Day 1: Arrival in Lima

Arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, where our representative will give you a warm welcome to the land of the Incas. Private transfer to your selected hotel in the exclusive districts of Miraflores or Barranco, located along the Pacific Ocean. Lima, the former “City of Kings” and current Peruvian capital, is home to more than ten million inhabitants and represents the perfect meeting point between historical tradition and Latin American culinary innovation. Rest at your hotel to recover from your journey and prepare for the adventure that will begin the next day.

Day 2: Lima City Tour

After breakfast, embark on a comprehensive tour of Peru’s capital city. Begin with a visit to the Historic Center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the impressive Plaza Mayor surrounded by the Cathedral, Government Palace, and Archbishop’s Palace. Continue to the San Francisco Convent, renowned for its colonial architecture, beautiful cloisters, and extensive catacombs. Afterward, visit the upscale district of San Isidro with its olive grove park, and finish in the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco, known for its colorful mansions, art galleries, and vibrant cultural scene. In the afternoon, visit the Larco Museum, housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion, which offers a fascinating overview of 5,000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history through its outstanding collection of archaeological artifacts. Evening at leisure to enjoy Lima’s world-renowned culinary scene, with optional recommendations for dinner at one of the city’s top restaurants (not included).

Day 3: Lima / Paracas / Ballestas Islands

Breakfast at the hotel and early departure to Paracas (approximately 3.5 hours by private transport) along the Pan-American Highway South, which offers impressive views of the coastal desert and the Pacific Ocean. Upon arrival in Paracas, immediate embarkation on a marine excursion to the spectacular Ballestas Islands, known as Peru’s “mini-Galápagos.” During the journey, observe from the sea the enigmatic figure of the “Candelabro,” a gigantic geoglyph carved on the side of a dune, whose origin and meaning remain a mystery. On the islands, marvel at the extraordinary concentration of marine life and birds: sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, cormorants, and many other species that have found refuge on these rocky islets. Your specialized guide will provide extensive information about this fascinating ecosystem. Return to the mainland and transfer to your hotel in Paracas. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax at the hotel facilities or enjoy the beautiful beaches of Paracas Bay. Optionally, you can visit the Julio C. Tello Site Museum, which houses important collections from the Paracas culture, famous for its extraordinary textiles and mummification practices (entrance not included). Accommodation in Paracas.

Day 4: Paracas / Ica / Huacachina / Nazca (optional) / Lima

After breakfast, departure to Ica (approximately 1 hour). Upon arrival, visit a traditional winery and pisco distillery, where you’ll discover the secrets of making pisco, Peru’s national drink. Enjoy a tasting of different varieties of this grape brandy and some of the excellent wines produced in the region. Continue to the Huacachina oasis, a picturesque natural lake surrounded by imposing dunes. Here you can opt for an exciting dune buggy excursion and try sandboarding (optional activity at additional cost), or simply enjoy the unique landscape of this oasis in the middle of the desert. Lunch at a local restaurant (not included).

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO NAZCA (with additional supplement): For those who wish to see the famous Nazca Lines, we offer a full-day extension that includes land transfer to Nazca (3 hours) and a small aircraft overflight to observe these enigmatic geometric and zoomorphic figures traced on the desert. This overflight allows you to appreciate the most representative figures such as the hummingbird, monkey, spider, and condor, among others. Later return to Ica/Paracas.

In the afternoon, return to Lima (approximately 4 hours), arriving at nightfall. Accommodation in Lima.

Day 5: Lima / Flight to Arequipa

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Arequipa, known as the “White City” for its beautiful buildings made of sillar, a whitish volcanic stone. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel in the historic center. The rest of the day will be free to acclimatize to the altitude (2,335 meters above sea level) and become familiar with the surroundings. We recommend taking a leisurely stroll around the Plaza de Armas, considered one of the most beautiful in Peru, and perhaps enjoying the local gastronomy, which has an important identity of its own within Peru’s varied culinary offerings. Accommodation in Arequipa.

