After breakfast, hit the streets of Lima’s historic city center for a walking tour with a local guide as you make your way to the city’s most iconic building, the San Francisco Monastery, where you can descend into its macabre catacombs.

Next up is a gourmet stroll through the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco as you try some of the locals’ favorite treats and admire some of its street art. Barranco is full of artists, musicians, and writers and is also known as Lima’s bohemian neighborhood. Afterward, you will have some free time to stop at the amazing handicraft shops full of unique souvenirs, decorative objects, clothing, and jewelry by contemporary Peruvian designers.

Dinner will be at one of Lima’s top restaurants overlooking pre-Incan ruins that once served as an important administrative and ceremonial center many centuries ago.

Included:

• Activities: Lima city walking tour; San Francisco Monastery & Catacombs; Barranco tour
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Barranco tour), Dinner
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Today, you’ll fly to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, and have some free time on arrival to get adjusted to the higher altitude or to explore the historic center of the city, composed of cobbled streets and a gorgeous main square.

Later, attend a healing ceremony with a real shaman who will use coca leaves, grains, wine, and seeds to purify your spirit. Coca leaves have been used for healing purposes in ceremonies in Central and South America for ages thanks to this sacred plant’s transformational benefits.

The rest of the evening is free and dinner is on your own terms but your trip leader can offer recommendations for local eats.

Included:

• Transfers: Lima – Cusco by plane (approximately 2 hours)
• Activities: Healing ceremony with a shaman & coca leaf reading; Free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

After breakfast, you’ll be on your merry way to the rustic town of Chinchero via the fertile Sacred Valley. Chinchero is a typical Andean village that the Inca believed to be the birthplace of the rainbow. Visit the colorful market where local artisans sell their handmade textiles, silver jewelry, pottery, and more. 

Next, onward to the Maras salt ponds, an impressive expanse of terraces covering a hillside, built by the Inca to harvest and gather salt. Lunch will follow at a local family’s restaurant which is dedicated to high-level Peruvian food. The restaurant is literally “in the middle of nowhere” and you’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views as you dine.

Continue to Moray to see the mind-boggling giant circular terraces used to plant various crops during the Inca reign. There are many theories about the purpose of these strange formations, from agricultural research to alien landing sites!

You will have the rest of the evening free in Cusco to grab a bite to eat, relax, or explore the city.

Included:

• Activities: Sacred Valley scenic drive; Chinchero local market & town; Maras salt ponds; Moray terraces
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

You will travel further through the awe-inspiring Sacred Valley today and head to a sanctuary where you can feed and pet baby alpacas and llamas. See how their wool is collected and treated using ancient methods. There will then be a stop at El Mirador for breathtaking views of the entire valley. Before arriving at your hotel in the valley, visit Hacienda Sarapampa, a family farm, where they will share their corn production practices and traditions with you followed by a farm-to-fork lunch with more spectacular views of the Sacred Valley.

Later, head to your hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley where you’ll have the rest of the day to freshen up and relax. 

Included:

• Transfers: Cusco - Sacred Valley by bus (approximately 2 hours)
• Activities: Sacred Valley; Llama & alpaca sanctuary; El Mirador; Hacienda Sarapampa
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Today, you’ll journey to Ollantaytambo, one of the most important towns in the Sacred Valley of the Cusco Inca. It is known as the ‘Living Inca City’ as it is the only Inca town that is still inhabited. The inhabitants live in full respect of the traditions inherited by their ancestors. The picturesque streets contain original Inca architecture combining temples and colonial squares.

Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, you’ll head to the Choco Museum for a workshop that’s all about… You guessed it – chocolate! Learn how chocolate is made from bean to bar and try cacao beverages that the Mayans used to drink. At the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with your very own handmade chocolates!

Next, head for lunch as a group in Ollantaytambo before getting settled into your hotel for some free time to explore the town for the rest of the day.

Included:

• Transfers: Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo by bus (approximately 1 hour)
• Activities: Chocolate workshop; Free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

This morning, board the premium 360° Machu Picchu train towards Aguas Calientes. This train offers one of the most scenic rides you’ve ever experienced thanks to its panoramic windows and observation carriage. Have your cameras handy as you travel along the Urubamba River and up, up, up into the Andes ascending into the clouds! 

You have the rest of the day to explore this small town that sits under the shadow of the famous Machu Picchu and get some rest before the big day tomorrow. This evening, dinner will be as a group tonight at the hotel.

*NOTE: The Machu Picchu train does not allow any check-in-sized luggage. You will need to pack an overnight bag for Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. You can bring a backpack weighing no more than 8 kg (17 lbs) with dimensions of no more than 46 linear inches/118 linear cm (height + length + width). Your main luggage will be safely stored in Ollantaytambo and will be picked up the next day.

Included:

• Transfers: Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes by 360º Machu Picchu train and bus (approximately 2 hours)
• Activities: Free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel

Get ready for the experience of a lifetime and a bucket list item in Peru: Machu Picchu! This morning, head to the Lost City of the Incas and the Machu Picchu ruins. Explore the ruins and terraces of Machu Picchu with your guide while learning about the history of this world wonder.

You’ll return to Aguas Calientes afterward for some free time and lunch and some free time. Then, catch the train back to Ollantaytambo and enjoy the views on the way down as you bid farewell to Machu Picchu. Then, return to the beautiful city of Cusco with lunch along the way. Once in Cusco, you have the rest of the day take it easy.

Included:

• Transfers: Aguas Calientes - Cusco by train & bus (approximately 3.5 hours)
• Activities: Machu Picchu guided visit; Cusco free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Catch a flight back to Lima and upon arrival, have some free time to explore the city some more or do some last-minute souvenir shopping. We recommend Larcomar, considered the coolest place to shop in Lima and built into the side of a cliff. Even if you’re not into shopping, is a great place to people watch. From there, you can continue to Lima’s boardwalk for an enchanting stroll along the coastline. If you haven’t had enough of Peru’s tasty street food yet, head to the trendy Mercado 28 to check out its modern outdoor food court full of delicious fusion options.

At the end of the day, come together for one last dinner as a group.

Included:

• Transfers: Cusco - Lima by plane (approximately 2 hours)
• Activities: Free time; Farewell dinner
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Depending on your flight time, you will have free time on your own in Lima before catching your flight back home.

Included:

• Activities: Free time; Departure (at your own expense)
• Meals: Breakfast

*Itinerary is subject to change.