Highlights
- Marvel at impressive Incan ruins in the Sacred Valley
- Travel in style from Machu Picchu on board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train
- Soak up year-round sunshine at stylish Kichic beach boutique
From the mountain peaks of Machu Picchu to the sun-kissed coastline of the Pacific, discover Peru’s unparalleled diversity and relax with a luxury beach break on this 11-day private journey. Starting in the culinary capital of South America, Lima, fly to the Sacred Valley of the Incas to discover awe-inspiring ruins and colorful local culture. Travel by train – including the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham – to visit Machu Picchu. Stroll the cobbled streets of historic Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Round off your authentic cultural discovery with relaxing down time at Peru’s top beach destination, Mancora, boasting year-round sunshine and seasonal whale-watching. All elements of this itinerary can be tailormade to your interests and travel style – just let us know.
Daily Summary 11 Days / 10 Nights
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Day 1
LimaView on map
Arrival to Peru
An English-speaking Aracari representative will be expecting you from your international arrival, will greet you and give you your customized welcome pack with a booklet of your trip itinerary and other useful information before whisking you off to your hotel, assisting you with all check-in procedures.
Depending on your arrival time today we recommend booking a table at one of Lima's top restaurants - the capital of Peru is home to four of the World's Top 50 Restaurants (2018-19) and Peru proudly lays claim to being the ultimate culinary destination in South America.
Accommodation options
- Day 2
LimaView on map
Urban Eats Food Tour & Into the Past City Tour
Spend a full day exploring Lima's historical highlights, or combine a visit to the historic center with sampling food tour Urban Eats.
One of the main fascinations of Lima is the concentration of ancient history in the area; not only do the origins of the city pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia, its museums are full of the artistic treasures of magnificent pre-Columbian civilizations that flourished throughout the coastal deserts of Peru. Begin to unravel this multifaceted history accompanied by a specialist guide with a professional background in history, art or architecture. The downtown center highlights include the Cathedral, Convent of Santo Domingo and the Main Square with its beautiful baroque style buildings. You will also have a chance to visit Casa Aliaga, the oldest home on the Continent and still family-owned after 17 generations. If you spend a full day focused on Lima's history, you can also visit the impressive Larco Herrera Museum - known for is 'erotic' pottery, or choose other sites of interest like La Casona de San Marcos, the Convent of San Francisco and its catacomb,Huaca Pucllana and the Museum of the Inquisition.
If you only explore the historic city center for a half day, you will also have time to enjoy Urban Eats sampling food tour. Having exploded onto the global food scene, Peru is now widely regarded as one of the world’s principal food travel destinations. Home to colorful dishes inspired by the country’s dramatically diverse geography, rich ethnic make-up and long culinary history, on this sampling tour you will savor some of the flavours that have helped put Peru on the world food map. Visiting a local market, traditional bodegas and artisan eateries that collectively showcase some of the best of Peru’s produce, discover new ingredients and learn more about Lima’s trailblazing gastronomic status by tasting a sample of the extraordinary variety of foods Peru offers.
Accommodation options
- Day 3
Lima – Cusco – Sacred ValleyView on map
Visit Pisac Market and Ruins
Fly from Lima to Cusco and drive to the Sacred Valley. En route stop at Awanacancha ranch to meet the different camelids that live in the Andes such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos. Visit Pisac market and ruins. With Inca masonry of superlative quality, the stunning terracing at Pisac follows the contours of the mountain. The views of the valley will leave you in awe.
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- Day 4
Sacred ValleyView on map
Inca highlights: Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo
Visit highlights of the Sacred Valley: Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo. Maras salt pans consists of a huge number of watered terraces that collect salt by evaporation from the saline waters that gush from an underground stream. Built in a similar way to agricultural terraces seen throughout the Andes, the Salinas of Maras have been in use since pre-Columbian times. Nearby Maras lie the enigmatic Inca terraces of Moray, which were likely used for agricultural experimentation.
Enjoy a seven-course creative gourmet lunch at Mil, the latest restaurant from Peru's famed chef Virgilio Martinez. Martinez is the creator of Central, the number one restaurant in South America and in the top 10 on the Worlds' Best 50 Restaurants List. Located next to Morary, Mil is home to Martinez's food lab which diners can visit - they're known for discovering and using rare and foraged ingredients.
Afterwards visit Ollantaytambo town and its ruins. It was here that one of the greatest battles of the Conquest was fought, and one of the few where the Incas defeated the Spaniards.
