Spend some time in cosmopolitan Lima, enjoying the vibrant energy and fantastic cuisine. A stop in culture-rich Cusco and the Sacred Valley is the perfect lead up to a visit to the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, a top highlight on any trip to wondrous Peru.
This 7-day Peru vacation starts in Lima, one of South America’s oldest colonial cities. Then discover life before the Conquistadores, visiting the Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.
Often unfairly dismissed as a mere entry and exit point for Peru, Lima offers much more to any visitor willing to explore its historic streets. You’ll visit Miraflores, a popular tourist area, plus the Historical Centre, Main Square, the Palaces of the government and Archbishop, and Huaca Huallamarca, a pyramid that even predates the Incas. You’ll also visit the Santo Domingo Convent, and tour the Archbishop’s Palace, which is filled with art works dating back as far as the 1500’s.
Fly to Cusco and transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After some time to acclimatise to the altitude, take a full day to explore Chincheros and Ollantaytambo. In Chincheros, immerse yourself in local culture, admiring Inca ruins, Andean village houses, and the colourful local market. Visiting the citadel of Ollantaytambo, let your imagination take you back to the Inca’s only known victory against a Spanish siege.
Time to visit the centrepiece of your trip, majestic Machu Picchu. This Inca city lay abandoned and unseen by outsiders for centuries, until its rediscovery in the early 20th century. Today, it is one of the world’s ‘must-see’ attractions, but this has diminished none of its mystery or wonder. The scenic Vistadome Train takes you Aguas Calientes, where you’ll transfer to a shuttle bus to visit the main site. Your tour takes you through the ruins in detail, uncovering their original functions and stories – at least, the ones we know so far. There are still many questions surrounding Machu Picchu, and you’ll have plenty of time to contemplate them before returning to Cusco.
Take a day at leisure in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca world and one of South America’s great cultural destinations, before returning to Lima for your departing flight.