Day 1: Welcome to Lima

Arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport 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, formerly the “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. If your arrival schedule allows, enjoy a stroll along the Miraflores Boardwalk, a corridor of parks and gardens extending over the coastal cliffs, where you can contemplate spectacular sunsets and observe the intrepid paragliders soaring through Lima’s sky.

Day 2: Historic and Gastronomic Lima / Flight to Cusco

In the morning, immerse yourself in a tour of Lima’s Historic Center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the impressive Plaza Mayor, surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Municipal Palace, an architectural ensemble that reflects the importance of this city during the Viceroyalty. Continue to the Convent of San Francisco, a jewel of colonial baroque architecture that houses an impressive library and underground catacombs. Proceed to the modern district of San Isidro to visit Huaca Huallamarca, a restored pre-Incan pyramid that evidences more than 4,000 years of human presence in this territory. After enjoying lunch at one of Lima’s renowned restaurants (optional), transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, located at 3,400 meters above sea level, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon gradually acclimating to the altitude, staying constantly hydrated and avoiding intense physical activities to facilitate your adaptation to the altitude.

Day 3: Cusco City Tour (afternoon)

Free morning to continue acclimating to the altitude and explore at your own pace the picturesque cobblestone streets of Cusco’s historic center. In the afternoon, begin your cultural adventure with a fascinating tour of the imperial city. The visit begins at the Plaza de Armas, the beating heart of Cusco since pre-Columbian times. Here stands the majestic Cathedral, built between 1560 and 1654 on the foundations of the ancient palace of Viracocha, which houses an art collection of incalculable historical value. Continue to the Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun, the most important religious center of the Inca Empire, whose walls were once covered with solid gold. On its perfect stone foundations, the Convent of Santo Domingo was built, a symbol of the religious syncretism that characterizes Andean culture. The tour continues to the impressive peripheral archaeological sites: Sacsayhuamán, a colossal fortress built with megalithic stones weighing up to 125 tons; Qenqo, a ceremonial center dedicated to the puma; Tambomachay, known as the “Inca’s baths”; and Puka Pukara, an ancient military checkpoint on the Inca Trail.

Day 4: Sacred Valley of the Incas

After breakfast, embark on a journey to the mystical Sacred Valley, located at a lower altitude than Cusco (2,870 meters), which allows for a pleasant sensation of physical rest while exploring this fertile valley irrigated by the Urubamba River. Your first stop will be the archaeological complex of Pisac, where perfectly engineered agricultural terraces extend like giant steps over the mountain. At the foot of this citadel, the colonial town of Pisac is home to one of the most colorful artisan markets in the Americas, where you can purchase textiles, ceramics, and jewelry made with ancestral techniques. Enjoy a buffet lunch featuring regional specialties before continuing to the fortress of Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that remains inhabited to this day. Its stone streets, water channels, and the imposing temple-fortress that dominates the valley from the mountain offer a journey back in time to the pre-Columbian era. Overnight in a comfortable Sacred Valley hotel, enjoying the privileged microclimate and special energy that characterizes this environment.

Day 5: Maras, Moray / Train to Aguas Calientes

The morning will be dedicated to discovering two extraordinary, less-frequented but equally fascinating archaeological sites. First visit Moray, an impressive complex of concentric circular terraces that descend to a depth of 150 meters. This ingenious design created different microclimates at each level, allowing for agricultural experimentation with various crops at different “simulated altitudes,” demonstrating the advanced scientific knowledge of the Incas. Continue to the Maras Salt Mines, a spectacular set of more than 3,000 salt pools stepped on a mountainside. This salt production system, in operation since pre-Inca times, offers a surreal landscape where the crystalline white of the salt contrasts with the earthy ochres of the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon, transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, a town located at the foot of Machu Picchu. The approximately 1.5-hour journey winds alongside the Urubamba River, progressively entering a cloud forest ecosystem that announces the proximity of the Amazon rainforest. Arrival and accommodation in Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy dinner (not included) and prepare for the exciting visit the following day.

Day 6: Machu Picchu / Return to Cusco

Very early, board one of the first buses that ascend the winding road to the main entrance of the citadel of Machu Picchu, located at 2,430 meters above sea level. Machu Picchu, officially discovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, is considered the masterpiece of Inca architecture and engineering. Its perfect integration with the spectacular mountainous environment and the mystery that still surrounds many aspects of its original purpose have rightly made it one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. For approximately 2-3 hours, a specialized guide will lead you through the assigned circuit according to current conservation regulations, revealing the secrets of the Temple of the Sun, the enigmatic Intihuatana (ceremonial sundial), the Temple of the Three Windows, the Urban Sector, and the agricultural areas, among other architectural treasures. In the afternoon, descend to Aguas Calientes to take the return train to Ollantaytambo and subsequent land transfer to Cusco, where you will have free time for dinner and rest.

Day 7: Free Day in Cusco

Enjoy a full day to explore Cusco at your own pace, taking the opportunity to rest before your journey to Puno. 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; touring the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, home to renowned artisans; or exploring the San Pedro Market, a vibrant local supply center where you can appreciate the extraordinary diversity of Andean products. For food lovers, Cusco offers a flourishing culinary scene that fuses contemporary techniques with ancestral ingredients. Don’t miss trying specialties such as roasted guinea pig, quinoa soup, or various dishes prepared with alpaca or Andean trout. Alternatively, we can organize optional excursions to the Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake (at additional cost).

