Essential Peru: Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Cusco
An unforgettable tour of Peru's highlights
Discover the "Land of the Incas" on this 7 or 8-night adventure in Peru! Check Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu off your travel bucket list on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Lima (LIM)
- All airport and rail station transfers
- 1 night in Lima at the Hotel Britania Miraflores, or similar
- Sightseeing tour of Lima
- One-way economy class flight from Lima (LIM) to Cusco (CUZ)
- Visit to Awanakancha & Pisac Market (en-route from Cusco Airport to Sacred Valley hotel)
- 2 nights in Urubamba (Sacred Valley) at the Hacienda del Valle, or similar
- Executive train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Tour of the Citadel with private guide
- 1 night in Aguas Calientes at the Waman Hotel Machu Picchu, or similar
- Executive train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- 2 nights in Cusco at Hotel Los Portales Cusco, or similar
- Walking tour of Cusco
- One-way, economy class flight from Cusco (CUZ) to Lima (LIM)
- 1 night near Lima at the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel, or similar
- Breakfast Daily
Great Ways to Explore
- Enjoy the salty cool air and fresh ceviche in Peru's capital of Lima where you will begin and end your trip.
- Travel across the fertile land and ancient Inca civilizations in the Sacred Valley.
- Catch your breath as you reach the entrance to Machu Picchu, a magnificent 7th World Wonder!Â
- From the temples to the Inca architecture, discover the beauty of the Lost City of the Incas.
- Enjoy a walking tour of Peru’s colonial city, Cusco, the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas.
Get lost in the beauty and otherworldliness of Peru, one of the most visited countries in South America. Begin your 7-night journey in Peru's capital city, Lima. Get acquainted with traditional Peruvian culture paired with colonial architecture like the Plaza Mayor, enjoy a night out dancing to the cajon drums, and dine on the best ceviche in the world!
Fly to Cusco in the south and spend two nights in the temperate and peaceful Sacred Valley. Visit with llamas and alpacas, visit a unique outdoor crafts market, and enjoy the freedom to see the valley on your own.
You'll then board a train to the mysterious “lost city of the Incas" - Machu Picchu! Enjoy a guided tour of the citadel made up of aqueducts, granite and limestone temples, and incredible Inca architecture that are almost unbelievably preserved. Take photo after photo of this Wonder of the World!
End your trip in the stunning city of Cusco which seamlessly blends Inca and Spanish colonial architecture. Sip coca tea to get adjusted to the high altitude then explore to your heart's content. Fly back to Lima and spend one night before returning home.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Lima (LIM)
- All airport and rail station transfers
- 1 night in Lima at the Hotel Britania Miraflores, or similar
- Sightseeing tour of Lima
- One-way economy class flight from Lima (LIM) to Cusco (CUZ)
- Visit to Awanakancha & Pisac Market (en-route from Cusco Airport to Sacred Valley hotel)
- 2 nights in Urubamba (Sacred Valley) at the Hacienda del Valle, or similar
- Executive train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Tour of the Citadel with private guide
- 1 night in Aguas Calientes at the Waman Hotel Machu Picchu, or similar
- Executive train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- 2 nights in Cusco at Hotel Los Portales Cusco, or similar
- Walking tour of Cusco
- One-way, economy class flight from Cusco (CUZ) to Lima (LIM)
- 1 night near Lima at the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel, or similar
- Breakfast Daily
- Enjoy the salty cool air and fresh ceviche in Peru's capital of Lima where you will begin and end your trip.
- Travel across the fertile land and ancient Inca civilizations in the Sacred Valley.
- Catch your breath as you reach the entrance to Machu Picchu, a magnificent 7th World Wonder!Â
- From the temples to the Inca architecture, discover the beauty of the Lost City of the Incas.
- Enjoy a walking tour of Peru’s colonial city, Cusco, the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas.
Get lost in the beauty and otherworldliness of Peru, one of the most visited countries in South America. Begin your 7-night journey in Peru's capital city, Lima. Get acquainted with traditional Peruvian culture paired with colonial architecture like the Plaza Mayor, enjoy a night out dancing to the cajon drums, and dine on the best ceviche in the world!
