Compare Journey to Machu Picchu by Adventure Unbound vs Peru: See & Experience Almost it ALL in 12 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1: Lima

Accommodation: Selected Hotel

Fly into Lima and begin your Peruvian adventure! Meet your guide upon arrival and settle into your hotel. If time allows, explore some of Lima’s historic—and modern—sites before bed.

Day 2: Lima - Cusco - City Tour

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Selected Hotel

You don’t stay in Lima long as you board  a flight to Cusco this morning. After landing, settle into your accommodations before heading out to explore Cusco on a guided city tour. Our first stop of the tour is at the Main Square, which had formerly been known as Huacaypata, or the Warrior’s Square. Nearby you also find the El Triunfo Cathedral, renowned for the engravings decorating its furniture and altar. The Spanish constructed El Triunfo on top of the Inca’s Suntur Wasi, or House of God.

Our tour continues to the Convent of Santo Domingo, another Spanish religious site constructed on top of an Inca temple—this time the Temple of the Sun, or Koricancha. Fittingly, the temple was said to have been gilded in gold. Our tour concludes at the ancient city of Cusco and the immense Incan fortress of Sacsayhuamán. After our full day of exploration, relax and discover some delicious Peruvian restaurants for dinner.

Day 3: Cusco - Mountain Biking to Moray and Maras

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Selected Hotel

Today you explore the Sacred Valley by mountain bike! Hop onto your bike and pedal to our first stop: Moray. Learn about the Inca’s advanced agricultural technology and their work to create microclimates at this archaeological destination. Then, relax with a picnic lunch before continuing our ride on to Maras. Travel through stunning hilly countryside on this cross-country path before reaching the banks of the Urubamba river. Learn about the ingenious Maras salt mines before meeting up with our transport for the afternoon. Return to the Sacred Valley for the evening.

Day 4: Sacred Valley - Santa Maria Rafting - Mangal

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: El Mangal Farm Lodge

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off on another full day of active adventure. Travel to the Malaga Pass and its stunning views of snowy Wakaywillca Peak and the Verónica Glacier. As we travel the pass, we descend into the eastern Andes’ lush temperate rainforest. You may hike some portions if you wish to catch sight of some of Peru’s exotic wildlife such as the sword-billed hummingbird, the crested quetzal, the scarlet-bellied tanagers, the Inca wren, and, of course, the impressive Andean condor. Listen to the ghosts of the Incas whispering in the rainforest canopy as you marvel at abandoned villages and ancient ruins.

Arrive at Santa Maria village and take a break for some lunch before setting out on our afternoon rafting adventure on the Urubamba river. Catch your breath on stunning views and Class III rapids alike as you paddle the water. After, we transfer to the El Manual Farm Lodge, where you  have time to rest before joining a guided tour of the farm’s cacao, fruit and coffee plantations.

Day 5: Santa Maria - Santa Teresa - Aguas Calientes

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Selected Hotel

Wake to a fresh Peruvian breakfast and take some time to explore some more of the farm. Then, travel to Santa Teresa, a village where we find an adventure center. Sail through the forest canopy on one of South America’s highest zip lines or participate in one of the center’s other activities. After, relax with some lunch and a visit to nearby coffee plantations.

This afternoon, walk through the exotic and diverse Peruvian countryside. We later catch a train to Aguas Calientes where we spend the evening.

Day 6: Machu Picchu - Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Selected Hotel

Explore one of Peru’s most beloved historical sites today: Machu Picchu. We set off early toward the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, giving you plenty of time to explore the main sites of the sprawling Incan citadel situated in the lush tropical forest. If you wish, you may also choose to hike up the nearby Huayna Picchu—a mountain that rises higher than Machu Picchu and which offers its own selection of archeological mysteries.

Enjoy lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge before eventually meeting up with a train returning you to Ollantaytambo. From there, you continue on to Cusco.

Day 7: Cusco - Lima

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Selected Hotel

Catch a morning flight to Lima, where you check-in to your accommodations before venturing out into Lima for a leisurely, independent afternoon.

Day 8: Lima - City Tour - Airport

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy a final Peruvian adventure before leaving today! Join us on a half-day tour into the Historic Centre of Lima—a UNESCO World Heritage Centre—either in the morning or afternoon. Begin with a stroll around San Martin Square, sometimes known as the “Plaza de Armas” where you also find the historic Archbishop’s Palace, town hall, cathedral and Government Palace—all exemplary tour de forces of Spanish colonial architecture and South American colonial religious art. We end our tour with the renowned Larco Herrera Museum. Browse through 45,000 pre-Columbian archaeological objectives that trace over 3,000 years of Peru’s ancient history.

After we conclude our tour, return to the hotel for refreshment before catching your return international flight at the Lima airport.

Day 1: Where Architectural Legacies Remain

Originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of the Kings), Lima has developed an important tourism industry. What stands out are the historic center, archaeological remains, nightlife, museums, art galleries, festivities, and popular traditions. The historic center of Lima was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. A large number of architectural legacies remain. Highlights include the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, the Plaza Mayor, the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Palacio de Torre Tagle.

Note that we can provide you with a guided sightseeing tour only if you arrive before 4:00 pm.

Start point
Transportation will be arranged for you from the airport in Lima., Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru

Day 2: Vineyards, Exotic Drinks & a Buggy Ride on Huge Hills

We relocated from Lima to the city of Ica. There we are taken to two wineries. Peruvian wine dates back to the Spanish colonization of the region in the 16th century. After sampling some of the best wines and spirits Peru has to offer, we are taken to Huacachina. This village is built around a small oasis and is surrounded by sand dunes. We go dune bashing as well as sandboarding.

Day 3: Large-Scale Geoglyphs Seen From the Sky & Peru's Version of the Galapagos Islands

Before returning to Lima, we take a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands and then check out the Nazca Lines. The Ballestas Islands are an important sanctuary for marine fauna like the blue-footed booby. On the way to the islands, we see El Candelabro, a large-scale geoglyph that may have served as a beacon to mariners. The Nazca Lines were created between 500 BC and 500 AD. There are several theories as to why people of those times made these lines. Hear all about these different theories as we take a flightseeing tour over this group of geoglyphs.

Day 4: Exploring the Once Capital of the Inca Empire

We relocated from Lima to the colonial city of Cusco. Peru’s urban showcase destination Cusco is known for its rich heritage with the Inca and Spaniards as well as the charming architecture both empires left behind. Even though Cusco is also known for its proximity to the Machu Picchu archeological site, the city is popular in its own right. We are provided with a guided tour.

Day 5: Stunning Archaeological Sites Spread Across a valley

We make a day trip from Cusco to the Sacred Valley. The Chanapata civilization first utilized this area around 800 BCE because of the rich soil used for agriculture. The Qotacalla civilization lived here from 500 to 900 CE. The Killke civilization then lived here from 900 until the Incan Empire took over the region in 1420. The Incan Empire ruled this area until the arrival of the Spanish. Today remains of citadels and markets are found across this long valley.

Day 6: Multicolored Mountains Found Due to Melting Glaciers

We make a day trip from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain (a.k.a. Vinicunca). Mass tourism came after 2015, attracted by the mountain’s series of stripes of various colors due to its mineralogical composition on the slopes and summits. The mountain used to be covered by glacier caps, but these have melted due to global warming. We go horseback riding at Rainbow Mountain.

Day 7: Salt Evaporation Ponds in Use Since Inca Times & the Train Ride You Have Been Awaiting

Before relocating to the village of Aguas Calientes, we visited salt mines called Maras as well as an archeological site called Moray. Maras is well known for its salt evaporation ponds. There are over 5,000 of them, which have been in use since Inca times. Moray consists of several terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 meters (98 feet) deep. As with many other Inca sites, Moray also has an irrigation system.

Day 8: Experiencing One of the Seven Wonders of the World

Before returning to Cusco, we are provided with a guided tour of Machu Picchu. This 15th-century citadel is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period. Machu Picchu remained undiscovered to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Day 9: Two Architecturally Enticing Cities From Morning to Night

Before relocating to the colonial city of Arequipa, we have free time to explore Cusco further: whitewashed and narrow streets, a gorgeous main square, grandeur sites, and red-tiled roofs. Cusco is undoubtedly one of Latin America’s prettiest historic cities.

Day 10: One of the Nation's Top Three Destinations, Home to the Andean Condor

Today we make a day trip from Arequipa to the very scenic Colca Canyon. It is home to Andean condors, giant hummingbirds, Andean geese, Chilean flamingos, mountain caracaras, rabbits, deer, foxes, and alpacas. The Colca Canyon is Peru’s third most popular tourist destination, and for good reason.

Day 11: A Provincial Capital Made of Volcanic Stone

Before returning to Lima, we are provided with a guided tour of Arequipa. This destination definitely does not feel so large, even though it is the second-largest city in the country. Arequipa is characterized by colonial-era churches and mansions. The historic center is small but charming nonetheless.

Day 12: Our Tour Ends Today

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Lima.

Note that if you can extend your trip, consider doing so. Lake Titicaca is worth 2 days, as is the Peruvian Amazon.

Endpoint
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Lima., Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru