The Spirit of Peru - Food, Culture, History, People

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 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 biking tour around Miraflores & Barranco Bohemian district. Take an afternoon cultural tour of Lima

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

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! En Route 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 visit 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 local dessert made of lucuma, a native fruit, at the cozy garden restaurant at the Museum, 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. This way, you will see both sides of Peru, our Andean ancestry, and our Hispanic legacy too. After about an hour of time to rest and relax, at 5 pm, we begin our evening food tour with a beachfront Pisco Sour demo at sunset. Next, an exclusive tasting menu at the local restaurant in Lima, where you'll enjoy preparing your own cebiche. Finally, enjoy a gourmet Peruvian dinner overlooking the Huaca Pucllana pyramid which is lit up beautifully every evening.

Included Activities: Cultural tour of Lima and evening food tour.

Transportation: Approx. 30 minutes from Miraflores to Larco Museum.

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

We'll be heading to the Andes today. A morning flight leads us to Cusco. If possible, try to book a seat on the aircraft's left side, as it offers the best views on bright days.  Our local guide will be expecting you at the airport, ready to take you to your hotel upon arriving. The rest of the day will be free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude first. We have plenty of suggestions in case you'd like to explore a little bit on your first day in Cusco. Remember, you don't want to do too much on this day, though; it is best to get used to the altitude first!

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

Optional Activities: Afternoon Cusco light guided hike and visit to Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Visit an artisan's workshop in the San Blas neighborhood.

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 handicrafts. Afterward, 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 the sowing or harvesting, depending on the season. Find many varieties of potatoes and learn about Andean superfoods, such as quinoa, kiwicha, and medicinal herbs. Afterward, 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. 50 minutes from Cusco to Pisac village / Approx 1 hour from Pisac village to Amaru community.

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

Before the arrival of Europeans, the Incas traveled with hundreds of llamas around their territory to move several products from one town to another. Today, enjoy a leisurely walk in the picturesque surroundings of Urubamba with the beautiful llamas part of the Llamapack Project. This initiative seeks to value the traditional usage of llamas in herding communities. Your mission today will be to take them out to their grazing spot while you learn all about this noble native animal. After lunch at a nice local restaurant, we'll drive you to Moray, a unique Inca site consisting of circular terraces built upon a natural depression. Afterward, we will visit Maras, an impressive salt-extraction complex composed of thousands of small ponds. Locals have been collecting and selling the salt at the markets of the region since before the Inca times!

Notes about the llama walk: 

• Trekking distance:  1.5km (1.5 hours hiking) 

• Altitude:  2700 to 2900 m.a.s.l.

Included Activities:  Guided walk with Llamas in the Sacred Valley and visit Maras salt mines-Moray circular terraces.

Optional activities: Only if time permits, visit the colorful Chinchero village for a weaving demonstration.

Transportation: Approx. 25 minutes from your hotel to the point of beginning of the llama walk / 1 hour from Llama point start to Maras-Moray area.

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

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the best places in Peru to enjoy a relaxing day and disconnect from the hectic modern lifestyle. Today, spend a full day at your own pace. You can take a walk in the surroundings of your hotel, enjoy a cup of coffee while reading a book, or take a massage session at the spa; it's up to you! 

Optional activities:  Visit Ollantaytambo Fortress and hike Pinkuylluna viewpoint, enjoy the Pachamanca Experience (andean meal with an ancestral technique of cooking). 

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

Huchuy Qosqo is a hidden gem in Cusco that few people see. The site hangs on high mountain slopes with commanding views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. From your hotel, we drive through the Andes to Tauca village in the proximities of Chinchero. It is from here that we'll set off on a 9 km hike across a hilly plateau to Huchuy Qosqo. The trek begins with a short uphill segment that offers views of Piuray lagoon; llamas are frequently seen here too. Once we reach the mountain pass, at 4500 m, the trail continues downhill on an original Inca path until reaching Huchuy Qosqo. This place was once an Inca palace and still has well-preserved structures made of stone and adobe bricks. We'll have time here to explore the site freely and relax. When ready, we must descend for another 2km towards Lamay, at the base of the valley. Our transport will be waiting there to take us back to our hotel for tonight. 