Fly to Cusco in the south and spend two nights in the temperate and peaceful Sacred Valley. Visit with llamas and alpacas, visit a unique outdoor crafts market, and enjoy the freedom to see the valley on your own.
You'll then board a train to the mysterious “lost city of the Incas" - Machu Picchu! Enjoy a guided tour of the citadel made up of aqueducts, granite and limestone temples, and incredible Inca architecture that are almost unbelievably preserved. Take photo after photo of this Wonder of the World!
End your trip in the stunning city of Cusco which seamlessly blends Inca and Spanish colonial architecture. Sip coca tea to get adjusted to the high altitude then explore to your heart's content. Fly back to Lima and spend one night before returning home.
Learn More about Lima, Urubamba, Machu Picchu and Cusco
Day 1. Welcome to Lima!
Say "hola" to Peru! Upon arrival in Lima, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After you settle in, enjoy a sightseeing tour of all the major sites in the capital.
In the evening, enjoy your first Peruvian meal near your hotel.
A Tip For Your Trip: If available, choose a flight that arrives in the morning or early afternoon so you can enjoy the day in Lima! Should you arrive late in the day, your city sightseeing tour will be re-scheduled for the morning of Day 2.
Transfer to Lima hotel
Check In - Hotel Britania Miraflores
Located just 30 minutes from Lima International Airport and 20 minutes to the historical city center, this Miraflores hotel makes the perfect base for your Peru adventure. Explore the neighborhood of Miraflores, just three blocks from the Kennedy Park, where cultural activities and daily crafts fairs are held.
From your cozy and spacious room, enjoy free Wi-Fi, slippers, and LCD TV. Fuel up with a hearty breakfast buffet every morning and return in the evening for a taste of Peruvian specialties at K'ara restaurant.
Sightseeing tour of Lima
Embark on a tour of Lima's main avenues, boulevards, and squares, beginning with an exploration of colonial Lima which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. First, you will stop off at the Plaza de Armas, where you see the square on foot and admire the exteriors of the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, and the City Hall - all examples of Lima's still-present colonial architectural opulence. Walk through the Cathedral’s numerous chapels, discover its various architectural styles from Renaissance to Neo-Classical, and learn about the religious history of Peru. End the tour with a visit to the pastel yellow San Francisco Convent built in the 17th century. Explore the lavish interior and visit the catacombs, ancient underground cemetery of Lima.
Day 2. Lima - Cusco - Sacred Valley
Following your breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will then transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. En route, visit Awanakancha farm and Pisac market!
Transfer to Lima airport (LIM)
Fly to Cusco!
Transfer to Sacred Valley hotel
Check In - Hacienda del Valle
Feel right at home at Hacienda del Valle, a refined colonial-style lodging located just 10 minutes from Ollantaytambo train station in Peru's Sacred Valley. Spend peaceful and restful nights in your personal bungalows with a terrace and panoramic views of the lush valley. Decorated in warming tones of golden yellow, each bungalow features polished wood floors, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. On the sprawling property you will find a rustic restaurant and bar with wood-beam ceilings and terra cotta floors. Enjoy a full breakfast buffet in the morning and delectable Peruvian cuisine at night. Surrounding you are landscaped grounds of lawns, streams and waterfalls.
Visit to Awanakancha and Pisac Market
At Awanakancha farm, learn about the various types of camelids (llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos) that live in the Andes region. After you get a chance to pet and take photos with the animals, local villagers will demonstrate the ancestral methods and techniques used to produce their signature textile art.
Continue along the Sacred Valley and reach Pisac, a beautiful town where Incan and Colonial influences have reached a perfect balance and created the unique way of life of the local inhabitants. Explore the famous Pisac artisan market where you can find extraordinarily fine jewelry and ceramic and textile craftwork.
Day 3. Sacred Valley
Today you will have a full day to explore the Sacred Valley at your leisure. Consider a visit to famous salt terraces in Maras. Upon discovering salty water, the Incas dug shallow pools into a sloped hillside and waited as the salt evaporated from the pools. Today, visitors can navigate the terraces and purchase small bags of salt that is still harvested on site.
