Peruvian Journey - 9-Day Peru Tour Through Machu Picchu, Cusco & Lake Titicaca

Welcome to Peru. Your Andean adventure begins in Lima, the colourful capital known as the City of Kings. You will be collected from Jorge Chavez International Airport and taken to your hotel. The Lima city tour begins at 2:00 PM with pickup from your hotel.

The first stop on this journey through time is Huaca Pucllana, an impressive adobe ceremonial and archaeological center built in the 4th century A.D. Afterward we head to the Historic Center of Lima, where you will visit the Museum of the Central Reserve Bank to admire the exclusive Treasures of Peru collection of pre-Columbian ceramics, gold artifacts and fine textiles.

Finally we explore modern Lima, visiting the iconic neighbourhoods of El Olivar in San Isidro, Miraflores, Larcomar and the Parque del Amor. The tour concludes around 6:30 PM with a return to your hotel.

If you prefer the Lima city tour in the morning, it starts at 9:00 AM and lasts about 4 hours; please request this in advance through your travel agent.

Leave Lima at approximately 4:00 a.m. and travel down the Peruvian coast to the Paracas Peninsula for an excursion to the Ballestas Islands. These islands are home to abundant marine wildlife, including pelicans, red-footed boobies, flamingos, sea lions and even Humboldt penguins, all seen up close on a guided boat tour.

Afterwards we travel to the city of Ica, where you will visit a traditional vineyard to learn about the artisanal production of Pisco, Peru’s signature spirit, with a tasting of selected varieties followed by a typical regional lunch.

In the afternoon we head to the spectacular Huacachina Oasis, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, for an adrenaline-filled dune buggy ride and sandboarding across the desert dunes, ending with a breathtaking sunset over the sands. We then return to your hotel in Lima for the night.

Important: The dune buggy and sandboarding activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers, children under 5, seniors or people with back conditions; the desert scenery and sunset can be enjoyed instead.

This morning after breakfast you catch an early flight to Cusco. On arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport our team transfers you comfortably to your hotel, with the morning free to acclimatize to the altitude and rest.

From 1:30 p.m. the Cusco city tour begins through the most iconic landmarks of the imperial city. It starts at Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun and the most sacred religious centre of the Inca Empire, where Andean mysticism merges with colonial architecture and finely polished stone walls once covered in gold now form the foundation of the Convent of Santo Domingo.

The tour continues to the majestic fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the mysterious site of Q’enqo, the Red Fortress of Pukapukara and finally Tambomachay, known as the Inca’s Bath, where crystal-clear fountains still flow with the same precision as centuries ago.

The tour concludes around 6:30 p.m. back in the city centre, where you can enjoy Cusco’s vibrant nightlife and renowned gastronomy.

Cusco sits above 3,000 m. Please inform us of any respiratory or heart conditions; if altitude sickness appears, a free day exploring the historic streets at your own pace is recommended.

The day begins early at approximately 6:30 a.m. with pickup from your hotel for an extended Super Sacred Valley tour. Your first stop is Chinchero, a traditional Andean town where you visit a textile interpretation centre and see how local weavers preserve ancestral techniques.

Next you reach Moray, the enigmatic Inca agricultural laboratory of concentric circular terraces, followed by the impressive Maras Salt Mines, a striking landscape of approximately 3,000 natural salt pools still worked by hand today. Around midday you stop in Urubamba for a comforting buffet lunch of traditional regional dishes.

In the afternoon you visit the iconic fortress of Ollantaytambo, a monumental Inca military and religious complex, before being transferred to the train station to board your selected service to Aguas Calientes. On arrival, your guide provides a detailed briefing for the next day’s visit to Machu Picchu.

The train journey is in tourist class. To upgrade to the Vistadome panoramic or Observatory service, please ask your travel agent; all services are subject to availability.

After breakfast at the hotel you begin the most anticipated day of your Peru tour. A short bus climbs the winding road to Machu Picchu, where a professional guide leads you through the Inca citadel on a 2 to 3 hour guided visit, sharing its history, architecture and deep spiritual meaning.

The true purpose of Machu Picchu may always remain a mystery, since no written records of the complex exist. Most archaeologists believe it to be the 15th-century estate of Emperor Pachacuti. Your guide can advise how to make the most of your visit to this wonder of the world.

Later you take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for a well-deserved lunch before returning by train to Ollantaytambo, where our team transfers you safely to your hotel in Cusco.

The Machu Picchu visit depends on the circuit type and ticket availability. For high season (April to September) we recommend booking at least 5 months in advance.

This iconic tour begins with pickup from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 4:30 a.m. We start a two-hour drive to the picturesque town of Pitumarca, where we enjoy a traditional breakfast designed to provide the energy needed before the ascent.

Afterwards, we begin the hike towards the mountain along an incredible route through high Andean landscapes. Upon reaching the summit you will admire the unique colours of Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, and capture unforgettable photographs of this iconic Cusco landscape.

After the visit, we return to Pitumarca for a comforting lunch and then begin the journey back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Not suitable for people with hypertension, respiratory illnesses or heart conditions. Acclimatizing well in Cusco beforehand is key. An optional horse-and-handler service is available at extra cost.

This fascinating journey begins at 6:20 a.m., boarding our transport bound for Puno. Along the way we make strategic stops, beginning with the Andahuaylillas Sistine Chapel, a 17th-century gem renowned worldwide for its impressive murals, gold-leaf detail and refined Cusco-school art.

We then continue to the majestic Raqchi complex, a ceremonial centre dedicated to the Inca god Wiracocha, remarkable for its colcas (storehouses) and monumental stone and adobe structures. A buffet lunch offers a wide variety of national and regional cuisine with desserts and hot drinks.

The route continues to La Raya Pass at 4,338 meters above sea level, where the snow-capped Chimboya mountain provides a perfect photo backdrop. Before arriving in Puno we visit the Pucara Lithic Museum, reaching Puno at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Bring a warm layer, as some stops sit above 4,000 m and you arrive in Puno near nightfall. Luggage travels securely in the vehicle’s hold.

This unforgettable experience begins at 7:00 a.m. with a transfer to the port of Puno, where we embark on a journey across Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Our first stop is the legendary Uros Floating Islands, an artificial archipelago made entirely of totora reeds, where local families share their ancestral construction techniques and unique way of life.

Continuing the journey, we head to Taquile Island, internationally renowned for its exceptional textile art, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. After a walk along its cobblestone paths with panoramic views, we enjoy a traditional lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients.

Finally, we return to the port of Puno for transfer to your hotel, where you can rest after a magical day on the lake.

Lake Titicaca sits above 3,800 m, so sunscreen is recommended. Bring cash for souvenir purchases in the local communities along the way.

Your Peruvian Journey comes to an end this morning. We coordinate the best time to collect you from your hotel and transfer you comfortably to Juliaca airport for your flight back to Lima. It has been a joy to share this journey with you; we wish you a safe flight home and hope to welcome you back to Peru soon.

All hotels are subject to availability, and each manages its own check-in and check-out times, which should be considered in your stay.