Extraordinary Peru

Being the cradle of one of the most enigmatic civilizations in history and home to 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Peru is quite a special destination as you will discover over this fascinating six-day tour exploring the country. Visit beautiful colonial cities, impressive archaeological sites and admire some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet en route to the magnificent Machu Picchu citadel and mountain. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Lima: The capital’s architectural ensemble has earned its UNESCO World Heritage Site status, with attractions such as the Casa Aliaga, the Cathedral and the Main Square.

Cusco: Discover the former Inca capital, where the ruins of the former civilization and the Spanish colonial legacy provide impressive attractions such as the baroque Cathedral, the Sacsayhuaman, as well as Puka Pukara archaeological sites.

Sacred Valley: Discover the ancient town of Pisac and its interesting Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo.

Machu Picchu: The lost city of the Incas is hidden on top of an Andean peak, offering spectacular views of the mountains and a glimpse into the fascinating Inca past.

Day 1: ARRIVAL LIMA

Arrive at Lima airport, receive assistance, and transfer to your selected hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure to get to know the city. Lima is a modern metropolis full of history, hosting approximately 10 million inhabitants and going through an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru´s sprawling capital city. Alternatively, you can book our optional Magic Water Circuit with Dinner and Folk Show: 

Magic Water Circuit with Dinner and Folk Show (shared basis):

A modern system of fountains certified as the largest in the world by the Guinness World Records. Built-in Exhibition Park, the Magical Water Circuit attracts crowds during summer and winter, being one of the new favorite attractions of Lima. See yourself and enjoy our water cruise that is followed by a unique gastronomical experience at a restaurant, accompanied by a delicious buffet dinner and amusing folk show.

Notes: Shared service. Start time: 18:00 hours. Duration 4 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Magic Water Circuit, and Buffet Dinner with Folkloric show

Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: LIMA

After breakfast at the hotel, explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historic buildings. Start with a scenic tour in the colonial core. Begin from the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Stroll over to the cathedral, and visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jerónimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time that still belongs to the same family. Continue to the Larco Museum, located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district and housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built over a seventh-century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artefacts, as well as interesting pieces of erotic art. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 3: LIMA – CUSCO (90 min by flight; not included)

After a tasty breakfast, enjoy a comfortable transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport to catch a flight to Cusco. A representative will meet and greet you, and then transfer you to the selected hotel in Cusco. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaves and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to your hotel. Your flight to Cusco is not included.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 4: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY (75 km – 2 hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. During the morning, you are picked up from your hotel in Cusco to visit the town of Chinchero, a traditional Cusco urban centre located at an elevated point with a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve the artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas and display them in their clothes and customs. In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. Then, you are transferred to the Living Museum of Yucay, a centre Andean traditions interpretations, where demonstrations of the elaboration of textile work, adobe, pottery and silverware are carried out in the same way in which they used to in antiquity; an original recreation of Inca traditions. Also, residents of the museum include llamas, sheep and alpacas, and they can be fed!. Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo visit its town, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress, built next to a mountain. Later, have lunch in Ollantaytambo and live a superior Andean gastronomy experience in a restaurant, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley is transmitted in a cosy atmosphere.  At the end of this activity, you are transferred back to your hotel. *On Sundays, also visit the local market.

Overnight in Sacred Valley.

Day 5: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (170 km – 4 hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel, head to Ollanta Station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Following a scenic journey through dramatic Andean landscapes, arrive at the station in Aguas Calientes. Here you board a coach for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel, presenting its most prominent landmarks such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, and the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch at the famous Café Inkaterra, a beautiful thatched-roof restaurant hemmed in between the railway and a mountain. Return to Cusco in the afternoon.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 6: DEPART CUSCO

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a pleasant transfer to Cusco Airport.

Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.