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- Day 5
Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu View on map
Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
Drive to Ollantaytambo to take the train to Machu Picchu, passing through lush landscapes and Andean villages. On arrival to Aguas Calientes you will take a bus to the entrance of Machu picchu. The main destination on many travelers’ lists, the ‘lost city of the Incas’ is a man-made marvel that has become a symbol for the ingenuity and prosperity of the most expansive empires in Latin American history.
Accommodation options
- Day 6
Machu Picchu - Cusco View on map
Visit Machu Picchu
This morning return to the ruins with your guide. Optionally hike to the Sun Gate, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, offering spectacular panoramic views. Following your visit, take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes and board the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham train. You will be welcomed at the VIP waiting room with a glass of bubbly, with dinner, live music and an open-bar on board. Arrive into Poroy and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Accommodation options
- Day 7
CuscoView on map
Cusco walking tour
Since its narrow alleyways were originally designed by the Incas as a city for walking, start your exploration of Cusco on foot. Begin at the Plaza de Armas, the Main Square, which is marked by the exquisite Spanish Colonial architecture and ornamentation imposed by Spanish colonists to exert religious and political influence. Underneath it all, however, you can clearly see remnants of Inca Cusco in the solid stonework. Visit Koricancha, the most sumptuous “Sun Temple” in the Inca Empire, and the breathtaking Cathedral, a repository for Cusco’s colonial art, as well as many other important archaeological relics and artifacts. You will also stop by the colourful San Pedro market and pass through the charming neighborhood of San Blas. Next, visit Sacsayhuaman, an Inca citadel atop a hill, on the outskirts of the city. Not only are the imposing terraces of masterful stonework a sight to behold, but the vistas overlooking the sienna rooftops of Cusco provide a whole new perspective to the city you traversed.
Accommodation options
- Day 8
MancoraView on map
Fly to Mancora on Peru's Northern Coast
Today you will leave the mountains of Peru and head to an enitrely different climate on the warm shores of Peru's northern coastline. Fly from Cusco to Talara airport via Lima - we'll meet you in Lima to assist with your connecting flight. On arrival in Talara a private transfer will take you to the stylish beachfront hotel KiChic. This 9-room luxury boutique retreat places an emphasis on health and wellness. It boasts its own large yoga studio with daily classes. Room sizes and layouts all differ – some sea-facing and with private pools – and stylish decoration focuses on neutral shades and natural materials. Showers are outdoor, stone affairs. One of KiChic’s draws is its restaurant, with a vegetarian and fish menu (no meat) which includes pizzas, pastas and plenty of Peru's superfoods. The hotel has a pool and direct beach access.
Accommodation options
- Day 9
MancoraView on map
Beach break & Optional Whale Watching
Enjoy the day lounging by the pool or on the beach; KiChic also offers spa treatments. If you visit between August-November, then whale watching is not-to-be-missed. From August to November each year, humpback whales travel thousands of miles from Antarctica to the tropical waters around Mancora to give birth to their offspring. During this reproductive season, male humpbacks display mating techniques that include impressive jumps out of the water. A half-day boat trip is combined with snorkelling with turtles at Nuro Cove.
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- Day 10
MancoraView on map
Beach Break
Enjoy another day of relaxation, soaking up the year-round sunshine on the sunny beaches of Mancora.
Accommodation options
- Day 11
Mancora - LimaView on map
Fly to Lima for International Departure
A private transfer will take you to Talara airport for your domestic flight to Lima. We will assist you in Lima with your connection for your international departure flight from Peru.
Aracari specializes in tailormade travel. Here are just some of our further trip suggestions. Contact us for more bespoke ideas to inspire your travels.
Featured Destinations
Journey pricing as of 2022
Basic Pricing - US$6,400 per person
This is a sample journey and can be tailored to your interests and travel style.
- Based on two people travelling together in double or twin occupancy
- Price is per person for the full 11-day itinerary
What's Included?
This journey is based on two people travelling together in double or twin occupancy, excluding flights (international and domestic).
- Includes all specified services in the journey description
- All transfers and entrance fees
- A welcome pack on arrival including: a pre-loaded cell phone to contact your travel consultant at any time, a printed booklet packed with insider tips alongside your detailed journey and up-to-date recommendations on dining and shopping
- Hand-selected English-speaking guides
- Specialist guides (where noted)
- 24-hour support from our locally based team
- 10 nights in a hand-picked selection of Peru’s finest hotels - all personally tried and tested
What's not Included?
- Domestic flights (quoted separately).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- International Flights and airport taxes.
- Neither personal expenses nor any other service not specified in the itinerary.
Peru Mountains to BeachCultural discovery and beach break - Day 2
