Peru Itinerary 12 Days Lima Cusco Puno Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lima – Transfer to your hotel

Welcome to Peru! We’ll meet you at the airport and take you straight to your hotel in Miraflores, the safest and most convenient area for travelers. 

Today is all about landing smoothly, rest, grab an easy dinner nearby, and get excited for what’s coming next.

• Transportation: Lima airport pickup + private transfer
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Lima
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 2: Lima City Tour + Catacombs + Larco Museum

Today you’ll see the best of Lima: colonial streets, grand plazas, and the stories behind the “City of Kings.”

You’ll visit the San Francisco Catacombs, then finish at the Larco Museum, one of the best places to understand Peru’s ancient cultures in a clear and beautiful way.

Your afternoon is free to enjoy Miraflores, ocean views, cafés, parks, and the cliff-top walkway.

• Meals: Hotel breakfast
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Lima
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 3: Lima - Pisco (Nazca Lines flight) - Huacachina - Paracas

It’s an early start as you head south along the Pan-American Highway. In Pisco, you’ll take your scenic flight over the Nazca Lines, seeing the famous figures from the air. 

It’s one of Peru’s most unusual experiences, and the best way to understand how massive these shapes really are.

After lunch, continue to Huacachina, a small oasis town surrounded by giant sand dunes. Then it’s time for pure fun: dune buggies and sandboarding in the desert. Later, continue to Paracas for your overnight stay.

• Meals: Hotel breakfast
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Paracas
• Difficulty: Easy (adventure day)

Day 4: Ballestas Islands – Return to Lima

This morning you’ll take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, often called the “mini Galapagos” of Peru.

Keep your camera ready, you’ll look for sea lions, penguins, and coastal birds on the rocky islands and cliffs.

After the tour, return to Lima and enjoy a relaxed evening in Miraflores.

• Meals: Hotel breakfast
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Miraflores
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 5: Fly Lima - Cusco + Cusco City Tour (afternoon)

At the right time, we’ll transfer you to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco (flight not included). When you land, we’ll pick you up and take you to your hotel so you can settle in and start acclimatizing.

In the afternoon, you’ll explore Cusco’s essentials: the main square, Inca stone streets, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), and famous sites above the city like Sacsayhuaman and nearby ruins. 

This is the perfect “first day at altitude”, interesting, but not exhausting.

• Transportation: Cusco airport pickup + private transfer
• Meals: Hotel breakfast
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 6: Super Sacred Valley – Overnight in Ollantaytambo

Today is one of the most rewarding days of the whole trip. You’ll spend a full day in the Sacred Valley with the best mix of views, ruins, and local culture. Visit a camelid farm, explore Pisac and its market, and enjoy lunch in Urubamba.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Moray (the circular terraces) and the stunning Maras Salt Mines, then finish at Ollantaytambo, one of the most impressive Inca towns and fortress sites in the valley.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo so you’re positioned perfectly for the train and the Short Inca Trail.

• Meals: Hotel breakfast and lunch
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Ollantaytambo
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 7: Short Inca Trail (Km 104) - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu – Overnight in Aguas Calientes

Today is your “I can’t believe this is real” day. You’ll take an early train to Km 104, where the Short Inca Trail begins. This is a beautiful section of the original Inca Trail: stone paths, lush greenery, and powerful history.

You’ll visit incredible ruins like Wiñay Wayna, then continue to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) for your first unforgettable view of Machu Picchu from above.

After enjoying Machu Picchu in the late afternoon light, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for hotel check-in and dinner.

• Hiking Distance: Hike: 15 km / 8 miles
• Duration: 7 hours
• Highest Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 8: Machu Picchu Guided Tour – Panoramic train back to Cusco

Start early and take the bus up to Machu Picchu for your guided tour. Your guide brings the site to life with history, hidden details, and the best viewpoints—so you don’t just take photos, you understand what you’re seeing.

After the tour, you’ll have time for photos and (if booked in advance) an optional hike like Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

In the afternoon, return by panoramic train service (Vistadome or similar) to Ollantaytambo, then private transport back to Cusco.

