Fly over the Nazca Lines. Watch condors rise out of the Colca Canyon. Cross Lake Titicaca, walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate and finish under the trees of the Amazon. This 15-day Peru tour travels overland from Lima to Cusco through Paracas, Ica, Nazca, Arequipa, the Colca Valley and Puno, then adds the Short Inca Trail, two days at Machu Picchu and two nights at a rainforest lodge in Tambopata.
Permits, hotels, the Nazca flight, buses, trains, the lodge and local guides are handled by a 100% Peruvian team. You bring your boots and your passport; we take care of everything around them.
Tour Type Group / Private
Destinations Lima, Nazca, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Short Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Amazon
Duration 5 daysPeru Complete 15 Days: Lima, Nazca, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Short Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Amazon - Overview
The Peru Complete 15 Days tour is the one to book if you want the whole country in a single trip: the Pacific coast and its sea lions, the desert and the Nazca Lines, the White City of Arequipa, the Colca Canyon and its condors, Lake Titicaca, the Short Inca Trail into Machu Picchu and, to finish, two nights in the Amazon rainforest. You travel overland from the coast to Cusco, so the altitude comes gradually, and a local guide is waiting at every stage.
Hotels are named, the Inca Trail permit is booked in your name, and the Nazca flight and the lodge are reserved before you land. TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian tour operator based in Cusco, run by people who started out working on the Inca Trail.
Tour Highlights:
- Lima and the coast: the Miraflores cliffs, the San Francisco catacombs, then sea lions and penguins at the Ballestas Islands.
- Ica and Nazca: a pisco winery, dune buggies and sandboarding at Huacachina, and a 30-minute flight over the Nazca Lines.
- Arequipa and the Colca Canyon: the White City, a 4,910 m / 16,109 ft pass with volcano views and condors at Cruz del Cóndor.
- Lake Titicaca: the Uros floating islands and lunch on Taquile, then the Route of the Sun to Cusco.
- Cusco and the Sacred Valley: Inca walls, the Pisac market, Moray and Maras, with a night in Ollantaytambo.
- The Short Inca Trail: one day, 13 km / 8 mi, and you walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
- Machu Picchu twice: from above on Day 11, inside with your guide on Day 12.
- Two nights in the Amazon: Lake Sandoval by canoe, the canopy walkway and a night walk in the forest.
The Tour Day by Day
Day 1: Arrival in Lima - Afternoon City Tour
Airport pickup and a hotel in Miraflores. In the afternoon: Parque del Amor, Huaca Pucllana, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, the San Francisco catacombs and a pisco tasting.
Day 2: Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Ica - Huacachina
Pre-dawn departure south. Boat to the Ballestas Islands past the Candelabra, sweets tasting in Paracas, a pisco winery in Ica, then dune buggies and sandboarding at the Huacachina oasis. Night in Ica.
Day 3: Nazca Lines Flight - Overnight Bus to Arequipa
Drive to Nazca and fly over the lines: hummingbird, monkey, spider, condor and more. Free afternoon, then the overnight bus to Arequipa.
Day 4: Arequipa - Free Day in the White City
Morning arrival and a free day to rest, walk the historic center and try the city’s food.
Day 5: Arequipa - Volcanoes Viewpoint - Colca Valley
Vicuñas and flamingos in the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve, the 4,910 m / 16,109 ft Volcanoes Viewpoint and the afternoon in Chivay, with optional thermal baths.
Day 6: Cruz del Cóndor - Colca Canyon - Puno
Yanque, Cruz del Cóndor and Maca in the morning, lunch in Chivay, then the road across the high plateau to Puno.
Day 7: Lake Titicaca - Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island
Boat to the reed islands of the Uros, then Taquile for a walk through the village and lunch with the lake below. Back to Puno.
Day 8: Puno to Cusco - Route of the Sun
Tourist bus with guided stops at Pukara, the La Raya pass, Raqchi and Andahuaylillas, with a buffet lunch in Sicuani. Evening arrival in Cusco.
Day 9: Free Morning - Afternoon Cusco City Tour
A slow morning, then the Plaza de Armas, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
Day 10: Sacred Valley - Pisac, Moray and Maras - Night in Ollantaytambo
An alpaca and llama farm, Pisac and its market, lunch in Urubamba, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines and the night in Ollantaytambo, the gateway to the trail.
