9-Nights Classic Peru: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu from $3,536

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Peru

Transfer: Jorge Chavez Lima International Airportto Lima - Miraflores

Hotel: Pullman Lima Miraflores (5 Star Rating)

Pullman Lima Miraflores is a hotel that offers lifestyle and design, for business and leisure. Rooms with an ocean view and balcony included from the Hotel Pullman Lima Miraflores, just 5 minutes from one of the most visited beaches in the Pacific located in Lima. The rooms also have modern furniture, smart TVs, kettles. The hotel also offer WIFI, rooms with or without breakfast, 24-hour restaurant and bar, party room and the best rooftop in the city. Come enjoy your stay at the best hotel in Miraflores!

Pachacamac was the main sanctuary on the central coast of Peru in pre-Hispanic times. It was occupied by various civilizations and cultures for almost 1,000 years and today it is a living example of the country's rich cultural past. Before arriving at Pachacamac, you will tour part of modern Lima alongisde your private guide, passing through the districts of Miraflores, Barranco and Chorrillos, the latter known for its close relationship with the sea. You will make a stop at the famous Santo del Fraile, a rock formation that offers a spectacular view of the Lima coast. Arriving at Pachacamac is like returning to the past among its adobe walls, temples, and plazas. In ancient times, Pachacamac was considered an accurate oracle capable of predicting the future and unleashing the fury of the earth (remember that Lima is a city prone to strong earthquakes), which is why it received hundreds of pilgrims who came from all over in search of answers to their troubles and to pay their respects. You will visit both the archaeological site and its modern museum, where you will appreciate the chronology of the occupation of Pachacamac, as well as archaeological pieces found during the excavations such as idols, ceramic offerings, and Inca quipus. After touring Pachacamac, you will be returned to your hotel in Lima.

This afternoon you will visit the Larco Herrera Museum, an 18th century colonial-style museum housing the largest and most impressive ceramic collection in the world, with about 55,000 pre-Colombian clay pots on display. The collection concentrates on the refined ceramics of the Moche Dynasty, the people who lived along the northern coast of Peru between 200 and 700 AD. The Moche culture is recognized as accomplishing one of the greatest imaginative languages of ancient Peru through the use of creative pottery, providing clues to all aspects of their civilization without the use of the written word. One can learn about their religion, agriculture, transport, dance and music through these ceramic designs and shapes. The Moche are also renowned for their fascinating erotic pottery and the famous collection is on display in the separate "Erotic Hall", depicting sexual practices of several Peruvian cultures in a lifelike, explicit and often humorous way. After touring the museum, you'll enjoy dinner at the museums excellent on-site restaurant alongside your guide. Following dinner, which includes a Pisco Sour, an entree, main and a dessert, you will be returned to your hotel.

Dive into the heart of Peruvian culture through one of its greatest treasures; its culinary spirit. This immersive cooking experience begins with a private-guided visit to a local market alongside a local chef, where a vibrant array of fresh and local ingredients helps to reveal just how rich and diverse Peruvian cuisine truly is. Later in the kitchen, you'll roll up your sleeves and master some of Peru's most beloved classics, including ceviche and lomo saltado, all while uncovering the fascinating history and traditions behind each recipe. The afternoon wraps up around the table, sharing the fruits of your labor in a warm and convivial atmosphere. Included throughout are your private transfers, a market visit, aprons, two drinks per person, fruit tastings and a culinary souvenir to take home.

Lima rewards those who look beyond first impressions. The clifftop district of Miraflores sets a superb tone for a day at leisure; the Malecon walkway traces the Pacific coastline with sweeping ocean views, and the neighbourhood below offers excellent cafe culture and some of the best shopping in the city. For something more immersive, Barranco is just a short ride away, where colourful murals, artists' studios, and the iconic Bridge of Sighs make for a relaxed and locally authentic afternoon. Lima's culinary reputation is well earned; this is indeed one of the great food cities of the world, and an evening at one of its celebrated restaurants is as essential as any landmark. Whether you lean toward a Michelin-worthy tasting menu or a neighbourhood cevicheria, the city rarely disappoints at the dining table.

