Day 1
Arrive in Lima
Arrive in Peru's historic capital, greeted warmly for your memorable journey. Meet your local host and transfer to a hotel in Miraflores, a chic shopping district. Tonight, at 6 p.m., join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception, marking the start of your adventure.
Accommodation: Iberostar Hotel Lima or similar
Meals Included: Welcome Reception
Day 2
Lima
Embark on a Lima city tour, including a visit to Casona San Marcos. Sample local snacks and delve into the building's history with Local Specialists. Participate in a workshop learning the “cajón” and basics of “musica negra” dance from Chincha. Explore Lima's Main Square, then optionally join a Miraflores walking tour, covering Larcomar and Kennedy Park, culminating in a dinner opportunity at “Pasaje de Ramón.”
Accommodation: Iberostar Hotel Lima or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3
Lima- Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco, the entrance to the Sacred Valley, and savour a local Peruvian lunch amidst panoramic views. Experience a cultural immersion with a Shaman's welcoming ceremony. Stay at a unique hotel on the Vilcanota River, nestled in a 17th-century hacienda, ideal for birdwatching and garden strolls.
Accommodation: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
Sacred Valley
Enjoy a unique Be My Guest lunch, engaging with locals to learn about Giant White Corn cultivation, contrasting traditional methods with modern techniques. Witness the elegance of the Marinera dance, a symbol of Peru's rich cultural blend, featuring handkerchiefs and rhythmic music. In the evening, meet Peter Frost, a seasoned explorer and National Geographic expert, to discuss his 47-year journey uncovering Inca and pre-Inca sites in the Andes and Amazon.
Accommodation: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 5
Sacred Valley- Machu Picchu
Explore Ollantaytambo, a vital Inca site in the Sacred Valley, known for its immense fortress and terraces. Board the Vistadome train, snacking while observing the Inca Trail, to reach Machu Picchu. Uncover this ancient city with a Local Specialist, visiting landmarks like the Temple of the Sun and Intihuatana. Back at the hotel, enjoy a culinary session on preparing authentic Ceviche and mixing the perfect Pisco Sour.
Accommodation: SUMAQ Machu Picchu Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6
Machu Picchu- Cusco
Seize a final chance to visit Machu Picchu, exploring its wonders at your leisure. Return to the Sacred Valley by train, with a stop to learn native weavers' natural dyeing techniques, enriching your journey. Explore Pisac's handicraft market and taste chicha, the Andes' beloved drink. Stay in a historic, colonial hacienda in Cusco's heart, a Stays With Stories location.
Accommodation: Hotel Novotel Cusco or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7
Cusco
Start at the Sacsayhuaman fortress, a UNESCO site, marvelling at its ancient stonework. In Cusco, a Local Specialist leads a colonial city tour, including a visit to Mantay, a project supporting young mothers. Gain insights into Qoriwayrachina, a 13th-century Incan site. Enjoy free time for optional activities like the Chocolate Museum or exploring Cusco's hidden gems.
Accommodation: Hotel Novotel Cusco or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8
Cusco- Lake Titicaca
Travel to Juliaca and join a Local Specialist to explore the Peruvian altiplano's daily life. Enjoy an outdoor lunch before visiting Sillustani, a pre-Incan cemetery near Lake Umayo, dotted with ancient chullpas (stone tombs). Journey to Lake Titicaca, where you'll visit Víctor Coila's family for a meal featuring quinoa bread, cheese potatoes, and chaco sauce, immersing in local culture and traditions.
Accommodation: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9
Lake Titicaca
Embark on a Lake Titicaca cruise, observing the Uros people's floating islands. Visit Taquile Island to understand local knitting and weaving traditions, recognized by UNESCO as "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity," supporting UN Global Goal 10. Enjoy a lunch learning about the islanders' reed-based lifestyle. Conclude with a Regional Dinner at a top local restaurant in Puno.
Accommodation: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Regional Dinner
Day 10
Lake Titicaca- Paracas
Fly back to Lima, then head to the coastal haven of Paracas, glimpsing Peru's rural lifestyle en route. Arrive for a seaside dinner at your Paracas hotel, followed by a relaxed evening. If time permits, enjoy a leisurely walk along the scenic Malecon.
Accommodation: Spa Hotel Aranwa, Paracas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
Paracas
Experience a thrilling flight over the desert to witness the mysterious Nazca Lines, visible only from above. Later, visit the Regional Museum of Ica to delve into Paracas and Nazca cultures. Enjoy a cultural immersion at Bodega El Catador, tasting Peru's finest pisco. Spend the remainder of the day freely.
Accommodation: Spa Hotel Aranwa, Paracas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 12
Paracas- Lima
Embark on a morning cruise around the wildlife-rich Ballestas Islands, a 'mini-Galapagos', with a Local Specialist. Marvel at Pisco Bay's Candelabra, then return to Lima for an evening at the Larco Museum. Conclude your journey with a celebratory Farewell Dinner in the museum's enchanting garden restaurant.
Accommodation: Iberostar Hotel Lima or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 13
Depart Lima
Take your transfer to the airport or if you wish to extend your stay please liaise with our agents for further details.
Meals Included: Breakfast
