South Peru Tours offers expertly guided adventures to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, and more. Explore breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences in Peru!
Best South Peru Tours
Are you inquisitive to discover the best of Southern Peru? We have designed this 10 day South Peru Adventure Tours from Lima Cusco Puno to offer you the best and the most of Peru.
You will be accompanied by our local tour guide who has years of experience in guiding tours in the region.
Lima
Lima was the cradle of the oldest civilizations in America (Caral) as well as a strategic place for the Spaniards when they began to explore Peru. On January 18, 1535, the Spanish foundation ¨City of the Kings¨ was created.
Since then, the union of two different worlds began; the natives of Peru on the one hand and the Spaniards on the other hand. Due to all these events, very old but preserved archaeological sites as well as colonial and modern buildings can be visited in Lima.
Lima has become a picturesque city with bohemian neighborhoods and places where one can enjoy Peruvian culture, tradition and food (one of the best in the world).
Cusco
In a drastic land with capricious nature, the city of Cusco is located, a place where Inca cities are mixed with colonial buildings, together forming a peaceful union between man and nature.In the Cusco region, the archaeological site of Machu Picchu is located.
Machu Picchu is not only one of the gems of Peru, but also of the world, as it is considered a cultural heritage of humanity due to the incredible skills and knowledge used to build in this inaccessible place.
If you want to dive into a world of culture, traditions, hikes and extreme activities, Cusco is definitely the place to be!
Puno
One of the cities located at the highest altitude, close to heaven, surrounded by huge mountains and the beautiful Lake Titicaca that crosses the borders. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world.
It hosts many indigenous families where different languages such as Aymara and Quechua (language of the Incas) are spoken. At the islands of Lake Titicaca, traditions and customs very much related to our ancestors’ are still practised.
Why Machu Picchu Tours?
We are a fully locally owned tour operator based in Cusco. Our guides are passionate about the history and culture of Peru. They have years of experience on hiking to Machu Picchu.
This is a high altitude experience. Although our tour guides will be carrying oxygen tanks and coca leaves, It is highly recommended to spend 3-4 days in Cusco to avoid altitude sickness.
Day 1: Pickup from Lima Airport
Welcome to Lima ‘City of the Kings’! A representative from Machu Picchu Tours will be waiting at the airport to then transfer you to the hotel in Miraflores. During the trip, our friendly staff will provide further recommendation of each region you will be visiting!
Upon arrival at the hotel, our staff will assist on your check-in. Have the rest of the day to rest early and be prepared for the next few day filled with fun and exciting activities.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- There are no meals included on this day.
Day 2: Lima City tour (free afternoon)
Start the day with a tour to the city of Lima at 9 am; the minibus will take us to the historic center of Plaza de Armas. Our Tour Leader will guide and provide information about the rich history of this city.
During the tour, ensure to have your camera ready to capture every moment! We continue exploring until we reach the church of San Francisco (Catacombs), visit the Parque del Amor (Park of Love) and make our way to Barranco know for it’s picturesque streets.
Following on, we head towards Kennedy Square (the cat park) where our tour ends for the day.
Our guide will recommend good quality restaurants, places to explore and other attractions you might be interested in.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Peruvian food is highly recommended, to savour and enjoy the most typical dishes Peru has to offer.
Day 3: Flight to Cusco – Cusco City tour
Right after breakfast, we make our way to the airport at 6:30am to board the regular 9:10am flight to Cusco.
Once you have arrived to Cusco, our friendly staff will be at the airport to welcome you and then transport you to the hotel. The rest of the day can be a time to relax and acclimatise to the altitude as it may have an affect on the day.
After a light lunch, we will do a guided Cusco City Tour. On this tour, you will be visiting the former capital of the Inca Empire and the prominent attractions.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
We would recommend bringing your own medication for altitude as it may have an effect during the first day. Also, drink plenty of water and best to eat light food.
Day 4: Sacred Valley of The Incas (full day tour)
Today we will visit one of the most iconic places in Cusco, The Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will pick you up at 7:30 am and make our way to the first stop point, Awanacancha. During the trip, we will have first sightings of South America’s treasured animals, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos.
We will also have the opportunity to learn about the alpaca wool and have time to shop for some beautiful quality baby alpaca fabrics. As we continue on with the tour, we visit the archaeological center of Pisac (9,750 ft /2,972 m), one of the prominent ruins along the Sacred Valley.
Pisac market is one of the most recommended markets where you will find a variety of gifts and souvenirs of all types.