Day 11: Short Inca Trail - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu
Train to Km 104, Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, the Sun Gate and a first look at Machu Picchu from above. Bus to Aguas Calientes and dinner.
Day 12: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Train - Cusco
Back up to Machu Picchu for the guided visit. Train to Ollantaytambo and private transfer to your Cusco hotel.
Day 13: Flight to Puerto Maldonado - Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica
Fly to the Amazon, boat along the Madre de Dios River, a first rainforest walk and a twilight river cruise.
Day 14: Lake Sandoval - Canopy Walkway - Rainforest by Night
Canoe on Lake Sandoval in the Tambopata National Reserve, the Canopy Walkway in the afternoon and a night walk after dark.
Day 15: Amazon - Transfer to Puerto Maldonado Airport
A last rainforest morning, the boat back and your transfer to Puerto Maldonado airport, where the TreXperience service ends.
Included
- Pre-trip assistance and local support from Lima to the Amazon
- Lima airport pickup (Day 1) and Cusco airport drop-off (Day 13)
- Lodge transfers by road and boat in Puerto Maldonado (Days 13 and 15)
- All transfers and ground transport for the included tours
- 1 night at Casa Andina Standard Miraflores, Lima, or similar
- 1 night at Hotel Huarango, Ica, or similar
- Overnight tourist bus from Nazca to Arequipa (Day 3)
- 1 night at Casa Andina Standard, Arequipa, or similar
- 1 night at Colca Lodge, Colca Valley, or similar
- 2 nights at Casa Andina Standard, Puno, or similar
- 3 nights at San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar
- 1 night at Cocatambo, Ollantaytambo, or similar
- 1 night at Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, or similar
- 2 nights at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, with meals and excursions
- Breakfast every day except Days 1, 2 and 4
- Lunch on Days 7, 8, 10, 11, 13 (if you arrive in time) and 14
- Lunch on Days 5 and 6 in the Colca Valley [TO CONFIRM]
- Dinner on Days 11, 13 and 14, plus a welcome pisco cocktail at the lodge
- Picnic breakfast and lunch on the trail, prepared by our trekking team
- Lima City Tour with the San Francisco catacombs and a pisco tasting
- Ballestas Islands boat tour, winery visit, Huacachina dune buggies and sandboarding, with fees
- Nazca Lines scenic flight (shared) with airport taxes
- Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa to Puno with Cruz del Cóndor and entrance fees
- Lake Titicaca boat tour to the Uros islands and Taquile, with entrance tickets
- Route of the Sun tourist bus from Puno to Cusco with guided stops and buffet lunch
- Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tour with all entrance tickets
- Short Inca Trail permit and train to Km 104
- Licensed trekking guide, first-aid kit and oxygen on the trail
- Machu Picchu entrance through the Sun Gate (Day 11)
- Machu Picchu entrance and 2.5-hour guided visit (Day 12)
- Buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (Days 11 and 12)
- Train to Ollantaytambo and private transfer to your Cusco hotel
- Guided Amazon excursions with Inkaterra Explorer Guides, subject to the lodge schedule
- Professional English-speaking guides on all tours
Not Included
- International flights
- Domestic flights: Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (Day 13) and Puerto Maldonado onward (Day 15)
- Meals not listed: Days 1, 2 and 4, most lunches and dinners in the cities, and lunch on Day 15
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets (US$75 each)
- Trekking poles (available to rent)
- Lodge extras: ENA Spa, sunset drinks on a canopy tower or the Tree House night
- Early check-in in Lima (Day 1) and Arequipa (Day 4), unless confirmed separately
- Hotel and room upgrades
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses and tips
Machu Picchu Tickets and Circuits
On Day 11 you enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate with your Short Inca Trail permit and walk down to the upper viewpoints. On Day 12 you return with a separate ticket for the guided visit; the route inside depends on the official circuit assigned for your date, and we plan around the best option available when your booking is confirmed. See our Machu Picchu circuits guide or the official circuits and routes.
Extra Hikes at Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 2 hours round trip, on Day 12.
- Machu Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 3 hours round trip, on Day 12.
One mountain only. Separate ticket, booked in advance, and the time slot must fit your circuit and your train.
Optional Upgrades
Private service: your own guide and vehicle for selected parts of the itinerary, including a private Short Inca Trail guide; we confirm which services are private when you book. The Nazca flight, the buses, the trains, the Lake Titicaca boat and the lodge excursions are shared services.
