Welcome to Lima, Peru's largest city, rich in history and culture. Originally a pre-Columbian Ychsma settlement, Lima was later conquered by the Inca and Spanish. Its diverse influences—Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian—make it an exciting city to explore. Lima’s mild desert climate and coastal location make it perfect for walking. Suggested activities include: • Explore the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring Spanish architecture and the 16th-century Cathedral. • Visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion dating back to 1535. • Stroll through Pueblo Libre to the Larco Museum, showcasing pre-Columbian art. • In the evening, visit "Love Park" in Miraflores for sunset views and the famous kissing statue. • End the day with a drink at a Miraflores cafe or restaurant.

Your day begins with a 6:30 AM pick up from your hotel in Lima, followed by a scenic 4-hour drive along the coast south to the seaside town of Paracas. After arriving, transfer to the nearby airport in Pisco. From here you will take a 90-minute flight south aboard a 12-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan to view the sprawling Nazca Lines. You will get a chance to see many of the most famous geoglyphs, including the hummingbird, dog, tree, whale, lizard, and more. These massive images, the longest of which are 1,200 ft (370 m), vary from geometric lines to figures of animals and people. Due to the stable environment of the Nazca desert, these geoglyphs—which were created by removing the top layer of iron-oxide coated pebbles to reveal the light-colored clay underneath—have been remarkably well preserved. After the flight head to Huacachina for an adventure in the desert sand dunes. Hop on a sandboard to surf down the larger dunes. In the evening, transfer to your hotel in Paracas.

Today, transfer from your hotel in Paracas to Lima and spend the day exploring the city. Lima's coastal location and mild desert climate make it perfect for walking. Head downtown to mingle with locals and enjoy a meal at one of the city’s top restaurants. Suggested activities: • Explore Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with colonial architecture and the 16th-century Cathedral. • Visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion from 1535 still owned by the same family. • Walk to the Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre, housed in a restored mansion with a vast pre-Columbian collection. • In the evening, head to "Love Park" in Miraflores for sunset views and the famous kissing statue. • End the day with a drink at a Miraflores cafe or restaurant.

This morning you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival in Arequipa, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel to settle in. In the afternoon, you will start your city tour with an escape to the past, walking through the Monastery Santa Catalina. Then continue the visit toward to the Compañia Church, famous because of its incredible Baroque style and the colorful Cupula of Saint Ignacio. Then head to Arequipa’s Main Square, visiting its peculiar Cathedral with their Neo-renaissance style. After, head towards the traditional district of Yanahuara, with its beautiful plaza and views of the volcanoes Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu.

Start your day with breakfast in Arequipa, then embark on a 3-hour scenic drive to Colca Canyon, passing snowcapped volcanoes and Andean villages. At Patapampa Pass (15,300 feet), enjoy views of surrounding volcanoes. Continue to Chivay to see pre-Inca terraces and have lunch. Afterward, relax at the Calera Hot Springs before transferring to your hotel in Cabanaconde for the night.

Early this morning, you’ll meet your guide and drive to Mirador Cruz del Condor, one of the best viewpoints over the canyon and home to the famed condors that gracefully soar on the thermal currents. The road leads past picturesque villages and pre-Inca ruins dominated by the Ampato and Hualca glaciers, both visible in the distance. Once you reach Cruz del Condor, you can stand at the viewpoint and gaze into the depths of the canyon, which stretches nearly 4,000 feet below. You will return to Chivay where you can enjoy lunch and browse the local market before starting the journey by land to your Puno hotel. Puno is located 5-6 hours from Colca Canyon by car, and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the Andes on the way. Puno is at a higher altitude than Arequipa, and if you haven’t already sufficiently acclimatized, it is a good idea to take it easy after arrival.

Start with a hearty breakfast for your 9-hour day. First, visit a floating Uros island, home to one of the oldest Andean ethnic groups who live on reed-made islands. Learn about their lifestyle and traditions. Next, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on Taquile Island, known for quinoa soup, fish, and vegetables. Afterward, explore the island, famous for its communal way of life and exquisite handwoven textiles made by the Taquileños. In the evening, walk back to the dock for the boat ride back to Puno, where you'll transfer to your hotel. Note: Visiting Taquile involves climbing 500 steps to the main part of the island at high elevation (12,000-13,000 ft).