Transfer: Lima - Miraflores to Jorge Chavez Lima International Airport

Upon arrival to Cusco Airport, please collect your baggage and head to the arrivals area. Here you will be greeted by a local assistant holding a sign with your name on it. Your journey toward the Sacred Valley soon begins, passing through the charming Imperial City of Cusco. Along the way, stop for special visit to the Sulca Museum, where Peru's textile history is showcased through unique pieces recreated by the talented Sulca family, inspired by Pre-Columbian, Inca, Colonial, and Contemporary cultures, and crafted using ancestral techniques. It is the perfect place to acquire your first authentic souvenir from the Andes. You will then continue toward your hotel in the Sacred Valley, crossing majestic mountains and fertile fields, and typically arriving in the early afternoon.

Sitting somewhat lower than Cusco, the Sacred Valley offers a gentler introduction to Andean altitude; still, a relaxed afternoon remains the wisest start to your adventure. Ranging from roughly 6,750 to 9,800 feet (2,050 to 3,000 meters) above sea level, let the extraordinary landscape welcome you to the region. Sweeping valley views, terraced hillsides, and comfortable accommodations are more than enough to fill a few hours as your body adjusts to the mountain elevation. Drink plenty of water, take things slowly, and eat lightly at dinner to ensure you're ready for the adventures ahead.

The Boleto Tourism Card (BTC) allows you to access archeological and cultural sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The BTC is a mandatory requirement for travellers visiting the area, and is included in your itinerary.

Hotel: Sonesta Posadas Del Inca Yucay (4 Star Rating)

Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and surrounded by beautiful gardens, the Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay is a former 18th century colonial-style monastery. This charming 84-room posada is a one-hour drive from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and close to Machu Picchu. The area's year-round warm weather is ideal for hiking, rafting, horseback riding and other outdoor activities.

This half-day adventure will take you to see two of the most iconic places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Maras and Moray. The impressive archaeological complex of Moray, which resembles a natural amphitheater, will amaze with its enormous, concentric platforms. Here you will enjoy a guided tour to learn about the history of these fascinating ruins that are an excellent example of brilliant Inca engineering. After touring Moray, you will visit the famous ancestral salt mines of Maras, a place where - to this day - the finest salt in the world is harvested. With stunning panoramic views of the mosaic of terraces and ponds, Maras offers the perfect setting for photography enthusiasts. After touring Maras and Moray, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Your adventure today brings you to one of the most important places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: the town of Ollantaytambo. A window to the country's Incan past, it is an emblematic place where Manco Inca defeated the Spanish in the year 1537. Begin by walking through its characteristic cobblestone streets, surrounded by adobe houses, before heading towards the fascinating archaeological complex, which was a military, religious and agricultural center. There, you will climb the steep stone steps to admire the monoliths that make up the Temple of the Sun, learning a little about Inca astronomy and the impressive architecture seen throughout the archaeological site. Ollantaytambo, its platforms and its fortress are a perfect testimony of the extraordinary skill of the Incas in construction and planning. Please note, the fortress of Ollantaytambo can be considered moderately challenging to explore and requires decent mobility and fitness levels. At the end of your tour, you will be delivered to Ollantaytambo train station or returned to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, pending on your onward travel plans.

As there are strict luggage restrictions in place on board the train to Aguas Calientes, a luggage transfer service has been arranged to bring your additional belongings to Cusco. Once you have completed your experience in and around Machu Picchu, your baggage will be ready and waiting for you in Cusco.

At the scheduled time, board the Voyager Train with service to Aguas Calientes, the penultimate stop on your way to Machu Picchu. The train cars of the Voyager are defined by comfortable seats, wide windows and ambient music that complements the spectacular scenery that accents the trip to Aguas Calientes; be sure to have your camera ready as there are seemingly endless opportunities for gorgeous pictures. As you travel to Aguas Calientes, you are welcome to purchase a range of food and beverages from the on-board service (additional cost).

This route begins at the lower terrace, where you will have the chance to capture some fantastic panoramic pictures of the citadel. Continuing onward, you'll soon explore the urban and religious sector of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Fountains, and more. Widely considered to be among the most comprehensive circuits to tour Machu Picchu, you'll explore the complex for 2 hours and 30 minutes alongside your local private guide before completing the route.

Hotel: El Mapi by Inkaterra (3 Star Rating)

El Mapi by Inkaterra is located right at the foot of the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and just across from the train station for Cusco/Machu Picchu train. This is a very reasonably priced hotel for Machu Picchu with full amenities. While the ruins may be ancient this hotel has all the modern comforts.

