Compare Family Peru by Abercrombie & Kent vs Peru: See & Experience Almost it ALL in 12 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1: Arrive Lima, Peru

Accommodation: Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport

Arrive in Lima this evening and transfer to your hotel. Founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizzaro, this “City of Kings” is a mélange of colonial structures, pre-Columbian sites and modern conveniences.

Day 2: Cusco/Sacred Valley | Andean Weaving

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Sol y Luna

Fly to Cusco and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant offering Novo Andino cuisine, before driving to Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit members of the camelid family (llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vichunas) and learn about the fabrics made from their shaggy coats using ancient weaving techniques. Meet with locals wearing their colorful traditional clothing and learn from your guide how it differs between communities. Receive a lesson in the Quechuan language. Tonight, join the chef at your hotel for a Chef’s Table experience, as he demonstrates the preparation of a variety of Peruvian dishes.

Day 3: Urubamba | Kayak in the Sacred Valley

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Sol y Luna

Prepare for a unique Sacred Valley adventure on the drive to Huaypo, a beautiful lagoon perched in the Andes. Admire the view of the mountains as you paddle around the lagoon in sea kayaks — a ride that reveals the natural beauty of Peru. Enjoy an outdoor picnic on the banks of Huaypo. Join an A&K Young Explorers Guide on a visit to a local house in the town of Maras. Learn how to play the traditional Sapo game and experience Peruvian home life in this remote Andean village. Enjoy leisure time at the hotel and a fun family pizza night with stargazing (weather permitting).

Day 4: Machu Picchu | The Lost City of the Incas

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

When school is in session, visit the Kuychi Center to meet the underprivileged children at Niños del Arco Iris (Children of the Rainbow), a project supported by A&K Philanthropy. Explore the fortress of Ollantaytambo, a formidable structure of massive stone terraces that hug the mountain slopes. Next, journey deep into the Andes toward Machu Picchu aboard the glass-topped Vistadome train, gazing out at the spectacular Peruvian countryside passing by. Discover this breathtaking Incan citadel, following an expert guide who paces the trek for young explorers. Imagine those who once dwelled here and marvel at their stonework.

Day 5: Machu Picchu | Sunrise at the Ruins

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Rise early to see Machu Picchu at sunrise or choose from guided hikes to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) or to Huayna Picchu. After lunch, return to Cusco.

Day 6: Cusco | The Immense Stone Marvel of Sacsayhuaman

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Discover Cusco, visiting the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and the Santo Domingo Temple, a Dominican church built on the foundations of the Koricancha, the Incas’ principal religious building. Later, explore Sacsayhuaman, a stunning testament to Incan architectural skill. Compiled of massive stones, the largest of which may weigh as much as 200 tons, its walls were cut and placed together with incredible precision and without a single drop of mortar. Later, visit San Pedro market, and then spend your afternoon at leisure. This evening, dine at one of the city’s finest local restaurants.

Day 7: Lima | In the City of Kings

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Belmond Miraflores Park

Fly to Lima and check in to your hotel. Tour the city, starting with the grid-like Plaza Mayor. View the marvelous, historic Cathedral and the colorful guards before the Presidential Palace, followed by a visit to the Church of San Francisco. Continue with a journey into the past, exploring Casa Aliaga, Lima’s oldest colonial mansion. Later drive to modern Lima to see pre-Incan ceramics at the Larco Herrera Museum, with special activities for younger guests.

Day 8: Lima | Swimming with Sea Lions

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Belmond Miraflores Park

Set out on an excursion to Palomino Island, a huge sea lion rookery. Wearing wetsuits and life vests, jump into the water and share the ocean with these friendly animals. After an afternoon at leisure, see the impressive Huaca Pucllana archaeological site before a farewell dinner of contemporary Peruvian cuisine at the on-site restaurant.

Day 9: Depart Lima

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, transfer to the airport and depart.

Day 1: Where Architectural Legacies Remain

Originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of the Kings), Lima has developed an important tourism industry. What stands out are the historic center, archaeological remains, nightlife, museums, art galleries, festivities, and popular traditions. The historic center of Lima was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. A large number of architectural legacies remain. Highlights include the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, the Plaza Mayor, the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Palacio de Torre Tagle.

