Colonial Lima and Sacred land of the Incas 7D/6N

Welcome to Peru! Upon your arrival at Lima's international airport, our team will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the capital. After your international flight, you can enjoy a free afternoon to relax, explore the city at your own pace or discover Peru's celebrated cuisine.

If your flight schedule allows, we recommend exploring Miraflores, one of Lima's most popular districts for international visitors. Start at Kennedy Park, locally known as the Cat Park because of its resident cats. Continue to Parque del Amor, where colourful mosaics and romantic sculptures overlook the Pacific Ocean. From there, enjoy a walk along the Miraflores Malecón, a scenic coastal promenade with panoramic ocean views.

You can also visit Larcomar, a shopping and dining complex built into the coastal cliffs, where you can browse local products while enjoying spectacular views of the Pacific. These first experiences offer a welcoming introduction to Peru before you begin your journey into the Andes.

Explore Lima's fascinating contrasts on a guided city tour lasting approximately 3.5 hours. From pre-Hispanic archaeological remains to elegant colonial buildings and modern neighbourhoods, discover how different historical periods have shaped Peru's capital.

Begin in the modern districts of Miraflores and San Isidro. Visit Intihuatana Park, which offers views of the Pacific Ocean, and see Huaca Pucllana, an ancient ceremonial complex with a distinctive pyramid that survived Lima's urban expansion. Continue to El Olivar Park and the financial district of San Isidro to discover another side of the capital.

Travel to Lima's historic center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Here, colonial architecture, traditional balconies and historic public squares tell the story of the city's development following the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

Visit Plaza San Martín and Plaza Mayor, surrounded by important landmarks such as the Government Palace, Lima Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace and Desamparados Train Station. For travellers interested in the historic and colonial towns of Peru, Lima provides an excellent introduction to the country's architectural heritage before continuing to Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Continue to Santo Domingo Convent, an important religious complex dating back to the colonial period. Discover its connection to three prominent Peruvian saints: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres and San Juan Macías. After the tour, you may choose to visit a traditional handicraft market, explore Larcomar or return to your hotel.

If you have additional free time, consider visiting Barranco, Lima's bohemian district, known for its artistic atmosphere and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Local legend says that making a wish and crossing the bridge while holding your breath will help make that wish come true.

For souvenirs and traditional Peruvian handicrafts, explore Avenida Petit Thouars and the Mercado Indio. Miraflores is also an excellent place to sample Lima's renowned cuisine, including ceviche, fresh seafood and traditional Peruvian dishes.

Today, travel from Lima to Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire and the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. According to your flight schedule, our driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Lima's international airport. Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, our local team will welcome you and take you to your hotel. Please provide your flight number and arrival time in advance to coordinate your transfer.

You will be welcomed with a cup of traditional coca tea before enjoying a free afternoon to rest and acclimatize to the Andean altitude. Cusco sits at approximately 3,399 metres (11,152 feet) above sea level. Its high elevation means that some travellers may experience fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath or other symptoms of altitude sickness, particularly during their first day.

To help your body adjust, take it easy after arrival, drink water regularly and avoid strenuous activity. Eat light meals if you prefer, and consider seeking medical advice before your trip if you have concerns about travelling to high-altitude destinations.

If you feel comfortable, enjoy a gentle walk around Plaza de Armas, where colonial buildings stand alongside impressive Inca stone foundations. Cusco offers an extraordinary blend of Inca architecture, colonial landmarks and living Andean culture. Depending on your energy level and available time, you can explore the historic center, visit local museums or attend a traditional dance and music performance at Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo.

Other places of interest include the Regional Historical Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Qoricancha Museum and the Museum of Popular Art.

Discover the remarkable history of Cusco on a guided tour lasting approximately five hours. This excursion combines colonial landmarks in the city center with some of the most impressive Inca archaeological sites in the surrounding hills. Begin at Cusco Cathedral in Plaza de Armas, one of the city's principal landmarks. Built on the foundations of an earlier Inca religious site, the cathedral houses an extensive collection of paintings associated with the Cusco School of Art.

Continue to Qoricancha, whose Quechua name is commonly translated as the Temple of Gold. This important Inca religious complex was once richly decorated with gold and silver before much of its wealth was taken during the Spanish conquest. These landmarks reveal the cultural layers that make Cusco one of the most compelling destinations in Peru.

Leave the city center to visit Sacsayhuamán, an extraordinary archaeological complex famous for its enormous fitted stone blocks and panoramic views over Cusco. The site's monumental walls demonstrate the engineering skills and architectural sophistication of the Inca civilization. Continue to Q'enqo, an archaeological site associated with ceremonial and religious practices, where carved rock formations and stone structures remain visible.

Next, visit Puka Pukara, whose name means Red Fortress in Quechua. Its location and surviving structures provide insight into the network of sites surrounding the Inca capital. Finish at Tambomachay, an archaeological complex known for its carefully constructed water channels and fountains, which are often associated with Inca water rituals.

