Cultural Highlights

Cultural Highlights of Peru

15 days from £2297 per person

We have left nothing out of this fantastic 15 day trip to Peru with all of the country’s main highlights included whilst staying at excellent mid-range hotels. One of our most popular routes, completely customizable.

Places you visit: Lima – Arequipa – Colca Canyon – Lake Titicaca – Cusco – Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu

“They were excellent.. Made our trip so effortless and we had wonderful guides, good quality transportation and hotels. Would definitely recommend them to everyone.”

Th Lim, April 2019.

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Speak to someone who has been to Peru on +44 208 191 7772 or send an enquiry.

Tour Itinerary

View a day by day summary below or

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Day 1: Arrival to Lima

Meet & greet at the airport by your English speaking guide and driver who will welcome you to Peru, help you with your luggage and take you by private transfer straight to your hotel. Afternoon and evening at leisure.

Meals Included: None today

Suggested Accommodation: Jose Antonio Deluxe Lima

Day 2: Lima & Larco Herrera Museum

Enjoy a guided tour of Lima including the historic centre where you will find a number of impressive buildings such as the government palace, the city hall and the 17th century San Francisco convent where you will visit the underground catacombs. After this you visit the Larco Herrera Museum, an 18th century mansion that now houses an impressive permanent collection of ancient artifacts. There is a nice cafe here or use our guide to select a restaurant for lunch.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: Jose Antonio Deluxe Lima

Day 3: Lima to Arequipa

After breakfast you will be taken to the airport for your direct flight to Arequipa. The flight takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Upon touching down in ‘the white city’ your driver will meet you and take you by private transfer to your hotel in the historic centre. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: La Hosteria

Day 4: Arequipa & Santa Catalina Monastery

santa catalina monastery in arequipa peru

Today you will be met at your hotel by your guide for a tour Arequipa. Begin with a visit to the extraordinary Santa Catalina monastery which was originally founded in 1579. Continue to the magnificent Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesus, a beautiful Baroque church. You’ll also visit a viewpoint with a great view of the city and volcanoes beyond.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: La Hosteria

Day 5: Arequipa to the Colca Canyon

This spectacular drive across high mountain passes provides dramatic scenery of snow covered volcanoes, quaint villages and vast plateaus. You will stop along the way at the Mirador de los Andes, at 4900m, where there are breathtaking (literally!) views. Descend to the town of Chivay where there are impressive pre-Inca agricultural terraces. Lunch in a local restaurant and afternoon at leisure in your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Suggested Accommodation: Colca Lodge

Day 6: Colca Canyon

natural hot springs at the colca lodge peru

Why not make the most of the excellent spa facilities at your hotel or take a dip in the beautiful natural hot springs by the river. For the more active hiking, horse riding and mountain biking are all available.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Suggested Accommodation: Colca Lodge

Day 7: Condor Cross & Journey to Puno

Early this morning you will be taken to the Condor Cross lookout point which is considered one of the best places in the world to spot the huge Andean condor, an otherwise rare bird. You will also visit the historic church in Yanque and other lookout points across the canyon. After this embark on the spectacular journey by bus to Lake Titicaca. There will be three stops along the way at Patapampa, the Chucura volcano and Lagunillas. End the day in your hotel on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Suggested Accommodation: Posada del Inca Puno

Day 8: Floating islands & Taquile

Enjoy a full day exploring the glimmering Lake Titicaca by boat. You will visit the fascinating floating islands made of tortora reeds on which the indigenous Uros people still live. From here travel further across the tranquil waters to the picturesque island of Taquile. Learn about the ancient Quechua traditions and their beautiful hand woven fabrics and textiles which have been recognised by UNESCO. Enjoy a traditional lunch and the panoramic views before returning to your hotel early evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Suggested Accommodation: Posada del Inca Puno

Day 9: Epic overland journey to Cusco

Today travel along an iconic route across the high Andean plateau to the ancient city of Cusco. The journey takes about 10 hours including a few stops along the way and lunch in a local restaurant. The first stop is at Puka Pukara where you visit the Lithic museum before continuing to La Raya Pass, the highest point along the route at 4300m. You will also stop at Raqchi to visit the Temple of Wiracocha and Andahuaylillas where there is an ornate 17th century church. Evening at leisure in Cusco.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Suggested Accommodation: El Retablo

Day 10: Cusco & nearby ruins

Explore the fascinating city of Cusco with a local guide. Visit the impressive Cathedral and the Qoricancha, the golden Inca temple. After a leisurely stroll through the historic streets you will be driven slightly outside of the city to the nearby ruins of Tambo Machay. You will also visit Quenko before ending the tour at Sacsayhuaman, an ancient citadel with enormous stones and fantastic views over Cusco.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Suggested Accommodation: El Retablo

Day 11: Chinchero & Ollantaytambo

traditional weaving in the sacred valley peru

Today you will enjoy a full day’s tour to the Sacred Valley. Start at the picturesque village of Chinchero to learn about traditional weaving techniques, before moving on to Ollantaytambo, an old Inca town with original Inca walls. On the hilltop you will visit the ruins of the former fortress.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Suggested Accommodation: Pakaritampu

Day 12: Maras & Moray

inca terraces of moray sacred valley peru

Today you will visit two of the Sacred Valley’s most iconic sites. Begin by visiting the salt ponds of Maras that are located on terraces on the mountainside. They are visually striking and still used to mine salt to this day. From here continue to the impressive circular terraces of Moray. These were used by the Incas as farming method. You will be dropped back at your hotel after lunch.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Suggested Accommodation: Pakaritampu

Day 13: The train to Machu Picchu!

Experience a classic train journey to Machu Picchu onboard the Vistadome train as the beautiful scenery rolls by outside the large panoramic windows. On arrival to Aguas Calientes you will be met by your guide and taken by bus up the mountain to the Machu Picchu site. Enjoy a day exploring this extraordinary wonder of the world before bedding down for the night.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Suggested Accommodation: El Mapi

Day 14: Second entrance & train to Cusco

We have included a second entrance ticket to Machu Picchu so you can explore the site again. Those who have moderate fitness and don’t mind getting up early can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain for great views of the site. In the afternoon take the train back to Cusco.

Meals Included: Breakfast & snack on the train

Suggested Accommodation: El Retablo