South Peru

From the Pacific shores to the Andes

Culture Gastronomy Historical Nature

The result of more than ten years of explorations and adjustments, this revisited classic is the assurance of a high-quality journey in a region that is today too crowded. From the shores of the Pacific to the Andes, it combines rethought major sites, local immersion, gastronomy and the attentive support of a French-speaking guide, for an intimate and nuanced crossing of the country.

Trip Description

From the Pacific coast to the Andean peaks, this journey crosses the many faces of Peru: colonial cities, majestic Inca sites, grand landscapes and authentic encounters. Designed to combine cultural discovery, local immersion and off-the-beaten-track itineraries, it offers an intimate and nuanced vision of the country, far from standardized tours. Throughout the trip, a French-speaking tour leader provides attentive support to the group and enriches each stage with his knowledge. We begin in Lima, a bustling and contrasting capital, with its museums, its historic center and a maritime getaway to the Palomino Islands, kingdom of sea lions and seabirds. Next stop: Arequipa, the “white city”, and the spectacular Colca Canyon, where condors soar. The journey continues to Lake Titicaca, with a homestay immersion in Llachon, on the Capachica peninsula, and the discovery of the Uros Titino floating islands, far from the classic circuits. We then reach Cusco via an exclusive two-day itinerary, discovering the treasures that line this route: forgotten archaeological sites, rainbow mountain, local crafts and baroque churches. We then dive into Inca history in Cusco, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and Maras, favoring selected times and less-visited sites. Machu Picchu is offered as an option, leaving everyone the freedom to include it or not. The trip ends in Lima with the discovery of Miraflores, the Huaca Pucllana and the Larco Museum, for a cultural and gastronomic conclusion. This itinerary, the result of more than a decade of travel, alternates comfortable hotels, family accommodations and immersive experiences. Accessible to all thanks to a balanced pace and easy walks, it offers a rare experience: experiencing Peru differently, as close as possible to its inhabitants and its landscapes. Throughout the trip, Peruvian gastronomy is in the spotlight through a varied selection of dining venues: family cooking in homestays, typical popular restaurants, regional buffets and fine dining in exceptional settings. Each stage becomes an opportunity to discover the many facets of Peruvian cuisine, between local traditions and contemporary creativity. Upstream of the main tour, an optional six-day extension on the South coast allows you to discover another facet of Peru: coastal archaeological remains, hidden oases, spectacular dunes, desert canyons and forgotten cities. From Pachacamac to Nazca, this getaway between sea and desert allows you to discover the hidden treasures of Peru’s South coast.

