Basic Peru

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA
Upon arriving at Lima airport, we will escort you to your hotel situated in the heart of Lima. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 2: LIMA / CUSCO
We’ll transport you to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco. Once in Cusco, you’ll be taken to your hotel. After a well-deserved rest, we will collect you for the tour. Our first stop is the Temple of Coricancha, also known as the Golden Temple due to its former gold embellishments.

Next, we’ll discover Cusco Cathedral in Plaza de Armas, famed for its stunning religious art from the Cusco School of Art. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also a Historic Monument of Peru.

Admire the beauty of the main square, surrounded by shops and grand churches. Originally a lagoon during the Inca era, it is now a central meeting point for visitors in Cusco.

The tour proceeds to notable archaeological sites, beginning with Sacsayhuaman, known for its immense, masterfully fitted stones, constructed over 70 years by more than 20,000 men.

Our journey continues to Qenqo, a religious site where the Incas worshipped deities such as the sun, moon, and earth. We’ll then visit Puca Pucará, meaning “Red Fortress,” and finally, the water temple of Tambomachay, noted for its aqueducts and waterfalls.

Following these remarkable sites, we’ll return you to Plaza Regocijo in the city center. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 3: FULL-DAY MACHU PICCHU
Your Machu Picchu adventure begins with a hotel pickup, followed by a scenic 1.5-hour bus ride to the Ollantaytambo train station in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Board the train to Aguas Calientes, a 1.5-hour journey offering breathtaking views of lush mountains and snow-capped peaks. Upon arrival, you’ll take a bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu and explore the site independently.

At the designated time, meet your expert guide at the Machu Picchu entrance for a 2.5-hour guided tour of this historic sanctuary, learning about the ancient civilization amidst spectacular scenery.

Enjoy free time to take photos, further explore, or optionally climb Huayna Picchu for unparalleled views. Alternatively, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, with excellent options for traditional dishes.

Later, we’ll reconvene at the Aguas Calientes train station for your return to Ollantaytambo. From there, a tourist bus will take you back to Cusco, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 4: CUSCO / LIMA
In the morning, transfer to Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, we’ll escort you to your hotel.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Lima, starting with the esteemed Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre. Founded by Peruvian archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle in 1926, the museum resides in an 18th-century mansion with beautiful gardens.

The Larco Museum showcases over 5,000 pre-Hispanic ceramic pieces, along with gold, silver artifacts, and pre-Columbian erotic pottery. As we walk through the galleries, we’ll delve into the ancient civilizations of Peru.

Next, we’ll visit Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, featuring beautiful squares and colonial mansions. We’ll tour the Aliaga House, a 1536 colonial mansion still inhabited by descendants of Jerónimo de Aliaga, an ally of Francisco Pizarro.

Our exploration continues at Plaza de Armas, the founding site of Lima in 1535 and where Peru’s independence was declared in 1821. Once a market and execution venue during colonial times, the square is surrounded by historical buildings, including the Government Palace, Archbishop’s Palace, and Lima Cathedral.

After the tour, we’ll return you to your hotel. Overnight.

DAY 5: DEPARTURE FROM LIMA
At the appointed time, you’ll be transferred to Lima airport for your departure.