The Land of Ancient Kingdoms
ITINERARY
1-2
Lima
Capital City
Ready to see Peru in all its glory? Once you touch down in Lima you’ll be met by a guide and taken to your hotel to settle in. During your time in the capital city, you’ll visit the Larco Museum, which is located inside a viceregal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid of the 7th century. Here you’ll gain a better understanding of the cultures that flourished before the Inca Empire. After checking out the Presidential Palace and Lima Cathedral in the main square you’ll head on to the Aliaga House, a building as old as Lima itself. Inside you’ll find plenty of interesting artifacts including the sword Jerónimo de Aliaga used in the conquest of Peru. From here you’ll check out the Santo Domingo Church, built at the end of the 16th century, before heading on to San Martin Square.

PLACES TO STAY
Villa Barranco exterior, Lima
Villa Barranco
Appealing aesthetics and a great location - the perfect base to explore the cultural delights of Lima.

Key Facilities
TerraceFree infant beds/cotsGardenFree bike hire

3-4
Trujillo
City
In Trujillo, you’ll see hefty colonial mansions and visit the Museo de Arqueologia de la Universidad Nacional de Trujillo to learn more about the region’s pre-Columbian cultures. You’ll kick-start day four with a visit to the mesmerizing Sun and The Moon Temples, the center of power in the Trujillo valley during Moche ancient times. The Temple of the Sun is a 43m high pyramid and legend goes it was built in only three days! Afterward, you’ll visit a family who is descendants of Mochica people, an Andean civilization who lived near Trujillo from about 100 to 700 AD. You’ll learn more about the Chimú culture at the ceremonial Dragon Temple and after lunch, you’ll explore the ancient mud-brick city of Chan Chan. Once home to 100,000 inhabitants, it is the largest city from the pre-Columbian era in South America and was used as the seat of the Chimú civilisation before it fell to the Incas.

PLACES TO STAY
Exterior View Day Hotel Libertador, Trujillo
Hotel Libertador Trujillo
This modern hotel offers luxury in a historic Peruvian place.

Key Facilities
Swimming poolBarRestaurantFitness center

5-6
Chiclayo
General Tour
Today you’re off to Chiclayo! On your way there you’ll visit the El Brujo complex, which is home to a 98 ft. pyramid. Here you’ll see the well preserved tattooed mummy of a young woman, belonging to the Moche Royal Family, who was discovered inside the pyramid. The next day you’ll visit the mud-brick burial platform of Huaca Rajada, where the world-famous tomb of the Lord of Sipán was discovered. Afterward, you’ll visit Túcume, a pre-Hispanic site encompassing 26 major pyramids of the Lambayeque culture. You’ll finish up with a visit to the Tumbas Reales Museum; a modern burgundy building, this world-class museum beautifully showcases the incredible finds from Sipán. During your visit you’re guided through the artifacts in the order they were discovered, providing you with excellent context.

PLACES TO STAY
Casa Andina Select, Chiclayo
Casa Andina Select
A quiet hotel offering a grand stay with comfortable rooms, spa and beauty treatments.

Key Facilities
RestaurantSpaOutdoor pool fitness center bar

7-9
Chachapoyas
General Tour
En route to Chachapoyas you’ll pass through one of the driest deserts on the planet, climb the Andes, and descend to the Marañón River before finally ascending via the great Utcumbamba canyon. In this region, you’ll take a day trip out to Kuélap, a walled settlement in the cloud forest of the mountains built by the Chachapoyas culture in the 6th century. Though this settlement was discovered before Machu Picchu it has never received the same worldwide fame and remains a grossly under-visited site. The next day you’ll visit the Mausoleums of Revash, a complex of funeral houses dug into the cliffside where the most important Chachapoya people were buried. To this day it remains a mystery quite how they managed to build this complex let alone transport mummies to it.

PLACES TO STAY
Exterior View La Xalca, Chachapoyas
La Salsa
A comfortable hotel with an impressive entrance room and historical architecture.

