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Day 1
Arrival in Lima
Arrive at Lima Airport where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to the hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru´s sprawling capital city. Alternatively, you can book our optional Magic Water Circuit with Dinner and Folk Show: Magic Water Circuit with Dinner and Folk Show (shared basis): A modern system of fountains certified as the largest in the world by the Guinness World Records. Built-in Exhibition Park, the Magical Water Circuit attracts crowds during summer and winter, being one of the new favorite attractions of Lima. See yourself and enjoy our water cruise that is followed by a unique gastronomical experience at a restaurant, accompanied by a delicious buffet dinner and amusing folk show. Notes: Shared service. Start time: 18:00 hours. Duration 4 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Magic Water Circuit, and Buffet Dinner with Folkloric show Overnight in Lima.
Hotel: Tierra Viva Lima 3* (or similar) -
Day 2
Lima
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with fascinating historic buildings. Start with a scenic tour in the colonial downtown. See the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Admire Lima’s Cathedral, built during the 16th century and then visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jeronimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time, still belongs to the same family. Continue to the traditional Pueblo Libre district and visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the seventh century. The museum boasts a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Lima.
Hotel: Tierra Viva Lima 3* (or similar) -
Day 3
Lima - Cusco
After a tasty breakfast, enjoy a comfortable transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport to catch a flight to Cusco. Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30hrs. Noon arrivals are too late. A representative will meet and greet you, and then transfer you to the selected hotel in Cusco. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaves and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to your hotel. Your flight to Cusco is not included. Overnight in Cusco.
Hotel: Tierra Viva Cusco 3* (or similar) -
Day 4
Cusco - Maras - Muray - Cusco
Depart after breakfast at the hotel, heading along the Sacred Valley towards the archaeological site of Moray, approximately an hour and a half away. As with many Inca ruins, its exact function remains a mystery though the design of ever-wider concentric circular terraces meant each level had a different microclimate. Continue to Maras, where the salt ponds create a dazzling scene. The thousands of small ponds give work to and help feed many local families. During Inca times, the salt deposits were an important economic center and of great value to the imperial economy. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
Hotel: Tierra Viva Cusco 3* (or similar) -
Day 5
Cusco - Machu Picchu - Aguas Clientes
After breakfast at the hotel, a transportation service will pick you up and transfer you to the Ollanta Station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Following a scenic journey through dramatic Andean landscapes, arrive at the station in Aguas Calientes. Here you board a coach for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel, presenting its most prominent landmarks such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial, and the Burial Grounds. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch at the famous Café Inkaterra, a beautiful thatched-roof restaurant hemmed in between the railway and a mountain. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Hotel: Hatun Inti Classic 3* (or similar) -
Day 6
Aguas Clientes - Cusco
The delicious breakfast at the hotel is followed by a relaxing morning at leisure. This day we suggest returning on your own to Machu Picchu to visit the other attractions (second entrance ticket to Machu Picchu and bus from/to Aguas Calientes available as an optional extra). Spend the morning over Machu Picchu and discover its secrets. The best views are from Huayna Picchu (entrance to Huayna Picchu and bus from/to Aguas Calientes available as an optional extra; subject to space availability), which is about 360 meters above Machu Picchu, boasting an underground temple complex, and from Inti Punku, which offers even better views from about 390 meters above the citadel. Another option is the Inca Bridge, a secret military trial, which controlled access to the citadel. In the afternoon, transfer to the Aguas Calientes station and take the train back to Ollanta station. From here you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.
Hotel: Tierra Viva Cusco 3* (or similar) - Day 7 Cusco - Return After breakfast, enjoy a pleasant transfer from the selected hotel to the airport.
Included
Operated with bilingual English and Spanish-speaking local guide
6 nights’ accommodation
6 Breakfasts
1 Lunch on Day 5
Private transfers from and to the airport
Shared transfers from and to the train stations
Roundtrip train to Machu Picchu in Expedition Service (PeruRail) or Voyager (IncaRail) for Standard and Superior category and Vistadome Service (Perú Rail) or 360° (Inca Rail) for Deluxe category
Bus Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes.
All visits mentioned in the programme: Casa Aliaga Cathedral and Larco Museum in Lima; Coricancha Temple Cathedral Sacsayhuamán Qenqo Puka Pukara and Tambomachay in Cusco; Moray Maras in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC)
Exclusions
Expenses of a personal nature. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during meals. Meals not stated in the programme
Tips for driver and guide
Additional optional visits
International flights to Peru
Domestic flights: Lima – Cusco (Day 3) (we advise booking the first flights in the morning)
International and domestic airport departure taxes.
Travel Insurance
PERU, A LAND OF CONTRASTS AND DIVERSITY
Peru is a country of many faces, where landscapes and cultures unfold with remarkable intensity. From the arid Pacific coastline to the lush depths of the Amazon rainforest, passing through the imposing Andes mountain range with some of the highest peaks on the continent, travelers are constantly amazed. Peru is also an encounter with communities that have preserved their ancestral traditions, the result of an exceptional historical and cultural blend. Its cuisine, widely recognized as one of the finest and most diverse in Latin America, plays a key role in this sensory journey. At the heart of this fascinating country stands one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World: the legendary Machu Picchu.
MAIN REGIONS
LIMA
Located along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Lima was once known as the “Pearl of the Pacific.” In pre-Hispanic times, the valley where the capital now stands was a fertile oasis that supported agriculture and fishing. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the city flourished with elegant colonial mansions adorned with intricately carved wooden balconies, reflecting its political, strategic, and economic importance within the Spanish Empire. Discovering Lima today means grasping the complexity of a vast metropolis where each neighborhood tells a different story. Marked by strong contrasts, the city strives to reconcile rural traditions with urban modernity. Despite its apparent disorder and social challenges, Lima charms visitors with its vibrant energy, distinctive character, and the warmth of its people, always eager to share their culture and joie de vivre.
