Cultural Peruvian Adventure: Cities and Citadels with Lake Titicaca

Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca, Peru

What to expect on this itinerary

Perched on the westernmost edge of South America, Peru is a country that is teeming with a rich history and colorful culture, and this 11-day tour of Cusco, Lima, and Lake Titicaca has been designed to introduce you to what is best in each region. From the seaside views of Lima to the elevation of Cusco, this handcrafted tour provides a balanced approach to your travels and adventures.

Countries Visited

Peru

Places Visited

Lima, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, Puno

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Lima – Your Peruvian Adventure

Perched atop a stretch of stunning bluffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean, Lima enjoys a privileged perspective of Peru that is both literal and figurative. The capital city is also the gateway you will pass through in order to enjoy the countless adventures waiting for you in this exotic country. After your international flight arrives, a transfer will pick you up from the main airport and whisk you effortlessly to your conveniently located hotel. Once you settle in, you will have the remainder of the day to unwind and explore.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Lima – Exploring the City

Day 3

Cusco – Entering the Andes

Day 4

Cusco – The Andean Highlands

Day 5

Sacred Valley – Exploring Inca Ruins

Day 6

Aguas Calientes – The Banks of the Urubamba

Day 7

Cusco – A UNESCO-Listed Inca Village

Day 8

Cusco – A High-Altitude Day of Leisure

Day 9

Puno – Basking in Lakeside Splendor

Day 10

Puno – The Famous Floating Islands

Day 11

Puno – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Enjoy a walking tour through Lima's colorful Barranco district to view charming cafes and local art
  • Descend into the depths of the catacombs of the Monastery of San Francisco, where the walls are lined with the bones of thousands of the city's early inhabitants
  • Ponder the vastness of the Inca empire during a visit to the fortifications at Sacsayhuaman to enjoy stunning views over Cusco and the surrounding mountains
  • Explore the city center of Cusco on a walking tour to view the wonder of this high-altitude UNESCO World Heritage Site with a knowledgeable
  • Witness the hairdos and aloof character of Peru's favorite camelid, the alpaca, whose wooly fur has been used in local textile manufacturing for centuries
  • Visit the unexpected Inca salt mines, where a natural spring feeds this favored mineral for local harvest and use
  • Immerse yourself in the stunning history and vistas of Machu Picchu during a guided exploration of this hilltop town
  • Discover the famous floating island of Uros and learn about the people of the same name
  • Bask in the ambient bliss of Lake Titicaca and acquaint yourself with the charms and stunning views of South America's largest freshwater lake

Starting Price

$4,300 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

5.0

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 39 reviews

Peru Tour Review: Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Lares Trail, Sacsayhuaman, Huayna Picchu, Sacred Valley, Salt Mines, Hiking, Biking, Local Cuisine, 12 Nights

Zicasso's travel specialist was spectacular in every way. From the inception of communication and planning, through arranging for all of our tickets, hotels, transport, and amazing dining experiences, to the incredible support and guides we enjoyed along the way... they were outstanding and we received five-star service.

We were a demanding group of 13, ranging in ages from 17 to over 60, and we all had an absolute blast! We had an absolutely amazing trip. The Lares Trail and Machu Picchu (and our climb up Huayna Picchu) are by far some of the most memorable experiences we've ever had.

Our guide and driver were awesome... kind, professional, and accommodating, and our guide especially was very knowledgeable, with so much respect and love for the surrounding nature and culture.

Our travel specialist was timely, attentive, and responsive to all of our requests, and helped us collectively achieve one of the greatest vacations we have ever experienced.

They were 100% accurate in terms of how to prepare us for the altitude and allow us enough time to acclimatize in Cusco (and with a great, long, mountain bike ride at high elevation). Our specialist provided excellent recommendations for how to fill some additional time in Cusco while we acclimated. We loved touring Cusco itself, and seeing Sacsayhuaman, several spots in the Sacred Valley, and the Maras Salt Mines were all unforgettable experiences. We also loved the hotel she had us at in Cusco. It was a great spot to be able to explore the city on our own time.

After seeing all of the coordination, especially for the Lares Trail and Machu Picchu, we're so relieved we chose to go through Zicasso for this trip and were connected with our travel specialist and her company. Everything was well planned and thought out, and if anything was not right, they sought to immediately correct it. Our guide was on top of every detail and it was great knowing our agent was just a text or phone call away.

