Upon your arrival in Lima, a member of our team will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you in our private transportation to your hotel in the city center. You'll have the rest of the day to relax and prepare for your upcoming Peru vacation adventure!
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Lima. You'll experience the city through its three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern.
The tour includes a panoramic view of the “Huaca Pucllana,” a magnificent ceremonial and archaeological center built in the 4th century A.D. and considered a “sacred town” by the Incas. We then visit Lima’s Historic Center, where you'll see more than fifty colonial buildings and monuments, including the Paseo de la República, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Cathedral Basilica, the City Hall, and more.
The tour includes entrance to the San Francisco Monastery, which houses the largest collection of religious colonial art in the Americas. A highlight is a visit to the underground crypts known as the Catacombs.
In contemporary Lima, we’ll visit the most traditional residential areas: San Isidro’s El Olivar, Miraflores, and the coastal shopping center of Larcomar.
In the morning, after breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and head to a local market to begin our culinary adventure.
TRADITIONAL MARKET
We’ll visit a traditional market in the city of Lima. Here you’ll see a wide variety of ingredients from Peru’s coast, highlands, and jungle—essential elements in the preparation of the country’s iconic dishes. You’ll also have the chance to sample native fruits and learn about their flavors and uses.
CEVICHE & PISCO SOUR DEMONSTRATION
Next, we’ll head to a renowned local restaurant where a professional Peruvian chef and bartender will guide us through a demonstration class. You’ll learn how to prepare two national symbols: the famous ceviche and the iconic pisco sour.
LUNCH
We’ll wrap up our gastronomic journey by savoring a selection of traditional Peruvian dishes and desserts. After lunch, you can choose to stay and relax at the restaurant enjoying the pleasant atmosphere and view, or return to your hotel.
One of our representatives will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight to Cusco (flight not included).
Upon arrival at the Cusco airport, a driver and a representative will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. They will assist with your check-in and provide helpful orientation about the city’s attractions and available services.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 to 14:00 approx. In the morning, we begin our city tour which includes a visit to the Main Cathedral and Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), now the Convent of Santo Domingo.
We will then head to the outskirts of the city to visit:
- Sacsayhuaman: an impressive ceremonial fortress shaped like a puma’s head.
- Q’enqo: a religious center dedicated to Mother Earth, featuring carved stone labyrinths.
- Puca Pucara: a red-colored fortress used for military and administrative purposes.
- Tambomachay: known as the Temple of Water, a site of water worship and purification rituals.
After the tour, transfer back to your hotel to relax or explore more of Cusco on your own.
Breakfast at the hotel.
At around 8:00 am, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
We will visit the town of Pisac, known for its colorful artisan market and archaeological site featuring irrigation systems, an astronomical observatory, a solar clock (Intiwatana), and extensive agricultural terraces.
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at a local restaurant.
Next, we will explore the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex, a massive Inca fortress that includes temples, terraces, and an urban sector. The site is divided into two sections: one religious and ceremonial, and the other residential and administrative. Its imposing walls and towers suggest it also served as a military stronghold.
After the tour, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night in preparation for your visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Early in the morning, you will board the bus for your guided visit to Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas," one of the most stunning ancient sites in the world. Overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca Empire.
Although this “Lost City” was brought to international attention by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, locals had long known of its existence. The original purpose of Machu Picchu remains a mystery since the Incas left no written records.
Explore the majestic ruins with your expert local guide, and as you walk through the ancient stone walls, imagine what life might have been like in this awe-inspiring citadel located approximately 8,000 feet above sea level.
In the afternoon, return by train to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel at 6:30 a.m. and taken to the bus station for a scenic journey to Puno. This guided bus tour includes stops at four impressive historical sites, making it a cultural and budget-friendly experience on your way to Machu Picchu:
- Andahuaylillas: Commonly referred to as the "Sistine Chapel of South America," this church is one of the finest examples of Andean religious art.
- Raqchi (Temple of Wiracocha): A large Inca temple measuring 100 meters long, 26 meters wide, and 14 meters high. It is divided into two naves, each supported by 11 massive columns.
- La Raya: The highest point of the journey (4,300 meters above sea level), and the midpoint between Cusco and Puno. Stunning landscapes and sightings of Andean animals such as llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas are common. It also marks the geographic boundary between the Quechua and Aymara cultures.
- Pukara: The most important and ancient ceremonial center of the Altiplano. This archaeological site once served as a religious, administrative, and residential hub for the Pukara civilization, with intricately built stone structures joined with clay mortar.
Arrival in Puno is expected around 5:00 p.m. Our team will be waiting at the station to transfer you to your hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the pier to begin your Lake Titicaca adventure. You will visit the Uros Islands, a group of floating islands made of totora reeds, dating back to pre-Incan times. The Uros Islands (3,810 m.a.s.l.) are located in the bay of Puno.
Later, you will visit Taquile Island, known for its friendly inhabitants who preserve their ancestral customs and traditional attire. The island is also famous for its intricate and symmetrical textiles, rich in symbolic decorations and vibrant colors that reflect Andean traditions and beliefs.
Return to Puno in the afternoon.
After breakfast, you will be picked up at the agreed time for your transfer from the hotel to Juliaca Airport for your flight back to Lima.
This marks the end of your 8-day journey through Machu Picchu and Peru, with some extra surprises along the way! It's truly amazing what you can experience in an 8-day itinerary in Peru!