AREQUIPA
About one thousand kilometers south of Lima lies Arequipa, set at the foot of the majestic Misti volcano. Known as the “White City,” it is renowned for its elegant colonial architecture built from sillar, a pale volcanic stone. Founded in 1540, Arequipa enjoys a dry, temperate climate and a spectacular natural setting. With nearly 700,000 inhabitants, it is Peru’s second-largest city. Many religious and civic buildings, carefully restored, are now open to visitors. The Santa Catalina Monastery, a true city within a city, reveals a maze of colorful streets steeped in history. Beneath an almost perpetually blue sky, Arequipa captivates with the harmony of its architecture and the gentle rhythm of daily life.
COLCA VALLEY
A few hours north of Arequipa lies the spectacular Colca Valley. Surrounded by ancient agricultural terraces, it is carved by the Colca River, which flows through one of the deepest canyons in the world. Numerous villages dot the valley, preserving their traditional layouts, richly decorated colonial churches, and age-old festivals. The highlight of any visit is the famous Cruz del Cóndor, a natural lookout point from which visitors can observe the majestic flight of condors soaring above the canyon, with the Coropuna and Ampato volcanoes rising in the distance.
CUSCO
The Cusco region is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating areas in South America. As the former capital of the Inca Empire, it impresses with the richness of its historical heritage and the vitality of its living traditions. Today, agriculture and tourism are the region’s main economic drivers. Nearby lies the Urubamba Valley, better known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This strategic territory once played a central military, religious, and agricultural role. Powerful fortresses built into the mountainsides protected access to the valley. Among the most remarkable sites are Pisac and Ollantaytambo, striking examples of Inca engineering. Further along, at nearly 2,900 meters above sea level, the citadel of Machu Picchu emerges from the heart of lush tropical vegetation.
SACRED VALLEY
Stretching just a few kilometers from Cusco, the Sacred Valley benefited from a mild climate and fertile land that made it the breadbasket of the Inca Empire. The valley also held strategic importance as the gateway between the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. Its atmosphere is truly unique, blending the serenity of cultivated landscapes with the power of dramatic mountain scenery. Here, the glorious past of Inca civilization coexists with a present that remains rural, authentic, and deeply alive.
MACHU PICCHU
Visiting Machu Picchu evokes an emotion comparable to standing before the pyramids of Egypt. Even before catching sight of the citadel, travelers are immersed in a sense of anticipation, as the site reveals itself only at the last moment. Considered one of the greatest masterpieces of landscape architecture in the world, Machu Picchu is divided into two distinct areas. The agricultural sector consists of vast terraced fields and storage facilities used to preserve food supplies. The urban and sacred sector contains temples, plazas, and royal mausoleums crafted with extraordinary precision. The harmony between human ingenuity and the surrounding natural environment gives this place an unforgettable aura.
PERUVIAN CUISINE
Peruvian cuisine enjoys international recognition and is considered one of the richest in Latin America. It delights visitors with iconic dishes such as ceviche, pachamanca, chupe de camarones, ají de gallina, and juanes. This culinary wealth is rooted in the country’s exceptional ecological diversity, which encompasses a large proportion of the world’s known life zones. Abundant marine resources provide exceptionally fresh fish and seafood, while the Andes supply an astonishing variety of potatoes, corn, and chili peppers. The Amazon rainforest contributes unique ingredients, including river fish, game, and tropical fruits. This gastronomic heritage is the result of remarkable cultural blending, combining Spanish, African, Arab, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Today, a new generation of chefs is reinterpreting these traditions with creativity, giving rise to a refined and innovative contemporary cuisine.
TRANSPORTATION
Peru continues to develop its transportation infrastructure, both by land and by air. The domestic airline network allows travelers to quickly reach the country’s main tourist destinations. Road transportation, primarily provided by interprovincial buses, covers nearly the entire territory, with the exception of some remote areas of the Amazon. Travelers choosing a self-drive itinerary must carry a valid driver’s license, a copy of their passport, and their vehicle rental agreement. Taxis are widely available in Peruvian cities, though it is recommended to use official taxi companies for safety reasons.
FACT SHEET
Peru covers an area of 1,285,215 km² and, in 2015, had a population of over 30 million people, the majority living in urban areas. Spanish is the most widely spoken language, alongside Quechua, Aymara, and other Indigenous languages. The population is predominantly Catholic, although other religious affiliations are also present. Peru is a democratic republic, with the president and members of Congress elected every five years. The national currency is the Peruvian sol. Electrical current is 220 volts, with type A, B, or C outlets. Peru can be visited year-round, although certain seasons are more favorable depending on the region. The country is divided into three major geographical zones: the Pacific coast, the Andes mountains, and the Amazon rainforest.
The Embassy of Canada is located in Lima.
Name: Inca Journey
Brand: Pathways of the World
Quality: First Class
Tour Type: Escorted
Start City: Lima
End City: Cuzco
Vacation Overview:
In a country filled with enchanting historic monuments, there is one that stands out above all, the impressive ‘Lost City of the Incas’ – Machu Picchu. Let Peru’s most beautiful archaeological sites inspire you during this seven-day tour of the country. Start in Peru´s capital, Lima, explore the ancient seat of the Inca Empire in Cusco, discover the archaeological sites of the Incas in the Sacred Valley, and end with an awe-inspiring visit to Machu Picchu, high up in the Andes. Join this dream trip that promises impressive things to see and memorable experiences.
