Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Icons of Peru An Adventure from Lima to Lake Titicaca
Peru – Lima – Cuzco – Machu Picchu – Lake Titicaca
Begin your adventure in the vibrant capital of Lima, where you’ll explore the bohemian Barraco district before dining in style in a delightful Peruvian restaurant. Then, swap city streets for ancient archaeology with a flight to the iconic Sacred Valley, home to an array of Inca ruins.
Next, ride the rails to the one and only Machu Picchu aboard a panoramic train. After a brief shuttle ascent with a knowledgeable local guide, scale back down and hop aboard another panoramic train for the seriously scenic journey to Puno, home of Lake Titicaca which is both the largest lake in South America and the highest-altitude lake in the world. Where better to round off your time in this captivating country?
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine. Your Peruvian adventure begins today. Pack your bags, head to the airport and whizz through security. For a bit of peace and quiet before departure, slip away to the lounge, where complimentary nibbles and refreshments await. Flights to Peru’s capital take just over 18 hours with a stopover in a US transit city – plenty of time to sit back, relax and dust off your Spanish.
Thanks to the time difference, you’ll touchdown in Lima later today. At the airport, a private driver will be waiting to whisk you off to the heart of the city, where you’ll check in for two nights at a stylish hotel. After tucking into dinner (which might feel more like a midnight snack), rest up for tomorrow’s adventures...
Don your explorers hats, because today is all about delving into the culture, history and buzz of the Peruvian capital. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, head to one of the most prominent districts in the city: Barranco. Here, an array of artists have come together to create a buzzing bohemian atmosphere. While you’re strolling between boutique shops, beautiful beaches and the iconic old tramway, why not grab some picarones (sweet potato and pumpkin doughnuts) to munch on?
After your day of discovery, dine in style this evening at Central, a prestigious restaurant where you’ll tuck into a delicious meal showcasing the best local ingredients – now that’s a fitting finale to your time in the capital.
Bid Lima a fond farewell this morning as you’re privately transferred to the airport for your one-and-a-half-hour internal flight to Cusco. When you land, another private driver (lucky you) will take you to Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley – your base for the next three nights.
Once you’ve unpacked, settled in and scoped out your suave new digs, head out to explore your surroundings. Armed with the Boleto Turistico General – a ten-day pass providing access to a range of museums and sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley – there’ll be no limits (within reason) to your exploration.
Start at the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a 15th-century Inca citadel perched at an altitude of 12,421ft. Then, visit the sanctuary of Qenqo, where a series of zig-zagging rock channels await. Travelling with a lover of military history? The Puka Pukara archaeological complex is a great way to spend the next few hours, admiring the walls, terraces and staircases which make up this Incan stronghold. Elsewhere, you’ll find the sacred site of Tambomachay – a water temple – and the agricultural terraces of Tipon, another water-filled wonder.
Fancy switching things up? Head to the quaint village of Chinchero for a bite to eat and a brush with the locals. And if you want to beat the heat? Dip into the Regional History Museum of Cusco or, to enjoy an art fix, visit (deep breath) the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Municipality of Cusco.
Wake up bright and early this morning: you have two more days to cover as much of the Sacred Valley as possible. After a hearty breakfast this morning, meet your local guide (who will double as your driver) and head to the charming village of Pisaq. Here, you’ll find a bustling market, centuries-old agricultural terraces and another Inca citadel – we're spoiling you on this trip.
Afterwards, make tracks to the other end of the valley, where the fortified site of Ollantaytambo, a beautifully preserved example of Incan city-planning, awaits.
The rest of your time in the Sacred Valley can be as curious or as laid-back as you please. Discover more archaeological gems, spy the llamas and alpacas milling about the valley or kick back with a refreshing cocktail at your hotel. Keen to dial up the relaxation? We can even arrange for you to spend an entire day at the spa.
Today, it’s time to level up (literally). After being privately transferred to Ollantaytambo station this morning, embark on a scenic journey aboard a panoramic train to Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you can acclimatise before taking the shuttle to Aguas Calientes, at 6,692ft. Here, the beauty of the mountains, the scale of design and the genius demonstrated by the Incas combine to create a truly incredible spectacle. To give context to all your oooing and aaahing, a private local guide will accompany you around the site.
