From the moment you arrive in Lima, a member of our team will be waiting for you at the airport to take you, in our private transportation, to your hotel in the city center. You will have the rest of the day to relax and prepare for the rest of your vacation package in Peru!

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided tour of colonial and modern Lima in our private transportation, including the Cathedral (dating from 1654), the main square with its original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent and Catacombs. Known as the City of Kings, Lima was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the few South American cities that preserves its colonial past, Lima was the seat of the Spanish Viceroyalty during colonial times.

After lunch, visit the Larco Museum. The museum features several permanent exhibitions, including the Gold and Silver Gallery, which houses the largest and finest collection of jewelry used by prominent rulers of pre-Columbian Peru.

You will also have the chance to enjoy Lima’s exquisite cuisine at the Larco Museum’s restaurant (lunch included), where you can experience regional flavors in a warm and artistic setting.

Following Miraflores, we’ll head to Barranco, Lima’s bohemian district, known for its artistic and cultural vibe. Here, you will explore the famous Bridge of Sighs, a romantic landmark, and discover Barranco’s main square, with its colonial mansions and the charming atmosphere that defines this vibrant district.

After breakfast, a Peru Inkas Top representative will pick you up from your hotel in Lima (time to be confirmed) and take you to the airport for your flight to Arequipa.

Upon arrival in Arequipa, our team will be waiting to give you a warm welcome and assist with your hotel check-in. In your hotel, you’ll find complimentary coca and muña tea—natural remedies that help your body adjust to the high altitude of the "White City" in our Peru journey.

On this guided cultural tour through Peru, you will explore the streets of Arequipa, visiting cathedrals, churches, monasteries, and more. Your guide will explain life in Arequipa from colonial times to the present. You’ll learn how the Spanish settlers built the city over what was once home to ancient Andean communities.

Next, we’ll admire some of the city’s most iconic buildings, like the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa. Located in the elegant Plaza de Armas, this enormous cathedral has been damaged by earthquakes many times but has always been rebuilt—each time more magnificent than before.

After exploring the Plaza de Armas and its surrounding streets, we will head to the famous Yanahuara viewpoint. With carved sillar stone arches, this viewpoint offers sublime views of the city and the towering volcanic peaks of Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Yanahuara, built in the 19th century, stands next to the beautiful Baroque-style church of San Juan de Yanahuara (1750). The names of notable Arequipa residents are engraved in the viewpoint’s arches.

After our Arequipa city tour, we will return you to your hotel, confident that you now have a deeper appreciation for this beautiful colonial city on your Peru adventure.

Today, our Peru tour begins early in the morning as we leave the White City of Arequipa and head toward the Colca Valley. It’s a beautiful journey passing snow-capped volcanoes, rugged plains, traditional farms with terraces, and picturesque villages where ancient ways of life are still alive.

Along the way, our first stop will be at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where we will see herds of guanacos, alpacas, and vicuñas grazing the plains. While we won’t visit a llama and alpaca farm, you’ll witness these creatures in their natural habitat. The reserve, spanning nearly 366,936 hectares, was established to preserve local flora, fauna, and the environment. It also protects the vicuña population through a repopulation program.

In addition to large camelid herds, the reserve is home to the southern viscacha (a large adorable rodent), foxes, condors, and Andean flamingos (also called parihuanas). A total of 169 animal species have been identified, including 23 mammals and 138 bird species such as blue-billed ducks, eagles, and kestrels. During migration season, flamingos wade the Salinas Lake. This Peru tour is also perfect for birdwatching adventures.

Leaving the reserve, we’ll skirt the Chucura Volcano and reach the Andes Viewpoint at Patapampa. At 4,900 meters above sea level, you’ll take in the dramatic vistas of snowcapped peaks and volcanoes like Hualca Calca, Sabancaya, and Ampato.

