Andean Love Story: Peru North to South

From ancient desert kingdoms to the Andes and Machu Picchu: a north-to-south love story written across Peru.

  Couples Journey — Peru Made for Two

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Route Overview

Trip Map

Route map of the North to South Grand Tour: Lima, Caral, Huaraz, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca, Puno, Cusco and Machu Picchu

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Route map of the North to South Grand Tour - enlarged
At a Glance

Itinerary Summary

A quick day-by-day overview of your 25-day adventure from northern Peru to Machu Picchu. Tap any day to see the details.

  1. Day 1Welcome to Lima: Your Peruvian Adventure BeginsLima
  2. Day 2Discover Lima: Colonial Charm & Coastal FlavorsLima
  3. Day 3Private Journey to Huaraz: Gateway to the Andes with a Visit to Caral en RouteHuaraz
  4. Day 4Huaraz at Your Leisure: Acclimatize & ExploreHuaraz
  5. Day 5Uncover Chavín de Huántar: The Cradle of Andean CivilizationHuaraz
  6. Day 6Scenic Overland Journey: Huaraz to Trujillo with a Visit to Sechín en RouteTrujillo
  7. Day 7Archaeological Wonders: Huacas de Moche, Chan Chan & HuanchacoTrujillo
  8. Day 8Journey North: Trujillo to Chiclayo & Time at Your LeisureChiclayo
  9. Day 9Full-Day Discovery: Huaca Rajada & the Royal Tombs of Sipán MuseumChiclayo
  10. Day 10Morning Flight to Lima & Day at Your LeisureLima
  11. Day 11Scenic Journey to Paracas Bay & National Reserve ExplorationParacas
  12. Day 12Set Sail to the Ballestas Islands & Escape to the Huacachina OasisNazca
  13. Day 13Soar Over the Nazca Lines & Journey to the White City of ArequipaArequipa
  14. Day 14Arequipa at Your Leisure: The White City AwaitsArequipa
  15. Day 15Journey Through the Majestic Colca ValleyColca Valley
  16. Day 16Witness the Flight of the Condor at Colca CanyonColca Valley
  17. Day 17Scenic Crossing: From the Colca Valley to PunoPuno
  18. Day 18Lake Titicaca: Island Discovery & Cultural ImmersionPuno
  19. Day 19Route of the Sun: A Scenic Journey from Puno to CuscoCusco
  20. Day 20Cusco at Your Leisure: The Imperial City AwaitsCusco
  21. Day 21Rainbow Mountain Trek: A Colorful Andean AdventureCusco
  22. Day 22Panoramic Train to Machu Picchu: A Journey Through TimeAguas Calientes
  23. Day 23Machu Picchu Revealed: Guided Discovery & Panoramic Train to CuscoCusco
  24. Day 24Morning Flight to Lima & Time at Your LeisureLima
  25. Day 25International 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: Colonial Charm & Coastal Flavors

With your private guide, explore 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. Then head back to the coast, where Miraflores and Barranco reveal the modern, ocean-facing side of the capital and its celebrated seafood.

Overnight in Lima
Pyramids of the Sacred City of Caral in the Supe Valley Day 3

Private Journey to Huaraz: Gateway to the Andes with a Visit to Caral en Route

Travel north by private vehicle to the Supe Valley and the Sacred City of Caral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest known city in the Americas, built some 5,000 years ago. Walk among its pyramids and sunken circular plazas with your guide, then climb into the Andes, past the Conococha plateau, to Huaraz, framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca.

Overnight in Huaraz
Huaraz with the snow-capped Cordillera Blanca behind Day 4

Huaraz at Your Leisure: Acclimatize & Explore

A gentle day to adjust to the altitude (approx. 3,050 m). Take in the views of the Cordillera Blanca, home to Huascarán, Peru’s highest peak, visit the Archaeological Museum of Ancash and its collection of carved stone monoliths, or simply relax at your hotel with a warm coca tea before the adventures ahead.

Overnight in Huaraz
Temple complex of Chavín de Huántar Day 5

Uncover Chavín de Huántar: The Cradle of Andean Civilization

Cross the Cordillera Blanca past the turquoise Querococha lagoon to Chavín de Huántar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ceremonial heart of one of the Andes’ earliest civilizations. With your guide, enter the stone galleries beneath the temple to see the Lanzón monolith, then admire the carved tenon heads at the National Chavín Museum before returning to Huaraz.

