Southern Andean Legacy — Arequipa, Titicaca & Machu Picchu in 9 Days

The Classic Andean Corridor

Southern Peru doesn’t unfold all at once. Instead it rises.

• From volcanic stone to canyon depths.
• From high-altitude plains to sacred waters.
• From imperial cities to hidden citadels in the clouds.

This 9-day expedition follows what we call the Classic Andean Corridor, the geographic spine of southern Peru.

1. You begin in Arequipa, the White City built from volcanic sillar stone.
2. You descend into one of the deepest canyons on Earth.
3. You cross the Altiplano at nearly 5,000 meters.
4. You navigate Lake Titicaca.
5. You arrive in Cusco, the navel of the Inca world.
6. You culminate at Machu Picchu.

This is a complete Andean narrative: structured, immersive, and seamless. Curated by Apple Travel Peru for travelers who want depth, altitude, and continuity in a single journey.

Why This Route Is Different

By the time you reach the Inca capital, you’ve already crossed ecosystems, cultures, and elevations that prepare you to understand it differently.

You’ve:

• Watched condors ride canyon thermals
• Shared a meal with a family on Lake Titicaca
• Crossed the vast silence of the Altiplano
• Seen volcanoes define the skyline

Cusco becomes context, not just a destination. And, Machu Picchu becomes culmination.

The Andean Spectrum You Experience

1. Volcanic Elegance — Arequipa

Colonial architecture carved from white volcanic stone. Quiet cloisters. Baroque façades. A city framed by the towering silhouettes of El Misti and Chachani.

2. Geological Immensity — Colca Canyon

One of the deepest canyons on Earth. Vertical scale. Morning thermals. The silent authority of the Andean condor.

3. The High Altiplano

Remote plains. Vicuñas grazing at altitude. High passes touching nearly 5,000 meters. Landscapes that feel prehistoric.

4. Sacred Waters — Lake Titicaca

The world’s highest navigable lake.
Floating reed islands. Textile traditions passed through generations. A rare overnight cultural immersion with a host family.

5. Imperial Convergence — Cusco & Sacred Valley

Astronomical temples. Megalithic fortresses. Agricultural laboratories carved into mountainsides. Living Inca towns that never stopped functioning.

6. Architectural Revelation — Machu Picchu

Urban planning fused with sacred geometry. Precision stonework without mortar. A mountaintop citadel that still resists full explanation.

Immersion Without Performance

This journey is designed to feel intentional, not rushed.

• Altitude is gradual, allowing proper acclimatization
• Cultural encounters are respectful and grounded
• Logistics are seamless, so your attention stays on the experience
• Accommodation remains comfortable and consistent throughout

Who This Journey Is For

This route is ideal if:

• You want the full southern Peru arc, not just Cusco
• You value context before climax
• You appreciate both natural scale and cultural intimacy
• You prefer structured itineraries that still feel exploratory
• You want one continuous narrative instead of disconnected excursions

Southern Andean Legacy in 9 days – Activity Overview