Compare Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley- Most Adventurous Tour by Yampu Tours vs Lights of Peru, The Inca Empire by Say Hueque

Day 1

Overnight flight to Lima.

Day 2

Upon arrival, you will be met by our staff to assist you with your connecting flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is at your leisure to acclimate. Cusco’s elevation is approximately 3,400 meters (11,200 feet), so we highly recommend resting as soon as you arrive for a few hours and taking in some coca tea.

Note: Check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed). Also, if you take a day flight to Lima, we can accommodate a night at the airport hotel (at extra cost). Please ask your Yampu Travel Consultant.

Day 3

This morning enjoy a private walking tour of Cusco where you will visit the Korikancha Temple, or Temple of the Sun, and the Cathedral and its Art Museum. During your private tour today you have the option to visit the Casa Concha museum or the San Pedro Market.

The Casa Concha museum was recently renovated and houses over 360 archaeological pieces from Machu Picchu, recently returned by Yale University.

San Pedro Market is a lively, local market where you will receive a briefing about the local Andean ingredients and have an opportunity to purchase them. This market visit is a great opportunity to interact with the locals either selling or purchasing items from the market.

This afternoon there will be time for lunch before continuing to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), the amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress. This afternoon, return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.

Note: For more adventurous travelers, we suggest an optional sunset horse back riding tour through the Sacsahuaman Ruins. Please ask your Yampu Travel Consultant for more information.

Day 4

This morning you will depart for the Urubamba River located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (north of Cusco). Here your guide will give you an introductory lesson on safety and equipment for your rafting trip along the Urubamba. Your tour will last for approximately two hours in rapids of varying classes, II, III, IV+, and V, depending on the route selected based on your ability and the season. The Ollantaytambo Class III runs from May to December; the Quiquijana Class III from December to May; and the Chuquicahuana Class III, IV and V also December to May. The Chuquicahuana is the hardest route and will have a safety guide in the kayak with you at all times. We recommend the harder route only for those with expert experience.

After your rafting tour of the Urubamba River, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch you have the unique opportunity to support the local community of Cachiccata in the Sacred Valley by planting a tree to help the ongoing reforestation process in Peru. If time does not allow, a member of the Yampu team will be able to plant the tree for you in the community.

Day 5

This morning you will transfer to Chincheros to enjoy a bike tour. You will have a brief discussion before beginning your biking adventure, passing by the Huaypo lagoon, and the archaeological site of Moray and the salt mines of Salineras. This tour ends in Urubamba, where you will enjoy lunch before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at your leisure.

Day 6

This morning you will transfer to the train station. The train takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, you will board a bus to the mountain-top citadel of Machu Picchu. You will then have a guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marshes of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cusco imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca royal family and priests. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in the village of Aguas Calientes.

Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice so we may confirm your entrance to the ruins for today and tomorrow.

Day 7

This morning you will be met at your hotel for hike through the ruins up to Inti Punku or the Sungate for an unforgettable view of ruins as you watch the sunrise. For those who are most adventurous, you may want to enjoy a hike to Huayna Picchu (which means Young Mountain). This hike is quite steep and sometimes exposed. In the afternoon you will board the train to return to Cusco. Upon arrival, train station reception and transfer to your hotel.

Note: Government regulations restrict the amount of hikers on Huayna Picchu daily. If you are interested in this hike please notify your Yampu Travel Consultant at booking so we may confirm your entrance (subject to availability).

Day 8

This morning you will transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima you will be greeted for airport reception and transferred to your hotel.

This afternoon enjoy a tour of Lima’s Bay by bike, discovering the best spots of the city. You will enjoy a visit to Barranco, the old and bohemian neighborhood of the city, and its mansions, bars and parks. Your tour also visits the neighborhood of Chorrillos with its old fishing pier, beaches, and promenade. Finally, you will bike through the vibrant district of Miraflores with its amazing cliff edge sidewalks and parks that overlook the ocean. This tour will also give you the opportunity to view the many old houses, colonial mansions and some of the best restaurants in Lima, well-known for its cuisine. You will enjoy a snack in a traditional old bar or cafe in the area before returning to your hotel in Lima for an evening at your leisure.

Note: You may also chose to participate in tandem paragliding flights today with an experienced instructor. Due to weather conditions, bookings must be done and paid for locally.

Day 9

Today you will transfer to the airport for your international flight home.

Day 1: Welcome to Your 8-Day Trip to Perú - Lima

Transfer from the airport to your hotel – Day at leisure

Upon your arrival in Lima, we’ll be waiting to drive you from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy your leisure time in Lima!

Lima is the capital of Peru; the jumping-off point for nearly all trips to the country. In the Colonial Era, it housed the viceroyalty, making it the most powerful city-hub of South America.

