A Classic Tour of Peru

A Classic Tour of Peru Overview

This classic tour of Peru focuses on the incredible landscapes and history of the country. After sampling the cuisine of Lima, continue to Arequipa and into the Colca Canyons. From there it’s onto Lake Titicaca, and to the Sacred Valley and mighty Machu Picchu, finishing in Cusco.

Day 1: Welcome to Lima - Your private driver and English-speaking guide will give you a warm welcome when you land in Lima. They will then drive you through the bustling capital to your boutique hotel in Miraflores. where you can relax and enjoy the evening at your leisure. We love Quinta Miraflores, it really feels like a home from home! (Premium room)

Day 2: Foodie Tour & Larco Museum - Today, we will teach you the culture of Peru through its food by taking you to visit a traditional market, its top restaurants, a Ceviche and Pisco Sour class, and districts that best represent this culinary marvel. We not only want you to enjoy this mouthwatering experience, but to also discover and fall in love with the best of Lima in just a few hours. After lunch, visit the Larco Herrera, home to more than 5000 years of ancient Peruvian history.

Day 3: Travel to the White City of Arequipa - Today we will fly you to Arequipa. Surrounded by 3 volcanoes and home to beautiful baroque buildings and an endless, sprawling historic monastery, it is a delightful city to spend a couple of nights. Upon landing, your driver and guide will meet you and take you to the lovely Hosteria Hotel where you will check into your Double Superior Room.

Day 4: Exploring Arequipa - This morning is devoted to exploring and walking through Arequipa, also known as “the White City” due to the predominance of the white volcanic rock called “sillar” used in its buildings and also the Santa Catalina Convent, founded in 1579 as a cloister. Walk through its beautiful buildings as your guide takes you on a journey back in time through one of the largest holdings of colonial art in the Americas.

Day 5: A beautiful road trip to Colca - Journey to the scenic Colca Canyon. On the way you enter the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve, an extensive plain where you may see vicuñas, the Andean camelid that is considered a national symbol, and pass through the district of Yura, characterised by its rugged geography of ravines, hills and canyons. Upon arriving to Colca you will be transferred to the Colca Lodge (double room).

Day 6: Visit the incredible Colca Canyon - Visit to Cruz del Cóndor to see the Colca Valley (the second deepest canyon in the world, more than 4 kilometres deep) followed by an astonishing sight: the great and majestic condor flying only a few metres away. Pass the villages of Maca and Yanque, and the vantage points at Antahuilque and Choquetico. Continue to Lagunillas, Juliaca and finally Puno, where you will check into Casa Andina Premium (superior room with lake view).

Day 7: A magical day on the world's highest, largest lake - Enjoy an unforgettable day visiting the islands of the impressive Lake Titicaca, the highest deepest lake in the world. Let’s start with the floating Uros Island, a place where the woman is the authority and where they keep traditions of thousands of years. Then continue to the Taquile Island where you can enjoy the union between the water and the sky with the incredible landscape before heading back to Puno.

Day 8: Take an epic train journey to Cusco - This morning you will transfer to the train station to board the Titicaca Train to Cusco – pardon the cliche but today really is all about the journey (and the destination). If you are a landscape lover this is the train for you. Enjoy the best views of the Andes on board of the train, 10 hours journey to relax. Lunch on board. Arrive in Cusco and transfer to the lovely El Retablo hotel (superior deluxe).

Day 9: The salt pans & archaeological wonders of Moray - Get ready to enjoy the gorgeous landscape of the Andes, visit Maras the salt mines located in the middle of a natural landscape that contains more than 3000 salt wells. After that continue to Moray impressive circular “andenería” that shows how the fascinating way they developed their agriculture system. This is all on the way to your hotel, which is The Albergue, a fantastic place in the heart of Ollantaytambo.

Day 10: A full exploration of the Sacred Valley - Start your day at the colourful Pisaq Market, where the local quechua communities set up shop on the main square before continuing through the Valley of Urubamba to Ollantaytambo to visit the Archaeological Complex, used fortress during the time of the Spanish conquest. A picnic lunch with great views will be served before visiting the impressive salt pans of Moras and the archaeological wonders of Moray.

Day 11 : Visit to Machu Picchu - Board the incredible Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes (about 2 hours) where you will have some time for lunch before visiting Machu Picchu. The Lost City of the Incas will astonish you with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. Energy is all around us. Afterwards take the bus again to go back to the town, where you will spend the night hotel El Mapi (superior room, dinner included).

Day 12: Return visit to Machu Picchu & onto Cusco - Today you have a second chance to enjoy Machu Picchu by your own. We suggest an early bus ride to Machu Picchu in order to see the sunrise. First bus at 05:30 hrs. After your morning exploration, board the bus again back to Aguas Calientes. Once in Aguas Calientes get ready to take the train back to Poroy station, the closest to Cusco. Here you will be met by your driver to transfer you to El Retablo hotel (superior deluxe).

Day 13: Under the skin of Cusco - Without a doubt this city needs a morning just to enjoy walking its gorgeous stone streets, listening to the Andean music and falling in love with a glorious past, the Inca past that had the capacity to create this forward-thinking civilization. You will visit the Coricancha the Temple of the Sun, the Cusco ́s Cathedral and also the archaeological site around Cusco like Sacsayhuaman. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Day 14: Safe travels! Today is at leisure until your internal flight back to Lima (included) which we will book in time for you to catch your international flight home. Safe travels!