Cultural Explorations of Peru | Trip Itinerary

This program is our suggestion of a customized itinerary that includes the cultural highlights of Peru. It uses group tours where available, such as the Colca Canyon, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, 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’ll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the Lima airport for your morning flight to Arequipa. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you’ll enjoy half day guided city tour & visit to Santa Catalina Monastery and the Museo Sanctuarios Andinos. with the famous mummy of “Juanita” (closed Mondays). Free time to explore the city historic sites, restaurants & shops on your own. (B)

Day 4: 2 day/1 night group to to the Colca Canyon (note upgrade option to private tour in trip pricing)Leaving the city behind we slowly ascend to the highland Savannah or Puna with  a close-up view of Mt. Chachani and Misti and other surrounding volcanoes.  On this high altitude desert a chance to see small herds of vicuña, an endangered species of camelids and an impressive landscape with the back-drop of the Sabancaya volcano.  Descend   into the upper Colca Canyon at Chivay and overnight in local lodge in the Colca Valley.  Lunch at a local restaurant is included. (B, L)

Day 5: An early departure to Cruz del Condor, the viewpoint over the deepest part of this world-famous canyon will let you see Condors at their best as they leave their rocky sanctuary with the morning warm air currents, to slowly ascend over the horizon.  From here we drive back to Arequipa.  Arrival back in Arequipa in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel with the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

Day 6: Based on your flight schedule, you will have the morning free to explore Arequipa on your own. Transfer to the Arequipa airport at the pre-arranged time for your short flight 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 of the highlights of the city of Cusco, and several of the surrounding archaeological sites. Remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. Note: if your flight schedule to Cusco arrives later than 12:00 PM, you will have this tour on day 7. (B)

Day 7: Today you will have a full day group tour to the Sacred Valley. First, explore the Pisac market, with its bright stalls full of local textiles and other handicrafts. Continue through the valley to a local hacienda 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. (B, L)

Day 8: You will be transferred by local taxi to the train station at Ollantaytambo, where you will board a Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Meet your guide on board. Transfer to ruins + entrance fee + private tour + lunch at the Machu Picchu 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. (B, L, D)

Day 9: 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 10: Day at leisure to enjoy Cusco’s markets, shops, restaurants and museums. (B)

Day 11: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your return flights to Lima and connect to your next destination. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner