Peru Explorer from Lima to Machu Picchu

Upon arrival at Lima Airport, our staff will greet you after customs and provide a private transfer to your selected hotel. This seamless service ensures comfort and ease after your journey. The rest of the day is yours to relax, unwind, or explore the city at your own pace. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose an optional excursion such as a walking tour through Lima’s colonial streets or a visit to its modern districts. From colorful markets to seaside promenades, Lima blends history and modern vibrancy. This first evening allows you to settle in, preparing for the adventures ahead.

After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to Lima Airport for your flight to Arequipa, the “White City.” Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting for your private transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, embark on a guided half-day city tour beginning at Carmen Alto viewpoint, where terraced fields and the volcanoes Misti, Chachani, and Pichu-Picchu dominate the skyline. Visit Yanahuara, a district known for its charming church and stone arches. Continue to the Monastery of Saint Catherine, a sprawling complex with narrow streets reminiscent of Seville or Granada. End the day at Arequipa’s Main Square, admiring the Cathedral and Jesuit Church of La Compañía.

Enjoy breakfast before departing on a guided countryside tour with private transfers. Begin at Paucarpata, where ancient agricultural terraces tell stories of pre-Inca innovation. Next, visit the Sabandía Mill, an 18th-century stone mill still in operation, offering insight into colonial life and local traditions. The tour also includes the Founder’s Mansion, an elegant 18th-century residence reflecting Arequipa’s colonial wealth. With its courtyards and period details, it reveals a glimpse of aristocratic heritage. Conclude with lunch at a local restaurant, where Arequipa’s famed gastronomy—spicy rocoto relleno or savory chupe de camarones—can be savored. This leisurely cultural day blends architecture, history, and cuisine for a complete experience.

After breakfast, make your way to Puno — gateway to Lake Titicaca — by private transfer, scenic tourist bus, or the legendary Andean Explorer train. Whichever you choose, the journey unfolds through some of the Andes' most spectacular landscapes: the volcanic slopes of Chachani, Misti, and Pichu-Picchu; the wildlife-rich Pampa Cañahuas Reserve — home to llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and vizcachas — and vast rolling highland plains stretching to the horizon. Private transfers between hotels and stations or terminals are included for all travel options. However you travel, our staff will be waiting to welcome you on arrival. Overnight in Puno.

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day excursion with private transfers to Lake Titicaca. Begin at the pier to board a boat bound for Taquile Island, where residents still live according to ancestral customs. Learn about their unique traditions, textiles, and community lifestyle. Continue to the famous Uros Islands, man-made floating islands constructed from totora reeds. Explore these fascinating platforms, where families live, fish, and craft colorful textiles for trade. Guides share stories of the Uros’ history and folklore, adding cultural depth to the visit. Throughout the day, admire sweeping lake views, considered the highest navigable lake in the world. Return to Puno.

After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to Puno station to board the legendary PeruRail Titicaca Train for one of South America's most breathtaking rail journeys to Cusco. Settle into your comfortable seat as the train winds through the vast Altiplano, passing grazing alpacas, remote Andean villages, and sweeping highland plains. The journey reaches its dramatic peak at La Raya Pass — 4,335 metres above sea level — where the Andes meet the sky in a spectacular panorama. Enjoy onboard gourmet dining, live traditional music and dance performances, and a hands-on pisco sour demonstration as the scenery unfolds through panoramic windows. Upon arrival at Wanchaq Station in Cusco, your private transfer will whisk you to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided afternoon city tour with private transfers. Start at Cusco’s Main Square, the heart of the ancient Inca capital, then visit Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, once the most revered shrine of the empire. Admire colonial artistry at Cusco Cathedral, home to baroque altars and priceless paintings. Next, explore the nearby ruins: Sacsayhuamán, with its massive stone walls; Q’enco, a ceremonial site dedicated to fire rituals; Puca Pucara, a fortress and administrative post; and Tambomachay, known for its water worship. Each site reveals layers of Inca spirituality and engineering mastery. Return to Cusco for the evening at leisure. Overnight in Cusco.

After breakfast, set out on a full-day excursion with private transfers to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Begin in Pisac, famous for its lively handicraft market and Inca ruins perched on the mountainside. Stroll narrow streets filled with artisan shops before continuing through the fertile Urubamba Valley. Pause for a buffet lunch highlighting local Andean flavors. In the afternoon, visit Ollantaytambo, a remarkable Inca settlement still inhabited today. Marvel at its terraces, fortresses, plazas, and the megalithic Temple of the Sun, a site of immense mystical importance. End the day surrounded by stunning valley landscapes and return to your hotel.

After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to the train station for your journey to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, board a bus to the legendary citadel. Guided by an expert, explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and New Wonder of the World during a 2-hour tour. Highlights include temples, agricultural terraces, plazas, and ceremonial sites—all framed by soaring green peaks. Afterward, enjoy free time to wander independently and absorb the mystical atmosphere. Lunch in Aguas Calientes is included before returning to Cusco by train and private transfer.