15 Day Ancient Peru

Welcome to Lima, City of Kings. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Your local guide will meet you for a welcome briefing and offer some tips for this leg of your adventure.

While Peru’s capital officially began life in 1535, Lima was in its prime during the Spanish colonial days and much of the city’s attraction now lies in its well-preserved historical centre. You’ll also find excellent museums – a given considering the history and culture of its surrounds – and interesting colonial architecture. One such museum, the Museo de la Nación, is the largest museum in Lima and an ideal place to begin exploring Peru’s ancient history.

At night, the Magic Water Circuit show in the Parque de la Reserva is a tourist drawcard. Every one of the 13 fountains at the park is illuminated with different colours and synchronised to music.

Please note: Some flights may depart the day before.

Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.

Get ready to discover Lima today! The ultra-small size of your touring group – no more than 10 people – makes for a personal, in-depth experience.

We’ll start by visiting the colonial side of the city with the Cathedral, the Viceroyalty of Peru, the Government Palace, City Hall, and other important monuments. We’ll visit the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the historical centre of Lima. Although most of the buildings of the original city were lost in the earthquake of 1746, the bronze fountain in the centre of the square dates back to 1651. Then we’ll see the 16th-century Santo Domingo Convent, one of Peru’s oldest churches. There may be a chance to climb the bell tower for stunning views of Lima.

We’ll head to the Pueblo Libre district to visit one of the city’s most important museums, the Museum Larco Herrera. Here you’ll see remains of ancient Peruvians from around 3,000 years ago. This fascinating place has over 45,000 archaeological pieces.

We'll enjoy dinner at a famous local restaurant in Lima.

At the appropriate time, you’ll be taken to the airport to board your flight for the Peruvian jungle town of Puerto Maldonado – gateway to the Peruvian Amazon.

On arrival, your local guide will welcome you. We’ll navigate by motorised canoe along the Madre de Dios River to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción; it takes approximately 25 minutes. You’ll enjoy lunch on arrival, with organic ingredients and native flavours.

This area is the least populated territory in Peru, with its lush tropical rainforest. Of course, it’s more than a rainforest – it’s a complex ecosystem, with a dazzling array of flora and fauna. You’ll observe life in the jungle, its thrilling landscapes and the fascinating wildlife that call it home.

After lunch, take a walk through the property’s nature trails. Discover and learn about primary and secondary rainforest – its components, uses, impacts and transformations made by humans, and its importance to the world.

At dusk, enjoy a twilight river excursion by outboard motorised canoe. As you sail along the Madre de Dios River, you’ll learn about its ecosystem, Amazonian creeks, nocturnal animals’ behaviour and the magical southern constellations.

In the evening, you’ll enjoy dinner in the Casa Grande’s dining room.

A day of adventure awaits! After a buffet breakfast, get ready for a long trek through terra firma into the Tambopata National Reserve towards Lake Sandoval. The Tambopata National Reserve is one of the largest areas of untouched rainforest in the world, a vast expanse home to fascinating landscapes and wildlife.

Here you’ll understand why the jungle department of Madre de Dios is known as the biodiversity capital of Peru, as you learn about the Reserve’s conservation efforts and the lake’s formation. Virgin forest covers 98% of the territory and this flourishing ecosystem is fed by the Madre de Dios River and its streams. Navigate by dugout canoe across this mirror-like oxbow lake with a front-row seat to see the exceptional wildlife of the region – like the endangered giant river otter, Venezuelan red howler monkey, black caiman, and one of the world’s biggest freshwater scaled fish, the paiche. Of course, keep an eye out for the famous blue and yellow macaws. Head back to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch, you’ll join the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway & Anaconda Walk. It’s about a 20-minute ride by motorised canoe to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Centre to learn about its construction and the conservation projects of ITA Inkaterra Asociación. The walkway is a network of seven hanging bridges, eight treetop observation platforms and two tall towers.

Ascend one of the two 30-metre-high towers and cross the hanging bridges that connect the treetops. As you take in the breathtaking vistas, you’ll have the chance to watch white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys and the three-toed sloth. As you descend, you’ll take the 200-metre wooden bridge over the swamps in this incredible primary rainforest. You’ll keep learning about the flora and fauna of this flooded ecosystem.