Day 8: Route of the Sun to Puno (Bus or Train)

BUS OPTION: Early in the morning, begin a fascinating journey by road through the Andean Altiplano to the city of Puno. This route, known as the “Route of the Sun,” will allow you to discover unique attractions between Cusco and Lake Titicaca. First stop in Andahuaylillas to visit the “Sistine Chapel of America,” a colonial church of modest external appearance that hides inside a dazzling display of Andean baroque art with gilded altarpieces and polychromatic murals. Continue to Raqchi, where the Temple of Wiracocha is located, an impressive rectangular structure dedicated to the main Inca deity, with enormous columns and walls that combined stone and adobe in an extraordinary example of Inca architecture. Enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to La Raya, the highest point of the journey at 4,335 meters above sea level, which offers magnificent panoramic views of snow-capped mountains and the Puno high plateau. Last stop in Pucará, a pre-Inca ceremonial center known for its famous ceramics, especially the “little bulls of Pucará,” symbols of protection and prosperity in the Andean tradition. Arrival in Puno at nightfall and transfer to your hotel.

TRAIN OPTION (with additional supplement): Transfer to the railway station to board one of the most spectacular trains in the world: the PeruRail Titicaca or the luxurious Belmond Andean Explorer, which make the journey between Cusco and Puno. Aboard this elegant train, enjoy a panoramic journey through impressive Andean landscapes, while observing from the comfort of your seat or from the observation car the mountains, valleys, and the vast Peruvian Altiplano. During the approximately 10-hour journey (depending on the service chosen), you will be served exquisite gourmet meals that incorporate local ingredients, and you can enjoy on-board entertainment that will introduce you to Andean culture. The train makes a stop at La Raya station (4,335 meters), the highest point of the route, where you can disembark to take photographs and purchase handicrafts from local communities. Arrival in Puno and transfer to your hotel to rest.

Day 9: Lake Titicaca – Uros and Taquile Islands

After breakfast, prepare for an unforgettable experience on the legendary Lake Titicaca, considered the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 meters above sea level and cradle of millenary civilizations. From the port of Puno, embark on an excursion that will first take you to the fascinating Floating Islands of the Uros. These artificial islands, built entirely with totora reed, are home to families who keep pre-Inca traditions alive. Their friendly inhabitants will show you how they build and maintain these extraordinary floating platforms, their homes, and traditional boats. Continue sailing to Taquile Island, known worldwide for its exceptional textiles, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For approximately 2 hours, explore this beautiful island where time seems to have stood still. Men weave while walking, and women create fine textiles that narrate the history and worldview of their community through complex symbols. Enjoy a typical lunch prepared with fresh local products before beginning the return to Puno, where you will have free time to rest or explore the city on your own.

Day 10: Puno / Flight to Lima

After breakfast, enjoy a free morning in Puno to explore this high plateau city, an important commercial and cultural center of the Lake Titicaca region. We recommend visiting the colorful Handicraft Market, where you can purchase textiles, ceramics, and typical jewelry from the different communities that inhabit the region. You can also tour the historic center, with its Andean baroque Cathedral and the emblematic Deustua Arch, a monument built in honor of those who fell in the war of independence. For those interested in local history and culture, a visit to the Carlos Dreyer Museum offers an excellent collection of regional art and archaeology, including ceramics, textiles, and mummies from the Tiahuanaco, Pucará, and Colla cultures that flourished in the altiplano before the Inca empire. Alternatively, you can choose to relax on the lakeshore or enjoy the facilities of your hotel before heading back to Lima. In the afternoon, transfer to Juliaca International Airport to take your return flight to Lima. Upon arrival in the Peruvian capital, transfer to your hotel in Miraflores or Barranco. Free evening for last-minute shopping or enjoying a farewell dinner (not included) at one of Lima’s acclaimed restaurants that have positioned Peru as a world gastronomic destination.

Day 11: Lima / Farewell

After breakfast, and depending on the time of your international flight, you can enjoy free time for last-minute shopping or visiting any pending attractions in Lima. At the agreed time, transfer to Jorge Chávez International Airport for your return flight, taking with you not only photographs and souvenirs but a deep connection with the history, culture, and natural beauty of this millenary land.

INCLUDES:

ACCOMMODATION

• 2 nights hotel in Lima (selected category)
• 3 nights hotel in Cusco (selected category)
• 1 night hotel in Sacred Valley (selected category)
• 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes (selected category)
• 2 nights hotel in Puno (selected category)

MEALS

• 10 breakfasts at hotels
• 1 buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley
• 1 lunch in Taquile
• 1 lunch on the Route of the Sun (bus option only)

TRANSPORTATION

• All airport-hotel-airport transfers
• Private transportation during indicated tours
• Round-trip train ticket to Machu Picchu (service according to chosen category)
• Round-trip bus ticket to and from the Machu Picchu citadel
• Transportation from Cusco to Puno according to chosen option:
  • Tourist bus with stops and visits on the Route of the Sun
  • Or train (PeruRail Titicaca or Belmond Andean Explorer) with additional supplement
• Boat for the Lake Titicaca tour

TOURS AND ENTRANCES

• Lima city tour with professional guide
• Cusco city tour (afternoon) with professional guide
• Full-day Sacred Valley tour with professional guide
• Visit to Maras and Moray with professional guide
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu according to available circuit
• Full-day tour to Uros and Taquile Islands with professional guide
• Entrance tickets to all archaeological sites mentioned in the itinerary

SERVICES

• Official bilingual tour guides (Spanish and English)
• Permanent assistance throughout the tour
• Complimentary water bottle during tours

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

AIR TRANSPORTATION

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

MEALS

• Lunches not specified
• All dinners throughout the program
• 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

OTHER

• Supplement for train option on the Route of the Sun (consult rate according to season and service category)
• 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:

• It is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours in advance for international flights and 2 hours for domestic flights
• A copy of a valid passport is required for reservation
• The train service between Cusco and Puno operates only certain days of the week (check availability)
• Please consult us about cancellation and modification policies