Accomodation

3* hotel, homestay

Stay program

day 1
Arrival in Lima
International flight, arrival in Lima at the end of the day. Welcome at the airport and transfer to our hotel, located in the historic center. Capital of nearly 10 million inhabitants, Lima is surprising right away. Set on the edge of the Pacific and surrounded by the desert, it breaks with all the clichés one may have about Peru. Colorful, contrasted, bustling, it reveals itself little by little to those who take the time to explore it. Too often overlooked by travelers, the capital nevertheless holds some fine discoveries, notably culinary ones. Our visit will also be an opportunity for a first gastronomic immersion: pollo a la brasa (wood-fired roast chicken), ceviche, or the mixed flavors of the chifas, these Sino-Peruvian restaurants. Dinner and overnight in the historic center of Lima.
day 2
Palomino Islands - Lima historic center
In the morning, transfer to the port of Callao for a boat excursion to the Palomino Islands, off the coast of Lima. The cruise allows you to observe numerous species of seabirds, Humboldt penguins and above all the thousands of sea lions that populate the archipelago. The bravest can even treat themselves to an optional swim in their company. Lunch in a cevichería, a typical coastal restaurant, specializing in seafood products: ceviche, chicharrón de pescado or other local specialties. In the afternoon, cultural discovery in the center of Lima: the Central Bank museum, whose gold room is installed in an old vault; San Martín Square; then the minerals museum, surprising for the richness of its collection, accessible even to novices. We end the walk with a stop at the Bolívar hotel, famous for its dome and its subdued bar, where it is possible to enjoy a cocktail. Dinner and overnight in Lima.
day 3
Lima historic center - Arequipa
Day dedicated to discovering Lima’s historic center, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We visit the Plaza de Armas, the baroque churches of La Merced and San Pedro, as well as the Santo Domingo monastery and its rococo tower. Exclusively, we discover Casa Fernandini, a sumptuous residence in eclectic style, formerly owned by a wealthy businessman and today accessible only by appointment. We continue the walk through Chinatown and the central market, rich in colors and scents, where we have lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and flight to Arequipa. With more than a million inhabitants, the “white city” is the third in the country, perched on a plateau between the Pacific coast and the Andes. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Arequipa. Dinner not included. Travel time: 1h30 flight
day 4
Arequipa, the white city
We devote this day to discovering Arequipa. We begin with the Santa Catalina monastery, a vast convent complex with the feel of a small town, with its cloisters, its alleyways and its colorful patios. The visit continues in the historic center, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site: Plaza de Armas, the Church of the Company of Jesus and colonial residences in volcanic stone, which give Arequipa its very particular elegance. After lunch, we visit the Santuarios Andinos museum, where the mummy of Juanita rests, a young Inca girl sacrificed more than 500 years ago on the summit of a volcano and preserved in the ice until her discovery. In the late afternoon, transfer to the Yanahuara viewpoint, which offers a panorama of the region’s guardian volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. Dinner in one of the best restaurants in the city center. Overnight in Arequipa.
day 5
Arequipa – Colca Canyon
We leave Arequipa in a private vehicle to reach the sillar quarries, from where the volcanic stones that shaped the city’s iconic monuments are extracted. The visit includes the Culebrillas canyon, a narrow gorge with walls sculpted by erosion, a true plunge into the bowels of the desert. We continue the road toward the Colca canyon, skirting the slopes of the Chachani volcano. On the Cañahuas pampa, we come across herds of vicuñas, an elegant Andean camelid. After lunch on the way, we cross the pass at the volcanoes’ viewpoint, with a breathtaking view of the mountain range and Sabancaya, an active volcano whose fumaroles mark the landscape. The descent takes us to the bottom of the valley to the village of Yanque (3 420 m), one of the most charming in the canyon. Check-in at the hotel, walk in the village. Dinner and night in Yanque. Transport time: 5 h
day 6
Colca Canyon - Puno
Early in the morning, departure for the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, a must-see site to observe condors in full flight above the canyon’s dizzying cliffs. Despite the tourist crowds, the experience remains unique and guarantees a close-up observation of these majestic birds of prey. On the way back, several stops punctuate the road in order to enjoy the canyon’s spectacular landscapes. After lunch in Chivay, we take the road again towards Puno. On the way, a stop at the Pillones waterfalls for a short walk to discover the falls, then at the Lagunillas viewpoint, from where one discovers a succession of large Andean lakes with changing reflections. At the end of the day, arrival in Puno, a town terraced on the mountain slopes and facing the bay of Lake Titicaca. Dinner at leisure. Transport time: 5 hours
