Peru Andean Highlights: Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca
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Summary
Embark on a captivating 12-day journey through Peru, where ancient wonders, rich traditions, and breathtaking scenery come together in perfect harmony. Begin in Lima with a guided exploration of its lively markets and an immersive culinary experience showcasing the country’s renowned flavours. Continue to the Sacred Valley to discover charming Andean villages, Inca salt terraces, and the mysterious agricultural circles of Moray. From here, board the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes and ascend to the awe-inspiring citadel of Machu Picchu, where history and legend meet amidst mist-shrouded peaks.
Afterwards, soak up the atmosphere of Cusco as you wander its cobbled streets, visit vibrant markets, and admire impressive Inca and colonial landmarks. Travel in style aboard the Titicaca Train across the dramatic highlands to Puno, gateway to Lake Titicaca. Cruise the serene waters to meet the Uros people on their floating reed islands and explore Taquile’s traditional Quechua community. Conclude your adventure with a visit to the enigmatic Sillustani tombs overlooking the Umayo Lagoon. With boutique accommodation, expert guides, and a perfect balance of cultural encounters and natural beauty, this unforgettable itinerary reveals the very best of Peru.
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Day 1: Arrival in LimaArrival Day
Welcome to Peru! On arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, you’ll be greeted by a representative and transferred to your stylish boutique hotel in the bohemian district of Barranco. Take time to relax after your flight, or wander through Barranco’s leafy streets lined with colonial mansions, colourful murals, and cosy cafés. This vibrant neighbourhood is famed for its art galleries and romantic “Bridge of Sighs,” offering an atmospheric introduction to the country.
Accommodation: Casa República Barranco Boutique Hotel ★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: None
Activities – Included: Private transfer from the airport to your hotel
Day 2: Lima – Flavours of the Capital
Immerse yourself in Lima’s culinary soul on a half-day gastronomic adventure. Begin with a visit to a traditional market in Surquillo, where stalls overflow with tropical fruits, gleaming fish, and fragrant herbs. Guided by an expert, you’ll learn about the ingredients that define Peru’s world-famous cuisine. Afterwards, continue to Cala, an elegant restaurant perched beside the Pacific Ocean, to craft your own causa—a creamy potato dish layered with local flavours—and shake up a refreshing Pisco Sour. With the sea breeze as your backdrop, savour a leisurely lunch before returning to your hotel to enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation: Casa República Barranco Boutique Hotel ★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities – Included: Guided market tour, culinary workshop and lunch at Cala
Day 3: Lima to Cusco – Into the Sacred Valley
This morning, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Cusco. On arrival, you’ll be met and driven through the spectacular Andes to Urubamba in the Sacred Valley. Along the way, soak up vistas of rugged peaks, ancient terraces, and tiny Andean hamlets. Your charming lodge, surrounded by wildflowers and mountain views, is the perfect place to adjust gently to the altitude and unwind before tomorrow’s explorations.
Accommodation: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba ★★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activities – Included: Private transfers in Lima and Cusco
Day 4: Treasures of the Sacred Valley
Set out on a full-day private excursion through the Sacred Valley’s most fascinating sites. Visit Chinchero, once an important Inca town, where a striking 17th-century church stands on the foundations of an Inca palace. Admire the vibrant textiles woven by local artisans and the lush terraces surrounding the village. Continue to the dazzling white salt pans of Maras, worked by hand since pre-Inca times, then explore Moray, a series of mysterious circular depressions believed to have been an agricultural laboratory. Pause for a delicious Andean lunch at Las Manos restaurant before returning to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba ★★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities – Included: Guided tour of Chinchero, Maras and Moray; entrance fees with the Cusco Tourist Ticket
Day 5: Journey to Machu Picchu
After breakfast, transfer to Ollantaytambo station to board the Vistadome train, whose panoramic windows reveal breathtaking gorges, rushing rivers, and cloud-forested peaks. Arrive in Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, and meet your expert guide for the short bus ride up the mountain. Step inside the legendary citadel and feel its magic as you explore temples, terraces, and ceremonial stones hidden among misty ridges. Learn how this 15th-century retreat for Inca royalty was lost to the world for centuries before being rediscovered in 1911. Afterwards, enjoy an à la carte lunch at Sumaq Hotel and settle into your elegant riverside room before dinner.
