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15 Day itinerary in Peru, South America

Lima to La Paz Express Travel Pass

Discover South America's hidden gems with an unforgettable journey from Peru to Bolivia. Begin in the cultural hub of Lima, explore the enigmatic Nazca Lines, sail on majestic Lake Titicaca, and marvel at the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu. Experience the vibrant city of Cusco and the bustling m... Read More

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BambaSandraJonatanJudithRick

By Bamba, Sandra, Jonatan, Judith and Rick

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Easy
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Lima

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Backpacking

Top Travel Passes

Culture & Heritage

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Discover the capital cities of La Paz and Lima  on a guided tour

2

Stay with an indigenous family on Lake Titicaca's floating islands

3

Trek the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon on a 3-day tour

4

Sail to the Ballestas Islands on a guided boat tour

Itinerary

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Day 1

place 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

place 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

place 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

place Day 4: Huacachina, Peru

Paracas to Huacachina

Type: Bus

Time: 08:40, 10:40

Duration: 1.5 Hours


Transfer from Paracas to Huacachina


Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Huacachina.

Day 5

place 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

place Day 6: Nazca, 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.

Day 7

place Day 7: Nazca, Peru

Nazca to Arequipa

Type: Bus (Overnight)

Time: 22:20, 23:15

Duration: 10.5 Hours


Transfer from Nazca to Arequipa

Day 8

place 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.).

Day 9

place Day 9: Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa to Cuzco

Type: Bus (Overnight)

Time: 19:00, 20:00

Duration: 10 Hours


Transfer from Arequipa to Cuzco

Day 10

place Day 10: 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

Day 11

place Day 11: Cuzco, Peru

Cuzco to Puno

Type: Bus (Overnight)

Time: 22:15

Duration: 7 Hours


Transfer from Cuzco to Puno

Day 12

place Day 12: 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.

Day 13

place Day 13: Copacabana, Bolivia

Puno to Copacabana

Type: Bus

Time: 06:00, 07:30, 13:30

Duration: 5 Hours


Transfer from Puno to Copacabana


Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Copacabana.

Day 14

place Day 14: La Paz, Bolivia

Copacabana to La Paz

Type: Bus

Time: 13:30, 18:30

Duration: 4 Hours


Transfer from Copacabana to La Paz


Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to La Paz.

Day 15

place Day 15: La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz Local Explorer

Departure Time: 14:00

Duration: 3 hrs


One of the best ways to see this offbeat and colorful city is in the sky! This adventure will show you the real La Paz exploring the amazing cable cars, the fascinating cemetery, local shamans and the pulsating city of El Alto with an amazing guide. This is one of the most stunning city tours in the world! Not only do you get to take in the magnificent views of La Paz and the surrounding mountains, but you also explore some of the most off the beaten path spots in the city! Take local transport up to the cemetery where we explore the open air street art museum and learn about the fascinating culture and traditions that can only be found here, then up to El Alto in the world’s most scenic form of transport, the teleferico (cable car). In El Alto we visit a local shaman and have the opportunity to get our fortunes read before exploring the city further and then taking 2 more telefericos back to the city center. Get a chance to see the real La Paz!

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Lunch (1)

Transport expand_less

  • Paracas to Huacachina
  • Ica to Nazca
  • Nazca to Arequipa
  • Arequipa to Cuzco
  • Cuzco to Puno
  • Puno to Copacabana
  • Lima to Paracas
  • Copacabana to La Paz

Activities expand_less

  • Lima with a Local on a Bike
  • Huacachina Sand-Buggy & Sand-Boarding
  • Colca Canyon Day Trip
  • Market & Cooking Class with a Local
  • Lake Titicaca Day Tour
  • La Paz Local Explorer
  • Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride (from Paracas)

Extras expand_less

  • Equipment
  • Local assistance

Not Included expand_less

  • *Meals and drinks
  • *Tips for guide
  • **Ballestas Islands Entrance Fee (16 Soles)
  • *Transfers to/from bus stations
  • *Taxi from Ica to Huacachina
  • *Personal expenses
  • *Tips for guides
  • *Travel insurance
  • *Lunch
  • *Entrance fee 70.00 soles
  • *Other meals/drinks
  • *Optional reed boat ride, can be arranged directly at the Uros Islands and paid directly to the local boat skipper
  • *Gratuities
  • *Accommodation enroute not included
  • *Accommodation pick-up and drop-off

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