Discover Peru

Peru may be vast and wonderfully varied, but this compact adventure gets to the heart and soul of the country in a relatively short time, thanks to a finely tuned itinerary based on years of local knowledge. Join your expert tour leader to explore the great cities of Cuzco and Lima, meet villagers living on Lake Titicaca’s floating reed islands, and travel deep into the Andean mountains to discover magnificent Inca ruins, including Machu Picchu, one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.

Day 1: Adventure starts in Cuzco
Begin your adventure in Cuzco, the sky-high heart of the Inca empire. Around 5pm-6pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Peruvian welcome by arranging dinner at the hotel. Want more time in Cuzco? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Accommodation: San Agustin El Dorado Hotel (or similar)
Day 2: Discover the temples and landmarks of Cuzco • Discover the Sacsayhuaman fortress
Explore Cuzco, seeing the highlights both in and above the city. We start from the hotel, walking to the Twelve Angled Stone at the Inca Roca Palace, before visiting Qoricancha (the Sun Temple) and the Plaza de Armas to marvel at the beautiful cathedral façade. Then, we leave the city and head to the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, a grand ceremonial site overlooking the city. The afternoon is free to continue exploring Cuzco on your own with optional activities available. Accommodation: San Agustin El Dorado Hotel (or similar)
Day 3: Visit the traditional village of Chincheros • Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas
After breakfast, we travel (1hr 15min) through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, on the outskirts of Cuzco, as we head up to the traditional weaving community of Chinchero. Along with amazing views of the valley and Vilcabamba mountains, Chinchero offers the unique cultural opportunity to enjoy a traditional Andean pachamanca lunch, which is hosted by (and supports) the local community. This is a real culinary treat, in which the food is wrapped, then buried underground with hot stones to cook it slowly. After lunch, explore the ancient salt ponds near the village of Maras, where springs emerge from the hillside and the Incas built terraces to harvest salt. Also visit Moray, where the Incas built huge circular agricultural terraces on limestone sinks. We arrive at Ollantaytambo around 6pm, with the chance to see the site from the outside. Accommodation: Tunupa Lodge Hotel (or similar)
Day 4: Explore Machu Picchu, one of the Seven New Wonders of the World
For most, the highlight of the trip is visiting one of the greatest ruins in the world, the lost city of Machu Picchu. This is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world, in a mountain setting of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas left no records of it, so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. We catch a train (1hr 45min) to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu), where we have free time to explore and find a spot for lunch. In the afternoon, we take a short bus ride up the winding road to Machu Picchu for a two-hour guided exploration. As we tour the ruins, our guide tells us all about the Inca society that once lived in this incredible mountain setting, while visiting in the afternoon tends to be quieter than the mornings and the mist that shrouds the ruins at dawn has usually dispersed. Accommodation: Hatun Inti Classic Hotel (or similar)
Day 5: Return to Cuzco • Learn the secrets of Peruvian cuisine in a private cooking class
Head back to Cuzco today, catching the 1hr 45min train back to Ollantaytambo, then transferring (six to seven hours) through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In the afternoon, we learn more about Peruvians (and Peruvian food!) in a private cooking class that shares the secrets of traditional dishes passed down over the generations. We start in the kitchen, before heading to a market to explore a huge variety of fruits, vegetables and fiery spices, and maybe pick up some ingredients. Returning to the kitchen, we have a hands-on class, learning how to prepare a full menu and pisco sour (the iconic national cocktail) from a Peruvian chef. At the end of the tour, we enjoy our creations for an early dinner! Accommodation: San Agustin El Dorado Hotel (or similar)
Day 6: Across the altiplano to Lake Titicaca • Explore Inca sites en route
Journey to another of Peru’s magnificent wonders today, Lake Titicaca, travelling nine hours from Cuzco to Puno. Our route takes across the altiplano, where we can enjoy views of Andean peaks towering over the deep valleys, and across the rolling Andean plains, where we may spot vicuñas and alpacas. We also make numerous stops, including at the 17th-century Andahuaylillas church, nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, and the Inca archaeological site of Raqchi, also known as the Temple of Wiracocha. Our stop at La Raya pass gives us a wonderful view over the Chimboya Glacier and we enjoy a box lunch. We should arrive in Puno around 5pm, with the rest of the evening free to relax. Accommodation: Casona Plaza Puno Hotel (or similar)
Day 7: Explore the floating islands of Lake Titicaca • Lunch in a traditional family home
Jump in a boat for an adventure on Lake Titicaca, visiting two floating islands close to Puno. These human-made structures are crafted from dried reeds (totora) and have provided a home to the indigenous Uro people for centuries. First stop is Uros, where we are welcomed by the residents and learn about their daily life. Next is Amantani, one of the largest Lake Titicaca islands. First, we walk uphill for around 30 minutes to enjoy a traditional lunch in a family home. Next, we walk (one hour) to the summit of Pachamama, with the chance to explore ancient ruins and enjoy incredible views – it is often possible to see the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real in the distance. Finally, we walk (1hr 30min) back down to the harbour, where we take a motorboat to Puno. Accommodation: Casona Plaza Puno Hotel (or similar)
Day 8: Fly to Lima, capital of Peru • Enjoy a Peruvian cocktail and butifarra sandwich
We fly (1hr 25min) this morning from Juliaca Airport to Lima, the bustling capital of Peru which combines history, a world-renowned food scene and plenty of culture. In the afternoon, we join our tour leader for an exploration of the historic centre, including the main square, colonial balconies, Jirón de la Unión street and catacombs, followed by the bohemian Barranco district to see colonial mansions. Our total time in the vehicle today is seven hours, including airport transfers and the Lima city tour. It ends at Bar Juanito, an icon of the city, for a Peruvian cocktail and butifarra sandwich, a classic street food meal in Lima. Accommodation: El Tambo Dos Hotel (or similar)
Day 9: Adventure ends in Lima
The adventure ends in Lima and we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay or exploring the Amazon Rainforest.