Pure Peru | Bucket List of Peru

Peru, oh Peru. You really do have to see it to believe it. Open your eyes - you’re in Machu Picchu, the eternal city in the clouds, renowned as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. It’s the kind of dream everyone should have at least once – preferably while awake.

It may top bucket lists around the world, but Machu Picchu is just the beginning. Peru is a country with over 10,000 years of history, once the proud seat of the Inca Empire. And long before the Incas, it was home to a series of ancient civilizations that left their marks, ones that we still marvel at today: Caral, the oldest city in the Americas; the tombs of Sipán; the giant Nazca lines only fully visible from the sky; and the mountain fortress of Kuélap. In Peru, the past isn’t hidden in museums. It’s carved into cliffs, etched in desert sands and hidden high on Andean ridges.

Nature lovers, this one’s for you: Peru is also one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Out of the planet’s 117 known life zones, Peru has 84. That means you can go from dry, dusty desert to icy peaks to rainforests teeming with life, all in a single trip. The Amazon River Basin alone could keep explorers busy for a lifetime, but let’s not forget the condors, llamas, alpacas or the surreal rainbow-striped slopes of Vinicunca, the Mountain of Seven Colors.

And then there’s the food. Once considered “just” local food, Peruvian gastronomy now has the world’s attention, with chefs turning ancient flavors into haute cuisine. Imagine potatoes in every possible color, the freshest ceviche, jewel-toned corn and a national love for pisco that turns every gathering into a party. Pair that with a rich living culture expressed through music, dance and traditional festivals, and you’ll find that Peru offers an atmosphere as vibrant and layered as its landscapes.
Machu Picchu: The Inca’s Enigma
At 2,400 meters above sea level, tucked away in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu is the jewel of the Andes. Built without wheels, iron tools, or cement, its granite stones fit together so precisely you can’t even slip a credit card between them. Was it an astronomical observatory, or a royal retreat for Pachacuti, the Inca emperor with 150 children and possibly even more secrets? Was it built by an engineering genius, or as conspiracy enthusiasts like to claim, the handiwork of aliens? Take your pick – the mystery is half the fun.
What we do know is this: the Spanish conquistadors never found Machu Picchu, which is why it survived as the best-preserved Inca city. Whether you arrive by train, bus or the legendary Inca Trail, nothing dulls the awe of standing among its terraces and temples, as clouds drift across the mountains. Some places are overhyped…but Machu Picchu isn’t one of them.
The city rises from the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba, a fertile basin once central to Inca agriculture. Stretching nearly 150 kilometers, the valley gets just the right mix of sun, water, and breezes. No wonder the Incas carved terraces here that still cling to the slopes in perfect formation, turning steep mountainsides into productive farmland and picture-perfect landscapes all at once.
Part of Machu Picchu’s magic is that no one really knows how it was built. Without wheels, draft animals, or cement, the Incas managed to shape and fit massive granite blocks with a precision that still baffles engineers today. Astronomical temples line up with the solstices, making the site part observatory, part sanctuary, part royal getaway – and entirely mind-blowing. (Theories about alien contractors are still optional.)
