Discover the Best of Peru's Highlights

Welcome to Peru and Lima! Upon arrival, we'll meet you at Lima Airport and continue together to your hotel in Miraflores, where you are free to relax and wander around at your own pace. After check-in, we'll hand you your travel kit and have a short briefing to answer any last-minute questions. Depending on your time of arrival, we have plenty of suggestions for you to make the most of your first day in the city.  

Optional activity: If your arrival time permits, take a morning/afternoon walk to iconic sites near your hotel, such as the Amano Museum or the pyramids of Huaca Pucllana (closed on Tuesdays).

Transportation: Approx. 1 hour from the airport to your hotel.

Accommodation options: El Tambo Hotel (3-star hotel) 

We will leave the city of Lima for the day. We start early this morning and head south towards Pisco. On arrival to Pisco airfield, and after check-in, we will board a modern Cessna Caravan aircraft to fly over the enigmatic Nazca Lines. During the flight, we'll observe the mysterious figures of animals, humanoids, and geometric shapes perfectly crafted in the desert. After having some free time for an exquisite lunch, admiring the immensity of the ocean and beautiful beaches, from some cliff-top lookouts, we begin our return journey to Lima, arriving at 7 pm (approximately).

Included Activities:  Guided overflight of the Nazca Lines & Paracas Reserve.

Optional activity: Afternoon walk around the bohemian district of Barranco or culinary experience with dinner.

Transportation: Approx. 3 1/2 hours from Lima to Paracas town and vice versa / 2-hour overflight service

Accommodation options: El Tambo Hotel (3-star hotel)

Although the Spanish foundation of Lima was in 1535, we know that Lima was inhabited many years before that. Today, we will go on a tour that will take you back in time through the Colonial and Prehispanic stages of Peruvian history! On Rote to our first stop, we'll pass by Huaca Huallamarca, a 2000-year-old adobe pyramid located in the heart of Miraflores. Afterward, we'll be visiting the Larco Museum, which is the perfect introduction to our country's millenary history. The collection exhibited at the Larco Museum will amaze us featuring the most luxurious gold, silver, and ceramics pieces from ancient Peru. We'll try a dessert made of lucuma, a native fruit of the coastal valleys of Peru, and then head to Lima's City Center to have a look at its colonial past. Here, we will visit the 16th Century Santo Domingo Convent and walk through its historic downtown, considered a Unesco site. Afterward, we'll head to Lima's airport on time for our afternoon flight to Cusco. Upon arriving, our local guide will be expecting you at the airport, ready to take you to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude first.

Included Activities:  Guided visit to Lima's highlights

Transportation: Approx. 1 hour from Lima hotel to local airport / 30 minutes from Cusco airport to your hotel.

Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel) 

Today you’ll have the entire day to explore the city on your own. Cusco is alive, and you can find activities according to your interests. If you would like to take a short walk, you could head uphill to the Cristo Blanco viewpoint or San Cristobal convent, both perfect for watching a beautiful sunset. You could also visit some local museums, several from natural history to art. Take a walk around Cuesta San Blas in search of local workshops and galleries. Some of the most renowned are Hilario Mendivil and Maximo Laura, among many other impressive art proposals. Finally, a night in Cusco is the perfect opportunity to see the stars and constellations.

Optional morning/evening activities: Visit an artisan's workshop in the San Blas neighborhood, Hike to Inkilltambo, Biking adventure to Southern Valley, folkloric show, and live Andean music with buffet dinner.

Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel) 

Let's go towards the Sacred Valley's mountains, Pisac, and the Andean community of Amaru. Leaving your hotel, we'll head towards Pisac, a lovely village where you'll be able to visit its colorful Indian market and see its local products and handcrafts. Afterwards, we'll continue to the community of Amaru. This traditional village has kept its ancient traditions alive, farming methods, and weaving techniques. Locals will be happy to share and teach you, first-hand, about their habits and customs. You will also learn about agricultural practices and take part in sowing or harvesting, depending on the season. Find many varieties of potatoes and learn about Andean superfoods, such as quinoa, kiwicha, and medicinal herbs. Afterwards, join your hosts at the table and share a typical Andean meal that you prepared together. Finally, it's time to leave Amaru and continue to your hotel.