On this circuit, you'll have the opportunity to catch classic postcard perfect photos of Machu Picchu from the viewpoint of the Guardian's House. You will also be provided access to Machu Picchu Mountain, and invited to hike up and down the trail, a journey that typically takes between one and two hours. Along the way, you will ascend some 650 meters (roughly 2,130 feet), with a particularly challenging stretch featuring large steps encountered toward the end of the route. Guests with a fear of heights, vertigo, or mobility issues may wish to forego this activity. Also worth noting is that while the trail is wide for most of the way, there are narrow, steep sections as you progress and climb higher. However, the rewards for your efforts are apparent from the moment you reach the top. The panoramic views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu (further distant) are among the most impressive possible.

At the scheduled time, board the 360 Train with service to Ollantaytambo. The train cars of the 360 are defined by comfortable seats, panoramic windows, ambient music and an open-air observation wagon that complements the spectacular scenery that accents the trip to Ollantaytambo; be sure to have your camera ready as there are seemingly endless opportunities for gorgeous pictures. As you travel, you are welcome to purchase a range of food and beverages from the on-board service (additional cost), and will also be offered a complimentary snack.

Transfer: Ollantaytambo Station to Cusco

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Cusco (4 Star Rating)

Explore the ancient neighborhood of Santa Ana from the Hilton Garden Inn Cusco hotel. Admire the natural beauty, local architecture, and vibrant culture outside this modern hotel. Walk into the welcoming lobby with plenty of natural light, a colonial courtyard, and two fireplaces. Take in hillside views near iconic Cusco attractions - the Centro Historico de Cusco, Cusco Cathedral, and Plaza de Armas are all within two kilometers. The hotel is four kilometers from the city center and Sacsayhuaman, with Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport a 15-minute drive away. Enjoy courtyard yoga sessions and the all-day restaurant.

This charming half-day tour of Cusco offers history, living culture and art. You will be able to appreciate how the Andean and Spanish cultures, as well as the past and the present, coexist in harmony in the Imperial City. Begin the day exploring the halls of the San Pedro Market, the oldest in the city. Designed in 1925 by Gustave Eiffel, today it brings together hundreds of merchants selling local products. You will also visit Koricancha Temple, which during the Inca empire was a center of worship of the Sun, and upon which the Santo Domingo Convent was later built as part of the evangelization process. Its baroque style facade built on solid Inca walls perfectly summarizes the syncretism of cultures in the city of Cusco. To appreciate the greatness of the Incas, ascend to the monumental fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which - with its enormous carved stone walls - constitutes one of the best examples of Inca military architecture. Later, you will tour the archaeological center of Kenko, a ceremonial place where the sun, the moon and the stars were worshiped. The final stop of the day is one of the most impressive; the Cathedral, widely considered the most important temple in the city. It was built by the Spanish on top of the palace of the Inca Huiracoha. Its interior houses a wonderful collection of colonial art composed of goldsmith pieces and representative canvases of the Cusco School of Art. Following your private tour of the city, you will be returned to your hotel.

Explore Cusco's historic center after dark on this private guided cocktail walking tour, led by a professional bartender with a passion for Peru's most celebrated spirit, pisco. Winding through some of the city's most atmospheric streets, you'll make three carefully chosen stops at standout bars and restaurants, each offering a unique and refreshing perspective on pisco-based cocktails. The evening opens with an introduction to pisco's history and character, complete with a tasting of its essential varieties. From there, cocktails grow more adventurous - think coca sour, exotic fruit preparations, and ginger-infused concoctions - as your technique and appreciation deepen with each visit and sip. The night finishes at a bar overlooking Cusco's impressive and illuminated Main Square, where a shared piqueo of snacks and a final cocktail provide the perfect, memorable finale to an unmissable evening. Please note, this tour is exclusively done on foot and does not include transportation.

Cusco asks only one thing of you on a day at leisure; take it slowly. At roughly 11,150 feet (3,400 metres) above sea level, the city rewards a gentle pace, and as it happens, a gentle pace is exactly what it deserves. The Plaza de Armas is one of the great public squares in the Americas, and a morning coffee at one of the surrounding cafe terraces, watching the city go about its day, is time well spent. From there, the cobblestone streets of San Blas invite unhurried exploration; artists' workshops, ceramic studios, and intimate galleries fill the neighborhood's whitewashed buildings. The mercado of San Pedro offers an authentic and vivid glimpse into daily Andean life. Come evening, Cusco's restaurant scene is a pleasant surprise. No matter what you're looking for, you'll find fare that is sophisticated, deeply rooted in Andean ingredients, and more than capable of anchoring a memorable evening.

Transfer: Cusco to Cusco Airport