Classic Peru
Example Itinerary
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Overview
The perfect introduction for those travelling to the country – or even the continent – for the first time, this comprehensive journey spans the rich diversity of Peru’s landscapes and heritage, from the historic capital known as the ‘City of Kings’ to the Sacred Valley and epic ruins of Machu Picchu, and on to the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Starting in Lima, you’ll begin by delving into the history of Peru and Latin America before flying to Cusco ...
The perfect introduction for those travelling to the country – or even the continent – for the first time, this comprehensive journey spans the rich diversity of Peru’s landscapes and heritage, from the historic capital known as the ‘City of Kings’ to the Sacred Valley and epic ruins of Machu Picchu, and on to the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Starting in Lima, you’ll begin by delving into the history of Peru and Latin America before flying to Cusco and the enchanting Sacred Valley, home to ancient ruins and weaving communities. This is the jump-off point to explore the lost city of Machu Picchu, without a doubt one of the most awe-inspiring sites anywhere in the Americas, before returning to Cusco and enjoying some of its highlights (and hidden gems).
The last leg takes you across the spectacular Andean plains to the glistening waters of Lake Titicaca. Here you will take a trip to the unique floating Uros Islands and spend time amongst the resourceful indigenous communities and weavers of the islands. Staying in beautiful boutique hotels along the way, this makes for a truly special adventure exploring the culture, charm and history of this iconic South American destination.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
How Tailor-Made Works
Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.
Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.
At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.
Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.
Relax and enjoy...through our partners you'll have support on the ground as well as 24-hour emergency assistance in the UK.
Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive Lima
On arrival to Lima, you will be welcomed by your private guide and taken to your hotel where you’ll have the afternoon to settle in and recover from the long journey. Depending on your arrival time and energy levels, you may wish to head out and independently begin exploring the bohemian streets, cafes and restaurants of the Barranco district around your hotel this afternoon.
Day 2 Lima: Colonial Heritage
Your tour of the capital with your private guide and driver this morning forces you to delve into the colonial history of Peru (and Latin America). Visiting the historic central plaza, grand cathedral and an exquisite, old colonial mansion you’ll be taken back to the 16th century right in the middle of modern-day Lima. Ending with some culture, a highly recommended visit to the Larco Museum is included for some time to browse its archive of more than 30,000 artefacts, including a unique collection of pre-Columbian erotic art. The museum’s café is a beautiful spot in the city for lunch and the chance to try some dessert made with endemic Peruvian fruit. Otherwise, you’ll be dropped back at your hotel for the rest of the afternoon at leisure to choose between exploring some other sites and museums or relaxing and enjoying the city’s fine restaurants and boutique shops.
Day 3 Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley: Weaving & Hacienda Lunch
This morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Cusco, the once capital of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival, you'll be taken straight out of the city and to the Sacred Valley for a few days to acclimatise to the lower altitude there. As you pass the village of Chinchero, well known for the production of textiles on backstrap looms, you’ll make a brief stop at the home of a local weaving family for an overview of the Andean weaving process. In their courtyard, you can watch as wool is carded, spun and dyed learning about different techniques used to create belts, ponchos and shawls. If your visit falls on a Sunday, there is also the option to explore the Sunday market that will be in full swing before continuing to a generations-old hacienda for lunch. The family have recently restored the colonial-era estate and set up a small, private gallery with a collection of original Tiawanaku, Wari and Inca sculptures and paintings which you can browse after lunch. After, continue to your hotel in the town of Ollataytambo to check in and relax, taking it easy for your first day at altitude. If you feel like a wander around the quaint town later on, your guide will provide tickets and some tips for visiting the hilltop Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo standing tall above the town.
Day 4 Sacred Valley: Hiking in the Valley
Spend today exploring the Sacred Valley further. Begin with a short drive to the Incan archaeological site of Moray, thought to have been experimental agricultural terraces of the Incas. After a tour of the ruins, and whilst other tourists jump back into their cars, you’ll begin down an old mule trail by foot. The 11km-hike takes you across quieter plains to the interesting town of Maras, taking in spectacular views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcanota and the finest examples of Andean farming along the way. There will also be a scenic stop for a picnic lunch overlooking the mountains of the Sacred Valley. Timed during its less busy period, you’ll eventually descend into the striking Salinas – a series of salt pans set across a mountainside within a steep valley that have been worked since Inca times. After exploring the incredible site, continue down to the Urubamba River to meet with your return vehicle to your hotel for a welcome rest.
Day 5 Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco: World-famous Ruins
After breakfast this morning, you’ll leave your charming valley hotel and walk over to the train platform to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. Winding alongside the Urubamba River, the views from the window are spectacular as the journey takes you from the Andes into the humid cloud forests around Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you’ll hop straight on a shuttle bus to the entry of the famous ruins – known as the "Lost City of the Incas". With the insight of your personal guide, you’ll learn about the epochal Inca Empire following one of three set routes around sights such the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Sun Dial. After a half day exploring the legendary World Heritage Site, and some time for lunch in the town of Aguas Calientes, you’ll catch the train back down to the Sacred Valley where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your boutique hotel in Cusco.
Day 6 Cusco: Historical Highlights & Hidden Gems
Combining Cusco’s highlights with its backstreets, your private tour of the influential city – sometimes referred to as the Rome of the Andes – spans an impressive historical legacy from pre-Columbian ruins and some of Latin America’s most impressive colonial churches and cathedrals to the city’s current craftsmanship. After admiring the incredible feats of Incan engineering and stonework and intricate colonial architecture, you can mosey over to the artsy San Blas neighbourhood and pop in to visit some of today’s crafters and musicians continuing to create fine handiwork amongst Peru’s past mastery. After your tour and with a free afternoon you can either take it easy within the elegant spaces of your boutique hotel and Cusco’s plethora of fine restaurants, cafes and shops or continuing meandering the city’s quaint, cobblestone streets.
