Peru Itinerary How does it look?

I would say two to three nights at most for Ica / Huacachina, but I can understand why you have put aside four, especially if you're a keen surfer / sandboarder.

Any bus / combi travelling from Ica to Nazca will drop you off at the Nazca lines tower which is situated on the roadside - just inform the driver. When you leave the tower you'll have no problems flagging down a passing bus or combi on to Nazca and beyond - it's a long stretch of straight road so you can see when buses and combi's are approaching. The route which you're taking is very straight forward and frequent transport (buses and combis)ply these towns and cities frequently. No need for Peru Hop.

When visiting the Colca Canyon, do so having seen all the sights that you want to see in Arequipa, this way you're not back tracking 1h 20m to Arequipa, to then come back the same way to reach Puno. Colca Canyon is easily doable on your own, though having a limited amount of time you may want to consider visiting on an organised tour. If you opt for the latter then inform the tour guide that you would not like to return to Arequipa but disembark in Pampa Canahuas (as you're heading to Puno). Pampa Canahuas is where the Chivay road joins the Arequipa to Juliaca / Puno road. It's a small unnatractive roadside community which is lined with roadside cafes and other food outlets. From here you'll have no problem catching a passing bus or combi on to Juliaca - 2h 30m / Puno - 45 minutes beyond.

Thanks! I guess I just thought Peru hop would be easier as I have minimal Spanish...And didn't think I would be able communicate well with bus drivers about being dropped off or knowing where they are going

Before leaving you could look at purchasing one of the pocket size Latin America phrase books which will list the essentials. I think Lonely Planet still publish them.

Overall your plan looks good.

Are these worth seeing or skipable?
Rainbow Mountain?
Paracas?
Islas Ballestas?

If staying in Ica/Huacachina for 4 nights, you can actually do the Ballestas islands as a daytrip starting really early. It's definitely worth it, but coming from Lima, most people would stay overnight in Paracas the 1st night. If you do that, you can be in Huacachina by 1pm or so on a shuttle, to spend 3 nights for winery tours etc.

Not sure about Rainbow mountain. It takes a really long trip from Cusco, and I think it's not impressive unless the sun hits the mountain just right. And no reason to visit Nazca if you won't spring for a flight over the ruins.

Add the Sillustani ruins to your wish list if you're going to stay in Puno. The floating islands are an annoying tourist trap, but all boats stop there on the way out to the other islands on Lake Titicaca.

And 3 nights are OK for a stay in the Amazon basin, like Manu national park. But it means in reality you need 5 whole days, becaue the 1st and last day wil be used for transit to/from your lodge.

Add the Sillustani ruins to your wish list if you're going to stay in Puno.

Thanks will add

We loved the Ballestas Islands. But then I love wildlife. We saw tons of birds (including penguins) and sea lions. It was a scenic boat ride as well. We also visited the Paracas Reserve by bike which I liked too. I liked Paracas better than Huacachina so I would add it.

One day in Arequipa is fine. If you like trekking you should have more time for the Colca Canyon. There are tours from Arequipa that have no trekking in the canyon (they go to the Colca valley and the Cruz del Condor viewpoint) and there are 2 day tours that do have trekking in the canyon. But with an extra day or so you could go to Cabanaconde on your own and plan a trek down into the canyon. We spent two nights in the canyon. This website helped us plan:

http://www.pachamamahome.com/cabanaconde.htm

We took public buses everywhere (Peru Hop seemed expensive and I prefer traveling with the locals). My Spanish is very basic. Just learn a few phrases and take a phrasebook. For buses you only need to know your destination really. And I learned how to say: "please let me know when to get off". If going from Colca to Puno seems too daunting by public bus (as described above) and you don't mind paying more you could consider the 4M Express tourist bus from Chivay to Puno.

Cusco deserves a day. Pisac and the ruins north of Cusco (Tambomachay to Sacsayhuaman) is another day. You ask about Maras. Definitely go to Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salineras. Unique sites and amazing scenery.

