Peru Small Group Tour

Description
Peru is a country brimming with beauty and culture, from the heights of Machu Picchu to the breathtaking sites of the Sacred Valley, the country has many secrets to share. Peru’s coastline comprises rocky cliffs, diverse beaches and glistening waters. The capital, Lima, boasts intriguing architecture and a Colonial history worth discovering. A true gem of a destination.
From$2,745
Starts in Lima
Ends in Lima
Duration (days) 11
Group size 16
Peru Small Group Tour

Overview

On our 11-Day Lima experience, you will be taken from the bustling capital of Lima through to the magical region surrounding the famous Machu Picchu and through temples and cathedrals that depict the traditions of the Inca Empire. Spend time in town squares, discovering cultural World Heritage Sites and take in sights of artificial islands and sacred landscapes.
HOTEL:
MEALS:
Basic Itinerary

Map

Itinerary

Day 1Arrive Lima
Welcome to Lima! Upon arrival at Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport, you will be met by an English-speaking representative and transferred to your hotel for check in. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Day 2Lima
Your first tour in Lima begins this morning after breakfast. Depart your hotel at 9am for your 4-hour “Highlights of the City of the Kings” tour. Your private guide will take you through old-town Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as you explore historical sites, Colonial architecture and spend time in the Main Square. Visit the Bascilica Metropolitan Cathedral, a 16th century masterpiece and walk around the Larco Museum in the Pueblo Libre district, well-known to have been erected on the site of a 7th century pyramid. Discover a myriad of gold and silver artifacts before paying a visit to the Miraflores coastal area, views of cliffs and the ocean painting a picture complimenting nearby “Love Park”. Return to your hotel for your afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 3Sacred Valley
Depart Lima today for captivating Cusco. Enjoy breakfast and check out in time for your transfer to the airport. Your accommodation tonight is in the Urubamba Valley, an Inca Sacred Valley. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 4Sacred Valley
You have a great choice of full-day excursions to choose from today, all including lunch, entrance fees and a private vehicle & guide. Options are: Maras and Moray, Local Villages and its Ancient Customs Discover the archaeological sites of Maras and Moray, the latter comprising concentric circular terraces, an important archeological location. Maras presents a complex of salt mines, huge salt deposits used for trading with other regions of the Empire. Visit a few well-known craft stores in Maras, a highlight being the two famous “Hatters of Maras” who will share some of their secrets of this ancient Andean activity with you. Your full-day experience includes lunch at a local restaurant. Weaving the History of Chinchero Town Experience one of the Inca Empire’s most prominent towns, Chinchero Town, where you will have the opportunity to participate in a textile workshop, learn from native weavers as you watch them create beautiful pieces. The weaving institutions in Chinchero are dedicated to the preservation of their ancient and unique techniques as they share images of the natural surroundings created with natural dyes with future generations. Marvel at meticulously-crafted ponchos, belts and shawls. Enjoy lunch before returning to your hotel. Pisac Market & Ollanta Fortress (Including a Visit to a Local Community - Huilloc) Explore Pisac Market today where you will get to visit many stalls and stands promoting local products from textiles to carvings to historic Inca items. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue onto Ollantaytambo Park, taking points of interest along the way. Tradition is important and visible in Ollantaytambo, notably one of the country’s most amazing archaeological complexes of the Inca Empire. Visit the rural community of Huilloc, Urubamba and partake in the practice of “Kusi Runa”. Embracing this agricultural (Chakra) exercise you will be dressed in traditional clothing comprising ponchos for men and blankets for women, and handed traditional tools to work with. The experience ends in a spiritual feast with local music and dance. NOTE: If you would prefer, an alternate activity is available - Huilloc Weaving Workshop/Allin Pachacuti: Learn about Iconography and embrace techniques used in garment-making. Enjoy traditional music hosted by a local community interpreter who will introduce you to your hosts and their family. Take part in a Muna Infusion followed by a weaving demonstration. Dress up in Huilloc clothing for a memorable photo opportunity. Private Vehicle & Guide at Your Disposal in the Sacred Valley (8hrs) Enjoy your day exploring your way. You will have a vehicle and guide at your disposal for the day to visit and experience the Sacred Valley at your leisure. (meals and entrance fees not included)
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5Machu Picchu
