Day 1: Start of tour in Lima
Hola Peru! Welcome to the first day of your tour of this amazing country. The first stop is Lima, Peru’s capital city. Arrive at the hotel, check in and freshen up. This evening, meet your tour leader and fellow Expat Explore travellers for a tour briefing and find out more about what to look forward to over the next 11 days! Afterwards, enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.
Day 2: Lima - Flight to Arequipa
Fuel up on breakfast before transferring to Jorge Chavez International Airport. Catch a short flight to Arequipa. Located in the south of Peru, this colonial town is filled with Baroque architecture and bordered by three impressive volcanoes! Arrive and check into the hotel. Next, explore this charming place on a city tour with a local guide. Spend your free time this afternoon wandering more of the streets and decide on a place to enjoy dinner. Choose from the variety of local restaurants and enticing street food vendors!
Day 3: Arequipa - Puno
Take it easy this morning in Arequipa before transferring to Puno at lunchtime. En route, make comfort stops at Pampa Cañahuas and Lagunillas. During the stopovers, sip on local coca leaf tea and keep an eye out for indigenous wildlife and birdlife. See if you can spot vicuñas (similar to llamas). Arrive in Puna this evening and check into the hotel.
Day 4: Puno
Wander Puno’s streets at your own pace this morning. Visit the Baroque cathedral, the Arco Deustua archway or the Museo Carlos Dreyer to see a range of archaeological artefacts. On this afternoon’s excursion, encounter a different way of life on Lake Titicaca. Jet off on a speed boat and visit the floating Uros Islands which are created by hand by the Uru people. Learn more about the Uru people who have been living off the lake for centuries. Return to Puno and the hotel in the late afternoon. Spend the evening as you wish.
Day 5: Puno - Sacred Valley
Travel to Peru’s Sacred Valley today! Enjoy the views of the Peruvian countryside along the way. First stop of the day is Pucará. Explore the ancient Incan ruins - there is something noticeably spiritual about the many Inca sites! Pass through La Raya, sitting at 4300 metres above sea level, and enjoy the panoramic views. Do some shopping with locals at roadside markets. Next, visit Raqchi which was an Inca fortress in the past. The last stop is Urubamba. Here, see the “Sistine Chapel of Latin America”. Arrive in the heart of El Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley) and check into the hotel this evening. Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.
Day 6: Sacred Valley
Tour the Sacred Valley today. Travel deep into the area, past local villages and striking mountain ranges. Learn about intriguing Incan history and culture on the way. Visit the town of Ollantaytambo and see the incredible Incan fortress. This was once a royal estate for an Incan emperor. Enjoy a look into local life during a stop at a local marketplace. Keep an eye out for llamas, alpacas, goats and sheep grazing lazily along the roadside. Experience the essence of the Sacred Valley! Arrive at the hotel in Urubamba at the end of the day and get some rest this evening.
Day 7: Sacred Valley (Machu Picchu optional excursion): Free Day
Join the optional excursion to Machu Picchu today! Enjoy a full day at the complex, on a fully-guided tour with a local expert. As it is nestled in the Andean mountains, the journey to Machu Picchu is quite a trek but definitely worth it! Travel by bus, train and on foot to reach the enthralling heritage site. Learn more about Machu Picchu’s intricate buildings and the mysterious history behind its creation. After being forgotten for many years, Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by American archaeologist Herman Bingham. Since then, it has drawn countless visitors from across the globe. After a day filled with exploration and discovery, return to the hotel. Guests not visiting Machu Picchu have a free day in the Sacred Valley.
Day 8: Sacred Valley - Cusco
Enjoy the last few views of the Sacred Valley en route to the next stop - Cusco. During the road trip there, see an excellent example of ancient Incan architecture at Sacsayhuaman. This fortress-temple is made of enormous, intricately stacked rocks. Next up is Cusco, the former capital of the Incan empire. For lunch, try something local. Any restaurant packed with local Cusqueños guarantees a delicious meal. Explore Cusco with a local guide this afternoon. The city has the title of being inhabited for the longest continuous time in all of South America! Enjoy free time this evening to explore and experience some local flavour and culture!
Day 9: Cusco - Flight to Lima
Travel to Peru’s capital city Lima this morning. Catch a short flight and arrive in the bustling city home to over 10 million people! A local expert will familiarise you with Lima on a city tour. See the city’s highlights including the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of Lima and the Covent and Plaza San Francisco. Complete the tour with a stroll through the Miraflores neighbourhood for stunning views over the ocean. This afternoon, check into the hotel before heading out for a group dinner.
Day 10: Lima: Free Day
Enjoy a free day in Lima! Why not take some time to further explore some of the sights seen on yesterday’s tour? Lima is also known as South America’s culinary capital and boasts many exceptional restaurants as well as delicious street food. Keen to explore natural scenery and see local wildlife? Join the Ballestas Islands day trip for a leisurely boat tour of the amazing Ballestas Islands. This area is home to pristine beaches, sparkling blue waters and incredible marine life. You could see dolphins, sea lions and penguins up close! At the end of an excitement-filled day, return to Lima for the final night of the tour.
Day 11: End of tour in Lima
After 11 incredible days on tour, this Sacred Peru trip comes to an end this morning. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and say farewell to your fellow travellers. Don’t forget to take down your new travel friends’ details to share mementoes and swap photos! If you would like to extend your stay in Lima, please contact our team and we will confirm with the hotel.