Equally fascinating and worth day trips are the Inca ruins of Pisac, Moray and Ollantaytambo.
Day 4. Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Fuel up with breakfast at your hotel before transferring to Ollantaytambo train station for your expedition to Machu Picchu. Once you arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes, you’ll have a shuttle bus escort you to the citadel followed by a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Once you've ooed and awed at the magnificent ancient civilization, a shuttle bus will escort you down from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes.
After you've rested your tired feet, enjoy a relaxing dinner in town.
Transfer to Ollantaytambo train station
Train to Aguas Calientes!
Bus to Machu Picchu!
Bus to Aguas Calientes
Check In - Waman Hotel
Located in the heart of Aguas Calientes, Waman Hotel is only five minutes from the train station and only three minutes from the main square. Walk 10 minutes to the thermal springs and be in Machu Picchu in 25 minutes by bus. The hotel is surrounded by lush green mountains, making it a peaceful retreat after a long day hiking Machu Picchu.
Bright and modern rooms include flat-screen TVs, minibars and private bathrooms with showers. On-site restaurant Anka serves a hearty breakfast every morning and dinner at night giving guests much needed fuel for their adventures!
Tour of the Citadel with private guide
Enjoy a guided tour of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Rediscovered by Hiram Bingham more than a century ago, Machu Picchu is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Its architectural beauty, spectacular natural landscapes and the energy held in its enigmatic structures will take your breath away!
Day 5. Machu Picchu - Sacred Valley - Cusco
In the morning, return to Aguas Calientes train station and enjoy a comfortable ride to Ollantaytambo and then a transfer to Cusco, Peru's breathtakingly beautiful colonial city! The juxtaposition of cultures makes this city one of the world's top destinations.
Once you settle into your hotel, stroll through the heart of the city at the Plaza de Armas and take a picture with the local women in traditional Inca dress.
A Tip For Your Trip: Chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea will help you adjust to Cusco's high altitude.
Transfer to Aguas Calientes train station
Train to Ollantaytambo!
Transfer to Cusco hotel
Check In - Hotel Los Portales Cusco
Stay in the heart of Cusco at the elegant Hotel Los Portales Cusco. Right across from the sun temple Koricancha and four blocks from Plaza de Armas, this hotel puts you right in the center of everything. Each of the 50 rooms and suites is the essence of urban sophistication, decorated in pastel tones and dark green; they are fully carpeted and have flat-screens with cable TV and minibar. The hotel offers a full buffet breakfast which can be enjoyed at the checkered marble floor patio decorated with plants. Guests can also enjoy a meal at the restaurant offering a la carte dining options.
Day 6. Cusco
In the evening, indulge in a few of Peru's delicacies. Adventurous eaters will want to try the local specialty, cuy (guinea pig).
Walking tour of Cusco
Explore the Imperial City with a visit to one of the most impressive buildings of Incan Cusco: the Korikancha (the Golden Temple) - a temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, whose interior walls were said to have been covered in gold. Continue the tour with a stroll through the Plaza de Armas, where you will discover the imposing Cathedral and admire its exquisite vestibules and priceless paintings from the Cusco School of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Day 7. Cusco - Lima
Today, transfer to Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima. Once you arrive and settle into your hotel, dine on fresh seafood and say cheers to an unforgettable vacation with a Pisco Sour, Peru's national drink!
Transfer to Cusco airport (CUZ)
Fly to Lima!
Check In - Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport
With a connecting walkway linked directly to Jorge Chavéz International Airport, the Wyndham Costa del Sol is Lima’s premier airport hotel. This hotel offers the ultimate in convenience and comfort, whether you’re exploring Peru’s capital or just passing through. Experience legendary Peruvian hospitality as soon as you arrive with a free welcome drink upon check in. Savor our free breakfast buffet daily and an onsite restaurant and lounge.
Rooms are available either nightly or hourly to recharge during a long layover and feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and safes, as well as minibars, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Enjoy your quiet guest room or relax in our spa and 24-hour fitness facilities, with an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, and massage.
Day 8. Depart Peru
Make your way to Lima airport for your flight back home.