Day 6: Arequipa City Tour

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, enjoy a complete tour of the city, starting with the Carmen Alto viewpoint and the colonial district of Yanahuara, which offer spectacular views of the Arequipa valley and the volcanoes surrounding the city, especially the majestic Misti. Continue to the historic center to visit the Plaza de Armas with its impressive neoclassical Cathedral and its enormous German organs. The highlight will be the visit to the Santa Catalina Monastery, an authentic citadel within the city, with its picturesque streets, squares, and gardens that have remained intact for centuries. Also visit the Andean Sanctuaries Museum, where the mummy of “Juanita” is exhibited, a young girl sacrificed during the Inca period who was found perfectly preserved in the snow of the Ampato volcano. In the afternoon, free time to continue exploring this charming city or enjoy its cafes and restaurants. Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant, where you can taste typical Arequipa dishes (included). Accommodation in Arequipa.

Day 7: Arequipa / Colca Canyon

Early breakfast at the hotel and departure towards the Colca Valley and Canyon (approximately 3-4 hours journey). The route crosses impressive landscapes such as the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you can observe vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas in their natural habitat. A stop will be made at Patapampa, known as the “viewpoint of the volcanoes,” located at 4,900 meters above sea level, from where you can see up to eight volcanoes surrounding the region. Arrival in Chivay, the main town in the valley, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch with typical dishes of the area. In the afternoon, possibility to visit the natural hot springs of La Calera, to relax in its medicinal waters (entrance not included). Dinner and accommodation at your hotel in the Colca Valley.

Day 8: Colca Canyon / Puno

Very early breakfast to head to the Cruz del Condor, a privileged viewpoint from where you can appreciate the immensity of the Colca Canyon (with more than 4,160 meters in depth, one of the deepest in the world) and, with luck, observe the majestic flight of the condors, which take advantage of the thermal currents to rise from the bottom of the canyon. After this natural spectacle, visit some of the picturesque villages of the valley such as Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque, where you can appreciate colonial churches, pre-Inca agricultural terraces, and the rich local culture. Lunch at a local restaurant and continuation of the journey to Puno (approximately 6 hours), crossing impressive landscapes of the Peruvian altiplano. Arrival in Puno, a city located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world (3,812 meters above sea level). Accommodation in Puno.

Day 9: Lake Titicaca – Uros and Taquile Islands

After breakfast, transfer to the port to begin a fascinating full-day excursion on Lake Titicaca. The first stop will be at the Floating Islands of the Uros, an archipelago of more than 60 artificial islands constructed with totora reed by the descendants of one of the oldest cultures in South America. During your visit, you will learn about the unique lifestyle of the Uros, their fishing, hunting, and island-building techniques, as well as how they construct houses and boats with totora reed. Continue to Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua communities that have preserved their ancestral traditions and are globally recognized for the exceptional quality of their textiles, considered Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. In Taquile, you will enjoy a lunch based on local products, have the opportunity to interact with the inhabitants, and appreciate their textile techniques in a brief demonstration. In the afternoon, return to Puno and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation in Puno.

Day 10: Puno / Route of the Sun / Cusco

After breakfast, you will embark on a journey by tourist bus across the altiplano to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. This route, known as the “Route of the Sun,” will allow you to visit interesting archaeological sites and traditional villages. First stop at Pukara, an important pre-Inca ceremonial center, where you will visit its small but interesting museum housing monoliths, steles, and sculptures. Then you will stop at La Raya, the highest point of the journey at 4,335 meters above sea level, which offers spectacular landscapes of snow-capped mountains and the altiplano. Stop for lunch at a restaurant en route (included). Continuation to Raqchi, where you will visit the Temple of Wiracocha, an impressive rectangular structure 30 meters wide by almost 90 meters long. The last stop will be in Andahuaylillas, to visit its church known as the “Sistine Chapel of America” due to the beauty and quality of its murals and works of art that decorate its interior. Arrival in Cusco at the end of the afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation in Cusco.

