12-Day Peru Adventure: Sacred Valley Grandeur

12 days of action and discovery through Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, the jungle trail to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

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Route Overview

Trip Map

Route map of the 12-day Peru tour: Lima, Cusco, Santa Teresa, Machu Picchu and Puno

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Route map of the 12-day Peru tour: Lima, Cusco, Santa Teresa, Machu Picchu and Puno - enlarged

12 Days in Peru for Adventure Travelers: Sacred Valley Grandeur

This 12-day Peru adventure trip is for travelers who want to fly, sail, ride and hike their way across the country. Fly to Cusco for a guided city tour and climb to the painted peaks of Rainbow Mountain. Cross the Andes to the Cocalmayo hot springs, walk the Hydroelectric route beside the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu, then follow the Route of the Sun to Lake Titicaca for a day with the families of Llachón and a boat trip to the Uros Islands. Expect early starts, big landscapes and plenty of adrenaline, with expert local guides by your side.

At a Glance

Itinerary Summary

Your 12-day Peru adventure tour at a glance, from Cusco and Rainbow Mountain to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Tap any day to see the details.

  1. Day 1Welcome to Lima: Your Peruvian Adventure BeginsLima
  2. Day 2Discover Lima: Classic City Tour & Time at Your LeisureLima
  3. Day 3Flight to Cusco & Uncover Cusco: Classic City Tour & Andean CharmCusco
  4. Day 4Rainbow Mountain Expedition: A Journey to Vinicunca’s Painted PeaksCusco
  5. Day 5Scenic Overland Journey: Cusco to Santa Teresa & Cocalmayo Hot SpringsSanta Teresa
  6. Day 6Trekking to Machu Picchu: The Hydroelectric RouteAguas Calientes
  7. Day 7Machu Picchu Revealed: Guided DiscoveryCusco
  8. Day 8Route of the Sun: A Scenic Journey from Cusco to PunoPuno
  9. Day 9Llachón Community & the Mummies Museum: A Cultural EncounterPuno
  10. Day 10Lake Titicaca: Boat Trip & Island DiscoveryPuno
  11. Day 11Morning Flight to Lima & Day at Your LeisureLima
  12. Day 12International Flight HomeDeparture
In Detail

Detailed Itinerary

Every day of your trip, with where you'll spend the night.

Miraflores cliffs over the Pacific Ocean in Lima Day 1

Welcome to Lima: Your Peruvian Adventure Begins

Your private driver welcomes you in the arrivals hall and escorts you along the coast to your hotel in Miraflores. The rest of the day is yours: stroll the clifftop malecón, watch paragliders drift over the Pacific and enjoy a first taste of the cuisine that has made Lima one of the great food capitals of the world.

Overnight in Lima
San Francisco Church and Monastery in Lima's historic center Day 2

Discover Lima: Classic City Tour & Time at Your Leisure

In the morning, your private guide leads you through Lima’s UNESCO-listed historic center: the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and the San Francisco Monastery, whose baroque cloisters and underground catacombs hold centuries of history. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Miraflores and bohemian Barranco or enjoy lunch at one of the acclaimed restaurants that have made Lima a world capital of gastronomy.

Overnight in Lima
Cusco Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas Day 3

Flight to Cusco & Uncover Cusco: Classic City Tour & Andean Charm

Fly over the Andes to Cusco (approx. 3,400 m) and rest at your hotel. In the afternoon, set out at a gentle pace with your private guide to discover the Cathedral and the Koricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, followed by the zigzag walls of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay above the city.

Flight to Cusco Overnight in Cusco
Colorful stripes of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Day 4

Rainbow Mountain Expedition: A Journey to Vinicunca’s Painted Peaks

An early departure takes you to the trailhead of Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain. Walk at your own pace through the high Andes as the colors of the land intensify with every step. At the viewpoint, more than 5,000 m above sea level, bands of red, gold and turquoise stretch across the mountainside. Horses are available for part of the way.

Hike to Rainbow Mountain Overnight in Cusco
Cocalmayo thermal baths surrounded by green mountains in Santa Teresa Day 5

Scenic Overland Journey: Cusco to Santa Teresa & Cocalmayo Hot Springs

Cross the Abra Málaga pass (approx. 4,300 m), where snow-capped peaks give way to cloud forest, and descend into the warm valley of Santa Teresa (approx. 5–6 hours). In the afternoon, relax in the Cocalmayo Hot Springs, natural thermal pools surrounded by lush green mountains.

Overnight in Santa Teresa
Railway trail from the Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes Day 6

Trekking to Machu Picchu: The Hydroelectric Route

From the Hydroelectric Station, walk about 11 km (approx. 2.5–3 hours) along the railway beside the roaring Urubamba River, surrounded by jungle and waterfalls. Keep looking up: the terraces of Machu Picchu appear high above the trail before you reach Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of the citadel.

Walk to Aguas Calientes Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel Day 7

Machu Picchu Revealed: Guided Discovery

Take an early bus up to Machu Picchu and discover the Inca citadel with your private guide: the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana stone, set between towering green peaks above the Urubamba River. After the tour, return to Aguas Calientes and board the panoramic train back to Cusco.

