Explore Peru - Machu Picchu, Hike Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca

Let’s begin our Peruvian adventure holiday with a flight to Lima, Peru’s lively seaside capital city. Situated above a stunning coastline of rugged cliffs, Lima offers a striking contrast between high-rise modern buildings and pre-Columbian temples.

On arrival in Lima we will be met by our local expert guide and transferred to our hotel which is situated in the Miraflores District. Lying just south of downtown Lima, the Miraflores District is is the ideal base for a stay in Lima. It is an affluent area that is home to many restaurants, bars, nightclubs as well as shops, theatres, cinemas and art galleries.

3 star hotel in Lima’s Miraflores District (3 nights)

Let’s explore more of Lima and visit a traditional market in the Miraflores district where we will discover and taste a number of exotic fruits originally from Peru. Let’s learn about key ingredients used in Peruvian cuisines, such as the immense variety of potatoes, herbs, chili peppers and other flavourful additions. Also, we will see first-hand the fresh offer of fish coming straight from Peru's coast that serve as the centrepiece for many delicious native seafood dishes. Then, let’s learn the tricks to make a perfect Pisco Sour before heading to the Chef’s table where we will discover the secrets to an excellent ceviche from a professional chef. After the cooking class, we will have the chance to enjoy our own creation of Peru’s most famous cocktail and dish as today’s lunch.

You will have the remainder of the day at leisure to spend as you wish in Lima. Speak to our local expert guide for top tips on where to eat, drink and explore independently.

You will have one full day at leisure in Lima to explore this buzzing city at your own pace. Once called the ‘City of Kings,’ Lima is known for its friendly locals, rich culture, unique history and gastronomic delights. Visit one of the many art museums, relax at the beach, stroll along the beautiful boardwalks or learn about times gone by at one of Lima’s archaeological sites. Or you may simply wander the streets trying out the tasty cuisine. One thing is for sure, you will be spoiled for choice for things to see and do in Lima.

Barranco is one of the most picturesque districts of the city, home to Lima's best-known artists and writers, its bohemian atmosphere is filled with café, bars, art galleries and artists workshops offering a great opportunity to buy excellent pieces of Peruvian art. Embark on a walking tour with your local expert guide and see a side to Lima that not many tourists get to see. You will also have a guided visit to Santo Domingo Covent and Casa Aliaga to learn more about Lima's fascinating architecture and art scene. Guide and entrance fees included (This excursion is subject to minimum numbers)

After some time at leisure, let’s travel to Lima airport for our internal flight to Cusco. From there we will travel up hairpin turns to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and our home for the next two nights. (travel time approximately 2 hours / 70km)

Located north of Cusco, the Sacred Valley with its stunning mountain scenery was  the agricultural hub of the former Inca Empire. Now a destination in its own right, the Sacred Valley’s main attractions include the ancient ruins and bustling markets towns as well as lesser-known ruins and hikes, to fun adventure activities.

On arrival to our hotel we will have the rest of the afternoon to settle in and get used to the altitude. Then let’s join our fellow group members for an included dinner tonight and get to try some local Peruvian cuisine.

3 star hotel in the Sacred Valley (2 nights)

Today let’s explore more of the Sacred Valley as we visit the archaeological centre of Moray. Believed to have been used an agricultural laboratory by the Incas, its system of circular platforms that descend 150 m below our feet tested how crops would grow in different climates. A feat of modern engineering lost to time and conquest.

After lunch in a local restaurant, let’s continue our adventure and travel to the salt mines of Maras. In operation for more than 500 years, these pools have been strategically dug into the mountainside, and fill with salt water from a nearby underground spring. Eventually, they evaporate and leave behind crystallized salt which was mined by the Incas and now local family. Let’s admire the beautiful views and try some of the beautiful crystallised pink salt harvested here.

Today is sure to be one of the highlights of our adventure holiday to Peru as we embark on a one-day Inca trail day trek. The Inca Trail is the ultimate travel bucket list endeavour and is ideal for anyone who wants to combine the cultural highlights of Peru with the while testing the limits of the mind, body and the spirit on one of the world’s best-known hikes.

Our day begins as we leave the Sacred Valley and board the local Expedition train which takes us to the KM 104 stop to commence our days trekking. We begin by crossing a hanging bridge and continue to the Chachabamba ruins, on the the southern bank of the Urubamba River which are believed to have been a religious site and a gateway to Machu Picchu. From here let’s continue climbing the mountainside through woods and streams before descending into a canyon valley and cloud forests. We will stop here a while to enjoy our packed lunches and admire the beautiful Andes scenery.

