Iconic Peru - 1 week seeing the best that Peru has to offer

Overview: This trip has been carefully designed for travelers wishing to explore Lima and Machu Picchu in the most flexible, authentic and inspiring manner. First, take in the sights, aromas, and tastes of Peru's world-class cuisine on a food tour through bohemian Then, reach the Sacred Valley of the Incas to delve into the stunning mountain landscapes, fantastic Inca sites and charming Andean villages. Discover Machu Picchu, the famed 15th-century citadel of the Incas. Finally, stroll around the cobbled stone streets of historic Cusco and soak in its local culture. Prepare for a journey of a lifetime as we show you the best of our country.

• Destinations: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

• Trip Focus: Local Culture & Cuisine, Soft Adventure and Unique Scenery

• Duration: 7 days

• Accommodation (suggested): Combination of boutique and comfort properties:

Trip Outline:

Day 1: Welcome to Peru and Lima!
Day 2: Walking food tour through bohemian Lima
Day 3: Flight to Cusco and Journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 4: Misminay Community, Maras and Moray
Day 5: Morning at Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu
Day 6: Hiking to Machu Picchu's viewpoints
Day 7: Exploring Cusco and departure

Day 1 - Welcome to Peru and Lima!

Welcome to Peru and Lima! Upon Arrival, we'll meet you at Lima Airport and continue together to your hotel in Miraflores or Barranco, where you are free to relax and wander around at your own pace. After check-in, we'll hand you your travel kit and have a short briefing to answer any last-minute questions. Depending on your time of arrival, we have plenty of suggestions for you to make the most of your first day in the city.

Included meals: none
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Casa Republica

Day 2 - Walking food tour through bohemian Lima

Lima's cuisine, popular art, and local culture await you today! Get Ready for a food tour through the bohemian district of Barranco. During our walking route, you will sample more than 15 Peruvian dishes and drinks. From our most popular dish ceviche to a causa limeña, you'll not just learn how everything is prepared but travel through history. Every bite has a story to tell! Visiting Owner-run coffee shops, art galleries, and small local restaurants is the best way to start getting a feel of the Peruvian culture. We should be returning to your hotel at around 2. 00 pm, and the rest of the day is free so you can relax and wander at your own pace.

Included meals: breakfast and lunch
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Casa Republica

Day 3 - Flight to Cusco and Journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas

This morning, at the coordinated time, we head to the airport in time to board our flight to Cusco. Upon arriving, we'll be expecting you at Cusco airport. After a brief introduction and getting acquainted with your private guide, we’ll begin our scenic journey to the Sacred Valley Incas. Because of its lower elevation (2, 870 m or 9, 415 ft) and its peaceful atmosphere, this valley is the perfect place to enjoy your first days in Cusco while you acclimatize.

The drive takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes, with several chances to stop along the way to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Andes in the area of Peru. One of which will be at Piuray, a beautiful lake, where we’ll enjoy a tasty lunch based on local produce from the surrounding communities. After lunch, we continue our journey towards our countryside hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Casona de Yucay

Day 4 - Misminay Community, Maras and Moray

Enjoy an unforgettable day of sharing and learning about local culture at Misminay, a small Andean village in the Maras plateau. On arrival, our Flora and her family will be expecting us. They will show us around their village, and we'll have time to learn about life in the countryside of Cusco. It's particularly interesting to learn about their weaving traditions using animal fibers and natural dyes found in plants and minerals. Before leaving, we can join our hosts on a walk to Moray viewpoint. This lookout is only accessible via Misminay and offers fantastic sights of the Moray Terraces below. We think that these circular Inca terraces were used for crop experimentation in prehispanic times.

For lunch, we head to a fantastic picnic spot with views of the mountains and fields. A tasty private meal will be waiting for you to enjoy here. Finally, in the afternoon, we'll visit the Maras, an impressive prehispanic salt-extraction complex consisting of thousands of small white ponds hanging on a mountain slope.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Casona de Yucay
 

Day 5 - Morning at Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu

We'll begin today by visiting Ollantaytambo, a village that has not changed much since Inca times. Besides it, we have the Ollantaytambo archaeological site, a place with impressive Inca stonework only seconded by that of Machu Picchu. Visiting in the morning is a huge advantage, as large groups arrive only in the afternoons. Next, we head to Ollantaytambo train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arriving, we'll take a 25-minute bus up to the impressive mountain setting where Machu Picchu is located. Once here, we'll find a secluded spot, overlooking the main site, for an initial explanation of Machu Picchu. A little later in the afternoon, it's the ideal time to take our guided tour around the main areas of the citadel, as most travelers should already have left. We can tour the site until it closes at around 5. 30 pm.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: El Mapi by Inkaterra

Day 6 - Hiking to Machu Picchu's viewpoints

Today, you'll have bus and entrance tickets at your disposal for a second visit to Machu Picchu at your own pace. Your guide will be happy to join you, of course. For this second visit, we can include any of the three main viewpoints of the site; Huayna Picchu (the most famous), Montaña (the highest), and the Sun Gate (the main entrance to Machu Picchu when coming from the Inca trail). The three of them offer superb panoramic views of Machu Picchu. They all take between 2 and 4 hours if you include the time you spend thoroughly enjoying the sights before you return. These sites require an additional entrance that must be booked in advance, so please let us know which you prefer upon booking the trip. Later, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, in time for lunch and after, we'll board the train back to Ollantaytambo and then private transport back to your hotel in Cusco. Depending on the time and your energy level, we can make some short stops on the way back to Cusco.

Included meals: breakfast
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas

Day 7 - Exploring Cusco and departure day

Strap on our walking shoes and prepare for an easy guided stroll around Cusco's historical center. We will begin with a 10-minute drive to our first visit of the day: Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca fortress overlooking the city. From here, our walking tour takes you not only through the top landmarks in Cusco, such as the Main Square, and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, but you will also walk into its lively neighborhoods and local markets where you'll discover the true magic of this city. This is the perfect way to get a more authentic feel of this fantastic place and its people. A spot we like to visit, where few others go, is San Francisco Church. It has impressive colonial architecture, catacombs, and excellent rooftop views of the city.

In the afternoon, at the coordinated time, we'll head to Cusco's airport to board your flight to Lima and connecting flight home. Hopefully, you will be heading back full of happy memories, new friends, and great pictures of your time with us!

Included meals: breakfast,
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: none - departure day