Exotic Peru
Explore colonial Lima, the Sacred Valley & awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, and Cusco's rich South American heritage; optional pre-tour extension to the Nazca Lines & Ballestas Islands
Overview
| Style | Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. (Some exceptions, including special promotional packages, may accommodate up to 30.) More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout |
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| Departures | March 2025 – December 2026 | Group Size | 16 travelers max |
| Themes | History & Culture, Bucket List | ||
| Activity Level | Advanced | ||
| What to Expect | This fast-paced, partially escorted tour involves a significant amount of walking or hiking, often on uneven terrain, and reaches high altitudes requiring a high level of physical fitness to fully enjoy the trip. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations and may have limited rest stops. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Join us on a fascinating voyage of discovery as we visit some of the world's most splendid and remarkable sites. Like Greece with its Parthenon or Egypt and its Pyramids, Peru provides an unforgettable glimpse of the genius of a lost world. Highlights of this tour package to Peru include visits to Lima, the City of Kings and the country's capital; Cusco, the 11,000 ft high Inca capital; Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas and one of the most impressive archaeological discoveries of all time.
If you're seeking more adventure, join our pre-tour extension to the Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands!
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round trip flights from Miami via LATAM Airlines, including airline taxes & fees
- All flights within Peru
- All ground transportation & transfers
- 6 nights accommodation in first class hotels
- Vistadome Train to/from Machu Picchu
- 9 Meals: 6 breakfasts plus 1 lunch and 2 dinners
- Comprehensive guided sightseeing tours including entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking tour guides
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- Optional second visit to Machu Picchu or opportunity to climb to Huayna Picchu
- Exciting excursions from Cusco to Tipon & Huaro and/or Chinchero & Maras (or Moray)
- Pre-tour extension to the Nazca Lines & Ballestas Islands
Why you'll love it
- Gaze upon the incredible pre-Columbian textiles, ceramics and jewelry at the Larco Herrera Museum in Lima.
- Shop for locally made clothing, ceramics and handicrafts at the Pisac Market.
- Discover Ollantaytambo, the best surviving example of Inca city planning.
- Marvel at the impressive architectural feat of Machu Picchu.
- Visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a complex of massive walls that exhibit Inca power as well as the skills of Inca architects.
- Put your mixologist skills to the test as you make Pisco Sours.
- Explore Cusco, one of Peru’s most visited cities that was once the capital of the Inca Empire.
- End your trip with an exploration of Puka Pukara, also known as the "red fortress", which is thought to have been a military stronghold.
- Learn about Peru's authentic flavors during a Ceviche making class.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart Miami/Arrive Lima
- 2 Lima
- 3 Sacred Valley
- 4 Machu Picchu
- 5 Machu Picchu & Cusco
- Optional Excursion: Second Visit to Machu Picchu, $125
- Optional Excursion: Second Visit to Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu, $145
- 6 Cusco
- Optional Excursion: Chinchero & Maras or Moray, $110
- Optional Excursion: Tipon & Huaro, $90
- 7 Cusco/Lima/USA
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Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart Miami/Arrive Lima
- Depart Miami on your flight bound for Lima, Peru
- Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in
Iberostar Selection Miraflores or similar
Day 2 Lima
- Tour the historic district of Lima, including the Cathedral of Lima and Convent of San Francisco
- Participate in a Ceviche making class
- Visit the Larco Herrera Museum
Iberostar Selection Miraflores or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, your exploration begins with a tour of the historic district of Lima. First, see the Presidential Palace on Plaza Mayor, which serves as the official residence of the President of Peru, City Hall of Lima, located in the Plaza de Armas, which was built in the early 20th century and is home to the local government of Lima. Next, visit the Cathedral of Lima, built in the mid-16th century. This stunning cathedral is the largest in the city and home to many architectural and artistic treasures. After, visit the Convent of San Francisco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. This bright-yellow Franciscan monastery and church is most famous for its bone-lined catacombs (containing an estimated 70,000 remains) and its remarkable library housing 25,000 antique texts, some of which pre-date the conquest.
Next, learn about the authentic and unique flavors of Peru during a hands-on Ceviche making class, comprised of chili, fresh raw fish coriander, and of course, lime juice.