Why the Incas abandoned such a masterpiece remains one of history’s enduring questions, especially as we still don’t know its exact purpose. Maybe it was Pachacuti’s summer palace, a spiritual sanctuary or even the Inca world’s version of a secret hideout. Some say it was left behind deliberately to protect it from the invading Spaniards. Whatever the truth, its temples – especially the famed Intihuatana, or “Hitching Post of the Sun” – still glow with mystery…and offer us a rare glimpse into a civilization that, for a moment, built a paradise in stone.
The Rainbow Mountain: Where Geology Went Wild
About 100 kilometers southeast of Cusco, at 5,200 meters above sea level, it looks as if a rainbow crash-landed into the Andes. The slopes and peaks of Vinicunca, the Mountain of Seven Colors, dazzle with stripes of red, turquoise, lavender and gold, thanks to mineral sediments dating back millions of years. Only revealed about 10 years ago, due to a melting glacial, it has already become one of Peru’s most photographed icons. It seems that nature still has surprises up its sleeve!
Lake Titicaca: Myths on the Water
Then there’s Lake Titicaca, straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, its sparkling waters sitting at nearly 3,900 meters above sea level. Fun fact: It’s both the largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world. Even more interesting? According to legend, Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun itself. The Aymara people say the creator god Viracocha rose from these waters to bring light and humanity into the world. The Incas believed their first ruler, Manco Cápac, emerged here too.
This is a place with legends and mysteries at every turn, and one its most intriguing concerns an ancient city known as Wanaku, or the City of Spirits, which is supposedly submerged somewhere in Titicaca’s chilly waters. Apparently, Wanaku was an important cultural and spiritual center, before a great earthquake struck and it was swallowed by the lake, leaving no trace.
Still more exciting are the rumors of Inca gold that have long sparked the imaginations of treasure hunters around the world. Legends speak of riches sunk beneath the lake’s waters to keep them safe from the Spanish conquistadors. No one has struck it rich (yet). But through the years, Titicaca has continued to reveal its secrets – for example in the 1970s, when Jacques Cousteau explored the lake and discovered giant, never-before-seen frog species in its depths.
Gold may be elusive, but most visitors would agree that the true treasure is the lake itself. Scattered across its vast surface are islands which indigenous communities call home, both those using the pre-Inca language of Aymara and Quechua, the official language of the Incas. On Titicaca’s Peruvian side, floating islands made of reeds – home to the Uros people – bob gently in the water. Further out, Amantani and Taquile islands welcome visitors into traditional communities where, over centuries, their resourceful people learned to make the most of their surroundings and live in harmony with nature.
And in case you’re wondering about the name: ask a Peruvian and a Bolivian who owns which part of Lake Titicaca’s name, and you’ll get two very different answers. In Quechua, titi means puma and refers to the lake’s shape. Caca, in Spanish, means…something less impressive. Since most travelers set sail from the Peruvian side, locals will cheerfully tell you the noble titi is theirs – and the other half belongs to Bolivia.
A World of Discoveries
Peru is so much more than a tick on the bucket list. It’s the Andes and the Amazon, Inca ruins and Spanish plazas, mystery and myth, ceviche and pisco…the softness of alpacas, rainbows painted onto mountains and temples that touch the sky.
And perhaps best of all, it’s the people…generous, resilient and proud to share their culture with anyone curious enough to discover it. Peru has fascinated travelers for centuries. Once you experience it, you’ll understand why.