Also on request: 4-star or 5-star hotels, a Tree House night or the ENA Spa at the lodge, and extra nights in Lima, Arequipa or Cusco to slow the pace.
Full Itinerary of the Peru Complete 15 Days
Fifteen days from the Pacific to the Amazon, by road, rail, boat and one small plane. Here is each day with times, meals and hotels.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima - Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to Peru. We meet you at Lima airport and take you to Casa Andina Standard in Miraflores, or similar. Lunch is on your own; rest before the afternoon.
Around 2:00 p.m., your guide picks you up: Parque del Amor on the Miraflores cliffs, a view of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, then the old center with Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco convent and catacombs, with a pisco tasting along the way. Back at your hotel around 6:00 p.m.
- Meals: not included
- Tour: half day, about 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Lima, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: Arrive in Lima in the morning to join the tour, and pack a small bag tonight: tomorrow starts before dawn. More in our Lima travel guide.
Day 2: Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Ica - Huacachina
Pickup between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. for the drive south along the coast, with a stop around 6:00 a.m. at a bakery to buy breakfast. At 9:30 a.m., a motorboat takes you to the Ballestas Islands past the Candelabra, a giant figure cut into the hillside. Sea lions, Humboldt penguins, cormorants, boobies and Inca terns live on the rocks; sightings depend on the day.
Back on land, a tasting of tejas and chocotejas, the sweets of Ica, and lunch on your own. At 2:00 p.m., an artisan winery for wine and pisco tasting, then the Huacachina oasis, a lagoon ringed by palms and giant dunes. At 3:00 p.m., dune buggies and sandboarding. Check-in at Hotel Huarango, or similar, around 4:30 p.m.
- Meals: not included
- Pickup: 4:00 to 5:00 a.m.
- Hotel: Hotel Huarango, Ica, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate; the buggy ride is bumpy
Tips: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a windbreaker for the boat, closed shoes and a bandana for the sand. Dune buggies and sandboarding are not suitable during pregnancy or after spinal surgery. The boat trip may be cancelled by the port authority in rough seas; if so, the activity is replaced or refunded.
Day 3: Nazca Lines Flight - Overnight Bus to Arequipa
Continental breakfast at 6:00 a.m. and departure at 6:30 a.m. for the two-hour drive to the Nazca airfield. Passport check, weigh-in and safety briefing, then a flight of around 30 minutes over the lines, planned for mid-morning: the hummingbird, the monkey, the spider, the condor, the whale and more, as the pilot banks so both sides of the plane get the view.
Free afternoon and lunch on your own in Nazca. In the evening, the overnight tourist bus takes you south to Arequipa, about 10 hours; we confirm the departure time with your final details.
- Meals: continental breakfast at the hotel
- Flight: shared scenic flight, about 30 minutes, subject to weather
- Night: overnight bus from Nazca to Arequipa
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: Original passport for the flight. Eat light and consider a motion-sickness tablet; the plane turns a lot. Keep a warm layer, water and a neck pillow for the bus. More in our Nazca Lines guide.
Day 4: Arequipa - Free Day in the White City
You arrive in Arequipa early in the morning and we take you to Casa Andina Standard, or similar. Rooms are usually ready in the afternoon; the hotel keeps your bags until then.
The day is yours, and after two early starts it is meant for rest: the Plaza de Armas and its cathedral, the white volcanic stone of the old streets, a long lunch of rocoto relleno or adobo, and the three volcanoes on the skyline. Arequipa sits at 2,335 m / 7,661 ft, a gentle first step up.
- Meals: not included
- Plan: free day
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Arequipa, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: Want to guarantee a room on arrival? Ask us about early check-in. The Santa Catalina Monastery is a good two hours if you feel like walking.
Day 5: Arequipa - Volcanoes Viewpoint - Colca Valley
Pickup at 7:30 a.m. for the road to the Colca Valley, past the slopes of the Chachani volcano and into the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve, where wild vicuñas graze the high plains. At the Tocra wetlands, look for Andean flamingos and other high-altitude birds.
The road tops out at the Volcanoes Viewpoint, 4,910 m / 16,109 ft, the highest point of the whole trip, reached by vehicle with a short stop for the view. Then down to Chivay around 1:00 p.m., lunch and your lodge. The afternoon is free, with optional thermal baths nearby.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel; lunch [TO CONFIRM]
- Highest point: 4,910 m / 16,109 ft, by vehicle
- Hotel: Colca Lodge, Colca Valley, or similar
- Difficulty: easy, with a long drive at altitude
Tips: Coca tea, water and slow movements at the viewpoint; the stop is short on purpose. Warm layers and a swimsuit for the hot springs.
