Compare Essential Peru by Exodus Travels vs Machu Picchu, Cusco & Lake Titicaca by Great Value Vacations

Day 1 Start Lima

Welcome to Lima, the busy capital of Peru. There’s plenty of adventure on your trip, but today’s all about settling into the hotel.  You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the Miraflores district of Lima. There will be a notice board in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group welcome briefing will be held. Accommodation: Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)

Day 2 Drive south to Paracas and tour the Ballestas Islands; to Ica

Day 3 On to Nazca; see the Nazca Lines; optional scenic flight

We drive towards Nazca, stopping to visit the viewing platforms overlooking the Nazca Lines. These are one of the great archaeological mysteries, consisting of enormous drawings and patterns etched in the desert sand. In the afternoon, there is usually time to take a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (additional cost), weather permitting. Due to the small planes used, this is not suitable for those with a fear of flying or who suffer from travel sickness. As an alternative, your leader can help arrange optional visits to the nearby burial grounds, Antonini Museum or the planetarium. Accommodation: Casa Andina Hotel/Alegria (or similar)

Day 4 Turn inland from coastal desert, climbing high into the Andes

We turn inland from the coastal desert today, climbing high into the Andes on a long (around 12 to 13 hours) but spectacular drive. We’ll pass through the largest vicuña reserve in the country, so look out for these smaller wild relatives of the llama. This region has only recently become easily accessible to tourists due to an upgrade of the Abancay/Chalhuanca road. The altitude here can make physical exertion difficult; the highest point we reach today is Negro Mayu, a pass at 15,092ft (4,600m) above sea level. We recommended that you rest in the evening. Tonight, we stay in Abancay on the road to Cuzco. Accommodation: Hotel de Turistas Abancay (or similar)

Day 5 Drive to Cuzco, visiting Inca sites on the way

We set off towards Cuzco this morning, stopping to visit the Inca Saywite stone and Tarawasi ruins. The glaciated summits of the Vilcabamba mountain range and the descent into the Apurimac River valley demonstrate the dramatic contrasts of the Andes; expect stunning scenery throughout today's roughly seven to eight-hour drive. It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (11,155ft/3,400m). Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)

Day 6 Free day to explore Cuzco

To help you acclimatise, we embark on a relaxed walking tour this morning, which takes in the historic buildings and winding streets of Cuzco. The rest of the day has been left free for exploring on your own. The Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people watching, and the Koricancha Sun Temple in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery is worth a visit. The Mercado San Pedro is the place to try local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs, such as alpaca jumpers and scarves. Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where the Inca armies made their last stand against the conquistadors. A combined entrance fee (tourist ticket) for these sites and many others is recommended – please see the Optional Excursions section below for prices. Sightseeing excursions to places outside Cuzco, including the Sacred Valley of the Incas, are also available. Please ask your tour leader. Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)

Day 7 Train to Aguas Calientes; tour of Machu Picchu

For most people, the highlight of the trip is the visit by train to one of the greatest ruins in the world, the lost city of Machu Picchu. This is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world, in a mountain setting of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas left no records of it, so Machu Picchu remains a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. We transfer (approximately two hours) to Ollantaytambo railway station to catch a train to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu). The railway line follows a beautiful route through the Urubamba River valley. In the afternoon, we take a short bus ride up the winding road to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the ruins.  Visiting in the afternoon tends to be quieter than the mornings and the mist that shrouds the ruins at dawn has usually dispersed. Please note that exploring the ruins involves a reasonable amount of walking, including up and down steep and uneven stone steps. Accommodation: Terraza de Luna (or similar)

Day 8 Free morning or optional second visit to Machu Picchu; afternoon return to Cuzco by train and by road.

We have a free morning to sleep in, relax and enjoy the buzz of this little town in the jungle below the ruins. Should you wish to visit Machu Picchu again this morning, you need to purchase a second entrance ticket in advance.  This will allow you further time to explore the Lost City on your own – for the second visit it is not mandatory to have a guide. Please contact your sales representative for details. In the afternoon, we board the train back to Ollantaytambo and then continue by minibus to Cuzco, arriving in the late evening. Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)

Day 9 Free day for optional excursions

Day 10 Drive to Lake Titicaca, with stops en route; boat to Amantani Island for homestay

Today we travel for eight to 10 hours along the Vilcanota River and onto the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle. Although it is quite a long drive, the views are often spectacular. There are scheduled stops at interesting sites to help break up the day and we will get to appreciate the immensity of the Andean landscapes. This afternoon, we arrive at the shores of Lake Titicaca (12,467ft/3,800m above sea level) and board a boat for our trip to Amantani Island. A hike around the island offers great views across the lake, while the night spent with a local family is a fantastic cultural insight into lives very different to our own. A packed lunch is included today. Accommodation: Amantani Island homestay (basic)

Day 11 Explore the island; afternoon boat to Puno visiting the floating reed islands

We explore the island in the morning before boarding our boat for the three-hour journey to Puno on the lakeshore. On the way, we visit Uros Island. The Uros have been living on reed rafts for centuries, and although many have now moved to the mainland there are still a couple of thousand who remain on the islands. A reasonable amount of their income is now provided by strictly regulated tourism, but they also still fish the lake and barter with mainland communities for daily essentials. Accommodation: Casona Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Day 12 Drive across the altiplano to Colca Canyon

Today we head across the altiplano again. This time we cross to the southwest, heading back towards the coast to the high Colca Canyon (a five to six-hour drive). En route, we see vicuñas and possibly flamingos, crossing the Patapampa Pass (15,781ft/4,810m) before descending into what is considered the second-deepest canyon in the Americas (the deepest, the Cotahuasi Canyon, is also in Peru). There is time in the evening for an optional visit to the hot springs near the main town of Chivay (11,926ft/3,635m) – a warming pleasure after the chill of Lake Titicaca. Accommodation: Hotel Pozo del Cielo (or similar)

Day 13 Morning condor viewing; afternoon drive past huge volcanoes to the White City of Arequipa

Rise early to view condors soaring on the morning drafts rising out of the canyon. We then ascend out of the canyon and cross Patapampa Pass on our way to Arequipa, which is known as the White City due to the pale volcanic stone used to construct many of its colonial buildings. The picturesque city has a year-round pleasant climate and is surrounded by towering volcanoes, including the near-perfect cone of El Misti. Accommodation: Su Majestad Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 Morning visit Santa Catalina Convent; afternoon fly to Lima

In the morning we visit the huge, serene convent of Santa Catalina. Built in 1580 and only opened to the outside world in the 1970s, it offers a rare insight into the lives led by the nuns and has changed little through the centuries. There are still around 20 nuns living in the northern corner of the complex. In the afternoon or evening we fly to Lima where we will transfer to our hotel in Miraflores. Accommodation: Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)

Day 15 End Lima

Today we start our return journey home, although there may be time for optional tours of Lima, including visits to the Gold Museum and tours of the historic downtown. You could also join our optional trip extension to the Amazon rainforest, where you explore lakes, rivers and jungle trails in search of incredible wildlife.

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.