Ancestral Peru & Lake Titicaca

On arrival in Lima, we’ll meet you and transfer you to your hotel. We then set out on an in–depth tour of the UNESCO–listed Historic Centre to admire the city’s architectural heritage. We begin at the Convent of Santo Domingo, built at the time of Lima’s foundation and the site where the Universidad Mayor de San Marcos – the oldest in America – was established. Inside, we see the choir with the country’s oldest stalls and a library holding around 25,000 volumes, including works printed in the 15th century. The remains of San Martin de Porres, San Juan Masias and Santa Rosa de Lima also lie here. We cross the Plaza Mayor to view the Government Palace and the Municipality, then enter the Cathedral to see artworks that illuminate Lima’s colonial past. Leaving the centre, we continue to the Larco Museum for a clear introduction to Peru’s ancient cultures. Its renowned collection includes gold pieces, fine textiles and erotic ceramics. We also access the open storerooms to appreciate the breadth of ceramic art on display.

Head to the airport for your flight to Cusco. On arrival in Cusco, we’ll meet you and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon we set out on a guided city tour, beginning at Plaza de San Cristobal for a panoramic view of the city. We then explore San Pedro Market to take in local flavours and the produce that supplies much of Cusco. Next, we visit Qorikancha – the Temple of the Sun – renowned for its Inca stonework and walls that were once covered in gold. From the artisans’ neighbourhood of San Blas, we walk down Hatun Rumiyoc to see the Inca Roca palace – now the Archbishop’s Palace – and pause to admire the famous Twelve‑Angled Stone. We finish in the Plaza de Armas with a visit to the Cathedral, home to notable colonial artworks.

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 leave the city to visit Sacsayhuaman, an impressive Inca citadel of colossal stonework set amid striking scenery. We continue to Q’enqo, a ceremonial site with an altar carved into the rock, then on to the Puca Pucara lookout and Tambomachay, noted for refined stone architecture and regarded as an important site within the Andean worldview. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the city at your own pace.

We explore key sites of the Sacred Valley today. Our first stop is Chinchero, a traditional Andean town where we visit its Inca archaeological complex and colonial church. Chinchero is renowned for its women weavers and we may see demonstrations of traditional dyeing and spinning with alpaca wool. We continue to Moray to view its striking concentric terraces, an Inca complex that served as an agricultural laboratory with varied microclimates. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the impressive archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, once a military, religious and agricultural centre. We explore the Temple of the Ten Windows, the Nusta’s baths and the Temple of the Sun among other areas of interest. Views from the heights of Ollantaytambo round off the day.

After breakfast, we set out for Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Our team will assist with boarding the bus for the winding ascent, with sweeping views of the Urubamba River and its canyon. On arrival, we explore the Lost City of the Incas on a guided visit, taking in its terraces, ceremonial shrines, stairways and urban sectors. Lunch is included at a local restaurant in the area. At the scheduled time, we return to Cusco.

After breakfast, we depart Cusco by tour bus for Puno, following a scenic route with guided stops. Our first visit is to Andahuaylillas to see its beautiful chapel. We continue to Racchi to explore the Temple of the Wiracocha god, where striking walls and narrow streets stand out. We then break for lunch and take in the views at La Ray, the natural border between the Cusco and Puno regions. Before our final stretch, we stop at the Pucara Museum, with time to browse and, if you wish, pick up one of the area’s classic bull shaped ceramics. We arrive in Puno in the late afternoon.

We set out by boat for a full day on Lake Titicaca. Our first stop is the Uros floating reed islands, where local families welcome us and demonstrate the traditional techniques used to build their totora reed islands and boats. We then continue by motorboat to Taquile Island, where residents maintain ancestral traditions and wear distinctive, colourful clothing. There is time to explore the island and take in broad views of the lake. A typical lunch is included at a community restaurant. In the late afternoon, close to sunset, we return by boat to the pier in Puno for the night.

After breakfast, we’ll collect you at the scheduled time for the drive to Juliaca Airport – about one hour from Puno – for your onward journey.