Good to Know

  • Duration: the guided tour lasts approx. 2–2.5 hours.
  • Bus: the shuttle between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu takes approx. 25 minutes each way.
  • Tickets & circuits: entry tickets are sold for a specific time slot and circuit, and the route inside the citadel depends on the circuit booked. Re-entry is not permitted.
  • Passport: you must carry the original passport used to book your ticket.
  • Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain: these hikes require a separate ticket and must be booked in advance.
  • What to bring: sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a rain jacket and water. Large backpacks, walking sticks without rubber tips, and food are not allowed inside the site.
Panoramic train Overnight in Cusco
Temple of Wiracocha walls at Raqchi on the Route of the Sun Day 8

Route of the Sun: A Scenic Journey from Cusco to Puno

From the capital of the Incas to the shores of Lake Titicaca. Visit the golden interior of Andahuaylillas, the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”, and the colossal Inca temple of Raqchi, then climb to La Raya Pass at over 4,300 m, where snow-capped peaks rise above herds of llamas and alpacas. After a stop at the Pucará museum, descend across the altiplano to Puno.

Overnight in Puno
Traditional sailing boats on Lake Titicaca Day 9

Llachón Community & the Mummies Museum: A Cultural Encounter

Travel along the shores of Lake Titicaca to the Capachica Peninsula and the Quechua community of Llachón, where families still farm terraces above the lake and welcome visitors into their daily life. Share a traditional lunch, learn about local weaving and farming, and visit the Mummies Museum, which reveals the ancient burial customs of the altiplano. Return to Puno in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Puno
Uros floating reed islands on Lake Titicaca Day 10

Lake Titicaca: Boat Trip & Island Discovery

Set sail on Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. First stop: the Uros Floating Islands, woven entirely from totora reeds by families who still live on them today. Continue to Taquile Island, whose textile art is recognized by UNESCO and where the men are master knitters, for a walk along its stone paths and a lunch of fresh lake trout with views of the Bolivian Andes.

Overnight in Puno
Plaza Mayor and Cathedral in Lima's historic center Day 11

Morning Flight to Lima & Day at Your Leisure

Transfer to Juliaca airport for your morning flight to Lima. The rest of the day is yours: walk the clifftop malecón from Miraflores to bohemian Barranco, browse its galleries and murals, or enjoy a farewell dinner overlooking the Pacific.

Flight to Lima Overnight in Lima
Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima Day 12

International Flight Home

Enjoy a final morning in Lima: visit the Larco Museum and its pre-Columbian treasures or stroll through bohemian Barranco. At the agreed time, a private transfer takes you to the airport for your international flight home. End of services.

Transfer to the airport · End of services
Know Before You Go

What's Included

A transparent breakdown of what's covered in your package and what isn't.

Included

  • Private arrival and departure transfers
  • 11 nights in hotels of your chosen category, with daily breakfast
  • Private guided Lima city tour: historic center & San Francisco Monastery
  • Private guided Cusco city tour: Cathedral, Koricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara & Tambomachay
  • Full-day Rainbow Mountain excursion
  • Transfer Cusco – Santa Teresa and entrance to the Cocalmayo Hot Springs
  • Guided walk from the Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes
  • Machu Picchu entrance ticket, private guided tour, round-trip shuttle bus and train to Cusco
  • Route of the Sun journey Cusco – Puno with guided stops
  • Full-day visit to the Llachón community with lunch and the Mummies Museum
  • Full-day Lake Titicaca tour: Uros & Taquile Islands with lunch
  • All entrance fees for the visits listed in the itinerary
  • 24/7 assistance during your trip

Not Included

  • Domestic flights Lima – Cusco and Juliaca – Lima (quoted separately)
  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Activities and entrance fees on free days
  • Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Horse rental at Rainbow Mountain
Secure Booking

Tour Package Rates

Per person based on double / twin room accommodation. Choose your preferred service level.

Essential ★★

Comfortable stays, essential services
$2275Estimated Total
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Comfort ★★★

Standard premium service, upgraded hotels
$2699Estimated Total
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Deluxe ★★★★★

Top-tier luxury hotels & private experiences
$4150Estimated Total
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12-Day Peru Adventure: Sacred Valley Grandeur: Common Questions

What's included in the 12-day Peru adventure tour?

It includes 11 nights in your chosen hotel category with breakfast, private transfers, guided tours of Lima and Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, the Cocalmayo hot springs, the Hydroelectric walk, a guided visit to Machu Picchu, the Route of the Sun, the Llachón community and Lake Titicaca.

How fit do I need to be for this 12-day adventure?

The trip includes the high hike to Rainbow Mountain and an 11 km walk along the Hydroelectric route to Machu Picchu. A good general fitness level is enough, and every activity can be adapted to your pace.

Can I take the train instead of walking the Hydroelectric route?

Yes. The walk is flat, about 11 km and 2.5–3 hours, but if you prefer we can replace it with a panoramic train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, keeping the visit to Machu Picchu the next morning.

What is the best time of year for this 12-day trip?

April to November is ideal, with dry trails for Rainbow Mountain and the Hydroelectric walk and clear skies over Lake Titicaca.

How can I prepare for the altitude on this route?

You fly from Lima to Cusco (approx. 3,400 m), and Rainbow Mountain (over 5,000 m) comes the next day. For a more comfortable trip we can add an extra night in Cusco before the hike, or replace it with a relaxed day in the Sacred Valley. Drink plenty of water and check with your doctor before you travel if you have a medical condition.

How much is the 12-day Peru adventure tour?

The price depends on the hotel category you choose (Essential 2★, Comfort 3★, Superior 4★ or Deluxe 5★) and on the size of your party. See the Rates tab for the current price per person in a double or twin room.

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