The Long Way to Machu Picchu: Arequipa, Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca
One set departure, 13 December 2026, flights from London included
Your trip
Your 11 days in Peru
Most people go to Peru for Machu Picchu and come home talking about the rest of it. This route takes the long way round: Lima, then the white volcanic stone of Arequipa, the condors over the Colca canyon, the reed islands of Lake Titicaca, the Sacred Valley and finally Machu Picchu. It runs on one fixed date, 13 December 2026, in a small group with an English-speaking guide, and the flights from London and the two internal flights are all in the price.
At a glance
11 days10 nights
Small group, max 15See all small group tours
ModerateActivity level
Flights includedATOL protected
13 Dec 2026Next departure
PeruOur destination guide
What makes it special
Highlights
The Colca canyon
Watch condors ride the morning thermals at the Cruz del Condor viewpoint above the Colca canyon
Arequipa
Stay in Arequipa, built from white sillar stone under three volcanoes
Lake Titicaca
Cross Lake Titicaca to the floating Uros reed islands and the weaving community of Taquile
The Sacred Valley
Walk the Sacred Valley: Pisac market, the terraces of Moray and the fortress of Ollantaytambo
Machu Picchu
Reach Machu Picchu by train through the Urubamba gorge, with a guided visit of the site
Cusco
Two nights in Cusco, the Inca capital, with time to wander San Blas and the San Pedro market
A date you can book alone
Travel with a small group and a guide throughout, on a date you can book alone
Day by day
Your itinerary
Day 1London to Lima
Fly from London to Lima. Your guide meets you at the airport and takes you to the hotel in Miraflores, on the cliffs above the Pacific.
Day 2Lima to Arequipa
A short flight south to Arequipa, at 2,335 metres. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and find the Plaza de Armas.
Day 3Arequipa
The Santa Catalina monastery, a walled town within the city painted in ochre and blue, and the sillar streets around the main square.
Day 4Arequipa to the Colca canyon
North across the altiplano, past vicuña herds and the Patapampa pass, down into the Colca valley and the village of Chivay for the night.
Day 5Cruz del Condor and on to Puno
An early start for the Cruz del Condor, where Andean condors lift off the canyon walls as the air warms. Afterwards the long, high road east to Puno on Lake Titicaca.
Day 6Lake Titicaca
By boat to the Uros floating islands, built and rebuilt from totora reed, then on to Taquile, where the men knit and the weaving is UNESCO listed. Lunch is included on the island.
Day 7Puno to Cusco
The route over the La Raya pass with stops at Andahuaylillas and Raqchi, and lunch on the way. You arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon.
Day 8Sacred Valley
Pisac market and its hillside terraces, the circular terraces of Moray, then Ollantaytambo, still laid out on its Inca street plan. Dinner is included.
Day 9Machu Picchu
The train down the Urubamba gorge to Aguas Calientes, then up to Machu Picchu for a guided visit of the terraces, temples and the Intihuatana stone. Back to Cusco in the evening.
Day 10Cusco
The cathedral and the Inca stonework of Qorikancha, the San Pedro market and the steep lanes of San Blas. A farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 11Cusco to London
Transfer to the airport for the flight home via Lima.
Read the video script
Condors rising out of one of the deepest canyons on Earth. Reed islands floating on the highest navigable lake in the world. And at the end of the road, Machu Picchu. Visit Peru with Travelfab. This is one of our favourite ways to see Peru, the long way to Machu Picchu. Land in Lima, on the cliffs above the Pacific, then fly south to Arequipa, the white city built from volcanic stone, under three volcanoes. Cross the high plains past herds of vicuña, down into the Colca Canyon, and at first light, watch the Andean condors rise on the warm air. Then on to Lake Titicaca. Sail to the Uros islands, built from totora reed, and on to the terraced island of Taquile. Over the high passes to Cusco, and down into the Sacred Valley, for the hillside terraces of Pisac, the great circles of Moray, and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Take the train through the Urubamba gorge, and walk the terraces and temples of Machu Picchu with your guide. End in Cusco, the Inca capital, where colonial churches stand on Inca walls, and the old stone lanes climb the hill. Eleven days that climb slowly, so you get used to the altitude as you go, with a guide throughout, flights from London included, and full ATOL protection. But your Peru holiday can take any shape you like. Your own dates, your own pace, travelling privately, or adding the Amazon or the Inca Trail. Tell us what you have in mind, and a Latin America specialist will plan it around you. Plan your Peru holiday at travelfab.co.uk.
Your price covers
What's included
Flights
Return flights from London, with an ATOL certificate for every booking
We can also book other airlines, including flights with one stop, to suit your dates and preferences.
Internal flights
Internal flights Lima to Arequipa and Cusco to Lima
Accommodation
Ten nights in selected hotels with breakfast
Guides and tours
English-speaking guide throughout the tour
Meals
Two lunches and two dinners, as shown in the itinerary
Trains
Return train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, Expedition service
Entry fees
All entrance fees and visits listed, including Machu Picchu
Transport
All transfers and private transport, adapted to the size of the group
ATOL protection
Your holiday is ATOL protected (ATOL 10898). You get an ATOL Certificate when you book.
Not included: Meals other than those listed, and all drinks · Personal spending and tips for guides and drivers · Travel insurance, which we strongly advise you arrange · The single supplement, around GBP 330, if you would rather have your own room · Optional extras such as the climb up Huayna Picchu
Your next step
Dates and price
Departure Dates
Choose a date, then enquire.
No commitment, we reply within one working day
Before you book
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is a set departure with a small group, so travelling alone does not mean paying private-trip prices. The date runs once at least two travellers are booked, and we will tell you where it stands when you enquire. If you would rather not share a room, the single supplement is around GBP 330 for the trip.
Between 2 and 15 travellers, with an English-speaking guide with you throughout. The date runs once at least two people are booked.
Yes. Lima to Arequipa at the start and Cusco to Lima at the end are both in the price, along with your return flights from London.
Arequipa is at 2,335 metres, Chivay at 3,600, Puno at 3,830 and Cusco at 3,400, and the road to Puno crosses passes above 4,800. The route climbs gradually on purpose, which is the gentlest way to do it. Take the first days slowly, drink water, and coca tea is offered everywhere for a reason.
It is the start of the green season in the Andes. Expect warm days, some afternoon rain and fewer people at Machu Picchu than in July. Lima is warm and often overcast.
It is the December departure. If it does not suit you, tell us when you would like to travel and we will price the same route privately, on your own dates.
One date, one small group
Tell us a little about your trip and we will hold your place on the 13 December departure, or price the same route on the dates you would prefer.
Real reviews
What our customers say
They organised excellent accommodation and transfers from airport to destination and between destinations which was seamless and gave us peace of mind for our trip. We stayed in the nicest casa particular in Havana right on the outskirts of the major hustle of the old town but within walking distance to every site and lots of lovely restaurants. Our hotel in Varadero had 5 a la carte restaurants which were delicious and wonderful beaches! Would definitely go back to Cuba and use TravelFab again.
Annabelle
Excellent service. Fabien responded to all our queries promptly and efficiently and was always willing to spend time talking to us. The itinerary was well-considered and well-organised with an adequate amount of time in each location. Locations were varied and interesting. The service provided by the B&B owners was good to outstanding. The organisation of the coach services for transfers from one destination to another was super with comfortable journeys in clean, air-conditioned coaches. Thanks, TravelFab!
David
I was very impressed with Fabian's dedication, patience and professionalism in organising a group of 8 young persons (over 60's) to get to Cuba. The whole experience has been a very positive one. Despite having to relocate to another hotel at the last minute, that change over went very smoothly. Our accommodations were excellent. We will definitely book with TravelFab again. Thank you!
Yvette T
More holidays in Peru
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Ecuador Small Group Tour — Volcanoes, Ingapirca and Cuenca
Buenos Aires and Salta: A Small Group Tour of Argentina's North-West
Travel Guides & Tips
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: A UK Traveller's Guide
How to walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: permits, the 4-day route, difficulty, best time to go, and alternatives if it's sold out.
Best Time to Visit Peru: Machu Picchu, the Andes & When to Go
A Peru specialist's month-by-month guide, the dry season, and the surprising best time for Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, the Amazon and the Lima coast.
Peru Travel Guide 2026: Machu Picchu, the Andes & Amazon
Peru for UK travellers: Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Lima's food and the Amazon. When to go and how long you need.
Tailor-made · ATOL 10898
Want to customise this trip?
Every Travelfab holiday is tailor-made, extend a leg, swap a hotel, combine with another country. Tell us the shape you want and a specialist will redesign it around you.
Customise this trip with a specialist