Southern Peru and Cusco in slow tourism mode – 14D/13N

Day 1: Lima

Our driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel room.

Day 2: Lima - Cusco

Savor different Peruvian specialties and drinks in one of Lima's most beautiful, artistic, and bohemian neighborhoods: Barranco. Interact with our local hosts to learn how to prepare the famous ceviche and pisco sour. Discover all the historical and cultural details behind each dish you'll have the chance to taste during this 4-hour gastronomic tour through the streets of Barranco.

Our driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the Lima airport. Transfer from the airport to your hotel upon arrival in Cusco.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel room.

Day 3: Cusco - Free Day

We are at your full disposal to advise you and organize an activity if you wish.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel room.

Day 4: Cusco - Yuncaypata-Inkilltambo

We'll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to begin a unique experience. After about a 30-minute bus ride, we'll arrive at the charming village of Yuncaypata, located in the high Andes.

We'll then start an easy hike, mostly downhill, crossing the typical rural landscapes surrounding Cusco. Our destination: the little-known ruins of Inkilltambo, a well-preserved archaeological site that we'll explore with our guide.

After the visit, you'll enjoy a picnic in the heart of nature, in a calm and relaxing environment. Finally, we'll continue the walk through a beautiful Andean valley before meeting our driver to return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel room.

Day 5: Cusco - City Tour

Immerse yourself in the heart of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, and explore its cultural treasures through an immersive tour. We'll start with the Inca temples that dominate the city, witnesses to the greatness of this empire, before touring the historic center, where Spanish colonial architecture merges with Inca foundations in majestic churches, sumptuous palaces, and fascinating museums. Based on your interests and available time, we'll personalize the itinerary so you can experience Cusco in a different way, guiding you through its cobblestone alleys lined with Inca walls, true vestiges of a legendary past.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel room.

Day 6: HuchuyQosqo Trek Day 1 - Patabamba

From Tambomachay, we'll walk for 4.5 hours to the Queullacocha pass, with a splendid view of Cusco and the Andes.

After lunch at the top, we'll continue for 4 more hours between Andean lagoons and plains until we reach Patabamba. Rosalio and his family will welcome us with a pachamanca, a traditional dish cooked underground.

We'll spend a cozy night with them, in the heart of the local culture.

Trek Details:

  • Distance: 15 km
  • Elevation gain: 675 m
  • Elevation loss: 675 m
  • Maximum altitude: 4275 m

Overnight stay with a host family in Patabamba.

Day 7: HuchuyQosqo Trek Day 2 - HuchuyQosqo

After breakfast with Rosalio's family, we'll start our walk toward the Sacred Valley balcony, with a panoramic view of Pisac, Calca, Lamay, and the snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray, and Verónica.

We'll climb to the Pukamarka pass, our second challenge of the day, and then descend to the León Punku canyon, where we'll have lunch surrounded by impressive rock formations.

In the afternoon, we'll take a section of the Inca Trail that leads us to the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo, nicknamed "Little Cusco."

We'll end the day with a host family for another night of Andean hospitality and conviviality.

Trek Details:

  • Distance: 14.50 km
  • Elevation gain: +500 m
  • Elevation loss: -650 m
  • Maximum altitude: 4080 m

Overnight stay with a host family in Huchuy Qosqo.

Day 8: HuchuyQosqo Trek Day 3 - Chinchero

Last day of effort: We walk for 4 hours from Huchuy Qosqo to the Tauca pass (4435 m), the highest point of the trek.

At the top, enjoy a spectacular view of the Urubamba mountain range.

After a good rest, we'll descend for three hours to the Piuray lagoon and the town of Chinchero, where we'll have lunch. In the afternoon, you'll have free time to rest.

Trek Details:

  • Distance: 12 km
  • Elevation gain: +800 m
  • Elevation loss: -575 m
  • Maximum altitude: 4400 m

Overnight stay with a host family in Chinchero.

