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Best of Peru
Tour Description:
Ready for 12 days of non-stop neon-bright culture, next-level landscapes and epic history? This Peru trip serves up the full hit — from a guided walk through Lima’s coolest corners to the white-stone streets of Arequipa with volcano views on repeat. You’ll see condors over the sandstone cliffs of Colca Canyon, cruise Lake Titicaca to meet the Uros community, and follow the story of the Incas through the Sacred Valley all the way to the main event: Machu Picchu. Add in colourful markets, local legends, and a splash of that Pisco Sour life… and yep, you've got an unforgettable Peru adventure.
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Dates & Pricing
| Sunday 17 Jan 27 — Thursday 28 Jan 27 | Starting at $2,125 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 21 Feb 27 — Thursday 04 Mar 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 14 Mar 27 — Thursday 25 Mar 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 04 Apr 27 — Thursday 15 Apr 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 25 Apr 27 — Thursday 06 May 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 16 May 27 — Thursday 27 May 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 30 May 27 — Thursday 10 Jun 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 13 Jun 27 — Thursday 24 Jun 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 27 Jun 27 — Thursday 08 Jul 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 11 Jul 27 — Thursday 22 Jul 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 25 Jul 27 — Thursday 05 Aug 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 08 Aug 27 — Thursday 19 Aug 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 22 Aug 27 — Thursday 02 Sep 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 05 Sep 27 — Thursday 16 Sep 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 19 Sep 27 — Thursday 30 Sep 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 03 Oct 27 — Thursday 14 Oct 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 21 Nov 27 — Thursday 02 Dec 27 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 28 Dec 27 — Saturday 08 Jan 28 | Starting at $2,125 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingDining Summary
3 Dinner (D)
11 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch (L)
Included Experience
Lima: Hit the streets of Lima with a Local Guide. Explore the vibrant Chinatown before diving into a buzzing market to taste exotic fruits. Check out Peru’s famous potatoes, corn, chillies and spices. Then it’s on to artsy Barranco for murals, galleries and the Bridge of Sighs, finishing with ocean views at Love Park. It's a proper first taste of this wonderful country.
Lima: Start above ground at Lima’s iconic cathedral, then head beneath the city into the San Francisco catacombs. It’s a maze of underground chambers lined with centuries-old remains and patterns built from bones. It's equal parts fascinating and spine-tingly (not your average sightseeing stop).
Arequipa: Get to know the ‘white city’ better. Explore the highlights like Plaza de Armas and take some pics of the incredible backdrop of volcanoes.
Arequipa: Wander into Santa Catalina, a “city within a city” where bright painted walls, sunlit courtyards, and quiet cobbled lanes feel like stepping back in time. Add in the ornate Cúpula of San Ignacio, and you’ve got colour, history, and serious camera-roll material all in one hit.
Colca Canyon: Brave the lookout point at 3287m. Take in the unrivalled views and spot some Andean Condor birds.
Puno: If you’ve secretly always wanted to hop on one of these, here’s your chance.
Puno: Jump on a boat to hop around the reed islands in the world’s highest navigable lake (3657m). And stop off to meet the locals.
Puno: Spend a day immersed in the rich traditions and heartfelt warmth of the communities living on the islands of Lake Titicaca (AKA the highest navigable lake in the world). A local family will welcome you into their home, where you’ll enjoy a traditional, home-cooked dinner made with fresh, regional ingredients such as quinoa soup, native Andean potatoes, and freshly caught fish from the lake. You’ll have the chance to participate in daily activities like farming & weaving. Or even help prepare a meal. It’s the best way to get a glimpse of their timeless customs and way of life.
Puno: Stop off at a traditional Peruvian town and get a feel for local life. Step up your cultural knowledge at Pukara’s museum, packed with stories and artefacts from the region. Then take a quick wander through town to soak up the markets, colours, and everyday Andes energy.
Cusco: Your chance to pick up some mementos at San Pedro Markets and then see Cusco Cathedral, San Blas and Coricancha.
Cusco: Graze on cancha or cacao nibs as you browse the local wares and see historical sights.
Sacred Valley: See llamas IRL and learn how Indigenous communities use weaving to share stories, identity, and culture — a tradition passed down without written language (and help keep ancient skills alive by providing sustainable income for local artisans!) Your visit here will help support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.
Sacred Valley: See this former heartland of the Incan Empire and hike around the Pisac ruins.
Machu Picchu: It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals
3 Dinner (D)
11 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch (L)
Included Experience
Lima: Hit the streets of Lima with a Local Guide. Explore the vibrant Chinatown before diving into a buzzing market to taste exotic fruits. Check out Peru’s famous potatoes, corn, chillies and spices. Then it’s on to artsy Barranco for murals, galleries and the Bridge of Sighs, finishing with ocean views at Love Park. It's a proper first taste of this wonderful country.
Lima: Start above ground at Lima’s iconic cathedral, then head beneath the city into the San Francisco catacombs. It’s a maze of underground chambers lined with centuries-old remains and patterns built from bones. It's equal parts fascinating and spine-tingly (not your average sightseeing stop).
Arequipa: Get to know the ‘white city’ better. Explore the highlights like Plaza de Armas and take some pics of the incredible backdrop of volcanoes.
Arequipa: Wander into Santa Catalina, a “city within a city” where bright painted walls, sunlit courtyards, and quiet cobbled lanes feel like stepping back in time. Add in the ornate Cúpula of San Ignacio, and you’ve got colour, history, and serious camera-roll material all in one hit.
Colca Canyon: Brave the lookout point at 3287m. Take in the unrivalled views and spot some Andean Condor birds.
Puno: If you’ve secretly always wanted to hop on one of these, here’s your chance.
Puno: Jump on a boat to hop around the reed islands in the world’s highest navigable lake (3657m). And stop off to meet the locals.
Puno: Spend a day immersed in the rich traditions and heartfelt warmth of the communities living on the islands of Lake Titicaca (AKA the highest navigable lake in the world). A local family will welcome you into their home, where you’ll enjoy a traditional, home-cooked dinner made with fresh, regional ingredients such as quinoa soup, native Andean potatoes, and freshly caught fish from the lake. You’ll have the chance to participate in daily activities like farming & weaving. Or even help prepare a meal. It’s the best way to get a glimpse of their timeless customs and way of life.
Puno: Stop off at a traditional Peruvian town and get a feel for local life. Step up your cultural knowledge at Pukara’s museum, packed with stories and artefacts from the region. Then take a quick wander through town to soak up the markets, colours, and everyday Andes energy.
Cusco: Your chance to pick up some mementos at San Pedro Markets and then see Cusco Cathedral, San Blas and Coricancha.
Cusco: Graze on cancha or cacao nibs as you browse the local wares and see historical sights.
Sacred Valley: See llamas IRL and learn how Indigenous communities use weaving to share stories, identity, and culture — a tradition passed down without written language (and help keep ancient skills alive by providing sustainable income for local artisans!) Your visit here will help support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.
Sacred Valley: See this former heartland of the Incan Empire and hike around the Pisac ruins.
Machu Picchu: It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals
ITINERARY
ITINERARYLima
Hello and welcome to the oh-so-lovely Lima! You’ll meet your Contiki Trip Manager at the hotel for a welcome meeting and a quick run-through of what’s coming up. Then we’ll head out for a welcome dinner with the brand new crew in buzzy Miraflores.
Lima
We’ll kick today off with a guided tour to admire Lima’s headline-hitting architecture. Next, we’ll check out the first Cathedral in South America, then brave the mysterious San Francisco catacombs. Time to switch gears in colourful Chinatown, markets and artsy streets, before finishing in mural-filled Barranco (hello, Bridge of Sighs). We’ll wrap up with ocean views at Love Park. The rest of the day is yours to dive deeper into whatever grabs you.
Lima to Arequipa
Goodbye, Lima. We’ll jump on a flight to our next destination — famous for bright colonial buildings made from volcanic stone.Welcome to La Ciudad Blanca. Wander historic streets past grand churches, the Cathedral and Plaza de Armas (with volcano views always in the background) on a guided tour. Today's main event? Santa Catalina Monastery, a “city within a city” packed with colourful courtyards and centuries of stories.
Arequipa to Colca Canyon
This morning, we’ll hit the road towards Chivay, the gateway to Colca Canyon. Expect scenic stops and plenty of volcano views (and yep, some are still active). Rolling through Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, keep your eyes peeled for vicuñas, llamas and alpacas. We’ll pause in Patahuasi for a traditional Inca tea to help with the altitude, then swing by Patapampa for big-viewpoint photos.Once we arrive, we’ll tuck into a local lunch made with produce from the Colca Valley. The afternoon is yours to choose your vibe: opt to unwind in Chivay’s natural hot springs, or get your adrenaline going with a zipline. Then it’s on to our hotel for a comfy night’s rest before tomorrow’s adventure.
Colca Canyon to Puno
Early start, but it’s so worth it. Today, we’ll head out to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world and the best place to spot the legendary Andean condor. We’ll hang out at Cruz del Condor and watch for those huge wings catching the morning air. Cameras at the ready!After the condor moment, we’ll roll back towards Chivay with a few short stops in traditional Andean villages to catch a bit of local life. Post-lunch, we’ll continue across the highlands to Puno, arriving on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Puno to Luquina via Uros
Bright and early, we’ll hop on a Triciclo (just like the locals) to the port, then jump on a boat out onto Lake Titicaca — the world’s highest navigable lake.First stop: the Uros Floating Islands, built entirely from totora reeds. You’ll meet the community, learn how the reeds become everything from homes to boats, and see how this way of life has been kept going for centuries.After a gentle hike up to the main village, we’ll visit Taquile Island, famous for its intricate UNESCO-recognised textiles. After a family-style lunch, we’ll cruise on to Luquina Village for a homestay night with a local family. Dine on a delish home-cooked dinner and get a real taste of everyday Andean life.
Luquina to Cusco via Puno and Raqchi
Share breakfast with our host family this morning, then say our thank yous and goodbyes before hopping back on the boat for a scenic ride across Lake Titicaca.Back in Puno, we’ll jump into private transport and start the journey to Cusco (around 7 hours), breaking up the drive with some seriously solid stops.We’ll check out Pukara Museum, stretch our legs at La Raya Pass, then explore the Raqchi Archaeological Complex before getting back on the road.By evening, we’ll reach Cusco. Then it’s simple: wander, grab dinner with the crew, and settle in for the night.
Cusco
Kick things off with a walking tour of Cusco this morning. Check out Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, then stroll an ancient Inca-built street to Q’oricancha (the Sun Temple), where Inca stonework meets Spanish colonial style. Next up: San Pedro Market for a burst of local colour, before heading into artsy San Blas — with stops at the Twelve-Angled Stone and the cute Siete Borreguitos street. The rest of the day is yours, with an optional mountain biking experience up for grabs.
Cusco to Aguas Calientes via Sacred Valley
Morning, travellers. Today we’ll hit up Taray, the best lookout point for those classic Sacred Valley views. Then we’ll dive straight into Pisac Market, checking out local textile traditions and supporting makers from the mountain villages.Time to step it up! We’ll head higher to the Pisac Inca site, perched on the mountain, with your Trip Manager guiding you through the standout viewpoints and ruins. After that, we’ll follow the Vilcanota River through the Sacred Valley to Urubamba for lunch. Next stop: the epic Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, including the striking Temple of the Sun.This evening, we’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes, our home for the night. Rest well tonight, cuz tomorrow - we're hitting THE Machu Picchu.
Aguas Calientes to Cusco via Machu Picchu
Today’s the day, people! Get ready for a proper deep-dive into the Inca world as we jump on the bus up to Machu Picchu.With an expert guide leading the way, we’ll spend a couple of hours exploring the citadel’s temples, terraces and ceremonial spots — plus the stories that make it all click. After that, you’ve got free time to wander, take photos, and soak it all in at your own pace. When you’re ready, you’ll head back down to Aguas Calientes by bus or on foot.You’ll have time to grab lunch in town before we jump on the train to Ollantaytambo, then transfer back to Cusco.And we’ll be back in Cusco. Feet up, you’ve earned it.
Cusco
Today’s all about slowing down and soaking up Cusco at your own pace. Wander the cobblestone streets, hang in the plazas, or book an optional massage. Still chasing the adrenaline? You can opt in for a full-day trip to Rainbow Mountain for a seriously colourful hike and big views. And tonight? You can also jump into an interactive Peruvian cooking experience for dinner.
Cusco
Our trip officially wraps up after breakfast. Get those final group pics, say your goodbyes, and take in one last “we actually did that” moment before everyone heads off.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
