Self-Launched Essential Peru: Inti Raymi Festival Adventure

Fly into Jorge Chávez International Airport and make your own way to the Miraflores district — take the official airport taxi (around £10-12) or use InDriver/Uber (~£7-9). Check into a hostel or budget guesthouse in Miraflores. Spend the evening exploring the Malecón clifftop boardwalk, grab ceviche at a local cevichería, and get an early night before the long drive south tomorrow.

🚌Official airport taxi or Uber to Miraflores (~£8-12)

🛏Hostel Kokopelli Miraflores or Selina Miraflores (~£15-20/night)

• →Arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport
• →Take a taxi or rideshare to Miraflores (~£8-12)
• →Stroll the Malecón de la Reserva clifftop promenade
• →Eat fresh ceviche at a local cevichería (~£6-8)

Take an early morning bus from Lima to Paracas with Cruz del Sur or Oltursa (~4-5 hours, ~£10-15). On arrival, book a shared boat tour to the Ballestas Islands directly at the port (~£10-12 per person) — spot sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans and the famous Candelabra geoglyph on the way out. After the islands, take a local bus or shared taxi on to Ica (~1 hour, ~£2-3). Settle into a budget hostel and optionally visit the Huacachina oasis nearby.

🚌Cruz del Sur/Oltursa bus Lima–Paracas (~£10-15); shared taxi Paracas–Ica (~£2-3)

🛏Hostelling International Ica or Casa de Arena (~£12-18/night)

• →Bus from Lima to Paracas with Cruz del Sur or Oltursa (~£10-15)
• →Shared boat tour to the Ballestas Islands (~£10-12)
• →See the Candelabra geoglyph from the boat
• →Bus or shared taxi from Paracas to Ica (~£2-3)
• →Optional: visit Huacachina oasis and sand dunes

Take a morning bus from Ica to Nazca (~2 hours, ~£4-6). Head to the free roadside viewing tower (mirador) to see some of the Nazca Lines, then visit the Antonini Museum (~£4) for context on these ancient geoglyphs. For the full aerial experience, book a scenic flight over the Lines with Aeroparacas or Aeroica directly at Nazca airport (~£60-80 per person — weather and stomach dependent). Alternatively, visit the planetarium in the evening for a fascinating astronomy and geoglyph talk (~£8).

🚌Bus from Ica to Nazca (~£4-6)

🛏Hostal Nazca Inn or Casa Andina Standard Nazca (~£12-18/night)

• →Bus from Ica to Nazca (~£4-6)
• →Visit the free roadside mirador (viewing tower)
• →Antonini Museum visit (~£4)
• →Optional: scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (~£60-80)
• →Optional: planetarium show (~£8)

This is a long and spectacular travel day (~12-13 hours), climbing from the coastal desert up into the Andes via the Abancay-Chalhuanca road. Take a direct bus from Nazca to Abancay with one of the regional operators (~£12-18). The route passes through the Pampa Galeras vicuña reserve, where you can spot these wild relatives of the llama. Altitude increases significantly — the highest point (Negro Mayu pass) reaches 4,600m. Drink plenty of water and rest on arrival. Pick up coca tea at your hotel to help with acclimatisation.

🚌Bus from Nazca to Abancay (~£12-18)

🛏Hotel de Turistas Abancay or similar (~£12-18/night)

• →Long scenic bus journey Nazca to Abancay (~12-13 hours, ~£12-18)
• →Watch for vicuñas in Pampa Galeras reserve
• →Cross the Negro Mayu pass at 4,600m
• →Drink coca tea and rest on arrival in Abancay

Take an early morning bus from Abancay towards Cuzco (~7-8 hours, ~£6-10). En route, ask your driver or at the bus station about stopping at the Saywite Stone (a massive carved rock with Inca cosmological maps) and the Tarawasi ruins near Limatambo — some local buses make brief stops, or you can hire a taxi between sites and rejoin the highway. Arrive in Cuzco in the afternoon. Take it very easy on arrival — Cuzco sits at 3,400m and altitude sickness is real. Drink water, avoid alcohol, and rest.

🚌Bus from Abancay to Cuzco (~£6-10)

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel (~£14-20/night)

• →Bus from Abancay to Cuzco (~7-8 hours, ~£6-10)
• →Stop at the Inca Saywite Stone (carved rock cosmological map)
• →Brief visit to Tarawasi ruins near Limatambo
• →Arrive in Cuzco, acclimatise and rest

Spend today acclimatising and exploring Cuzco at your own pace. The historic centre (Plaza de Armas) and San Blas neighbourhood are free to wander. Buy the Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket, ~£35-40) which covers entry to Sacsayhuamán fortress, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay and many other sites. Visit Qoricancha (Sun Temple) separately (~£8). Browse Mercado San Pedro for local food and fresh juices (~£2-4 for a meal). In the afternoon, consider a self-guided walk up to Sacsayhuamán for panoramic views over the city.

