Best of Peru

Best of Peru

Tours Starts: Lima, Peru

Tours Ends: Lima, Peru

Day 1

Arrive in Lima

If you purchased air from YMT, a representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. Note: Depending on the departure time of your outbound flight, you may depart one day earlier.

Britania Miraflores Hotel or similar

Day 2

Lima City Tour

Start your journey with a tour of Lima, Peru’s scenic capital. Explore Lima´s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with historic buildings including the Main Square, a stunning showcase of the wealth of the Spanish Empire, the 16th century Church of Santo Domingo, and Casa Aliaga, one of Lima’s finest colonial mansions. Proceed to the traditional Pueblo Libre District, where you will visit the Larco Museum, a pre-Columbian art museum housed in a beautifully restored 18th century mansion. Enjoy an included lunch at the Cafe del Museo Larco, located on the terrace in front of the museum’s beautiful gardens. (B, L)

Britania Miraflores Hotel or similar

Day 3

Cusco

Take a short, included flight from Lima to Cusco, in the heart of the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley, deep in the Andean highlands, was the center of the Inca Empire. The region boasts countless ruins, beautifully intact stone terraces, and stunningly rugged mountainous terrain. Shop for locally made alpaca textiles, musical instruments, paintings, carvings, necklaces and replicas of old Inca pieces at the Pisac Market.

Take a scenic ride to Ollantaytambo Archaelogical Park, a living Inca city where residents still live in accordance with old Incan traditions. “Ollanta” is also famous for its well-preserved archaeological sites, including a fortress, baths, and temples. (B, L)

Hacienda del Valle or similar

Day 4

Sacred Valley

Hidden from view by the rugged Andes, the Incan sites of Maras and Moray are two of the Sacred Valley’s most interesting places to visit. Maras is home to Salineras de Maras, ancient terraced salt ponds. Moray contains circular terraces that were used by Incan leaders as a test garden where they could experiment on plants grown across the empire. Continue to Chinchero town, where you will see Incan ruins framed by the snow-capped Chicón and Verónica mountains. (B, L)

Note: Tonight, please pack an overnight bag for your journey to Machu Picchu. Due to luggage restrictions aboard the trains to/from Machu Picchu, Passengers may only take 1 small bag weighing no more than 5 kg ( 11 lbs). Tomorrow, the rest of your luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco city. You will retrieve your luggage on your arrival (day 5 at night).

Hacienda del Valle or similar

Day 5

Machu Picchu

Travel by PeruRail Vistadome panoramic train to Peru’s most famous site—the ancient sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Built in the 15th century by the Incans at the peak of their power, Machu Picchu was abandoned fewer than 100 years later—deserted en masse before the conquering Spaniards ever even knew of the astonishing citadel’s existence. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has three primary structures and numerous reconstructed outlying buildings all cut directly into the mountainside. Machu Picchu is the ultimate example of Incan architecture, characterized by polished stone walls and elegantly designed terraces. Archaeologists disagree on its function—whether it was a lavish royal retreat or a prominent city—but judging by the quality of Machu Picchu’s construction and the amount of intricate ornamental work, it is clear that it was a very important place.

After your tour, return to Aguas Calientes to enjoy an Andean fusion lunch overlooking the Vilconota River at the Café Inkaterra. (B, L) Note: Machu Pichu is nearly 8,000 feet in elevation.

Casa Andina Koricancha or similar

Day 6

Cusco

Your tour of this UNESCO designated city starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a Spanish complex built in the 16th century on top of the sacred Inca Coricancha. Then, visit the Cusco Cathedral, a Gothic-Renaissance church that dominates Cusco’s Main Square. Head to the hills to visit the remains of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress with panoramic views of the city. Finally, visit Puka Pukara, an Inca military installation perched on one of Cusco’s most prominent hills. After an included lunch, the afternoon is yours to enjoy on your own. (B, L)

Casa Andina Plaza or similar

Day 7

Puno

Take a scenic drive from Cusco down to Puno. Keep your eyes peeled for landmarks including the town of Andahuaylillas, the Temple of Wiracocha, and the La Raya Pass. (B, L)

Hacienda Puno Hotel or similar

Day 8

Uros and Taquile Island

Spend the day on Lake Titicaca, ancestral home of two fascinating cultures. Your first stop is on the floating islands of Uros, a series of man-made islands built by weaving together giant bulrush plants. They require constant maintenance by the Uro people, who have lived here for generations. Continue on to Taquile Island, home to the Taquileños, whose stunning textiles are renowned for their quality. Sit down for lunch on the island, then enjoy free time in Puno. (B, L)

Hacienda Puno Hotel or similar

Day 9

Colca

Travel over high plains, stone forests and blue lagoons from Puno to Colca. Visit the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve, an extensive plain where vicuñas, the wild ancestor of domesticated alpacas, are a common sight. (B, L)

Casa Andina Colca or similar

Day 10

Arequipa via Condor Cross

Keep your eyes to the sky on your stop at Condor Cross. Even if you don’t see a condor, your views of the stunning Colca Valley, one of the world’s deepest canyons, will make the journey worth it. See Chivay and the towns of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, and Yanque before arriving in Arequipa. (B, L)

Casa Andina Arequipa or similar

Day 11

Arequipa City Tour

Enjoy a panoramic view of Arequipa, then see historic architecture and stunning views at the Yanahuara District. Visit the Main Square, 16th century Compañía de Jesús Church, and Santa Catalina Monastery. Enjoy a leisurely evening in Arequipa. (B, L)

Casa Andina Arequipa or similar

Day 12

Fly to Lima

Take an included flight from Arequipa to Lima in the morning, then enjoy a final day in Lima including a farewell dinner and folklore show. (B, D)

Britania Miraflores Hotel or similar

Day 13

Depart for Home (B)

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.