The Best of Peru in 12 Days: Cusco – Machu Picchu – Lima – Ica

In the early hours of the morning, you will enjoy a good breakfast before heading out to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be in the town of Chinchero, where you will visit the Chinchero Archaeological Center alongside a unique experiential demonstration of traditional local textiles—an excellent place to purchase authentic, high-quality textiles.

Continuing the tour, we will head to the Maras Salt Mines and the Moray Laboratory, two iconic, must-visit locations. The Salt Mines of Maras feature over 3,000 Inca salt pools, while the Moray agricultural laboratory stands out for its concentric circular terraces. These terraces reveal the advanced Inca knowledge of microclimates and crops from Peru's three main regions: Coast, Highlands, and Jungle, making it a unique and enigmatic site in the Sacred Valley.

Afterward, we will travel deep into the Urubamba Valley to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. Continuing our journey, we will visit the tourist destination of Ollantaytambo. Located in the Sacred Valley, this fascinating Inca fortress features agricultural terraces and imposing structures, offering breathtaking views and a rich historical heritage. We will spend the night in the Sacred Valley of the Incas; at the end of the tour, we will transfer you to your respective hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

• Hotel in: Sacred Valley

After enjoying a good breakfast, we will proceed with your transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station. The tourist train journey to Aguas Calientes offers an unforgettable experience, featuring panoramic views of the Andes and the Sacred Valley as you approach the town of Aguas Calientes. Upon your arrival, our representative will welcome you and accompany you to your hotel.

Aguas Calientes is a picturesque town surrounded by mountains, famous for its hot springs and welcoming atmosphere. At the designated time, you will board the bus to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Our expert guide will share the history of this iconic Inca citadel—an astounding archaeological treasure nestled in the mountains that offers breathtaking views and a deep immersion into Inca history and culture. Once the guided tour concludes, you will have free time to explore on your own. Afterward, we will take the bus back down to the town of Aguas Calientes, and you will have the afternoon free to explore the town in-depth or visit the thermal baths. You will enjoy an unforgettable night of rest in the town of Aguas Calientes.

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Hotel in: Aguas Calientes

In the early hours of the morning, you will enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, you will have free time to explore the town of Aguas Calientes in-depth; you can visit the butterfly house, the hot springs, or take the opportunity to have lunch on your own.

At the designated time, head to the train station to board your train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. The journey will last approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. During this travel time, you will enjoy a live onboard show of traditional dances with colorful costumes, onboard service with complimentary drinks and snacks, warm hospitality, and Andean details that will elevate your experience while surrounded by stunning scenery. Upon your arrival in Ollantaytambo, we will head back to the city of Cusco, where our transport will drop you off at your respective hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Hotel in: Cusco

After enjoying a good breakfast at the hotel, you can visit the local museums at your own pace. Among them is the Pachacuteq Obelisk Museum, which features nine levels within its cylindrical base showcasing informative panels on the great history of Cusco and the Inca Emperor, along with historical artifacts and a spectacular panoramic view of the entire city of Cusco. The accessible museums include the Regional Historical Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Qoricancha Site Museum, and the Popular Art Museum. You will enjoy a full day exploring Cusco's cultural wealth by visiting its main museums.

At 6:30 PM, the Cultural Show will begin at the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo (Qosqo Center of Native Art). This performance dazzles with traditional dances, live music, and colorful authentic costumes, showcasing Peru's cultural diversity in an exciting presentation. After an amazing and fun evening, head back to your hotel for a good night's rest, as you will be exploring the Rainbow Mountain tomorrow.

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Hotel in: Cusco

At 4:00 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel to head toward the Rainbow Mountain. Our first stop will be in the town of Cusipata to enjoy a hearty breakfast. Next, we will drive to the starting point of the trek, which takes approximately two hours. During the hike toward our destination, you will appreciate the marvelous landscapes until you reach the summit.

The Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, is a geological wonder in Peru that amazes visitors with its vibrant, multicolored stripes on the mountainside, a result of mineral sedimentation. Located in the Cusco region, this colorful formation offers a unique visual experience and an exciting challenge for trekking enthusiasts. Reaching the summit of Rainbow Mountain is a transformative experience filled with awe as you behold a panorama surrounded by the majesty of the Andes.

The summit can also be reached on horseback, which offers comfort and ease, allowing you to enjoy the Andean scenery as you approach the peak. Once we have explored the top of the mountain, we will return to the town of Cusipata to enjoy a delicious lunch. Afterward, we will head back to the Imperial City of Cusco, concluding our tour for the day.

• Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

• Hotel in: Cusco

After a good breakfast at the hotel, you will have the morning free to relax and prepare for the upcoming excursion.

At the designated time, we will pick you up to begin our sightseeing tour. After a short drive, we will start our journey by visiting the Qoricancha Temple, an impressive structure built during the height of the Inca Empire.

