Peru Desert Coast to Colca Canyon
Head south along the Pan-American Highway to see the Ballestas Islands, sand dunes, and Nazca Lines, then continue to the White City and Colca Canyon
Skip the high-altitude highlands at first and take a bus south along the Pacific coast, stopping to see sea lions, oasis dunes, pisco wineries, and the Nazca Lines. After reaching Arequipa, head up to Colca Canyon to spot Andean condors. This overland route involves longer travel times, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers or those wishing to avoid the crowds in Cusco. You can easily fly from Arequipa to Cusco to connect to Machu Picchu.
January–February is the rainy season in Colca, which can lead to poor mountain road conditions, and boat trips to the Ballestas Islands are subject to wind and waves
Day by day
Day 1 · South to Chincha and Paracas
Paracas & Huacachina（Hacienda San José、Paracas Bay & El Chaco Boardwalk）
Take a tourist bus from Lima for about 4 hours, with an optional stop at Hacienda San Jose in Chincha, arriving in Paracas in the afternoon
Stay: Paracas Town
Day 2 · Ballestas Islands and the Red Sand Coast
Paracas & Huacachina（Paracas / Ballestas Islands、Paracas Candelabra、Paracas National Reserve、Playa Roja）
Take a morning speedboat round-trip to the Ballestas Islands (approx. 2 hours), followed by an afternoon private charter or group tour of the Paracas National Reserve (approx. 3 hours)
The speedboat ride can be very windy; secure your hat and apply plenty of sunscreen
Stay: Paracas Town
Day 3 · Wineries and Oasis Dunes
Paracas & Huacachina（Tacama Winery、Huacachina）
Take a bus to Ica (approx. 1.5 hours), take a taxi to the wineries and Huacachina Oasis, and ride a dune buggy in the late afternoon (approx. 2 hours)
Book the dune buggy ride for 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM to catch the sunset
Stay: Huacachina Oasis
Day 4 · South to Palpa and Nazca
Nazca（Palpa Lines、Nazca Lines Observation Tower、Cantalloc Aqueducts）
Take a bus or private charter to Nazca (approx. 2.5–3 hours); a private charter can stop at the Nazca Lines viewing tower
Stay: Plaza de Armas Area
Day 5 · Flight Over the Lines and Chauchilla Cemetery
Nazca（Nazca Lines Overflight、Chauchilla Cemetery、Antonini Archaeological Museum）
Take a morning flight in a small plane (approx. 30 minutes), and a private charter in the afternoon to Chauchilla Cemetery (approx. 3 hours round-trip)
Choose a morning flight, and fly on an empty stomach or take motion sickness medication beforehand
Stay: Plaza de Armas Area
Day 6 · Long Coastal Drive to Arequipa
Arequipa（Plaza de Armas of Arequipa）
Take a daytime long-distance bus for about 8–10 hours, traveling along the coast before turning inland, arriving in Arequipa in the evening
Night buses carry higher risks than daytime ones; try to travel during the day
Stay: Old Town around Plaza de Armas
Day 7 · A Day in the White City's Historic Center
Arequipa（Santa Catalina Monastery、Museo Santuarios Andinos、San Camilo Market、Mirador de Yanahuara）
Explore the historic center on foot, take a taxi to Yanahuara (approx. 10 minutes), or book a tour for the upcoming two-day Colca Canyon trip
Stay: Old Town around Plaza de Armas
Day 8 · Highland Highway to Chivay
Colca Canyon（Mirador de los Volcanes (Patapampa)、Chivay、La Calera Hot Springs）
Depart by tourist bus in the morning, passing through viewpoints to reach Chivay in about 3–4 hours, and soak in the hot springs in the afternoon
The mountain pass reaches nearly 4,900 meters; walk slowly and drink plenty of water in advance
Stay: Chivay
Day 9 · Cruz del Cóndor to Arequipa
Colca Canyon（Cruz del Cóndor、Maca、Yanque） → Arequipa
Head to Cruz del Cóndor early in the morning (approx. 1.5–2 hours), return to Chivay for lunch, and then drive about 3–4 hours back to Arequipa