Compare Cultural Highlights of Peru by World Expeditions vs Peru: See & Experience Almost it ALL in 12 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1 Arrive Lima

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel where you are free to rest in the hotel or just wander around Miraflores, the area of Lima where our hotel is located. Some of Lima’s best galleries and shops and restaurants are located in this area. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima is the oldest capital in South America, with a superb combination of Spanish Colonial and 19th century European architecture. If you have time to visit a museum we would recommend the brilliant Larco Herrera Museum which also has an excellent onsite restaurant or the Museo de La Nacion or the Larco Herrera Museum. Overnight: Casa Andina Standard Miraflores Centro or similar.

meals : Array

Day 2 Flight across the Andes to Cusco.

Transfer to Lima airport and fly to Cusco. Try to get a seat on the left side of the aircraft for the best views of stunning snow peaks. After your transfer to our hotel located in the historic centre you will have some time to explore the city and also enjoy a few hours of rest, essential to initiate successful acclimatisation to the altitude. In the evening you will meet with your guide at 6pm at your hotel for an initial trip briefing. Overnight: Casa Andina Standard Cathedral or similar.

meals : B

Day 3 Cusco and Chinchero Market

Following breakfast at the hotel we drive for one hour to the Sunday Market at the town of Chinchero 3750m (12,300ft). Once the agricultural centre of the empire and still renowned for its traditional weavings. We'll spend time wandering the markets set high in the Andes, before returning to Cusco. Overnight: Casa Andina Standard Cathedral or similar.

meals : B

Day 4 To the Sacred Valley of the Incas

This morning we drive (2 hours) from Cusco down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas for lunch. We'll take time to explore some of the enthralling citadels, fortresses and temple ruins, including the site at Ollantaytambo. The valley follows the course of the famous Urubamba River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon. We'll also be able to visit some of the small markets in the valley so you’ll have the opportunity to do some ‘tourist shopping’, selecting from a variety of expertly made craft work, including alpaca sweaters and hats, ceramics, weavings and traditional Andean instruments. The evening is spent at our hotel in the heart of the valley. Overnight: Tika Wasi Hotel or similar.

meals : B

Day 5 To Machu Picchu

From our hotel, we drive to the railway station at Ollantaytambo where we take an early morning train to Machu Picchu. Our early start ensures we can thoroughly explore these remarkable and truly enigmatic ruins. We will enjoy a guided tour of the sanctuary which lasts 2 hours and at the end, you will have another 2 hours in the company of the guide to explore this fascinating site. We then take a late afternoon bus down to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night. Overnight: El Mapi Hotel or similar.

meals : B

Day 6 At Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

This morning we get up early to savour the views and atmosphere of the mystical morning light over Machu Picchu. We are treated to a unique second visit to Machu Picchu including another guided tour visiting the sites that you may have missed yesterday in this colossal sanctuary. After the official tour ends, you will have more time in the company of the guide to continue exploring this incredible site. In the afternoon or early evening we depart from Machu Picchu for the train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco. Overnight: Casa Andina Cathedral Hotel or similar. NB - depending on train schedules, we may arrive into Cusco very late at night. OPTIONAL HUAYNA PICCHU CLIMB OR MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN CLIMB - For the more adventurous, you can purchase an additional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permit (ask us for costs), and forego the guided tour of Machu Picchu which is non-refundable and non-transferable. Please be aware that this is NOT a guided climb, and it takes minimum 2.5 hours (45 mins up & 45 mins down and some time at the top). Both climbs are very steep (including many small and narrow steps) and can be slippery and are quite very exposed with vertiginous drops. Before purchasing the permit on your behalf (non-refundable and non-transferable), we require any passengers to sign a waiver form. Note - there are limited Huayna Picchu permits and they sell out fast, if you are interested in this option, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible.

meals : B

Day 7 Tour of Cusco city and nearby ruins

Today we have a guided tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins. The city, once capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Francisco Pizarro's men took the city with such apparent ease in November 1533. We explore the city by foot to appreciate its superbly constructed Inca walls and architecturally extravagant colonial churches and palaces. This also includes a visit of Koricancha, the Golden Temple of the Sun, in ancient times. After this we take a short drive to visit the monolithic walls of Sacsayhuaman along with Tambomachay, better known as ‘the bath of the Inca’. Both sites are spectacularly set above the city. In the afternoon you may have time to explore some of the central parts of the city and a chance to look at some of the great varieties of local craft work on sale in open-air artisan markets and shops. Overnight: Casa Andina Standard Cathedral or similar.

meals : B

Day 8 In Cusco

Today is free to explore Cusco and its surrounds or relax and enjoy the city at your own leisure. Overnight: Casa Andina Standard Cathedral or similar.

meals : B

Day 9 Bus from Cusco to Puno

We depart early in the morning for the 6 to 8 hour journey by private vehicle* to Puno set on the shores of Lake Titicaca at 12,630' (3,820m). The road takes us south along the great valley below Cusco and then as we head further south we start to climb towards the great continental divide at La Raya. To the east we see some of the strange peaks of the Carabaya Range. From the pass we descend quickly onto the vast dry altiplano with its isolated villages and herds of Andean camelid including the alpaca and vicuña. Our first glimpses of lake Titicaca remind us that this is hardly a lake - its more like a vast inland sea that also happens to be the highest navigable lake in the world! We spend our night at our hotel in Puno. Overnight: Hacienda Puno or similar. *Note: For smaller groups of 2 - 5 passengers we use the first class public bus to Puno.

meals : B

Day 10 Visit Lake Titicaca - Uros Islands

Puno is a typical high Andean town, set on the shores of the lake and located on the great altiplano that stretches all the way to La Paz. There will be an opportunity to cruise Lake Titicaca and visit some of the unique floating ‘tortora’ reed islands of the Uros Indians. We’ll also visit the impressively built pre-Inca burial towers or ‘chulpas’ at Sillustani near Lake Umayo, an hour’s drive from Puno. Overnight: Hacienda Puno or similar.

meals : B

Day 11 Drive to Juliaca and fly to Lima

Morning drive to Juliaca airport and flight to Lima where your trip concludes.

meals : B

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