After, visit the Larco Herrera Museum. Located in Lima, Peru, this archaeological and ethnographic museum contains one of the world's largest collections of pre-Columbian art. The museum was founded in 1926 by Rafael Larco Herrera, a Peruvian archaeologist and collector. The museum houses over 45,000 ancient artifacts spanning over 5,000 years of Peruvian history, including ceramics, textiles, metals, and jewelry. Highlights include the most extensive collection of Moche ceramics worldwide and essential pieces from the Nazca, Wari, and Inca cultures. The museum is housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion built on top of a pre-Columbian pyramid.
End the day with a visit to the fashionable district of Miraflores, with beautiful parks and elegant residences overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Day 3 Sacred Valley
- Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Cusco
- Explore the Pisac Market and shop for unique crafts
- Continue to Ollantaytambo and tour the fortress and ruins
Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel & Villas, Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryEarly this morning, transfer to the airport to board a short flight to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire (11,000 feet above sea level). Upon arrival, travel to nearby Pisac, a picturesque Andean village with a wonderful market. Here, you'll have a chance to buy locally made ponchos, sweaters and other handcrafted clothing, ceramics, and hand-painted beads. Enjoy browsing the "locals" section of the market, where villagers come from miles around, dressed in traditional clothing, to barter and sell their produce.
Continue to Ollantaytambo (9,160 feet above sea level), located at the foot of spectacular Inca ruins, which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley. The temple area is at the top of steep terraces, which helped provide an excellent defense. The stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. Afterward, check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 Machu Picchu
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo station to board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
- Enjoy a guided tour of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu
El MaPi Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter an early breakfast, transfer to the Ollantaytambo station and board the Vistadome train that will take you through the lush Urubamba Valley. The train ride passes through stunning scenery en route to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, one of the world's most spectacular and enigmatic archaeological sites (8,000 feet above sea level.)
Unknown to the outside world until archaeologist Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911, Machu Picchu is now the most recognizable symbol of the Incan Empire. Believed to have served as a country retreat town for Inca nobility, the complex consists of giant walls, terraces, and ramps constructed from precisely cut rock formations. This impressive architectural feat, combined with its breathtaking natural setting amid mist-covered green mountains above the rushing Urubamba River, makes for a visually stunning and mystical experience. Enjoy the remainder of the day and evening in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Day 5 Machu Picchu & Cusco
- Spend the morning at leisure or join an optional second visit to Machu Picchu
- Return to Ollantaytambo station by Vistadome train, then transfer to Cusco by bus
Novotel Cusco or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy the morning at leisure to explore the quaint town of Aguas Calientes, revisit the citadel at Machu Picchu, or trek to the top of Huayna Picchu on an optional excursion. This afternoon, journey back to Ollantaytambo station by Vistadome train, then continue to Cusco by motor coach. Upon arrival, check into your hotel overnight.
Optional Excursion: Second Visit to Machu Picchu, $125Early this morning, have an opportunity to visit Machu Picchu for a second time independently.
Price includes a reserved entrance ticket and roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Please contact us to reserve this option in advance as availability is limited.
Note: We are not able to secure your ticket for the Second Visit to Machu Picchu until we receive your valid passport information. Tickets are only issued by the Peruvian authorities upon receipt of valid passport details.
Optional Excursion: Second Visit to Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu, $145For the more adventurous traveler, visit Machu Picchu for a second time independently and test your limits with a climb to Huayna Picchu, the sharp peak towering above the citadel.
Price includes a reserved entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Please contact us to reserve this option in advance as availability is limited.
Note: We are not able to secure your ticket for the Second Visit to Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu until we receive your valid passport information. Tickets are only issued by the Peruvian authorities upon receipt of valid passport details.
Day 6 Cusco
- Enjoy the day at leisure or join one (or both!) optional excursion
Novotel Cusco or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy the day at leisure in this beautiful town high in the Andes Mountains. You may stroll through the main square or wander through the many charming side streets. Alternatively, take advantage of one, or both, optional excursions!
Note: December 19, 2024 departure includes a holiday dinner at Novovel, Cusco.
