Peru: Sacred Valley and the South
Peru: Sacred Valley and the South
This is a customized pre-sale travel product.Please contact our travel specialists to design a personalized itinerary tailored to your needs.The departure date is approximately 90 days after payment (subject to your finalized itinerary).Our team will reach out to you 30 days before departure to confirm all travel details and arrangements.
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Explore Peru: A Year-Round Travel Destination
Experience the essence of Peru in luxury! Departing from Lima, journey south to the enchanting cities of Arequipa and Colca Canyon, then tour the highlights of Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Finally, hike to Machu Picchu, where you'll pass through the Sun Gate and enjoy golden hour views overlooking this magnificent Inca city.
Each destination on your journey showcases Peru's unique blend of modern culture and rich, diverse history, all set against the breathtaking natural landscapes of Peru's distinctive terrain. In Arequipa, stroll through the colonial city center and visit a traditional picandería restaurant to savor dishes passed down through generations by Arequipa's matriarchs. In Colca Canyon, witness condors soaring at dawn and soak in natural hot springs by afternoon. Stay at Puquio—Peru's first true luxury tented camp.
Beginning in Lima, Peru's modern international metropolis, and concluding in Cusco, the pre-Inca capital, your journey feels like a voyage through time.
Recommended Duration: 13 Days/12 Nights
Starting Price: $3,600 per person
Highlights
Savour Peru's culinary delights—from family-run eateries to Lima's finest restaurants.
Stay at Peru's first luxury tented camp, sleeping beneath the stars.
Discover iconic Peruvian ruins, local markets, and breathtaking landscapes.
Hike to Machu Picchu, arriving at the Sun Gate at sunset—just as the Incas did.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Lima
Welcome to Lima! Our representative will greet you and assist with your hotel transfer. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to explore the area immediately or rest at your hotel.
Overnight at Villa Barranco
Day 2
Explore Lima – Barranco and Historic Center
Breakfast on the terrace garden, then meet your guide for a walk to Lima's main square, Plaza de Armas. Explore the historic downtown, visit colonial-era residences, and learn about pre-conquest history.
Lima is renowned for its incredible cuisine, with several top restaurants consistently ranking among the world's best for decades. Lunch is a highlight here, and today you'll have ample time to indulge! Your guide will recommend the most suitable dishes based on your preferences.
Afterward, slow down and stroll along Barranco's beautiful avenues, taking in the views from Cliff Park, or visit some of the city's finest galleries, boutiques, and cafes.
Overnight at Barranco Villa
Day 3
Lima - Arequipa
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and savor one last cup of locally roasted Peruvian coffee before boarding your flight to Arequipa.
Arrive promptly for lunch at a local picanteria, a small family-run restaurant renowned for preserving Arequipa's culinary traditions.
Your afternoon is entirely flexible. Stroll through the Santa Catalina Monastery, visit the renowned Archaeological Museum, explore local markets, or simply relax in the Plaza de Armas and soak up the local rhythm.
Evening is yours to freely explore the city or unwind at your hotel—carefully housed within an original colonial-era building.
Overnight in Arequipa
Day 4
Arequipa – Colca Canyon
Today's journey takes you through breathtaking Andean landscapes and natural scenery, home to llamas, vicuñas, and numerous volcanoes. You'll travel along lesser-trodden roads through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, stopping to visit charming towns along the way.
Arrive at your luxury tented camp in the afternoon, settling into lodge-style accommodations. From here, your afternoon and the next two days offer tremendous flexibility. Meals and activities are included; discuss your interests with camp staff and tailor your itinerary to your preferences.
Dine in the lodge and enjoy time stargazing under tonight's clear skies.
Overnight in Pucllana
Arrive at the hotel in the evening.
Overnight in Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 5
Colca Canyon
We recommend an early start to best observe the canyon's world-famous Andean condors. They are most active at dawn, and you'll arrive before day-trippers from the city.
Yet the condors are just the beginning—Colca Valley offers far more. You can set out on horseback, hike to lesser-known archaeological sites, or soak in the natural hot springs along the river. Accommodation in Pucillo includes a wealth of outdoor activities and meals.
Watch the sunset from your cabin as the light dances across the terraced fields lining the valley.
Overnight in Pucillo
Day 6
Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Enjoy a leisurely morning with a delicious breakfast before embarking on your return journey to Arequipa. Crossing the Andes, you'll traverse breathtaking landscapes, stopping to explore intriguing sights along the way.
Arrive in Arequipa in time to visit Santa Catalina Monastery, stroll the town square, or unwind at the rooftop bar reserved exclusively for Cirqa guests.
Arequipa's nights are equally vibrant. We'll recommend local restaurants and nightlife spots!
Overnight in Arequipa
Day 7
Arequipa – Cusco
Rise early for your airport transfer and catch a quick flight to Cusco. After several days in the Colca region, you'll be acclimated to the altitude, so enjoy the day to the fullest!
Today's schedule is flexible. Your guide will introduce Cusco's main attractions in the city center, then you're free to explore on your own! Cusco is dotted with fascinating sights, making it perfect for leisurely strolls. We'll offer suggestions to help you make the most of the day!
Overnight at Antigua Casa San Blas
Day 8
Cusco: City and Countryside
After breakfast, meet your guide and set out to see some of the most impressive architecture of the Inca Empire! Today, you'll visit Sacsayhuamán and Qunko. From here, hike along the original Inca trail to the Temple of the Moon before descending to San Blas. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Pachapampa, then continue to the Cathedral and other highlights.
Evening is free to rest or venture out on your own adventures again!
Overnight in Antigua Casona San Blas
Day 9
Cusco – Pisac – Urubamba Valley
After breakfast, continue to Pisac and the Urubamba Valley. From the Pisac ruins, you can drive or hike down to the town square below.
Visit a local home for lunch. Here, you'll share a traditional meal with your hosts before strolling through the terraces of Yucay. Stop to chat with farmers and explore Inca engineering still in use today.
Arrive at your hotel in the evening.
Overnight in Sacred Valley, Inca Terra
Day 10
Chinchero – Maras and Moray
Chinchero is renowned for its vibrant weekend market and master weavers! You'll witness a live demonstration at one of the town's finest cooperatives and even try your hand at weaving today!
The surrounding countryside offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the Andes. You'll have time to walk to the nearby Ruins of Raqui and plant a native tree before enjoying a delicious picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the ancient salt pans of Maras and the terraced Moray, then hike down to the valley below.
Overnight in Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 11
Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
Rise early for a train ride to Kilometer 104. From here, follow in the footsteps of the Incas on the final stretch of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! This is our favorite way to arrive.
Traverse the cloud forest where every bend reveals breathtaking mountain vistas! By evening, you'll reach the Sun Gate, where the city complex unfolds before you just as it did for the Incas.
Arrive in Aguas Calientes for a celebratory dinner in town.
Overnight at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo
Day 12
Machu Picchu – Cusco
Return to Machu Picchu today for a visit to the archaeological site, with the option to hike up Huayna Picchu. This steep trail offers the best views of the city, and your guide will share insights into its history and significance.
Return to Aguas Calientes for a delicious lunch before boarding the train out of town. Arrive in Ollantaytambo and proceed to Cusco for overnight stay.
Overnight at Antigua Casa San Blas
Day 13
Cusco – Lima – Home
Before embarking on your journey home, enjoy a day of leisure to sleep in and savor the city.
In the afternoon, board your flight back to Lima. From here, you can fly home or continue your travels!
