Ancient Altars of the Incas

On arrival in Lima, we meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, we explore the city’s streets and plazas – beginning at Love Park in Miraflores for a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean – then continue to Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial centre of the Lima culture. We move on to the Main Square – home to the Government Palace and Town Hall – before visiting the Cathedral and exploring the Santo Domingo Convent, whose 17th–century corridors were walked by San Martin de Porres and Santa Rosa de Lima and where their remains rest today.

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Cusco. On arrival, we meet our local team and continue to our hotel. In the afternoon, we begin our city tour at San Cristobal Plaza for panoramic views over the city, then explore San Pedro Market to experience local flavours and see the regional produce that supplies Cusco. We continue to the Korikancha – the Gold Enclosure – whose once gold‑clad walls still capture the imagination, followed by a visit to the Church of Santo Domingo. From the artisans’ neighbourhood of San Blas, we walk down to Hatun Rumiyoc Street, pausing at the Inca Roca Palace – now the Archbishop’s Palace – and the famous Twelve Angle Stone. We end in the Main Square with a visit to the Cathedral, home to valuable colonial masterpieces.

Please note: The flight from Lima to Cusco is not included in the cost of your tour and must be booked independently.

This morning we step away from the city crowds to explore the Inca sites around Cusco. We begin at Sacsayhuaman, an imposing hilltop fortress of colossal stonework with sweeping views over the city. We continue to the Inca shrine of Qenqo to see its carved ceremonial altar inside a natural rock cave, then stop at the Puca Pucara viewpoint before visiting Tambomachay – an elegant complex of water channels and terraces associated with Andean beliefs. In the afternoon we travel to the village of Huasao, known for its Andean priests, where we have the chance for a brief interview with one of them. We then visit the archaeological complex of Tipon – once an important centre of water worship – with its flowing canals, terraces and small waterfalls that reflect water’s sacred place in Andean cosmovision.

We journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas for a private guided exploration. We visit two of the valley’s most important Inca sites – Pisaq, the old city, and Ollantaytambo – taking time to explore temples, sanctuaries and purification baths with our guide’s insight into details often overlooked. A buffet lunch is included. The pace today is unhurried, giving us longer at each stop to see the sites properly and pause for reflection. We also make brief stops in Yucay and Chinchero. Later, we meet a Paqo or Pampamisayoq – an Andean priest – who will perform a traditional coca leaf reading.

We board the train to Aguas Calientes for our visit to Machu Picchu – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. On arrival at Aguas Calientes station, our staff assist us in boarding the bus for the winding ascent, with panoramic views of the Urubamba River and its canyon. At Machu Picchu, we explore on a guided tour, taking in its terraces, ceremonial shrines, stairways and the Intihuatana solar clock, all set within an extraordinary mountain landscape. Lunch is included at the Sanctuary Lodge, located at the top of the mountain.

Breakfast, followed by a free morning.

Optional Activities: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are limited – we recommend securing them when you book your tour programme to avoid congestion or lack of local availability. If you choose to make an additional visit to Machu Picchu, you can reach Intipunku (Sun Gate) – the Inca Trail entrance to the citadel – subject to ticket availability. For a more demanding option, you can request permits to climb Huayna Picchu; only 400 are issued each day and must be reserved in advance.

At the arranged time we return to Cusco and transfer to our hotel.

We travel to Lima, meet you on arrival and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Optional Activities: You could visit the Temple of Pachacamac, one of the oldest temples on the Peruvian coast. In the afternoon, you might opt for the Magic Water Tour – the city’s newest entertainment icon, featuring 13 water fountains that create a mix of colour, illusion and fantasy.

Please note: The flight from Cusco to Lima is not included in the cost of your tour and must be booked independently.

After breakfast, we will collect you from the hotel at the scheduled time and take you to the airport for your onward journey.