11 Days | Discover Peru | With Machu Picchu

Lima

Welcome to Peru! On arrival, clear customs, immigration, collect your bag and make your way to your accommodation. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to rest, relax and acquaint yourself with Peru's vibrant capital, founded in 1535 by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro.

Meals: None

Accommodation: Jose Antonio Hotel Lima or similar

Lima

This morning's tour of Lima, with its 2000 years of history, begins at the colonial centre of the city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic buildings surrounding the splendid Plaza Mayor. View the impressive Palace of the Archbishop with its fine carved balcony, the opulent Government Palace, official residence of the President, and the 16th century Cathedral of Lima whose first stone was laid by Pizarro. Continue to the 17th century Monasterio de San Francisco complex with its magnificent tiles, ornate carved ceilings, exceptional paintings and world-renowned library. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure or join the optional Pachacamac Pre-Inca Ruins tour. Visit the archaeological site of Pachacamac, one of the largest religious centres in pre-Inca times on the Peruvian coast. This afternoon, join your Tour Manager for an orientation meeting about the wonderful journey that awaits you. Tonight, perhaps attend the optional Evening Larco Herrera Museum with dinner. Experience one of Lima's most magnificent museums by night on this tour, that also includes a light supper. Admire the world's largest collection of preColumbian masterpieces and a stunning exhibition of gold and priceless jewels

Optional: Pachacamac Pre-Inca Ruins

Optional: Larco Herrera Museum with dinner 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jose Antonio Hotel Lima or similar

Lima  Cuzco  Urubamba (Sacred Valley)

Depart Lima this morning by flight to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America. Upon arrival, drive through the rugged mountainous region with its magnificent panoramas, along roads with farms and small villages to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, stop in Chinchero. Here, enjoy an authentic Peruvian lunch followed by a demonstration of the ancient Andean tradition of making textiles from naturally dyed handwoven alpaca wool. Remarkably, the source for the vibrant colours are dyes that come from plants, minerals, and insects. Wander around the complex and shop for souvenirs among the fine textiles and other local treasures. This evening, dinner together with music at a lovely restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: San Agustin Urubamba Hotel or similar

Urubamba (Sacred Valley)

Enjoy this morning at leisure in the Sacred Valley to explore some of the ancient ruins independently or, join the optional tour to Maras and Moray. The excursion begins in Moray, a remarkable agricultural centre that demonstrates the ancient Incan's mastery of high-altitude crop growing. You'll be astounded by the large complex of perfectly circular depressions in the earth that historians believe were used to study climatic conditions. Next, travel to the colonial town of Maras, known for its nearby salt evaporation ponds in use since the time of the Incas. This afternoon, visit the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, an ancient complex of temples and terraces towering high over the valley, the last stand of the Incas in their defence against the Spanish conquistadors. Marvel at the architecture of the Incas in this well-preserved settlement, considered a living museum of 15th century life. Tonight, join the optional traditional dinner with a Peruvian family in their countryside home. Sample delectable home-cooked Peruvian specialties along with a warm and friendly cultural exchange.

Optional: Maras and Moray Tour

Optional: Dinner with a Local Peruvian Family 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: San Agustin Urubamba Hotel or similar

Urubamba  Machu Pichu Urubamba Cuzco

Early morning transfer to the Sacred Valley's Ollanta Station to board the Expedition Train that travels through misty peaks to the astonishing ancient citadel of Machu Picchu*, the "Lost City of the Incas", designated by UNESCO as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu was virtually unknown to the western world until Hiram Bingham's re-discovery in 1911. Spend the morning viewing the unforgettable wonders of this 15th century retreat, abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the conquistadors. See the highlights of the site including the imposing Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved rock likely used as a sundial by the ancient Incas. The images of this significant archaeological site will be a long-lasting memory. Return to the Sacred Valley in the early evening and transfer to your hotel in Cuzco for overnight.

*Approximate time spent at the ruins of Machu Picchu is 3 hours.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jose Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar

Cuzco

Spend today independently discovering the "Imperial City" of Cuzco, once the capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This lively city, rich in history, reveals remains of both the Incan and the Spanish presence. Take time to explore some of the city's stunning sights, or, shop for some of the finest handicrafts and textiles in all of Peru. Participate in the optional Cuzco "Behind the Scenes" tour, offering a glimpse into the other side of life in Cuzco. On this tour, visit a local market and taste fresh-baked Chuta bread. Stop at the Cuzco cemetery to learn more about Andean life and death and meet with a local "shaman" (holy man). After the cooking demonstration, enjoy a delicious meal. In the afternoon, join the optional Highlights of Cuzco excursion that takes you to the impressive Colonial Cathedral with its collection of over 400 paintings, the Temple of the Sun and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which took over seven decades to complete. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for dinner.

Optional: Half Day Cuzco Behind the Scenes (AM)

Optional: Half Day Highlights of Cuzco (PM) 

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Jose Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar

Cuzco Raqchi & Puno

Depart Cuzco early in the morning on a long drive today. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you drive through the Andes mountain range and the Andean plains to Puno on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. In this area, South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) graze on the immense plateaus and plains. En route visit the 15th century Temple of Wiracocha, with its elaborate stonework, the largest Inca temple ever discovered. Today, Raqchi remains home to many farmers, ranchers and artisans. Then, arrive at pristine Lake Titicaca sitting majestically at 12,500 feet above sea level, backed by the snow-capped peaks of Bolivia's Cordillera Real range. This is the highest navigable lake in the world and South America's largest fresh water lake. A box lunch will be provided en route before arriving in Puno for overnight. 

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Royal Inn Puno or similar

Puno Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca Puno

This morning, an excursion by boat transports you from Puno to the fascinating Uros Floating Islands where the indigenous people of the area, the Uros, live on islands that dot the lake. The Uros live very much the same as their ancestors did and still follow the ancient customs and traditions. These islands are completely man-made structures, using the totora reeds from the lake to build the islands and houses. Return to Puno for the remainder of the day at leisure. Or, take the optional tour to the Sillustani Tombs, the pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo. The tombs here are built above the ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, vestiges of the Colla people before they were conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. Evening is at leisure in Puno.

Optional Half Day Sillustani Tombs (PM)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Royal Inn Puno or similar

Puno Lima

Transfer to Juliaca airport, for your flight to Lima; the rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, you bid farewell to your Tour Manager at dinner with Peruvian specialties.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Jose Antonio Hotel Lima or similar

Lima Australia

It’s time to check out of your hotel this morning and make your way to the airport for your departure flight. Please note some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 10 and will require a check out on Day 9. To get to the airport from the hotel allow approximately 4 hours prior to your flight time.

Meals: Breakfast and Inflight Menu