Essential Peru

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA
Once you land at Lima airport, we will arrange a transfer to your hotel situated in the bustling center of Lima. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 2: LIMA CITY TOUR AND LARCO MUSEUM
Your morning will begin with a captivating tour of Lima, starting with the renowned Larco Museum, nestled in the charming district of Pueblo Libre. Established in 1926 by Peruvian archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle, this museum is housed in an 18th-century mansion adorned with expansive and beautiful gardens.

The Larco Museum is a true wonder, showcasing an extensive collection of over 5,000 pre-Hispanic ceramic pieces, alongside gold and silver artifacts, and pre-Columbian erotic pottery. We will explore its remarkable galleries in chronological order, gaining insight into the captivating civilizations of ancient Peru.

Following this, we will journey to Lima's historic center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. This area is home to stunning plazas, colonial mansions, and a wealth of history. We will visit the Aliaga House, a colonial mansion constructed in 1536, celebrated for its exquisite spaces filled with priceless art and history. Impressively, descendants of Jerónimo de Aliaga, a Spanish conquistador and ally of Francisco Pizarro, continue to reside in this architectural marvel.

Our tour will proceed to the Plaza de Armas, where Lima was founded in 1535, and where Peru’s independence was proclaimed in 1821. During the viceregal era, it served as a marketplace and a venue for public executions.

From the Plaza de Armas, we will admire historical landmarks such as the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace, and other significant colonial edifices. We will also visit Lima's Cathedral, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, constructed during the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

After the tour, you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 3: LIMA / AREQUIPA CITY TOUR
At the designated time, you will be transferred to Lima airport for your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, we will escort you to your hotel in the city center.

We will begin the city tour exploring the Plaza de Armas, one of the most picturesque squares in the nation, and the adjacent Arequipa Cathedral, constructed in the 17th century. We will delve into the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus (1590), a quintessential example of local baroque architecture adorned with remarkable paintings and murals.

You will also visit the magnificent Monastery of Santa Catalina, a genuine medieval cloister founded in September 1579, still active today. Spanning 20,000 square meters, this intriguing convent was constructed using sillar, the primary material in local architecture.

The tour encompasses visits to the districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, offering breathtaking views of Arequipa's countryside and the surrounding volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. You will have opportunities for photographs.

Finally, we will visit the main square of the Cayma district and the Church of San Miguel Arcángel de Cayma. At the conclusion of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 4: AREQUIPA / CUSCO
At the scheduled time, you will be transported to Arequipa airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, we will take you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for your leisure. Overnight stay.

DAY 5: PISAC AND OLLANTAYTAMBO WITH OVERNIGHT IN AGUAS CALIENTES
Today, we embark on a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Traveling 30 km from Cusco, we will arrive at the quaint town of Pisac, renowned for its vibrant traditional market and archaeological site featuring stone temples and constructions overlooking the valley and its terraces.

We will then proceed to Urubamba, where a delightful buffet lunch awaits at a traditional restaurant by the Urubamba River.

Next, we will explore the town of Ollantaytambo and its fortress, a remarkable example of Inca architecture that served as a military, religious, and agricultural center. It offers breathtaking valley views and features advanced irrigation systems.

The day concludes with a visit to Chinchero and its vibrant market, offering a variety of Andean ceramics and textiles.

You will then board a train at Ollantaytambo station, heading to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, our staff will assist you to your hotel. In the evening, a briefing will be held about the following day's visit to Machu Picchu. Overnight stay.

DAY 6: FULL DAY AT MACHU PICCHU
You will take a bus that ascends 30 minutes along a road offering spectacular views of the Urubamba River and its canyon. Machu Picchu, meaning "Old Mountain," will greet you with its incredible terraces, stairways, ceremonial sites, and urban areas, emitting a unique energy.

During a 2.5-hour guided tour, you will discover all the extraordinary aspects of this site. Afterwards, you will have free time to continue your exploration or, if feeling adventurous, hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional).

Alternatively, you can return to Aguas Calientes for a delightful lunch (optional) at one of its excellent restaurants.

At the scheduled time, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus transfer to Cusco. Overnight stay.

DAY 7: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO
At the designated time, we will transfer you to Cusco airport for your departure flight.