Day 1: Saturday: Arrival in Lima
Upon your arrival, you will be assisted at the airport and then transferred to the hotel.
- Accommodation at the selected hotel in Lima.
- Meals included: None.
Day 2: Sunday: Lima
Breakfast.
Lima City Tour: Colonial and Modern Lima with visit to Larco Museum (SIC)
Today we will discover the two facets of Lima: the modern, reflected in the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro; and the ancient, encapsulated in its Historic Center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will immerse ourselves in the city's colonial history as we tour its streets and plazas, appreciating emblematic buildings such as the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the Archbishop's Palace, among others. We will have the opportunity to enter one of Lima's most iconic ecclesiastical spaces, the Santo Domingo Convent, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which houses the relics of three Peruvian saints: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres, and San Juan Macías. The tour would not be complete without a visit to the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum, one of the most important in the country for its valuable collection of nearly 45,000 pre-Hispanic artifacts, especially from the Mochica culture. This museum is notable for being one of the first in the world to have open storage areas and to provide virtual access to its complete collection. We will marvel at the quality of its jewelry, textiles, and its enigmatic "erotic room," dedicated to pottery alluding to fertility.
- Accommodation at the selected hotel in Lima.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 3: Monday: Lima, Cusco
Breakfast. At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your departure flight to Cusco. Suggested flight (e.g., LA LA2322 LIM/CUZ Departure 0935 – Arrival 1055) – not included.
Upon arrival in Cusco, one of our representatives will greet you, and then you will be transferred to your hotel.
Free day in Cusco for personal activities.
Enjoy the charm of this beautiful colonial city built upon the remains of amazing Inca constructions. Don't miss visiting: The Temple of the Sun (Koricancha), the San Blas neighborhood and its artisans, the Cathedral, and the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán.
Optional at extra cost:
HD City Tour Visit to San Pedro Market and Ruins (SIC) – (Minimum 2 passengers)
This charming half-day tour of Cusco offers us history, living culture, and art. We will appreciate how the Andean and Spanish cultures, as well as the past and present, coexist in harmony in the Imperial City. We will reach the center to walk the aisles of the San Pedro Market, the oldest in the city. Designed in 1925 by Gustave Eiffel, it now brings together hundreds of local product vendors. We will also visit Koricancha, which during the Inca Empire was a center of worship to the Sun, upon which the Santo Domingo Convent was later built as part of the evangelization process. Its baroque-style facade built upon the solid Inca walls perfectly summarizes the cultural syncretism of Cusco. To appreciate the grandeur of the Incas, we will ascend to the monumental fortress of Sacsayhuamán, which with its enormous carved stone walls is one of the finest examples of Inca military architecture. We will also tour the archaeological center of Kenko, a ceremonial site dedicated to the worship of the Sun, Moon, and stars. We could not tour the city without visiting the Cathedral, the most important temple in the entire city. It was built by the Spanish over the palace of the Inca Huiracocha. Its interior holds a wonderful collection of colonial art composed of goldsmith pieces and representative canvases from the Cusco School.
- Accommodation at the selected hotel in Cusco.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 4: Tuesday: Cusco, Sacred Valley
Breakfast.
History and Culture in Maras, Moray and Misminay (Full-Day Tour)
We will dedicate a day to exploring three jewels of the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Maras, Moray, and Misminay. From above, we will have a majestic view of the ancient Maras salt mines, where the coveted Maras salt, one of the finest in the world, is collected. We will see almost 3,000 pools that in Inca times were an important center for the imperial economy. Today, it continues to be a valuable source of income for hundreds of families. With impressive panoramic views of the mosaic of terraces and ponds, Maras offers the perfect setting for photography enthusiasts. We will also reach the Moray archaeological site, resembling an amphitheater, which during the Tahuantinsuyo functioned as a laboratory and agricultural research center according to some studies. Its enormous concentric terraces and the variety of microclimates they create allowed for the growth of a wide variety of crops. Then we will head to the Misminay community, where we will enjoy a valuable cultural exchange and get a close look at the traditional Andean lifestyle. Its inhabitants will welcome us with their characteristic warmth amid typical music and dances, and then invite us to take part in their various daily activities related to agriculture and textiles.
- Accommodation at the selected hotel in Sacred Valley.
- Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 5: Wednesday: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco
Breakfast.
At the appropriate time, you will board the train bound for Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
(*) Train schedules are subject to confirmation.
Visit to Machu Picchu (SIC)
One of the most important tourist landmarks in the world awaits us: Machu Picchu! Our adventure will begin aboard a train bound for Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, a picturesque town at the foot of the iconic Inca citadel. During the train journey, thanks to the wide windows of the carriages, we can enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. Impressive views of majestic mountains, rivers, and small towns of the Peruvian Andes; a visual feast that fills us with anticipation for the visit to the Inca citadel. After a short bus ride up from Aguas Calientes, we will find ourselves facing one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World – it will be an unforgettable sight! From there, we will explore the incredible constructions, learning all about the history and mysteries held within this mystical and impressive place. With incomparable landscapes everywhere, there will be plenty of opportunities to take spectacular photos. Once we have been recharged by the magical energy of Machu Picchu, we will return to Aguas Calientes where we will have free time for lunch or to explore its streets before boarding our return train.
(*) Train schedules are subject to confirmation.
- Accommodation at the selected hotel in Cusco.
- Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 6: Thursday: Cusco
Breakfast.
Free day in Cusco for personal activities.
Enjoy a unique experience full of beautiful landscapes, spectacular views, small communities, and opportunities to observe local wildlife. Adventure awaits you! Don't miss the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.
Optional at extra cost:
Full Day Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (SIC) – (Minimum 2 passengers)
Vinicunca, or the Mountain of Seven Colors, is one of the most popular attractions in Cusco. We will leave the hotel early to head towards Cusipata, and from there we will transfer to Phulawasipata, the starting point of the uphill hike. The path will be the perfect pretext to enjoy the nature of the place: herds of llamas and alpacas, as well as the majestic Apu Ausangate, the highest snow-capped peak in Cusco. We will also be able to talk with the local communities and see the potato fields they work on daily. After about an hour and a half of hiking, we will reach Vinicunca, at 5,020 meters above sea level. The view we get will be the best reward. The minerals that make up the mountain's soil give its slopes and summit curious shades of red, purple, green, yellow, and pink, among other colors. Let's prepare our phones and cameras for this spectacle! From there, we will begin the journey back to Phulawasipata. After walking a total of 8 km, we will head to Cusipata, where we will enjoy a restorative traditional lunch.
We recommend avoiding visits between January and March due to the rainy season. Operations are subject to weather conditions.
- Accommodation at the selected hotel in Cusco.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 7: Friday: Cusco, Lima
Breakfast. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred from the hotel to Cusco Airport to take your return flight home.
Suggested flight schedule: 12 pm to 4 pm. Please note that various options exist in case you need to connect with your international flight home.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