day 7
Chullpas of Cutimbo - Capachica Peninsula - Llachon
In the morning, we will depart heading west to reach volcanic mesetas. These immense plateaus are home to funerary towers: the chullpas of Cutimbo. Hike up to the summit to visit the towers. The site is rarely visited by tourists and it is common to observe viscachas and birds. Return to Puno for lunch. After the meal, we will head to the Capachica peninsula and its incredible landscapes along the shores of Lake Titicaca. Settle in with locals, with our friends. In the afternoon, walk in Llachon (village visit, birdwatching, walk on the beach or to the viewpoint) or rest on the magnificent white-sand beach on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Dinner and overnight with locals in Llachon. Transport time: 2 hours
day 8
Capachica Peninsula – Uros Titino – Lake Umayo – Puno
In the morning, free time for a walk on the fine sandy beach of Capachica, ideal for enjoying the calm and the landscapes of Lake Titicaca. We then board a private boat to the Uros Titino islands. Farther from Puno and less visited than the other floating islands, they allow you to discover the traditional way of life of the Uros without running into too many tourists. We discover their construction techniques and their daily life in the heart of the lake. Return to Llachon, then transfer to Atuncolla, where we will have lunch with a local family, in a traditional house. In the afternoon, we visit the superb Lake Umayo, the chullpas, and a boat trip to the island is possible if the weather is favorable. Dinner on your own and overnight in Puno. Dinner on your own. Transport time: 3h of navigation on the lake
day 9
Puno – Pucará – Pallay Punshu – Raqchi
Early in the morning, departure from Puno heading north. First stop in Pucará, cradle of one of the oldest civilizations in Peru and famous for its small ceramic bulls, traditional good-luck charms. An opportunity to share a coffee with our producer friends in the village’s central square. We continue on to Ayaviri, where we taste cancacho, marinated lamb roasted over a wood fire, accompanied by Andean potatoes. Further on, crossing the La Raya pass (4 335 m), a natural border between Cusco and Puno, and the setting for the opening scene of the film Le Grand Bleu. At the end of the morning, a track leads us to the foot of the spectacular colorful mountain of Pallay Punshu (4 580 m). Its mineral layers draw patterns reminiscent of an Andean poncho. An optional hike along the ridges allows you to enjoy an exceptional panorama over the mountain range. After lunch in San Pablo, we continue the road to the village of Raqchi, nestled in a eucalyptus forest. Warm welcome with a local family and a ceramic painting workshop, know-how passed down since the Inca period. Dinner and overnight with a local family in Raqchi. Travel time: about 6 h
day 10
Raqchi – Baroque Churches – South Valley of Cusco
Early in the morning, a short walk along an old Inca path to the tambo, an ancient relay that once welcomed travelers linking Cusco to Lake Titicaca. Return to Raqchi to visit the archaeological site: the vast temple dedicated to Viracocha, the residential quarters and the hundreds of granaries that bear witness to the religious and strategic importance of this city. We then take the road again toward the South valley. Discovery of the circuit of Baroque churches: the famous Andahuaylillas, nicknamed the “Andean Sistine Chapel”, but also those of Huaro and Canincunca, elegant and rarely visited. After lunch, we head to the pre-Columbian site of Piquillacta, an ancient city of the Wari civilization, laid out in a grid, dotted with hundreds of granaries and stone houses. Last stop at Tipón, a masterpiece of Inca hydraulic engineering, with its fountains, its irrigation canals and its monumental terraces. The site, still little frequented, offers a peaceful atmosphere at the gates of Cusco. Arrival in Cusco at the end of the day. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Cusco. Transport time: about 6 h
day 11
Cusco - Center
This morning, we take a vehicle to reach the heights of Cusco and arrive early at the sites of Tambomachay and Puca Pucara, two Inca complexes linked to the cult of water. From there, we will begin a hike through the Andean countryside: trails lined with eucalyptus, superb views over the valley, up to the site of Qenko, an ancient religious sanctuary with finely sculpted rocks and crossed by mysterious tunnels. We continue on foot to Sacsayhuamán, an impressive ceremonial complex with cyclopean blocks, a true masterpiece of Inca megalithic architecture. After a visit to the site and a passage through one of its emblematic tunnels, we walk back down to Cusco. After lunch, we continue with a visit to the Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun, once the most important sanctuary of the Inca empire, whose majestic foundations today support the church of Santo Domingo. We end the day with a visit to the paved alleys of the capital of the Tawantinsuyo. Dinner and overnight in Cusco. Transport time: 30 minutes