At night, an excursion into the Amazon rainforest promises real adventure. You’ll explore this thrilling jungle, home to nocturnal animals with intriguing behaviour patterns. Experience this hidden world in the dark.

You’ll end the day with a pleasant dinner.

After an early breakfast, you’ll head out on our native farm excursion to learn about the local cultivation techniques and, of course, taste some of the local produce.

We’ll then head to the botanical garden and discover the immense variety of medicinal plants and traditional remedies considered part of the ‘natural pharmacy’ used by inhabitants of this region.

You’ll head back to the lodge for lunch and have a chance to rest before your cocha water excursion. You’ll take a dugout canoe ride on the lodge’s cocha (natural pond). You’ll try native fishing with ‘catch and release’ techniques, as you take in the scenery with hoatzins (Opisthocomus hoazin), a diversity of fly catchers, and gray-necked wood rails (Aramides cajaneus). We’ll disembark at the remains of the Fitzcarrald steamboat and learn about its history and how it inspired Werner Herzog to film the award-winning 1982 film Fitzcarraldo.

You’ll be able to participate in the inland collpa, or clay lick, during the evening, where a dazzling array of birds will flock to feast on the nutrient-rich clay. You’ll see different species of tropical birds, like macaws and parrots, and their night routines by observing through our ‘blinds’.

The day ends with dinner.

Enjoy one last breakfast buffet this morning before taking a ride back to Puerto Maldonado by motorised canoe. You’ll visit the butterfly house and learn about the fascinating transformation of these colourful insects.

At the appropriate time, you’ll be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cusco has a long and interesting history, from the first Inca ruler through to the Spanish conquest – and now a major tourist destination. It’s the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas.

In the afternoon, you’ll discover the sights of Cusco, vivid examples of the mixture of Inca and Spanish cultures. We’ll start with the most sacred Inca building, the Temple of Qorikancha – the Inca temple of the sun.

We’ll then visit the heart of the city, the busy main square Plaza de Armas – a great place to people watch. We’ll visit the Cusco Cathedral, a fine example of colonial baroque art.

We’ll continue to the outskirts of the city and visit the Inca Ceremonial Centre of Sacsayhuaman, an enormous structure that overlooks the city of Cusco. It’s said that it took over 10,000 workers to build it over 50 years. You’ll then see another important Inca site known as Qenqo. With subterranean passages and carved stone channels in a zigzag pattern, in its inner part there is a carved stone table where it’s said the Incas mummified their dead.

After a short visit to the archaeological Inca sites of Tambomachay – a temple dedicated to the god of water – and Puca Pucará, we’ll return to the hotel.

In the morning we’ll head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. All coach transportation on your luxury tour includes two seats for every guest, for maximum comfort.

The Sacred Valley was once the epicentre of the Inca Empire, running from the ancient capital of the empire, Cusco, to the breathtaking citadel of Machu Picchu. This lush green valley’s agreeable climate and fertile plains provided an unusual abundance for the high Andes. Here the Incas sculpted the mountain flanks with vast contour terracing and irrigation channels.

We’ll visit the ancient ruins of Pisac, where you’ll see and learn about different aspects of Inca culture. You’ll see the impressive rows of agricultural terraces, cut into the mountainside and held in place by stone walls. This stunning setting boasts some of the finest stonework in Peru. Among the expansive ruins are a citadel, temples and a stone structure thought to have been a sundial.

We’ll enjoy a three-course farm to table experience at a local hacienda. Lunch is based on family recipes and it’s a unique cultural experience, with a chance to learn about the traditions of corn production here in the Sacred Valley.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. Once there, we’ll visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo, with its wonderful stonework. These large stone terraces are extremely well preserved and a must-see. This is an extraordinary Inca setting, where besides the ruins you may also see an amazing rock formation said to be representing the Inca god Wiracocha.

You’ll then be taken to your hotel in the Sacred Valley to spend the night.

You'll be transferred to Ollantaytambo train station today to board the fabled tourist train towards Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes). It’s a modern little town close to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

The train ride to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful journeys you can experience in Peru. It’s an almost two-hour journey that passes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, then descends gradually along the edge of the Urubamba River, before finally reaching the cloud forest.

Your journey in first class features a luxurious observatory lounge carriage with live music, bar and a balcony to take in this incredible scenery. Without a doubt, this magical journey is a wonderful way to savour the charm and character of Peruvian culture.

The train reaches its last stop in Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes), on the foothills of Machu Picchu. From here it’s a short bus ride – about 30 minutes – up the steep, zigzagging road to the famed ancient site.

Upon arrival, we’ll enter the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu and the tour guide will show you the most important sectors of this great Inca City, such as the great Intiwatana (solar clock) and the Sun Temple, among others. Machu Picchu is divided into two sectors, the urban sector in the northern part and the agricultural sector on the south-east side.

Now the most recognisable icon of the Inca civilisation, Machu Picchu was long thought to be legendary. Then, in 1911, explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon its remains. At 2430 metres above sea level, Machu Picchu is in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing creation of the Inca Empire at the height of their reign. The stonework has to be seen up close to truly comprehend its intricate beauty. Giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments.

After the tour, we’ll return to Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes) by bus before taking the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo town in first class, followed by a private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

You’ll have a free day to see Cusco at your own pace today.

Cusco is a favorite destination of many visitors to Peru. As you wander the streets and side alleys of the city you will witness the perfect tapering Inca stonework that provided the foundations for many of Cusco’s colonial and modern buildings. The city itself is the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city and was the home of the Inca Empire for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today Cusco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. Take the time to explore the many Baroque churches and ancient temples that dot the city.

Perhaps a visit to the traditional, picturesque neighbourhood of San Blas is in order – you can reach it by taking a short but steep walk from the Plaza de Armas. Here you’ll find art studios, artisan workshops and many of the best bars and restaurants. It’s a great place to wander and soak in the atmosphere.

This evening, we’ll enjoy an intimate dinner in the courtyard of the Pre-Columbian Art Museum.

You’ll be transferred to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport to board your flight to Juliaca.

Welcome to Puno! Upon arrival to the Inca Manco Capac Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. On the way to your hotel, visit the pre-Incan cemetery of Sillustani, on the shores of Lake Umayo. You’ll see the most important sectors of this archaeological site, for a deeper insight into Andean culture.

Tombs at this burial ground were built above ground in tower-like structures called chullpas. The remains of the Qulla people’s elite are here – they were conquered by the Inca in the 15th century. We’ll also enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the lake.

Today we’ll take to Lake Titicaca, an ancient treasure trove of Andean culture that straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia. We’ll spend the day touring by boat on this high altitude lake. There are numerous islands here whose inhabitants live with the same customs and traditions of their ancestors.

We’ll spend time on the Uros Islands (floating islands). Centuries ago, the indigenous Uros tribe harvested totora reeds in the shallows of the lake, bundled them tightly and built floating island platforms with reed houses and canoes.

We’ll then continue to Taquile Island, about an hour away. The Taquileños, Quechua-speaking locals who live here – about 2,200 of them – are known for their ancestral weaving skills (a UNESCO-protected art). Their fine handwoven handicrafts are incredibly high quality.

In the afternoon we’ll return to Puno by boat.

You’ll be taken to the airport this morning to board your flight to Lima. When you arrive you’ll be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore on your own.

Feel free to head to the modern section of this great metropolis and visit the district of Miraflores with its shopping mall Larco Mar, built on a spectacular cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the traditional ‘Parque del amor’ (Love Park). Miraflores is home to the pyramid-shaped temple of Huaca Pucllana. If you have time, a leisurely stroll down the Miraflores Boardwalk will showcase the coastline views.

With its vibrant, varied flavours, Peruvian food will have undoubtedly been a highlight of your trip and Lima is the country’s gastronomic capital. Ceviche is Peru’s most popular dish, and with the Pacific Ocean just west of the city, you’ll find it everywhere – from cevicherias to street stalls to fine dining restaurants. You might like to end the day with the ubiquitous pisco sour, a popular cocktail made with the nation’s favourite brandy.

Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your Peruvian adventure comes to an end. Later you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight home.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.

Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.

Cross the international date-line.

Arrive home today after your amazing adventure, we hope you have been Inspired!