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

NOTE: The below is a sample itinerary for a popular extension option to see the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu.  Many of our guests, whether in the Galapagos or in Patagonia, will add this itinerary to their trip or custom build one with us.  Please contact us with any questions. We are eager to help!

Day 1: Arrive Lima

Upon arrival, on the first day of your trip to Peru, you will be welcomed by a Peru Unbound representative and transfered to your hotel, After check in you will have a briefing in which you will be handed your “Travel kit” which includes all your travel documents such as itinerary, flight, train and bus tickets, and hotel information.

Overnight in Lima.   

Day 2: Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

At 07:00 hrs.  Transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport for your one and a half hour flight, over the Andes Mountains to Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport in Cusco and escorted to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On route you will visit the town of Pisac, a picturesque Andean Village, best known for its traditional market. The market’s main day is Sunday, when locals from all over the region arrive at Pisac to sell their products, however the market does operate the rest of the week. 

After visiting Pisac, continue to Urubamba were you will enjoy lunch and a Peruvian Paso Horse presentation and after we will visit Ollantaytambo, with its distinct Inca urban planning. Visit the religious, astronomical and military complex and marvel at huge boulders of nearly 60 metric tons which were moved to this site by the Incas.

Finally, continue to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Day 3:

Hike Option:

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Ollantaytambo – km 104 – Machu Picchu:

At 05:15 hrs. approx. You will be transferred from your hotel to the train station at Ollanta, where you will board your train to KM 104. Here you will start your trek towards the archaeological site of Chachabamba (2150m/7052ft) and Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692f), you will hike upwards for about 8km, approximately 4 hours, until you reach the Inca Site of, Wiñay Wayna. This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector.

We will then continue to Inti Punku ‘The Sun Gate’ which will take about one hour and from this point we can admire the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f). (Pls note that tour of the Sanctuary will be provided the next day).

Finally we will take the shuttle bus down the hill to the village of Machu Picchu, where you will overnight. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Train option:

 You begin the journey with a morning transfer to the station to catch the train to Aguas Calientes town. From the station you board a bus to take the 20 minute journey to Machu Picchu where you begin a full day of exploring in the Citadel. Set in a mystical landscape of forests and high mountains, you have the chance to discover the ancient civilization that once ruled the continent and attempt to comprehend their way of life by walking through the beautiful city. After an energetic day of discovering you board the bus back down to town and check into your hotel for a great meal and time to reflect on the day.

Alternatively if you want you can check into your hotel and explore the town or just relax and get ready for a full day of exploring together.

Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning you will take the shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu (approximately 20 minutes). This stone citadel, located 112 km from Cusco, was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The citadel was built on a very special spot covered in vegetation between two mountains: the Machu Picchu (old mountain) and Huayna Picchu (young mountain), at the foot of which meanders the Urubamba or Vilcanota River (lower Jungle featuring abundant flora and fauna). On arrival we will begin the tour of the Sanctuary.

Entrance Huayna Picchu is included.

Buffet lunch will be served at the Sanctuary Lodge and in the afternoon, take the first class train back to Poroy. Reception at the train station and private transfer to hotel in Cusco.

Day 5: Cusco - Lima

Meals Included: Breakfast

At 08:30 hrs. Departure from your hotel to begin your visit to Cusco’s Historical Inca and Spanish Colonial Monuments, such as the Main Square, known in Inca times as Huacaypata or the Warrior’s Square, it was the scene for many key events in Cusco’s history. The Cathedral, originally built on the site of the old temple of Suntur Wasi (House of God), now the church of El Triunfo, a particular interest are the choir cloisters, the pulpit, the engravings on the altar and furniture.

Continue onto the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, a Spanish construction belonging to the Dominican Order built upon the foundations of the Inca temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Koricancha (in quechua, site of gold) was the main religious building of the Incas dedicated to the worship of the Sun and whose walls, according to the chroniclers, were plated with sheets of gold. Magnificent blocks of finely carved stone were used in its construction.

After, you will visit the surrounding ruins of the city of Cusco and Sacsayhuamán, a huge Inca fortress which is built on three overlapping platforms, each of them over 360 m long. Finally, enjoy lunch at another of Cusco´s best restaurants before being transferred to the local airport to board your flight to Lima. Upon arrival to Lima, reception at the airport and transfer to hotel.

Day 6: Lima - Home

Enjoy a day on your own in Lima or we can organize a guided tour for you at an extra cost.

 Transfer to the airport in time to check in for your international flight.

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