After you’ve been suitably wowed, return to the station for a scenic stint in another panoramic train to Poroy, in Cusco. When you arrive, check in for two nights in your next home away from home. You’ll likely be quite tired from all your travels, so bypass any lengthy discussions about where to eat this evening by contacting your trusty Concierge.
Having explored the archaeological sites scattered throughout the Sacred Valley, today is all about becoming acquainted with Cusco itself, capital of Tahuantinsuyu – the Inca Empire. In the company of a private local guide, visit the Catedral de la Asuncion de la Santisima Virgen (dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries) and the Temple of the Sun, or ‘Coricancha,’ where the Santo Domingo Convent has stood since the 16th century.
Alternatively, if you didn’t manage to visit all the Sacred Valley sites on your list, now’s your chance (the sanctuary of Qenqo is less than four miles north of Cusco). While you’re strolling around, be sure to glance into the distance every now and then. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the snow-capped peaks of the Ausangate mountains – cameras at the ready.
After a delicious breakfast this morning, meet your private driver who will take you to the station to board the Titicaca train, a luxury day train running between Cusco and Puno, on Lake Titicaca.
As you chug along, a group of talented musicians will keep you entertained. Be sure to keep your eyes on the windows, too, because you’ll likely spot some llamas and pink flamingos along the way. Then, lush landscapes give way to iconic sites as you pass the palaces of Urcos, the La Raya mountain range and the pretty city of Juliaca. Feeling Peckish? Don’t worry, there are two dining cars onboard.
You’ll arrive in Puno just after dinner, where another private driver will whisk you away to your next hotel. Check in for two nights, unpack and rest up – you have another busy day of adventure lined up tomorrow.
The name of the game today? Discovering Lake Titicaca. The largest lake in South America (not to mention the highest navigable lake in the world), this stunning natural landscape has plenty of exciting excursions on offer.
Fancy an adrenaline-fuelled adventure? Take to the water on a kayak or boat. Or, if you’d prefer to stay on land, lace up your walking shoes for a hike or hop on a bike for a two-wheeled ascent of the mountain.
If you’d rather spend your time soaking up some more Peruvian culture, visit the weavers of Copamaya, the chullpas of Sillustani (pre-Inca tower tombs) on Lake Umayo or the church of San Pedro Martir de Juli. There are also the artificial islands of the Uros Titinos, some of which are still inhabited and can be explored via traditional spindle canoes. Craving a spot of tranquillity? Hop over to the UNESCO-listed island of Taquile, rich in textile tradition and – of course – stunning views over the lake.
Sadly, all great adventures must come to an end. After one last high-altitude breakfast in your hotel this morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the international airport in Juliaca. The flight home is another two-parter, this time via Lima, so the journey takes between 18 and 24 hours, depending on your connection. Due to the time difference, you won’t land in the UK until the following day, raring to go with stories of your Peruvian adventure.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
COOKING WORKSHOP IN LIMA
Accompanied by an expert chef, head to the market, pick up a few local, seasonal ingredients and delve into a cooking class in the chef’s kitchen – followed by a tasting of some quintessential Peruvian dishes. Afterwards, wash everything down with a pisco sour, our pick for the best Peruvian cocktail.LUNCH AT MIL CENTRO
The Mil Centro restaurant is 11,706ft above sea level – literally top-notch cuisine. While gazing across the Inca ruins of Moray, tuck into an eight-course tasting lunch made from high-altitude ingredients. Then, accompanied by a private local guide, head out to explore the concentric terraces of the famous Inca Acclimatization Center. Venture through a beautiful landscape, dominated by the Vilcabamba mountain range, towards the salt flats of Maras, where thousands of basins create a stunning honeycomb pattern – talk about photogenic.WITH A FEW MORE DAYS...
THE TINAJANI CANYON
In the shadow of Cuzco and Machu Picchu, several Peruvian sites remain largely under the radar. One of these is the Tinajani Canyon, in the southeast of the country, where the pre-Inca civilisation of Qaluyo lived 3,000 years ago. Here, a dramatic landscape full of soaring rock formations awaits. Craving more time in this stunning site? Spend the night in a camp, surrounded by nothing but views and stars.
Why visit Peru with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Peru
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