In the morning, fly from Juliaca to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. At 11,000 feet (3,000 m), take it easy, drink water, and explore the city on foot. Start with a walk through the Plaza de Armas, enjoying coca tea if the weather is nice. Suggested activities include: Visit the Cathedral, a grand colonial monument in the Plaza. Explore Puca Pucara, an ancient military complex with plazas, baths, and aqueducts. Wander through the bohemian San Blas district, known for its artisan community and charming streets. Enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, sampling traditional Peruvian dishes like roasted pork, pickled vegetables, and sweet donuts.

Today's tour will begin at the local San Pedro Market. The locals shop at this market every day in order to stock up on produce and groceries making this market experience as authentic as Peru gets. The market is located indoors and includes many different food stalls and vendors. Be sure to try their endless selection of fresh fruit smoothies, which are the perfect refreshing treat. From the market, you will head to the most important temple of the Inca Empire, the Sun Temple, known as Qoricancha. Here, you can observe detailed and intact architecture, and within the temple, you will see smaller temples dedicated to the moon, rainbow, stars, lightning, and thunder, among others. From Qoricancha, you will walk to an important religious site called Sacsayhuaman, which features immense stones. Although the site was religious, the Spanish considered it a military fortress because of its location and the way it was built. After your tour, head back to your hotel for some rest.

We'll leave our hotel in Cusco around 8:30 am for our drive into the Sacred Valley en route to Pisac, a village known for its traditional market and immense Inca fortress. During our visit, we will have plenty of opportunities to stop for photos as we pass terraces, irrigation canals, and picturesque mountain views. In the afternoon, we will depart for the town of Ollantaytambo, which contains some of the best-preserved Inca architecture in the entire Sacred Valley. Roam the winding alleys and vast plazas and gaze upon a marvelous llama-shaped ruin before heading to a local hotel for the night.

This morning, you'll depart from your hotel in Ollantaytambo for your journey to Moray. Along the way, you'll enjoy views of the Andes' snow-capped peaks, lush yellow fields of wheat, and small villages. Upon arrival in Moray, you'll see the three famous amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. When you are done exploring Moray, you will head about two miles away, to the salt mines of Maras. This village is known as a former salt-producing center and is thought to date back to pre-Incan times. There are over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside, that are filled daily by a stream of water. After exploring Maras, visit the village of Chinchero, believed by the Inca to be the birthplace of the rainbow. Here, you will see extensive Inca terraces and several small colonial-era churches, before exploring Chinchero's famous textile production and weaving crafts. In the evening, head back to your hotel in Ollantaytambo to relax.

Early in the morning, take the train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, where the short Inca Trail begins. The valley turns into a canyon, and cloud forests appear as you approach Machu Picchu. Disembark at Km 104 and start the hike uphill to Chachabamba, a well-preserved archaeological site likely used for religious purposes. From there, ascend for 3 hours to Wiñay Wayna (2732 m / 8964 ft), an ancient rest area. After enjoying a lunch with views of the mountains, continue through the cloud forest to Intipunku (Sun Gate), where you'll have panoramic views of Machu Picchu. Descend to the citadel for a short break before taking the bus to Aguas Calientes to rest. Maximum Altitude: 2732 m / 8964 ft Walking Time: Approx. 7 hours

Get an early start to beat the crowds and get the best views of the ancient ruins. From Aguas Calientes, it's an easy 25-minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu ruins This 15th-century Inca citadel is located at 7,970ft (2,430 m) and is a masterpiece of engineering that served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Incan Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court. Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World Machu Picchu was rarely home to more than 800 people, and during the royals' absence a mere 100 servants would remain at the site to maintain the grounds. Machu Picchu was abandoned 100 years after construction due to the Spanish conquest and remained largely hidden to the outside world until the early 20th century After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, meet your driver for your transfer back to Cusco

Today is your last day in Peru! You will be met at your hotel for a transfer to the Cusco Airport, where you will transfer to your international departure. Alternatively, stay and extend your time in Peru — there's so much to see and explore. ¡Buen viaje!