🚌Walking / local taxi as needed (~£1-3)

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel (~£14-20/night)

• →Stroll the Plaza de Armas and San Blas neighbourhood (free)
• →Visit Qoricancha Sun Temple (~£8)
• →Buy and use the Boleto Turístico tourist ticket (~£35-40)
• →Walk up to Sacsayhuamán fortress for panoramic views
• →Eat at Mercado San Pedro (~£2-4 per meal)

Today is the highlight of the trip — Inti Raymi, held every year on 24 June. The festival begins at Qoricancha Temple in the morning (free to watch from outside), moves to the Plaza de Armas for ceremonial offerings and dances, then culminates at Sacsayhuamán archaeological site in the early afternoon. Buy a grandstand ticket for Sacsayhuamán in advance via the Cuzco tourism office or online (~£20-40 for a seated area ticket — field area is cheaper). Arrive early to secure a good spot. Bring snacks and water. The atmosphere is electric with traditional Andean dress, music, dance and ritual.

🚌Walking and local bus to Sacsayhuamán (~£1 each way)

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel (~£14-20/night)

• →Watch the opening ceremony at Qoricancha Temple (free from outside)
• →See ceremonial dances and offerings at Plaza de Armas (free)
• →Bus to Sacsayhuamán for the main Inti Raymi ceremony (~£1 each way)
• →Purchase grandstand ticket for Sacsayhuamán in advance (~£20-40)
• →Soak up the festival atmosphere — traditional dress, music and ritual

Take a shared minibus from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo (~1.5-2 hours, ~£5-8) then board the PeruRail or Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes (~1.5 hours, ~£25-40 each way — book well in advance as trains sell out). From Aguas Calientes, take the official shuttle bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu (~£12 return) or hike up on foot (free but steep, ~1 hour). You must pre-book your Machu Picchu entrance ticket online at the official government site (machupicchu.gob.pe) well in advance (~£30-40). Explore the iconic citadel in the afternoon when crowds thin and the mist lifts.

🚌Minibus Cuzco–Ollantaytambo (~£5-8); train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes (~£25-40); shuttle bus to ruins (~£12 return)

🛏Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes or Rupa Wasi Ecolodge (~£15-22/night)

• →Shared minibus from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo (~£5-8)
• →PeruRail or Inca Rail train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes (~£25-40, book ahead)
• →Shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu entrance (~£12 return) or hike on foot (free)
• →Pre-booked Machu Picchu entrance ticket (~£30-40, book at machupicchu.gob.pe)
• →Self-guided or optional guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Aguas Calientes — soak in the natural thermal baths (~£5), explore the market, or rise early for a second Machu Picchu visit (requires a separate pre-booked ticket, ~£30-40). In the afternoon, catch the return train to Ollantaytambo (~£25-40) and a shared minibus back to Cuzco, arriving in the late evening. Grab dinner near your hostel.

🚌Train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo (~£25-40); minibus to Cuzco (~£5-8)

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel (~£14-20/night)

• →Optional soak in Aguas Calientes thermal baths (~£5)
• →Optional second Machu Picchu visit with separate pre-booked ticket (~£30-40)
• →Return train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo (~£25-40)
• →Shared minibus Ollantaytambo–Cuzco (~£5-8)

A final free day to enjoy Cuzco at your own pace. Book optional activities independently: mountain biking in the Sacred Valley (~£25-35 via GetYourGuide), via ferrata and zip-lining (~£35-50), paddleboarding on Huaypo Lake (~£20-25), or a Sacred Valley day trip by local bus or shared tour (~£20-30). Alternatively, wander Cuzco's artisan markets, visit the Chocolate Museum (free or ~£3), or take an evening cookery class.

🚌Local taxis and walking (~£2-5)

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel (~£14-20/night)

• →Optional mountain biking in the Sacred Valley (~£25-35 via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional via ferrata and zip-lining experience (~£35-50)
• →Optional Sacred Valley day trip by local bus or shared tour (~£20-30)
• →Browse Cuzco artisan markets for alpaca goods and souvenirs
• →Optional cookery class (~£20-30)

Take a tourist bus from Cuzco to Puno along the altiplano (~8-10 hours, ~£10-18 with operators like Inka Express — worth paying for this tourist bus as it includes stops at Raqchi ruins, La Raya pass and Pucara). On arrival in Puno, head to the port and book a boat to Amantani Island with a local guide or community tourism operator (~£15-25 including boat, homestay and dinner). The island homestay is a genuine cultural exchange — your host family will share their home, food and traditions. A packed lunch is typically included on the boat.

🚌Inka Express tourist bus Cuzco–Puno (~£10-18); community boat to Amantani (~included in homestay package)

🛏Amantani Island community homestay (~£15-25 including dinner, basic but authentic)

• →Tourist bus from Cuzco to Puno with Inka Express (~£10-18, ~8-10 hours)
• →Stops at Raqchi ruins, La Raya pass and Pucara en route
• →Boat from Puno port to Amantani Island (~part of homestay package)
• →Overnight homestay with local Amantani family (~£15-25 including dinner)

Spend the morning hiking to the hilltop temples of Pachamama and Pachatata for stunning panoramic views over Lake Titicaca. After breakfast with your host family, board the community boat back towards Puno. En route, stop at the Uros floating reed islands — the Uros people have lived on these hand-made reed platforms for centuries. Take a guided walk on the islands (~included in your boat package or ~£5 separately). Arrive in Puno in the afternoon and check into a hostel. Explore the town and lakefront.

🚌Community boat Amantani–Uros–Puno (~included in homestay package)

🛏Hostal Los Uros Puno or Casona Plaza Hotel (~£12-18/night)

• →Morning hike to Pachamama and Pachatata hilltop temples on Amantani
• →Breakfast with host family
• →Boat from Amantani to Uros floating reed islands (~included or ~£5)
• →Guided walk on the Uros reed islands
• →Arrive Puno — explore lakefront and Plaza de Armas

Take a tourist bus from Puno to Chivay, the gateway to Colca Canyon (~5-6 hours, ~£10-15 with operators like Cromotex or Via Express). The route traverses the vast altiplano, passing through Lagunillas and the Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca, where you might spot flamingos. On arrival in Chivay, buy your Colca Canyon tourist ticket (~£10-12, valid for three days). Optionally soak in La Calera thermal baths on the outskirts of Chivay (~£4-6). Rest well ahead of the early morning condor watch.

🚌Tourist bus Puno–Chivay (~£10-15)

🛏Hostal La Pascana Chivay or Hotel Pozo del Cielo (~£12-18/night)

• →Tourist bus from Puno to Chivay (~5-6 hours, ~£10-15)
• →Cross the altiplano and Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
• →Spot flamingos at Lagunillas lagoon en route
• →Buy Colca Canyon tourist ticket on arrival (~£10-12)
• →Optional soak in La Calera thermal baths, Chivay (~£4-6)

Rise early and take a shared minibus along the canyon road to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint (~£2-3, departs around 7am from Chivay). Arrive by 9am for the best chance of seeing Andean condors riding thermals above the canyon — the world's deepest at points. Enjoy the dramatic scenery before returning to Chivay. In the afternoon, board a tourist bus to Arequipa (~3-4 hours, ~£8-12) passing the massive volcanoes of Misti, Chachani and Ampato. Arequipa — the 'White City' — is built from white volcanic sillar stone. Check into a hostel in the colonial centre.

🚌Shared minibus to Cruz del Cóndor (~£2-3); tourist bus Chivay–Arequipa (~£8-12)

🛏La Posada del Virrey or Selina Arequipa (~£14-20/night)

• →Early shared minibus to Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint (~£2-3)
• →Watch Andean condors soaring above Colca Canyon
• →Return to Chivay by shared minibus
• →Tourist bus from Chivay to Arequipa (~3-4 hours, ~£8-12)
• →Evening stroll around Arequipa's historic colonial centre

Spend the morning visiting the extraordinary Santa Catalina Convent (~£12), a self-contained 'city within a city' founded in 1579 — easily one of the most impressive colonial buildings in South America. Allow 2-3 hours to explore. After, grab lunch on the Plaza de Armas (~£4-6) before heading to Rodríguez Ballón International Airport for an afternoon domestic flight to Lima (~£40-70, book in advance with LATAM, Sky Airline or JetSmart). On arrival in Lima, transfer to Miraflores and check into a hostel for the final night.

🚌Taxi to Arequipa airport (~£5-8); domestic flight Arequipa–Lima (~£40-70); taxi to Miraflores (~£8-12)

🛏Hostel Kokopelli Miraflores or similar (~£15-20/night)

• →Visit Santa Catalina Convent, Arequipa (~£12, allow 2-3 hours)
• →Lunch on the Plaza de Armas (~£4-6)
• →Afternoon domestic flight Arequipa–Lima (~£40-70, book in advance)
• →Transfer to Miraflores, Lima (~taxi ~£8-12)

Your final morning in Lima. If your flight allows, take a stroll along the Miraflores Malecón for ocean views, visit the Larco Museum (~£10) for an incredible collection of pre-Columbian art, or try Lima's famous upscale street food at a local mercado. When the time comes, take an official taxi or Uber to Jorge Chávez International Airport (~£8-12). ¡Buen viaje!

🚌Taxi or Uber to Jorge Chávez Airport (~£8-12)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Stroll the Miraflores Malecón and clifftop parks (free)
• →Optional: Larco Museum visit (~£10)
• →Final meal — ceviche or Lima street food (~£6-10)
• →Taxi or Uber to Jorge Chávez International Airport (~£8-12)