Afterwards, we will have lunch (included) offering a variety of options. Then we will stop at a Peruvian bar (Chichería) and try the traditional Peruvian drinks.
Finally we will explore the gems of the archeological site of Ollantaytambo and conclude with the last stop of the tour, Chinchero. Be transferred back to your hotel in Cusco (an hour trip).
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Day 5: Cusco to Aguas Calientes Town
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco at 02:00 PM. We will be driving you through Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo train station (2 hrs approx.) where we will take the train to Aguas Calientes.
The train journey offers a scenic view of Urubamba river snaking through Andean village. You will also get a beautiful view of the snow capped Andes mountains.
We will be transferring you from the train station to the hotel on arrival. Once you have checked in at our hotel, you will have the evening to explore the town of Aguas Calientes.
What to do in Aguas Calientes?
If you love history then the Machu Picchu Museum is a great place to visit. The museum highlights pre-Inca times with a collection of Inca artefacts. The Orchid Gardens is another location to visit which is about a 30 minute walk from Aguas Calientes.
The site has a rustic feel filled with a variety of beautiful orchids on display. Or enjoy the rest of the day relaxing to the thermal waters of the Hot Springs, in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Dinner
Special/Important Information
Prior to entering the town of Aguas Calientes, we recommend that you leave your suitcases at your hotel in Cusco. Unfortunately, large suitcases are not permitted in the train, only carry-on which is why it might be best to take a backpack.
Day 6: Machu Picchu tour & back to Cusco
Today we hop on a bus and make the journey (30 minutes drive approx.) to visit Machu Picchu, The lost city of the Incas.
Our tour guide will welcome you with a 2 hour guided tour and take you to the most important temples and enclosures Machu Picchu has to offer. After the tour, you will have free time for exploring Machu Picchu on your own.
If you have booked to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our guide will direct you to the trail head.
Alternatively you can hike to Inti Punku or Sun Gate. This is the point of entrance to the citadel to those on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
After the full day tour of Machu Picchu, we will depart Aguas Calientes to board the train at 2:30pm (depending on availability) to Ollantaytambo train station. Here our representative will be meeting you and will be driving you back to Cusco. We will arrive at Cusco City at roughly 7:00 p.m.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Day 7: Free Day
You will have a free day to explore the city of Cusco, relax or perhaps shop for the perfect souvenirs for your loved ones.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 8: Cusco - Puno
In the morning, we will be picking you up from your hotel and will transfer you to the bus terminal. Here you will be boarding the tourist bus to Puno. It is roughly a six hours journey.
Once in Puno, our representative will be meeting you and will be transferring you to the hotel.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 9: Lake Titicaca Trip
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Puno at 0700 AM. Then we will drive you to Puno boat pier. Here you will be boarding the boat.
Our first stop will be at the Uros floating Islands, this is a short journey of 25 minutes. On reaching Uros, the local women would meet you and will give you an introduction to their way of life.
After the tour, we will be boarding the boat to Taquile islands. This is a distinct place where people have preserved their age-old traditions. Men here are popular for knitting. Infact, just around the main square of the island there is a place dedicated to this.
We will then stop for lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the lake.
After lunch, we will sail back to Puno. Our representative will meet you and will transfer you back to your hotel in Puno.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Day 10: Airport Transfer
We will be picking you up from the hotel and will be transferring you to the airport in Juliaca.
Accommodation
- None
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Packing List:
- Camera and film, fully charged & extra batteries (batteries drain quicker in the cold)
- Umbrella
- T-Shirt
- Entrance Fees
Break down of Itinerary
- First Day: Pick up from airport to Hotel
- Second Day: Lima city tour (free afternoon)
- Third Day: Flight to Cusco & Cusco City Tour
- Fourth Day: Sacred Valley (full day tour)
- Fifth Day: Free morning & Cusco to Aguas Calientes Town
- Sixth Day: Machu Picchu tour & back to Cusco
- Seventh Day: Free Day
- Eighth Day: Cusco to Puno
- Ninth Day: Titicaca lake tour (full day)
- Tenth Day: Transfer Out
Pricing
Small Group Tour (Personalized Experience) :
2 -3 People – 1760US$ Per person
4+ People – 1730US$ Per person
Children/students 1700US$ Per person
Exclusive Private Tour:
2 -3 People – 1910US$ Per person
4+ People – 1860US$ Per person
Children/students 1840US$ Per person
