Peru's Andean Cultures | Trip Itinerary

This program is our suggestion of a customized itinerary that includes the cultural highlights of Peru. It uses group tours where available,  and private tours in other areas. The itinerary can be modified to include all private tours, or to add additional days or tours, different hotels, etc.
 

Day 1: Travel to Lima. You will need to clear customs and immigration before exiting the airport. Our local representative will meet you outside, and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2: Breakfast is included at your hotel. Today you will enjoy a half-day private tour of the historical and colonial areas of Lima, including a visit to the Larco Museum. This museum showcases chronological galleries that provide an overview of 5,000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Other museum visits can be substituted, or added on request. Your afternoon is free to explore further on your own. Optionally we can arrange for a shared bike tour around the Miraflores district this afternoon. (B)

Day 3: You will be met and transferred to the airport for your flights to Cusco. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You have some free time to rest and acclimatize to the 11,600' elevation. Later this afternoon, you will have a group tour (optional upgrade to private tour) of the highlights of the city of Cusco, and several of the surrounding archaeological sites. Remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

Day 4: Today you will have a full day group tour (optional upgrade to private tour) to the Sacred Valley. First, explore the Pisac market, with its bright stalls full of local textiles and other handicrafts.
The main market day in Pisac is Sunday, with Tuesdays and Thursdays being popular as well. To a lesser extent, you will  find  handicraft vendors in the market on  a daily basis.
Continue through the valley to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, tour the ruins of Ollantaytambo. You will be dropped off at your selected hotel, where you will spend the night. Note:  With a private tour, additions can be made for additional stops such as Pisac ruins, Awanacancha textile exhibit, or trade out for Chincheros market if you are traveling on a Sunday. Some additional charges may apply.  (B, L)

Day 5: You will be transferred by local transfer service to the train station at Ollantaytambo, where you will depart on the Vistadome tourist train for the 90 minute ride through the valley to Machu Picchu. Meet your guide on arrival and transfer to ruins + entrance fee + guided  private tour + lunch at the nearby Sanctuary Lodge are all included. Be sure to note the time for the last bus down to Aguas Calientes, which is usually around 5:00 PM. Spend the night in this town, conveniently located to restaurants & the bus stop for Machu Picchu, and the train station back to Cusco. Dinner is included at most Machu Picchu hotels (except 3 star option). (B, L, D)

Day 6:  Entrance fee to ruins, transportation and breakfast are included to use this morning. Tickets will be for a specific hour of the morning entrance:  6:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Optional hiking permits can be arranged on request.   Free time for lunch & to wander the Machu Picchu village before your late afternoon return by train/vehicle to Ollantaytamboo or Poroy/Cusco.  On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your Cusco hotel, where you stay for the next two nights. (B)

Day 7: Day at leisure to enjoy the markets, shops, restaurants and museums of Cusco. (B)

Day 8: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the bus station for the full day Tourist Bus to Puno. A bi-lingual guide will accompany you, and stops will be made at sites of interest en-route such as the town/church of Andahuaylillas,  Raqchi archaeological site, and the town/museum of Pucara. Entrance fees  and lunch are included. On arrival to Puno, you are met and transferred to your hotel for a 2-night stay.  (B, L)

Day 9: Today you’ll enjoy a full day shared boat ride and tour of Lake Titicaca. We've upgraded this experience to include your own private guide. (see pricing options for regular private boat or fast-boat upgrades).  First explore the famous floating Uros Island's community followed by the historical and cultural Taquile Island.  Here you’ll visit the local community and have lunch, and some free time to explore the town & countryside. Later in the afternoon return by boat to Puno,  where you are met and transferred to your hotel.  Note this tour is not included with the luxury option, as that hotel is "all-inclusive" and offers this tour + a variety of excursions that are included in their price on a shared basis with other hotel guests. (B, L)

Day 10: You’ll be picked up at your hotel, and transferred to the Juliaca airport for your flights to Lima. Connect to your local or international flight.   (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner