Adventure in Peru: Paracas Kite Surfing and Beyond

  • Day 1: Lima
    Arrival

    Welcome to Lima! Explore the Miraflores neighbourhood, try some ceviche or pisco sour, and enjoy the view from the Malecón (promenade) by the beach.

  • Day 2-3: Paracas
    3.5 hours (165 miles) south of Lima

    Paracas is known for its beautiful nature reserve, the Ballestas Islands, and water activities such as kite surfing. Here you can take a tour of the islands, see sea lions, penguins, and other wild animals, and kitesurf in the bay.

  • Day 4-6: Huacachina & Nazca
    2 hours (51 miles) south of Paracas

    Visit the oasis of Huacachina and go sandboarding in the desert. In Nazca, you can take a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines, a series of pre-Columbian geoglyphs in the desert.

  • Day 7-9: Arequipa & Colca Canyon Trek
    10 hours (389 miles) south of Nazca

    Arequipa is a charming colonial city surrounded by volcanoes. Take a guided tour of the city, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, and try some alpaca meat. Then, embark on a 2-3 day trek through Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons, to see the majestic Andean condor.

  • Day 10-12: Cusco & Machu Picchu
    10 hours (308 miles) north of Arequipa

    Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, and Pukapukara. Take the famous train ride to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and explore the ancient Inca citadel.

  • Day 13-15: Amazon Jungle
    1.5 hours (284 miles) east of Cusco

    End your adventure with a trip to the Amazon Jungle. Take a guided tour through the jungle, see exotic animals and plants, and learn about the indigenous culture of the region. Go piranha fishing, canoeing, and enjoy a night hike in the jungle.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Paracas Kite Surfing (2 hours, $60)
  • Ballestas Islands Tour (2 hours, $20)
  • Nazca Lines Scenic Flight (1 hour, $90)
  • Colca Canyon Trek (2-3 days, $150-300)
  • Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket (6 hours, $60-80)
  • Amazon Jungle Tour (3 days, $300-600)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $740-1210

Transportation

Transportation options include bus, taxi, and domestic flights. Domestic flights can be booked through companies such as LATAM and Avianca. Costs and travel times vary depending on the destination and mode of transportation. It is recommended to book domestic flights in advance during peak travel periods.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, or the Huayna Picchu mountain next to Machu Picchu. If you have less time, you can skip the Amazon Jungle or Nazca Lines.

Airports

The main international airport in Peru is Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) located in Lima. The distance from the city center to the airport is approximately 11 miles (17 km). Other airports include Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco and Rodriguez Ballon International Airport (AQP) in Arequipa.

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