12 Day Peru and Machu Picchu Tour with Flights

Lima

This morning’s tour of Lima, with its 2000 years of history, begins at the colonial centre of the city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic buildings surrounding the splendid Plaza Mayor. View the impressive Palace of the Archbishop with its fine carved balcony, the opulent Government Palace, official residence of the President, and the 16th century Cathedral of Lima whose first stone was laid by Pizarro. Continue to the 17th century Monasterio de San Francisco complex with its magnificent tiles, ornate carved ceilings, exceptional paintings and world-renowned library. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure or join the optional Pachacamac Pre-Inca Ruins tour. This afternoon, join your Tour Manager for an orientation meeting about the wonderful journey that awaits you.

Accommodation: Jose Antonio Hotel or similar, Lima

Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Pachacamac Pre-Inca Ruins: Visit the archaeological site of Pachacamac, one of the largest religious centres in pre-Inca times on the Peruvian coast. Approximate tour duration is 4 hours.

Evening Larco Herrera Museum visit with dinner: Experience one of Lima’s most magnificent museums by night on this tour, that also includes a light supper. Admire the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian masterpieces and a stunning exhibition of gold and priceless jewels. Approximate tour duration is 3 hours.

Cuzco and the Sacred Valley

Depart Lima this morning by flight to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America. Upon arrival, drive through the rugged mountainous region with its magnificent panoramas, along roads with farms and small villages to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, stop in Chinchero. Here, enjoy an authentic Peruvian lunch followed by a demonstration of the ancient Andean tradition of making textiles from naturally dyed handwoven alpaca wool. Remarkably, the source for the vibrant colors are dyes that come from plants, minerals, and insects. Wander around the complex and shop for souvenirs among the fine textiles and other local treasures. This evening, dine together with music at a lovely restaurant.

Accommodation: San Agustin Urubamba Hotel or similar, Urubamba

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo Ruins

Enjoy this morning at leisure in the Sacred Valley to explore some of the ancient ruins independently or, join an optional tour to Maras and Moray. This afternoon, visit the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, an ancient complex of temples and terraces towering high over the valley, the last stand of the Incas in their defense against the Spanish conquistadors. Marvel at the architecture of the Incas in this well preserved settlement, considered a living museum of 15th century life. Tonight, join the optional traditional dinner with a Peruvian family in their countryside home.

Accommodation: San Agustin Urubamba Hotel or similar, Urubamba

Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Maras and Moray Tour: The excursion begins in Moray, a remarkable agricultural center that demonstrates the ancient Incan's mastery of high-altitude crop growing. You’ll be astounded by the large complex of perfectly circular depressions in the earth that historians believe were used to study climatic conditions. Next, travel to the colonial town of Maras, known for its nearby salt evaporation ponds in use since the time of the Incas. Approximate tour duration is 5 hours.

Dinner with a local Peruvian family: Tonight, you're invited to dine with a traditional Peruvian Family in their countryside home. Sample delectable local home-cooked Peruvian cuisine along with a warm and friendly cultural exchange with the family. As you share dinner, you’ll get to know the family first-hand and learn about work and everyday life in Peru. Approximate tour duration is 2 hours.

Machu Picchu

Early morning transfer to the Sacred Valley's Ollanta Station to board The Voyager Train that travels through misty peaks to the astonishing ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas", designated by UNESCO as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu was virtually unknown to the western world until Hiram Bingham's re-discovery in 1911. Spend the morning viewing the unforgettable wonders of this 15th century retreat, abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the conquistadors. See the highlights of the site including the imposing Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved rock likely used as a sundial by the ancient Incas. The images of this significant archaeological site will be a long-lasting memory. Return to the Sacred Valley in the early evening and transfer to your hotel in Cuzco for overnight.

*Approximate time spent at the ruins of Machu Picchu is 2 hours

Accommodation: Jose Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar, Cuzco

Meals included: breakfast

Cuzco

Spend today independently discovering the "Imperial City" of Cuzco, once the capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This lively city, rich in history, reveals remains of both the Incan and the Spanish presence. Take time to explore some of the city’s stunning sights, or, shop for some of the finest handicrafts and textiles in all of Peru. Participate in the optional Cuzco "Behind the Scenes" tour. In the afternoon, join the optional Highlights of Cuzco excursion. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a buffet dinner featuring delectable Andean specialties.

Accommodation: Jose Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar, Cuzco

Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Optional activities at additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

The following activities can be combined for a full day of sightseeing.

Half day Cuzco behind the scenes tour: offering a glimpse into the other side of life in Cuzco. On this tour, visit a local market and taste fresh-baked Chuta bread. Stop at the Cuzco cemetery to learn more about Andean life and death and meet with a local "shaman" (holy man). After the cooking demonstration, enjoy a delicious meal. Approximate tour duration is 5 hours.

Half day Highlights of Cuzco tour: visit the impressive Colonial Cathedral with its collection of over 400 paintings, the Temple of the Sun and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which took over seven decades to complete. Approximate tour duration is 4 hours.

Raqchi and Puno

Depart Cuzco early in the morning on a long drive today. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you drive through the Andes mountain range and the Andean plains to Puno on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. In this area, South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) graze on the immense plateaus and plains. En route visit the 15th century Temple of Wiracocha, with its elaborate stonework, the largest Inca temple ever discovered. Today, Raqchi remains home to many farmers, ranchers and artisans. Then, you arrive at pristine Lake Titicaca sitting majestically at 12,500 feet above sea level, backed by the snowcapped peaks of Bolivia's Cordillera Real range. This is the highest navigable lake in the world and South America's largest fresh water lake. A box lunch will be provided en route. Time permitting, meet children at a local school before arriving in Puno for overnight.

Accommodation: Hotel Royal Inn Puno or similar, Puno

Meals included: breakfast and lunch

Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca

This morning, an excursion by boat transports you from Puno to the fascinating Uros Floating Islands where the indigenous people of the area, the Uros, live on islands that dot the lake. The Uros live very much the same as their ancestors did and still follow the ancient customs and traditions. These islands are completely man-made structures, using the totora reeds from the lake to build the islands and houses. Return to Puno for the remainder of the day at leisure. Or, take an optional tour to the Sillustani Tombs. Evening is at leisure in Puno.

Accommodation: Hotel Royal Inn Puno or similar, Puno

Meals included: breakfast

Optional activities at additional cost. To be booked and paid for locally.

Half Day Sillustani Tombs: Afternoon drive to the pre-Incan burial ground of Sillustani. Upon arrival, a walking tour to the "Chullpas" of Sillustani on Lake Umayo, where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests in cylinder-shaped tombs. Please note that the archaeological site is located approximately a half-mile, 15 minute walk uphill from where you exit the bus. Approximate tour duration is 3.5 hours.

Lima

Transfer to Juliaca airport, for your flight to Lima; rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, you bid farewell to your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at a special Farewell Dinner with Peruvian specialties.

Accommodation: Jose Antonio Hotel or similar, Lima

Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Depart Peru

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your departure flight*

*Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 10 and will require a transfer on Day 9. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.

Meals included: breakfast and inflight

In transit due to dateline

Meals included: inflight only

Australia

Arrive home

Meals included: inflight only