Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll land in Lima and spend your morning walking through the colonial center, checking out the ornate churches and the underground cemetery with its catacombs. After that, head to Barranco in the afternoon where you can wander around the artistic neighborhoods and cross the Bridge of Sighs. Grab some fresh ceviche for lunch or an early dinner, then stick around to catch the sunset over the Pacific before heading back to your hotel.
Optional Activities
- Visit decorated churches in Lima
- Explore underground tunnel cemetery and catacombs
- Walk through Barranco district
- Cross the Bridge of Sighs
- Try ceviche at local restaurants
- Watch sunset over the Pacific
Landmarks/POIs Bridge of Sighs Barranco District Lima Catacombs - Day 2
Lima to Arequipa
Your included flight takes you to Arequipa, Peru's second largest city, where white-washed buildings surround you from all sides. The city sits below three volcanoes and you'll take a guided tour hitting the main spots including the UNESCO World Heritage Plaza de Armas. By evening, settle in for local specialties like Rocoto Relleno and Chupe de Camarones at dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Rocoto Relleno (stuffed hot peppers) and Chupe de Camarones (crayfish chowder))
Included Activities
- Included flight to Arequipa
- City tour of Arequipa including Plaza de Armas
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de Armas - Day 3
Arequipa to Colca Canyon
Leave Arequipa and travel through the Salinas and Aguada Blanco national reserve toward one of the world's deepest canyons. The landscapes here are pretty windswept and barren, and you'll stop for hot coca tea to help with the elevation. You'll reach the highest point at 4,910 metres (16,108 ft), which puts you at the same altitude as Mont Blanc.
Included Activities
- Travel through Salinas and Aguada Blanco national reserve
- Stop for hot coca tea
- Reach highest point of journey at 4,910 metres
Landmarks/POIs Colca Canyon Salinas and Aguada Blanco National Reserve - Day 4
Colca Canyon to Puno
Head out early this morning to look for the Andean Condor with its massive 3-metre wingspan, though weather plays a role in whether you'll see one. The canyon views are solid regardless. You'll pass through small villages and break for lunch in Chivay, then drive across the high plains to reach Puno on Lake Titicaca's shore. Take it easy tonight since altitude can catch up with you.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Search for Andean Condor viewings
- Stop in Chivay for lunch
- Travel to Puno on Lake Titicaca
Optional Activities
- Nightlife and dancing in Puno town
Landmarks/POIs Colca Canyon Lake Titicaca - Day 5
Lake Titicaca
Grab a triciclo to get to the port and set out on Lake Titicaca, South America's largest freshwater lake. First stop is Taquile Island where you'll meet weaving groups and see how the locals still live traditionally. After lunch, you'll head to the Uros Islands, which are completely made of reeds and float on the water. Check out the fish farm and local museum, then stay overnight with a local family in Llachon Village.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on Taquile Island)
Included Activities
- Boat ride on Lake Titicaca
- Visit Taquile Island
- Meet local weaving groups
- Visit Uros (floating) Islands
- Explore fish farm
- Explore local island museum
- Home stay overnight at Llachon Village
Optional Activities
- Purchase textiles and totora reed boats from island community
Landmarks/POIs Lake Titicaca Taquile Island Uros Islands - Day 6
Puno to Cusco
Leaving Puno, you'll stop at Pukara to see a small museum with archaeological finds and those distinctive ceramic bulls. The road takes you through snowy peaks at La Raya, and lunch in Sicuani gives you a chance to photograph llamas everywhere. Later, you'll tour the Raqchi ruins with entry included, learning about the Temple of Wiracocha and how it served as village protection. Then it's on to Cusco, the heart of ancient Incan culture.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Pukara museum with archaeological findings and ceramic bulls
- Travel through La Raya
- Visit Raqchi ruins with included entry ticket
- Guided tour of Temple of Wiracocha
Optional Activities
- Evening exploration and activities in Cusco
Landmarks/POIs Pukara Museum La Raya Sicuani Raqchi Ruins Temple of Wiracocha - Day 7
Cusco
Today is yours to shape in Cusco. You can hunt for artisan jewelry and woodwork in the shops, wander the cobblestone streets, or spend time at San Pedro markets trying cacao buds and sipping coca leaf tea. The city's full of Incan heritage and vibrant culture, so whatever draws your interest, there's something worth doing here.
Optional Activities
- Shop for artisan jewellery and woodworks
- Explore San Pedro markets
- Eat cacao buds at markets
- Sip coca leaf tea
- Wander cobblestone streets
- Browse local wares
- Visit Cusco Cathedral
- Visit San Blas
- Visit Coricancha
Landmarks/POIs San Pedro Markets Cusco Cathedral San Blas Coricancha - Day 8
Cusco to Sacred Valley
A private coach takes you to the Sacred Valley, the real core of Incan culture. You'll start at a llama farm to see llamas, vicunas, and alpacas up close, then watch local artisans show traditional weaving techniques. Keep your camera ready for the Incan farming terraces. Later, you get a guided tour of Pisac ruins from the 1400s with their circular terraced design, then move to Ollantaytambo, your base for tomorrow. Try the homemade Chicha de Jora beer and walk through this artisan-filled town.
Included Activities
- Visit llama farm to see llamas, vicuñas, and alpacas
- Watch local artisans demonstrate traditional Incan weaving
- Play traditional game of Sapo
- Guided tour of Pisac ruins
- Guided tour of Ollantaytambo ruins
- Sample homemade Chicha de Jora brew
Optional Activities
- Shop at artisan shops in Ollantaytambo
- Café visits in Ollantaytambo
- Last-minute essentials shopping before trek
Landmarks/POIs Pisac Ruins Ollantaytambo Urubamba River - Day 9
Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
If you're trekking: grab your packed lunch and take the train to KM 104 to start the 13-kilometre one-day trek. You'll walk about 3.5 hours of the 6-7 hour total, descending into Machu Picchu where you see the iconic Huayna Picchu peak. Back at Aguas Calientes, you'll rest at your hotel. Non-trekkers take the train this afternoon to the charming gateway town with its roaring river and local spots, then meet up with trekkers for the evening and build excitement for tomorrow.
- Meals
- Lunch (Packed lunch (for trekkers))
Included Activities
- Train to KM 104 (for trekkers)
- One-day trek (13 km, approximately 3.5-6.5 hours)
- Descent into Machu Picchu site (for trekkers)
- View Huayna Picchu peak
- Train to Aguas Calientes (for non-trekkers)
- Explore Aguas Calientes town
Landmarks/POIs KM 104 (Inca Trail Start) Huayna Picchu Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes - Day 10
Machu Picchu to Cusco
This is the day you've been waiting for. Machu Picchu sits before you as a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around 1450 at the height of the Incan Empire. Your guided tour covers the Temple of the Three Windows and Huayna Picchu, then you have free time to wander on your own. You'll catch the train back to Cusco by evening, where you can explore the market stalls and cobbled streets further, maybe trying cuy (guinea pig) if you're feeling adventurous.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Visit Temple of the Three Windows
- View Huayna Picchu
- Free exploration time at Machu Picchu
- Train return to Cusco
Optional Activities
- Explore Cusco market stalls
- Try local cuy (guinea pig) dish
- Further exploration of Cusco
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu Temple of the Three Windows Huayna Picchu - Day 11
Cusco
After breakfast at your hotel, your Peru adventure wraps up. If the travel bug's still going strong, you can hike Rainbow Mountain to see its colorful slopes or hit a massage place to ease your muscles after Machu Picchu. Either way, these add-ons make leaving a bit easier to handle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hotel breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike to Rainbow Mountain
- Massage at local parlour
- Further exploration of Cusco
Landmarks/POIs Rainbow Mountain
