Essential Peru

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA
When you arrive at Lima airport, our team will transfer you to your hotel conveniently located in the heart of the city. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2: LIMA CITY TOUR AND LARCO MUSEUM
Our morning begins with a visit to the illustrious Larco Museum, situated in the charming district of Pueblo Libre. Established in 1926 by Peruvian archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle, this museum resides in a stunning 18th-century mansion surrounded by lush gardens.

The Larco Museum is a true wonder, showcasing an extensive collection of over 5,000 pre-Hispanic ceramic pieces, along with gold and silver artifacts, and unique pre-Columbian erotic pottery. We will explore its impressive galleries in chronological sequence, gaining insights into the ancient Peruvian civilizations.

Following this, we proceed to Lima’s historic center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. The area is renowned for its beautiful plazas, colonial homes, and rich history. We will visit the Aliaga House, a colonial mansion from 1536, famous for its stunning art and historical significance. Remarkably, it is still inhabited by descendants of Jerónimo de Aliaga, a Spanish conquistador and ally of Francisco Pizarro.

We will then move to the Plaza de Armas, the place where Lima was founded in 1535 and where Peru's independence declaration was made in 1821. During colonial times, it served as a marketplace and site for public executions.

From the Plaza de Armas, we will admire historic buildings like the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, and other significant colonial edifices. Our visit includes Lima’s Cathedral, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, constructed during the 16th century Spanish conquest.

After the tour, you'll be taken back to your hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 3: LIMA / AREQUIPA CITY TOUR
At the appointed time, we will transfer you to Lima airport for your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, our team will escort you to your hotel in the city center.

Our city tour begins with a visit to the Plaza de Armas, one of the country's most beautiful squares, and the neighboring Arequipa Cathedral, built in the 17th century. We will explore the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus (1590), a classic example of local baroque architecture adorned with remarkable paintings and murals.

We will also visit the magnificent Monastery of Santa Catalina, a true medieval cloister established in September 1579, still active today. Covering 20,000 square meters, this enigmatic convent was constructed using sillar, the primary material in local architecture.

The tour includes stops in the districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, offering breathtaking views of Arequipa’s countryside and the surrounding volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. You will have opportunities for photographs.

Lastly, we will visit the main square of the Cayma district and the Church of San Miguel Arcángel de Cayma. At the conclusion of the tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 4: AREQUIPA / CUSCO
At the scheduled time, we will transport you to Arequipa airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay.

DAY 5: PISAC AND OLLANTAYTAMBO WITH OVERNIGHT IN AGUAS CALIENTES
Today, we embark on a journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

After a 30 km drive from Cusco, we arrive at the quaint town of Pisac, known for its vibrant traditional market and an archaeological site featuring stone temples and structures overlooking the valley's terraces.

We continue to Urubamba, where we will savor a delicious buffet lunch at a traditional restaurant by the Urubamba River.

Our next stop is the town of Ollantaytambo and its fortress, a remarkable example of Inca architecture that served multiple purposes: military, religious, and agricultural. It offers breathtaking valley views and is equipped with advanced irrigation systems.

We conclude the day with a visit to Chinchero and its colorful market, featuring a variety of Andean ceramics and textiles.

You will then board a train at Ollantaytambo station, heading towards Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, our team will assist you to your hotel. In the evening, we will hold a briefing about the following day’s visit to Machu Picchu. Overnight stay.

DAY 6: FULL DAY AT MACHU PICCHU
Hop on a bus for a 30-minute ascent along a road offering spectacular views of the Urubamba River and its canyon. Machu Picchu, meaning “Old Mountain,” awaits with its extraordinary terraces, stairways, ceremonial sites, and urban areas, exuding a unique energy.

During a 2.5-hour guided tour, you'll uncover the secrets of this breathtaking site. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore further or, for the adventurous, hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional).

Alternatively, you may return to Aguas Calientes for a delightful lunch (optional) at one of its fine restaurants.

At the scheduled time, board the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus transfer to Cusco. Overnight stay.

DAY 7: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO
At the agreed time, we will transfer you to Cusco airport for your onward flight.