If you want to buy your MP ticket when you get there you can do so in Cusco or Aguas Calientes. You should buy train tickets online (Peru Rail or Inca Rail, Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back to Ollantaytambo). You can also buy MP tickets online (or at least keep checking availability):

http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/

With the new entrance rules (that are not being enforced yet) you will have to choose a morning or afternoon ticket. I would choose morning as I would want to climb one of the mountains at MP (Huayna Picchu or MP Montana). We climbed Montana (amazing). If you choose HP you should buy tickets well in advance as HP tickets do sell out. If I didn't want to hike up a mountain I would choose an afternoon visit.

I have not hiked up Rainbow Mountain. It has become so popular... some people love it, others thought the colours were not that impressive. There are many other great day hikes in the area. If you choose Rainbow Mountain make sure you are acclimatized.

Thank you for your comment

We loved the Ballestas Islands.

would you say 2 nights (1 full day) Paracas would be enough, could I book a tour to the islands the night before when I arrive?

One day in Arequipa is fine. If you like trekking you should have more time for the Colca Canyon.

We aren't big trekkers, I like shorter hikes but a couple hours of hiking is enough for me, was hoping there was a driving tour where they let you walk a bit, or to skip it all together but it seems like its a must

We took public buses everywhere (Peru Hop seemed expensive and I prefer traveling with the locals).

I just liked how they stopped at lots of extra places for you along the way, they stop at the nazca tower and some other places

If going from Colca to Puno seems too daunting by public bus (as described above) and you don't mind paying more you could consider the 4M Express tourist bus from Chivay to Puno.

I would like to leave straight from colca to puno via chivay if there is a way to do it with my bags

Cusco deserves a day. Pisac and the ruins north of Cusco (Tambomachay to Sacsayhuaman) is another day. You ask about Maras. Definitely go to Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salineras. Unique sites and amazing scenery.

I set aside 4 days for cusco, would you see all the places you mentioned as day trips from cusco or moving each day?

With the new entrance rules (that are not being enforced yet) you will have to choose a morning or afternoon ticket. I would choose morning as I would want to climb one of the mountains at MP (Huayna Picchu or MP Montana). We climbed Montana (amazing). If you choose HP you should buy tickets well in advance as HP tickets do sell out. If I didn't want to hike up a mountain I would choose an afternoon visit.

I want to be able to explore the ruins, but I also want to be above the ruins where people take that typical tourist picture of machu picchu is that one of the mountains you mentioned?

One more question, Is it safe to walk around with my DSLR camera around the places I have mentioned?

Yes, you can book the Ballestas Islands boat tour the evening before. You can go at 8 am and you will be back at 10 am. Afterwards you can take a tour of the Paracas Reserve (we went by bike but there are bus tours as well). If you take the tour (4 hours) you would be back by 3 pm or so. So you could even still get to Ica that day.

If you don't like to hike for too long it is probably better to take a tour of the Colca valley which is mostly a driving tour. You will see amazing scenery, villages, hot springs, there might be an optional hike in the valley and you will go to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint. You can book a 2 day/1 night tour in Arequipa.

It is true that Peru Hop is convenient but buses will get you everywhere as well and of course you can also take taxis from time to time. To me it also depends on your age. Most people who use Peru Hop seem to be in their 20s. Also, if you go with their hostel suggestions there are quite a few party hostels so only choose those if you like to party. But if Peru Hop looks like a good fit go for it.

If you don't want to use public transport (as explained in post #1) you can go from Chivay to Puno with 4M Express:

http://www.4m-express.com/ruta_cp_en.htm

I would stay in Cusco for 2 days. 1 day for Cusco and 1 day for Pisac and the ruins north of Cusco (Tambomachay to Sacsayhuaman). I would stay in Ollantaytambo for 2 days as well. 1 day for Ollantaytambo (town, ruins, granaries). One day for Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salineras. Some people visit Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salineras on the way from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. There are buses and minibuses but taxi tours are available as well. For example:

http://taxidatum.com/chincheros-maras-moray-taxi-tour/

For the typical picture of Machu Picchu you don't have to hike up a mountain. It is taken from the Guardhouse also known as the Caretakers Hut. When you enter MP follow the trail to the left. It is uphill and takes 15 minutes or so.

As for your camera. No problem in touristy places like Machu Picchu of course. You will see many people with cameras in Cusco, Ollantaytambo... Just be aware and put your camera away if you don't see many other tourists and take it out when you need it. Maybe even take 2 cameras...one small point and shoot (for example for Lima) and your DSLR for the ruins or mountains.