day 12
Pisac - Ollantaytambo
This morning, we hit the road to reach Pisac, one of the most impressive and aesthetic Inca sites in the Sacred Valley, perched above the Urubamba River. From the summit, accessible by vehicle, we will begin a hike through the archaeological site: vast agricultural terraces clinging to the mountain, tunnels, residential quarters, temples and necropolises, all testimonies to Inca ingenuity. The descent is done on foot down to the village of Pisac. We then visit the colorful handicraft market, as well as a workshop for making traditional masks, before lunch. In the afternoon, we head to Ollantaytambo, a small town in the Sacred Valley and the departure point for trains to Machu Picchu. Those who wish can climb up to the Inca granaries of Pinkuylluna to enjoy a panoramic view. After the departure of the many tourists, we stroll through Ollantaytambo, where the Inca urban plan can be read in the houses with trapezoidal doorways, arranged around the cancha, a traditional central courtyard. The peaceful atmosphere of the town at the end of the day allows us to discover Ollantaytambo from another angle, far from the tourist crowds. Dinner on your own and overnight in Ollantaytambo. Dinner on your own. Transport time: 3h Note regarding Machu Picchu: A symbol of Peru, Machu Picchu remains an exceptional site. But its massive attendance, catastrophic management and costs that have become disproportionate have profoundly altered the visiting experience. Today, the route is restricted to a small portion of the site, often rushed through in the crowd and without real immersion. In keeping with our values, we have chosen to no longer offer Machu Picchu systematically in our trips. We prefer to highlight other archaeological sites, more authentic, less saturated and offering a more enriching discovery experience. Machu Picchu nevertheless remains accessible as an option, for those who still wish to live this experience. This option also allows you to gauge the real cost of this day. We will be happy to discuss it with you, to share our vision and to advise you according to your expectations. Optional visit to Machu Picchu (not included): Departure by train from Ollantaytambo in the early afternoon, dinner and overnight in Aguas Calientes. The next day, ascent by bus, then a visit to Machu Picchu for about 2h, accompanied by your specialized local guide. Return by train to Ollantaytambo, then transfer to Cusco via the Maras salt mines.
day 13
Ollantaytambo - Moray - Maras Salt Mines
This morning, we visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo, perched on the mountainside. An early morning visit that allows us to fully enjoy the site before the arrival of the first tourists and to appreciate the ingenuity of Inca architecture. We then take the road to the plateau overlooking the valley, where the famous terraces of Moray are located, arranged in concentric circles. This unique site bears witness to Inca agricultural engineering and its ability to experiment with cultivation at different altitudes. We continue our day with a visit to the salt mines of Maras, an impressive set of hundreds of small basins fed by a natural saline spring, used since Inca times for the production of salt. Return to Cusco at the end of the day. Free time to stroll through the cobbled alleys or prepare your trekking gear. Dinner at your own expense and overnight in Cusco. Meals at your own expense Transport time: 1h30
day 14
Flight Cusco-Lima
During the day, transfer to the airport and flight to Lima. Upon arrival, we head to the modern district of Miraflores, which reveals a completely different side of the Peruvian capital, between urban art, lively cafés and green parks. The half-day is free in Cusco or in Lima, depending on the flight schedule. Dinner and night in Lima. Lunch at leisure. Flight time: 1h30
day 15
Larco - Return flight
In the morning, transfer to the Larco Museum, one of Peru’s archaeological jewels. There, we discover an exceptional collection of ceramics, textiles and metal objects, illustrating millennia of history and pre-Columbian know-how. The pieces on display tell the story of daily life, rites and the art of ancient civilizations, offering a cultural conclusion to our trip. After the visit, lunch in the museum’s restaurant, in the heart of a magnificent garden, where the peaceful atmosphere and the many plants create an ideal setting for a final moment of relaxation and culinary discovery. A demonstration by the bartender will allow us to learn how to prepare the famous national cocktail: the pisco sour. Transfer to the airport directly after the meal.
day 16
Arrival
Arrival at destination, with memories filling your eyes.