Key Facilities
BarRoom service garden

10
Cocachimba
Activity & Adventure
Today you’ll swap history for nature as you hike to Gocta Waterfall, which, at 771m, is considered the third highest in the world. Your walk will take you through dense rainforest boasting plenty of wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, and stunning orchids. Once at the waterfall you’ll relax with a tasty picnic lunch.

PLACES TO STAY
Pool View Day Gocta Andes Lodge, Chachapoyas
Gocta Andes Lodge
This hotel is dedicated to taking in the amazing scenery courtesy of the nearby Gocta Waterfalls.

Key Facilities
Swimming pool breakfast includedRestaurantBar

11-13
Cuzco
City
It’s time to indulge in a spot of city living in the charming and historic city of Cuzco. During your time in this city you’ll visit Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun, once one of the most important temples in the Inca Empire and covered in gold. From there you’ll visit the Cathedral which dominates the main square and is home to around 400 paintings from the Cuzco School of Art. Next, you’ll visit the Casa Concha Museum which houses a fine collection of ceramics, metal objects, and skeletal remains, as well as archaeological pieces found at Machu Picchu that have recently been returned from the United States. Finally, you’ll swing by the stylish San Blas neighborhood where you can wander the picturesque cobbled streets and check out the Church of San Blas, built over the foundations of an Inca sanctuary in 1544.

PLACES TO STAY
Courtyard at El Mercado, Cusco
El Mercado
Welcoming and elegant, this boutique hotel has a street food grill on the premises.

Key Facilities
Bar & loungeRoom service family rooms available restaurant
THINGS TO DO
Kayaking in Huaypo Lake
Kayaking in Huaypo Lake
Full-day experience
A relaxing peaceful trip on Huaypo Lake.

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Huaypo Lake activity day
Huaypo Lake activity day
Full-day experience
Soak up the views of beautiful Huaypo Lake on kayak and horseback.

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Ollantaytambo & Pisac market tour
Ollantaytambo & Pisac market tour
Full-day experience
Shop for authentic wares and go back in time at the Ollantaytambo citadel.

 

14
Sacred Valley
General Tour
Want to pick up some authentic souvenirs? Wait until you get to Pisac market in the Sacred Valley – here you can pick from alpaca textiles, musical instruments, paintings, carvings, necklaces and replicas of ancient Inca pieces. Once you’re shopped out you’ll visit the Inkariy museum which explores pre-Columbian cultures through educational information, artefacts and life size dioramas. You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at Wayra Ranch before continuing on to the Ollantaytambo Park, where you’ll see urban Inca planning in action.

PLACES TO STAY
Exterior of El Albergue, Sacred Valley
El Albergue
A simple but cozy option, providing great services to visitors on the way to the wonders of Machu Picchu.

Key Facilities
RestaurantBarWi-FiBeautiful gardensBike rental

15-16
Machu Picchu
General Tour
You’ll travel to Machu Picchu, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites on the planet, via scenic train ride and short transfer. Once you arrive you’ll have plenty of time to explore this masterpiece of Inca engineering in detail. But don’t worry if you don’t see everything – you’ll return again the next day for a second visit to the citadel. You’ll enjoy a one hour trek up to Wayna Picchu, from which you’ll enjoy a stunning view over Machu Picchu and the snow-capped Andean peaks beyond.

PLACES TO STAY
Spa at El Mapi, Machu Picchu
El Mapi
Welcome to El Mapi, a stylish hotel with excellent service and a relaxed atmosphere.

Key Facilities
BarRestaurantSpaWi-family rooms
THINGS TO DO
Hike the Inca Trail
Hike the Inca Trail
4-day experience
Hike your way to one of the most impressive archaeological sites on the planet.

 

17-18
Cuzco
City
You’re back in the historic city of Cuzco for one night only! Spend your time in the city as you please; explore your favorite historic and cultural sites, soak up local life in the main square or relax with a pisco sour or two.

On Day 18 you’ll head home all the more knowledgeable on the history and culture of this fascinating country.