Machu Picchu, Cusco, Arequipa, Colca Canyon Tour

Arrival at Jorge Chávez, Lima international airport. 

Welcome by our local English-speaking staff.

Transfer to your hotel located in the residential and shopping district of Miraflores, overlooking the Pacific ocean (1 hour). 

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in Lima. 

Your day begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel by your private driver and English-speaking guide for a half-day exploration of Lima’s rich colonial heritage. The tour starts in the historic center, where you'll stroll through the elegant Plaza San Martín and admire the iconic Hotel Bolívar. From there, continue to the Plaza Mayor, where the Cathedral of Lima stands as a stunning example of colonial baroque architecture. Nearby, the Convent of San Francisco offers another glimpse into Lima's storied past with its ornate interiors and impressive colonial design.

The morning continues with a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum in the district of Pueblo Libre. Housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion, the museum hosts the world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian art. Inside, you’ll discover intricate gold and silver artifacts from ancient Peru and a unique collection of erotic ceramics from the Mochica culture. The visit also includes access to the museum’s remarkable storage area, showcasing over 45,000 classified archaeological objects.

Following your cultural immersion in Lima, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Arequipa (1 hour 30 min). Assistance will be provided during your check-in to ensure a smooth departure.

Upon arrival in Arequipa, often called the “White City,” you’ll be warmly welcomed by our local staff and escorted to your hotel in the city center, a journey of approximately 30 minutes. Once at your hotel, you’ll receive assistance with your check-in and a brief orientation to help you settle in and prepare for the next chapter of your Peruvian adventure.

Free evening and overnight at the hotel in Arequipa.

Explore the colonial charm of Arequipa on a half-day guided city tour.

Visit the beautifully preserved Santa Catalina Monastery, a peaceful complex of narrow streets, colorful walls, and quiet courtyards that evoke the spirit of old Andalucía. Founded in 1580, the monastery remains a serene retreat in the heart of the city.

Continue to the San Ignacio Cupula, known for its vivid colonial art, then take in panoramic views from the scenic viewpoints of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto. 

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Arequipa. Take time to relax, stroll through the historic center, or sample local cuisine at a nearby café—the rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace.

Free evening and overnight in Arequipa.

Depart Arequipa and head north on the scenic four-hour drive to the Colca Valley. The route skirts the lower slopes of Mount Chachani, then climbs across high-altitude plains dotted with ichu grass, yareta cushions, alpacas, and shy vizcachas. After cresting a 4,350-meter pass, the road descends toward fertile terraces and snow-capped peaks that frame one of the world’s deepest canyons, where the Colca River flows 3,400 meters below.

Settle into the valley to discover Collagua heritage—cave paintings, ancient grain “colcas,” and 16th-century villages whose colonial churches and street grids remain intact. About 40 km beyond Chivay, reach a dramatic lookout where Andean condors soar on thermal updrafts, with Coropuna and Ampato volcanoes on the horizon. Choose between local lodges, trekking routes, or campsites for a memorable overnight amid this breathtaking landscape.

Free evening and overnight near Colca Canyon.

Very early in the morning, begin the scenic journey along the panoramic road that follows the Colca River. This route leads to the famous Condor Cross Viewpoint, offering breathtaking views over one of the deepest canyons in the world: the Colca Canyon.

As you travel, pass through some of the most picturesque villages of the Colca Valley, including Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, and Yanque. Each village reflects the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the region, making the drive not only visually stunning but also culturally enriching.

After enjoying the views and the condors, begin the return journey to Arequipa. The drive once again passes through the traditional villages of the Colca Valley, offering final glimpses of this unique Andean landscape. Arrival in Arequipa is expected in the late afternoon or early evening.

Free evening and overnight in Arequipa.

In the morning, transfer to Arequipa airport.

Assistance for check-in, direct flight to Cusco (1 hour 5 min). 

Arrival in Cusco (11,152 ft - 3400 m) where you will be welcomed by your local guide. 

Transfer to the Urubamba Valley also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas (1 hour 30 min). 

The Sacred Valley is famous for its numerous archaeological sites, various activities and hiking trails. 

End of the afternoon at leisure to rest and enjoy the beautiful gardens of your hotel. 

Free evening.

Overnight at your hotel in the Sacred Valley. 

In the morning, drive from your hotel to the village of Pisac (1 hour) famous for its Sunday market where many indigenous Quechua communities meet to sell and trade their goods. 

The rest of the week, the whole place is bustling with a large handicraft and souvenir market. You will have time to search for jewellery, ponchos, hats, traditional music instruments, ceramics, alpaca products and many other typical Andean crafts  (1 hour 30 min). 

