Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and get a complimentary transfer from Jorge Chavez International Airport to your hotel, which takes about an hour. Your tour leader meets you at 7:30pm for a welcome meeting, and there's an optional dinner afterward if you're interested. If you land earlier in the day, the coastal paths through Miraflores are worth walking or the Larco Museum offers a good introduction to Peruvian art and culture.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Iberostar Miraflores), Hotel (Pullman Lima Miraflores (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Independent stroll along the coastal path through Miraflores
- Visit to the Larco Museum for introduction to Peru's ancient history
- Welcome dinner with tour leader and group
Landmarks Larco Museum Miraflores - Day 2
Lima
This day focuses on Lima's food and neighborhoods. Start at Surquillo Market checking out tropical fruits, purple corn, and fresh seafood, then head to a local restaurant for a chef's demonstration of pisco sours and ceviche. You'll have ceviche for lunch, and after that explore Barranco on foot, seeing street art, visiting Victor Delfin's workshop, and stopping by a specialty coffee and chocolate shop. It's a full culinary and cultural immersion.
- Meals
- Lunch (Ceviche at local restaurant following pisco sour and ceviche preparation demonstration)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Iberostar Miraflores), Hotel (Pullman Lima Miraflores (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to Surquillo Market with tasting of local produce
- Chef demonstration of pisco sours and ceviche preparation
- Lunch including ceviche at local restaurant
- Walking tour of artistic Barranco neighbourhood
- Visit to Victor Delfin artist workshop
- Peruvian coffee at speciality coffee and chocolate shop
Landmarks Surquillo Market Barranco - Day 3
Lima to Arequipa
A flight takes you to Arequipa at 2,380 metres elevation, surrounded by volcanoes. After settling into your hotel, the afternoon walking tour starts at Yanahuara viewpoint where El Misti volcano dominates the view. You'll have a traditional three-course lunch at Picanteria Tio Dario featuring local specialties, then visit the Santa Catalina Convent, which is essentially a walled city within the city dating back to 1580. The colonial architecture throughout makes for compelling exploration.
- Meals
- Lunch (Three-course traditional Arepiqueno lunch at Picanteria Tio Dario featuring specialties such as rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers), adobe arequipeno (a soupy, spicy pork stew), or solterito de queso (fresh salad made from local cheese, corn, beans and vegetables), with local chicha morada (purple corn drink))
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hampton by Hilton Arequipa), Hotel (Hampton by Hilton Arequipa (or similar))
Included Activities
- Afternoon walking tour starting at Yanahuara viewpoint
- Lunch at Picanteria Tio Dario featuring traditional Arepiqueno fare and local chicha morada drink
- Visit to Santa Catalina Convent
Landmarks Yanahuara viewpoint El Misti volcano Santa Catalina Convent - Day 4
Arequipa
You have the day to yourself in Arequipa. Wandering the tree-lined plazas and visiting ornate churches scattered through the city works well for a relaxed pace. Or if you want something more active, optional excursions take you on the Sillar Route through canyons and pinkish-white volcanic quarries, which is where the stone came from for much of the city's construction.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hampton by Hilton Arequipa), Hotel (Hampton by Hilton Arequipa (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Visit to Santuarios Andinos Museum to see the mummified body of Inca girl Juanita
- Sillar Route trip through canyons and quarries with local guide
Landmarks Santuarios Andinos Museum - Day 5
Arequipa to Chivay
A four-hour drive north takes you into the Altiplano, passing behind Arequipa's volcanoes and entering terrain with herds of llamas, alpacas, and possibly vicunas. You'll reach the trip's highest point at 4,910 metres for photos, then descend to Chivay in the Colca Valley. Once there, relax in thermal baths and get acclimated to the altitude as evening approaches.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (El Refugio Colca), Hotel (El Refugio Colca (or similar))
Included Activities
- Thermal baths at hotel
Landmarks Colca Valley - Day 6
Chivay to Puno
An early start gets you to Colca Canyon, a gorge twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. At Cruz del Condor viewpoint you search for condor sightings while exploring Andean villages and Inca terraces. Later you drive roughly six hours east toward Lake Titicaca, passing through Patapampa Pass at 4,910 metres and stopping for lunch along the way. By evening you arrive in Puno on the northwestern shore of the world's highest navigable lake.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Andina Premium Puno), Hotel (Casa Andina Premium Puno (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to Colca Canyon and Cruz del Condor viewpoint
- Exploration of Andean villages and Inca terraces
Landmarks Colca Canyon Cruz del Condor Lake Titicaca - Day 7
Lake Titicaca
You spend the full day on Lake Titicaca by boat. First stop is the floating reed islands of Uros, made from totora reeds and home to the Uros people for centuries. Next comes Taquile island, less visited and where residents still speak Quechua, the language of the Inca. You'll learn about their preserved heritage before heading back to Puno by boat in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Andina Premium Puno), Hotel (Casa Andina Premium Puno (or similar))
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Uros floating reed islands
- Visit to Taquile island
- Learning about Quechua language and local way of life
Landmarks Uros Islands Taquile Island - Day 8
Puno to Cusco
The Titicaca Train departs Puno for Cusco on roughly a 10-hour journey through Andean scenery. From the open observation car you watch llamas and alpacas grazing on the altiplano. The dining cars serve a three-course lunch and afternoon tea, and there's live music and traditional dances in the bar car with pisco sour demonstrations. It's a leisurely way to travel and see the landscape shift.
- Meals
- Lunch (Three-course lunch served in dining car), Snack (Afternoon tea served in dining car)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xima Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- First-class Titicaca Train journey with observation car
- Three-course lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Pisco sour demonstrations
- Live music and traditional dances
- Day 9
Cusco
A walking tour through Cusco covers about four kilometres over four to five hours, starting at the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman and following an old Incan trail to the colonial San Cristobal neighbourhood. You'll discover the hidden aqueduct of Sapantiana, wander through artsy San Blas with its coffee shops and artisan workshops, then reach Plaza de Armas for Peruvian coffee. The sacred Qoricancha complex and the colorful Mercado de Wanchaq market finish the tour. The afternoon is yours to rest or continue exploring.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xima Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cusco including Sacsayhuaman archaeological site
- Walking to San Cristobal neighbourhood
- Visit to Sapantiana aqueduct
- Exploration of San Blas artisan neighbourhood
- Peruvian coffee at Three Monkeys Coffee in Plaza de Armas
- Visit to Qoricancha complex
- Visit to Mercado de Wanchaq market
Landmarks Sacsayhuaman San Cristobal Sapantiana aqueduct San Blas Plaza de Armas Qoricancha Mercado de Wanchaq - Day 10
Cusco to Sacred Valley
You visit Manuel Choqque's farm in the Sacred Valley where he cultivates over 370 native potato varieties, selected for color and nutrition. Taste his colorful potatoes with traditional uchucuta hot pepper sauce and sample Andean tuber wines. After lunch, the Inca ruins of Moray show huge semi-circular agricultural terraces used as a botanical laboratory, and then you see the white shock of Maras salt pans before arriving at your Sacred Valley hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Inti Punku Valle), Hotel (Inti Punku Valle (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to Manuel Choqque's potato farm
- Tasting of native potato varieties with traditional 'uchucuta' sauce
- Tasting of Andean tuber wines
- Visit to Moray Inca ruins and semi-circular agricultural terraces
- Panoramic view of Maras salt pans
Landmarks Moray Maras - Day 11
Sacred Valley
Free day in the Sacred Valley with plenty of options depending on your energy level. Water activities include kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on Piuray Lagoon with full instruction. Alternatively try craft beer tastings at a brewery or explore Ollantaytambo's Inca ruins. This evening brings a special experience: an Andean meal with local porters who work the Inca Trail, followed by stargazing while learning about ancient Inca cosmology.
- Meals
- Dinner (Andean meal prepared from local supplies shared with porters from Misminay community)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Inti Punku Valle), Hotel (Inti Punku Valle (or similar))
Included Activities
- Andean meal in community of Misminay with local porters
- Stargazing experience and discussion of ancient Inca cosmology
Optional Activities
- Kayaking on Piuray Lagoon with full instruction and safety equipment
- Stand-up paddle-boarding on Piuray Lagoon with full instruction and safety equipment
- Craft beer brewery visit with tastings of local beers
- Visit to Ollantaytambo town and Inca ruins
Landmarks Piuray Lagoon Ollantaytambo - Day 12
Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes
The 360 train takes you toward Aguas Calientes with a panoramic viewing car showing Rio Urubamba flanked by high cliffs and peaks. Aguas Calientes itself has grown from a tiny village into a bustling hub for Machu Picchu visitors. A regular shuttle bus from the village gets you to the mountain-top site, undiscovered until 1911, where you explore this remarkable stronghold before heading back to your hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (El Mapi Hotel), Hotel (El Mapi Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- 360 train journey with panoramic viewing car
- Shuttle bus to Machu Picchu
- Exploration of Machu Picchu ancient site
Landmarks Rio Urubamba Machu Picchu - Day 13
Aguas Calientes
You have a free morning in Aguas Calientes to either take it easy or head back to Machu Picchu if you want more time there, though there are paid activities available if something catches your interest. Later in the day, you'll board the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, and from there catch a bus toward Cusco. You'll roll in pretty late this evening, so expect to arrive when it's dark.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xima Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Revisit Machu Picchu with unguided exploration (Classic, Panoramic, or Royalty Circuit - permit required and must be pre-paid at booking)
- Hike Machu Picchu Mountain - 700-metre unguided hike with cobbled stairs and steady gradient, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours round-trip (permit required and must be pre-paid at booking)
- Hike Huayna Picchu Mountain - 350-metre unguided hike, much steeper with sheer drops, approximately 2 hours (permit required and must be pre-paid at booking, not suitable for those with fear of heights)
- Explore Aguas Calientes town - market, cafes, and local atmosphere
Landmarks Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Mountain Huayna Picchu Mountain - Day 14
Cusco
This is your day to wander through Cusco on your own terms. The city's got winding streets to get lost in, museums and plazas to check out, and markets worth browsing. Find a café or settle in somewhere with a pisco sour and watch the people go by, or if you're feeling up for it, there's an optional hike up Rainbow Mountain that's pretty steep and challenging if you want to test yourself.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xima Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Explore museums, plazas, and markets in Cusco
- Hike Rainbow Mountain - tough approximately 1.5 hour uphill hike on rough mountain path to 5,020 metres (16,470 ft), passing through llama and alpaca fields with views of snowy mountains, returning by same path, full day approximately 12 hours including drive time and packed lunch (pending availability)
Landmarks Rainbow Mountain - Day 15
Cusco to Puerto Maldonado
You'll say goodbye to anyone in your group who isn't continuing on to the Amazon portion. Then it's off to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado down in the Southern Amazon. Once you land, a motorised canoe takes you out to the lodge. That first evening is flexible, so you can choose to go on a twilight river trip if you're feeling energetic, or just hang out in your hammock and decompress from traveling.
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica (or similar))
Included Activities
- Motorised canoe journey along Tambopata River to Amazon lodge
- Range of guided excursions at Amazon lodge (included in trip cost, arranged per interests)
Optional Activities
- Twilight river trip to witness jungle's nocturnal transformation
- Relax in hammock outside cabana
Landmarks Tambopata River - Day 16
Puerto Maldonado - Amazon Lodge
Early morning boat trip out on Lake Sandoval in a dug-out canoe where you'll look for birds, red howler monkeys, macaws, and caiman. After you get back and have lunch, there's downtime to rest. Later on, you can opt into activities like the canopy walkway or a flooded swamp walk if you want to keep exploring, and if you're interested, spa treatments are available too.
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to Lake Sandoval with dug-out wooden canoe paddle
- Inkaterra Canopy Walkway - 1,129-foot system with two observation towers, eight platforms, and seven hanging bridges 30 metres (100 feet) above ground
- 30-minute walk on raised wooden platform over flooded swamp
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment at lodge (at additional cost)
Landmarks Lake Sandoval Inkaterra Canopy Walkway - Day 17
Puerto Maldonado - Amazon Lodge
You'll take a boat trip to Gamitana Farm and Creek to see how local farmers work with Amazonian crops and sample whatever seasonal fruits are growing. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles, caiman, and swamp birds along the way. After heading back for lunch, you can choose between taking a dug-out canoe trip or going on jungle walks. Later in the evening, there's a nighttime rainforest excursion with flashlights to see what comes out after dark.
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica (or similar))
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Gamitana Farm and Creek with local produce demonstration and seasonal forest fruit sampling
- Dense jungle trail walk to the creek
- Dug-out canoe trips
- Jungle walks
- Rainforest night trip with flashlights
Landmarks Gamitana Farm and Creek - Day 18
Puerto Maldonado
After breakfast your Amazon adventure wraps up. A motorised canoe takes you back to Puerto Maldonado before transferring to the airport for your onward journey.
Included Activities
- Motorised canoe journey to Puerto Maldonado port