After lunch we continue and we’ll reach a beautiful waterfall, and hike through the forest to arrive at the foot of the superb ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Let’s explore the urban terraces and former baths before continuing our trek to our final destination, Intipunku, also known as the Sun Gate. It is here that mist-shrouded views of Machu Picchu prove to all who make it that the climb was definitely worth it. Encounter an unforgettable backdrop as a twisting gorge and forested peaks frame the magical city of Machu Picchu.

From here our trail will descend downwards towards the town of Aguas Calientes and our base for the night.

Today is classed as a moderate hike. The duration spent trekking will be approximately 6-7 hours. The approximate distance covered by foot will be 13km. The maximum altitude of the day will be 2,700 m.

3 star hotel in Aguas Calientes (1 nights)

This morning, let’s discover Peru’s most famous historic site, the ruins of Machu Picchu. Despite its popularity among tourists, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu still retains an air of mystery and authenticity. Despite countless studies, knowledge of this 15th century Inca site remains incomplete. Some believe the citadel was founded in the waning years of the last Incas as an attempt to preserve their culture, while others think it may have been a royal palace, abandoned at the time of the Spanish invasion. Let’s enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu exploring the main highlights as well as some of the hidden nooks and crannies with our local expert guide and see why this is considered one of the most amazing urban creations of the Inca Empire.

After some free time in Aguas Calientes, we will then board the local Exhibition train to take us to the town of Cusco and our base for the next 3 nights. Take the remainder of the evening to settle in to your new surroundings. Once the most important city of the Inca Empire, Cusco is South America’s oldest continuously inhabited city and is home to ornate cathedrals, Inca temples and impressive ancient ruins.

3 star hotel in Cusco (3 nights)

Let’s discover more of Cusco on a Cusco city tour with our local expert guide. First let’s visit the Incan miliary complex,  the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. We will make a short stop at Cristo Blanco, to enjoy panoramic views of the city. Next let’s explore the San Pedro Market, Cusco’s main street market, inundated with aromas, tastes, sights, and colours of the local products of the Cusco region. Our next stop will be the Qoricancha, a temple dedicated to the Sun god. Legend has it that its inner walls were once completely lined with gold. Finally, our final visit will be to Cusco Cathedral filled with paintings from the 18^th century.

You will then have the afternoon at leisure. Chat to our local guide who will be happy to recommend activities to suit your interests.

Today you will have a full day at leisure to explore Cusco. You can take things at a relaxing pace as you stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets or perhaps you would like to independently explore the breath-taking ruins of the original city of Cusco or sample some more of the famous Peruvian cuisine at one of the many authentic restaurants. Your local guide will be happy to make suggestions to suit your interests.

Early in the morning it will be time to say goodbye to Cusco as we embark on the journey to Puno, passing through the stunning scenery of the South Valley of Cusco en route. A number of sightseeing and comfort stops will be made along the way, including a stop for lunch at a local restaurant to sample traditional food and a stop at at La Raya, highest point on the road between Cusco and Puno. (Driving duration: approximately 10 hours / Driving distance 387 km)

We will arrive into Puno in the late afternoon and will have the remainder of the day at leisure to settle in to our new surroundings. Puno lies on South America’s largest lake, Lake Titicaca, and is a regional trading hub. The city is also considered Peru's "folkloric capital," due to its traditional festivals featuring vibrant music and dancing.

4 star in Puno (2 nights)

Today let’s explore more of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable body of water, taking in in the Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island. Situated in the Andes Mountains on the border between Peru and Bolivia, we will have the chance to admire Lake Titicaca’s stunning, shimmering blue waters. We will first visit the Uros Floating Islands,made of reeds, rising six meters above the lake level. They are anchored by logs and connected to each other by ropes. The main activities of the people who live here are fishing and handcrafting several items that they sell to visitors.

Next let’s travel to Taquile Island which is well known for its natural beauty, offering a spectacular view from its hills and its standing as a first-rate textile centre. Textile activities are very important to the local people. Here we will see men walking about in rubber sandals wearing black pants, white flannel shirts and beautiful, finely woven chumpis), covering their heads with finely knitted warm "chullos".

You will have one final morning at leisure for any last minute sightseeing or shopping of your choice. In the afternoon it will be time to say goodbye to Peru as we head to Juliaca airport for our internal flight to Lima and our onward overnight flight home

On arrival in Lima airport we will transfer from the domestic terminal to the international terminal for our onward overnight flight home to Dublin.