The Southern Route of Peru

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12849
The Southern Route of Peru
Flagship Adventure 10 days

The Southern Route of Peru

  • Colca Canyon & Condor Cross viewpoint
  • Lake Titicaca, Cusco & Machu Picchu
  • Handpicked hotels & tourist transport
From $1,750 USD
Direct Rate
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🔒 Official MINCETUR Licensed Local Operator
Local and Direct Operator All your money directly supports families and communities in Cusco.
Expert and Safe Guides Passionate, bilingual, and certified in Wilderness First Aid.
Small Groups We guarantee an intimate, personalized experience away from the crowds.
Flexible and Secure Booking 24/7 assistance from our team, easy payment options, and clear policies.
10 days
Ene-Dic
Lima
Cusco
Min Age : 12+
Max People : 12
DescriptionItineraryDetailsFAQsPhotosVideo

Package description

The Southern Route of Peru 12-Day / 11-Night Tour is South America’s most celebrated overland expedition 🌴. It traverses Pacific coastal desert reserves, the enigmatic Nazca Lines, volcanic Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, and the Inca heartland of Cusco and Machu Picchu.

  • 📍 Grand Southern Circuit: Lima – Paracas – Huacachina – Nazca – Arequipa – Colca Canyon – Puno (Titicaca) – Route of the Sun – Cusco – Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Vinicunca.
  • ⛰ Altitude Range: From sea level on the coast up to 3,812 m / 12,506 ft at Lake Titicaca, 4,910 m / 16,108 ft at Patapampa pass, and 5,036 m / 16,522 ft at Vinicunca.
  • 🛡 Style & Accommodation: 12-Day grand tour with 10 hotel nights, 1 premium VIP sleeper bus night, and breakfast included throughout.
  • ⭐ Ultimate Variety: Flight over Nazca Lines, soaring condors in Colca, Uros floating reed islands, scenic train to Machu Picchu, and 24/7 host assistance.

The Southern Route of Peru 12 Days / 11 Nights represents the definitive overland journey across Peru’s most iconic landscapes and civilizations.

Designed with a step-by-step altitude acclimation progression (Coast → Arequipa 2,325m → Colca → Puno 3,812m → Cusco 3,400m), this journey guarantees unmatched physical comfort while exploring the Southern Andes.

Feature / Metric Southern Route 12D (Inka Jungle Tour) Self-Arranged / Unconnected Travel
Grand Scope 7 distinct regions (Lima, Ica, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca, Puno, Cusco) combined in 1 trip. Single destinations missing out on the epic overland connections.
Biological Acclimatization Gentle progressive altitude steps: Coast → Arequipa (2,325m) → Puno → Cusco. Direct flights from Lima to Cusco causing acute altitude shock.
Complete Logistics 10 hotel nights, sleeper bus, speedboats, scenic trains, and 24/7 host coordination. Continuous stressful bookings across bus terminals and ticket offices.
Machu Picchu Access Overnight in Aguas Calientes for early morning crowd-free guided entry. Exhausting single-day round trip during peak crowd hours.

12-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lima & Private Hotel Transfer

⏱ Schedule: Based on flight arrival
🏔 Altitude: 150 m / 492 ft
🏛 Lodging: Selected hotel in Lima (Miraflores).

Airport pickup in Lima and private transfer to your hotel in Miraflores to relax after your international flight.

Day 2: Lima – Paracas (Ballestas Islands) – Ica (Huacachina Oasis)

⏱ Schedule: 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM
🏔 Altitude: Sea level to 406 m / 1,332 ft
🏛 Lodging: Selected hotel in Ica.

Travel to Paracas for a speedboat tour of the Ballestas Islands. Continue to Ica for a pisco distillery tour, dune buggy adventure, and sandboarding in Huacachina.

Day 3: Ica – Nazca (Flight over Nazca Lines) – VIP Overnight Bus to Arequipa

⏱ Schedule: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
🏔 Altitude: 520 m / 1,706 ft
🚌 Lodging: VIP cruiser sleeper bus to Arequipa (160° lie-flat seats).

Drive to Nazca for a scenic 35-minute flight over the world-famous Nazca Lines in a Cessna aircraft. Board the evening luxury sleeper bus to Arequipa.

Day 4: Arequipa (Acclimatization & Colonial Sillar City Tour)

⏱ Schedule: 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM
🏔 Altitude: 2,325 m / 7,627 ft
🏛 Lodging: Selected hotel in Arequipa.

Arrive in the “White City” and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon guided Colonial City Tour: Plaza de Armas, Jesuit Cloisters, and Yanahuara viewpoint overlooking Misti Volcano.

Day 5: Arequipa – Colca Canyon (Pampa Cañahuas Vicuña Reserve & Chivay)

⏱ Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
🏔 Altitude: 3,635 m / 11,925 ft
🏛 Lodging: Hotel in Chivay / Colca Canyon.

Drive through Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve observing wild vicuñas. Cross Patapampa pass (4,910 m) into Colca Valley and relax in thermal hot springs.

Day 6: Condor's Cross Viewpoint, Soaring Condors & Scenic Highway to Puno

⏱ Schedule: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
🏔 Altitude: 3,812 m / 12,506 ft
🏛 Lodging: Selected hotel in Puno.

