ITINERARY

Day 1: Welcome to Lima

Arrive in Lima for the first day of your journey. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you can unwind at your luxury abode. Later in the evening, you will have a Welcome Dinner and drinks with your Travel Director and fellow travellers to kick off your Peruvian adventure.

Day 2: Explore Lima

Today, you will explore the coastal and colourful capital of Peru with your Local Expert. Delve into Lima's colonial past and visit key attractions such as the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, and City Hall. You will also have the opportunity to visit Casa Aliaga, indulge in a lunch with an archaeologist at Museo Larco, and immerse yourself in Peruvian culture and history.

Day 3: Lima to Sacred Valley

This morning, catch your flight to the ancient capital of Cusco. Begin your tour of the Sacred Valley, while taking in impressive views on your scenic drive along the way. After a few stunning photo stops, enjoy lunch at Altar Inca, surrounded by some of the most impressive views of the region. Enjoy a leisurely trip to your hotel for the next couple of nights, the luxurious Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel, where the evening is yours to do as you please. We recommend that you rest to adjust to the altitude comfortably.

Day 4: Explore Sacred Valley

Start the morning off with a visit to the Maras salt pans, where the Incas harvested their salt. Today, the salt from Maras is exported to the entire world. Move on to an Incan laboratory in Moray, an archaeological site close to Cusco. Find out more about the ideal altitude to grow crops in the Sacred Valley. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience as you visit a local traditional Quechua weaver in the Sacred Valley and learn about the importance these textiles have in shaping personal and regional identities. Afterward, make your way to Laguna Piuray, where you’ll enjoy a Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian feast, for your Highlight Lunch. In the evening, transfer to Hacienda Huayoccari, where you'll discover this gem of the Sacred Valley while exploring its grounds and small museum. Sit down for a special Peruvian dinner before heading back to your hotel.

Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu

Transfer to the station for your IncaRail train ride and enjoy lunch on your way to Machu Picchu pueblo, the gateway village to Machu Picchu. On the way, visit the Ollantaytambo ruins and a local house in the village’s cobblestoned old town. In the afternoon, meet your Local Experts for a guided visit of Machu Picchu. Set high in the Andes Mountains, it offers spectacular scenery and history dating back to the 15th century. End your day with a relaxing dinner and drinks at your hotel.

Day 6: Machu Picchu at Leisure

Take in the breathtaking landscapes discovering Machu Picchu on your own. Spend your morning exploring at your own pace, with your Travel Director on hand to answer any queries you may have. The afternoon is yours at leisure. Relax back at your hotel or perhaps explore the town of Aguas Calientes on your own. Spend the evening as you please before sitting down to dinner with your fellow travellers.

Day 7: On to Cusco

After returning by train to Ollantaytambo, we transferred to the ancient city of Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco showcases a mix of Spanish colonial architecture, ancient remains, and a lively cosmopolitan scene for modern inhabitants. Upon arrival in Cusco, we embarked on a walking tour with a Local Expert, visiting its cathedral and the Qorikancha temple, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. We also enhanced our day by visiting the hand-picked Mantay store, one of four stores in Cusco that support the Mantay project of underaged, often abused, mothers and their young children. As we had the evening free to explore, we considered asking our Travel Director for local insights to discover more about this ancient city.

Day 8: Exploring Cusco

We started our day with a walking tour of Sacsayhuaman, a citadel built in the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the ninth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco. Afterward, we had the option to choose from two activities: joining a local expert on a guided hike of the Inca ruins at Puca Pucara or exploring the artisan bohemian neighbourhood of San Blas and visiting prestigious art galleries. Following lunch at Pachapapa, we visited San Blas Church and the surrounding streets before making our way to San Pedro Market, where we found local produce. Later, we headed to the city’s planetarium for a private, after-hours tour to learn about astronomy, cosmology, and its influence on Andean culture, and tried some local delicacies paired with hot wine.

Day 9: Leisure time in Cusco

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day and take advantage of leisure time in Cusco. You can choose to visit the ChocoMuseo to learn about the chocolate making process or simply relax and indulge in the facilities at the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco. In the evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a memorable Celebration Dinner at Calle del Medio, where you can savour innovative interpretations of classic Peruvian Creole dishes and toast to your new adventures.

Day 10: Depart Cusco

As your trip draws to a close, bid farewell to your fellow travellers and take a private transfer to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. Remember to cherish the memories of your time in Cusco as you depart for your next destination.

INCLUDES: Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences connect you with people, the planet and wildlife. destinations with engaging Local Experts, special access to iconic sites and fun activities with our Unique Insight Experiences. 9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners with Wine. Highly rated hotels in desirable locations. OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES Sign up on tour for additional experiences that have been curated by your Travel Director from their own in-depth local knowledge.

10 Days from R94,853 per person sharing