• Tour Duration: 2.5 hours
• Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• Meals: Hotel breakfast
• Accommodation: 3-star in Cusco
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Day 9: Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley – Back to Cusco

Early pickup for a full-day trip into the high Andes. After breakfast, you’ll hike up to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) for unreal colors and wide mountain views. If conditions are good, continue to the Red Valley, a quieter, dramatic landscape that many travelers call the surprise favorite.

It’s a challenging day because of altitude, but the views make it worth it. You’ll return to Cusco in the afternoon.

• Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi 
• Highest altitude: 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 10: Cusco - Puno (Tourist bus with stops)

Today you travel to Puno on an exclusive tourist bus with a guide and cultural stops along the route. Typical highlights include Andahuaylillas, Raqchi (Wiracocha Temple), and scenic viewpoints through the Andes.

Arrive in Puno in the late afternoon/early evening and enjoy a calm night by the lake.

• Meals: Hotel breakfast and lunch
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Puno
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 11: Lake Titicaca – Uros Floating Islands + Taquile

Head to the port and spend the day on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Visit the Uros Floating Islands and learn how daily life works on these hand-built reed islands. 

Then continue to Taquile Island, known for its weaving traditions and beautiful lake views. Return to Puno in the afternoon.

• Meals: Breakfast and lunch
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Puno
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Day 12: Transfer to Juliaca Airport – Fly to Lima

After breakfast, we transfer you to Juliaca Airport for your flight to Lima. This is the end of the tour, full of highlights, great photos, and a real sense of Peru from coast to Andes to lake.

• Transportation: Juliaca airport drop off + private transfer
• Meals: Breakfast
• Difficulty: Easy

Price of Peru Highlights Tour 12 Days

This is a premium, logistics-heavy itinerary (flights, trains, time-slot tickets, multiple regions, and 11 hotel nights). To keep the experience smooth and well organized, we run it in small groups, and we can also arrange private tours if you want something exclusive.

Price per person

• From US$555 – Adults
• From US$555– Children and Students

Booking and payment:

Deposit: US$555 per person. To book the 10 Days Peru Highlights & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour, make an initial payment; the remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco with any card and without booking fees.

Please provide the following details exactly as they appear on the passenger's passport: Full Name, Passport Number, Date of Birth, Expiration Date, and Nationality.

The children's discount is applied automatically. However, students must provide a copy of their valid student ID upon booking. Should the ID be rejected, the adult fare will be charged.

Student Discount

• US$ 555 off

Applies to all travelers under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID. To get the discount, the ID must include:

• Student name, photo, and university name.
• Have a valid expiration date (expired IDs will not be accepted)
• ISIC cards are not valid

Peru Highlights & Short Inca Trail 12 Days - Travel Information

Flights are not included

You’ll need to book:

• Lima - Cusco (Day 5)
• Juliaca - Lima (Day 12)

We’ll tell you the best flight times so transfers and tours line up smoothly.

Machu Picchu tickets are timed and circuits are controlled

Machu Picchu entry uses official time slots and set routes. We reserve the best available option for your date. Booking early gives you more choices for morning entry and top circuits.

Short Inca Trail permits can sell out

The Short Inca Trail has limited spaces. Your passport details must match perfectly, and permits are not flexible once issued.

Luggage rules on the train

Trains to Machu Picchu are carry-on only. Plan a small overnight bag for Aguas Calientes. Your larger suitcase can usually stay stored at your Cusco hotel.

Altitude: the hardest day is Rainbow Mountain

Cusco is high, and Rainbow Mountain is higher. Hydrate, avoid heavy drinking early in the trip, and walk slowly. Horses are usually available at Rainbow Mountain if you want extra support.

Nazca Lines flight tips

These flights can feel bumpy and may cause motion sickness for some travelers. If you’re sensitive, bring motion sickness tablets and keep breakfast light that morning.

Peru Itinerary 12 Days Lima Cusco Puno - FAQs