Visit Pisaqa, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa, and Kinchiracay. (1 hour 30 min). All 4 places are part of an Inca site on the nearby hill at an altitude of 10,980 feet (3345 m). 

The hill was shaped during Inca times by carving ingenious terraces that are still used for agriculture to this day. With military, religious, and agricultural structures, the site was an important and busy place for the Inca empire. 

In the afternoon, transfer to Ollantaytambo, a fortified city built during the reign of Pachacutec, the most powerful Inca emperor. 

Explore this quaint settlement with an interesting orthogonal layout (30 min). 

Climb the Temple Hill known as the fortress to learn about the purpose of those inca constructions (1 hour 30 min). 

Transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley (45 min). 

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in the Sacred Valley. 

Transfer to the site of Maras (30 min). 

Tread carefully between the hundreds of salt ponds used to dry the salt according to a method inherited from pre-inca times. 

The many colors of the polygonal ponds can vary from light reddish to brownish to white according to the season. This contrasts with the surrounding landscape and give the site a most-unusual aspect. 

Free time to shop pink salt collected by the local community workers. 

Transfer to Moray archeological site (30 min). 

Walk down and around those impressive circular terraces that were used to conduct scientific and agricultural experiments during Inca times (30 min). 

Transfer to the train station of Ollantaytambo (1 hour 15 min). 

Board the comfortable train that will take you to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu (1 hour 30 min). 

Arrival in Aguas Calientes by late afternoon, walk to your hotel for check-in (5 min). 

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in Aguas Calientes. 

Private transfer from your hotel in the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo train station, with assistance provided throughout the journey.
At 11:30, board the 360° Class INCA RAIL train for a scenic ride to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy stunning views of snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and river gorges along the way.

Arrival in Agaus Calientes at 1pm, hotel check-in and installation.

After lunch, begin a private excursion to the Allcamayo Waterfalls, located south of town. The walk offers lush vegetation, orchids, vines, and, with luck, sightings of birds like the watchmaker bird or jungle parrot.
Following the falls, visit the Butterfly Garden by the Vilcanota River, where you can observe native butterflies in various life stages in a natural, semi-enclosed habitat.

Free evening and overnight in Aguas Calientes. 

Your passport is required to enter the Machu Picchu site. You have the option to get a 'Machu Picchu' stamp in your passport if you wish. 

Today might be THE day you have been expecting from the moment you landed on Peruvian soil as you will finally enter the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. 

Your private guide will meet you and walk you to the bus station (5 min) to hop on a bus to the entrance of the archaeological site. 

Enjoy the impressive 20-minute drive up the hill to the Machu Picchu site at 7,972 feet (2430 m). The abandoned stronghold was rediscovered in 1911 by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham, Macchu Picchu is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Learn about every secret this ancient Inca citadel holds and grab every opportunity to take amazing photographs (3 to 4 hours). 

Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes (20 min) and board the train back to Ollantaytambo (1 hour 30 min). 

Transfer to your hotel in Cusco (1 hour 30 min). 

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in Cusco. 

In the morning, you will meet your guide for a city tour of Cusco including the visit of the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and the Korikancha, the original Temple of the Sun. 

Drive to the hills of Cusco to explore the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuamán.

Transfer back to your hotel or to the city centre (20 min). 

Afternoon at leisure to explore the Spanish colonial city known to the Inca as the 'belly button of the world'. 

Stroll around numerous plazas, shops selling incredible art and crafts or visit the great Pre-Columbian Museum MAP (not included). 

Free evening to discover Cusco's vibrant nightlife. We recommend the lively pisco bar La Republica del Pisco. 

Overnight at your hotel in Cusco. 

After breakfast, transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the airport with assistance for baggage and check-in. Take your domestic flight to Lima (1 hour 20 min), where you’ll be welcomed at Jorge Chávez International Airport by our local English-speaking staff. A private transfer will bring you to your hotel, with full assistance during check-in to ensure a smooth arrival. Shortly after, set out for a guided gastronomic tour in the vibrant Barranco district.

Enjoy a flavorful introduction to Lima with a walking food tour through Barranco, known for its bohemian charm and artistic flair. Over the course of four hours, sample more than 14 traditional Peruvian dishes and drinks, while learning about the cultural history behind each one. Participate in hands-on demonstrations to prepare classic ceviche and the iconic pisco sour. 

The tour also includes a visit to Barranco’s main attractions and supports a social impact initiative that helps combat child malnutrition in Ayacucho through Action Against Hunger Peru.

Free evening and overnight at your hotel in Lima.

At the indicated time, transfer to Lima airport (30 min to 1 hour). Check-in assistance for your international flight back home.