Day 6: Cruz del Cóndor - Colca Canyon - Puno
Departure between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m. First the village of Yanque, where you may see the Wititi dance in the square, then Cruz del Cóndor, the best-known viewpoint of the canyon. Condors use the morning thermals to rise along the walls; most days they appear, but no one can promise it.
On the way back, the village of Maca and its colonial church, more viewpoints over the terraces, and lunch in Chivay. Around 1:00 p.m., the road east across the high plateau to Puno, with arrival between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. and transfer to Casa Andina Standard, or similar.
- Meals: breakfast at the lodge; lunch [TO CONFIRM]
- Day: about 13 hours, including the drive to Puno
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Puno, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, because of the altitude and the long day
Tips: Binoculars for the condors, snacks and water for the road. Puno sits at 3,827 m / 12,556 ft; keep dinner light tonight. See our Puno guide.
Day 7: Lake Titicaca - Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island
After breakfast, a boat onto Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 m / 12,507 ft. First the Uros floating islands, built and rebuilt from totora reeds by the families who live on them; they show you how an island is made and how daily life works on the water.
Then about two hours across open water to Taquile, where the men knit and the island’s textile art is on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list. A walk up the stone path to the village, lunch with the lake below, and time to wander before the boat back to Puno, around 5:00 p.m.
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
- Tour: full day by boat
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Puno, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with stone steps at altitude on Taquile
Tips: Sunscreen and a hat; the sun on the lake is strong. A warm layer for the boat and small bills if you want to buy textiles from the knitters. More in our Lake Titicaca guide.
Day 8: Puno to Cusco - Route of the Sun
At 7:00 a.m., the tourist bus leaves Puno with a guide on board. First stop, the Pukara museum and its stone sculptures from one of the oldest cultures of the lake. Then the La Raya pass at 4,335 m / 14,222 ft, the border between the Puno and Cusco regions, with snow peaks in view.
Buffet lunch in Sicuani, then Raqchi and the tall walls of the Temple of Wiracocha, and the church of Andahuaylillas, called the Sistine Chapel of the Andes for its painted ceilings. Arrival in Cusco around 5:30 p.m. and transfer to San Agustín Internacional, or similar.
- Meals: breakfast and buffet lunch
- Bus: about 10 hours, including stops
- Highest point: La Raya pass, 4,335 m / 14,222 ft
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: Keep a warm jacket, water and your camera at hand; the stops are short. Cusco, at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft, will feel easy after a week at altitude.
Day 9: Free Morning - Afternoon Cusco City Tour
A slow morning in the old Inca capital: breakfast, a coffee on the Plaza de Armas, the San Pedro market or simply a lie-in.
Around 1:00 p.m., your guide picks you up. On foot: the Plaza de Armas, the Twelve-Angled Stone and Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun. Then by vehicle: Sacsayhuaman and its zigzag walls, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, with a stop at Cristo Blanco when time allows.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Tour: half day
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy, with walking and stairs at altitude
Tips: Use the morning for laundry and a rest; the next three days are full. Ideas in our Cusco guide.
Day 10: Sacred Valley - Pisac, Moray and Maras - Night in Ollantaytambo
Pickup at 7:00 a.m. for a full day in the Sacred Valley. First an alpaca and llama farm, then the Taray viewpoint and Pisac: terraces and temples above the town, and time in its colorful market.
After lunch in Urubamba, the circular terraces of Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, still worked by local families. The day ends in Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town and the best place to sleep before the trail. Your guide confirms tomorrow’s time tonight.
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
- Tour: full day
- Hotel: Cocatambo, Ollantaytambo, or similar
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: Pack a small bag for two nights; your main suitcase stays at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage until Day 12. More in our Sacred Valley guide.
Day 11: Short Inca Trail - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu
The adventure day. Pickup around 5:30 a.m. for the train along the Urubamba River to Km 104. Passport check, a picnic breakfast from our trekking team, and the trail begins: Chachabamba, then a steady climb through cloud forest, orchids and waterfalls on original Inca stone.