Meet your guide at a prearranged time and transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station where you will board the Vistadome Train, your 2-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes. Known as the “Machu Picchu pueblo”, you will find restaurants, hotels and a market, all frequented by visitors eager to climb the mountain at first light. Your adventure continues with a short busy ride to Machu Picchu, one of Peru’s most important and popular sites. The name means “old mountain” and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world. Spend a few hours exploring before returning to Aguas Caliente for overnight. Lunch and dinner are included today.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6Cusco
This morning, enjoy breakfast and then you have the option to experience the town of Aguas Caliente on your own, or if you wish, you can visit Machu Picchu once again (at your own expense). This afternoon you will be taking the Voyager Train back to Ollantaytambo Station where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Cusco. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 7Cusco
After breakfast, meet your guide for your half-day tour of Cusco. Start with a visit to Coricancha or “Temple of the Sun”, built by Inca ruler Pachacuti. The Santo Domingo Convent was constructed here with reverence to the sun richly portrayed during the Inca Empire period. Take in the Plaza de Armas Square and the impressive Cathedral which took a century to build. Stand fascinated at the Sacsayhuaman Fortress whose construction of megalithic blocks remains a mystery to this day. Continue onto Qenqo, located just outside Cusco, a religious complex formerly said to be the site of agricultural rituals. Your last stop today is Puka Pukara which means “Red Fortress” and is associated with the military. Visit its baths, aqueducts, walls and towers before returning to your hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.
Breakfast, Box Lunch
Day 8Cusco
You have a great choice of excursions to choose from today, all including entrance fees and a private vehicle & guide. Options are: Half Day Tour of Local Market & Awana Kancha Start your 3hr tour with a visit to the local market selling traditional Andean food, flowers and more. Continue onto the Sacred Valley and the Andean Textile Center Awana Kancha - “Palace of Fabrics”. Learn about traditional weaving techniques of camel’s wool which has been practiced for years and enjoy a demonstration of textiles and products. Return to Cusco for the rest of your day at leisure. Andean Music Experience by Believix in Cusco This 2hr experience starts in the picturesque neighborhood of San Blas where you will meet Sabino, a talented Andean musician. Discover the history of Andean instruments, try your hand playing the drums and Andean flute (Quenas). Get the chance to make your own “Zampona” or pan flute then learn how to play it with fellow musicians. Visit a Local Market & Cooking Class (Group Service, lunch or dinner included) This 4hr experience takes place at the Rooftop Kitchen located on the 11th floor commanding amazing views over the city’s historic downtown. Prepare and cook typical Peruvian dishes with ingredients obtained in the San Pedro Market. Enjoy your dish, Quinotto de Quinua or Lomo Saltado while savoring local traditions and incredible views. At the end of this gastronomic experience, you will return to your hotel. Half-Day Car & Guide at Disposal Within the City of Cusco (Excludes Entrance Fees and Meals) Enjoy a half day exploring Cusco at your leisure, your private car and guide at your disposal.
Breakfast
Day 9Juliaca
After breakfast, fly from Cusco to Juliaca. Your transfer will be waiting for you at your Cusco hotel and then upon arrival in Juliaca. En route to your hotel you will be taken to the Sillustani archeological complex. Visit one of the world’s largest necropolises in this peninsula of the Umayo Lagoon. The almost 100 stone mausoleums stand tall, created of giant, ancient stone, a fascinating site. Return to your hotel in Puno for the rest of your day at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 10Puno
Transfer after breakfast to Puno’s lake port where you will be taken by shared boat to the floating islands of Uros, a selection of man-made islands built with Totora reed, grown in the lake, which is weaved together. Spend 90 minutes here then continue onto Taquile Island. The island holds the rich culture of the Inca Empire’s Aymara-speaking people who live on the lake. Enjoy an island briefing and cultural activity before returning to Puno after lunch.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11Depart Lima
Your Peru adventure ends today, your transport will take you to the airport in time for your flight to Lima. From there, continue your journey home.
Breakfast
Day 6 and more

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

Day
Where
Accommodation
1 - 3
Lima
Doubletree El Pardo Hotel or similar
3 - 5
Sacred Valley
Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness or similar
5 - 6
Machu Picchu
6 - 9
Cusco
Casa Andina Premium Cusco or similar
9 - 11
Puno
Casa Andina Premium Puno or similar

Other information

Prices include: Private transfer to/from airport, hotel accommodation, English-speaking guided tours, daily breakfast and meals as mentioned. flights Lima-Cusco-Puno-Lima including 1 carry-on luggage, admissions during the tours, trains to/from Machu Picchu, bottle water during tour days. Prices exclude: International airfare to/from Lima, entry visa/fee, taxes, seasonal/fuel surcharges, gratuities, meals not mentioned, personal expenditures, baggage handling and shipping, optional tours, and drinks. second entry to Machu Picchu. surcharges for holidays and during events.