Essential Peru: Self-Launched Highlights from Nazca to Arequipa

Fly into Jorge Chávez International Airport and make your own way to the Miraflores district, a safe and vibrant neighbourhood packed with hostels, cafes, and restaurants. Take the Airport Express Lima bus to Miraflores for around £3 — far cheaper than a taxi. Check into your hostel, grab a ceviche from a local spot, and get an early night ahead of the long days ahead.

🚌Airport Express Lima bus from airport to Miraflores (~£3)

🛏Hostel Kokopelli Miraflores or Pariwana Hostel Lima (~£12-18/night)

• →Airport Express Lima bus to Miraflores (~£3)
• →Explore Miraflores seafront (Malecón) — free
• →Group dinner at a local Peruvian restaurant (~£8-12)

Take an early morning bus from Lima to Paracas with Cruz del Sur or Oltursa (~4-5 hours, ~£10-14). On arrival, book a shared boat tour to the Ballestas Islands directly at the port (~£10-12), seeing sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and the Candelabra geoglyph from the water. In the afternoon, catch a local bus or shared taxi north to Ica (~1 hour, ~£2-4) and check in to a budget guesthouse.

🚌Lima–Paracas bus (~£10-14); Paracas–Ica shared taxi (~£2-4)

🛏Hostal Villa Jazmin or similar guesthouse in Ica (~£12-15/night)

• →Bus Lima to Paracas with Cruz del Sur or Oltursa (~£10-14)
• →Ballestas Islands shared boat tour — book at the port (~£10-12)
• →Spot the Candelabra geoglyph from the boat — included in tour
• →Local bus or shared taxi Paracas to Ica (~£2-4)

Take a morning bus from Ica to Nazca (~2 hours, ~£5-7). Head to the free roadside viewing platforms (mirador) to see the Nazca Lines up close. For the full aerial experience, book a scenic flight over the lines directly with a local operator at Nazca airport — prices vary by company but shop around for ~£60-80 per person for a 30-minute flight. Alternatively, visit the Antonini Museum (~£4) or the planetarium (~£5) for evening shows. Stay overnight in Nazca.

🚌Ica–Nazca bus (~£5-7)

🛏Casa Andina Standard Nasca or Hostal Alegria (~£12-18/night)

• →Bus Ica to Nazca (~£5-7)
• →Nazca Lines roadside viewing mirador — free
• →Optional scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (~£60-80) — book directly at Nazca airport
• →Antonini Museum (~£4) or planetarium evening show (~£5) as alternatives

This is a long travel day (~12-13 hours) as you climb spectacularly from the coastal desert up into the high Andes. Take a direct bus from Nazca toward Abancay — services run via Puquio through the Pampa Galeras vicuña reserve. The highest point, Negro Mayu pass (4,600m), offers stunning high-altitude scenery. Arrive in Abancay in the evening. Rest well and drink plenty of water to aid altitude acclimatisation.

🚌Nazca–Abancay bus (~£12-15)

🛏Hotel de Turistas Abancay or similar (~£14-18/night)

• →Long scenic bus journey Nazca to Abancay via Puquio (~£12-15)
• →Spot vicuñas in the Pampa Galeras National Reserve from the bus window — free
• →Arrive and rest in Abancay — altitude ~2,400m

Board an early morning bus from Abancay to Cusco (~6-7 hours, ~£8-12). En route, ask the driver to stop — or arrange a brief taxi detour — to see the Saywite Stone (a large carved Inca boulder) and the Tarawasi ruins near Limatambo. Both can be visited on a self-guided basis. Arrive in Cusco (3,400m) in the afternoon. Drink coca tea, rest, and avoid alcohol for your first evening to manage altitude sickness.

🚌Abancay–Cusco bus (~£8-12)

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Cusco (~£12-18/night)

• →Bus Abancay to Cusco (~£8-12)
• →Stop at Saywite Stone (~£3 entry) and Tarawasi ruins (free or small fee)
• →Arrive Cusco — coca tea and rest recommended

Spend the day exploring Cusco at your own pace. Stroll the Plaza de Armas, wander the San Blas artisan quarter, and explore the local Mercado San Pedro for cheap, delicious food. Consider buying the Boleto Turístico (Tourist Ticket, ~£35-40) which gives multi-day access to Sacsayhuaman fortress, Qorikancha Sun Temple surroundings, and several other nearby sites. Dozens of small handicraft markets sell alpaca scarves and souvenirs.

