Over the course of 11 days, you’ll learn about the ancient Incan civilization, both by visiting its ruins and by meeting locals who’ve kept Incan traditions alive. In modern Lima, you’ll have the chance to explore the thriving capital of Peru. Then, your tour takes you to the open-air markets of colonial Cuzco, up into the Andes and finally to Machu Picchu, the mythic “lost city of the Incas.” 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight Flight

Board your overnight flight to Peru.

Day 2 - Lima

Arrive this morning in Lima, Peru’s diverse capital. After hotel check-in, a professional local city guide leads you on an extensive tour of both modern and colonial Lima. Once the center of the New World, Lima is now a bustling metropolis and home to many of South America’s finest museums, shops and restaurants. You’ll see the city’s Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Church of San Francisco, which houses a museum of fine religious art as well as catacombs first dug in the 16th century. Tonight, enjoy our included welcome dinner in Lima.
Please note: in some cases, flights will arrive in Lima on the evening of Day 1.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Lima

With a full free day in Lima, you may want to sample one of Lima’s several museums. The National Museum houses a plethora of pre-Columbian artifacts from the nearby Incan ruins, as does the private museum of Rafael Larco Herrera. Or find unique souvenirs at the Polvos Azules city market. Alternatively, join a full-day optional excursion to the Nazca Lines, mysterious geometric designs visible only from the air. Tonight, sample time-honored recipes at our Traditional Peruvian Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast

$59 USD

Traditional Peruvian Dinner Walk the neighborhoods of Lima and you’re bound to see at least one cevichería. At tonight’s dinner, savor the traditional flavors of Peruvian cuisine at a buffet dinner. Your options include a wide variety of regional specialites, including ceviche (non-fish-eaters, don't worry: there's plenty here for you, too). You'll also learn to make pisco sour, the national drink of Peru, and enjoy a traditional folklore show showcasing indigenous dances while you dine.

$385 USD

Nazca Lines Travel from Lima to the town of Pisco where you’ll board a flight to one of the world’s greatest remaining mysteries, the Nazca Lines. Visible only from the air, the Lines are massive geoglyphs (geometric designs made of rocks) in the desert, preserved for over 1,000 years in one of the driest places on earth. You’ll take an aerial tour of the region, learning about the many theories behind the Lines’ origin. Lunch is included. Please note: This optional requires advanced booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure. The travel time to Pisco is approximately 2.5 hours each way. This excursion may not be appropriate for travelers prone to motion sickness. All travelers will need to report their weight to the pilot before takeoff, and passengers over 250 pounds may be required to pay a surcharge.

Day 4 - Cuzco

This morning, you’ll be escorted to Lima’s airport for a flight to Cuzco, center of the Incan culture. Arrive in Cuzco and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Tonight, dinner is included.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 5 - Cuzco

Cuzco is a brilliant example of a living museum. This magnificent capital of ancient Peru was—and still is—the base for accessing the surrounding religious sites. The city still contains walls and roads originally built by the Incas. In fact, when the Spanish conquered Cuzco in the 16th century, they were so impressed with the Incan architecture that they simply built upon and around it. On a guided sightseeing tour, you’ll view the old Spanish cathedral, La Merced Church and the breathtaking Korikancha Temple, a testament to the wealth and power of the Incas that used to be fully covered in gold. Later, you’ll venture off to four separate Incan archaeological sites, including the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the location of a historic battle that forever changed Peruvian life. The Spanish defeated the Incas here in 1536.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 6 - Cuzco

An expert local guide leads you on a full-day sightseeing tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, nestled below and between Cuzco, Machu Picchu and the surrounding Andes Mountains. The valley is rich in ruins and traditional, native villages and is in some ways even more historically important than Machu Picchu. You’ll see the famous ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo and visit several local market towns. Also featured is the longest man-made, pre-Columbian canal ever built. Lunch is included today.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Included entrances: Ollantaytambo Ruins

Day 7 - Machu Picchu

Approaching Machu Picchu is a journey you’ll never forget. Today, you’ll take a train up Picchu mountain and through the lush valleys that lead to the evocative “Lost City of the Incas.” Surrounded by the emerald green Andes Mountains, shrouded in mist with breaks of golden sunlight and totally hidden from ground level, Machu Picchu is truly one of the world’s most spectacular sites. Explore the perfect stonework of the Temple of the Sun, the fountains of the Royal Sector, the views from the Temple of the Three Windows, the cave of the Temple of the Condor and the mysterious calendar of Intihuatana. There is a break for an included buffet lunch. Dinner is also included tonight as you stay in the Machu Picchu area.
Please note: it is recommended to pack an overnight bag for the one night you’ll spend in Machu Picchu, leaving the rest of your luggage at your hotel in Cuzco.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 - Cuzco

Spend a free morning in Machu Picchu valley and enjoy an included lunch. Then return to Cuzco via train and spend the night in Cuzco.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 9 - Cuzco

With a free day in Cuzco, you might choose to head to the Archaeological Museum with thousands of artifacts from the nearby ruins. This evening, join an optional dinner and Peruvian Folk Show.
Included meals: breakfast

$39 USD

Dinner & Peruvian Folkshow Peru’s diverse culture comes alive this evening at a native folk show, showcasing the region’s love of music and dance. Taste local dishes at an included buffet dinner, including Peruvian specialties such as lomo saltado.

Day 10 - Lima

Fly to Lima this morning. After an included lunch, trace the chronological history of Peru’s pre-Columbian art and culture at the Larco Museum. Dinner is included before boarding your late-night flight home.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included entrances: Larco Museum

Day 11 - Lima

Or, stay on for our Amazon post-tour extension.
Please note: in some cases, flights will depart Lima on the morning of Day 11.