Perfect Peru - 9 Days

Lima - Cusco - Sacred Valley. After arriving at Lima International Airport, board a domestic flight to Cusco, flying over the snow-capped Andes. At 11,440 feet, Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. On arrival, we travel to Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, stopping to explore the colourful Pisac Market and the Manos de la Comunidad.

We continue to the village of Ollantaytambo, where the original Inca street grid remains intact. Towering above the cobbled lanes is the impressive Inca Fortress and the Temple of the Sun, built during the reign of Pachacuti in the 15th century. We climb more than 200 steps to reach the upper terraces, where expertly carved monoliths and ceremonial fountains offer insight into the site’s ritual significance.

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes. This morning we board the Expedition train through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, then take the shuttle up to Machu Picchu, the famous Lost City of the Incas. Hidden for centuries by rugged mountains and dense cloud forest, the citadel was revealed to the world in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. A local guide introduces us to its history, architecture, and significance. After the visit, we transfer to the hotel.

Machu Picchu - Sacred Valley - Cusco. We return by Expedition train to the Sacred Valley, then continue by road to Cusco. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

Optional: You may return to Machu Picchu for a second entry.

After breakfast we join our guide for a walking tour of Cusco, a city where Inca foundations and colonial architecture sit side by side. We start at the Santo Domingo Convent, built on the site of Koricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, once one of the most important religious complexes in the empire.

We then continue to the Main Square to visit the Cathedral and La Compañía Church, both fine examples of Spanish colonial style built on or near Inca remains. Along the way we gain insight into how Andean and Spanish cultures have blended over the centuries.

Optional - Hiking the Ruins of Cusco (Sacsayhuaman and Tambomachay): You may choose to visit Sacsayhuaman, the largest and most impressive of the four main archaeological sites overlooking Cusco. Built with enormous stone blocks, it played a key military role and was the setting for a major battle during the Spanish conquest in 1536. You then continue to Tambomachay, a smaller but higher site, known as the Baths of the Inca for its series of stone baths and finely constructed water channels. The spring waters and tranquil setting suggest it may have been reserved for Inca nobility and spiritual ceremonies.

Cusco - Puno. Today we travel overland by bus from Cusco to Puno, one of the most scenic journeys in the Andes. Along the route we pass highland landscapes, small Andean villages, and grazing herds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas.

We stop at Andahuaylillas to visit its 16th-century church, often called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas due to its richly decorated interior. At Raqchi we explore the remains of the Temple of Viracocha, considered one of the most important Inca structures dedicated to the creator god. We then continue to La Raya, the highest pass on the route, before our final stop at Pucara, an ancient ceremonial centre that predates the Incas. We arrive in Puno in the late afternoon or evening.

After breakfast we set out on a full-day boat excursion on Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. We begin with the floating islands of the Uros people, constructed entirely from totora reeds. The Uros maintain long-standing traditions, including fishing, bird hunting, and reed weaving for their homes and boats.

We then continue to Taquile Island, home to around 400 families who preserve Inca customs and social structures. The island is renowned for its high-quality textiles, with designs that reflect Andean beliefs and daily life. During the visit, we meet local residents and witness a traditional Tribute to the Earth - a pre-Hispanic ritual led by a Shaman.

Puno - Lima Early this morning we travel from Puno to Juliaca Airport - the drive takes around one hour - and board our flight back to Lima. On arrival we head to the hotel for check-in.

Later, we set out on a Lima city tour. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 along the Rímac River, Lima grew into the main political and commercial centre of the Viceroyalty of Peru. We visit the historic Plaza Mayor, where we see the Government Palace, City Hall, and the Cathedral. We also visit the San Francisco Convent, known for its 17th-century architecture and its Catacombs, once used as a cemetery.

We then drive through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, finishing with views of the Pacific Ocean from the coastal cliffs and beaches.

Today is free for you to explore Lima at your own pace. You may wish to visit museums, stroll along the seafront, browse handicraft markets, or enjoy the city’s renowned culinary scene. You also have the option to join a full-day excursion.

Optional - Full Day Nazca Lines with Overflight and Lunch: Early in the morning, you are transferred to the station to board your bus along the scenic Peruvian coast to Paracas. The town sits on a picturesque peninsula known for its wildlife and beaches. On arrival in Paracas, you are transferred to Pisco Airport to board your aircraft, with a window seat for every passenger, for an overflight of the Nazca Lines - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the flight you see a series of enormous geoglyphs that are believed to be more than 1,000 years old, including figures such as the monkey, spider, hummingbird, condor, flamingo, and lizard. Many of the designs are thought to have astronomical, agricultural, or spiritual significance. After the flight, you enjoy lunch at the Hacienda Bahia Paracas Hotel before returning to Lima by bus. On arrival at the bus station, you are taken back to your hotel.

Today you check out of the hotel and make your own way to the airport for your departure flight.