We have adapted one of our favourite classic trips for Christmas: crossing the Andes on roads and mountain tracks between Arequipa and Cuzco. We love it for the destination’s cultural and historical significance, the excellent team of guides and, of course, the unforgettable landscapes.
A 17-day trip to Peru, departing on the 25th and returning on Monday the 10th, just in time to return to work after a well-deserved Christmas holiday.
Arequipa
Surrounded by volcanoes reaching 6,000 m, it is called the “White City” for the stone used in its buildings. At 2,360 m, at the foot of Misti, it enjoys good weather year round.
It is the second city in the country, with a mestizo population that has been the birthplace of great writers, artists and politicians.
Arequipa highlights include the Chilina viewpoint, San Ignacio de Loyola chapel (La Compañía, closed Sunday afternoons), San Lázaro neighbourhood, Santa Catalina convent, and Yanahuara’s church and viewpoint.
Lake Titicaca
From Arequipa, we head towards Colca Canyon, then continue to Lake Titicaca to spend the night on the Capachica Peninsula, home to the farming communities of Llachón, Santa María and San Pedro. Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake, at an average altitude of 3,812 metres, and is considered the birthplace of the Incas.
The Capachica Peninsula’s inhabitants preserve a rich culture and ancestral customs, organising their economy around an exemplary community system and traditional local activities.
Along the way, we see the Uros Titino Islands, built from totora reeds and inhabited by descendants of the Aymara, South America’s oldest people. On Taquile, we walk through some of its six sectors and along cliffs overlooking the lake. We also meet farming communities in Llachón, Santa María or San Pedro on the Capachica Peninsula, staying in local homes.
Visit to Machu-Picchu
We visit legendary Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, taking an early bus to explore the lost Inca city, discovered in 1911 by Hiram Binham.
Optional activities can be booked on request:
- Climbing Huayna Picchu, the peak behind the main complex.
- Climb Mount Machu Picchu, opposite Huayna Picchu, for views over the archaeological site.
Return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then board the train to Ollantaytambo.
Vinicunca, Cusco’s best-kept secret
The Vinicunca trek involves 5 to 7 hours of walking spread over two days.
Trip to Peru at Christmas
✔️ Travel to Peru
✔️ 17-day trip
✔️ Departure 25 DEC
✔️ From 2665€
One of our favourite classics, with an excellent team of guides and unforgettable landscapes: crossing the Andes on roads and mountain tracks between Arequipa and Cuzco.
Peru Christmas itinerary
| ROUTE | Meals | Accommodation |
| Flight from home city – Lima | > | On board |
| Arrival in Lima. Visits. | > | Hotel |
| Flight Lima – Arequipa | D | Hotel |
| Arequipa. City tour | D | Hotel |
| Arequipa – Chivay | D | Hotel |
| Chivay – Colca Canyon – Crossing the highlands to Puno | D | Hotel |
| Puno – Uros Titino Islands – Taquile Island – Capachica Peninsula (Lake Titicaca) | D-A-C | Local home |
| Capachica Peninsula – Puno | D | Hotel |
| Trans-Andean crossing: Puno – Cuzco | D-A | Hotel |
| Cuzco. City visit | D | Hotel |
| Sacred Valley: Pisaq – Ollantaytambo. Train to Aguas Calientes. | D | Hotel |
| Sacred Valley: Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes. Train to Ollantaytambo | D–C | Hotel |
| Sacred Valley: Salinas de Maras – Moray- Chincheros – Cuzco | D | Hotel |
| Cuzco. Optional Vinicunca Mountain visit | D | Hotel |
| Cuzco | D | Hotel |
| Flight Cuzco – Lima – Home city | D | On board |
| City of origin | > | > |
Optional ‘classic’ Inca Trail trek
| ROUTE | Meals | Accommodation |
| Cuzco-Pisaq – Ollantaytambo – Chincheros – Cuzco | D | Hotel |
| Cuzco – Piscocucho. Trek to Wayllabamba Village | D-A-C | Camping |
| Trek: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca Pass – Pacaymayo | D-A-C | Camping |
| Trek Pacaymayo – Wiñayhuayna | D-A-C | Camping |
| Trek Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu. Bus to Aguas Calientes and train to Cuzco | D | Hotel |
Salkantay Inca trail trekking option
| ROUTE | Meals | Accommodation |
| Cuzco – Mollepata – Challacancha. Trek Soraypampa – Humantay Lagoon | D-A-C | Camping |
| Trek: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayramachay – Chaullay | D-A-C | Camping |
| Trek Chaullay – Collcapampa- Playa – Santa Teresa or Luccamabamba | D-A-C | Camping |
| Trek Santa Teresa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes | D-C | Local hotel |
| Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu. Train to Ollantaytambo. Transfer to Cusco | D | Hotel |
Jungle extension: Tambopata
| ROUTE | Meals | Accommodation |
| Flight Cuzco – Puerto Maldonado. Boat to Tambopata | D-A-C | Jungle lodge |
| Tambopata Jungle | D-A-C | Jungle lodge |
| Tambopata boat – Pto. Maldonado. Flight back to Lima and city of origin. | D | > |
Coastal extension: Nazca and Paracas
| ROUTE | Meals | Accommodation |
| Flight Cuzco- Lima. Bus Lima – Paracas | D | Hotel |
| Paracas : Tour to Ballestas Islands, Pisco (optional overflight Nazca lines) – Ica | D | Hotel |
| Bus from Paracas to Lima. Return flight to departure city | D | > |
Vinicunca trekking extension: 2 days / 1 night
| ROUTE | Meals | Accommodation |
| Cuzco – Pitumarka – Quesiuno – Pampachiri | D-A-C | Camping |
| Pampachiri – Vinicunca – Rainbow Mountain – Cuzco | D-A | Hotel |
Price of the trip to Peru
| PERSON | Base price |
| per person in a group of 11 to 14 people | 2665 € |
| per person based on group 8 to 10 persons | 2795 € |
| airline taxes (approx.) | 455 € |
| SUPPLEMENTS | |
| single room base route | 485 € |
| optional ascent of Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu (at Machu Picchu) | 35 € |
| classic Inca Trail trekking option supplement | 425 € |
| supplement for the Inca Trail / Salkantay trekking option | 400 € |
| supplement for optional 2-day Vinicunca trek (minimum 2 people) | 510 € |
| supplement for optional 1-day Vinicunca trek | 125 € |
| Nazca and Paracas option supplement | 310 € |
| optional Nazca Lines flight supplement (Nazca and Paracas option only), including taxes | 290 € |
| Tambopata jungle option supplement | 455 € |
| entrance fees for visited sites (approximate total), payable locally | 140 $ |
Departure dates and prices
Note I: Flights with LAN in Q/N booking class, departing Madrid. Please check availability and supplements for other departure cities, booking classes or airlines.
Note II : For groups of fewer than 8 people, the same itinerary uses regular shared services and local guides, without an accompanying guide throughout. Visit order may vary. Lake Titicaca accommodation is on Amantaní Island.
Note III : Ask about single room supplements for the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, Nazca–Paracas and Tambopata Jungle options.
Note IV : Daily departures from 2 people.
Flights for our groups usually use group fares, which offer favourable prices and ticketing deadlines. These fares also have restrictions, particularly on online check-in and advance seat selection, which may be unavailable or only possible 24 hours before departure, as well as changes to schedules, dates or destinations and cancellations.