Optional Excursion: Chinchero & Maras or Moray, $110This morning's optional excursion begins with a visit to the ancient village of Chinchero and its beautiful colonial church built upon the original foundations of Tupac Yupanqui Palace. Explore Chinchero's artisan weaver complex and discover the traditional weaving, dyeing, and spinning techniques.
Next, depending on your departure date, you will visit Maras or Moray. During the dry season (May through late November), visit the salt works of Maras, consisting of about 3,000 small pools constructed on a mountainside. The ancient Inca would irrigate these pools with brackish spring water, allowing them to evaporate to produce salt for the empire. During the rainy season (late November through April), visit the archaeological site of Moray, which has enormous terraces in concentric rings that allowed ancient farmers to create diverse microclimates and harvest various crops.
Optional Excursion: Tipon & Huaro, $90This afternoon's optional excursion begins with a scenic drive to Tipon, an impressive complex located 15 miles outside Cusco. Tipon is an ancient marvel of engineering consisting of twelve agricultural terraces and an advanced irrigation system still used by the local population today. Next, continue to Huaro and visit the Church of San Juan Bautista, a Renaissance-style church built between the 15th and 17th centuries, home to over 60 fascinating sculptures and 50 paintings of the Cusqueña School of Art, in addition to other unique treasures. Most notably, its interior is covered from ceiling to wall with intricately painted murals by Tadeo Escalante illustrating the afterlife.
Note: Andahuaylillas Church will be temporarily closed for repair works following the recent earthquake. In the meantime, we will visit to the Huaro Church as an alternative.
Day 7 Cusco/Lima/USA
- Enjoy a morning city tour of Cusco
- Visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress & Puka Pukara
- Delight in a Pisco Sour class
- Spend the afternoon at leisure in Cusco for last-minute shopping and exploration
- This evening, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, arriving in Miami the following morning
Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryAfter a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a panoramic city tour of Cusco. See the Plaza de Armas, the center of the Inca Empire, where Francisco Pizarro proclaimed the conquest of Cusco. Here, you'll visit Cusco's beautiful 16th-century cathedral. Then, just a few blocks away, discover the ruins of the Koricancha, an important temple built to honor Inti, the Incan sun god. When the conquistadors first arrived in Cusco, the temple was covered in sheets of solid gold and adorned with golden statues. However, within months of their arrival, the temple was stripped, and the gold was plundered as a treasure for Spain.
Then, visit the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an emblematic Incan construction built in the 15th century. The fortress's size and massive stones are remarkable, and how they were transported, cut, and laid is still a mystery. Next, travel to Puka Pukara, also known as the "red fortress," which is thought to have been a military stronghold. It has many rooms, courtyards, aqueducts, and towers to explore.
Before lunch, put your mixologist skills to the test as you participate in a Pisco Sour class. This famous Peruvian cocktail is made with pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, egg whites, and bitters. This popular, refreshing drink serves as a perfect appetizer before lunch!
The balance of the afternoon is yours to explore Cusco and shop for last-minute souvenirs. Why not make your way to the San Blas neighborhood, known as the "Balcony of Cusco"? Here, you'll find excellent workshops and art shops of some of the best artisans specializing in goldsmithing, pottery, and wood and stone carving.
This evening, bid adiós to Peru as you transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight via Lima, arriving in Miami the following morning.
Important Notes
- The high altitudes reached on this trip (Cusco is at 11,000 feet above sea level) and the amount of walking involved, often on uneven terrain, requires that you be in good physical condition to fully enjoy the trip. We strongly suggest that you consult your physician if you have any concerns regarding your ability to handle these conditions.
- In order to visit so many of Peru's must-see sights, this tour requires several long bus rides as well as early morning departure times in order to comply with flight and train schedules. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.
Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands Pre-tour Extension
Take advantage of your already-included international airfare by joining our pre-tour extension to the Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands! Passengers taking the pre-tour extension will depart the U.S. 2 days before the departure dates shown and join the main tour on Day 1 of the itinerary above.
Day 1 Depart Miami/Arrive Lima
- Depart Miami on your flight bound for Lima, Peru
- Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in
Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport or similar
Day 2 Lima, Pisco & Paracas
- Depart for Pisco
- Board your overflight to the Nazca Lines
- Transfer to your hotel for check-in
The Legend Paracas Resort or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryEarly this morning, depart for Pisco, taking the South Pan-American highway along the Pacific coast's edge. Along the way, admire the deserted yet astonishing landscape. Arrive at the airport for a thrilling 1-hour and 40-minute flight over the Nazca Lines. Soar high above the provinces and districts where Paracas and Nazca culture thrived between 800 BC and 700 AD. Enjoy panoramic views of the mountains, before getting a bird's-eye view of the awe-inspiring Nazca Lines: Whale, Astronaut, Monkey, Dog, Hummingbird, Spiral, Spider, Condor, Seaweed, Heron, Pelican, Parrot, Hands, Tree, Lizard, Flower, Voyager, Fertility, and Royal Family.
Later, transfer to your hotel in Paracas for check-in.
Note: Overflight is a shared service and is subject to weather conditions.
Day 3 Paracas, Lima
- Enjoy a speedboat tour to see Ballestas Islands
- Visit the Paracas National Reserve, Peru's oldest marine reserve
- Return to Lima
Iberostar Selection Miraflores or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryTransfer to the dock for a thrilling 2-hour speedboat tour to the Ballestas Islands, a group of protected rocky archipelagos located off the Pacific coast of Peru near Paracas. Nicknamed “The Peruvian Galapagos,” the islands are a must-see for all wildlife lovers looking to catch a glimpse of several species of birds and mammals, including penguins, Inca terns, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, sea lions, humpback whales, and dolphins.
Later, enjoy a visit to Paracas National Reserve. Founded in 1975, it is the oldest marine reserve in Peru, consisting of desert, ocean, and islands that are home to over 400 species of flora and fauna, including several varieties of algae, cacti, desert saltgrass, and Peruvian boobies. The reserve is also the location of the Candelabra geoglyph, a large candlestick-like figure etched into the desert cliffs. It is believed sailors used this as a coastal reference point for many years, whereas others have linked it to the mysterious Nazca Lines.
Continue to the on-site museum, built on the ruins of the original, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 2007. Integrated into the landscape using elements of Paracas culture, the museum is dedicated to conserving local archaeological heritage in one of the most important reserves in the Peruvian coastal desert.
Proceed to the Playa Roja viewpoint for stunning panoramic views of the red sand beach, or head to Playa Lagunillas and enjoy some time at leisure to explore, swim, and eat lunch at the quaint restaurants along the beach or main boulevard.
Return to Lima and enjoy dinner on your own this evening.
Note: Speedboat tour is a shared service. Ballestas Islands are protected, there is no swimming or walking on the islands themselves, but you can get very close to them on the boat tour.
See Day 1 of the tour itinerary for the continuation of your touring program.
Hotels
Nestled in the heart of Peru's Sacred Valley, Arawna Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness exudes an aura of serenity and luxury. Set against a backdrop of towering Andean peaks, lush greenery, and Vilcanota riverbank, this magnificent hotel seamlessly blends modern elegance with traditional Peruvian architecture, offering guests an unforgettable retreat. Arawna Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness is a Historic Hotels Worldwide® member dedicated to promoting heritage and cultural travel to prestigious historic areas. The hotel's wellness center offers rejuvenating spa treatments, yoga classes, and a state-of-the-art fitness center, providing guests with a holistic oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation.
El MaPi Hotel is located in the village of Machu Picchu Pueblo, a few steps from the town center and museum. The hotel is efficient, people friendly. and the design brings together a blend of classic, modern, and recycled materials.
Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport hotel is conveniently located just steps from the Lima International Airport. The modern hotel offers a restaurant, bar, fitness center, indoor pool, and spa. The hotel is 8 miles from Plaza Mayor de Lima, the birthplace of Lima, Archbishop Palace, Basilica Cathedral, and San Francisco Church. Spend an evening in Lima's contemporary culture and entertainment center, with its plethora of restaurants, coffee shops, nightclubs, and movie theaters.
The Legend Paracas Resort is located on Santo Domingo Beach, just steps from the Paracas National Reserve and a short boat ride to one of the region's other exciting attractions, the Ballestas Islands. After a day of adventure, relax by the oceanfront pool or pamper yourself at the spa.
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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