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Peru Vacation Review: Amazon Rainforest, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca, Lima, Huacachina, Sandboarding, 2 Weeks

We discovered our travel company through Zicasso and had an incredible experience planning and executing our trip to Peru. This was our first journey to South America and, since we don’t speak Spanish, we decided to work with a travel agent for this trip. Having planned all our travels around the world on our own, we were initially hesitant to entrust someone else with such an important task. However, our agent exceeded our expectations and made the entire process seamless and enjoyable.

From the very beginning – five months before our trip – our agent was a pleasure to work with. She was prompt, responsive, and attentive to our aspirations for the trip. After discussing the types of activities we wanted to include, she crafted a comprehensive itinerary filled with diverse and exciting options. Together, we refined the plans through a few iterations until we arrived at the perfect itinerary for our dream vacation.

Our two-week adventure in Peru was nothing short of amazing, taking us through the Amazon rainforest, the cultural heart of the Inca civilization in Cusco, the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain, the tranquil beauty of Lake Titicaca and the floating islands in Puno, and the vibrant coastlines of Lima and Huacachina, where we experienced sandboarding and a flight over the Nazca Lines.

Throughout the trip, our agent stayed in constant communication, providing detailed updates and guidance for each day’s activities. Every guide she arranged for us was a local expert with deep knowledge of the region’s history, architecture, and culture, which added immense value to our experience.

Even when we encountered a minor hiccup with one of the tours, our agent handled it promptly and professionally, resolving the issue without hesitation or resistance. Her dedication and attention to detail ensured our trip was smooth and stress-free.

Thanks to our agent and her incredible network of guides, we had a phenomenal experience in Peru. We highly recommend visiting this beautiful country and entrusting our tour company with your travel plans. Without a doubt, we would work with our agent for future adventures!

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Peru Tour Review: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Amazon Rainforest, Salt Flats, Ruins, Village Visit, Walking Tour, Thermal Baths, 9 Nights

My adult daughter and I had the most wonderful trip planned by Zicasso's travel company. Their team was exceptional; educational, on time, and just a pleasure to be with. Our itinerary was just what we were looking for. From Lima to the Amazon Rainforest, Cusco, and ending with Machu Picchu, it was well planned and well executed. We have memories that will last us forever.

Our travel specialist was a pleasure to work with. She listened to our thoughts and improved our experience with her great knowledge of the country, cities, and historical sites we wanted to visit. The travel company exceeded our expectations on every level. Thank you to our specialist and the team she assembled. We now have fantastic memories that will last us forever!

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Peru Tour Review: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacsayhuaman, Salt Mines, Sacred Valley, 8 Nights

We had an absolutely amazing trip. The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are by far some of the most memorable experiences we've ever had. Our guide and driver were incredibly kind and accommodating, and our guide especially was very knowledgeable, with so much respect for the surrounding nature and culture.

When we initially discussed our plans with Zicasso’s travel agent, all we knew we wanted to do was the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and we allowed her to provide recommendations for how to fill some additional time in Cusco while we acclimated. She did not steer us wrong! Touring Cusco itself, seeing Sacsayhuaman, several spots in the Sacred Valley, and the Maras Salt Mines were all unforgettable experiences. We also loved the hotel she had us at in Cusco. It was a great spot to be able to explore the city on our own time.

After seeing all of the coordination, especially for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, we're so relieved we chose to go through Zicasso for this trip and were connected with our travel agency. Not a single thing went wrong. Our guide was on top of every detail and it was great knowing our agent was just a text or phone call away.

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Peru Travel Review: Machu Picchu, Inca Ruins, Lima, 10 Nights

Zicasso's tour planner was so responsive from our first phone call until the completion of the trip. Everything we did was well-planned and professional. I was so pleased to have her meet us at the Cusco airport when we arrived!

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Peru Luxury Travel Review: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puño, Aguas Calientes, Lake Titicaca, Islas de Los Uros, Amantaní Island
"We had an amazing trip to Peru! Everything was taken care of by Zicasso’s travel agent and the tour companies chosen were top-notch."

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews