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Day 1: Welcome to Your 8-Day Trip to Perú - Lima

Transfer from the airport to your hotel – Day at leisure

Upon your arrival in Lima, we’ll be waiting to drive you from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy your leisure time in Lima!

Lima is the capital of Peru; the jumping-off point for nearly all trips to the country. In the Colonial Era, it housed the viceroyalty, making it the most powerful city-hub of South America.

Today, its native and foreign heritage coexist; its well-preserved, amazing colonial churches and archeological sites (heading south to Caral Sacred City) exist in harmony with Peru’s beautiful beaches overlooking the Pacific Ocean and its delicious seafood.

Day 2: City Tour in Lima

Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historic buildings.

We’ll start with a scenic tour in the colonial downtown, which expands from the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire, like that of the Cathedral, which was built up in the 16th century and finished after 80 years of hard work!

Our next stop will be to Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion that was granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains.

The last part of this historical day tour in Lima will be dedicated to the Larco Museum. Located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district, this meticulously maintained museum is housed in a beautifully restored viceroyal mansion. Its exhibits boast the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artifacts, as well as pieces of ancient erotic art.

Since we’re on the topic of love encounters, we’ll finish the day at the “Love Park” built in 1993 to celebrate love in all its forms. Nestled in the upscale coastal district of Miraflores, you can admire the cliffs from its colorful mosaic benches and take in the most beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.

After enjoying this romantic place and meeting the famous sculpture which immortalized the tender kiss of two passionate lovers, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.

Day 3: Continue Your Perú Travel Itinerary - Cuzco

Transfer from your hotel to Lima airport
Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel and take you to Lima airport to continue your 8-day trip in Perú. Take an hour’s flight to Cuzco, maybe the most international destination of Peru, since (but not only because…) Machu Picchu, the world-renowned Inca fortress, is located only 4 hours away! 

Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cuzco

Upon your arrival in Cuzco, we’ll drive you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening exploring the city at your own pace.

Day 4: Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress - Cuzco

Full-day tour to Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley, and visit Pisac, famous for its craft market where you’ll find the most exquisite pieces of jewelry, ceramic, and textile craftwork. We’ll continue our trip by visiting the archeological site of Pisac to admire the stone terraces built by the Incas, and last, we’ll head to Ollantaytambo to visit its stunning fortress. Admire the remaining towers and walls that used to keep the citadel safe and the royal guests it used to host. You will sleep in Cuzco tonight, at the end of the day, a transfer will drop you at your hotel.

Day 5: Travel to Machu Picchu - Return to Cuzco

Tour to Machu Picchu, discover the legendary city!
Your tour to Machu Picchu begins with a 4-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes (literally, hot water). This town is also known as “Machu Picchu Pueblo” and is the last stop before entering the remains of the most important archaeological site in Peru. Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain” and is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You’ll finally reach Machu Picchu (the ancient sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec) after a short transfer by bus through the mountains.

Here, when we arrive at the exact destination that is the highlight of your trip, we will have special moments which will most certainly be cherished forever. Enjoy your first impressions of this jaw-dropping place, and breathe the magic in the air.

At the end of the tour, you will take a bus back to Aguas Calientes and the train back to Cuzco where a transfer will drive you to your hotel.

Day 6: City Tour in Cuzco

City tour in Cuzco and archeological sites

Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to start your Cuzco tour with a visit to the Coricancha, also known as the “Temple of the Sun” the construction of which was ordered by Inca Pachacútec (1438-1471).

This is where the Sun (Inti, in Quechua) was worshipped during the reign of the Inca Empire, and during that time its walls were fully covered with gold sheets and its courtyards were adorned with golden corn and life-sized sculptures of llamas.

We’ll continue on to visit the Cathedral, the most important building in the Main Square (whose construction lasted almost a century) and one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in America.

Our next stop will be the Sacsayhuamán fortress, an emblematic Incan piece of work, which protected the Holy City. The Sacsayhuamán complex was constructed with giant megalithic blocks, the transportation and construction of which continue to be a mystery.

This day will end with a visit to some archeological main attractions. You’ll visit Qenqo, located just over 2 miles away from Cuzco City, an archaeological complex mainly used for religious purposes, and where it is believed that agricultural rituals took place.

You will finally visit the vestiges of Puka Pukara, located 4.5 miles away from Cuzco. Puka Pukara, which means “red fortress”, was an architectural complex presumably used for military purposes.

At the end of this full historical and natural immersion in Cuzco’s heritage, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.

Day 7 Hike to Humantay Lagoon - Cuzco

Hike to Humantay Lagoon

You will leave Cuzco early in the morning heading to Soraypampa. On the way, pass by the city of Limatambo, an important entrance to Cuzco during the Inca Empire, and see the archaeological site of Tarawasi. Make a quick breakfast stop in a local restaurant before reaching Soraypampa and begin a mountain hike to Humantay Lagoon. Enjoy the stunning scenery of this wonderful place and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Heading back to Cuzco, take lunch at a restaurant along the route.

Day 8 The End of Your 8-Day Travel Itinerary to Peru

This is the end of your 8-day travel itinerary to Peru…at least for now! At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and head to the Cuzco airport to take your flight.

Keep on exploring other amazing destinations in Perú. Fire up your wanderlust with our featured trips to Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Peru.

Day 1: Arrive in Lima

Welcome to Lima. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by a Sky Vacations ambassador who will assist you with your transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore and unwind.

Day 2: Lima city tour

After breakfast at your hotel, the day begins with a tour of the city’s main avenues, boulevards, and squares. Begin with an exploration of Colonial Lima. First, you will stop off at the Plaza de Armas (Main Square). There, you will explore the square by foot and admire the exteriors of the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), the Cathedral of Lima, and the Municipalidad (City Hall), all examples of Lima’s still-present colonial architectural opulence. Afterwards, you will visit La Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion that currently holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited private residence in the Southern Hemisphere. Next, you will make your way to the Convento de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Convent), a religious and architectural gem that houses holy paintings, images, and relics of Peruvian saints, as well as written accounts of the endeavors of the Dominican Order across the country.

Finally, you will leave behind Lima’s Historic Center and begin your journey through the streets of modern Lima as you head toward the most traditional of the residential zones of the capital: San Isidro and Miraflores. In San Isidro, you will pass through the heart of the city’s financial district and then enjoy a panoramic view of the Huaca Hullamarca Pyramid, an important pre-Inca and Incan ceremonial center and cemetery built out of adobe mud bricks. Soon afterwards, you will travel to the district of Miraflores, a perfect spot to enjoy wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean.

You will complete your tour of Lima with a visit to the Bohemian neighborhood of Barranco, a neighborhood called home by countless artists, photographers, and authors. Walk along peculiar streets lined with Republican houses, admire the splendid views, and visit the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), witness to untold numbers of past and present romances, and source of inspiration for one of Peru’s great composers, Chabuca Granda. Remaining day at leisure.

Day 3: Flight Lima – Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, your will be Sky Vacations representative will give you an introduction to the city and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the morning is at your leisure.

This afternoon, begin your tour as you enjoy the best view of the city of Cusco from atop Cerro Pukamoqo (Red Peak), a natural scenic overlook from which the outstretched arms of Cristo Blanco, a massive white statue of Christ, embrace the city in a benevolent gesture. You will then visit nearby Fortaleza de Sacsayhuamán (Fortress of Sacsayhuamán), a colossal structure of enormous stones, carved and fitted together with incredible precision. As you return to the lower part of the city, you will stop off at the Mercado de San Pedro (Market of St. Peter), which being the city’s main street market, will give you an opportunity to get to know the products of Cusco, overwhelming you with the sights, aromas, tastes, and colors of the region. Just a few blocks away, you will discover one of the most impressive buildings of Incan Cusco: the Korikancha (the Golden Temple)—a temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, whose interior walls were said to have been covered in gold. You will complete the day with a stroll through the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), where you will visit the Cathedral and admire its exquisite vestibules and priceless paintings from the Cusco School of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Day 4: Cusco – Sacred Valley

This morning, we will continue our trip towards Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley) – you will soon reach the must-see stop of Awanakancha. Here, you will learn about the various types of camelids (Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas, and Guanacos) that live in the Andes region. Additionally, the local villagers will teach you about the ancestral methods and techniques used to produce their textile art.