Accommodation: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel ★★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities – Included: Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, guided Machu Picchu tour, bus transfers, lunch and dinner
Day 6: Sunrise at Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco
Rise early to watch the first rays of sunlight spill over Machu Picchu—an unforgettable sight. Spend the morning relaxing in Aguas Calientes or return to the site to discover corners you may have missed (second entrance ticket available on request). In the afternoon, board the Vistadome for your scenic return to Ollantaytambo, then continue by private vehicle to Cusco, arriving in time to enjoy a gentle stroll through its atmospheric lanes or a quiet dinner in one of its many excellent restaurants.
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas ★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activities – Included: Train journey back to the Sacred Valley, private transfer to Cusco Activities – Optional: Second entry to Machu Picchu
Day 7: Exploring Cusco’s History & Culture
Discover Cusco’s captivating blend of Inca and Spanish heritage on a private half-day tour. Begin in the arty San Blas district, home to skilled woodcarvers and workshops. Continue to the lively San Pedro Market, a feast for the senses, before visiting the grand Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas. Step inside Coricancha, once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, and marvel at how its golden interior became the base for the Santo Domingo convent. Conclude with a visit to Sacsayhuamán, an immense fortress renowned for its colossal stone walls and sweeping views over the city.
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas ★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activities – Included: Private guided city tour of Cusco and nearby ruins
Day 8: A Taste of Peruvian Cuisine in Cusco
Today you’ll enjoy a hands-on cooking class at Marcelo Batata, a renowned culinary studio. Begin with a Pisco tasting and an introduction to the history and biodiversity of Peruvian gastronomy. Under the guidance of professional chefs, prepare a traditional dish such as alpaca lomo saltado or ceviche, alongside creative Neo-Andean specialities. Afterwards, sit down to a relaxed lunch featuring the dishes you’ve prepared, paired with expert commentary about Peru’s culinary heritage.
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas ★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities – Included: Pisco tasting, interactive cooking class, lunch
Day 9: Across the Andes on the Titicaca Train
Board the elegant Titicaca Train for an unforgettable journey from Cusco to Puno. Settle into comfortable carriages decorated in 1920s style and watch as rugged peaks, rolling puna grasslands, and tiny villages glide by your window. Enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared with fresh Andean ingredients, accompanied by live music and traditional dance performances. Arrive in Puno and transfer to your hotel on the shore of Lake Titicaca, where you can savour a tranquil evening overlooking the world’s highest navigable lake.
Accommodation: GHL Lago Titicaca Puno ★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities – Included: Titicaca Train ride with lunch and entertainment, private transfer to hotel
Day 10: Lake Titicaca – Uros & Taquile Islands
Set sail on a semi-private boat to explore the legendary waters of Lake Titicaca. Your first stop is the floating islands of the Uros people, ingeniously woven from reeds harvested from the lake. Learn about their centuries-old traditions and daily life before continuing to Taquile Island, where Quechua-speaking residents maintain vibrant textile arts and a serene way of life. After a guided walk across the island, enjoy a hearty lunch prepared with local ingredients while gazing across the sparkling expanse of the lake.
Accommodation: GHL Lago Titicaca Puno ★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities – Included: Full-day boat trip to Uros and Taquile with lunch
Day 11: Sillustani Tombs & Village Visit
Venture to the Sillustani archaeological site, set dramatically on a windswept peninsula above Umayo Lagoon. Here, imposing chullpas—towering cylindrical tombs built by pre-Inca and Inca cultures—stand sentinel over the water. Continue to the peaceful village of Atuncolla, where cobbled lanes and fertile fields reveal the rhythms of highland farming life. Meet local families and learn about the crops and customs that sustain this close-knit community before returning to Puno for a final evening beside the lake.
Accommodation: GHL Lago Titicaca Puno ★★★★ (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activities – Included: Guided visit to Sillustani tombs and Atuncolla village
Day 12: Departure from Puno
After breakfast, say farewell to the Andes as you transfer to Juliaca airport for your onward journey. Take with you unforgettable memories of Peru’s vibrant culture, majestic scenery, and timeless treasures.
Accommodation: None (departure day)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activities – Included: Private transfer from hotel to Juliaca airport
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