Day 11: Cusco City Tour

Breakfast at the hotel. The morning will be free to rest and acclimatize to the altitude of Cusco (3,400 meters above sea level). We recommend taking things easy, staying hydrated, and perhaps enjoying a coca tea, a traditional infusion that helps mitigate the effects of altitude. In the afternoon, you will participate in a fascinating tour of what was the capital of the Inca Empire. The visit begins at the Plaza de Armas, the epicenter of the ancient and modern city. Here you will visit the Cathedral, an impressive monument of colonial architecture that houses invaluable collections of art and goldsmithing. You will continue to Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), the most important religious enclosure of the Inca empire, on whose foundations the Convent of Santo Domingo was built, creating a fascinating example of Andean and Hispanic cultural superposition. The second part of the tour will take you to visit four nearby archaeological sites:

• Sacsayhuamán, an imposing ceremonial fortress with enormous stone blocks, some weighing more than 100 tons
• Qenqo, a ceremonial and ritual center where sacrifices were performed
• Puca Pucara, an ancient military installation that guarded one of the main roads to Cusco
• Tambomachay, known as the “Inca’s baths,” a hydraulic complex with channels, fountains, and aqueducts

In the evening, enjoy a dinner with a folkloric show, where you will appreciate traditional dances and music from different regions of Peru (included). Accommodation in Cusco.

Day 12: Sacred Valley of the Incas

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a fertile region at a lower altitude than Cusco (2,870 meters), which was the main center of agricultural production for the Inca Empire. Your first visit will be to the town of Pisac, where you will explore an impressive archaeological complex with agricultural terraces extending along the mountainsides. Afterwards, you will have time to explore Pisac’s colorful artisan market, one of the most comprehensive and picturesque in the region. Continue to Urubamba, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch (included) with traditional dishes from the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon, visit to Ollantaytambo, an impressive architectural complex that also functioned as a fortress during the time of Inca resistance. This site is one of the few places where the Spanish conquerors lost a major battle. Additionally, Ollantaytambo is an excellent example of Inca urban planning that still remains inhabited since the 13th century, allowing you to walk through its cobbled streets that have remained almost intact since imperial times. Accommodation in a Sacred Valley hotel, which will allow you to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this mystical valley.

Day 13: Maras, Moray / Transfer to Ollantaytambo

After breakfast, you will visit two lesser-known but equally fascinating archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. You will start with Moray, an impressive complex of concentric circular terraces that were used as an agricultural laboratory by the Incas. The ingenious design of these terraces created microclimates at different levels, allowing experimentation with various crops at different “simulated altitudes.” You will continue to the Maras Salt Mines, a spectacular complex of more than 3,000 salt pools stepped on the side of a mountain. These salt pans, in use from pre-Inca times to the present, offer an extraordinary landscape and the opportunity to understand traditional techniques of natural resource utilization that have endured for centuries. Lunch at a local restaurant (included). In the afternoon, return to Ollantaytambo to prepare for the Inca Trail adventure. There you will attend a briefing with your trekking guide, who will explain the details of the upcoming days’ route and answer all your questions. This is also the opportunity to check your equipment and make final preparations. Accommodation in Ollantaytambo.

Day 14: Short Inca Trail – Day 1

Very early, transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station to take the train to Km 104 of the railway, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail. After registration and document control procedures at the entry point, you will begin your hike with a moderate ascent to the impressive archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young” in Quechua), a complex formed by agricultural terraces, urban sectors, and religious constructions. During the journey, you will enjoy impressive views of the Urubamba Valley, diverse vegetation, and possibly wildlife. Your specialized guide will provide fascinating information about Inca history, local flora and fauna, and the significance of the sites you will visit. After exploring Wiñay Wayna, you will continue along the classic Inca Trail through the cloud forest until you reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), from where you will have your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu in the distance, a truly magical moment. You will descend to Aguas Calientes without entering Machu Picchu (you will visit it completely the next day). Check-in at your hotel, dinner, and rest to prepare for the big visit the next day. Accommodation in Aguas Calientes.

Day 15: Machu Picchu / Return to Cusco

Very early breakfast at the hotel to make the most of your visit to Machu Picchu. You will take one of the first buses that ascend to the citadel (2,430 meters above sea level). As the morning mist dissipates, you will witness the gradual revelation of this Inca architectural marvel, recently voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. For approximately 2-3 hours, your guide will lead you through the main sectors of the citadel, explaining the history and possible functions of key areas such as the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Main Plaza, and the residential and agricultural sectors. After the guided visit, you will have free time to explore on your own, take additional photographs, or simply contemplate the majesty of the place and its natural surroundings. In the afternoon, descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where private transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation in Cusco.