At Wiñay Wayna, terraces and temples above the valley, your guide explains the site and our chefs serve a picnic lunch. Then the last stretch to the Sun Gate: the trail opens and Machu Picchu appears below you. We stop there; nobody rushes you. Bus down to Aguas Calientes, check-in at Ferré Machu Picchu or similar, and dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals: picnic breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
- Hike: 13 km / 8 mi, around 7 hours
- Highest point: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
- Hotel: Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: moderate
Tips: Original passport, shoes with grip, rain jacket, sunscreen, repellent, 1.5 liters of water and snacks. Poles need rubber tips. Read our Short Inca Trail guide.
Day 12: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Train - Cusco
After breakfast, the bus back up to Machu Picchu. Yesterday you saw it from above; today you walk through it: terraces, temples, plazas and sacred spaces, about 2.5 hours with your guide. Your route follows the official circuit assigned for your date. If you booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, the hike comes after the tour.
Bus down, lunch on your own, then the train to Ollantaytambo along the river and a private transfer to your Cusco hotel.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Guided tour: around 2.5 hours, plus buses
- Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with stairs and uneven stone paths
Tips: Passport and a small daypack; no large bags, drones, tripods or food inside. See our Machu Picchu rules guide. Tonight, repack for the jungle.
Day 13: Flight to Puerto Maldonado - Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica
After breakfast, transfer to Cusco airport for the flight to Puerto Maldonado (not included; buy it once we confirm the schedule). The lodge team meets you and, after a 45-minute boat ride down the Madre de Dios River, you arrive at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica.
A short briefing, lunch if you arrive in time, and your cabana. In the afternoon, a first walk on the Trail System with your Explorer Guide, then a Twilight River cruise to look for nightjars, capybaras and caimans. Dinner at the lodge with a welcome pisco cocktail.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch depending on arrival time, and dinner at the lodge
- Not included: flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado
- Lodge: Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: Long sleeves, repellent, a headlamp, a rain poncho and a dry bag for your phone. Ask your doctor about the yellow fever vaccine well before you travel.
Day 14: Lake Sandoval - Canopy Walkway - Rainforest by Night
After breakfast, a shaded trail and a wooden canoe take you onto Lake Sandoval, inside the Tambopata National Reserve. Giant river otters, howler monkeys, macaws, turtles and black caimans live here; sightings are never guaranteed, but your guide knows where to look.
Lunch at the lodge, then the Canopy Walkway: eight platforms linked by suspension bridges, the first tower 42 m / 138 ft up, with toucans, monkeys and sloths in the treetops. After dark, the Rainforest by Night walk. Last dinner at the lodge.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge
- Tour: full day
- Lodge: Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with a forest walk and a canoe
Tips: Binoculars make this day. Closed shoes, repellent before each walk and a dry bag for your camera on the canoe. The two-night program is a suggested itinerary; excursions are chosen at the lodge and may change with weather and river conditions.
Day 15: Amazon - Transfer to Puerto Maldonado Airport
Breakfast and a last morning of birdsong. Check-out is at 10:00 a.m., then the 45-minute boat back and your transfer to Puerto Maldonado airport, where the TreXperience service ends. Lunch at the lodge can be arranged at extra cost; the onward flight is not included.
- Meals: breakfast at the lodge
- Not included: lunch and the flight from Puerto Maldonado
- Tour ends: Puerto Maldonado airport
Want a different pace? Add a rest night in Arequipa or Cusco, a third night in the jungle, or swap the Short Inca Trail for the four-day Classic Inca Trail. Write to us and we build it around your dates.
Peru Complete 15 Days Price and Booking
Prices are per person in US dollars. They include all hotels and the lodge, the overnight bus, the Nazca flight, the Short Inca Trail permit and trekking team, both Machu Picchu entrances, the train back, all listed tours and tickets, local guides and ground transport. Flights to and from the Amazon are not included.
Small-Group Tour Price
| Traveler Type | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| Adults | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| Students under 25 with a valid university ID | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| Children under 17 | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
Private Tour Price
Your own guide and vehicle, at your pace, including a private guide on the Short Inca Trail. Prices depend on group size and availability.
| Number of Travelers | Adults (Per Person) | Students and Children (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 2 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 3 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 4 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 5 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 6 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 7 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 8 to 16 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 17 or more travelers | Contact us for a group rate | |
Note: Private service covers selected parts of the itinerary; we confirm which when you book. The Nazca flight, the buses, the trains, the Lake Titicaca boat and the lodge excursions are shared.
Booking and Payment
- Deposit: US$800 per person to secure your Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu tickets, Nazca flight, train seats, hotels and lodge. Balance online or at our Cusco office by card, PayPal or wire transfer.
