Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and connect with your local host who'll handle your transfer to the hotel in Miraflores, the upscale shopping district. Later this evening, join your Travel Director and the group for dinner to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Lima
Start the day at Casona San Marcos, grab a snack from a local vendor, and learn about this historic building's past. You'll then take a cajón percussion workshop and pick up some basic steps of música negra dance. After that, walk through Lima's Main Square, and either explore Miraflores on your own or join an optional tour to see Kennedy Park and Larcomar shopping centre.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Casona San Marcos with Local Specialist and learn about its history
- Snack from a local vendor (pregonero)
- Workshop: Learn to play the cajón percussion instrument
- Introduction to música negra dance steps
- Visit the Main Square of Lima
Optional Activities
- Explore Miraflores district independently
- Visit Kennedy Park
- Dine at restaurants in Pasaje de Ramón
- Optional walking tour with Local Specialist to discover Miraflores highlights including Larcomar shopping centre
Landmarks/POIs Casona San Marcos Main Square of Lima Kennedy Park Larcomar - Day 3
Lima to Cusco
Catch a morning flight heading to Cusco, the gateway to Peru's Sacred Valley. Once there, you'll have a Peruvian lunch with sweeping views across the valley. Later, meet a Quechua Shaman for a special welcome ceremony to the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Peruvian lunch with sweeping views of the Sacred Valley)
Included Activities
- Flight to Cusco
- Peruvian lunch with Sacred Valley views
- Meet Quechua Shaman and attend welcoming ceremony
Landmarks/POIs Sacred Valley - Day 4
Sacred Valley
Join a Be My Guest lunch where you'll meet farmers growing Peru's Giant White Corn and learn about both ancestral and modern farming techniques. Watch a Marinera performance, Peru's traditional couple's dance. During the afternoon, participate in a hands-on cooking class preparing ceviche and mixing Pisco sours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Be My Guest experience lunch with Giant White Corn farmers), Dinner (Dinner following cooking class)
Included Activities
- Be My Guest experience: Meet Giant White Corn farmers and learn cultivation methods
- Watch Marinera dance performance
- Hands-on cooking class: Prepare ceviche and make Pisco sours
Landmarks/POIs Sacred Valley - Day 5
Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
Head to the Incan stronghold of Ollantaytambo to see its massive stone terraces. Then board the Vistadome train along the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu, taking in views of hikers and porters along the way. A Local Specialist will guide you through the Lost City, visiting the Temple of the Sun, House of the Priest, Sacred Plaza, and the carved Intihuatana.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Light snack included on Vistadome train)
Included Activities
- Visit Ollantaytambo ruins and fortress
- Ascend to Machu Picchu aboard Vistadome train with light snack included
- Guided exploration of Machu Picchu temples, palaces and terraces
- Visit Temple of the Sun
- Visit House of the Priest
- Visit Sacred Plaza
- View the carved Intihuatana
Landmarks/POIs Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Temple of the Sun House of the Priest Sacred Plaza Intihuatana Urubamba River - Day 6
Machu Picchu to Sacred Valley
Your final morning at Machu Picchu allows you to explore the hilltop fortress at sunrise at your own pace. Take the train back down to the Sacred Valley and stop en route to learn about natural dyeing techniques from native weavers. From there, check out the Pisac handicraft market and sample chicha, the traditional Andean drink.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Sunrise exploration of Machu Picchu ruins
- Return journey to Sacred Valley by train
- Learn about natural dyeing techniques used by native weavers
- Visit Pisac handicraft market
- Sample chicha (traditional Andean drink)
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu Pisac - Day 7
Cusco
Start at the UNESCO-listed Sacsayhuamán fortress with views over Cusco. Your guided city tour includes Koricancha, the former most important temple in the Incan Empire, and Mantay, a social project helping young mothers. The afternoon is free, or you can join optional experiences like the Choco Museum, Maras Salt Mines, Moray terraces, an after-dark walking tour, or a cooking class.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sacsayhuamán UNESCO-listed Incan fortress with Local Specialist
- Guided city tour of Cusco
- Visit Koricancha (Korikancha) - former most important temple in Incan Empire
- Visit Mantay social project supporting young mothers
Optional Activities
- Free afternoon to explore Cusco independently
- Optional: Visit Choco Museum
- Optional: Explore Maras Salt Mines and Moray terraces
- Optional: Walking tour of Cusco after dark
- Optional: Peruvian cooking class to master classic local recipes
Landmarks/POIs Sacsayhuamán Koricancha Mantay Choco Museum Maras Salt Mines Moray Terraces - Day 8
Cusco to Puno
Leave Cusco heading toward Puno, crossing La Raya Pass where the Andes divide the two regions. Stop to explore the Raqchi archaeological site, an important settlement on the Inca road network. You'll have lunch and stories with a local family, then decorate your own torito de Pucará, a colorful ceramic bull symbolizing protection and good fortune.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with local family)
Included Activities
- Cross La Raya Pass
- Explore Raqchi archaeological site
- Lunch with local family and share stories
- Dive Into Culture: Paint and decorate your own torito de Pucará ceramic bull
Landmarks/POIs La Raya Pass Raqchi - Day 9
Taquile Island
Cruise Lake Titicaca's deep blue waters, passing the floating islands built by the Uros people. Travel to Taquile Island for a private tour exploring the UNESCO-listed knitting and weaving traditions. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch and learn about the islanders' unique life on totora reed islets. The evening is yours to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked lunch on Taquile Island)
Included Activities
- Cruise Lake Titicaca with Local Specialist
- View Uros floating islands
- Private tour of Taquile Island
- Learn about knitting and weaving traditions
- Home-cooked lunch on Taquile Island
- Learn about islanders' way of life on totora reed islets
Landmarks/POIs Lake Titicaca Uros Islands Taquile Island - Day 10
Puno to Lima
Fly back to Lima and have the afternoon free to explore Peru's capital on the Pacific coast. This evening, visit the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum with a Local Specialist to see pre-Columbian artifacts and Peruvian gold and silver collections. Finish with a gourmet Farewell Dinner featuring Peruvian flavors overlooking the museum's gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet Farewell Dinner with Peruvian flavours overlooking museum gardens)
Included Activities
- Flight to Lima
- Evening visit to Rafael Larco Herrera Museum with Local Specialist
- Explore pre-Columbian artefacts
- View Peruvian gold and silver collections
- Gourmet Farewell Dinner with Peruvian flavours overlooking museum gardens
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of Lima independently
Landmarks/POIs Rafael Larco Herrera Museum - Day 11
Lima Departure
Head to the airport for your flight home, or if you'd like, you can extend your time in Lima and explore more of the capital.
Optional Activities
- Extend your stay in Lima
