Lima To Cusco on a Shoestring

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!

Today you will get picked up from your accommodation & you will head towards Paracas in a Shuttle! Upon arrival in Paracas, please find your way to your tonight's accommodation!

After enjoying breakfast, head out to find your next adventure! 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.

This morning you will have some free time to enjoy Paracas on your own! In the afternoon, you will be picked up from your accommodation to head towards your next destination, Huacachina! Upon arrival, please find your way to your tonight's accommodation!

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.

Today you will have some free time in the morning, so enjoy the last of the magnificent Huacachina! In the afternoon head to the meeting point for your next bus to Nazca! Upon arrival to Nazca you will have a couple of free hours to enjoy on your own, before heading to your next overnight bus to Arequipa!

Today is a day for you to relax & enjoy the surroundings on your own! Take a good rest today, as tomorrow your trekking adventure in Colca Canyon will begin!

We will pick you up from your downtown accommodation between 3:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. and transfer you to Chivay town in the heart of the Colca Canyon. We'll have breakfast and then go directly to “Cruz Del Condor viewpoint” where we will see the flight of the condors. From here, we will make our way to the Mirador De San Miguel, the starting point of our trekking route. We will begin our hike at around 10:00 am by walking down to San Juan De Chucchu Village (3 ½ hours walking), where we will have lunch. Afterward, we will hike back uphill through Cosnirhua and Malata villages arriving in Sangalle by the end of the day where you will have the opportunity to relax in the swimming pool (3 hours walking). Overnight in rustic bungalows.

Today, we will get an early start and begin trekking up at 5:00 am to Cabanaconde town where we will have breakfast (3 hours steep uphill hike). From Cabanaconde, we will take our bus to Chivay Village making a few short stops along the way in Maca and tourist viewpoints. Upon arrival to Chivay, we will visit the relaxing hot springs in town (30-40 minutes), the perfect remedy for our tired muscles We will have lunch and you will be transferred to the Puno's bus (depart at 01:00 pm). On your way back to Puno, you will see beautiful views of the volcanoes (weather permitting) and you will pass the National Reserve Salinas and Aguada Blanca. Relax and enjoy the scenic ride back to Puno, arriving around 07:30 pm.

You will be picked up from your hostel between around 7:10 am and transferred to the port of Puno, where you will meet your guide and board the motorboat. The first stop will be the Uros Floating Islands, where you will spend about one hour. There are more than 90 floating islands and you will get the chance to visit two of them. On the first floating island, your guide will explain to you about the people who live on the floating islands. Then you will have some free time to walk around, visit the small huts made from reeds, take some pictures and buy a souvenir to support the people of these islands if you wish. After this visit, you will continue on with a boat ride to Taquile Island. The people who live on this island are very famous because they are considered “the best weavers of Peru”. There, you will go on a beautiful hike for about one and a half hours to admire the panoramic of the lake. On your way, you will get the chance to visit a local family home where you will learn more about the famous textile from the island. You will then head towards the town square of Taquile and visit the handicraft shops to see the typical weaving. The square is also the highest point of the hike (3950 m or 12960 feet). You will finish the hike going to the second part of the island and take off in a boat (35 minutes of navigation) that will lead you to the Luquina community where you will overnight. Your host families will wait for you at the port of Luquina and will take you to their house. You will enjoy a delicious dinner with the local family before going to bed.

Start the day quite early with a tasty breakfast with the family before getting the opportunity to participate in their daily activities such as sheep grazing, working in the crops, or even learning how to milk a cow. You will then enjoy a delicious lunch before saying goodbye to the family and leave the community. You will take the motorboat back to Puno, finishing the tour around 3:45 pm.

Today you will have a free day to explore Puno on your own! In the evening head for your overnight bus, which will take you to Cusco!

Today you will have some time to explore Cusco on your own and get ready for tomorrow´s adventure!

Accommodation pick-up in Cuzco and transfer to Ollantaytambo for the journey to Aguas Calientes by train on the Peru Railway, with amazing views of the Andean mountains on the way. Wander through the quaint town of Aguas Calientes on your own and have a fulfilling lunch at a touristic restaurant. In the town, you will find internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax. Enjoy a typical dinner at a local restaurant on your own. Your guide will meet with you to give you indications for the next day.

Take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. Meet up with your English speaking guide for a visit to the archaeological site (approximately 2 hours). After your tour, your guide will return to Aguas Calientes and you will be on your own with plenty of free time to explore the hidden corners of this ancient Inca city. Choose from the optional treks to climb Huayna Picchu (at an additional cost - needs to be booked at least 2 weeks in advance) or walk to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for panoramic views of the site. Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Return to Ollantaytambo by train and finish the trip with a van back to Cuzco late that day. Upon arrival to Cuzco City Center, you will need to make your own way to your accommodation.

Today, your journey with us is ending! After breakfast & checking out of your accommodation, please find your way to the airport!