- Send each traveler’s full name, passport number, date of birth, passport expiry, nationality and weight (for the Nazca flight). Permits and tickets are issued in your name and can’t be changed or transferred.
- For May to September, book at least three months ahead. Inca Trail permits are non-refundable once issued; see our Terms and Conditions.
- Tell us about dietary needs, pregnancy or any heart, lung, back, knee or mobility concern, and why you’re traveling. It helps us prepare.
Student and Child Discount
Children under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID (name, photo, university and expiry date) may qualify for lower official Machu Picchu and Inca Trail rates. ISIC cards are not accepted. Send the ID or date of birth when booking and we confirm the discount of 30$.
Customization and Upgrades
- Private service for selected parts of the itinerary.
- Hotel upgrades to 4-star or 5-star, and lodge extras: Tree House night, ENA Spa or sunset drinks.
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain on Day 12, US$75 per person.
- Extra nights in Lima, Arequipa, Cusco or the jungle, or the four-day Classic Inca Trail instead of the Short Inca Trail.
Changes depend on availability and may change the price. Contact us for a quote.
Packing List for the Peru Complete 15 Days
Four climates in fifteen days: the mild coast and the desert sun, the cold high plateau of Colca and Titicaca, the cloud forest on the trail and the heat of the Amazon. Pack light layers, one small bag for the two trail nights and another for the jungle. More in our Peru Packing List.
Essentials
Original passport (checked at the Nazca airfield, Km 104, Machu Picchu, the trains, buses and flights), medication, documents, insurance details and cash in soles for meals on your own and small purchases.
What to Wear?
Hiking shoes with grip, breathable layers and a light rain jacket for the trail; a warm jacket, hat and gloves for the Colca pass, Puno and the lake; closed shoes and a bandana for the dunes; long sleeves and trousers in light fabrics for the Amazon.
What to Put in the Daypack?
1.5 liters of water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, a rain poncho and a warm layer. In the jungle: repellent, headlamp, binoculars and a dry bag for your phone.
What to Pack for the Bus Night, the Trail Nights and the Lodge?
For the overnight bus: a neck pillow, a warm layer and toiletries at hand. For Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes: a change of clothes and a charger; your suitcase stays in Cusco. For the lodge: quick-dry clothes, sandals and a swimsuit. See our Machu Picchu packing list.
What We Provide
Hotels and lodge, the Nazca flight, the Inca Trail permit, picnic breakfast and lunch on the trail, both Machu Picchu entrances, trains, buses and boats, all listed tickets and guides, and a first-aid kit and oxygen on the trail.
Optional Gear and Extra Items
Trekking poles with rubber tips (also for rent), a power bank, blister plasters, motion-sickness tablets for the Nazca flight, boats and buses, and anything your doctor recommends for altitude.
Travel Information for the Peru Complete 15 Days
What to know before you book: permits, flights, altitude, the long days, Machu Picchu tickets, hotels, the Amazon lodge and weather.
How do Short Inca Trail permits work, and when should I book?
Permits are limited to a few hundred a day, issued in your name with your passport number, and cannot be changed, refunded or transferred. We request yours once we have your details and deposit, and we reserve the Nazca flight and the lodge at the same time. For May to September, book at least three months ahead. The trail closes every February. More in our Short Inca Trail guide.
Which flights do I need, and when should I arrive in Lima?
The trip is overland from Lima to Cusco, so you only need two domestic flights, not included: Cusco to Puerto Maldonado on Day 13 and Puerto Maldonado onward on Day 15. The Nazca Lines flight is included. Arrive in Lima in the morning on Day 1 to join the afternoon city tour; early check-in is not included unless confirmed separately.
How should I prepare for the altitude?
This route climbs gradually: the coast, Arequipa at 2,335 m / 7,661 ft, Chivay at about 3,600 m / 11,800 ft, Puno at 3,827 m / 12,556 ft and Cusco at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft. The highest point, 4,910 m / 16,109 ft, is a short vehicle stop on Day 5; the trail and Machu Picchu are lower than Cusco. Walk slowly, drink water, eat light, skip alcohol at first and tell your guide if you feel unwell. See our guide to altitude in Cusco.
How hard is this tour, and which days are the longest?