Included Activities: Guided hike to Huchuy Qosqo site.

Optional Activities: Instead of this acclimatization hike, you could go to the Inkilltambo site, Zipline in the Sacred Valley, take a white river rafting.

Transportation: Approx.50 minutes Sacred Valley hotel to point of beginning of the hike.

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

Machu Picchu, here we come! In the morning we’ll enjoy a train journey to Aguas Calientes, a spectacle in 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, we'll take a 30-minute bus up to Machu Picchu, surrounded by an impressive mountain setting. Once here, you'll enjoy your first views of the fantastic scenery while we share with you an introduction to the Inca site before start exploring every corner of the lost Inca citadel. The afternoon is a great time to take our guided tour around the site since many travelers may have left. At the appropriate time, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where your private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel after this long but fun day. 

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 train journey back to Cusco.

Optional activities: If time permits, you can visit the local market of Aguas Calientes or a butterfly farm.

Transportation: Approx. 1 1/2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu town by train / 30 minutes from Machu Picchu village to the citadel's entrance / 1 1/2 hours Machu Picchu town to Ollantaytambo by train / 1 1/2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco hotel.

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

This time we'll have the entire day to explore the city on our 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. We 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 afternoon/evening activities: Pisco lessons with tasting, Evening folkloric show, Buffet dinner with live Andean music.

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

Strap on our walking shoes and get ready for a soft hike around the historical center of Cusco and the surrounding countryside! We begin the tour on the outskirts of Cusco with a visit to Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca fortress overlooking the city. Next, we'll start an easy one-hour descent walk through a small portion of an old Inca road, one of the best-preserved in the area, until arriving at the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas. Our tour will take you not only through the top landmarks in Cusco, such as the Main Square, and the "Koricancha" or Temple of the Sun, but you will also walk into its lively neighborhoods and local markets where you'll discover the true magic of this city. This is the perfect way to get a more authentic feel of this fantastic place and its people. A spot we like to visit, where few others go, is San Francisco Church. It has impressive colonial architecture, catacombs, and excellent rooftop views of the city.

Included Activities:  Visit Koricancha, San Francisco convent & Sacsayhuaman Fortress.

Optional afternoon activity: Take a cooking class or chocolate lessons.

Transportation: Approx. 20 minutes from the city center to Sacsayhuaman Fortress.

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

It's time to visit the offbeat Rainbow Mountain! Palccoyo Is an extraordinary experience in the Vilcanota Mountain Range and a great alternative to the more visited Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. We will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and drive for about 3 hours to the starting point of our trek. Once here, we'll be able to see the spectacular striated mountains and the snow-capped peaks of Ausangate, as we hike along the area. The hike is short and flat; you only walk about one kilometer to reach the mountain at a lower altitude (4, 700 masl) with marvelous views and few people. After some time at the top, we begin our return hike and then drive back to Cusco, where we should be arriving at around 5 pm. 

Included Activities:  Guided visit to Palccoyo Mountain, box lunch with mountain views.

Optional activities: If time permits, we can visit the church of Checacupe town.

Transportation: Approx. 2 1/2 hours to the hike's point of beginning.

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, at the shores of Lake Titicaca. En route, you'll visit a place called 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 to 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 here (nowadays it's mostly tourism). 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 in the morning we leave Puno and head to the Chincheros Country Manor, located close to the lake about 20 minutes out of the city. At Chincheros, we'll get to walk along off-the-beaten-path trails that offer scenic views of Lake Titicaca's shoreline and we will also have the chance to admire the beautiful South American camelids, such as Llamas, Alpacas, and Vicuñas. Next, we'll be part of a soft adventure towards a cactus forest, where we will walk around with a private guide that will show us this area of the property before your delighting your senses with a BBQ experience, based on fresh local products and afterward, at the coordinated time, our transport will take us back to our hotel in Puno.

Included Activities:  Guided excursion around Chincheros property (Snacks & BBQ are provided during activities).

Optional activities: Horseback riding.

Transportation: Approx. 40 minutes from Puno hotel to Fundo Chincheros.

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.