Peru's Southern Circuit

Peru's classic southern route linking Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Peru's Southern Circuit (Circuito Sur) is the route combination most used by Peru's national tourism promotion agency and local travel agencies. It covers the main sights of southern Peru's coast and Andean highlands and crosses several regions. Typical order: Lima (the colonial old town, the Miraflores cliffs, the food capital) – Paracas (boat trips to the Ballestas Islands to see penguins and sea lions) and the Huacachina desert oasis near Ica (dune buggies, sandboarding) – the Nazca Lines (seen from a small plane) – Arequipa, the "White City" (Santa Catalina Monastery) – Colca Canyon (Andean condors, terraced villages) – Puno and Lake Titicaca (the floating Uros Islands, Taquile Island) – Cusco (the Inca capital) – the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, reached either by trekking the 4-day Inca Trail or by train, with Rainbow Mountain as an optional add-on. The whole route takes about 12–16 days; going in the reverse direction lets your body adapt gradually from low altitude to the highlands. Transport: comfortable long-distance buses such as Cruz del Sur run between coastal and highland cities, Puno–Cusco has tourist buses and the Andean Explorer train, Cusco to Aguas Calientes is by PeruRail or Inca Rail, and there are domestic flights between cities. Machu Picchu tickets are limited by time slot and route and must be booked weeks ahead in peak season; Inca Trail permits must be applied for months in advance. Cusco sits at 3,400 m, and Puno and Colca Canyon are higher, so watch for altitude sickness.

Destinations

• Lima
• Paracas & Huacachina
• Arequipa
• Colca Canyon
• Puno
• Cusco
• Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
• Nazca

Itineraries

• Peru Classic Southern Loop – A gradual altitude-acclimatizing loop from Lima via the White City, Colca Canyon, and Lake Titicaca to Cusco and Machu…
• 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 t…
• Inca Trail & Tambopata Amazon Rainforest 11-Day Adventure – Trek the classic 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, then fly into the Amazon rainforest to spot macaws and giant river o…
• Peru & Bolivia Highlands Highlights – From Machu Picchu across Lake Titicaca to La Paz and the Uyuni Salt Flats
• Galapagos and Machu Picchu – A multi-country route connecting Quito, the Galapagos, Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco, covering the islands and Inc…
• Cusco First Visit Highlights – Old-town churches and the Qorikancha, a Sacred Valley day trip, and a downhill walk past four northern ruins. Three day…
• Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain – Arrive in Cusco and descend immediately to the Sacred Valley to acclimatize, then visit Machu Picchu, and finally climb…
• Cusco in Depth and a Machu Picchu Day Trip – Stay all five nights in San Blas, visiting the old-town museums and ruins and the Sacred Valley's salt pans and terrace…
• Cusco Highland Hikes: Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain – Sightseeing walks, the Sacred Valley, Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain, ordered from low to high altitude, with rest…
• Cusco Inca and Colonial Art – Old-town churches, Inca and pre-Columbian museums, and a textile center, then Tipón, the Wari ruins and the church know…
• Huaraz Cordillera Blanca 7-Day Trekking Itinerary – Acclimatize gradually through high-altitude lakes all the way to Laguna 69, with a cultural visit to the Chavín de Huán…
• Northern Peru Ancient Civilizations & Kuélap – A northern loop from coastal adobe cities to cloud forest fortresses, then over the mountains to Cajamarca