The only real hike is the Short Inca Trail: 13 km / 8 mi in around 7 hours, moderate, with a daypack only. The rest is travel: Day 2 starts before 5:00 a.m., Day 3 ends on an overnight bus, Day 6 runs about 13 hours and Day 8 about 10, all with a guide and stops. Days 4 and 9 are free on purpose, so you can rest. The dune buggies are not suitable during pregnancy or after spinal surgery.
How do Machu Picchu tickets and rules work?
You enter twice: through the Sun Gate on Day 11 with your permit, and on Day 12 with a separate ticket for the guided visit, on the circuit assigned for your date. Bring the original passport used for your booking. No large bags, drones, tripods or food inside. See our circuits guide and rules guide.
Which hotels and transport are included, and what about luggage?
Casa Andina Standard in Lima, Arequipa and Puno, Hotel Huarango in Ica, Colca Lodge in the Colca Valley, San Agustín Internacional in Cusco, Cocatambo in Ollantaytambo and Ferré Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes, or similar, plus two nights at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica and one night on the Nazca to Arequipa bus. Trains to Km 104 and back from Aguas Calientes, tourist buses with guides, and boats on the Pacific, the lake and the river. Your suitcase stays at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage during the two trail nights.
What is the Amazon lodge like, and do I need vaccines?
Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica sits on the Madre de Dios River, 45 minutes by boat from Puerto Maldonado, with private cabanas, full board from arrival and guided excursions chosen with your Explorer Guide. The program may change with weather and river conditions, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Ask your doctor at least a month ahead about the yellow fever vaccine, commonly recommended for this region; we cannot give medical advice.
What is the weather like, and when is the best time to go?
The Andes are drier from April to October and wetter from November to March; the Inca Trail closes in February. The coast is mild all year, with morning fog in Lima from May to November, and the Nazca flight depends on wind and visibility. The Amazon is hot and humid, with more rain from December to March. No season guarantees clear skies, so bring layers and a rain shell in any month. See our Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Peru Complete 15 Days
Quick answers about who this tour is for, booking, flights, the Nazca and Ballestas days, Machu Picchu, the Amazon and customization.
Who is this 15-day tour for?
Travelers who want the whole of Peru in one trip and don’t mind a few early starts: coast, desert, canyon, lake, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Amazon, with one local team handling every connection. There is no camping, every night but one is in a hotel or lodge, and only one day is a real hike. If you prefer fewer days, we have shorter versions.
How far ahead should I book?
At least three months for May to September, and as early as you can for any date. Inca Trail permits are limited and issued once we have your passport details and deposit; the lodge and the Nazca flight are reserved at the same time. If your date is sold out, we tell you right away and suggest the nearest available one.
Are flights included?
The Nazca Lines scenic flight is included. International flights and the two domestic flights, Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (Day 13) and Puerto Maldonado onward (Day 15), are not; buy them once we confirm the recommended times so the lodge boat and your transfers match.
What happens if the sea is rough or the weather closes the Nazca flight?
The Ballestas boat depends on the port authority: in rough seas the trip is replaced by another activity or that part is refunded. Nazca flights wait for safe wind and visibility, which is why yours is planned for mid-morning; if it cannot fly then, it moves to a later slot the same day when conditions allow, and if it cannot operate at all, we explain your options right away.
How fit do I need to be?
Moderately fit. The Short Inca Trail is 13 km / 8 mi in around 7 hours with a steady climb on stone steps; regular walkers manage it well at a calm pace. Everything else is sightseeing with some stairs at altitude. Tell us before booking about any back, knee, heart or lung concern, and skip the dune buggies if you are pregnant or have had spinal surgery.
Can I add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, on Day 12, one of them, for US$75 per person. Huayna Picchu takes about 2 hours round trip, Machu Picchu Mountain about 3. Both sell out fast and must fit your circuit and train, so tell us when you book.
What meals are included, and can you handle special diets?
Breakfast every day except Days 1, 2 and 4; lunch on Taquile, on the Route of the Sun, in the Sacred Valley and on the trail; dinner in Aguas Calientes; and full board at the lodge from arrival to breakfast on Day 15. The rest is on your own, with good restaurants near every hotel. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy requests can usually be arranged if you tell us in advance.
Can I travel solo or customize the trip?
Yes. Solo travelers can join a small-group departure or book the private rate for one. You can add rest nights, upgrade hotels, add a third night in the jungle or swap in the four-day Classic Inca Trail. Fewer days? See Short Inca Trail, Nazca and Titicaca 11 Days or Classic Inca Trail and Amazon 11 Days.