The Inca Empire existed for only a century, but in that short time, it left a legacy that has turned Peru into one of the countries with the largest cultural wealth in the Americas. Discover Peru's main attractions during this memorable eight-day trip, from beautiful Lima to breathtaking Machu Picchu, the ‘Lost City of the Incas’, located high up in the Andes Mountains. Join this exquisite tour and explore beautiful colonial cities, the ruins of ancient civilisations, and behold some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Lima: The capital’s architectural ensemble has earned the UNESCO World Heritage Site status with attractions such as the Casa Aliaga, the Cathedral, and the Main Square.
Cusco: Discover the former Inca capital, where the ruins of the former civilisation and the Spanish colonial legacy provide attractions such as the baroque Cathedral, the Sacsayhuaman, and the spectacular Puka Pukara archaeological sites.
Moray: Visit this mysterious Inca archaeological site, composed of concentric circular terraces, each with a different microclimate.
Maras: The salt deposits of this gorgeous place offer a dazzling contrast with other landscapes in the Sacred Valley.
Sacred Valley: Discover the ancient town of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo among other mesmerising sights.
Machu Picchu: The lost city of the Incas is hidden on top of an Andean peak, offering mesmerising views of the mountains and a glimpse into the fascinating Inca past.
Day 1: ARRIVAL LIMA
Arrive at Lima Airport where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to the hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru´s sprawling capital city. Alternatively, you can book our optional Magic Water Circuit with Dinner and Folk Show:
Magic Water Circuit with Dinner and Folk Show (private basis):
A modern system of fountains certified as the largest in the world by the Guinness World Records. Built-in Exhibition Park, the Magical Water Circuit attracts crowds during summer and winter, being one of the new favorite attractions of Lima. See yourself and enjoy our water cruise that is followed by a unique gastronomical experience at a restaurant, accompanied by a delicious buffet dinner and amusing folk show.
Notes: Private service. Start time: 18:00 hours. Duration 4 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Magic Water Circuit and Buffet dinner with Folkloric show
Overnight in Lima.
Day 2: LIMA
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with fascinating historic buildings. Start with a scenic tour in the colonial downtown. See the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Admire Lima’s Cathedral, built during the 16th century and then visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jeronimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time, still belonging to the same family. Continue to the traditional Pueblo Libre district and visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the seventh century. The museum boasts a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Lima.
Day 3: LIMA – CUSCO (90 min by flight; not included)
After a tasty breakfast, enjoy a comfortable transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport to catch a flight to Cusco. Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30hrs. Noon arrivals are too late. A representative will meet and greet you, and then transfer you to the selected hotel in Cusco. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to your hotel. Your flight to Cusco is not included.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 4: CUSCO – MARAS – MORAY – CUSCO (40km – 1.5 hrs)
Depart after breakfast at the hotel, heading along the Sacred Valley towards the archaeological site of Moray, approximately an hour and a half away. As with many Inca ruins, its exact function remains a mystery though the design of ever-wider concentric circular terraces meant each level had a different microclimate. Continue to Maras, where the salt ponds create a dazzling scene. The thousands of small ponds give work to and help feed many local families. During Inca times, the salt deposits were an important economic centre and of great value to the imperial economy. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 5: CUSCO – CHINCHERO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – SACRED VALLEY (75km – 2 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. During the morning, you are picked up from your hotel in Cusco to visit the town of Chinchero, a traditional Cusco urban centre located at an elevated point with a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve the artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas and display them in their clothes and customs. In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. Then, you are transferred from Ollantaytambo to the Living Museum of Yucay, a centre Andean traditions interpretations, where demonstrations of the elaboration of textile work, adobe, pottery and silverware are carried out in the same way in which they used to in antiquity; an original recreation of Inca traditions. Also, residents of the museum include llamas, sheep and alpacas, and they can be fed! Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo visit its town, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress, built next to a mountain. Later, have lunch in Ollantaytambo and live a superior Andean gastronomy experience in a restaurant, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley is transmitted in a cosy atmosphere. At the end of this activity, you are transferred back to your hotel. *On Sundays, also visit the local market
Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Day 6: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES (75km – 1.5 hrs)
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, transportation service will pick you up and transfer you to the Ollanta Sation to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Following a scenic journey through dramatic Andean landscapes, arrive at the station in Aguas Calientes. Here you board a coach for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel, presenting its most prominent landmarks such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial, and the Burial Grounds. Return to Aguas Calientes for a tasty lunch at the famous Café Inkaterra, a beautiful thatched-roof restaurant hemmed in between the railway and a mountain. Enjoy the rest of the day free at leisure.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 7: AGUAS CALIENTES – CUSCO (170km – 4 hrs)
The delicious breakfast at the hotel is followed by a relaxing morning at leisure. This day we suggest returning on your own to Machu Picchu to visit the other attractions (second entrance ticket to Machu Picchu and bus from/to Aguas Calientes available as an optional extra). Spend the morning over Machu Picchu and discover its secrets. The best views are from Huayna Picchu (entrance to Huayna Picchu and bus from/to Aguas Calientes available as an optional extra; subject to space availability), which is about 360 meters above Machu Picchu, boasting an underground temple complex, and from Inti Punku, which offers even better views from about 390 meters above the citadel. Another option is the Inca Bridge, a secret military trial, which controlled access to the citadel. In the afternoon, transfer to the Aguas Calientes station and take the train back to Ollanta station. From here you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 8: DEPART CUSCO
After breakfast, enjoy a pleasant transfer from the selected hotel to the airport.
Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
