Grand Tour of Peru: Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca

Board your flight to Peru and arrive in Lima later this evening.

Set out on a guided tour highlighting the Peruvian capital’s modern and UNESCO-recognized quarters.

• Walk through Plaza de Armas, viewing the Cathedral of Lima and Church of San Francisco
• Enter the archaeological site of Huaca Pucllana to learn about the towering abode and clay pyramid
• Visit the Parque del Amor in the Miraflores district and see views of the Pacific Ocean during a walk along the boardwalk
• Stroll through the artsy Barranco district, stopping to sample coffee and some Peruvian food

This evening, enjoy a market visit and an interactive Peruvian cooking class.

• Visit a market to learn more about traditional Peruvian ingredients
• Visit a local restaurant to take part in a cooking class
• Make pisco sours and sip on the refreshing cocktail while a professional chef teaches you how to make ceviche, lomo saltado, and a dessert
• Sit down to enjoy the dinner you prepared

Fly to Iquitos this morning. Then, hop aboard a boat and cruise down the Amazon River to the rainforest lodge where you’ll enjoy an included lunch.

Join a naturalist guide this afternoon to learn about the local conservation efforts, indigenous people, and wildlife. Then, head out on a guided nature walk.

• Explore the Amazon rainforest as your naturalist guide talks about the local flora and fauna
• See the many types of epiphytes that grow on the towering trees

Sit down for an included dinner. Then, opt to take a short walk to a small lake with your naturalist guide where you can view and learn about nocturnal species such as caimans, insects, and frogs.

Please note: Activities may differ depending on lodge facilities.

Opt to bird-watch at sunrise and see the giant Victoria amazonica water lillies. Then, set out to discover more of the local wildlife and rich cultural communities.

• Take a short river cruise to a Yagua indigenous village, keeping your eye out for the elusive pink dolphin
• Learn about the local village culture and watch a blowgun demonstration
• Enjoy an included lunch
• Fish for piranhas on the Amazon River with your guide
• Set off on an evening boat ride to learn about nocturnal rainforest animals

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Please note: Activities may differ depending on lodge facilities.

This morning, hop aboard a boat and cruise down the Amazon River to the Iquitos airport. Fly to Cuzco and spend free time acclimating to the city’s altitude.

Join a local guide on today’s tour of Cuzco, the UNESCO-recognized ancient capital of the Inca Empire.

• Stroll through the Sacsayhuaman ruins, which were once completely covered in gold
• View the towering Cristo Blanco statue, a thank-you gift from the Palestinian refugees who took shelter in the city during World War II
• Walk through the city center and step inside the Convent of Santa Domingo, built by the Spaniards where the Inca temple of Koricancha stood
• Stop in Plaza de Armas to enter Cuzco Cathedral
• Visit San Pedro Market to see crafts made by local artisans and try fresh fruits

Begin your day in the village of Chinchero, nicknamed the birthplace of the rainbow by the Incas, and visit a local cooperative of families known as the Balcon del Inka.

• Meet with the Quechua women and learn about their daily life, traditions, and agricultural techniques
• Watch as artisans demonstrate their traditional weaving, spinning, and dying techniques on both alpaca and sheep yarn
• Try your hand at spinning on the loom
• Peruse the colorful stalls of the open-air Chinchero Market, where you can shop for local textiles
• Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant in Chinchero

Travel to the ancient Ollantaytambo ruins, site of the former royal estate of Inca Emperor Pachacuti, this afternoon. You’ll explore homes, terraces, and temples within the fortress walls.

This evening, sit down for an included dinner.

Spend the day learning about the roots of the Sacred Valley.

• Start in Misminay, an ancient community located over 12,000 feet above sea level in the Sacred Valley
• Enjoy spectacular views of the Sacred Valley and snow-capped mountains as you meet the local villagers
• Learn about the traditional agricultural, weaving techniques, and daily activities of the 500 families who live in the community
• Taste the local Chicha corn beer they produce
• Sit down to enjoy an included lunch featuring naturally cultivated ingredients cooked by the ladies of Misminay, paired with live Andean music from the community musicians
• Take a 45-minute downhill hike to Moray, the site of famous Incan ruins that feature large circular terraces used for agricultural experiments
• Continue by bus to Maras, known for its patchwork of terraced salt-evaporation ponds that have been used since pre-Incan times

Travel by train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. You’ll uncover the Lost City of the Incas, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage site, alongside a local guide.

• Admire incredible views of the misty cloud forest and soaring Huayna Picchu mountain
• Tour the ruins of the ceremonial center, cultivation terraces, and guard house
• Visit Funeral Rock, the Main Temple, the Chamber of Ornaments, and the Sacred Plaza
• Soak in the vistas from the Temple of the Three Windows

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Please note: Travelers must submit full passport details by Tour Finalization Date or risk being denied entry to Machu Picchu due to scarcity of tickets and daily entrance restrictions. 

Spend a free morning in Aguas Calientes or add an excursion. 

Later, sit down for an included lunch before taking a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley back to Cuzco.

Journey to Puno, a town along the shores of Lake Titicaca, stopping to explore the ruins at Raqch’i en route.

• Follow a local guide through the Incan ruins at Raqch’i and marvel at still-standing walls of the Temple of Wiracocha
• Join a member of the Raqch’i community for a hike to learn about their traditions, language, and cuisine
• Enjoy an included lunch featuring dishes cooked with products grown by the community members such as corn, potatoes, ollucos, beans, peas, tarwi, quinoa, and wheat
• Take in stunning views at La Raya Pass, high up in the Andes mountains

Cruise on Lake Titicaca, and marvel at the unique “floating islands” created by indigenous communities.

• Stop at the Uros islands, built from dried totora reeds floating on the water, to see how the Uros people have lived on the lake for centuries
• Learn about the local craftspeople who build the reed rafts by hand
• Interact with the Uros community members and learn about a local potato product called chuño, which offers many nutritional benefits
• Arrive at the port of Taquile Island where you’ll be greeted by local community members
• Walk up the eastern side of the island to learn about the traditions and customs the indigenous people practice
• Visit a home on the island to engage in weaving or farming activities with the family members
• Sit down at the home for an included lunch overlooking the Andes before walking back to the port

This morning, discover the tower-like tombs at Sillustani, a pre-Incan burial ground along Lake Umayo. 

Transfer to Juliaca Airport for your flight to Lima, where you’ll board your overnight flight home. Or, extend your tour and continue on to Bolivia.

Arrive home today.