Included Activities:  Guided visit to Amaru community with activities included and tour to Pisac Market.

Transportation: Approx. 1 hour from Sacred Valley hotel to Pisac village / 30 minutes from Pisac to Amaru community.

Accommodation options: La Casona de Yucay (3-star hotel) 

Start your day visiting Ollantaytambo, a charming village that has not changed much since Inca times. This town is famous due to the Ollantaytambo archaeological site, a fortress with impressive Inca stonework only second to Machu Picchu. For lunch, we will enjoy an exquisite meal in the town of Urubamba surrounded by beautiful sceneries. After lunch, set off to visit some of the Sacred Valley's most impressive sites. We'll first reach Moray, a unique Inca site consisting of circular terraces built upon a natural depression. End your day visiting Maras, an impressive salt-extraction complex composed of hundreds of small ponds from where locals have been collecting and selling the salt since before the Incas times. Finally, we will return to your charming hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Included Activities:  Guided excursions in the Sacred Valley.

Transportation: Approx. 45 minutes to the point of beginning of the tour and vice versa.

Optional Activities: If time permits, you can hike up to Pinkuylluna lookpoint.

Accommodation options: La Casona de Yucay (3-star hotel)  

Machu Picchu, here we come! The morning train journey to Aguas Calientes will be a spectacle in and of itself as we'll be able to appreciate the changing landscape from green fields and eucalyptus forests to lush jungle, always traveling beside the meandering Urubamba River. Upon arriving, take a 30-minute bus up to Machu Picchu, surrounded by an impressive mountain setting. Here, you'll enjoy the first views of the citadel from the terrace sector while we share with you an introduction to Machu Picchu. Next, you'll start exploring every corner of the lost Inca citadel accompanied with your guide, who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Depending on your rhythm and interest, the tour lasts between 2 and 4 hours. Afterward, you'll return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy a delicious lunch before boarding your return train back to Ollantaytambo, where a private transport will be waiting to take your hotel.

Notes: 

· Be sure to be at the train station 30 minutes before the train departure.

· Please don't forget to bring your passport since it's required when entering Machu Picchu. 

Included Activities:  Guided excursion to Machu Picchu and spots around the citadel, train journey back to Cusco.

Optional Activities: Visit the Inca Bridge, hike to the Inti Punku viewpoint.

Transportation: Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes town / 30 minutes by bus from Aguas Calientes town to Machu Picchu entrance and vice versa / 1 hour 40 minutes from Aguas Calientes town to Ollantaytambo train station /  1 hour 40 minutes from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.

Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel) 

Puno and Lake Titicaca await! Today, At the coordinated time we'll head to the airport to catch our flight to Juliaca, and upon arriving we'll be ready to take you to your hotel in Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. En route you'll stop in Sillustani. This archaeological site, located at the shores of Lake Umayo, is an area full of energy and mystery. Sillustani is something entirely different from what Lake Titicaca has to offer. Here you will see a marvelous burial site made up of cylindrical, tower-like tombs called Chulpas. Most of the Chulpas here were built by the Pukaras, a prehispanic civilization related to the Tiwanaku, who were conquered by the Incas in the XVth century. After the tour, we continue to the hotel.

Included Activities:  Guided visit to Sillustani burial towers (Puno) on route to Puno city.

Optional activities: Afternoon walk around Puno city, visit the cathedral

Transportation: Approx. 30 minutes from Cusco hotel to local airport / 1-hour flight from Cusco to Juliaca airport / 50 minutes from Juliaca airport to Sillustani / 40 hour from Sillustani to Puno hotel.