After the excursion, return to Cusco and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. You can be dropped off at your hotel or, if arranged with your guide, near Plaza de Armas. As Cusco's altitude can make physical activity more demanding, the tour begins in the afternoon, giving you the morning to rest and acclimatize. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring sun protection and carry water. If you feel well enough, you can use your free time to explore Cusco's museums, colonial streets and traditional shops..

Today, discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the highlights of any journey through the Peruvian Andes. Also known as the Vilcanota Valley, this region follows the river of the same name and is renowned for its dramatic mountain scenery, fertile agricultural land, traditional communities and remarkable Inca archaeological sites. Your full-day excursion combines ancient history, local culture, traditional markets and a scenic train journey towards Machu Picchu.

After breakfast, travel to the archaeological site of Pisac, dramatically situated on a mountainside overlooking the valley. Explore its impressive agricultural terraces and stone structures, which demonstrate how the Incas adapted to the steep Andean terrain. Continue to Pisac town, where the traditional handicraft market offers an opportunity to discover handmade textiles, locally produced crafts and souvenirs inspired by the region's cultural heritage.

Travel through the Sacred Valley of Peru to Urubamba, an important town surrounded by fertile farmland and towering Andean mountains. Here, you will stop for lunch and have the opportunity to sample Peruvian cuisine, with options that may include soups, salads, ceviche, traditional main courses and desserts. The Urubamba Valley in Peru offers a different atmosphere from Cusco, with a more rural landscape and a strong connection to agriculture and local traditions.

Continue to Ollantaytambo, one of the most remarkable archaeological destinations in the Sacred Valley of Cusco. Explore its impressive Inca archaeological complex, known for its monumental stone terraces and strategic position overlooking the valley. The site served important religious, agricultural and defensive purposes during the Inca period. After your visit, walk through Ollantaytambo town, where narrow cobblestone streets and traditional buildings preserve elements of the original Inca urban layout. The town offers a rare opportunity to experience how ancient architecture remains part of everyday life in the Andes. Ollantaytambo is also a key railway departure point for travellers heading to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.

After exploring the Sacred Valley, board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town located below Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, a hotel representative will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Rest and prepare for the following day's visit to one of the world's most celebrated archaeological destinations. For greater comfort, take a small overnight bag or daypack to Aguas Calientes rather than carrying all your luggage. Bring your travel documents, money, lightweight clothing, a camera, insect repellent, a sunhat, sunscreen and personal toiletries. You can generally leave the rest of your luggage at your Cusco hotel, subject to its storage arrangements.

Today is the highlight of your Sacred Land of the Incas tour: a guided visit to Machu Picchu, Peru, the extraordinary Inca citadel set high in the Andes. Early in the morning, your guide will meet you at the agreed time and accompany you to the bus station. The bus journey to Machu Picchu takes approximately 30 minutes, following a winding mountain road that climbs towards the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival, enter the archaeological site with your guide and begin exploring its remarkable stone structures, terraces and ceremonial areas. During the approximately 2.5-hour guided tour, discover the architectural ingenuity of the Inca civilization and learn about the historical and cultural significance of this extraordinary mountain sanctuary. Machu Picchu's setting, surrounded by steep green peaks and dramatic Andean landscapes, makes it one of the most memorable places to visit in South America.

Machu Picchu sits at approximately 2,430 metres (7,970 feet) above sea level, lower than Cusco. However, the site includes uneven stone paths, stairs and changes in terrain, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. Bring your passport, the required entry ticket, water in an allowed container, sunscreen, a sunhat and insect repellent. Keep your personal belongings secure and follow your guide's instructions throughout the visit.

Machu Picchu entry tickets are subject to official admission rules, designated circuits and availability. If you are planning your trip from the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, it is advisable to arrange your visit in advance, especially during popular travel periods. Entry to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu, where available, requires the appropriate admission arrangements and may involve a separate schedule from the main citadel visit. Please confirm which admission tickets, transport services and guided activities are included in your package before departure. Entry requirements and visiting regulations may change, so always follow the latest official guidance.

After your guided tour, return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants. Lunch is not included. Later, board the train to Ollantaytambo according to your confirmed departure schedule. Upon arrival, a representative will direct you to your connecting road transfer for the final journey back to Cusco. Your guide or local team will help you understand the meeting points and transport arrangements. Please allow sufficient time for queues at the bus station and railway station.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before your transfer to Cusco Airport, scheduled according to your flight departure time. This marks the end of your 7-day journey through Peru, from Lima's coastal scenery and colonial heritage to the historic Inca capital, the Sacred Valley and the unforgettable landscapes of Machu Picchu. We hope you leave with wonderful memories of Peru's history, culture, hospitality and extraordinary natural beauty.