13-Day Classic Peru

See All Photos

Today, you'll enjoy a tour of Lima, the colonial City of Kings, and get a first-hand glimpse of its majestic past. This is a great start to your Peru trip! With a guide, you'll visit sites such as the Lima Cathedral and the Presidential Palace overlooking the Plaza de Armas. You'll also visit the Convent of Santo Domingo. You'll get to see, first hand, Lima's magnificent Colonial architecture as well as vignettes of its pre-Colombian past. You'll finish the tour at the Larco Museum.

This morning after breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport to take the flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to the hotel to check-in. The rest of the afternoon will then be free for you to spend as you wish. You may want to go and explore Arequipa's historic centre. The beautiful combination of colonial building masters and Indian masons is exemplified through the city walls, strong archways, vaults and courtyards, complemented by the facades.

See All Photos

Today, you'll explore beautiful Arequipa, known as “The White City” due to its glistening white buildings built from volcanic rock. First, you'll stop at the Carmen del Alto viewpoint, then you'll head to Yanahuara and wander through the cobblestone streets of this Spanish Colonial district before heading to another viewpoint to take in the city and its three stunning volcanoes. You'll then continue to the Main Square and finally, you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Santa Catalina Monastery.

See All Photos

This morning, you'll travel from Arequipa to Chivay across the snow-capped Misti, Chachani and the Ampato volcanoes before arriving in the Colca Valley, the entrance to the famous Colca Canyon, home to the Andean condors. Continuing our journey into the Andes, you will pass the villages of Torja, Chucura, Patapampa, with their colonial churches and Inca terracing. Also, you will pass by the famous Corporaque viewpoint. In the afternoon, you'll arrive in the sleepy village of Chivay.

See All Photos

Following breakfast, you'll head to Cruz del Condor, the best viewpoint to watch the majestic condors ascending from the valley. After this amazing spectacle, you'll continue the journey passing
through several villages and taking in the beautiful Andean scenery and fascinating pre-Inca, Inca and colonial history of the area. You'll return to Chivay for lunch and continue to Puno by bus. On the way, you'll make several stops to take in the scenery and wildlife.

See All Photos

This morning, you will be met and transferred to the port for Taquile Island. Here, you'll enjoy the pristine sandy beaches of Lake Titicaca, then hike along a pre-Inca trail to families of weavers to learn about their art and symbolism. Then you'll take a 25-minute journey to Santa Maria-Llachon, another picturesque destination. You'll enjoy a traditional lunch of Pachamanca: meat, fish and potatoes cooked in underground ovens. You'll finish your trip at the Uros floating island communities.

See All Photos

You will be picked up in the morning from the hotel to begin the bus journey to Cusco. This spectacular journey takes you across the Altiplano, through sleepy Andean villages, past spectacular snow-capped mountains, sheer cliffs and rampaging rivers. Stops along the way include Andahuaylillas and the pre Inca ruins of Raqchi. You'll arrive in the famous city of Cusco in the early evening and transfer to your hotel.

See All Photos

Today, you'll explore Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. You will learn of the city’s fascinating history, from the Inca times to colonial rule, up to the present day. You'll visit the fascinating Koricancha Temple of the Sun, the 12-Angled Rock and the Cusco Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace. From here, you'll head to the archaeological remains located around the city, including the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, the site of Puca Pucara and finally, the Temple of Tambomachay.

See All Photos

This morning, you'll explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. The first stop is the colonial village of Pisac, with its famous market at the base of the spectacular Pisac Ruins. After lunch at a hotel restaurant, you'll continue the journey along the River Urubamba, to Ollantaytambo, dominated by a giant Inca fortress. At the end of the tour, you'll transfer to the Sacred Valley hotel.

See All Photos

Today, you'll be transferred to Ollantaytambo’s train station from where you'll take a comfortable train to Machu Picchu. En route, you'll enjoy an authentic Andean experience with traditional music. Upon arrival, it is only a short walk to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is then free at your leisure. You may want to visit the Agua Calientes Market, a large open-air market crammed with every single souvenir relating to Peru and Machu Picchu that you can imagine.

See All Photos

You will be astonished at your first view of Machu Picchu, a stunning display of ancient architecture with incredible surroundings. You'll enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and monuments. Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca site (one of the most famous of its kind), located 2,430 meters above sea level on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley. It was not brought to the world's attention until 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. After exploring, you'll return to Cusco.