From lush Amazonian forests, to sprawling mountaintops to authentic Peruvian cuisine, the 5,000 plus year old civilization of Peru has much to offer to tourists. Adventure, comfort, relaxation. In this introductory tour of Peru you will see many of the country’s most celebrated sights, while visiting remote communities and bustling urban city streets.
Aboard the Vistadome train, you will travel through the Sacred Valley en route to Machu Picchu. Just 15km north of Cusco, the Sacred Valley is one of the most important historical places in South America. It was once home to the Incas Empire, who was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, and also the center of food production for the Inca people.
Enjoy an overnight stay at the El Mapi Hotel, a 4-star hotel that provides contemporary and comfortable accommodation, amongst the picturesque valleys and mountain ranges of Machu Picchu. The hotel is conveniently located near the Machu Picchu Historical Reserve, between the Andes and Amazon Basin.
In cooperation with your local tour guide, you will get the unique opportunity to experience authentic Peruvian cuisine, prepared by a local family in Lake Titicaca. Here, you will enjoy a wealth of sweet and savory dishes, including Ceviche, Causa, Aji de Gallina, and Lomo Saltado.
Jose Antonio Hotel | Andean Wings Valley Hotel | El Mapi Hotel | Los Portales
Discover the Magic of Peru
Get a taste of what to expect from Peru with this sample itinerary. Your journey will take you from Lima to Cuzco to Lake Titicaca. Not to mention, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. You’ll be amazed by the breathtaking sights of the sprawling mountain ranges, mild desert plains, and intensely lush rainforests that will bring you closer to nature than ever before.
Fly from London to Lima. Then transfer to Jose Antonio Hotel for a 2-night stay. Regional connections available by request.
(N)
At morning, explore the city of Lima. Visit the Museo Larco, an 18th century viceroy’s mansion, offering one of the largest, best-presented displays of ceramics in Lima. Or explore the Monastery of San Francisco, featuring centuries-old catacombs decorated with human bones. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner.
(B, D)
Fly to Cuzco in the morning. Then transfer to the Sacred Valley. There, explore the various towns such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Learn about the historical significance of the region, while admiring the impressive stonemasonry and architecture. Stay for 2 nights at the Andean Wings Valley hotel.
(B)
Visit the Pisac market and the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo in the morning. The market is alive with bubbling locals selling and buying produce, crafts, and other supplies. Meanwhile, the Inca fortress is a treasured archaeological site, rumored to have been built by 20 thousand men who painstakingly transported stones from a nearby quarry.
Enjoy afternoon leisure by relaxing or exploring the surrounding area.
(B)
Transfer to Ollanta station. Take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. On the train ride you will enjoy stunning panoramic views, informative audio cues about the region, on board ambient music, and delicious snacks.
At Machu Picchu, experience a guided tour of the area. Explore the two main citadels, Hana and Urin. Learn about the ingenious construction methods used to build Machu Picchu, and the lengths the builders went to complete the project. In fact, so precise were the stone cutting methods, not even a piece of paper can fit between two stones.
Stay overnight at the El Mapi Hotel
(B, L, D)
Enjoy morning leisure. Or further explore Machu Picchu (must buy an extra ticket at time of booking). Head back to Cuzco by train and transfer to Los Portales for 2 nights. The Los Portales region is an international community, practicing innovative ways of life, including organic agriculture, deep psychology, and holistic education.
(B)
In the morning, take a guided tour of Cuzco. Along the way, you will visit the Cuzco Cathedral, a 16th century building that took nearly 100 years to build; the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), the most sacred site in the Inca religion; and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a massive, well-built wall, which still stands to this day despite being built back in the 15th century.
Enjoy afternoon leisure.
(B)
Travel by road to Puno, Lake Titicaca, for approximately 10 hours with stops. Along the way, marvel at archeological sites, small but well-populated valley towns, and the glorious Andean peaks. Then head to Jose Antonio Hotel for 2 nights.
(B, L)
Experience a full-day tour of the Uros Islands, the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. The islands are inhabited by the Uru (or Uros) people, believed to be the earliest inhabitants of Lake Tititcaca. Originally, the floating islands were constructed from the totora plant, and built for the purpose of protecting themselves from invading groups. If a threat was imminent, the people could simply move their islands elsewhere on the lake.
During the tour, you will enjoy a home-cooked lunch prepared by a local family. In the evening, have a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant.
(B, L, D)
Transfer to Juliaca airport. Fly to Lima. Then fly from Lima to London.
(B) (N)