Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Titicaca - 8 Days

On arrival at Lima International Airport, you connect to your included domestic flight to Cusco. From here, you'll be transferred to our hotel in Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley.

You have a full day at leisure to explore the Sacred Valley at your own pace or join the below optional excursion:

Optional: Full-day excursion to the Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Fortress Drive through the fertile landscapes of the Sacred Valley to the colonial village of Pisac, where you can wander the lively market and browse a wide range of traditional Peruvian handicrafts. Continue to Ollantaytambo to see the impressive Inca fortress that once guarded the entrance to the valley. Lunch is served at a country estate set along the banks of the Urubamba River.

Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco. In the morning we travel on the Expedition train through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, where we board a shuttle up to Machu Picchu, the renowned Lost City of the Incas. Set 8,200 feet above the valley floor, Machu Picchu remained concealed by mountains and semi-tropical forest for nearly four centuries until its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911. A knowledgeable local guide will introduce us to the history and significance of this remarkable site. In the afternoon we return by train to Ollantaytambo Rail Station, where we are met and transferred to our hotel in Cusco.

Optional: Upgrade to Vistadome train service You may upgrade to the Vistadome service, which features panoramic windows that offer wider views of the Sacred Valley as you travel. This modern and comfortable carriage provides a more scenic and immersive journey, allowing you to appreciate the changing landscapes throughout the route.

Optional: Lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge You may choose to enjoy lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located at the entrance to Machu Picchu. This relaxed break offers a convenient and comfortable setting, allowing you to make the most of your time at the citadel without needing to shuttle back to town.

After breakfast we set out on a guided tour of Cusco, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere, along with its nearby ruins. Throughout the morning we see how Andean and Spanish cultures coexisted and shaped the city we know today. We begin at the Santo Domingo Convent, built on the site of Koricancha, once an important Inca palace and a major centre of worship dedicated to the Sun God.

We then continue to the Main Square to view the Cathedral and La Compañía Church before travelling to the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a striking example of Inca military engineering. The tour concludes with visits to the archaeological sites of Qenko, Puca-Pucara, and Tambomachay, located in the hills northeast of the city.

Cusco - Andahuaylillas - Raqchi - Pucara - Puno. Today we embark on one of the most remarkable overland journeys in South America. We travel by bus from Cusco to Puno, passing through dramatic highland scenery and a series of traditional Andean villages. Our first stop is Andahuaylillas, a charming town whose church, founded in 1580, is renowned for its outstanding colonial artwork. Often called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, it is noted for its richly decorated interior.

We continue to Raqchi to explore the remains of the Temple of Viracocha, considered by historians to be one of the most important Inca constructions in the region. From here we ascend to La Raya, the highest pass on the route, where sweeping views of the altiplano reveal herds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas grazing in the wild.

Our final stop before reaching Puno is Pucara, a historic ceremonial site that preserves evidence of a pre-Inca civilization. We arrive at our hotel in Puno in the late afternoon or evening.

Puno - Lake Titicaca - Puno. Today we head out on an exhilarating boat excursion on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. We visit the remarkable floating Uros Islands and Taquile Island. The Uros Islands, built from layers of totora reeds bound together, are a unique sight and an essential part of any visit to the lake. The Uros people, who consider themselves Lords of the Lake, continue to hunt wild birds and practice traditional fishing techniques.

We then travel to Taquile, an island known for its archaeological remains, sacred sites, and long-standing ceremonial traditions. The local community is renowned for preserving ancestral customs and clothing, and you will find many high-quality woolen hand-made goods produced by the island’s skilled artisans. We return to Puno later in the day.

Puno - Lima. Today you are transferred to Juliaca Airport for your included flight back to Lima. On arrival, you are met by a local guide and taken to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, or you may choose to join an optional tour to explore Peru’s vibrant capital.

Optional: Half-day tour of Lima and the Larco Museum Discover some of Lima’s finest highlights, beginning at the elegant Plaza Mayor for exterior views of the Government Palace and City Hall. You continue with entry to the San Francisco Church and the Cathedral of Lima. In modern Lima, you drive through the upscale districts of Miraflores and San Isidro before visiting the renowned Larco Museum. Founded in 1926 and housed in an 18th-century vice-royal mansion built atop a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid, the museum displays outstanding collections of gold and silver from Ancient Peru, along with an exceptional range of archaeological artefacts.

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check-out. No transfer is included, so you can make your own way to the airport or your next destination.