Simply Peru

This Explore Worldwide small-group tour moves steadily through Peru’s varied landscapes and cultures, beginning in Lima. The capital sits on the Pacific coast, mixing colonial architecture with a growing culinary scene. After a long drive across desert and vineyards, the route reaches Nazca, where the enigmatic Lines are best viewed from dedicated platforms.

Travelling overnight by coach, the group arrives in Arequipa with its elegant colonial buildings under the shadow of El Misti volcano. Then it’s into the Altiplano, crossing high mountain passes to Chivay and the Colca Canyon, twice the depth of the Grand Canyon and known for condors circling at the Cruz del Condor viewpoint. Lake Titicaca follows, with time on the reed islands and Taquile, where local customs endure. The final days are in Cusco, visiting its Inca walls and vibrant markets before a two-day visit to Machu Picchu via train and bus.

The itinerary balances long travel days with moments of quiet reflection and free time, such as soaking in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes or a stroll through Cusco’s San Blas district. It is a substantial trip but paced to allow engagement with Peru’s most lasting sights and traditions.