Let’s go!

Day 1 // ARRIVAL
Arrival in Lima, transfer from the airport to our hotel in the Miraflores neighborhood. In the evening, we’ll gather for a group dinner at the Larcomar Center to kick off the trip.

Day 2 // PARACAS
Breakfast and an early departure to make our way from Lima to Paracas, hopping on a boat to explore the largest peninsula in Peru. We’ll admire the famous "Candelabro" geoglyph and then head to the Ballestas Islands, spotting sea lions, Humboldt penguins, crabs, pelicans, cormorants, boobies and maybe even dolphins as we go. After about 2.5 hours we’ll return to port and continue to Ica, known for its wine production. We'll enjoy a tasting of wine, pisco and local liqueurs such as chirimoya. After the tasting, transfer to Nazca for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 // NAZCA
After breakfast we’ll head to Nazca airport for a flight over the famous Nazca Lines and geoglyphs – still a mystery to this day. During the 30-minute flight we'll marvel at these mysterious and incredible artworks and dive into the ocean of theories surrounding them. Then, we head to the Huacachina Oasis for a thrilling buggy tour through the Peruvian desert, the gateway to the Atacama. After a day of adventure, we return to Lima for overnight.

Day 4 // LIMA CITY TOUR
Today we explore the capital city of Peru. We’ll visit the famous Park of Love in our neighborhood, Miraflores, followed by a city center tour including Plaza San Martin, Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the catacombs in the Church of San Francisco. After lunch, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Juliaca in southern Peru, near Lake Titicaca. From Juliaca, we transfer by bus to Puno and check into our hotel.

Day 5 // TITICACA
The lake of myths and legends, the great Titicaca, is calling us! We’ll embark on a boat trip to the famous Uros floating islands, made from Totora reeds. There, we will meet the community’s leader, who will explain how the islands are constructed, and what daily life is like there. We’ll continue to Taquile Island, to experience a showcase of local dress, music and dances. While we feast on a delicious lunch of local trout, we’ll learn more about life on this island, and the traditions which have been preserved for centuries. Those looking for souvenirs will have the chance to purchase some local handicrafts before we return to Puno. Optional evening outing to Los Balcones restaurant for a traditional dance show.

Day 6 // JOURNEY TO CUSCO
After breakfast we’ll hit the road to Cusco, making several stops along the way. First we’ll visit Pukara, home to award-winning Peruvian coffee, and then brave the La Raya high-mountain pass. A hearty lunch buffet will energize us before our visits to Raqchi Temple and the Church of Andahuaylillas, known as the Sistine Chapel of Peru. Later, arrival in Cusco and check-in at hotel.

Day 7 // SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
Today we explore the famous Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley of the Incas). We'll begin with the massive archaeological complex in Pisac, visiting the craft market where we'll have the opportunity to purchase various souvenirs, typical Peruvian clothing and other characteristic regional products. We'll head to a restaurant in Urubamba for lunch, where a buffet awaits us. In the afternoon we'll head to the very end of the Sacred Valley, to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we'll visit the beautiful archaeological complex. Afterward, we'll head to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) for our overnight stay.

Day 8 // MACHU PICCHU
After fueling up for a day of discovery, we’ll hop on a local bus and head to one of the wonders of the world – the famous Machu Picchu. We'll also climb to the summit of one of the most important Apu Picchus, where the most important ceremonies and rituals took place. We'll be treated to one of the most beautiful views of Machu Picchu below and a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks – including Apu Salkantay, weather permitting. After exploring the complex, we'll head to Aguas Calientes for lunch and return to our hotel in Cusco.

Day 9 // CUSCO CITY TOUR
This morning we’ll take a tour of the high-altitude city of Cusco, taking in sights such as Plaza de Armas, its largest and most important square, and the famous Coricancha – the site of Inca gold, where Inca rulers were crowned and their mummies were kept. From there, we will visit Saqsayhuaman, a monumental 15th century Inca fortress and ceremonial complex located on a hill overlooking the city, and then Quenquo, where mummifications were performed. We will have lunch at a restaurant in Cusco and then transfer to the airport for our return flight to Lima.

Day 10 // RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
We’ll start the day enjoying a scenic drive with a local breakfast on the way, before hitting a short trail to Rainbow Mountain, soaking in the stunning colors around. Optional horse riding available.
Continue with few viewpoint stops of the breathtaking Red Valley. After well-deserved lunch, we’ll relax on the drive back to Cusco, evening at leisure.

Day 11 // DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel, then some free time to relax or do some last-minute souvenir shopping, followed by a transfer to the airport for our return flight.

Trip starts and ends in Lima MAY 20-30.
2 domestic flights are included in trip budget.

Grade: Moderate High altitude ahead! (5200 masl)

Activities:
Hiking, boating, encounter one of the worlds wonder, sightseeing.

Duration: 11 days.

Accommodation & meals:
Hotels 3-4 star - double sharing. Meals except breakfasts, excluded.

Cost: 8,350 AED incl 2 domestic and NAZCA flights, excl. international flight.
Cost valid until APR 20.

Recommended international flight cost (KLM): approx. 7750 AED.

Specifically excluded: meals, visa, international flights to Lima.

Visa: most nationalities get free tourist visa upon arrival / visa waivers.
More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Peru

See yah in Peru xx

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