Inca Treasures, Private Tour

With fascinating archaeological sites that promise to inspire all history lovers and mesmerising landscapes, Peru is a dream destination for all kinds of travellers. Let this beautiful country amaze your eyes during this eight-day tour while getting in touch with its natural beauty, interesting history, and inspiring culture. Spend eight unforgettable days discovering the most emblematic locations of Peru such as the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco, the ancient capital city of the Incas. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Lima: The capital’s architectural ensemble has earned the UNESCO World Heritage Site status with attractions such as the Casa Aliaga, the Cathedral, and the Main Square.

Sacred Valley: Discover the ancient town of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo among other impressive sights.

Cusco: Discover the former Inca capital, where the ruins of the former civilisation and the Spanish colonial legacy provide attractions such as the baroque Cathedral, the Sacsayhuaman and the spectacular Puka Pukara archaeological sites.

Machu Picchu: The lost city of the Incas is hidden on top of an Andean peak, offering mesmerising views of the mountains and a glimpse into the fascinating Inca past.

Day 1: ARRIVAL LIMA

Arrive at Lima Airport where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to the hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru´s sprawling capital city. Alternatively, you can book our optional Magic Water Circuit with Dinner: 

Magic Water Circuit with Dinner (private basis):

A modern system of fountains certified as the largest in the world by the Guinness World Records. Built-in Exhibition Park, the Magical Water Circuit attracts crowds during summer and winter, being one of the new favorite attractions of Lima. See yourself and enjoy our water cruise that is followed by a unique gastronomical experience at a restaurant, accompanied by a delicious dinner.

Notes: Private service. Not available on Sundays and Mondays. Start time: 17:30 hours. Duration 4 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Magic Water Circuit, and Dinner.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: LIMA

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with fascinating historic buildings. Start with a scenic tour in the colonial downtown. See the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Admire Lima’s Cathedral, built during the 16th century, and then visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jeronimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time, that still belongs to the same family. Continue to the traditional Pueblo Libre district and visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the seventh century. The museum boasts a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects, as well as pieces of erotic art. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Overnight in Lima.

Day 3: LIMA – CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY (90 mins by flight; not included)

 After a tasty breakfast, enjoy a comfortable transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport to catch a flight to Cusco.  Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30hrs. Noon arrivals are too late. A representative will meet and greet you, and then transfer you to the selected hotel in the Sacred Valley. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, exploring the surroundings on your own. Your flight to Cusco is not included.

Overnight in Sacred Valley. 

Day 4: SACRED VALLEY – CHINCHERO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – SACRED VALLEY (60 km – 1.5 hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. During the morning, you are picked up from your hotel to visit the town of Chinchero, a traditional Cusco urban centre located at an elevated point with a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve the artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas and display them in their clothes and customs. In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. Then, you are transferred from Ollantaytambo to the Living Museum of Yucay, a centre Andean traditions interpretations, where demonstrations of the elaboration of textile work, adobe, pottery and silverware are carried out in the same way in which they used to in antiquity; an original recreation of Inca traditions. Also, residents of the museum include llamas, sheep and alpacas, and they can be fed!. Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo visit its town, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress, built next to a mountain. Later, have lunch in Ollantaytambo and live a superior Andean gastronomy experience in a restaurant, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley is transmitted in a cosy atmosphere.  At the end of this activity, you are transferred back to your hotel. *On Sundays, also visit the local market. 

Overnight in Sacred Valley.

Day 5: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES (75 km – 1.5 hrs)

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, transportation service will pick you up and transfer you to the Ollanta Sation to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Following a scenic journey through dramatic Andean landscapes, arrive at the station in Aguas Calientes. Here you board a coach for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought to other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel, presenting its most prominent landmarks. Return to Aguas Calientes for a tasty lunch at the famous Café Inkaterra, a beautiful thatched-roof restaurant hemmed in between the railway and a mountain. Enjoy the rest of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 6: AGUAS CALIENTES – CUSCO (170 km – 4 hrs)

The delicious breakfast at the hotel is followed by a relaxing morning at leisure. On this day we suggest returning on your own to Machu Picchu to visit the other attractions (a second entrance ticket to Machu Picchu and bus from/to Aguas Calientes are subject to availability). Spend the morning over Machu Picchu and discover its secrets. The best views are from Huayna Picchu (entrance to Huayna Picchu and bus from/to Aguas Calientes are subject to availability), which is about 360 metres above Machu Picchu, boasting an underground temple complex, and from Inti Punku, which offers even better views from about 390 metres above the citadel. In the afternoon, transfer to the Aguas Calientes station and take the train back to Ollanta station. From here you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 7: CUSCO

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to the worship of the sun and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. After heading to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheater of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practiced agricultural rituals. After a stop at Qenqo, visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Return to and drop-off at your hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 8: DEPART CUSCO

After breakfast, enjoy a pleasant transfer from the selected hotel to the airport.

Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.