Day 9: Moray - Maras - Ollantaytambo

Departure to the Sacred Valley!

The first stop of the day: Chinchero, a charming Andean village where we'll attend a fascinating demonstration at a textile workshop. There, you'll discover the ancestral techniques of weaving and natural dyeing, passed down since Inca times.

We'll continue our tour to Moray, a mysterious archaeological site in the form of a circular amphitheater, which was used as an Inca agricultural laboratory. Thanks to your guide's explanations, you'll understand how these terraces allowed them to experiment with different crops at various altitudes.

Our adventure continues to the Maras salt flats, a unique landscape with thousands of white pools clinging to the mountainside. From there, we'll begin a beautiful downhill hike that will take us to the banks of the Urubamba River, an ideal moment to enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of the valley.

After meeting our driver, we'll end the day in Ollantaytambo, one of the last inhabited Inca towns. We'll explore its impressive Inca ruins, a strategic site that served as a fortress and religious center.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel room.

Day 10: Huayopata - Coffee and Cocoa Plantation

Today you'll head toward Huayopata, a charming village located on the Amazonian route toward Machu Picchu.

Upon your arrival, Julia and her family will welcome you with open arms. You'll have a moment to settle into your room before enjoying a traditional lunch.

In the afternoon, you'll go with Julia or her husband to discover the family's coffee and citrus plantations. You'll learn all about the production of Peruvian coffee, from the plant to the cup, and you can prepare your own coffee to taste on-site.

Dinner will be shared with the family, and you'll spend the night there, surrounded by nature and hospitality.

Overnight stay with a host family in Huayopata.

Day 11: Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

You'll walk from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, the last town before the famous Machu Picchu.

The hike lasts approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. Stay alert during the journey. At some points along the way, you'll already be able to glimpse the ancient Inca citadel, perched on the mountaintop.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel room.

Day 12: Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco

You'll need to go to the main avenue of Aguas Calientes to take a shuttle that will take you to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The ride lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Discovering Machu Picchu will be one of the most unforgettable moments of your trip to Peru. This emblematic Inca citadel, located between the Andes and the Amazon jungle, is one of the 7 New Wonders of the World and represents Inca architecture in perfect harmony with nature.

Revealed in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, it still fascinates with its landscapes, temples, and mysteries. Walking through its cobblestone alleys, agricultural terraces, and sacred plazas is an experience full of history and energy.

Visiting Machu Picchu is about connecting with the greatness of the past in a breathtaking setting.

After your visit to Machu Picchu, you'll walk down to Aguas Calientes. The walk takes approximately 1.5 hours. If you decide to take the bus down to the town, it's always possible to buy your ticket at the site exit.

You'll take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. The journey lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Our driver will take you from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel room.

Day 13: Cusco - Free Day

We are at your full disposal to advise you and organize an activity if you wish.

Overnight stay in a standard hotel room.

Day 14: Cusco - Lima

Your driver will take you from your hotel to the Cusco airport.

Ready for adventure?

This 14-day, 13-night tour, designed by the travel agency Pasión Andina, offers you a complete immersion into the heart of Peru, combining gastronomy in Lima, authentic encounters in the Andes, and the exploration of the legendary Machu Picchu. It's an ideal itinerary for an unforgettable experience.

Key Information about Your Tour

✔ Included

  • Private arrival and departure transfers.
  • Domestic flights as per the program.
  • French-speaking guide for the tours.
  • All nights of accommodation with breakfast, including one with a host family.
  • All entrance fees to sites and attractions (including the General Tourist Ticket).
  • Ground and bus transportation.
  • Lunches and dinners as mentioned in the program.
  • Train and bus tickets for the ascent and descent to Machu Picchu.
  • The use of llamas during the trekking days.

✘ Not Included

  • Tips.
  • International flights.
  • Personal travel insurance.
  • Meals, drinks, and personal expenses not included in the "Included" section.

Peru Travel Guide 2025 - Tips by Peru Discovery