A few miles farther along, you will reach Pisac, a beautiful place where Incan and Colonial influences have reached a perfect balance and created the unique way of life of the local inhabitants. You will get a chance to explore this quaint town, famous for its artisan markets where you can find extraordinarily fine jewelry and ceramic and textile craftwork. We take a break for lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, you will visit one of the last remaining Incan towns, Ollantaytambo, which was once fiercely guarded by a massive fortress. Discover the large archeological complex of what used to serve as a wayside inn for royal delegations on long journeys. Surviving structures here include multiple walls and towers that were used to protect the citadel from possible invasions. Time permitting you will get a chance to mingle with the locals at a typical Peruvian Andes establishment, either at a “chichería” (establishment for the brewing and sale of chicha, the famous traditional Andean drink made of germinated corn) or a bakery with still-functioning traditional ovens. Return to Cusco.

Day 5: Cusco-Km 82-Huayllabamba

Early in the morning, we will go from our hotel to Km 82 of the railroad that leads to Machu Picchu. Here we will meet the porters and the rest of the team that will be joining us. We’ll start our trek led by the porters. We will walk down the Urubamba River, as we enjoy a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks, until we reach the ruins of Llactapata. We then leave the Urubamba Valley behind and follow the Kusichaca river until we reach Huayllabamba, about 3000 meters (9842 feet) above sea level. There we will spend our first night in a comfortable campsite. We will stop for lunch along the way. We will walk approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) in 6 hours.

Day 6: Huayllabamba-Pacaymayo

An early start this morning, we begin our ascent to the Warmiwayñusca (Dead Woman) pass, at 4200 meters (13780 feet) above sea level, through a narrow path filled with vegetation. After about 5 hours of hiking, we will have arrived at the summit of the pass. From here we will enjoy breathtaking views of beautiful snow-capped mountains punctuating the blue sky. We will stop along the way for lunch. Once we reach the end of the pass, we will stop at Pacaymayo, located at 3600 meters (11811 feet) above sea level, where we’ll set up camp to spend the night. We will walk approximately 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) in 7 hours.

Day 7: Pacaymayo-Wiñaywayna

Today we’ll begin with one of the most beautiful stretches of the Inca Trail, due to the number of archaeological sites we will find en route. After breakfast, we will go up a small hill leading to the circular ruins of Runkurakay, which was used in the Inca era as a military vantage point. We will rest for a while, and then we will begin our descent down a very well-preserved stretch of the Inca trail until we reach the stairs leading to the ruins of Sayacmarca, located in a natural promontory at 3620 meters (11877 feet) above sea level. Throughout the hike we will enjoy spectacular views and we will see many birds and a wide variety of orchids. From Sayacmarca we will enter the cloud forest through a stone path that will lead us to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (City on the clouds) after crossing a small pass. After that we continue to descend until reaching the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful structures after Machu Picchu, at 2650 meters (8695 feet) above sea level. After visiting the ruins we will go to the camping area where we’ll spend the last night of the trip.

From Pacaymayo to Phuyupatamarca we will walk approximately 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) in 6 hours. From Phuyupatamarca to Wiñay Wayna we will walk approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in 3 hours.

Day 8: Wiñaywayna – Wiñaywayna-Macchu Picchu-Cusco

Prepare to have the experience of a lifetime. We will leave behind our campsite early in the morning and will head towards the Inti Punku, or Gate of the Sun, the last pass on the Inca Trail at 2740 meters (8990 feet) above sea level. From this point, Machu Picchu will appear to be wondrous and unreal. After a guided visit through the citadel, we will have some free time to walk through it again.

We will be assisted at the predetermined time in boarding the train to Cusco from the Aguas Calientes station. Arrival at Cusco and transfer to hotel. From Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu we will walk approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) in 4 hours. From Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu we will walk approximately 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) in 7 hours.

Day 9: Cusco departure

A wonderful trip comes to an end – it’s time to say good bye. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.