Classic Peru
Tailor Made Itinerary
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14 Days From A$5,781
Overview
The perfect introduction for those travelling to the country for the first time, this comprehensive journey spans the rich diversity of Peru’s landscapes and heritage, taking you from the historic “City of Kings” through the high Andean plains to Lake Titicaca. Staying in some charming boutique hotels along the way, this is an ideal taster of one of South America’s most fascinating destinations.
Your journey begins in Lima, from where you will journey to the mysterious ...
The perfect introduction for those travelling to the country for the first time, this comprehensive journey spans the rich diversity of Peru’s landscapes and heritage, taking you from the historic “City of Kings” through the high Andean plains to Lake Titicaca. Staying in some charming boutique hotels along the way, this is an ideal taster of one of South America’s most fascinating destinations.
Your journey begins in Lima, from where you will journey to the mysterious Nazca Lines and explore the marine life of the Ballestas Islands. Flying on to Cusco, you’ll then explore the stunning Sacred Valley and the lost city of Machu Picchu, without a doubt one of the most awe-inspiring sites anywhere in the Americas, before boarding the Andean Explorer for your train journey across the spectacular Andean plains. Lake Titicaca provides an opportunity to visit the ingenious floating Uros Islands and to spend time amongst the famous weavers of Taquile Island, before flying back to Lima and journey's end.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Marvel at the mysterious Nazca lines from the air
- Journey to the Ballestas Islands to cruise around marine life spotting
- Horse-ride between Inca ruins and points of interest in the Sacred Valley
- Take the scenic train to Machu Picchu ruins
- Explore the colonial buildings of historic Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Boat across Lake Titicaca visiting local communities and the floating islands
ITINERARY
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
DAY 1: ARRIVE LIMA
DAY 1: ARRIVE LIMA
On arrival to Lima you will be met by one of our local representatives and taken to your hotel where you will have the afternoon to settle in and recover from your long journey. Depending on your flight arrival time you may have time to begin to explore the city at your own leisure this afternoon.
DAY 2: LIMA - PARACAS
DAY 2: LIMA - PARACAS
Transfer to the bus station for the public bus from Lima to Ica. Upon arrival, transfer to your vineyard excursion in Ica. Visit a pisco distillery and sample the local product. Afterwards continue the journey to Paracas.
DAY 3: PARACAS - NAZCA - PARACAS
DAY 3: PARACAS - NAZCA - PARACAS
Today take an overflight of the Nazca Lines aboard a small, modern airplane. During the flight you can see and take pictures of the most famous figures: the Condor, the Hummingbird, and many more. Best viewed from the air, these huge geometric patterns and hundreds of perfectly straight lines were carved into the desert sand, by the Nazca people centuries ago. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 4: PARACAS - BALLESTAS ISLANDS - LIMA
DAY 4: PARACAS - BALLESTAS ISLANDS - LIMA
Before returning to Lima this afternoon you will be taken out to see the marine life of the Ballestas Islands. The islands are inhabited by boobies, pelicans, sea lions and Humboldt penguins and are locally referred to as the “poor man’s Galapagos”, reflecting on how luxurious trips to the Galapagos are. After your boat trip you will return to Lima by bus, where you will spend a second night.
DAY 5: LIMA - SACRED VALLEY
DAY 5: LIMA - SACRED VALLEY
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. When you arrive, you'll be taken straight out of the city to the Urubamba Valley, where you will be able to enjoy a magnificent view of the sacred Valley of the Incas before visiting the village of Chinchero. The main square of the town is bordered by an Inca wall, and its church is decorated with unique frescoes. After lunch in Urubamba you will continue to the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, which is a site built by the Spaniards when they arrived in the area. You'll have the afternoon to learn about the construction of the fortress and wandering through the town’s cobbled streets before making your way over to your hotel in town.
DAY 6: SACRED VALLEY
DAY 6: SACRED VALLEY
Today you'll enjoy an excursion to the town of Maras by horseback. After visiting the salt plans at Maras, your ride continues to the Incan agricultural terraces at Moray.
DAY 7: SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU - AGUAS CALIENTES
DAY 7: SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU - AGUAS CALIENTES
This morning, head over to the train station in Ollantaytambo for your train journey to Aguas Calientes. When you arrive you will meet your local guide and hop straight on the bus that will take you to the "Lost City of the Incas" where you will have a guided tour of the citadel. You'll see the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Sun Dial, amongst other things. At the end of the day, return by bus to Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night.
