Sacred Tour of Peru
Your journey into the Andes takes you to Cuzco, the ancient capital, where you will explore its Inca and colonial monuments, the "Lost City" of Machu Picchu, with a chance to hike a part of the Inca Trail, and the renowned archaeological sites and native markets of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
After a spectacular rail adventure on the Orient-Express Andean Explorer through magnificent mountains towering over the deep valleys of the meandering Huatanay River, and across the gentle, rolling Altiplano, where vicuña and alpaca are often seen, your tour will continue on and around Lake Titicaca. First, cruise on your private yacht to the floating Islands of the Uros, traditional Llachon and Taquile Island. Then, drive north to the enigmatic archaeological site of Sillustani; Lampa, with its Church of the Immaculate Conception; the Great Temple of Pukara, the oldest ceremonial site of the Altiplano; and the capricious geological formations of Tinajani.
Return to Lima to explore the Pachacamac archaeological site, walk in the artists' quarter of Barranco, dine in style before completing your tour of the sacred sites of the Incas.
Itinerary
- Day 1 - 2: Lima
Morning walking tour in the colonial quarter, visiting the Plaza de Armas and entering La Casa de Aliaga, La Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo, La Catedral and La Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco. In contrast to the religious structures, the Torre Tagle Palace is the city's best surviving example of secular colonial architecture. Lunch at the Café del Museo. Afternoon at the Museo Larco and the Museo Amano. Dine on Criollo cuisine at Astrid & Gastón, one of the highest notes in the Peruvian culinary scene.
- Day 3: Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Cuzco. Reception and drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit to the Chinchero market and church. Private weaving demonstration. Continue to the Moray archaeological site and the ancient salt pans of Maras. If you like, walk down rural paths to the Urubamba River.
- Day 4: Sacred Valley
Hike in the Pisaq ruins. Afterward, a short visit to the Pisaq market. Gourmet lunch of fusion cuisine in the patio of chef Pio's El Huacatay. Tour of the Ollantaytambo ruins.
- Day 5: Sacred Valley/Orient-Express Vistadome/Machu Picchu
Transfer to the train station to meet your guide. Vistadome to Machu Picchu. Transfer to the ruins. Day entrance. Private guided tour in the morning. Buffet luncheon in the hotel. Afternoon exploration with your guide or own your own
- Day 6: Machu Picchu/Orient-Express Vistadome/Cuzco.
Day of exploration with your guide or on your own. Entrance into the ruins. Sunrise over Machu Picchu. Lunch in the hotel. Transfer to the train station. Vistadome to the Poroy Station, on the outskirts of Cuzco.
- Day 7: Cuzco
Morning walking tour in the colonial quarter. Inca monuments include Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), the fine Inca walls of Inti Q'ijllo, Ajlla Wasi (House of the Virgins of the Sun), the Stone of Twelve Angels and Huacaypata (Leisure Square), now dominated by the Spanish colonial Cathedral. Traditional lunch at Pachapapa before a visit to artisans' workshops and the Church of San Blas. Afternoon excursion to the nearby Inca monuments of Saqsaywaman, the Temple of the Moon, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. View pre-Inca and Inca art at the Museo de Arte Precolombino.
- Day 8: Cuzco/Orient-Express Andean Explorer/Puno
Transfer to the train station. First Class service on the Orient-Express Andean Explorer to Puno. Three-course lunch, followed by coffee in the observation car. Scenic stop at La Raya, the highest point on the route.
- Day 9: Puno
Transfer to the port. All-day cruise to the floating islands of the Uros, the traditional pueblo of Llachon and Taquile Island.
- Day 10: Puno/Corridor Quechua
All-day, overland excursion to Sillustani; Lampa, with its colonial mansions, Church of the Immaculate Conception and immense forests of "Queñuales" trees; the Great Temple of Pukara, the oldest ceremonial site of the Altiplano; and the capricious geological formations of Tinajani.
- Day 11: Puno/Juliaca/Lima
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Lima. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel. Morning drive to Pachacamac, the most reknowned pre-Inca and Inca pilgrimage site of the coast. Upon returning to Lima, lunch at the extraordinary Huaca Pucllana restaurant, which reinterprets the Peruvian Criollo tradition. Afterward, continue to Barranco for visits to one of the country's finest crafts shops, the Museo de Arte Colonial Pedro de Osma, La Puente de los Suspiros and La Iglesia de La Ermita.
- Day 11: Lima
Enjoy exploring the city, maybe taking in the famed Museo Nacional de Antropologia y Arqueologia or venture out to the long white beaches just south of the city centre. In contrast to the tourist beaches of warmer climes, these shores have few amenities other than small restaurants and cafes making their subtle tranquillity a perfect way to end your adventure.
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Particulars
Trip Dates
February
March
Trip Size
4-10 Adventurers
Trip Length
11 days (10 nights)
Accommodations
Included
Activity Level
Easy 
