Rise of the Inca Empire

On arrival in Lima, we are met and transferred to our hotel.

We begin with an in-depth exploration of Lima’s Historic Centre, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. At the Convent of Santo Domingo - built during the city’s foundation - we discover one of Lima’s most significant religious complexes.

The Universidad Mayor de San Marcos, the oldest university in the Americas, was founded here. Inside, we see the country’s oldest choir stalls and a remarkable library housing around 25,000 volumes, including books printed in the 15th century. The convent also holds the remains of San Martín de Porres, San Juan Masías and Santa Rosa de Lima.

Crossing the Plaza Mayor, we view the Government Palace and City Hall before entering the Cathedral - a masterpiece of colonial art that brings Lima’s viceregal past to life.

We then leave the historic centre for the Larco Museum, which offers a clear and engaging introduction to ancient Peru. We admire exquisite gold and silver pieces, fine textiles and the museum’s renowned erotic ceramics, all of which reveal the worldview of pre-Columbian civilisations. During our visit, access to the museum’s storage area allows us to appreciate thousands of ceramic works up close.

Lima - Cusco. We transfer to the airport for our flight to Cusco. On arrival, we are met and taken to our hotel.

Please Note: Flight from Lima to Cusco is not included - When booking your flight, it must depart in the morning. Arrivals around noon are too late for the scheduled activities.

We ascend to the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman, starting at the impressive fortress overlooking the city. Its immense stone blocks - some reaching up to four metres in height - fit together with astonishing precision and reflect the engineering mastery of the Incas.

We continue to Qenqo, an ancient ceremonial site associated with the puma, where we see carved altars within a vast rock formation. At Tambomachay, known as the sacred fountains of life and health, we learn about the Incas’ advanced water systems. En route, we enjoy a panoramic view of Puca Pucara, once a strategic guard post controlling access to the city.

Back in Cusco, we visit the Temple of the Sun - Qorikancha - later built over by the Convent of Santo Domingo. According to chronicles, its walls were once covered in sheets of gold. We end the day at the Plaza de Armas and inside the Cathedral, home to an exceptional collection of colonial art, including the cross brought by the first Spanish conquerors.

Cusco - Sacred Valley. Today we enter the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is Pisac, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the valley. From its terraces high above, we enjoy sweeping views over the colonial town below. We then walk through Pisac’s historic centre, with time to browse local artisan workshops.

We continue to the Inkariy Museum, where engaging exhibits represent the principal pre-Hispanic cultures of Peru, offering valuable context for the sites we are visiting.

After lunch, we visit the Yucay Live Culture Centre. Here, local residents demonstrate traditional weaving and natural dyeing techniques, adobe brick making and the preparation of chicha - a traditional corn drink. We also meet llamas and alpacas, key animals in Andean life. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu. We explore more of the Sacred Valley’s remarkable landscapes and heritage. At Moray, we see circular agricultural terraces believed to have functioned as an Inca agricultural laboratory, recreating up to 20 different microclimates to experiment with crop production.

We continue to the village of Maras and its ancient salt mines, worked since pre-Inca times. The contrast between the white salt pools and the surrounding clay hills creates a striking scene.

After lunch, we visit Ollantaytambo - one of the last living Inca towns. We walk through its original streets, plazas and terraces before entering the vast archaeological complex that dominates the village. At the unfinished Temple of the Sun, we observe the precision stonework techniques that defined Inca construction.

At the appropriate time, we board the train to Machu Picchu town, located at the foot of the mountain. Overnight stay in the area.

Machu Picchu - Cusco. Today we visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. From the station, we take the selected train service to Machu Picchu town, where we are assisted in boarding the bus that climbs a winding road above the Urubamba River canyon.

At the citadel of Machu Picchu, we explore its terraces, stairways, ceremonial centres and residential areas. Surrounded by dramatic Andean peaks, the site reveals the extraordinary urban planning and spiritual vision of the Inca civilisation.

After lunch, we return by train and transfer to our hotel in Cusco.

Cusco - Andahuaylillas - Puno. We depart by tourist bus towards Puno, travelling alongside the Vilcanota River before ascending to the Collao Plateau in the Andean altiplano.

Our first stop is the Church of San Pedro in Andahuaylillas - often called the Sistine Chapel of America - renowned for its richly decorated 17th-century murals covering walls and ceilings.

We continue to Raqchi, home to the Temple of Wiracocha, where towering walls and columns hint at the monumental scale of this Inca sanctuary. At La Raya - 4,800 metres above sea level - we reach the highest point of the journey and the watershed dividing rivers flowing towards Lake Titicaca and the Amazon Basin.

After lunch, we visit the Pucara Site Museum, birthplace of the famous toritos de Pucará ceramic bulls. On arrival in Puno, we transfer to our hotel.

This morning we board a motorboat to visit the Uros people, who sought refuge on Lake Titicaca centuries ago.

They continue to build their floating islands using totora reeds, preserving ancient techniques and traditions. We learn about their way of life and have the opportunity to navigate in one of their traditional reed boats.

We return to the port of Puno.

After breakfast, we transfer to Juliaca airport for departure. Airfare is not included. Our staff will assist with your onward connection in Lima.