Following this, we will drive just outside the city of Cusco to the Fortress of Sacsayhuamán. Located only 20 minutes from the Inca capital, this spectacular fortress was constructed using limestone. There, you will walk alongside massive Inca walls built from enormous, perfectly carved limestone boulders weighing up to 128 tons, which are surprisingly assembled with absolute perfection. Next, you will be transferred to another Inca site called Qenqo. This is a peculiar place featuring underground passages that hide a perfectly carved rock formation inside, where the Incas likely mummified some of the most prominent figures of their society. We will conclude our tour by visiting the spectacular Inca baths of Tambomachay and the military fortress of Pukapukara. Afterward, you will return to the city of Cusco to enjoy your evening.

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Hotel in: Cusco

At 4:00 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin a 2-hour drive to the town of Mollepata. Here, we will make a short stop to have breakfast at a local restaurant, and then we will continue driving for another hour until we reach Soraypampa. Once we arrive at the parking area, we will begin our uphill hike toward the famous Humantay Lake.

We will walk along a beautiful trail that forms part of the Salkantay Trek, which is mostly uphill. After a short walk, we will see a small camp used by Salkantay trekkers. From there, we will hike for another hour and a half, ascending 387 meters over 3 km along a steep path. Upon crossing the final moraine, Humantay Lake will come into view with its gorgeous turquoise color. This lake is fed by the meltwater of the spectacular Humantay snow-capped mountain.

On the way to Humantay Lake, you will enjoy magnificent views of Mount Salkantay, one of the highest mountains in Cusco at 6,300 meters above sea level, which is deeply respected and revered by the local people. The impressive snow-capped Mount Humantay stands at 5,900 meters above sea level and is also visible most of the time. Once at the lakeshore, we will enjoy some time to relax, have snacks, and walk around this magical place.

When you are ready to head back down, we will descend to Soraypampa to enjoy a delicious lunch. Afterward, we will return to Cusco on a 2-hour drive and drop you off at your hotel, concluding our tour for the day.

• Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

• Hotel in: Cusco

In the early hours of the morning, you will enjoy a good breakfast at your hotel. At the designated time according to your flight schedule, we will transfer you to the Juliaca Airport in Puno for your flight to Lima.

Upon your arrival in Lima, our representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. You will have the afternoon free to explore the city on your own. We highly recommend visiting places like Barranco, known for its bohemian arts scene, colorful murals, and lively nightlife, or the Miraflores Lighthouse. Located on the Miraflores boardwalk (malecón), this iconic coastal landmark offers beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. After exploring the City of Kings at your own pace, return to your hotel for your overnight stay.

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Hotel in: Lima

At 4:00 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel, and at 4:30 AM, we will depart by bus heading toward Paracas. Upon arrival in Paracas, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Afterward, you will proceed with the start of the Ballestas Islands tour. Accessible by boat, this tour offers an exciting encounter with marine life—including sea lions, penguins, and exotic birds—in a stunning natural environment that reveals the beauty and biodiversity of the Peruvian coast.

Next, we will head to the Huacachina Oasis. Surrounded by golden dunes, this stunning desert haven features a vibrant freshwater lagoon in stark contrast to the sands, offering thrilling activities like sandboarding and dune buggy rides. The dune buggy ride in Huacachina offers an exhilarating adventure across the desert sands, providing an adrenaline-pumping experience complete with twists, turns, drops, and spectacular views of the oasis and the surrounding desert landscape.

At the end of our tour, we will return to Lima, arriving at approximately 10:00 PM. After this long and exciting journey, we will drop you off at your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Hotel in: Lima

After a peaceful and restful night, enjoy breakfast at your hotel. You will have the entire morning free to continue exploring the City of Kings, Lima, in-depth on your own.

At the designated time, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin the tour, heading straight to the Historic Center of Lima. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands out for its beautifully preserved colonial architecture, including the majestic Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, and the San Francisco Temple, offering a fascinating journey into the Peruvian capital's past.

Next, we will head to the Catacombs of San Francisco, an enigmatic underground labyrinth featuring niches and crypts filled with human remains. This historical site offers an intriguing glimpse into colonial burial practices and the religious heritage of the city.

Following this, we will visit the Huaca Pucllana Pyramid, an impressive pre-Inca structure built of adobe and clay that was used for religious and administrative ceremonies. Finally, we will conclude our tour in Miraflores, where we will visit the Parque del Amor (Love Park)—a magnificent spot to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Hotel in: Lima

At the designated time, we will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you to the Lima Airport for your international flight home.

Saying goodbye to Peru means bidding farewell to a country filled with natural and cultural wonders. From the majestic Andes to the vibrant coastal cities, Peru leaves an indelible mark. The warmth of its people, the richness of its history, and its world-class gastronomy ensure that this goodbye is simply a "see you later," filled with nostalgia and gratitude.

• Meals included: Breakfast