Day 7 Cusco – Lake Titicaca: Crossing the Andes
Heading to the bus station this morning, you’ll board the tourist service to Puno. Accompanied by a multi-lingual guide, the full day’s journey across Peru’s Andes sees you making stops at a number of interesting sites only visited during this journey. These include the tiny, unassuming town of Andahuaylillas with its gold-leaf interior church, the archaeological site of Raqch’i and the humble Pukara Museum set up in an isolated community town. On arrival in Puno, your guide will be waiting at the station to take you to your lakeside hotel overlooking mystical Lake Titicaca.
Day 8 Lake Titicaca: Floating Uros Islands & Taquile Island Community
Explore the lake by shared speedboat today in the company of your own private guide. Lake Titicaca is a photographer’s dream, with clear sapphire waters and astounding blue skies. Today you will spend time learning about the local history, traditions and agricultural methods of the indigenous communities of the islands. Taking the faster speedboat, you’ll venture to the famous floating Uros Islands further afield where ancient ancestors, known as the water tribe, built their own islands from the lake’s totora reeds. Also discover the ancient traditions of the weaving community on Taquille Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives who, early on, developed efficient social systems as well as fine hand weaving techniques that have been passed down through the generations. Enjoy lunch at a typical community restaurant before heading back to the mainland.
Day 9 Lake Titicaca – Depart Lima
This morning transfer to the airport, en route visiting the fascinating pre-Inca burial site at Silustani, a quiet site which overlooks the crystal blue waters of Lake Umayo. Catch your flight back to Lima, where your tour in Peru comes to an end.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Antigua Casona San Blas, Cusco
The Antigua Casona San Blas is a beautiful boutique hotel, converted from a colonial home in the trendy San Blas neighbourhood of the city, a stone’s throw from Cusco’s main attractions, restaurants and shops. Its 26 rooms are well appointed featuring elegantly hand carved wooden beds and furniture, indoor plants and a private balcony. The site’s history goes back further than the 18th-century building, with an Inca stone foundation at the centre of the hotel courtyard - a great place to relax with a pisco sour from bar and immerse yourself in the richness of the historic city. Facilities include the stylish Piedra y Sal restaurant serving Peruvian fusion for breakfast, lunch and dinner; the spa offering massages, a jacuzzi and a sauna; and other wellness services such as a calming yoga room and a hyperbaric chamber for those needing a bit of an oxygen boost whilst at altitude. A Wild Frontiers favourite, The Antigua Casona San Blas provides excellent value, offering a deluxe experience and first-class service without the five-star price tag.
Villa Barranco, Lima
Located within the bohemian district of Barranco, Villa Barranco by Ananay Hotels is a charming four-star accommodation option for your stay in Lima. Resurrected from a 1920s house, the décor is simple yet elegant, providing an airy environment within the pretty, early 20th-century architecture. The hotel houses two deluxe rooms, six junior suites and a master suite, with some overlooking the Pacific Ocean and others featuring a private terrace or balcony. Guests can enjoy the views with a drink from the rooftop terrace or take the hotel’s bicycles out for a cycle around the trendy neighbourhood. Barranco’s restaurants and galleries are a stroll away, as is the Pacific promenade. Villa Barranco is exemplary of the Ananay group’s characteristic blend of elegance, character, luxury and affordability.
Casa Andina Premium Puno, Puno
This is the premium brand from the well-known and well-loved Peruvian Casa Andina hotels. Their Lake Titicaca hotel sits on the outskirts of the small town of Puno, around 10 minutes from the centre, on the banks of the lake itself. The hotel has just 46 rooms and suites each with a small balcony and differing views. Like most hotel options in Puno, rooms are quite plainly decorated with just a few photographs on the walls of the region. However, being out of town, they offer a bit more space and come complete with all international standard amenities. A draw of the lakeside hotel is its restaurant and a terrace, set away from the main building, which benefits from great views of the lake which guests can enjoy over a meal or a drink from the bar. The bar, just off the main lobby, also serves tapas most evenings. Casa Andina Premium in Puno is a homegrown Peruvian hotel option that benefits from a quiet and attractive location set on the lake, away from the main town.
El Albergue, Sacred Valley
Widely considered one of the best places to stay in town, the boutique El Albergue Hotel is something of an institution in Ollantaytambo, right in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Fixed on the train station platform on the edge of town, it is perfectly located to welcome and see off adventurers travelling up to Machu Picchu. The converted colonial building houses a few rooms and a family casita set around quaint gardens. Rooms are simple and offer a rustic yet comfortable stay. Standard rooms face the train station platform whilst Superior Balcony rooms offer scenic views of the back garden and the surrounding Andean mountains. Also regarded as one of the best places to eat in town, the French manager has refined the dining experience here, serving impeccable Peruvian and international dishes at the hotel’s ever-popular restaurant.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MEALS
TRANSPORT
ENTRANCE FEES
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
START PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
Expert travel consultants
Up-to-date knowledge and advice from our experienced consultants on the best places to stay, things to do and regions to visit to make your holiday the trip of a lifetime.
EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDES
We use experienced local guides to help bring the sights to life, introduce you to local characters and ensure you get under the skin of your destination.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640
OTHER ITINERARIES IN PERU
Check out our group tours in Peru
As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Peru. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.
View Group Tours in Peru