Compare Machu Picchu, Cusco & Lake Titicaca by Great Value Vacations vs Peru: See & Experience Almost it ALL in 12 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1 Welcome to Lima!

Say "hola" to Peru! Upon arrival in Lima, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After you settle in, explore the area and enjoy your first Peruvian meal near your hotel. 

Day 2 Lima

Explore the vibrant colonial architecture surrounding the iconic "Plaza San Martín" and the central square "Plaza de Armas" in the historic heart of the city. Here, marvel at landmarks like the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the Municipality. Venture to the San Francisco Monastery to uncover its intricate network of underground tunnels and catacombs.

Afterward, travel into Lima's modern districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, where lush parks such as "El Olivar" and "Parque del Amor" complement contemporary shopping centers and sleek architecture. Conclude your journey at the Larco Museum, home to an extensive collection of over 45,000 artifacts including pre-Columbian ceramics, textiles, and precious metal works. Don't overlook the museum's renowned and distinctive display of ceramics from the Mochica culture.

Day 3 Lima - Cusco

Today you will fly from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll receive a warm welcome and be driven to your hotel in Cusco.

Set out on your walking excursion at the renowned "Plaza de Armas," where you'll marvel at the magnificent Renaissance-style Cathedral. Wander through narrow passageways flanked by ancient Incan walls until you arrive at Koricancha, the revered temple dedicated to the sun deity, "Inti." Once considered the pinnacle of Incan religious sites, this temple met its demise at the hands of Spanish conquerors in the 16th century. Witness the tangible collision of civilizations as its ruins were repurposed to construct the Catholic Church Santo Domingo.

Day 4 Cusco - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes

At the scheduled time, you'll be transported from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.

Upon reaching the train station, embark on a panoramic train journey. Treat yourself to breathtaking vistas of the Andean landscape adorned with quaint villages and majestic snow-capped peaks in the Sacred Valley. You'll arrive at Aguas Calientes, a picturesque village nestled at the base of Machu Picchu, where you'll hop on the shuttle bus bound for the ancient citadel. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Inca civilization, delve into the site's discovery, and explore the myriad of theories surrounding this enigmatic and awe-inspiring archaeological marvel. 

Day 5 Aguas Calientes - Sacred Valley - Cusco

At the appointed time, embark on a train journey traversing the breathtaking landscapes of the Sacred Valley, culminating in your return to Cusco.

En route, enhance your exploration by delving into the remarkable ruins of Ollantaytambo, a site immortalized in history as one of the rare locations where the Incas triumphed over the Spanish invaders. Ascend the ancient platforms and savor panoramic vistas overlooking the village and the valley below. Adjacent to the ruins, immerse yourself in the local culture with a visit to a traditional household, where you'll gain insight into the distinctive lifestyle upheld for generations in the Sacred Valley.

Proceed to the quaint town of Pisac, renowned among both residents and visitors alike for its vibrant open-air market. Here, peruse a diverse array of Peruvian handicrafts including ceramics, paintings, textiles, and jewelry, imbued with the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Day 6 Cusco

Today, enjoy a full day in Cusco at your leisure. Pay a visit to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art housed in a former convent in the Plaza de las Nazarenas. This museum is wonderful for visitors looking for a different perspective on pre-Columbian ceramics.

Hike up to the San Blas neighborhood and pick up a few souvenirs to take home. In the evening, indulge in a few of Peru's delicacies. Adventurous eaters may want to try the local specialty, cuy (guinea pig).

Day 7 Cusco - Puno

You'll be picked up at your hotel at the designated time and escorted to the bus station for your journey to Puno, with stops at intriguing landmarks along the route and a provided lunch. The highest point during the drive is La Raya, situated at an elevation of over 14,000 feet above sea level.

During the ride, you'll have the opportunity to explore the Andahuaylillas Church, often dubbed the "Sistine Chapel" of the Americas due to the exceptional quality of its interior artworks. Built atop what is believed to have been an important Incan structure, possibly a shrine or "Waka," the church's foundations incorporate intricately carved andesite, reflective of traditional Quechua architectural motifs. Next, discover the ruins of Raqchi, distinguished as among the best-preserved examples of adobe structures resting upon Inca stonework foundations. This architectural technique was once commonplace but has largely succumbed to the elements and Spanish influence over time. En route, visit Pucara, renowned for its pottery, notably the iconic "Toritos de Pucara" (Little Bulls of Pucara). Explore the "Museo Litico de Pucara" (Pucara Stone Museum), showcasing a fascinating array of anthropomorphic monoliths, zoomorphic sculptures, ceramics, and artifacts from the pre-Inca Pucara culture. Additionally, don't miss the opportunity to visit the church situated in the main square. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant.

Day 8 Puno

From Puno's dock, you'll head on an expedition to the extraordinary Uros islands, which float atop Lake Titicaca. Encounter local families adorned in vibrant traditional attire, who graciously invite you to explore their reed-made homes, boats, and islands. Witness their annual reed replenishment ritual, perpetuating the Aymara language and other time-honored customs.

Continue your voyage to Taquile Island, where you'll be captivated by intricate pre-Inca terraces and rustic pathways devoid of automobiles, electricity, or pollution. Delve into the timeless lifestyle of its inhabitants, steeped in communal traditions passed down for millennia. Discover the island's unique social fabric, where men master knitting and women excel in weaving, seamlessly integrating these crafts into their cultural identity. Your excursion includes a traditional lunch on Taquile Island.

Day 9 Puno - Lima

You'll be collected from your hotel in Puno and transported to the Juliaca airport. En route, you'll stop at the remarkable pre-Inca archaeological site of Sillustani. This sacred site serves as the eternal resting place for the nobility of the high plains, featuring towering chullpas (burial towers) reaching heights of up to 40 feet, situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Umayo.

Day 10 Depart Peru

Make your way to Lima airport for your flight back home. 

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