Classic Peru trip: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Lima
• 2 nights Cusco
• 1 night Aguas Calientes
• 1 night Cusco

Day 1: Arrive in Lima

On arrival in Lima, you’ll be greeted and taken to your hotel to check in for a 2-night stay. You have the rest of the day at leisure to rest and relax or explore a little of the city.

Day 2: Lima

Today we’ve included a guided visit around the city’s main sites. Stroll around the Main Square and the city’s historic centre, including the imposing cathedral and the Monastery of San Francisco. Visit the Larco Museum and Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion inhabited by sixteen generations of the same family. The rest of the day will be free for you to enjoy Lima at your own pace.

Day 3: Lima to Cusco

After breakfast, you’ll be collected and taken to the airport for your flight to Cusco. On arrival, you’ll be greeted and driven to your hotel to check in for a four-night stay.

This afternoon we’ve included a city tour of colonial Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire in the 15^th Century. You’ll see the main square, Plaza de Armas and the Santo Domingo monastery built over the legendary Korikancha temple - an important temple dedicated to sun worship. You’ll also explore the Sacsayhuaman Fortress and the Cusco Cathedral, two incredible works of architecture built from Peru’s both indigenous and colonial heritage.

Stop at San Cristobal for a panoramic view of the city, and after your tour, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 4: Sacred Valley

Today, you’ll be collected and driven to the Urubamba River Valley, known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way, you’ll stop at Awanakancha, a ‘living museum’ that’s home to many South American camelids, including llamas and alpacas. You’ll learn how local people benefit from alpaca, llama and vicuña fibre and how traditional weaving techniques are still used to make garments today.

Your tour continues to Pisac where you can visit an indigenous market and test your bartering skills. We’ve included lunch at a local restaurant before you visit Ollantaytambo, a typical Incan village with picturesque streets and a magnificent Inca fortress.

After your visit, you’ll travel back to your hotel in Cusco with magnificent views of the Urubamba Valley. The evening is free to enjoy.

Day 5: Machu Picchu

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to Cusco train station to catch the train to Aguas Calientes, the last stop before Machu Picchu. On arrival, your guide will meet you and accompany you on the 25-minute bus ride up to the citadel itself.

Your local guide will take you around the complex and explain that Machu Picchu is considered a masterpiece of architecture and engineering because of its singular building techniques and surroundings. You’ll have all afternoon here, including some time for independent exploration before you leave.

After the guided tour, hop on the bus back to Aguas Calientes where we’ve included lunch at a local hotel. After lunch, spend a few hours browsing the local markets You will spend tonight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 6: Cusco/ Machu Picchu

Today you have a second chance to explore Machu Picchu if you choose, so let us know, and we can include an extra entrance ticket. You can visit the Sun Gate, the Wayna Picchu and the Inca Bridge and enjoy a final stroll this majestic wonder of the world. Afterwards you will take the train back down to Ollantaytambo where a car will meet you for the drive back to Cusco. Spend the evening relaxing and reminiscing over your time at Machu Picchu. 

Day 7: Depart Cusco

After breakfast today, you’ll be collected and driven to Cusco airport to catch your next flight.