12 Day itinerary in Peru, South America
Discover Peru's heart with an exhilarating journey from Lima to Cuzco, ideal for adventurers craving cultural immersion and scenic splendor. Traverse the awe-inspiring Andes, exploring iconic sites like Machu Picchu and the vibrant streets of Cuzco. Engage in diverse activities, from historic city t... Read More
By Bamba Travel Inc
Physical Difficulty
Recommended Age
Operated in
GUIDANCE
starting point
trip type
trip attributes
18 to 30 somethings
Backpacking
Adventure
Explorer Trips
Nature & Wildlife
Start
Night
End
Discover Ballestas Islands by boat
See unforgettable Lake Titicaca
Hop on a Sand-Buggy in a desert oasis
Discover Ballestas Islands by boat
See unforgettable Lake Titicaca
Hop on a Sand-Buggy in a desert oasis
Accommodation Categories
Day 1: Lima, Peru
Lima with a Local on a Bike
Departure Time: 10:00, 15:00
Duration: 3 hrs
We will meet three blocks away from Kennedy Park, where we will cover safety instructions and information about the amazing places we'll visit. Our tour will cover top sights around Miraflores and Barranco, including the Kennedy Park, Huaca Pucllana, Park of love, Larcomar, Bridge of Sights and Plaza Barranco. As you ride, you will enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and street art, learn stories and fun facts about the neighborhoods and our culture. Along this tour we will talk about Peruvian food, spots, culture, local history and anything you'll like. When arriving Barranco feel free to ask your guide for a free beer!
Day 2: Paracas, Peru
Lima to Paracas
Type: Bus
Time: 05:15, 07:15, 07:45, 13:30
Duration: 3.5 Hours
Transfer from Lima to Paracas
Day 3: Paracas, Peru
Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride (from Paracas)
Departure Time: 08:00, 10:00
Duration: 2 hrs
As you cruise west from the tiny beach town of Paracas, you won't be able to miss the Candelabra geoglyph, a 150m high and 50m wide figure of a candlestick etched into the mountain, rumored to have been an ancient guide for sailors or a connection to the Nazca lines. A short description and time for photos is given before cruising on to the famous Ballestas Islands.
Ballestas islands is an excellent opportunity to see large families of over 100 sea lions sleeping on the shores, basking in the sun on the rocks or some barking loudly in efforts to protect their territory. Spot cormorants, the Peruvian booby and Peruvian pelican as well as other impressive varieties of sea bird species and Humboldt penguins nesting together in small groups. Feeling lucky? Watch the waters for dolphins.
Apart from the abundant marine and bird life found here, the Ballestas Islands are also very well known for the guano (seabird droppings) deposited on the island over thousands of years which creates a natural reserve of nitrogen-rich fertilizer over 50 meters deep in some areas. The guano came to be Peru's #1 export in the mid-19th century however today the extraction of guano has been regulated to every 10 years.
The return trip to Paracas is a quick, very windy, direct boat ride to the dock. You should have some time to take photos of the friendly pelicans that hang out on the shore line beside the dock, do some souvenir shopping or grab a snack before heading on to your next destination.
Day 4: Ica, Peru
Paracas to Ica
Type: Bus
Time: 08:40, 10:40
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Transfer from Paracas to Ica
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Ica.
Day 5: Huacachina, Peru
Huacachina Sand-Buggy & Sand-Boarding
Departure Time: 15:15
Duration: 2 hrs
Welcome to the quaint, quiet and cute oasis of Huacachina with its tranquil lagoon and backdrop of amazing sand dunes anywhere you turn to look. Get ready to cruise to the tops of 500 meter high sand dunes and go rocketing down the slopes in the sand buggy. A roller coaster ride of 360's, sharp turns and steep hills will get your adrenaline pumping before you take your first shot at sand boarding. Strap yourself in tightly, throw your hands in the air and scream away as you are carried over sand dunes in the middle of the expansive desert.
You will have the opportunity to sandboard on 3-4 different dunes so you can try your luck. You will take thrilling rides on a basic sandboard by laying face first on the board and letting yourself fly down the dune to see how far (and fast) you can go. Cheer on your mates and don't let anyone shy away from this unforgettable experience. Lastly, you will admire the breathtaking sunset over the vast desert landscape and have the chance to take photos in the golden twilight before racing back to Huacachina.