Day 16: Free Day in Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your disposal to explore Cusco at your own pace, rest, or shop for crafts and souvenirs. We recommend visiting some of the excellent museums in the city such as the Pre-Columbian Art Museum (MAP), the Inka Museum, or the Religious Art Museum; exploring the bohemian San Blas neighborhood, home to renowned artisans; or touring the San Pedro Market, a vibrant local supply center where you can appreciate the extraordinary diversity of Andean products. Alternatively, we can organize optional excursions to nearby sites such as Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) or Humantay Lake (at additional cost). Accommodation in Cusco.

Day 17: Cusco / Flight to Lima / Farewell

Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, depending on your international connection schedule, you can enjoy free time for last-minute activities or a farewell lunch (not included). Transfer to Jorge Chávez International Airport for your international flight, taking with you unforgettable memories of your complete experience in Peru.

INCLUDES:

ACCOMMODATION

• 2 nights hotel in Lima (selected category)
• 1 night hotel in Paracas (selected category)
• 2 nights hotel in Arequipa (selected category)
• 1 night hotel in Colca Valley (selected category)
• 2 nights hotel in Puno (selected category)
• 5 nights hotel in Cusco (selected category)
• 2 nights hotel in Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo (selected category)
• 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes (selected category)

MEALS

• 16 breakfasts at hotels
• 6 lunches (Sacred Valley, Maras/Moray, Colca, Taquile, Route of the Sun, during Inca Trail)
• 4 dinners (welcome in Arequipa, Colca Valley, folklore show in Cusco, Aguas Calientes)
• Box lunch during the Inca Trail

TRANSPORTATION

• All airport-hotel-airport transfers
• Private transportation Lima-Paracas-Ica-Lima
• Private transportation during indicated tours
• Tourist bus Puno-Cusco with stops on the Route of the Sun
• Train ticket Ollantaytambo-KM104 and Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo
• Bus ticket up and down to the Machu Picchu citadel

TOURS AND ENTRANCES

• Lima city tour with professional guide
• Excursion to Ballestas Islands with professional guide
• Visit to pisco winery in Ica with tasting
• Arequipa city tour with professional guide
• Colca Canyon excursion with professional guide
• Full-day Lake Titicaca tour (Uros and Taquile) with professional guide
• Cusco city tour with professional guide
• Full-day Sacred Valley tour with professional guide
• Maras and Moray excursion with professional guide
• Short Inca Trail (2 days/1 night) with specialized trekking guide
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu
• All entrance tickets to sites and attractions mentioned in the itinerary

SERVICES

• Official bilingual tour guides (Spanish and English)
• Specialized trekking guide for the Inca Trail
• Permanent assistance throughout the tour
• Complimentary water bottles during tours
• Oxygen tank and first aid kit during high-altitude excursions
• Briefing session before the Inca Trail

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

AIR TRANSPORTATION

• International flights to/from Peru
• Domestic flights:
  • Lima – Arequipa
  • Cusco – Lima

OPTIONAL

• Extension to Nazca with overflight of the Lines
• Buggy and sandboarding activity in Huacachina
• Optional excursions on free day in Cusco

MEALS

• Lunches and dinners not specified
• Beverages during included meals

PERSONAL EXPENSES

• Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff
• Purchases and souvenirs
• Laundry services
• Phone calls
• Optional excursions not mentioned in the program

INCA TRAIL EXTRAS

• Personal porter (can be arranged for an additional fee)
• Walking sticks (can be rented)
• Sleeping bag (can be rented)
• Additional snacks beyond provided meals

OTHER

• Travel insurance (highly recommended)
• Expenses derived from problems beyond our organization (strikes, delays, cancellations, weather conditions, natural disasters, etc.)
• Airport taxes or departure fees
• Excess baggage charges

IMPORTANT:

• The Short Inca Trail requires a permit that must be reserved well in advance (ideally 6 months)
• Permits are limited and subject to availability
• A copy of a valid passport is required for reservation
• A reasonable level of fitness is required for the Inca Trail portion
• Marine excursions to the Ballestas Islands are subject to weather conditions
• It is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours in advance for international flights and 2 hours for domestic flights
• Please consult us about cancellation and modification policies