Our next stop will be the village of Chivay, marking the start of the Colca Valley. The traditional terrace systems built by the area’s Indigenous peoples are remarkable for their size and precision. Chivay was founded by the Spanish, which is reflected in its colonial church and architecture. We’ll enjoy a traditional lunch before checking in at our hotel.

You’ll have the afternoon free to explore the town or visit the La Calera hot springs, just 3 km from Chivay. Thanks to regional seismic activity, Colca Valley is dotted with natural hot springs. La Calera’s public thermal baths are said to have healing properties, with temperatures around 38°C (98°F).

Another early start on our Peru journey—because there are so many amazing sights ahead! First, we’ll head to the breathtaking Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, near the small towns of Maca and Cabanaconde. Here, strong updrafts rise from the depths of the canyon, creating the perfect flight path for the majestic Andean condors. These enormous birds, with wingspans up to three meters, often glide in pairs on the morning thermals. There's a very good chance you'll see them soaring right above you—an unforgettable experience.

From the lookout, you’ll also enjoy incredible panoramic views into the depths of the Colca Canyon. Around 1:00 PM, we begin our journey back to the city of Arequipa where you’ll have the rest of the day free.

Today, one of our representatives will pick you up from your hotel in Arequipa and accompany you to the airport for your flight to Cusco (not included).

Upon arrival at the Cusco airport, a team member will be waiting to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel located in the Sacred Valley. Since it’s your first day at a higher altitude, we recommend taking the rest of the day to relax and acclimatize comfortably.

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll start a full-day tour to explore the most beautiful corners of the Sacred Valley. Our first stop is the picturesque village of Chinchero, home to the remains of the royal estate of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. Here, you'll admire Inca walls still standing in the main square and see local weavers using ancient techniques.

Next, we’ll visit Moray, an incredible Inca archaeological site composed of circular agricultural terraces that were used to create microclimates. These served as an agricultural laboratory to experiment with crops from different ecological zones.

We continue with a brief stop in the town of Maras before heading to the famous Salt Mines of Maras. This impressive site contains more than 3,000 salt pools fed by a natural underground stream. The intense sun causes the water to evaporate, leaving pink salt crystals behind. You'll learn about the ancient techniques used to harvest this mineral-rich pink salt, known for its medicinal properties.

We'll pass through Urubamba to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with a variety of traditional Peruvian dishes, including soups, main courses, salads, and desserts.

In the afternoon, we visit the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town built to protect the entrance of the Sacred Valley. Explore its temples, terraces, and stonework as you learn about its military, religious, and cultural significance during the Inca Empire.

After breakfast, your private transfer will take you to the Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes. This Orient Express-style train is the most exclusive way to visit Machu Picchu and includes a gourmet lunch served onboard.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you’ll meet your guide and take the shuttle up the winding road to the gates of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a private guided tour of the Inca Citadel, one of the most spectacular ancient cities in the world. After the visit, descend back to Aguas Calientes by bus and enjoy some free time before boarding the return train.

In the evening, you’ll board the Hiram Bingham train once again. On the way back, enjoy a luxurious experience with an open-air observatory car, live classical music, cocktails, snacks, and a gourmet dinner.

Arrive at Poroy station after 9:00 PM, where our team will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire.

Breakfast at the hotel.

AM (09:00 to 14:00 approx.): Begin your morning city tour with a visit to Cusco's Cathedral and the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), now the Convent of Santo Domingo. The tour then continues to the outskirts of the city where you'll explore the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman (shaped like the head of a puma), Q’enqo (a religious site dedicated to the Earth), Puca Pucara (a military lookout post), and finally Tambomachay (Temple of Water), a place of worship dedicated to water.

After the tour, you'll be transferred back to your hotel in Cusco to relax and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

After breakfast, we will pick you up at the agreed time for your private transfer from your hotel to the Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima.

This marks the end of your 10-day tour through Machu Picchu and Peru with some added surprises along the way! It’s truly incredible how much you can experience in a 10-day itinerary through Peru!