Classic Peru

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

The perfect introduction for those travelling to the country – or even the continent – for the first time, this comprehensive journey spans the rich diversity of Peru’s landscapes and heritage, from the historic capital known as the ‘City of Kings’ to the Sacred Valley and epic ruins of Machu Picchu, and on to the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Starting in Lima, you’ll begin by delving into the history of Peru and Latin America before flying to Cusco ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested 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.

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COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 Arrive Lima

Day 1 Arrive Lima

On arrival to Lima, you will be welcomed by your private guide and taken to your hotel where you’ll have the afternoon to settle in and recover from the long journey. Depending on your arrival time and energy levels, you may wish to head out and independently begin exploring the bohemian streets, cafes and restaurants of the Barranco district around your hotel this afternoon.

Villa Barranco

Day 2 Lima: Colonial Heritage

Day 2 Lima: Colonial Heritage

Your tour of the capital with your private guide and driver this morning forces you to delve into the colonial history of Peru (and Latin America). Visiting the historic central plaza, grand cathedral and an exquisite, old colonial mansion you’ll be taken back to the 16th century right in the middle of modern-day Lima. Ending with some culture, a highly recommended visit to the Larco Museum is included for some time to browse its archive of more than 30,000 artefacts, including a unique collection of pre-Columbian erotic art. The museum’s café is a beautiful spot in the city for lunch and the chance to try some dessert made with endemic Peruvian fruit. Otherwise, you’ll be dropped back at your hotel for the rest of the afternoon at leisure to choose between exploring some other sites and museums or relaxing and enjoying the city’s fine restaurants and boutique shops.

Villa Barranco
Breakfast

Day 3 Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley: Weaving & Hacienda Lunch

Day 3 Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley: Weaving & Hacienda Lunch

This morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Cusco, the once capital of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival, you'll be taken straight out of the city and to the Sacred Valley for a few days to acclimatise to the lower altitude there. As you pass the village of Chinchero, well known for the production of textiles on backstrap looms, you’ll make a brief stop at the home of a local weaving family for an overview of the Andean weaving process. In their courtyard, you can watch as wool is carded, spun and dyed learning about different techniques used to create belts, ponchos and shawls. If your visit falls on a Sunday, there is also the option to explore the Sunday market that will be in full swing before continuing to a generations-old hacienda for lunch. The family have recently restored the colonial-era estate and set up a small, private gallery with a collection of original Tiawanaku, Wari and Inca sculptures and paintings which you can browse after lunch. After, continue to your hotel in the town of Ollataytambo to check in and relax, taking it easy for your first day at altitude. If you feel like a wander around the quaint town later on, your guide will provide tickets and some tips for visiting the hilltop Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo standing tall above the town.

El Albergue
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Sacred Valley: Hiking in the Valley

Day 4 Sacred Valley: Hiking in the Valley

Spend today exploring the Sacred Valley further. Begin with a short drive to the Incan archaeological site of Moray, thought to have been experimental agricultural terraces of the Incas. After a tour of the ruins, and whilst other tourists jump back into their cars, you’ll begin down an old mule trail by foot. The 11km-hike takes you across quieter plains to the interesting town of Maras, taking in spectacular views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcanota and the finest examples of Andean farming along the way. There will also be a scenic stop for a picnic lunch overlooking the mountains of the Sacred Valley. Timed during its less busy period, you’ll eventually descend into the striking Salinas – a series of salt pans set across a mountainside within a steep valley that have been worked since Inca times. After exploring the incredible site, continue down to the Urubamba River to meet with your return vehicle to your hotel for a welcome rest.

El Albergue
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco: World-famous Ruins

Day 5 Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco: World-famous Ruins

After breakfast this morning, you’ll leave your charming valley hotel and walk over to the train platform to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. Winding alongside the Urubamba River, the views from the window are spectacular as the journey takes you from the Andes into the humid cloud forests around Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you’ll hop straight on a shuttle bus to the entry of the famous ruins – known as the "Lost City of the Incas". With the insight of your personal guide, you’ll learn about the epochal Inca Empire following one of three set routes around sights such the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Sun Dial. After a half day exploring the legendary World Heritage Site, and some time for lunch in the town of Aguas Calientes, you’ll catch the train back down to the Sacred Valley where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your boutique hotel in Cusco.

Antigua Casona San Blas
Breakfast

Day 6 Cusco: Historical Highlights & Hidden Gems

Day 6 Cusco: Historical Highlights & Hidden Gems

Combining Cusco’s highlights with its backstreets, your private tour of the influential city – sometimes referred to as the Rome of the Andes – spans an impressive historical legacy from pre-Columbian ruins and some of Latin America’s most impressive colonial churches and cathedrals to the city’s current craftsmanship. After admiring the incredible feats of Incan engineering and stonework and intricate colonial architecture, you can mosey over to the artsy San Blas neighbourhood and pop in to visit some of today’s crafters and musicians continuing to create fine handiwork amongst Peru’s past mastery. After your tour and with a free afternoon you can either take it easy within the elegant spaces of your boutique hotel and Cusco’s plethora of fine restaurants, cafes and shops or continuing meandering the city’s quaint, cobblestone streets.

Antigua Casona San Blas
Breakfast

Day 7 Cusco – Lake Titicaca: Crossing the Andes

Day 7 Cusco – Lake Titicaca: Crossing the Andes

Heading to the bus station this morning, you’ll board the tourist service to Puno. Accompanied by a multi-lingual guide, the full day’s journey across Peru’s Andes sees you making stops at a number of interesting sites only visited during this journey. These include the tiny, unassuming town of Andahuaylillas with its gold-leaf interior church, the archaeological site of Raqch’i and the humble Pukara Museum set up in an isolated community town. On arrival in Puno, your guide will be waiting at the station to take you to your lakeside hotel overlooking mystical Lake Titicaca.

Casa Andina Premium Puno
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Lake Titicaca: Floating Uros Islands & Taquile Island Community

Day 8 Lake Titicaca: Floating Uros Islands & Taquile Island Community

Explore the lake by shared speedboat today in the company of your own private guide. Lake Titicaca is a photographer’s dream, with clear sapphire waters and astounding blue skies. Today you will spend time learning about the local history, traditions and agricultural methods of the indigenous communities of the islands. Taking the faster speedboat, you’ll venture to the famous floating Uros Islands further afield where ancient ancestors, known as the water tribe, built their own islands from the lake’s totora reeds. Also discover the ancient traditions of the weaving community on Taquille Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives who, early on, developed efficient social systems as well as fine hand weaving techniques that have been passed down through the generations. Enjoy lunch at a typical community restaurant before heading back to the mainland.

Casa Andina Premium Puno
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 Lake Titicaca – Depart Lima

Day 9 Lake Titicaca – Depart Lima

This morning transfer to the airport, en route visiting the fascinating pre-Inca burial site at Silustani, a quiet site which overlooks the crystal blue waters of Lake Umayo. Catch your flight back to Lima, where your tour in Peru comes to an end.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

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

9 days from $4,400

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.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 12628 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, 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.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

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

The world is drawn to Peru by the tip of the iceberg: Machu Picchu. Yet sublime nature, stunning geography and a rich living culture abound, as do a myriad of multi-sport activities to enjoy.

OTHER ITINERARIES IN PERU