Best of Peru

13 days

Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incans on this Peruvian adventure. Begin in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains, feel at home in cozy casitas, dine on ingredients fresh from the garden, and explore remote villages. Then journey to the Temple of the Sun, Machu Picchu’s most iconic vista. Take in the view over the Urubamba River Valley and marvel at the ancient craftsmanship. Continue on to the colorful city of Cusco, where you will explore the lively streets and sleep in a former monastery built in the 1500s. Continue onto Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world and sacred Incan site and the birthplace of the first Incan king. Wrap up your Peruvian adventure on the mighty Amazon. Experience abundant flora and fauna, dramatic scenery, indigenous cultural history, all in great comfort aboard a luxurious riverboat.

Our Peru tour begins at the Wyndham Costa del Sol, linked directly to Jorge Chavéz International Airport and offering upscale amenities for discerning travelers, Lima(1 night), Sol y Luna, encircled by the majestic Andes Mountains, Sacred Valley ( 2 nights), Inkaterra Machu Picchu, whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest, Machu Picchu (1 night), Monasterio, right beside the lively Cusco central square is Belmond Hotel Monasterio, a former monastery and national monument dating from 1592, Cusco (2 nights), Titilaka Lodge, with chic decor, the lodge is located right on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Lake Titicaca (3 nights) Delfin I, where comfort and grace combine effortlessly with the wilderness of the Amazon, Amazon River (3 nights).

Highlights

  • Full day excursion to Sacsayhuaman, Amaru Andean community, and Pisac market
  • Mountain biking through the Sacred Valley
  • Learn how to prepare authentic Peruvian cuisine
  • Guided visit to Machu Picchu
  • Full day walking visit in Cusco, including Cathedral, Koricancha, and Pisco Museum
  • Learn about the Uro-Aymara communities and their way of life.
  • Colla route trek
  • Swim with pink river dolphins
  • Amazon River excursions

Itinerary

DAY 1 – THE BEST PERU TOURS

Arrival in Lima

Welcome to Peru! You’ll be met and transferred to the Wyndham Costa del Sol, located right near the airport.

DAY 2

Arrival into Sacred Valley

After breakfast, transfer to Sol y Luna in the Sacred Valley. Enjoy a late lunch at Wayra, the relaxed eatery on site. Enjoy murals and sculptures by Federico, the artist in residence, and Chef Nacho Selis’ Andean cuisine honoring the wealth of natural organic ingredients first harvested here in the bountiful Sacred Valley by the ancient Incas and helps truly make this one of the best Peru tours available.

DAY 3

Sacred Valley Mountain Bike Excursion

After breakfast, head into the Sacred Valley, known as the gateway to Machu Picchu. Here, the last “living” Inca civilization endures, relatively unchanged since ancient times. Enjoy a full day, guided mountain bike experience. Explore small towns and villages, ride alongside the Huarán rapids and visit communities of Huicho, Urquillos, and Huayllabamba. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4

Cusco Gardens – Best Peru Tours

After breakfast, transfer to the Inkaterra Machu Picchu. After lunch, explore the stunning gardens, including an impressive orchid collection, on site. Get to bed early this evening in preparation for an early morning tomorrow.

DAY 5

Machu Picchu

After a quick cup of coffee, depart for the Machu Picchu archaeological site, arriving in time for sunrise. Spend the morning with your guide exploring the site. Continue on to Cusco, arriving at the Monasterio hotel in time for a late lunch.

DAY 6

Peruvian Cooking Class

Today, discover what makes Peruvian cuisine so unique during a private cooking class. Learn to prepare two signature dishes, enjoying the fruits of your labor for a lovely lunch. Explore Cusco on foot before returning to the Monasterio hotel.

DAY 7

Lake Titicaca Floating Islands

To make this truly one of the best Peru tours in existence, on this morning you will journey to Lake Titicaca, arriving at Titilaka Lodge, a lovely boutique hotel perched at the edge of the lake, in time for lunch. This afternoon, explore the famed “floating islands” of Lake Titicaca and the Island of Taquile. Learn about the Uro-Aymara communities and their way of life. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8

Colonial Temples

After breakfast, set out with a guide to explore the epicenter of the region’s evangelizing mission of indigenous peoples during the Spanish conquest in Puno’s Juli and Pomata churches. Harboring the construction of four churches in the XVI and XVII centuries, the town of Juli came to be known as the “Little Rome of America,” while Pomata grew famous for its baroque church, built entirely out of red pumice stone, or piedra pómez roja. Enjoy lunch in a charming village and return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9

Colla Route Trek

This morning, set out on foot for the Colla Route, part of the original network of Incan roadways. Enjoy views of the area and Bolivia’s impressive Cordillera Real, or Royal Mountain Range. Continue onto the Hilarata Summit, where you will be rewarded with amazing views of Lake Titicaca and the Altiplano below where the Santa Rosa and Thunuhuaya communities are located. Return to the hotel late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10

Amazon River Cruise

Today, one of our favorite and best Peru tours continues to the Peruvian Rain Forest for a truly unique adventure aboard the Delfin 1. Arrive at Iquitos and board the ship in time for happy hour and an orientation.

DAY 11

Canopy Walk and Swim with Dolphins

After breakfast, enjoy a jungle canopy walk, a fabulous opportunity to learn about this unique ecosystem. After lunch, head to the Yanayacu Pucate where you’ll have the opportunity to swim with pink river dolphins. These creatures are social, friendly and extremely intelligent, making it one of the highlights of a visit to the Amazon Basin. Dinner and overnight aboard the ship.

DAY 12

Jungle Walk and Amazonas Villas

This morning, enjoy another guided jungle walk deep into the rainforest on terra firma, accompanied by a guide and local assistant who is a native of the jungle and able to bring you closer to different animals such as frogs, snakes, and insects. After lunch, visit a local Amazonas Village; an opportunity to visit the Ribereno Community, learning about their way of life.

DAY 13

Travel Home

Today you will transfer back to Cusco, where you will connect with your onward flight home and conclude your journey on one of the best Peru tours ever offered.