Note that we can provide you with a guided sightseeing tour only if you arrive before 4:00 pm.

Start point
Transportation will be arranged for you from the airport in Lima., Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru

Day 2: Vineyards, Exotic Drinks & a Buggy Ride on Huge Hills

We relocated from Lima to the city of Ica. There we are taken to two wineries. Peruvian wine dates back to the Spanish colonization of the region in the 16th century. After sampling some of the best wines and spirits Peru has to offer, we are taken to Huacachina. This village is built around a small oasis and is surrounded by sand dunes. We go dune bashing as well as sandboarding.

Day 3: Large-Scale Geoglyphs Seen From the Sky & Peru's Version of the Galapagos Islands

Before returning to Lima, we take a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands and then check out the Nazca Lines. The Ballestas Islands are an important sanctuary for marine fauna like the blue-footed booby. On the way to the islands, we see El Candelabro, a large-scale geoglyph that may have served as a beacon to mariners. The Nazca Lines were created between 500 BC and 500 AD. There are several theories as to why people of those times made these lines. Hear all about these different theories as we take a flightseeing tour over this group of geoglyphs.

Day 4: Exploring the Once Capital of the Inca Empire

We relocated from Lima to the colonial city of Cusco. Peru’s urban showcase destination Cusco is known for its rich heritage with the Inca and Spaniards as well as the charming architecture both empires left behind. Even though Cusco is also known for its proximity to the Machu Picchu archeological site, the city is popular in its own right. We are provided with a guided tour.

Day 5: Stunning Archaeological Sites Spread Across a valley

We make a day trip from Cusco to the Sacred Valley. The Chanapata civilization first utilized this area around 800 BCE because of the rich soil used for agriculture. The Qotacalla civilization lived here from 500 to 900 CE. The Killke civilization then lived here from 900 until the Incan Empire took over the region in 1420. The Incan Empire ruled this area until the arrival of the Spanish. Today remains of citadels and markets are found across this long valley.

Day 6: Multicolored Mountains Found Due to Melting Glaciers

We make a day trip from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain (a.k.a. Vinicunca). Mass tourism came after 2015, attracted by the mountain’s series of stripes of various colors due to its mineralogical composition on the slopes and summits. The mountain used to be covered by glacier caps, but these have melted due to global warming. We go horseback riding at Rainbow Mountain.

Day 7: Salt Evaporation Ponds in Use Since Inca Times & the Train Ride You Have Been Awaiting

Before relocating to the village of Aguas Calientes, we visited salt mines called Maras as well as an archeological site called Moray. Maras is well known for its salt evaporation ponds. There are over 5,000 of them, which have been in use since Inca times. Moray consists of several terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 meters (98 feet) deep. As with many other Inca sites, Moray also has an irrigation system.

Day 8: Experiencing One of the Seven Wonders of the World

Before returning to Cusco, we are provided with a guided tour of Machu Picchu. This 15th-century citadel is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period. Machu Picchu remained undiscovered to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Day 9: Two Architecturally Enticing Cities From Morning to Night

Before relocating to the colonial city of Arequipa, we have free time to explore Cusco further: whitewashed and narrow streets, a gorgeous main square, grandeur sites, and red-tiled roofs. Cusco is undoubtedly one of Latin America’s prettiest historic cities.

Day 10: One of the Nation's Top Three Destinations, Home to the Andean Condor

Today we make a day trip from Arequipa to the very scenic Colca Canyon. It is home to Andean condors, giant hummingbirds, Andean geese, Chilean flamingos, mountain caracaras, rabbits, deer, foxes, and alpacas. The Colca Canyon is Peru’s third most popular tourist destination, and for good reason.

Day 11: A Provincial Capital Made of Volcanic Stone

Before returning to Lima, we are provided with a guided tour of Arequipa. This destination definitely does not feel so large, even though it is the second-largest city in the country. Arequipa is characterized by colonial-era churches and mansions. The historic center is small but charming nonetheless.

Day 12: Our Tour Ends Today

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Lima.

Note that if you can extend your trip, consider doing so. Lake Titicaca is worth 2 days, as is the Peruvian Amazon.

Endpoint
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Lima., Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru