A TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY DESIGNED BY SPECIALISTS
At The Ultimate Travel Company, all our holidays are created individually to suit your preferences and the Classic Peru itinerary can be used for inspiration or as a starting point for your luxury Peru holidays. Whether you prefer a different style of accommodation, a greater focus on a particular experience or wish to include extra stops on your journey, our experts will design an itinerary that is entirely unique to you.
ABOUT THE ITINERARY
A land of rare physical beauty and cultural diversity, discover Peru’s stunning mountain landscapes and uncover the extraordinary relics of the Inca Empire, the most notable of which is the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu.
Over a period of two weeks, you will delve into the Inca heritage of the Sacred Valley, browsing the artisan market of Pisac and meeting the locals of floating reed islands in Lake Titicaca. You will also discover Cusco and Lima, two alluring cities whose superbly-preserved colonial architecture boast World Heritage status. Here you’ll stay in hotels that have been created from, or stand at the centre of, original historic buildings.
Your time in Peru ends with two of the country’s southern highlights, the vast Colca Canyon and the picturesque Andean city of Arequipa, before returning home.
LIMA
Arrive into Lima, the Peruvian capital and stay in a stylish guesthouse in the smart neighbourhood of Miraflores.
Explore the city’s rich colonial heritage and 2,000-year-old history. With your exerpt local guide you’ll take in the historic centre with its immense Cathedral and Church of San Francisco, plus Casa Aliaga – considered one of the best preserved colonial mansions in the Americas. You’ll also be able to explore residential districts like Miraflores and San Isidro.
Stay: Two nights at Atemporal – bed & breakfast
SACRED VALLEY
Fly from Lima to Cusco, but stay in the nearby Sacred Valley. At lower elevation to Cusco, the Sacred Valley is the perfect place to adjust to the thin-air of the Andes.
Over the next three days you will explore what was once the heartland of the Inca Empire. Lined by the vertical slopes of the Andes, and criss-crossed by the lazy waters of the Urubamba River, the Sacred Valley was a region of great importance to the Incas and many of their structures still stand today.
You’ll visit the colourful market towns of Pisac and Chinchero, the salt pans of Maras, the mighty fortress of Ollantaytambo and the huge agricultural terraces of Moray – used by the Inca’s as a botanical laboratory.
Stay: Three nights at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba – bed & breakfast
MACHU PICCHU
Today you’ll visit the most magnificent Inca site of all. Hidden away in the jungle, the mighty Machu Picchu is one of the few Inca sites to have escaped 400 years of looting and destruction. Many of the old stairways, tiered terraces, temples and water features have remained wonderfully intact, and are a joy to explore both on your own or with an expert guide.
Stay: One night at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel – half board
CUSCO
From Machu Picchu you will travel to Cusco, staying in a boutique property set in a 16th century mansion and the perfect base for exploring the old Inca capital.
During your stay you’ll visit the Santo Domingo Convent – built over the original Inca Koricancha Temple – as well as the Plaza de Armas and the monumental cathedral. You’ll also be taken on a tour of the fabulous Inca ruins that stand beyond Cusco; including the atmospheric temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, the magnificent Red Fortress of Puca Pucara and the ancient cultural centre of Sacsayhuman.
Stay: Two nights at Inkaterra La Casona – bed & breakfast
LAKE TITICACA
Today you will board the train to Lake Titicaca, a long but scenic journey filled with picturesque landscapes. Relax in the open-air observatory car and watch as lush green fields, winding rivers and remote villages roll by. You will disembark in the city of Puno, which sprawls along the banks of the lake, and be taken to your hotel.
Straddling Peru’s southern border with Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. The region is home to the Aymara and Quechua Indians who pre-date the Incas by over 1,000 years. During your stay you can take birdwatching tours, go on trekking expeditions and try horse riding. Don’t miss the remarkable Inca funeral towers of Sillustani, or boat excursions to the lake’s enchanting floating islands.
Stay: Two nights at Casa Andina Private Collection – bed & breakfast
COLCA CANYON
You will leave the shores of Lake Titicaca and travel overland into the vast and remote Colca Canyon.
One of the deepest canyons on the planet, it is home to the giant Andean Condor and also has a huge number of trails, as well as remote villages and Inca terraces to discover. Over the next few days you will have chance to relax in the beautiful scenery and also be taken on a guided tour to the ‘Cruz del Condor’ – an area known for spotting condors.
Your hotel is inside the canyon, on the banks of the Colca river and has breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside.
Stay: Two nights at the Colca Lodge – half-board
AREQUIPA
Your final stop in Peru is the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa, set in a stunning valley at the foot of the snow-capped El Misti Volcano.
This Aymara Indian and Inca settlement became a colonial city in 1540, and is home to fine Spanish buildings and Baroque churches including the Santa Catalina convent which was built in 1579. Keep your camera at the ready – there will be fantastic views of Mount Misti, Mount Chachani and Mount Picchu-Picchu to snap.
Stay: Two nights at the Casa Andina Premium Arequipa – bed & breakfast
FLY HOME
On your final day, you will be driven to Arequipa airport for your onward flight connections.
PRICE INCLUDES
- Domestic flights
- All transfers
- Bed & breakfast throughout
- Half-board at Inkaterra Machu Picchu and Colca Lodge
- Entrance fees including Machu Picchu
- Titicaca train from Cusco to Puno
PRICE EXCLUDES
- International flights
PLAN YOUR TRIP
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