An Enchanting Journey Through Lima and Machu Picchu

After your international flight, arrive at Lima Airport, where a Cusco Peru Travel host will meet you at the arrivals gate. From there, you will be accompanied to the hotel you have selected, allowing you to begin your stay comfortably without having to arrange transportation on your own.
Once you arrive at your hotel, check in and take the rest of the day to relax and recover from your journey. You may enjoy a quiet afternoon in your room, take a refreshing shower, or simply rest before beginning your Peru adventure the following day.
Your evening is free. If you would like to have dinner, your host can recommend restaurants at or near your hotel according to your preferences. Any meals or additional activities today are at your own expense.

After breakfast at your hotel, begin your Lima city tour with your private guide. Spend the morning discovering the capital's historic center and learning about the city's colonial heritage.
Start at Plaza San Martín and Plaza de Armas, two of Lima's most representative squares. Continue along Jirón de la Unión, a historic pedestrian street that connects several important landmarks in the city center.
Your guide will then take you to the Monastery of San Francisco. Admire its Spanish Baroque architecture and colonial religious artwork before exploring its famous catacombs. During the visit, learn about its historical role in the burial practices of Lima's early residents.
After the morning tour, return to your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon to explore Lima at your own pace. You may visit Miraflores, take a stroll through Kennedy Park, or explore Larcomar, a popular waterfront shopping and entertainment complex overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
If you would like to experience Lima's renowned culinary scene, your host can also recommend restaurants according to your interests. For a special evening, consider Central or Maido, two internationally recognized restaurants in Lima. Reservations are strongly recommended, and all meals and additional activities are at your own expense.

After breakfast, your host will accompany you to Lima Airport for your flight to Cusco, the historic Imperial Inca City. The scenery changes dramatically during the flight. As you leave Lima behind, the Pacific coastline and blue skies gradually give way to desert landscapes before the imposing Andes appear on the horizon.
Once you land in Cusco, your local host will be waiting for you in the arrivals area with a sign bearing your name. Because acclimatization is important, you will travel directly from Cusco Airport toward the Sacred Valley, situated 600 meters below Cusco. This allows you to gradually adjust to the altitude before exploring Cusco later in your journey.
Your first stop along the route will be the Textile House Museum. Here, you will encounter llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas, the four South American camelid species raised in captivity. You can feed the animals while learning how to identify each species.
Local artisans will demonstrate traditional textile techniques passed down from Inca ancestors. You will see how delicate alpaca and vicuña fibers are transformed into colorful clothing, woven belts, blankets, and embroidered textiles. A guided visit through the museum will also introduce you to the textile traditions of pre-Inca cultures and the history behind this important Andean craft.
Continue toward Pisac, where an impressive archaeological complex occupies the slopes of a hill. Terraced fields surround Inca structures, plazas, temples, enclosures, and a cemetery, offering your first close encounter with the region's ancient Andean heritage.
After exploring the archaeological site, descend to the modern town and browse the colorful stalls of the traditional Pisac market. Local artisans offer a variety of handicrafts, including textiles, sculptures, jewelry, and artwork inspired by the Andes.
Your next stop will be a restaurant set amid the scenery of the Sacred Valley. Enjoy lunch prepared with local ingredients, included in your program. Your travel consultants can assist you in selecting the restaurant beforehand. Finally, continue to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. After settling in, you can enjoy dinner at your own expense and relax for the evening.

After breakfast at your luxury hotel, meet your guide and set off for another day of exploration in the Sacred Valley.
Your first destination is Ollantaytambo, a remarkable Inca fortress that served as the last refuge of the Incas in the Andes during the Spanish invasion. Walk through its narrow streets and explore its temples, enclosures, and plazas. The site's precisely cut and fitted stonework reveals the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Inca civilization.
As you explore, your guide will share stories and legends connected with Ollantaytambo, including the famous tale of an Inca military general and a princess who was the daughter of Emperor Pachacutec. Afterward, enjoy an exclusive lunch at a restaurant surrounded by the Sacred Valley's beautiful landscapes. The meal features local ingredients, while the colors, flavors, dishes, and drinks add to the experience.
Continue to Maras, where approximately 2,000 small salt pools cover the mountainsides. Local communities still use these traditional salt wells today. You will also learn about Maras salt, which has gained international recognition and is particularly appreciated for grilling and barbecue dishes.
Your final archaeological stop is Moray. Here, enormous circular terraces descend into the ground in a series of concentric rings. These terraces are traditionally associated with agricultural experimentation and crop acclimatization. Different seeds were planted at different levels, from the smaller, deeper circles to the larger outer terraces, allowing the Incas to observe how crops performed under different conditions.
At the end of the day, return to your hotel and enjoy some free time. Relax, take a refreshing shower, or have dinner at your own expense.