Day 6: Arequipa, Peru
Ica to Nazca
Type: Bus
Time: 10.:20, 12:20, 13:05, 19:00, 20:30, 21:30
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Transfer from Ica to Nazca
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Nazca.
Nazca to Arequipa
Type: Bus (Overnight)
Time: 22:20, 23:15
Duration: 10.5 Hours
Transfer from Nazca to Arequipa
Day 7: Arequipa, Peru
Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 8: Arequipa, Peru
Colca Canyon Day Trip
Departure Time: 2:45, 3:00
Duration: 14 hrs
We will pick you up between 02:45 and 03:00 a.m. and drive you for 3 hours north west of Arequipa to Chivay, the capital of the Colca Canyon, behind snow-covered Chachani. We'll arrive at Yanque village and have breakfast there.
Then we continue driving for another hour and a half to the most popular Condor viewing location, "the Cross." From here, we can see the canyon's depth and the Condor's flight.
Beautiful traditional villages like as Yanque and Maca, colonial churches, kind people dressed in traditional needlework clothes, and hundreds of pre-Inca terraces still in use with Andean crops such as corn, quinoa, and kiwicha, among others, can be found in the area. In addition, we will visit the hot spring pools, for which there is an additional entrance cost, and for which we will have 45 minutes free.
Then we'll go to Chivay for lunch, and then return to Arequipa via the highest pass: the sight of the Volcanoes and snow-capped mountains in Patapampa (4,800 m. - 15,000 ft.). Later, at the Pampa Caahuas national reserve, we will observe wild vicuas, alpacas, and llamas, as well as flamingos, ibis, Andean gooze, ducks, and the Andean eagle "Kara Kara." Back in Arequipa around 18:00 hrs.).
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Puno, Peru
Arequipa to Puno
Type: Bus
Time: 22:00
Duration: 6 Hours
Transfer from Arequipa to Puno
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Puno.
Day 10: Puno, Peru
Lake Titicaca Day Tour
Departure Time: 06:40
Duration: 8 hrs
This tour begins between 6:00-7:00 am with a transfer from your Puno City Center hotel to the port. Then by motor boat (35 feet long with a covered section in case of rain or cold weather, 25 individual seats) we visit the Uros floating Islands. Stepping on them feels very much like a water bed (but it is quite safe). We see the houses, the islands and meet its friendly habitants. Uros people are descendants of one of the oldest South American groups. Rides on traditional reed boats can be arranged. In the mornings these islands can be crowded. We visit two of the 60 islands before continuing on to Taquile Island. After a relaxed navigation of an extra 2 1/2 hours, getting the chance to enjoy the spectacular views offered by Lake Titicaca, we get to Taquile island. There, lives a unique community. A long path gradually ascending (45 min. hike approx.) will take us to the village, the views are beautiful. Visit the communal cooperative where you will find handicraft textiles of high quality. The views are magnificent. At 2:30 pm approx. we will depart back to Puno City (3 hours return journey). At 5.30 pm we arrive to Puno. On arrival to Puno we will transfer you to your Puno hotel.
Meals: Lunch
Day 11: Cuzco, Peru
Puno to Cuzco
Type: Shuttle Bus
Time: 22:00
Duration: 7.5 Hours
Transfer from Puno to Cuzco
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Cuzco.
Day 12: Cuzco, Peru
Market & Cooking Class with a Local
Departure Time: 9:00, 15:00
Duration: 4 hrs
Our Cusco Culinary cooking experience starts at San Pedro Market (at door number 1), with a visit to this historical and traditional local market. We will try some of the most exotic fruits of Peru, the best chocolate, local cheeses, and traditional bread. After that, we will walk to our cooking studio, a traditional house from 1922, that is part of the world heritage Cusco center. We will start our cooking classes preparing the national drink of Peru, passion fruit Pisco sour. Then, we will prepare three traditional Peruvian exquisite dishes and a delicious dessert. Our class is full hands on, and you will take part in all the preparation. After we finish we will enjoy all the food, and you will have a great Peruvian meal. After the class we will also send you the recipes, so then you can share your new talent, as a Peruvian chef, with your family and friends.
NOTE: To know your food requirements is very important. Our dishes are easy to be converted into vegetarian, so if you are vegetarian or Vegan this is the perfect class for you. This experience includes alcohol. Only guests who meet the legal drinking age will be served alcoholic beverages.
Meals: Lunch
Meals
Transport
Activities
Not Included
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