Compare Machu Picchu, Cusco & Lake Titicaca by Great Value Vacations vs Classic Peru by Explore!

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 Join trip in Lima

Our trip starts today in Lima, Peru's capital, which was founded in 1535 AD by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. The modern cosmopolitan city is littered with reminders of its colonial and pre-Hispanic past, particularly in the historical centre. Located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, you can easily escape the busy traffic of the city for a little calm on nearby coastal walking paths. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7.30pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there'll be the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you\ re free to arrive in Lima at any time. If you\ d like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) which is approximately a one-hour drive from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to take an independent stroll along the coastal path to Miraflores and through the bohemian district of Barranco. Alternatively, you could visit the Larco Museum for an introduction to Peru's ancient history. The city is also gaining a reputation as a culinary centre, so why not try some ceviche (fish marinated in citrus juices) or sip on a Pisco sour?

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Fly to Arequipa, free afternoon to explore

This morning, we'll transfer back to the airport and fly to the beautiful city of Arequipa, normally arriving at around 10am and into the hotel for approximately 11.30am (although flight schedules can change). We'll head out for lunch after checking in, and then have a free afternoon to explore and acclimatise. Situated at 2,380 metres/7,808 feet, and surrounded by snow-capped mountains (including the perfect conical peak of the El Misti volcano), it's the perfect setting to begin our ascent into altitude.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 3 Visit the Santa Catalina Convent

This morning we'll visit Santa Catalina Convent, a miniature walled town which once housed 450 nuns and serving ladies in total seclusion. It's an enormous citadel within the city, not just home to the living quarters of a cloister of nuns, but with narrow alleyways, colourful arches, tranquil courtyards, churches, an 18th-century laundry and much more. We will spend a couple of hours exploring its vaulted ceilings and decorative cloisters, before having the rest of the day free. There are several ornate churches and plazas to discover, or you may wish to visit MUSA - the Andean Sanctuaries Museum -which houses significant archaeological exhibits from pre-Inca and Inca civilisations, including the mummied remains of \ Juanita\ , an Inca girl. Arequipa is famed for its colonial architecture, and the city square, dominated on one side by the twin-towered cathedral, is among the finest to be found in South America. The setting is magical come sunset when the waning sun casts red light over the tableau of the volcano and classic architecture. Catch it this evening in one of the city's rooftop bars as you sip a pisco sour.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 4 Drive to Chivay via the Andean altiplano

We'll take a four-hour drive north today, entering the world of the Altiplano, passing behind the volcanoes that ring Arequipa and on to Chivay. There are herds of llamas and alpacas en route, and if we\ re lucky we might spot the elusive vicuña. Today, we'll briefly reach the highest point of our trip at 4,910 metres/16,108 feet where we'll stop for a photo before descending towards Colca Canyon.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 5 Visit the Colca Canyon, continue to Puno

We'll have an early start this morning as we head to the Colca Canyon. A spectacular river gorge, the Colca Canyon measures twice the depth of the more famous Grand Canyon and at one time it was believed to be the deepest gorge on earth (until it was eclipsed by the deeper Cotahuasi Canyon). Today it allows us to discover a world of Andean villages and Inca terraces that make up one of the most outstanding natural settings in the Americas. We'll spend some time here at the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, searching for a sighting of the majestic birds flying over the canyon. This afternoon, we'll drive east, via the Patapampa Pass again at 4,910 metres,/16,108 feet heading towards the beautiful landscapes that surround the unique waters of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Our destination is the town of Puno, a centre of Incan folklore nestling in a bay at the northwestern tip of the lake and the perfect base from which to explore the cultural and historical significance of the lake itself. The drive from the Colca Canyon to Puno is approximately six hours including a lunch stop.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 6 Boat trip on Lake Titicaca; visit Uros Islands and overnight on Taquile Island

From Puno, we'll take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to explore the floating reed islands, home to the Uros people who live on the lake itself. Their islands are made from totura, a reed-like papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in most aspects of their life, including the construction of their boats and homes. We'll then continue to the lesser-visited island of Taquile which has preserved much of its Inca and pre-Inca heritage. Here, the islanders still speak the language of the Inca - Runa Simi or Quechua. We'll have approximately a one-hour walk to our guesthouse from the dock (overnight bags will be carried separately), and this evening there will be the option to take a longer walk on the island for those who wish.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 7 Morning on Taquile Island, afternoon return to Puno

This morning is free on Taquile Island. You might like to take a walk up to the Inca ruins, or visit the market and buy some of the locally-made embroidery. Later this afternoon, we'll return to Puno with a three hour boat journey, where the afternoon is free to take a stroll through the markets in search of llama and alpaca wool items.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 8 Bus to the Sacred Valley

Today we'll follow the legendary route taken by the first Inca ruler - Manco Capac - on his way towards Cusco. Our destination is near Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. During our bus journey, we'll drive up to the northern limit of the Altiplano, crossing La Raya pass (4,335 metres/14,222 feet) and descending via the Inca temple at Raqchi to Andahuaylillas. Here, we'll swap our public bus for a private vehicle, and we'll bypass Cusco by driving straight through the scenic Sacred Valley, winding through small towns and villages with the Andes flanking us on either side. The scenery is desolate but magnificent and we might even spot flocks of llamas and alpacas grazing on the windswept pastures. The total journey from Puno to our hotel is approximately 11 hours including stops.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 Free time in the Sacred Valley; evening visit to the community of Misminay