After breakfast, your host will accompany you to Ollantaytambo train station. Board your comfortable VISTADOME train and begin the approximately one-and-a-half-hour journey to Aguas Calientes. Along the way, the landscape transitions into the lush Peruvian jungle, with dense vegetation, exotic birdlife, and the Vilcanota River accompanying the route.
Upon reaching Aguas Calientes, meet your local guide at the station's arrivals area. Together, proceed to the bus station and board a CONSETTUR bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The bus ride takes approximately 35 minutes before reaching the entrance to the citadel.
Once inside, begin your private guided visit of Machu Picchu. Walk through its plazas, temples, enclosures, and carefully constructed stone passages while learning about the site's construction, inhabitants, and purpose. Allow approximately two hours to experience the citadel and take in its extraordinary setting. Before leaving, make time for your memorable photograph of Machu Picchu.
After the visit, your guide will accompany you by CONSETTUR bus back to Aguas Calientes. There, enjoy lunch at one of the area's best restaurants, included in your program. Later, return to the train station for your journey back toward Cusco. Depending on your train service, you will arrive at either Ollantaytambo or Poroy station, where another member of our team will meet you.
You will then be transferred to your Cusco hotel. Once there, enjoy dinner at your own expense and take some time to relax after your day at Machu Picchu. Our team will be available to assist you at every departure and arrival point during this journey.

OPTIONAL: Would you like to spend more time around Machu Picchu? You can customize this program by adding one additional night in Aguas Calientes. The following day, you can return to the citadel for another visit or choose a hike to one of the nearby mountains, such as Huayna Picchu, for more memorable views and photographs. Simply let us know what you would like to add.

Today is dedicated to discovering Cusco, a city where centuries of history, culture, and tradition remain part of everyday life. After breakfast, meet your guide and begin your exploration of the former Inca capital.
Start at Sacsayhuaman, the impressive Inca fortress overlooking Cusco. Its enormous stones, precisely cut and fitted together, demonstrate the remarkable engineering skills of the Incas. Continue to Qenqo, an ancient ceremonial site where you can observe remnants associated with Inca rituals and sacrifices.
Your next stop is Puca Pucara, a former Inca military installation offering impressive views of Cusco and the surrounding landscape. Then visit Tambomachay, a peaceful retreat associated with the Inca ruler. Its fountains and water features contributed to the site's tranquil atmosphere and its role as a place for rest and hunting.
After visiting these archaeological sites, return to central Cusco. Take a stroll through the city's atmospheric stone streets before visiting the Cathedral of Cusco. Admire its Renaissance architecture and its notable collection of paintings representing the distinctive artistic tradition known as the “Escuela Cusqueña”.
Continue to Qoricancha, the famous Inca temple located close to the Cathedral. Here, you will discover the combination of Inca and Spanish architectural elements, along with surviving remains from the original Inca temple complex. Your tour ends in Cusco's Main Square.
From here, the choice is yours. You may enjoy lunch or dinner at your own expense at one of the nearby restaurants, or our team can arrange transportation back to your hotel. Let your guide know how you would like to finish your day.

All good journeys eventually reach their final chapter. After days of exploration, enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel before preparing for your departure. At the agreed time, a member of the Cusco Peru Travel team will transfer you to Cusco Airport for your flight to Lima.
If you would like to make changes to the program, add experiences, or have any questions about your trip, our team will be ready to assist you and personalize the journey according to your preferences.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This itinerary includes Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Moray, Maras, and Machu Picchu. Additional day tours in Cusco or experiences in other destinations in Peru can also be added to your program. Explore our available packages for further options.