🚌All on foot within Cusco

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Cusco (~£12-18/night)

• →Plaza de Armas and colonial streets — free
• →Mercado San Pedro — great cheap eats (~£3-5 for a meal)
• →Boleto Turístico for Sacsayhuaman, Qorikancha and other sites (~£35-40)
• →San Blas artisan quarter — free to explore

Take a shared taxi or public bus to Ollantaytambo (~1.5 hours, ~£5-8), then board the PeruRail or Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes (~£30-45 each way — book well in advance at perurail.com or incarail.com). On arrival, take the shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu (~£12 return) — book your timed entry ticket online in advance at machupicchu.gob.pe (~£35-45). Explore the ruins in the afternoon when crowds thin. Stay overnight in Aguas Calientes.

🚌Cusco–Ollantaytambo shared taxi (~£5-8); Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes train (~£30-45)

🛏Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes or similar (~£14-20/night)

• →Shared taxi Cusco to Ollantaytambo (~£5-8)
• →PeruRail or Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes — book in advance (~£30-45)
• →Shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu (~£12 return)
• →Timed entry ticket to Machu Picchu — book in advance at machupicchu.gob.pe (~£35-45)
• →Self-guided tour of the ruins with a downloaded audio guide app

If you purchased a second timed entry ticket to Machu Picchu (highly recommended — book well in advance), head up again this morning to explore at your own pace or climb Huayna Picchu or Montana Machu Picchu (separate tickets required, ~£15-20 extra). Otherwise, relax in Aguas Calientes, soak in the public hot springs (~£5), or browse the local market. In the afternoon, take the train back to Ollantaytambo (~£30-45) and then a shared minibus onward to Cusco (~£5-8).

🚌Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo train (~£30-45); Ollantaytambo–Cusco shared minibus (~£5-8)

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Cusco (~£12-18/night)

• →Optional second Machu Picchu entry — book separately in advance (~£35-45)
• →Optional Huayna Picchu or Montana Machu Picchu climb (~£15-20 extra)
• →Aguas Calientes public hot springs soak (~£5)
• →Train back to Ollantaytambo (~£30-45)
• →Shared minibus Ollantaytambo to Cusco (~£5-8)

Final day in Cusco to explore, shop, or try optional adventures. Book activities independently via GetYourGuide or local agencies on Plateros Street: options include Sacred Valley day trips (~£25-35), mountain biking (~£30-40), via ferrata and zip-lining (~£35-50), or stand-up paddleboarding on Huaypo Lake (~£25-35). The Cathedral on Plaza de Armas is worth a visit (~£10). Stock up on snacks and a small practical gift (rice or cooking oil) to bring to your Lake Titicaca homestay.

🚌Local taxis or on foot

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Cusco (~£12-18/night)

• →Sacred Valley day trip via local agency or GetYourGuide (~£25-35)
• →Mountain biking around Cusco (~£30-40) — bookable locally on Plateros Street
• →Via ferrata and zip-lining in Sacred Valley (~£35-50)
• →Cusco Cathedral visit (~£10)
• →Shopping at handicraft markets for alpaca goods

Take an early direct bus from Cusco to Puno (~6-7 hours, ~£10-15) — book with Tour Peru or direct bus services. Arrive in Puno at the shore of Lake Titicaca (3,800m). Head to the port and arrange a shared boat tour to Amantani Island directly with local operators (typically £15-25 including the homestay and meals). The boat trip takes ~3 hours. Your host family will provide dinner and breakfast — bring a small practical gift as a gesture of goodwill.

🚌Cusco–Puno bus (~£10-15); Puno–Amantani Island shared boat (~£15-20)

🛏Amantani Island family homestay — basic, included in boat tour package (~£15-25 total incl. meals)

• →Bus Cusco to Puno (~£10-15) — book with Tour Peru or similar
• →Shared boat from Puno port to Amantani Island (~£15-20)
• →Hike around Amantani Island for panoramic lake views — free
• →Cultural homestay with local family — dinner and breakfast included in boat tour package

Spend the morning exploring Amantani on foot — the island has two hilltop temples and stunning 360° views over Lake Titicaca. After breakfast with your host family, board your boat for the 3-hour journey back toward Puno. En route, stop at the famous Uros Floating Reed Islands, where communities still live on hand-built totora reed rafts. The stop is typically included in your boat tour package. Arrive in Puno in the afternoon and check into a budget hotel.

