Pick-up 6:30 a.m. Panoramic overflight of the Nazca Lines (~30 min). Free lunch. Bus Nazca–Arequipa 2:50 p.m. Arrival Arequipa 11:55 p.m. Overnight Arequipa.

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Day 4

Arequipa City Tour

Breakfast. Free morning (rest). Pick-up 2:00 p.m. City Tour: Santa Catalina Monastery, Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Compañía Church, San Lázaro Quarter. Overnight Arequipa.

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Day 5

Chivay + Volcano Viewpoint + Colca Valley

Pick-up 7:30–8:00 a.m. Drive to Chivay (~4 hrs): stop at Pampa Cañahuas (vicuñas), Patahuasi (coca tea), Toccra wetlands (alpacas). Buffet lunch in Chivay. Optional thermal baths. Overnight Chivay.

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Day 6

Cruz del Condor + Colca Canyon + Bus to Puno

Early morning. Cruz del Condor viewpoint: Andean Condor flight (~10 a.m.). Colca Canyon visit. Buffet lunch Chivay 12:00 p.m. Bus Chivay–Puno 1:15 p.m. Arrival Puno ~8:30 p.m. Overnight Puno.

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Day 7

Uros & Taquile – Lake Titicaca + Night Bus to Cusco

Breakfast at hotel. Pick-up 7:00 a.m. to port. Uros–Taquile Full Day tour. Traditional lunch. Return Puno. Transfer to terminal. Night bus Puno–Cusco 10:00 p.m.

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Day 8

Arrival in Cusco + Morning City Tour

Arrival in Cusco. Hotel transfer. Morning City Tour: pick-up 8:45 a.m. – end 2:00 p.m. Qorikancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay. Free afternoon. Overnight Cusco.

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Day 9

Sacred Valley VIP + Transfer to Machu Picchu

Breakfast. Pick-up 6:30 a.m. Sacred Valley: Chinchero, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo. Buffet lunch Urubamba. Train to Aguas Calientes. Overnight Aguas Calientes.

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Day 10

Machu Picchu Full Day

Breakfast. Guided tour of Machu Picchu. Return Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo. Transfer to Cusco. Overnight Cusco.

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Day 11

Rainbow Mountain

Pick-up 4:30 a.m. Buffet breakfast Cusipata. Hike to Rainbow Mountain (16,522 ft / 5,036 m). Buffet lunch. Return Cusco. Overnight Cusco.

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Day 12

Airport Transfer – End of Services

Breakfast at hotel. Private transfer to Cusco airport. End of services.

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Included

Private airport – hotel transfers (Lima and Cusco).
1 night Lima, 1 Huacachina, 2 Arequipa, 1 Chivay, 1 Puno, 4 Cusco, 1 Aguas Calientes, 1 overnight bus.
Hotel breakfasts every day.
Tourist transport Lima – Paracas – Ica – Huacachina.
Panoramic overflight of the Nazca Lines.
Bus Nazca–Arequipa, Chivay–Puno, overnight bus Puno–Cusco.
3 buffet lunches (Chivay x2, Urubamba) + traditional lunch Taquile.
Vistadome train Ollantaytambo–Machu Picchu round trip.
Consettur bus up and down to Machu Picchu.
Cusco General Tourist Ticket (City Tour + Sacred Valley).
Entrance tickets to all mentioned attractions.
Lake transport Uros–Taquile–Puno.
Personalized assistance.

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Not Included

International flights or domestic flight Lima–Cusco.
Lunch in Nazca (day 3 — own account).
Thermal baths in Chivay (optional).
Meals not mentioned, water, and tips.
Travel insurance (highly recommended).

Duration

12 days / 11 nights (1 Lima, 1 Huacachina, 2 Arequipa, 1 Chivay, 1 Puno, 4 Cusco, 1 Aguas Calientes, 1 overnight bus).

Max altitude

16,522 ft / 5,036 m (Rainbow Mountain, day 11). Cruz del Condor: ~12,795 ft / 3,900 m.

Difficulty

Moderate. One high-altitude hike (day 11); gradual altitude gain across the full circuit.

Tour type

Cultural Tours

Best season

April to October for Colca Canyon and Rainbow Mountain.

Max group size

12 people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions?

Condor sightings can’t be guaranteed as they’re wild animals. However, Cruz del Condor has the highest sighting probability in the world, especially between 8 and 11 a.m.

The small plane makes turns so all passengers see the figures, which can cause airsickness in some people. We recommend eating a light breakfast and bringing anti-nausea medication if needed.

Yes, with advance booking. Tickets are limited and nominal. We recommend booking 2–3 months ahead during peak season.

Linear. You start in Lima (day 1) and finish at Cusco airport (day 12). Your outbound flights must be from Cusco.

After the overnight bus from Puno, the morning tour uses the arrival time efficiently. The free afternoon allows you to rest and acclimatize before the Sacred Valley the following day.

Recommendations

Prepare for the great Peru circuit

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Cruz del Condor

Arrive before 9 a.m. for the best chance of a sighting. Dress warmly — at 12,795 ft and with wind, it’s cold even in dry season.

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Nazca Overflight

Eat a light breakfast beforehand. Bring a fully charged camera and your original ID. The plane’s turns are all part of the experience.

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Gradual Acclimatization

This circuit ascends gradually (Lima → Arequipa → Chivay → Puno → Cusco), which helps acclimatization. Drink water at every stage and avoid alcohol your first days at altitude.

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Layered Packing

Light clothes for Lima and Huacachina; thermal layers plus a waterproof jacket for Arequipa and Chivay; heavy coat for Puno nights. Trekking boots essential for day 11.

Lima, Arequipa, Colca, Puno &
Cusco

The great Peru circuit: from the coast and desert to Colca, Titicaca, and Machu Picchu in 12 days.

Itinerary – Peru Grand Circuit 12 Days

Any questions?

Prepare for the great Peru circuit

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Any questions?

Prepare for the great Peru circuit

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