Visit the famous Cruz del Cóndor to watch majestic Andean condors soaring above the deep canyon abyss. Afternoon scenic tourist bus across the Altiplano to Puno.

Day 7: Lake Titicaca (Boat Tour to Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island)

⏱ Schedule: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
🏔 Altitude: 3,812 m / 12,506 ft
🏛 Lodging: Selected hotel in Puno.

Boat cruise on Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Explore the ancient Uros Floating Reed Islands and UNESCO-recognized textile weavers of Taquile Island.

Day 8: Puno to Cusco via the "Route of the Sun" (Pukara, La Raya, Raqch'i & Andahuaylillas)

⏱ Schedule: 6:45 AM to 5:30 PM
🏔 Altitude: 3,812 to 3,400 m / 12,506 to 11,150 ft
🏛 Lodging: Selected hotel in Cusco.

Guided tourist coach along the scenic Route of the Sun, stopping at Pukara Lithic Museum, La Raya pass (4,335m), Wiracocha Temple at Raqch’i, and Andahuaylillas.

Day 9: Sacred Valley of the Incas (Pisac & Ollantaytambo) & Train to Aguas Calientes

⏱ Schedule: 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM
🏔 Altitude: 2,870 to 2,040 m / 9,416 to 6,692 ft
🏨 Lodging: Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

Explore the citadel terraces of Pisac and the living fortress of Ollantaytambo. Late afternoon scenic train journey along the canyon to Aguas Calientes.

Day 10: Guided Tour of Machu Picchu Citadel & Return Train to Cusco

⏱ Schedule: 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM
🏔 Altitude: 2,430 to 3,400 m / 7,972 to 11,150 ft
🚌 Transport: Consettur bus, tourist train, and private transfer to Cusco.

Early ascent to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu for a comprehensive 2.5-hour guided tour of sacred temples and terraces. Return by train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.

Day 11: Full-Day Expedition to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (5,036m)

⏱ Schedule: 4:00 AM to 4:30 PM
🏔 Altitude: 5,036 m / 16,522 ft
🏛 Lodging: Selected hotel in Cusco.

Trek to the iconic summit of Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (5,036 m) with breathtaking panoramic views of Mount Ausangate.

Day 12: Free Morning in Cusco, Airport Transfer & Flight to Lima

⏱ Schedule: Coordinated with flight
🏔 Altitude: 3,400 m / 11,150 ft
✈️ Transfer: Private transfer to Cusco Airport.

Enjoy a relaxed morning shopping in Cusco before your private transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima and international connection.

Detalles del tour

A continuación detalles y características de la excursión al Valle Sagrado de los Incas:

Inicio & Retorno

Cusco

Hora de Inicio

07:30 AM

Incluye

  • Recojo de tu hotel en Cusco
  • Transporte turístico de ida y vuelta
  • Almuerzo buffet en restaurante campestre de Urubamba
  • Guía profesional certificado en español

No Incluye

  • Boleto Turístico de Cusco (BTC) parcial o general
  • Ingreso a las iglesias o museos no especificados
  • Propinas para el guía y conductor
  • Bebidas y snacks adicionales

Recomendaciones

  • Calzado cómodo para caminatas guiadas
  • Poncho de lluvia y cortavientos
  • Ropa abrigadora ligera para la tarde
  • Bloqueador solar, lentes de sol y sombrero
  • Cámara de fotos o celular bien cargado
  • Dinero en efectivo (soles) para compras locales

Frequently Asked Questions

🎫 What does the Southern Peru Route 12-Day package include?

It includes 10 hotel nights, 1 VIP sleeper bus night, all guided tours, airport transfers, speedboats in Paracas/Titicaca, scenic train to Machu Picchu, and entrance tickets.

🏔 How does altitude acclimatization work across this 12-day route?

The route uses a gentle step-by-step altitude progression: starting at sea level, stepping up to 2,325m in Arequipa, and smoothly continuing to Lake Titicaca and Cusco.

🧳 What type of luggage should I bring for the entire journey?

Bring a medium suitcase on wheels (up to 23 kg) and a 20-30L daypack for daytime excursions and the overnight trip to Aguas Calientes.

✈️ Is the flight over the Nazca Lines included in the tour package?

Yes, the package includes the 35-minute scenic flight in a Cessna aircraft. Nazca airport tax and tourist ticket are paid locally at the aerodrome.

🌄 What is the best time of year to take the Southern Route of Peru tour?

April through November (dry season) offers clear blue skies across the Andes and pleasant coastal weather, with guaranteed departures all year.

Tour photos

  • Panoramic view of the agricultural Inca terraces of Pisac in the Sacred Valley
  • Imposing fortress and stone temples of Ollantaytambo in Cusco
  • Traditional textile workshop in Chinchero Cusco
  • Sacred Valley of the Incas Vilcanota River Cusco
  • Inca stone walls Ollantaytambo archaeological site Cusco
  • Terraces of Pisac descending down the mountainside in Cusco
  • Andean women weaving traditional textiles using Inca techniques in Chinchero

Tour video

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