🚌Amantani–Uros–Puno shared boat — included in tour package

🛏Hostal Casona Plaza or Casona Inn Puno (~£12-18/night)

• →Morning exploration of Amantani Island temples — free
• →Boat back to Puno via Uros Floating Reed Islands — included in boat tour
• →Visit Uros Island community and see traditional reed boat building
• →Afternoon free in Puno — explore the waterfront and Plaza de Armas

Book a direct tourist bus from Puno to Chivay in the Colca Canyon region (~7-8 hours, ~£15-20) — services run with operators like Reyna or direct through hostels. The route crosses the Patapampa Pass (4,810m) with sweeping altiplano views and potential flamingo sightings. On arrival in Chivay, take a short taxi or walk to the La Calera hot springs (~£4-6) to warm up after the high-altitude cold. Stay overnight in Chivay or a guesthouse closer to Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint.

🚌Puno–Chivay tourist bus (~£15-20)

🛏Hotel Pozo del Cielo Chivay or similar guesthouse (~£12-18/night)

• →Tourist bus Puno to Chivay (~£15-20) — book through hostel or Reyna bus company
• →Patapampa Pass stop (4,810m) — spot vicuñas and flamingos en route
• →La Calera hot springs near Chivay (~£4-6)

Rise early (around 6am) and take a local combi or pre-arranged taxi to Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint (~1 hour from Chivay, ~£3-5). Between 8-10am, Andean condors soar on the thermal drafts rising from the canyon — a truly spectacular wildlife experience. After condor watching, take a tourist bus or shared taxi from the canyon onward to Arequipa (~3-4 hours, ~£10-15). Known as the White City for its sillar volcanic stone buildings, Arequipa is one of Peru's most beautiful cities. Check in and explore the Plaza de Armas.

🚌Chivay–Cruz del Cóndor combi (~£3-5); Cruz del Cóndor–Arequipa tourist bus (~£10-15)

🛏La Posada del Parque Hostel or Casa de Melgar Arequipa (~£14-20/night)

• →Early taxi or combi to Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint (~£3-5)
• →Condor watching at Cruz del Cóndor — entry fee ~£3
• →Tourist bus or shared taxi Colca Canyon to Arequipa (~£10-15)
• →Evening stroll around Arequipa's Plaza de Armas — free

Spend the morning visiting the magnificent Santa Catalina Convent (~£11), a city-within-a-city founded in 1579 and one of Peru's most striking colonial monuments — allow 2-3 hours to explore. In the afternoon, take a taxi to Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (~£5-8) for your domestic flight to Lima (~£45-70, book in advance with LATAM or Sky Airline). On arrival in Lima, transfer to Miraflores by Airport Express bus (~£3) for your final night.

🚌Taxi to Arequipa airport (~£5-8); domestic flight Arequipa–Lima (~£45-70); Airport Express bus to Miraflores (~£3)

🛏Hostel Kokopelli Miraflores or Point Hostel Lima (~£12-18/night)

• →Santa Catalina Convent visit (~£11) — self-guided with included map
• →Browse Arequipa's artisan markets near the convent
• →Taxi to Arequipa airport (~£5-8)
• →Domestic flight Arequipa to Lima with LATAM or Sky Airline (~£45-70 — book in advance)
• →Airport Express Lima bus to Miraflores (~£3)

Your adventure ends in Lima. If you have time before your flight, head to the Larco Museum (~£10) in Pueblo Libre for world-class pre-Columbian artefacts, or simply enjoy a final breakfast in Miraflores overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Airport Express Lima bus (~£3) runs directly to the airport from Miraflores — allow at least 2-3 hours before your international departure.

🚌Airport Express Lima bus to Jorge Chávez International Airport (~£3)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Breakfast in Miraflores — final Pacific Ocean views
• →Optional: Larco Museum (~£10) — one of Lima's finest museums
• →Airport Express Lima bus to airport (~£3)