Best of Peru

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.

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)

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)

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: Overnight bag will be needed for your journey to Machu Picchu. Due to luggage restrictions aboard the trains to and from Machu Picchu, passengers may only take 1 small bag weighing no more than 11 lbs (5 kg). The next day, the rest of your luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco City. Guests will be able to retrieve their luggage upon their arrival at night on Day 5.

Machu Picchu

Travel by PeruRail Vistadome panoramic train to Peru’s most famous site—the ancient sanctuary of Machu Picchu. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ultimate example of Incan architecture, characterized by polished stone walls and elegantly designed terraces. After your tour, return to Aguas Calientes to enjoy an Andean fusion lunch overlooking the Vilconota River at the Cafe Inkaterra. (B, L)

Note: Machu Pichu is nearly 8,000 feet in elevation.

Cusco

Your tour of this UNESCO designated city starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a Spanish complex built on top of the sacred Inca Coricancha. Then, visit the Cusco Cathedral. Head to the hills to visit Sacsayhuamán, 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)

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)

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 manmade islands built by weaving together giant bulrush plants. Continue on to Taquile Island, home to the Taquileños, whose textiles are renowned for their quality. Afterwards, Enjoy lunch & free time in Puno. (B, L)

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)

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)

Arequipa City Tour

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

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)

Depart for Home (B)

Arrive in Lima

If you purchased airline tickets 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.

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)

Cusco

Take a short, included flight from Lima to Cusco, in the heart of the Sacred Valley. The region boasts countless ruins, beautifully intact stone terraces, and rugged mountainous terrain. Shop for locally made goods 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 wellpreserved archaeological sites, including a fortress, baths, and temples. (B, L)

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: Overnight bag will be needed for your journey to Machu Picchu. Due to luggage restrictions aboard the trains to and from Machu Picchu, passengers may only take 1 small bag weighing no more than 11 lbs (5 kg). The next day, the rest of your luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco City. Guests will be able to retrieve their luggage upon their arrival at night on Day 5

Machu Picchu

Travel by PeruRail Vistadome panoramic train to Peru’s most famous site—the ancient sanctuary of Machu Picchu. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ultimate example of Incan architecture, characterized by polished stone walls and elegantly designed terraces. After your tour, return to Aguas Calientes to enjoy an Andean fusion lunch overlooking the Vilconota River at the Cafe Inkaterra. (B, L)

Note: Machu Pichu is nearly 8,000 feet in elevation.

Cusco

Your tour of this UNESCO designated city starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a Spanish complex built on top of the sacred Inca Coricancha. Then, visit the Cusco Cathedral. Head to the hills to visit Sacsayhuamán, 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)

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)

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 manmade islands built by weaving together giant bulrush plants. Continue on to Taquile Island, home to the Taquileños, whose textiles are renowned for their quality. Afterwards, Enjoy lunch & free time in Puno. (B, L)

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)

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)

Arequipa City Tour

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

Fly to Lima

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

Depart for Puerto Maldonado

Fly to Puerto Maldonado, then travel by boat along the Madre de Dios River to the luxurious Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica. Meals are included, and you have a choice of complimentary optional activities. (B,L,D)

Puerto Maldonado & Tambopata National Reserve

In between soaking up the views of the river and rainforest from your luxurious wooden cabana, spend the day taking excursions to the lush Inkaterra Ecological Reserve. (B,L,D)

Butterfly Farm in Tambopata & Lima

After breakfast, visit the peaceful Mariposario Tambopata Butterfly Farm in Puerto Maldonado. See many of the 3,700 butterflies native to Peru before returning to Lima for an evening at your leisure. (B)

Depart for Home

Note: Arrival flights to/from Lima from some west coast cities are overnight and arrive the following day. Most flights out of Lima may require at least one connection.