Today is a free day in the beautiful Sacred Valley with a wide choice of things to do. For water lovers there is the opportunity to go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the Piuray Lagoon in the heart of the area's spectacular scenery. No previous experience of is necessary - full instruction and safety equipment are provided. Alternatively, you can take a trip to Maras and Moray, two of the Sacred Valley's most impressive sights; first, visit the huge concentric Inca terraces of Moray, a sort of botanical laboratory that the Incas used to test their crops. Then, visit the weirdly beautiful Maras salt mines, laid out across the mountainside like a chess board, before making a final 45-minute descent to the small salt-producing town of Pichingoto. If you\ d prefer a less demanding activity, there's the chance to visit a craft beer brewery, including a tasting of the various beers. Craft beer is relatively new in Peru but is growing quickly. The range of local ingredients used in the brewing process is fascinating. This evening, we'll visit the community of Misminay, home to many of the porters who work along the Inca Trail. We'll share an Andean meal with them, prepared from local supplies, before spending the evening underneath the starry night sky, and hearing about the ancient Inca theories of the cosmos. Their rich history comes to life during this stargazing experience.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10 Train to Aguas Calientes; visit Machu Picchu

This morning, we'll take an early morning train along the side of the Rio Urubamba, flanked by high cliffs and peaks, towards the mountain town of Aguas Calientes. Once a tiny village of no more than a few houses, this town is now bustling with travellers and trekkers coming to-and-from the famous 'lost' city of Machu Picchu. After dropping bags at our hotel, we'll take a bus to the ancient site. This masterpiece of ancient civilisation remained undiscovered by the outside world until it was \ found\ by an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham, in 1911. We'll explore the mountain-top stronghold before returning to the valley floor, where we'll stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. There'll be the chance to unwind and relax with a soak in the nearby natural hot baths.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 11 More time to discover Machu Picchu (optional); return to Cusco

This morning is free for you to either relax in Aguas Calientes, or to explore Machu Picchu more. There are several optional ways that you might like to choose from - each one requires an additional permit that should be pre-paid at the time of booking. The first option is to revisit the site, giving you another chance to explore (unguided) at your own pace. There are one-way circuits in place in the site, and if you choose to revisit we would aim to buy you a permit that allows you to choose which circuit you wish to take on the day. Alternatively, there are two optional hikes available within the site, each one unguided. These climb to the summits of either Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain to look down on the citadel. Machu Picchu Mountain is a 700-metre hike from the top of the citadel. There are cobbled stairs all the way up with a few exposed sections in some parts, but predominantly very enclosed and with a fairly steady, but not too strenuous, gradient. The round-trip takes around two-and-a-half to three hours. Huayna Picchu Mountain is only 350 metres, half the size of Machu Picchu Mountain, but much steeper. There are many more sheer drops, and it is not suitable for someone with a fear of heights. For those who fancy doing the one-hour climb, you'll be rewarded with unbeatable views of Machu Picchu and the feeling that you're standing on a precipice at the top of the world. These three options must be pre-paid at the time of booking, and if you change your passport between your time of booking and prior to travel please bring your original passport with you. A final option is to simply relax in Aguas Calientes - it's a fantastic little town with a great market, excellent cafes and a laidback vibe. Later, we'll take the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, from where we'll get the bus to Cusco.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 12 Walking tour in Cusco, visit Sacsayhuaman Fortress

This morning, we'll take an immersive walking tour through the captivating city of Cusco, kicking things off in the colossal archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, a stone fortress that's still at the core of Cusco's traditions. Winding our way along an old Incan trail, we'll head down to the colonial neighbourhood of San Cristobal, where the plaza gives us a sweeping view over the city's rooftops. Navigating the narrow streets of the old city, we'll reach the aqueduct of Sapantiana, a hidden engineering marvel only known by locals. This aqueduct directs us to arty San Blas, where coffee shops converge with traditional artisan's workshops, we'll explore the cobbled calles, venturing inside the studios to marvel at the local craftsmanship. Entering the main Plaza de Armas of Cusco, the focal point of the city, we\ re welcomed by the baristas of Three Monkeys Coffee who serve us the finest Peruvian beans. Then, once revived, we'll continue walking, gazing upon the Qoricancha complex, once the Inca's most sacred site dedicated to the Sun God. Our final destination is Mercado de Wanchaq, a local hot spot jammed with rows of colourful stalls and filled with the aromas of seasonal fruit. Slurping freshly pressed juice, we'll watch the sellers hawking their wares before returning to the hotel. The walking tour is approximately 4 kilometres/2.5 miles and is expected to take around four to five hours.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 13 Free day in Cusco

Today is left free to further explore the winding streets and alleyways of Cusco. There are plenty of museums, lively plazas and bustling markets to explore, and it's a relaxing place to spend a day people-watching while enjoying a coffee - or a pisco sour! For those who would like an active end to their holiday, there is the option of hiking up the famous Rainbow Mountain, a tough, approximately 1.5 hour uphill hike on a rough mountain path that takes you up to 5,020 metres / 16,470ft of altitude. You'll pass through fields of llama and alpaca, with views to high, snowy mountains, before arriving at a lookout of the colourful red, purples, greens and pinks that give the mountain range its name. The return is by the same path. It's a full day (approximately 12 hours including the drive time) and includes a packed lunch. Your Tour Leader can assist you with the booking in Peru, pending availability.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 14 Trip ends in Cusco

Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Cusco. There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to depart from Cusco at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you\ d like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), which is around a 15-minute drive from our hotel. Depending on the schedule of your flights, you might have additional time to visit a museum shop for souvenirs in the winding streets and alleys of the city. If you\ re travelling on to the Amazon, you'll be transferred to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport this morning for your flight to Puerto Maldonado.

Meals Provided : Breakfast