Overnight in Huaraz
Carved stone warriors at Cerro Sechín near Casma Day 6

Scenic Overland Journey: Huaraz to Trujillo with a Visit to Sechín en Route

Descend from the Andes to the coast through dramatic mountain scenery to Casma and the temple of Cerro Sechín, where a wall of carved stone warriors and figures has stood for more than 3,500 years. Continue north along the Pacific to Trujillo, the elegant colonial “City of Eternal Spring”.

Overnight in Trujillo
Adobe walls and friezes of Chan Chan, Trujillo Day 7

Archaeological Wonders: Huacas de Moche, Chan Chan & Huanchaco

A full day among the great civilizations of Peru’s north coast. At the Huaca de la Luna, see the vivid painted friezes of the Moche temple. Then walk through Chan Chan, the Chimú capital and the largest adobe city in the Americas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. End the day at the beach town of Huanchaco, where fishermen still ride their caballitos de totora reed boats.

Overnight in Trujillo
Plaza de Armas of Chiclayo Day 8

Journey North: Trujillo to Chiclayo & Time at Your Leisure

A private transfer takes you north along the coast to Chiclayo, the “City of Friendship” (approx. 210 km). The afternoon is free: browse the herbs and crafts of the Modelo Market, relax at your hotel or enjoy the northern cuisine, known for its duck rice and seafood.

Overnight in Chiclayo
Gold ornaments of the Lord of Sipán Day 9

Full-Day Discovery: Huaca Rajada & the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum

Visit Huaca Rajada, the site where the intact tomb of the Lord of Sipán was discovered in 1987, one of the most important archaeological finds in the Americas. Then continue to the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum in Lambayeque, where the gold, silver and turquoise treasures of this Moche ruler are displayed exactly as they were found.

Overnight in Chiclayo
Plaza Mayor of Lima Day 10

Morning Flight to Lima & Day at Your Leisure

Transfer to Chiclayo airport for your morning flight to Lima, where your driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the city at your own pace, perhaps with a visit to the Larco Museum or dinner at one of Lima’s renowned restaurants.

Flight to Lima Overnight in Lima
Desert cliffs and ocean in the Paracas National Reserve Day 11

Scenic Journey to Paracas Bay & National Reserve Exploration

Travel south along the coast to the bay of Paracas. In the afternoon, explore the Paracas National Reserve, where the desert meets the Pacific in a landscape of ochre cliffs, red-sand beaches and sweeping viewpoints, home to sea lions, flamingos and countless seabirds.

Overnight in Paracas
Huacachina oasis surrounded by sand dunes Day 12

Set Sail to the Ballestas Islands & Escape to the Huacachina Oasis

Board a morning boat to the Ballestas Islands, passing the giant Candelabra geoglyph, to see sea lions, Humboldt penguins and thousands of seabirds. Continue to the Huacachina Oasis, a lagoon framed by towering dunes, for a dune buggy ride across the sand, then carry on to Nazca.

Overnight in Nazca
Nazca Lines seen from a light aircraft Day 13

Soar Over the Nazca Lines & Journey to the White City of Arequipa

Take off on a light aircraft over the desert to see the hummingbird, the monkey and the other mysterious figures of the Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then journey south through desert valleys and along coastal cliffs to Arequipa, the elegant “White City” built of volcanic sillar stone.

Overnight in Arequipa
Arequipa Plaza de Armas with El Misti volcano Day 14

Arequipa at Your Leisure: The White City Awaits

A free day in Arequipa. Wander the colorful streets of the Santa Catalina Monastery, a city within the city, admire El Misti volcano from the Yanahuara viewpoint, or visit the Museo Santuarios Andinos, home of the Inca ice maiden “Juanita”.

Overnight in Arequipa
Agricultural terraces of the Colca Valley Day 15

Journey Through the Majestic Colca Valley

Cross the high plateau through the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve, where wild vicuñas graze, to the Patapampa viewpoint, surrounded by volcanoes. Descend into the Colca Valley, with its ancient terraces and traditional villages, and end the day soaking in natural hot springs.

Overnight in Colca Valley
Andean condor soaring over the Colca Canyon Day 16

Witness the Flight of the Condor at Colca Canyon

Set out early for the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, perched above one of the deepest canyons in the world, to watch the majestic Andean condors ride the morning thermals. On the way back, visit the colonial churches and villages of Maca and Yanque.

Overnight in Colca Valley
High Andean lagoon on the road from Colca to Puno Day 17

Scenic Crossing: From the Colca Valley to Puno

A scenic journey across the altiplano, past high-altitude lagoons, volcanic peaks and herds of llamas and alpacas, to Puno, the folkloric capital of Peru, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Overnight in Puno
Uros floating reed islands on Lake Titicaca Day 18

Lake Titicaca: Island Discovery & Cultural Immersion

Sail across Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, to the Uros Floating Islands, built entirely of totora reeds by the families who live on them. Continue to Taquile Island, known for its textile tradition, for a walk along its stone paths and lunch with views of the Bolivian Andes.

Overnight in Puno
Temple of Wiracocha walls at Raqchi Day 19

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

Travel from Lake Titicaca to Cusco along the Route of the Sun, crossing La Raya Pass and visiting the Pucará museum, the great Inca temple of Raqchi and the church of Andahuaylillas, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”.

Overnight in Cusco
Cusco Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas Day 20

Cusco at Your Leisure: The Imperial City Awaits

A free day in the ancient capital of the Incas. Visit the Cathedral and its colonial art, wander the artisans’ quarter of San Blas, find the Twelve-Angled Stone or simply enjoy a coffee overlooking the Plaza de Armas.

Overnight in Cusco
Colorful stripes of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Day 21

Rainbow Mountain Trek: A Colorful Andean Adventure

An early departure takes you to the trailhead of Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain. Walk at your own pace through the high Andes to the viewpoint, at over 5,000 m, where bands of red, gold and turquoise stretch across the mountainside. Horses are available for part of the way.

Overnight in Cusco
Panoramic train travelling through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu Day 22

Panoramic Train to Machu Picchu: A Journey Through Time

Board a panoramic train through the Sacred Valley, following the Urubamba River as the landscape turns from Andean fields to cloud forest. Arrive in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu, and spend a relaxed afternoon in this mountain town.

Panoramic train Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu citadel with Huayna Picchu Day 23

Machu Picchu Revealed: Guided Discovery & Panoramic Train to Cusco

Take an early bus up to Machu Picchu and discover the Inca citadel with your private guide: its temples, terraces and the Intihuatana stone, set between towering green peaks. 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
Bridge of Sighs in Barranco, Lima Day 24

Morning Flight to Lima & Time at Your Leisure

Fly from Cusco to Lima and transfer to your hotel. Spend your last afternoon in Peru exploring the bohemian district of Barranco, with its murals and Bridge of Sighs, or watching the sunset over the Pacific from the clifftop malecón.

Flight to Lima Overnight in Lima
Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima Day 25

International Flight Home

Enjoy a final morning in Lima before your private transfer 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
  • 24 nights in hotels of your chosen category, with daily breakfast
  • Private guided Lima city tour: historic center, San Francisco Monastery, Miraflores & Barranco
  • Private transportation Lima – Caral – Huaraz – Casma – Trujillo – Chiclayo
  • Guided visits to Caral, Chavín de Huántar, Cerro Sechín, Huaca de la Luna, Chan Chan & Huanchaco
  • Guided visit to Huaca Rajada and the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum
  • Paracas National Reserve tour and Ballestas Islands boat trip
  • Huacachina dune buggy ride and Nazca Lines overflight
  • 2-day Colca Valley tour with Cruz del Cóndor and transfer to Puno
  • Full-day Lake Titicaca tour: Uros & Taquile Islands with lunch
  • Route of the Sun journey Puno – Cusco with guided stops
  • Full-day Rainbow Mountain excursion
  • Round-trip panoramic train to Machu Picchu
  • Machu Picchu entrance ticket, private guided tour and round-trip shuttle bus
  • All entrance fees for the visits listed in the itinerary
  • 24/7 assistance during your trip

Not Included

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