Upon arrival to the bustling capital city of Lima, our professional driver will meet you at the airport to bring you to your hotel. This is a good opportunity to unwind and sleep off the jetlag. Depending on what time you arrive, this may also be a good time to visit one of Lima’s Michelin-starred restaurants, grab a drink at the hotel bar, or get some shopping in before we head to Cusco the next day.

After a restful night’s sleep at your hotel in Lima, your Peru holiday is finally about to begin with your first full day in the country. We will go by private transport from the hotel to the airport where we will depart for Cusco. 

After arriving in Cusco (3,400 m), we will head directly to the Sacred Valley (2,800 m) to better adjust to the altitude. Set against the backdrop of the outrageously beautiful Peruvian mountains, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is a sprawling landscape of fertile farmland, gushing rivers, and ancient traditions. The ride from Cusco to the Sacred Valley will provide you with some amazing photo opportunities.

After arriving at our hotel in the Sacred Valley, you will be free to explore the surrounding area, grab some dinner, and enjoy some free time before the next day’s activities.

After breakfast at the hotel, it is time for a little excitement as we explore the Sacred Valley. There are several activities that you and your group can choose from. Some of the options include ziplining, river rafting, horseback riding to the community of Cachiccata, and mountain biking. All of these options are exciting ways to take in the stunning scenery of the Peruvian mountains and Sacred Valley.

With so many options to choose from for your day, if you are looking for a little adrenaline-pumping adventure, then we recommend choosing either the mountain biking or river rafting expedition. 

Both the mountain biking and river rafting excursions last between 1.5 and 2 hours and you do not need to be an expert to do either. Our guides will help you learn the skills you need to navigate the class 2 and 3 rapids of the rushing waters of the Urubamba River as well as the downward slopes of the Vilcanota mountain range on your professional mountain bike setup. There is a minimum age requirement of 8 years old and all participants must wear all the provided safety equipment at all times. 

After your personalized itinerary for the day, it is back to the hotel for some dinner, cocktails, and free time before we head to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu in the morning.

Today is the day we finally get to visit Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu tours are on everyone’s bucket list as part of their Peru itinerary since the ancient citadel was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 

After breakfast at the hotel in the Sacred Valley, we go by private transport to the train station in Ollantaytambo. The train ride to Aguas Calientes, the town that rests below Machu Picchu, is a unique experience on its own. The 1.5-hour train ride offers incredible views of the dense and mountainous cloud forest deep in the heart of Peru. 

Once we arrive in Aguas Calientes, we will head to our bus that will take us to the top of Machu Picchu and the gates of the ancient citadel. Enjoy a 2.5-hour guided tour with our bilingual guide who will provide many deep insights into the history and cultural significance of Machu Picchu and the surrounding area.

After our Machu Picchu tour is complete, it is time to return down the mountain to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will check into the hotel and break for the day. Feel free to explore the village, buy some souvenirs, and get some solid sleep before we depart the next day.

Wake up feeling refreshed and ready for some more Incan history. Today is kind of a free day that allows you to wander the town, rest, or visit Machu Picchu for a second time. If you are interested in Peru treks, you may want to hike up the ancient stone steps to the gates of Machu Picchu on your own, or you can take the bus that we can provide, depending on how you feel. If you do opt for the hike up the mountain, keep in mind that it can be kind of a difficult 1.5-hour hike going straight up the entire time.

Also, if you do decide to visit Machu Picchu a second time, you could also book tickets in advance to hike up the treacherous Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. If you can brave it, the views are unmatched. 

If you are feeling more like a little rest and relaxation, you and your group can walk from town to the hot springs. These geothermal baths will do wonders to soothe your aching muscles and put you in a Zen-like state of relaxation. 

Whatever you decide to do for the first half of the day, keep in mind that we will meet in town during the afternoon for a quick lunch before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo. From the station in Ollantaytambo, we will go by private transport to our hotel where we will break for the day.

Today we will slowly make our way back to Cusco making several planned stops along the way to visit three of Peru’s most famous sites. First, we will stop in Ollantaytambo to climb the ruins, a fortress that was used as a fortress where Manco Inca Yupanqui took a last stand against the Spanish.  After we tour the ruins at Ollantaytambo, it is time to make our way to Moray and Maras. Peru holidays aren’t complete without a visit to either of these.

Moray is a fascinating Incan archaeological site that almost looks like something extra-terrestrial. The rings of terraces are thought to have served as a place where the Incas could conduct agricultural research to see what crops do best at certain elevations and climate zones. 

Maras is another fascinating site with over 6,000 salt ponds where salt is still harvested to this day by the indigenous families that live there. Buy a small bag of Maras pink salt to take back to your kitchen at home, it’s delicious.

After a full day of traveling to some of the top destinations in the Sacred Valley, we will return to Cusco and check in to our hotel. Tonight is the perfect night to try one of the many fine dining options that the city of Cusco has to offer.

Today is when you get to see the real Cusco and learn all about its fascinating history in the form of a guided city tour. 

After breakfast, our tour group will leave the hotel and visit the cathedral in the main square, Qoricancha, and Santo Domingo Convent. We will also visit various archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. We’ve fit a lot into your Peru itinerary today to enjoy the rich history and culture of this city to the fullest. 

Another activity that is available to guests who decide they want to book a Peruvian chocolate experience with us in advance, is a visit to the ChocoMuseo. This local museum is the perfect place to learn all about the different types of chocolate that come from various regions in Peru. Try a few samples and load up on some chocolate to take with you back to the hotel for a late-night treat.

After our time exploring Cusco, we will break for the day. If you are itching for a little live music or salsa dancing, tonight is the perfect night to get a little wild in the city as the next day is pretty relaxed.

Today we will say our last goodbyes to Cusco before jetting off back to Lima. Your Peru itinerary wouldn’t be complete without an official tour of the capital, so we have booked you a spot on the Lima City Tour. On the tour, we will visit all of the important places of Lima including Miraflores, the Plaza de Armas, and more. After a full day of walking around the city, you and your group will be ready to dive deep into the incredible restaurant scene that Lima has to offer. Make sure you ask your guide for recommendations and to help you book a reservation.

Today is your final day in Peru. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and coordinate with us to arrange your private transport from the hotel to the airport. For international flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time. Thank you for everything and we hope you enjoyed your visit.