Southern Peru Art and Culture Journey

Upon arrival in Lima, a tour representative will meet you at the agreed time and escort you to your hotel. The Peruvian capital is a vibrant city blending modern life with rich history, currently experiencing significant cultural and economic growth. After checking in, we will take a short excursion to begin exploring the city, starting with the Magical Water Circuit in Exposition Park. This impressive collection of fountains holds the Guinness World Record for the largest fountain complex and is a popular attraction year-round. Following the visit, enjoy a dinner show at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, we set out to explore the Palomino Islands, located just nine kilometres off Limas coast. This small archipelago is home to a variety of wildlife, including numerous bird species and sea lions. Following the boat tour, we return to the dock and visit Callao Monumental, an urban art project aimed at revitalising the area through cultural development. Here, local artists showcase their work and engage with the community by teaching their craft to children and young people, fostering new opportunities. You then have free time to explore the nearby art galleries and bohemian restaurants, which have become a vibrant part of the citys cultural scene. At the end of the day, a transfer will take you back to your hotel to prepare for your flight to Cusco the following morning.

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Cusco (flight not included). Please ensure your flight arrives no later than 10:30am, as later arrivals may affect the days schedule. Upon landing in the Imperial City, we will take you to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. En route, we will visit the Living Museum of Yucay, where you can observe traditional Andean crafts such as textile weaving, adobe construction, pottery, and silverwork demonstrated as they were in ancient times. The museum is also home to llamas, sheep and alpacas, which you are welcome to feed. After the visit, we return to the Sacred Valley for dinner and overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, we travel through the Sacred Valley to the archaeological site of Moray. This intriguing Inca site features a series of concentric circular terraces, each with its own microclimate, suggesting it may have served as an agricultural research centre. Next, we visit the salt ponds of Maras, where thousands of small pools continue to provide livelihoods for local families. These salt deposits were a vital economic resource during the Inca Empire. We then proceed to the town of Ollantaytambo, known for its well-preserved Inca urban layout. Here, you can explore the streets and ascend to the impressive fortress perched on a mountainside. After the walk, we enjoy lunch accompanied by a traditional horse show. Returning to the hotel in the Sacred Valley, you will have time to reflect on the days rich Inca heritage.

Today, we will experience the Peruvian Paso Horse, renowned for its distinctive gait and its role in the traditional marinera dance. After a brief introduction and fitting your Peruvian hat or riding helmet, we will mount our horses for a gentle three-hour ride along the scenic trails surrounding the Sacred Valley. This ride offers a wonderful opportunity to take in the stunning views near the hotel. Overnight in Sacred Valley.

After breakfast, we will transfer you to Ollanta Station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu. The journey offers stunning views of the Andean landscape as you travel through dramatic mountain scenery. Upon arrival, we will guide you to the bus that climbs to the entrance of Machu Picchu. This remarkable Inca citadel, believed to have been built in the 1450s by Emperor Pachacuti as a royal retreat, was abandoned within a century and remained hidden from the Spanish conquerors. During the guided tour, we will explore key sites including the Main Square, Royal Quarters, Temple of the Three Windows, Circular Towers, Sacred Sun Dial, and Burial Grounds, providing insight into the history and significance of this extraordinary archaeological complex. After the tour, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, followed by free time to relax or explore the town at your leisure. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

After breakfast, we board the train back to Ollanta Station, where a transfer will collect you and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Once settled and rested, we will pick you up for an evening visit to the local planetarium. Begin with an engaging introduction to the ancient Inca connection with the stars, followed by a session inside the impressive dome where you can observe the constellations as the Incas once did. Telescopes are available to explore the Cusco night sky in greater detail. This experience offers a fascinating insight into Andean cosmology and the relationship between the regions early inhabitants and the universe. Overnight in Cusco.

Begin your day at a relaxed pace with breakfast at the hotel, allowing time to explore Cusco at your leisure. You might wander the streets, browse local shops or simply rest before the afternoons activities. Later, join a guided tour of this historic city, once the heart of the Inca Empire. Visit the Santo Domingo Convent, built atop the remains of the Inca temple Coricancha, a site once famed for its gold-covered walls and sacred sun worship. Continue to the Cathedral, the grandest building on Cuscos main square, before heading to the nearby hills to explore the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Its massive stone walls provide striking views over the city. To round off the afternoon, take part in a chocolate-making workshop where you will discover the origins and production of chocolate while crafting your own creation. Overnight in Cusco.

After breakfast, a transfer will collect you from the hotel at the arranged time and take you to the airport. Say farewell to Peru as you board your flight to your next destination.