The Ultimate Lima & Cusco

Arrive in Peru’s sprawling capital city and receive a welcome at Lima airport, a Peru Machu Picchu tours representative will meet you upon arrival and accompany you by private vehicle to your hotel, offering insights into the city along the way.

* Lima is home to the Government palace and World-renowned & award-winning restaurants.

Enjoy a free morning to relax or explore at your own pace.

In the afternoon, discover Lima’s fascinating past on a guided city tour. Your experience begins in the historic city center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), where you’ll explore elegant colonial churches, palaces, and grand plazas. The day concludes with a visit to the renowned Larco Herrera Museum, considered one of the finest museums in South America.

* Visit the vibrant suburb of Miraflores or the bohemian district of Barranco, and sample some local culinary delights or a glass of Peru’s national drink ‘Pisco sour’ at one of the many cafes, bars and restaurants in the neighborhood.

Meals: Breakfast.

Transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco city (1-hour approx).

Upon arrival, our local staff will welcome you and transfer you by private transport to your selected hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Along the way, you’ll stop at the picturesque town of Pisaq to visit its impressive Inca archaeological site. Here, you can admire remarkable stonework, ancient watchtowers, residential areas, and Peru’s largest Inca cemetery. You’ll also explore the vibrant artisan market—an ideal place to meet local vendors, many of whom still wear traditional, colorful clothing.

Continue through the valley as you follow the Urubamba River, known as Wilcamayu by the Incas. Surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks and fertile farmlands, the Sacred Valley has long been considered the agricultural heart of the Andes.

*The Sacred Valley is the ideal place to acclimatize, as it sits at a lower altitude (2,940 m / 9,702 ft) than the city of Cusco (3,400 m / 11,220 ft), allowing travelers to adjust more comfortably to the high elevation.

Start your day with a visit to Moray, known as the “Inca agricultural greenhouse.” These astonishing circular terraces served as an experimental center where the Incas studied how different crops adapted to varying temperatures and microclimates. Next, head to the Maras Salt Mines, an ancient pre-Inca system of thousands of evaporation ponds that still produce the region’s famous pink salt through traditional methods. Continue your journey to Ollantaytambo—an Inca living town built around a monumental fortress—where you’ll enjoy a traditional Pachamanca lunch prepared in the earth, a flavorful Andean cooking technique that has been passed down for generations.

After the tour, return to your hotel to rest and prepare for the next day’s Inca Trail hike.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Morning transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the tourist train to Km 104 — the starting point of the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. During the 1.5-hour journey, a light snack will be provided.

Upon arrival, begin a 3-hour hike to the impressive Inca site of Wiñay Wayna, then continue along the final section of the classic 4-day Inca Trail. This scenic path leads you to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), where you’ll enjoy your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu before descending toward the citadel.

Meals: Breakfast and Box Lunch.

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the Machu Picchu archaeological site by shuttle bus.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary (approximately 2 hours). Explore this enigmatic citadel alongside your expert guide, who will lead you through its most important areas while sharing insight into its history, architecture, and mysteries.

For adventure seekers, we recommend the hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain (reservation required – check availability). From the summit, you can fully appreciate the vastness of Machu Picchu, a stunning blend of dramatic natural scenery and masterfully carved stone rising from the mountainside. This climb is an unforgettable experience for travelers wanting a panoramic view from above.

After lunch, board the train back either to Ollantaytambo or Poroy town and continue by bus to your hotel .

Meals: Breakfast.

Enjoy a morning City Tour to explore Cusco city, which takes you to the Qoricancha or Sun Temple, now referred to as Santo Domingo Church. Then, visit the impressive archaeological sites around the city: Saqsayhuaman, an Inca complex with megalithic constructions; Q’enqo, an ancient Inca ceremonial site; San Pedro Market, a local farmers market where you can see fresh local produce and delicacies; and finally San Blas, the artisans’ neighborhood of narrow and high cobblestone streets. You’ll discover historic plazas, quaint local coffee shops and unique workshops. You can also visit the Pre-Columbian museum, which houses magnificent ancient artifacts and colonial art.

Afternoon Options:  Learn how to prepare Peru’s most iconic dishes during a cooking class at one of the city’s top restaurants, or choose to visit the Inca Museum or a traditional silver workshop.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Transfer to Cusco airport for your flight to Lima.

Assistance provided if needed.

Meals: Breakfast.