Majestic Southern Peru: 8-Day Journey through Arequipa, Colca, Puno, Titicaca, Nasca & Paracas

Set off on a thrilling land adventure to the breathtaking Colca Valley. Your journey begins along the Volcano Route, where you'll ascend beside the majestic Chachani volcano. As you travel, you'll be treated to stunning views of the Misti and Pichu-Pichu volcanoes, each offering a spectacular glimpse into the region's dramatic volcanic landscape.

Your first stop will be at Lagunillas, a spot with several small lakes where you can observe flamingos, ibises, Andean geese, ducks, and even Andean eagles (known as “Caracara”). In the village of Pampa Cañahuas, you'll pause to rest and enjoy a cup of coca leaf tea.

Continuing on, you'll traverse the Pampa Cañahuas vicuña reserve, where you'll encounter these graceful creatures roaming freely in their high Andean habitat, protected within this natural sanctuary. 

The adventure reaches its peak—literally—at the Patapampa pass, the highest point on your route at 16,000 feet above sea level. From here, you'll be rewarded with panoramic vistas, including the awe-inspiring active volcano Sabancaya.

Descending into the Colca Valley, you'll arrive at your lodging, where a delicious lunch awaits. The rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind—perhaps with a soothing soak in the area's thermal waters, the perfect way to rejuvenate after a day of exploration. Overnight stay at Colca Canyon.

You’ll embark on an unforgettable journey to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. Your adventure begins at the Cruz del Cóndor Observation Point, where you’ll have the chance to witness the magnificent Andean condors gliding gracefully on the thermal currents. It’s a breathtaking sight as these majestic birds soar above the canyon walls, offering an awe-inspiring spectacle.

After taking in the stunning views at Cruz del Cóndor, you’ll continue to the charming towns of Maca and Yanque, each rich in culture and history. From there, your journey leads to Puno, a delightful city nestled on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Along the way, you’ll pass through picturesque Andean villages and breathtaking landscapes, fully immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the Peruvian highlands.

Mornings on Lake Titicaca start early. By 5 a.m., the local indigenous people are already out fishing, while you’ll set off on your excursion around 7 a.m.

Your first stop will be the floating Uros Islands, a community made up of over 40 islands. These ancient settlements date back to the pre-Inca era, with the ancestors of the Uros people having lived in the region for centuries. The islands are constructed entirely from the abundant reeds that grow in the lake. The locals use these reeds not only to build their homes and boats but also as fuel and even food. The tour will last about an hour and a half, and you’ll also have the option to take a ride on a traditional reed boat.

Next, sail towards the picturesque Island of Taquile, where the indigenous community proudly preserves its unique Quechua traditions in the midst of a predominantly Aymara region. Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed with traditional music and dances, followed by a nutritious lunch at a local community restaurant. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll to soak in the breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca and its surroundings.

Conclude the day with a return journey to the port of Puno, where you'll be transferred back to your hotel, reflecting on the enriching cultural experiences of the day.

This day begins with a visit to the fascinating burial site of Sillustani, nestled on the shores of Lake Umayo. Here, you'll marvel at the chullpas, the tower-like tombs erected by the ancient Qollas who once thrived on the Andean plateau. The unique inverted semi-conic construction of these chullpas is sure to captivate you as you delve into the rich history of this ancient civilization.

After exploring Sillustani, you'll head to Juliaca airport to board your flight back to Lima, reflecting on the wonders you've encountered during your exploration of Peru's southern highlights. From the serene beauty of Lake Umayo to the enigmatic history of the chullpas, this experience is bound to leave a lasting impression. 

Next, sail towards the picturesque Island of Taquile, where the indigenous community proudly preserves its unique Quechua traditions in the midst of a predominantly Aymara region. Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed with traditional music and dances, followed by a nutritious lunch at a local community restaurant. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll to soak in the breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca and its surroundings.

Conclude the day with a return journey to the port of Puno, where you'll be transferred back to your hotel, reflecting on the enriching cultural experiences of the day.

You'll depart for Paracas Bay via the VIPAC shuttle service. From there, you'll head to the Pisco airport to embark on an unforgettable flight over the Nazca Lines. These massive geoglyphs, depicting various animals like a monkey, hummingbird, condor, and spider, can only be fully appreciated from the sky. While their origins remain mysterious, many believe they served as an astronomical calendar. During the flight, you’ll see 12 geoglyphs of the Nazca plateau and 2 geoglyphs on the Palpa plateau. You'll also fly over the Ocucaje Valley, where oceanic fossils dating back 150 million years can still be found, as well as other valleys where the Paracas and Nazca civilizations once thrived. 

The flight lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes, including time spent at the airport.

The plane is reserved exclusively for you, with no other passengers on board. 

Please note: The approximate flight time is coordinated on the day of the excursion and depends on weather conditions, so a specific departure time cannot be guaranteed.

After the flight, you'll return to the airport and transfer to your hotel in Paracas.

The Nazca Lines cover an area of 500 square kilometers in a desert where it rains for only half an hour each year. This unique climate has allowed the geoglyphs to remain preserved to this day.

In the afternoon, we suggest taking an optional private tour to the city of Ica to visit the impressive Huacachina Lagoon, known as the "Oasis of America". Here, you'll enjoy an exciting adventure in dune buggies through the Ica desert, as well as a visit to a craft distillery of Pisco. There, you'll learn about the traditional methods of producing grape brandy from the port of Pisco.

In the early morning, you'll set sail on a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands. Along the way, you'll be captivated by the mysterious "Chandelier," a massive figure etched into the sand that bears a striking resemblance to the Nazca Lines. Upon reaching the islands, you'll have the chance to observe a diverse array of marine wildlife, including sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins, and various seabirds.

In the 19th century, the Ballestas Islands brought incredible wealth to Peru! The organic waste from birds, known as guano, was the most valuable fertilizer and was prized even more than gold. When the first guano collectors arrived on the islands, the guano layer measured between 65 to 230 feet thick in various places! Although guano collectors still live on the islands today, the volume of guano harvested is not as large as it once was.

Later in the afternoon, you'll depart for Lima via the VIPAC Shuttle service. Upon arrival in Lima, you'll be transferred to your hotel for your stay.

In the morning, you will get acquainted with the city during a sightseeing tour.

The tour will begin with a stop at the Love Park in Miraflores, offering a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The park features the sculpture "The Kiss" by Victor Delfin, and the Gaudi-style walls are inscribed with phrases from love poems by Peruvian poets. On the way to the historic center, you will pass through the Miraflores district, by the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, a ceremonial center of the Lima culture, and cross the San Isidro district, the financial heart of the city. Here, you will see the Huaca Huallamarca pyramid, an ancient pre-Incan shrine (on Sundays and holidays, the Huaca Huallamarca is visited instead of the Cathedral, which is closed to tourists). You'll stop at the central square, surrounded by the Government Palace, the Municipality, the Archbishop's Palace, and the Cathedral, where the conquistador and founder of Lima, Francisco Pizarro, is buried. Then, you will stroll to the Monastery of Saint Dominic, through whose narrow corridors Saint Martin de Porres and Saint Rose of Lima walked in the 17th century, and where their remains now rest. The tour lasts 3-3.5 hours.

Next you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure.

You can extend your adventure by adding a trip to Cusco or the jungles to this tour. Get in touch with us, and we'll help you plan your journey for a seamless and enjoyable experience.