Today, its native and foreign heritage coexist; its well-preserved, amazing colonial churches and archeological sites (heading south to Caral Sacred City) exist in harmony with Peru’s beautiful beaches overlooking the Pacific Ocean and its delicious seafood.

Day 2: City Tour in Lima

Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historic buildings.

We’ll start with a scenic tour in the colonial downtown, which expands from the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire, like that of the Cathedral, which was built up in the 16th century and finished after 80 years of hard work!

Our next stop will be to Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion that was granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains.

The last part of this historical day tour in Lima will be dedicated to the Larco Museum. Located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district, this meticulously maintained museum is housed in a beautifully restored viceroyal mansion. Its exhibits boast the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artifacts, as well as pieces of ancient erotic art.

Since we’re on the topic of love encounters, we’ll finish the day at the “Love Park” built in 1993 to celebrate love in all its forms. Nestled in the upscale coastal district of Miraflores, you can admire the cliffs from its colorful mosaic benches and take in the most beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.

After enjoying this romantic place and meeting the famous sculpture which immortalized the tender kiss of two passionate lovers, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.

Day 3: Continue Your Perú Travel Itinerary - Cuzco

Transfer from your hotel to Lima airport
Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel and take you to Lima airport to continue your 8-day trip in Perú. Take an hour’s flight to Cuzco, maybe the most international destination of Peru, since (but not only because…) Machu Picchu, the world-renowned Inca fortress, is located only 4 hours away! 

Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cuzco

Upon your arrival in Cuzco, we’ll drive you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening exploring the city at your own pace.

Day 4: Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress - Cuzco

Full-day tour to Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley, and visit Pisac, famous for its craft market where you’ll find the most exquisite pieces of jewelry, ceramic, and textile craftwork. We’ll continue our trip by visiting the archeological site of Pisac to admire the stone terraces built by the Incas, and last, we’ll head to Ollantaytambo to visit its stunning fortress. Admire the remaining towers and walls that used to keep the citadel safe and the royal guests it used to host. You will sleep in Cuzco tonight, at the end of the day, a transfer will drop you at your hotel.

Day 5: Travel to Machu Picchu - Return to Cuzco

Tour to Machu Picchu, discover the legendary city!
Your tour to Machu Picchu begins with a 4-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes (literally, hot water). This town is also known as “Machu Picchu Pueblo” and is the last stop before entering the remains of the most important archaeological site in Peru. Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain” and is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You’ll finally reach Machu Picchu (the ancient sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec) after a short transfer by bus through the mountains.

Here, when we arrive at the exact destination that is the highlight of your trip, we will have special moments which will most certainly be cherished forever. Enjoy your first impressions of this jaw-dropping place, and breathe the magic in the air.

At the end of the tour, you will take a bus back to Aguas Calientes and the train back to Cuzco where a transfer will drive you to your hotel.

Day 6: City Tour in Cuzco

City tour in Cuzco and archeological sites

Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to start your Cuzco tour with a visit to the Coricancha, also known as the “Temple of the Sun” the construction of which was ordered by Inca Pachacútec (1438-1471).

This is where the Sun (Inti, in Quechua) was worshipped during the reign of the Inca Empire, and during that time its walls were fully covered with gold sheets and its courtyards were adorned with golden corn and life-sized sculptures of llamas.

We’ll continue on to visit the Cathedral, the most important building in the Main Square (whose construction lasted almost a century) and one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in America.

Our next stop will be the Sacsayhuamán fortress, an emblematic Incan piece of work, which protected the Holy City. The Sacsayhuamán complex was constructed with giant megalithic blocks, the transportation and construction of which continue to be a mystery.

This day will end with a visit to some archeological main attractions. You’ll visit Qenqo, located just over 2 miles away from Cuzco City, an archaeological complex mainly used for religious purposes, and where it is believed that agricultural rituals took place.

You will finally visit the vestiges of Puka Pukara, located 4.5 miles away from Cuzco. Puka Pukara, which means “red fortress”, was an architectural complex presumably used for military purposes.

At the end of this full historical and natural immersion in Cuzco’s heritage, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.

Day 7 Hike to Humantay Lagoon - Cuzco

Hike to Humantay Lagoon

You will leave Cuzco early in the morning heading to Soraypampa. On the way, pass by the city of Limatambo, an important entrance to Cuzco during the Inca Empire, and see the archaeological site of Tarawasi. Make a quick breakfast stop in a local restaurant before reaching Soraypampa and begin a mountain hike to Humantay Lagoon. Enjoy the stunning scenery of this wonderful place and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Heading back to Cuzco, take lunch at a restaurant along the route.

Day 8 The End of Your 8-Day Travel Itinerary to Peru

This is the end of your 8-day travel itinerary to Peru…at least for now! At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and head to the Cuzco airport to take your flight.

Keep on exploring other amazing destinations in Perú. Fire up your wanderlust with our featured trips to Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Peru.