DAY 8: AGUAS CALIENTES - CUSCO
DAY 8: AGUAS CALIENTES - CUSCO
Today you will have the morning at leisure, and if you'd like to return to Machu Picchu this can be arranged at extra cost and with plenty of warning. If you can face a very early start, it's a great time to visit the citadel as it's much quieter than in the afternoons. This afternoon you will return to Ollantaytambo by train and then be transferred to Cusco by car.
DAY 9: CUSCO
DAY 9: CUSCO
This morning you'll have a guided tour of Cusco with your guide, starting at the Santo Domingo Monastery. The former colonial monastery was previously the Koricancha Temple, devoted to the worship of the sun. You'll also visit the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. After a morning exploring Cusco city you will be driven out of Cusco to the Sacsayhuaman ruins, and the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko and finally the red fortress of Puca Pucara. In the early afternoon you will return to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 10: CUSCO - PUNO
DAY 10: CUSCO - PUNO
A ten-hour bus train journey takes you through picturesque Andean landscapes dotted by small villages and herds of llamas and vicuñas. Sure to be one of the most memorable experiences of the trip, the Andean Explorer train is set up as a 1920s-style carriage train with stylish décor, entertainment on board and an elegant bar and observation car at the back. A gourmet lunch is served on board with constant magnificent views passing you by. Upon arrival in Puno, you will be met at the station and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 11: LAKE TITICACA
DAY 11: LAKE TITICACA
Unlike the classic tour, this full day trip by speedboat offers a reduced time. Our tour takes you against the flow to avoid the busy tourist crowds, offering a more genuine way to experience Titicaca Lake. The first stop is on Taquile, the weavers' island. Across the centuries, 'Taquilenos' have preserved traditions, such as a communitarian life where everything is shared. Men always seem to be walking around the island knitting the woolen caps they wear. Around noon you reach the remote community of Luquina on Chucuito Peninsula. Locals in this lesser known area are not visited by mass tourism yet. After lunch including typical Andean dishes take time to soak up the mesmerising views; the deep earthy red color of the soil in the strong highland sunlight contrasts magnificently against the deep blue of Lake Titicaca. The backdrop of the snow-capped Cordillera Real on the far side completes a splendid picture. On your way back to Puno there is a last stop to visit one of the floating reed islands of the Uros.
DAY 12: PUNO - LIMA
DAY 12: PUNO - LIMA
Morning transfer to Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, you will be transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 13: LIMA
DAY 13: LIMA
This morning, enjoy a half-day city tour starting at the vibrant Miraflores market for authentic insight into the everyday lives of Limeños (people from Lima). Next, head to the city’s historic centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, to explore its plazas and colonial buildings. Concluding the tour, there will be a visit to the beautiful Santo Domingo Monastery, the site of the first university in South America. Have a little snoop around the residential neighbourhoods of San Isidro and Miraflores on the way back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, allowing you to choose between exploring some of Lima’s other sites and museums or relaxing and enjoying the city’s fine restaurants and boutique shops.
DAY 14: DEPART LIMA
DAY 14: DEPART LIMA
Today your driver will transfer you to the airport in time for your onward flight, where your tour ends. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes (without traffic).
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Casa Andina Premium Puno, Puno
This boutique chain hotel on the outskirts of Puno offers guests personalised service in traditionally decorated rooms. The hotel has just 46 rooms and suites with varying views and each with a small balcony. While the rooms are not huge, they are comfortable and interesting. The hotel has a restaurant set away from the main building with views to the lake, above which there is a terrace area where guests can also enjoy meals or a drink from the bar. There is a bar just off the main lobby serving tapas everyday between 5 and 8pm. The Casa Andina Premium is a boutique style hotel offering personalised service about 10 minutes from central Puno.
El Mapi By Inkaterra, Aguas Calientes
Part of the high-end Inkaterra chain, El Mapi is a comfortable and modern hotel located in the heart of Machu Picchu town. With 130 rooms, the hotel isn't small but certainly manages to create a boutique feeling. Rooms are contemporary and the white dccor is dotted with brown and green camouflage colours creating a fresh, tropical-inspired atmosphere and bringing the natural surroundings into the hotel. There are two categories of rooms, with the deluxe rooms offering extra space in the form of a separate living room. The hotel has a spa and hot tub looking out at the cloud forest engulfing the town. There is a good quality cafc-restaurant and bar serving mainly Peruvian cuisine, however the hotel is placed on one of the main pedestrian streets in town where a variety of dining options can be found practically at the hotel's doorstep. True to its Inkaterra nature, small touches such as a complimentary pisco sour and a la carte dinner on your first evening, as well as an early comprehensive buffet breakfast, make your stay that bit extra special.
Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, Lima
The Casa Andina Premium in Lima is centrally located in the heart of the upmarket Miraflores district and spreads over 17 floors with 148 contemporary rooms and suites. The higher floors offer fantastic views across the city and towards the coast. The hotel is in a great location, close to Lima’s best-loved oceanfront Larcomar shopping centre and some of the country’s best restaurants. Traditionally a residential neighbourhood, Miraflores has recently become one of the trendiest parts of the city, known for its nightlife and gastronomy. The hotel itself has an onsite restaurant, a café, a heated indoor pool, a gym and a spa.
Hacienda Bahia Paracas, Paracas
The Hacienda Bahia Paracas is a lovely hotel on the edge of Paracas beach, surrounded by the Paracas National Reserve. The hotel has 120 rooms and suites, designed in traditional Peruvian design and architecture. There is a fantastic swimming pool with views out to the bay, a restaurant, lounge bar and café, as well as the Oceano Spa. The hotel also offers a wide range of excursions to enable guests to enjoy the surrounding reserve, wildlife and beaches. This is a fantastic option just a few hours’ drive from Lima.
Antigua Casona San Blas, Cusco
The Antigua Casona San Blas is a lovely colonial property with just 26 rooms, located in the trendy San Blas area of the city, a stone's throw from Cuzco's main attractions, bars and restaurants. The well-appointed rooms all come with modern amenities and central heating, and are furnished in stylish, colonial-style décor. The hotel is housed in a historic building with an Inca stone foundation and the central patio is a great place to relax or enjoy a pisco sour at the in-house bar. The hotel provides excellent value offering an elegant experience and first-class service.
Holiday Inn Lima Airport, Lima
The Holiday Inn Lima Airport allows easy access to the international airport due to its location and free airport transfers. There are 179 rooms spread over eight floors with each with soundproofing to ensure a good night’s sleep either just before or after a long journey. The hotel features a restaurant and bar, fitness centre and a small, indoor pool.
Hotel Pakaritampu, Ollantaytambo
The three star Pakaritampu Ollantaytambo is named after the Quechua word ‘pakari’ meaning dawn and ‘tampu’ meaning home. The accommodation is located in the village of Ollantaytambo, within the heart of the Sacred Valley, allowing easy access to Cusco and Machu Picchu. The rooms are designed to reflect and embrace the natural surroundings with some having views of the Ollantaytambo Fortress. All rooms have 24 hour hot water, free Wi-Fi and a television, and the restaurant serves a blend of Novo Andean Native and international food like pizzas, barbecue, pachamanca and chicken cylinder.
Premium
Excellent standards without the big price tag
Premium
Excellent standards without the big price tag
Premium
Excellent standards without the big price tag
Premium
Excellent standards without the big price tag
Premium
Excellent standards without the big price tag
Premium
Excellent standards without the big price tag
Superior
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT’S INCLUDED
CLASSIC PERU (14 DAYS) A$5,781
MEALS
As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.
TRANSPORT
Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.
ENTRANCE FEES
Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.
EXPERT TEAM
Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.
ACCOMMODATION
As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.
ACCOMMODATION
Ultra - The best of the best, the ultimate indulgence
Luxury - Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium - Excellent standards without the big price tag
Superior - Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple - No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places
CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
If you book international flights through Wild Frontiers.
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
START PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.
WHEN TO GO
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
Expert travel consultants
Up-to-date knowledge and advice from our experienced consultants on the best places to stay, things to do and regions to visit to make your holiday the trip of a lifetime.
EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDES
We use experienced local guides to help bring the sights to life, introduce you to local characters and ensure you get under the skin of your destination.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640