Accommodation options: Intiqa Puno (3-star hotel)

Get ready to enjoy a full day at Lake Titicaca. First, we head to Taquile Island. The rocky shoreline and clear waters here might remind you of the Mediterranean, but we are in the Andes of course! We'll spend our time here enjoying the scenery and mingling with our local hosts. The highlight at Taquile must be their textile traditions, which are considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Our host family will be happy to show us what they can do. Lunch will be a tasty buffet-style meal carefully prepared at the Luquina community. Finally, we continue our boat journey to the floating islands of Uros. The locals will welcome us at these human-made reed islands. They will tell us about how the islands are built and how they used to make a living through fishing and trade. We then return to Puno.

Included Activities:  Guided excursion to iconic islands in Lake Titicaca and Luquina Chico village.

Optional activities: Evening walk around Puno city center.

Transportation: Approx. 15 minutes from Puno hotel to the local pier / 2 hours by boat from pier to Taquile island / 30 minutes by boat from Taquile island to Luquina Chico / 1 hour from Luquina Chico to Uros islands / 30 minutes from Uros islands to Puno pier.

Accommodation options: Intiqa Puno (3-star hotel) 

Today, you will enjoy a free day for self-exploring. Puno is called the "folkloric capital of Peru" due to the vast number of dances they have as well as the colorful celebrations taking place in February for the Virgin of Candelaria, a local saint whose festivity includes big parades by devoted dancers from all over Peru. 

Optional Activities: Visit Chincheros Alpaca farm with a hike to its Cactus forest and  BBQ on the shores of Lake Titicaca or Kayak in Lake Titicaca

Accommodation options: Intiqa Puno (3-star hotel)

After a great time in the Andes, it is now time to continue to Lima. At the coordinated time, we'll head to Juliaca's airport to catch our flight back to Lima and international connecting flights to your next destination. Hopefully, you will be heading home full of happy memories, new friends, and great pictures of your time with us!

Transportation: Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes from Puno hotel to Juliaca airport.

Accommodations

Hotel accommodations as indicated, including all hotel taxes and service charges

Tours and activities

Unique experiences available daily. See the day-by-day itinerary for recommended tours and additional options available

Local Guides

English speaking local & specialized guides during activities

Transport

All ground transportation for all excursions as indicated

Domestic flights

Domestic flights with Latam Airlines are included (subject to price variation at the time of booking)

Entrance fees

To sites of interest, museums and national parks

Food

Included meals are noted in the itinerary: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner

24/7 Assistance

In country assistance in English during the whole trip + Comprehensive assortment of pre-tour planning materials and amenities

Tips

For guides or drivers

International flights

International flights are not included (we can recommend options)

Travel Insurance

Additional activities

Nonspecified meals

• When booking a trip with us, we require a 5% front pay, non-refundable deposit. This covers the costs of the hard work our team and collaborators put towards creating your itineraries and making all the necessary pre-trip arrangements

• There are scenarios in which the initial payment is higher (e.g. domestic flights, Inca trail, and some high-end hotels that need upfront payments to be booked). In these cases, we always let you know in advance and explain the reasons. You will always be in control of your decisions.

• Your deposit is non-refundable because we value all our collaborators' hard work highly. Many of them work from long before you arrive to prepare your trips. For guides, drivers, and communities we work with, their time is just as valuable as yours or ours, and it is not easy to find new bookings when cancellations happen. It also allows us to offer better protection to the guides, communities, field staff, and other partners whose livelihoods depend on tourism.

• Just like with the initial down payment, the final trip payment is a non-refundable commitment from you and us to ensuring that your fantastic holiday experience will happen. The final trip payment is always scheduled 35 days before you arrive.

• We understand that you are making a significant effort to visit our country. This is why we prefer to make our pledge clear before you book. Having said this, we also assure you that you can always reach us about any issue concerning the trip.

• We do not have a policy stating that you can postpone your journey after booking. Through our time, we could help travelers postpone trips on a case-by-case basis. We are a small, trusted operator, so there is no computer-generated algorithm deciding if we can help with your postponement, a human being is. We will always do the best we can to help accommodate you, however, charges corresponding to new services or penalties are passed to you.

• We ask you to please purchase travel insurance to guarantee that you are well protected in case of any unexpected situations. We can recommend some options that best fit your necessities.